POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1919, Page 2

POLITICAL.

[per press association. —copyright.j f THU PRIME MINISTER. TE EMIT, Nov. 11. The Prime Minister arrived here last night from Auckland, and this morning he informally met some prominent supporters of the Reform Party. Mr Massey subsequently went to Rotorua. ,

WELLINGTON SOUTH. WELLINGTON, Nov. 11? Mr Roberj; Semple, the Labour can didate for Wellington South opened his campaign at Brooklyn to-night. Mr Semple said it was the desire of the Labour Party to fight this election on principles, and without personalities or side issues.

He condemned the proposal to permit the employment of indentured labour in Samoa. Referring tR the Housing Act, he said that the rate of interest, provided was too high. He took exception to the provision in the Act for the Government to have power to lend money to an employer to build houses foi em plovees, which he said, would give the employers the power to evict the workers if they went on strike, or if they were impudent. He thought that the Government; should instead lend the money direct to the workeis. Mr Semple condemned the provision? of the Undesirable Imigration lestrietion- Act. He declared that thn was the worst form of tyranny that could be imposed upon any common Speaking of coal mining, the candidate expressed the belief that, wit 1 - 1 proper management of in f ,str /’ , people could »" nbuudance of co.d ot half the present price. He con - cd the clause in the Coal Mines Bill giving the Minister of Mines powei fill the mines with unskilled !l ° ur ; . A vote of thanks and confidence Mr Semple was carried without « • dissent.

NELSON seat, nelson, November l. Mr IT Atmore, candidate foi or Nelson MMri l,is , de- » crowded audience last ”«£‘- f support ~Zi ISn *«U )» would vote with the Liberals. The candidate was aeco fled a cordial hearing and received a vote of confidence. temuka seat. •TIM ABE, November 11. Mr T D Burnett, owner of Mount Pook Station and farm at Cave (son of the original lessee of the run) opened bis campaign for the Te^ ka nt Gave While preferring unity ot tne partiel be stated that bo will follow Mr Massey for the sake of a strong Government, The main plank of pro„,,,FS >md well being was founded on ihe land administration and fair incidr - U.pthu rfti.ctad policy should be an occupjitig SSp, with the leasehold as a stepping -Stone to the freehold, and the multapHcTon Of holdings. The whea districts should grow the Dominion bread Th e farmers -should be encouraged to do so by assured prices. Rural production, he said, was largely dependent on the number of men to be fed on the farms. .Therefore electric power, to lessen the slavery of farmers wives was more necessary to the country than in the town. As to railways, th c S o „th Island Trunk line should be finished and motor trollies should be run on both the roads and branch railways bv a change of wheels. He was against the nationalisation policy, as he thought that it was self interest that made men do their best. Education needed improvement and more liberal provision.