WELLINGTON EAST

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 47, 19 November 1919, Page 8

WELLINGTON EAST

DR. NEWMAN'S CANDIDATURE Dr. A. K. Newman, sitting member nml candidate tor Wellington East, addressed a meeting of electors in tlio Oriental Bay Kiosk last night. Mr. 1. Porsyth was in the chair, and there was a good attendance. The chairman said ho had known Dr. Newman tor a long time as u eapiiblo and conscientious representative of Wellington Hast. Dr. Newman said that m pre-war davs ho had made a practice of discussing political matters with his constituents at least onco a your. But ho liad retrained during the war because lie felt that his duty was to support tho Government with a minimum of criticism. Ho would merely say now that tho National Government had not been a success, ami that most people wero very glad when it was dead and buried. A National Government was not an im< possible arrangement, but it would have to be a Government composed of men prepared to work together. Ho had disapproved of the extension of the life of Parliament. Normal conditions had now lieon resumed, and ho hoped that nothing more would bo heard in New Zealand of live-year Parliaments. Tho Dominion had niado a great effort during the war, ami had done itself credit in the field. Now it had to faco tho burdens and difficulties that the war had left behind it. His own feeling was that no Government was worth talking about unless it set itself the task of making life- easier and happier tor the people. Several things were urgently needed in New Zealand. ' A policy of industry' and progress 'was essential. The education system, which had been allowed to lag behind tho times, must bo improved. The Dominion needed better school buildings, with larger and more attractive playgrounds. Parliament had decided to spond .£2,000,000 on new schools and school improvements during tho next three years, and this money would do a great deal of. good. But the education system must have tho close attention of tho new Parliament and tho Government. Tho nation that would hold its own in tho world must bo an educated nation. Ho would support the sound principles underlying tlio present education system. He advocated a State dental service for children, and tho adoption of universal school books. There should be more technical training for the young people. A site had been provided at Mount Cook where ho hoped to see a thoroughly efficient technical school erected. Tho school curriculum certainly required overhauling in the direction of adapting it to modern needs. He had boon glad to support tho Government in improving the salaries of teachers.' Referring to repatriation matters, Dr. Newman said that Hie Government had done a great deal for the snldiors. It bad decided to employ .£12,000,008 of the accumulated surpluses in the purchase of land and homes for the returned men. A gratuity costing the country another ot'fi.OOO.OOO was being paid. Tlio pensions were anqlher big charge. The scale of pensions ircquired amendment. The allowance of £\ a weok for attendance in the case of totally disabled men was not adequate, and these men would havo to be placed in a more comfortable, position. Something remained to bo done for tlio soldiers, but Parliament had not neglected them in any respect. Tho medical and hospital -arrangements that wero being made for men who required attention of this kind were on a largo scale. The best expert knowledge was being employed, and the men wero receiving the most skilful treatment that could be'provided for them. 'The provision made by Parliament for the suppression of profiteering was drastic, but it need not trouble honest traders. He believed that the Government could help to reduce the cost of living by arranging for the storage of foodstuffs in the summer, and by organising tho fishing industry and oilier productive industries. There was no reason why cheap fish should not bo at the disposal of tho public all the year round if tho industry was organised on a sufficiently large scale and adequate storage was provided. Some effective remedy for rising prices had to be found. Many of tho people suffered severely under present conditions, and he fnlt that it was in the national interest, that the citizens generally should havo a margin nf income over expenditure. Tho housing problem had reached an acute stage, and the necessity for reform bad been recognised by the Government. A housing scheme had been adopted, but tho Government said it could not let houses under 225. 6d. per week. That rent was too high for a working man. Tlio British Government was arranging to build homes that could be let at 12s. or 15s. per week, part of tho interest on the capital being paid by the State. The peopln of New Zealand must be decently lioused at a reasonable price, and he was "strongly of opinion that it was tho duty of tho Government to see that this was done. The activities of the Public Health Department ought to be extended. A very great, reduction 'in' tho prevalence of consumption had been effected, and he would like to cce a campaign launched against consumption. Nothing was more important than the health of the people. Tho death-rate in Wellington was tho lowest of any civilised town in the world, a fact that he attributed to tho prevailing high winds, but there was no reason why u should sot bp cut down still further. Hs did not anticipate that much reduction of taxation would bo possible. Th« war debt had been a'Meil to the. national burdens. But ho thought that) tho present system of taxation was unfair in its incidence. There should be differentiation between earned and unearned incomes for' taxation purposes, and more relief should be given to married peoplo with families. Parents ought not to feel that every additional child was a new strain on overburdened incomes. Tho national expenditure hail advanced in various directions. The pay of 1 Chil servants had been increased. This had been absolutely necessary, and some further adjustments were still required. The rate of pension for widows and orphans bad been increased, but ho did not tlhink enough bad been done. Dr. Newman emphasised the importance of developing the national resources of the Dominion. The present generation should not hand on tho wholo of the war debt to till! next generation. Some people had an idea that Germany would havo to pay, but his own feeling was that if a chance offered nf taking: Is. in tho pound on New Zealand's prospective share of the reparation payment (he wisp course would be to take it. He bclievfd that Hie most important public work from tho Wellington standpoint was.the iMiiiigiiihan scheme. He would like.to see effort concentrated on the completion of that scheme, within Ihree years. Kiiormous benefife would accrue from the' supply of cheap and abundant power. Tho completed scheme would develop industries, givo cheap transit, reduce the cost of living, and assist the I citizens in many other ways. It would pay from (he start, and ho did not see why I ho Government should dawdlo about the work at all. The Government had been dawdling so far. lie approved of the provision that had been made for the exclusion of undesirable immigrants. Referring to parly matters, Dr. Newman said tho danger ahead was that a small group of extremists would bold lilO balance of power in the new Parliament. Ho and some other members had agreed that if this happened Ihey would sink their differences and insist upon good government for New Zealand. He advocated reform of Parliamentary procedure in the direction of curbing the powers of Ministers and nssertinfr the proper aulliorily of Parliament. Members of tho House" should have more freedom and more power. Tn conclusion he said that the electors should realise Ihe vital imparlance of securing- a really good com-mon-Fon?o Government, devoted to Ihe in. forests nf the peonle. The new Parliament wni In ho elected for throe years, and be did not believe Hint there would be any dissolution wjlliin the period. The electors would h"ve Ihe chance next month In secure a Government that would serve them well. In answer In qiirstinns, Dr. Newman said be had always suppor'rd nu imrrnved electoral system, either prnportionnl representation or the single (runs-, ferublo vote. He was in favour of a

policy of keeping out nil undesirable imniiernnls. Ho was not in favour of encouraging any immigration at present:, lie would let. people como if they wished to <io so and were suitable, but would not support a promiscuous policy of bringing people to the country. Ho was oijposcd to tlio use of indentured labour in Samoa, and had voted against it. Hβ did not approve of tho proposal to give vouths four months' training in camp. A. vote of thanks and confidence, was moved, and was carried with ono dissentient. I