ELECTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 8

ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Now is the time when the average man is anxious to know things. It is the duty of every candidate for election to Parliament to enlighten the electors on modern-day matters of interest. That, I should say, is the purpose of holding election meetings, it is not enough for candidates to utter generalities and tell the people that wages have been reduced and restored. Have they been restored far enough? And are they going to see that they are further restored if returned to their respective seats? Should they have it in their minds to commit further reductions. 1 would say, “ that is hot air, and hot air is the cheapest and least useful commodity in existence.”

Information is what the elector wants. There are many points on which he seeks enlightenment. For instance he would like to know how much the construction of the Dunedin Post-Office cost him and his fellows, likewise the new 4YA station, and so on. It is some considerable time since these buildings were started. Still the electors have not been given a scrap of information as to their cost. The members of the present Reform Government know, and they. are taking good care to see that the outer circle is kept in the dark. Several efforts have been made to get the information, hut the inquirers get no satisfaction. The elector should also be informed what all these new schools and additions to schools that are not old are to cost. I am certain the total outlay would stagger him. A clear statement on the housing policy will also be expected by the inquisitive elector. Some present M.P.s say they have no housing policy, others say tliey have. The result is the elector does not know which side to believe. The best method of satisfying the elector’s thirst for information is for the candidate to ascend the platform and give a full account of the main features of his party.—l am, etc., R. A. Donnelly.

September 26. [The expenditure for wireless buildings does not affect the taxpayer as such. It comes Cut of the Broadcasting Board’s revenue, derived from radio subscriptions. The amount proposed to be spent for school buildings throughout the Dominion —£180,000 —was set

forth in the Budget, published last week. The cost of the Post Office has been stated again and again. The Budget set forth the Government’s proposals for municipal surveys in.respect of housing, and its hopes of assisting schemes when those are prepared.—Ed. E.S.]