GENERAL ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1919, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION.

SPEECH BY SIR J. ALLEN. <PER FREES ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] ' MILTON, November 21. Sir James Allen (Minister of Finance) ojiened his election campaign in Bruce electorate with a speech at Milton to-night. After a reference to the war he touched on finance.

Hie speaker then pointed out that under the Defence Department, the number of individual patients in and out of hospital, undergoing vocational training during October, 1919, was 1367 and as some liien attended more than one course, the total of attendances was 1784. He said the Repatriation Act was prepared and put through the House by him on October 20th. Training had been arranged for 2664 men and 2236 were receiving training. He alluded to coal strikes. He declared that between 1916 and 1919. there were 427 days lost. In addition loss was occasioned by the “go-slow” policy. During the settlement of the 191,8, September strike, the miners’ delegates suggested setting up a Disputes Committee to settle differences | and to avoid strikes. This proposal was agreed to. Nevertheless, he asserted, . no fewer than 150 strikes had since . taken place. j In regard to the cost of living, he : quoted figures. These showed an increase in the cost of living in Australia, j Canada, the United States, and other countries. He said that between 1914 and 1919 the Rtoard of Trade had dealt with many grocery items. It had fixed the prices of bacon, wheat, flour, bread etc. However, in order to make better provision for the control of prices and to stop the profiteering, the Reform j .Government, he said, had this year , passed their Board of Trade Act, which j included provision to prevent profiteer- j

mg. He said Mr Massey had always been an earnest advocate for the housing of tho wage earners. In 1905 Mr Massey urged the insertion of a clause in the Advances to Settlers Bill, to provide for advances, to wage earners who wished become their own landlords. In 1906 the Government —no doubt, he said, influenced by Mr Massey’s action brought down a. Bill for advances to workers. The amount authorised on loan between April and November 1919, was £535,000 to 1312-settlers and workers. In addition to commitments under the Housing Act, provision had been made for 67 houses at a cost of £25,000 and land had been purchased in various places for hpusing to the extent of £16,086.

He said the question of the position of Samoa would be considered by Parliament next session. He said that before that date, certain members of the House would pay a visit to those islands.

He referred to the satisfactory arrangements haying been .made by the Prime Minister with regard to supplying to Now Zealand valuable phosphates from the deposits of Nauru Island. ll'o pointed out that when the National Government .was ope seat in the Cabinet wa s ,offered ; to a Labour Member. This offer was not accepted The speaker also Touched on a number of questions. ,He was accoyfjed _,a vote of thanks and confidence.

HON G. W. jItUSSELL. CHRISTCHURCH,’ November 21. Hon. G. W. .Russell Member for Avqii .received a very mixed reception at the opening of his campaign to-, night. He s.hjfljhqt after the,>v.ar started” the main parties which were evenly balanced, united for the purpose of administering the war .measures. The Liberals had played the game fairly, although there was generally a feeling that the Party was in a minority m the Cabinet and no Liberal Minister had an important portfolio. Sir Joseph Ward had seceded from the Isa-, tional Government in the exercise o his'rights. Concluding he said it mattered little to him whether Sir Joseph Ward or, Mr Massey was returned to power, Rut he would not support any party wlucti depended for support on the Labour, extremists or on men who were disloyal to the Empire. Towards the conclusion of .the address an extremist element was much in evidence. n j A vote of confidence m Mr Russell j an d of admiration for his administration ; of public health and internal affairs , was declared carried, but amid an up- ;