THE By-ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1921, Page 2

THE By- ELECTION.

campaign opens. [by TELEUHAI’H I’EU CHESS ASSOCIATION'] AUCKLAND, Oct. 17. ' Tho Auckland bye-election campaign I opened to-day. I Mr Lee, tin* Labour candidate, outlined the Labour Party’s platform. He spoke on proportional representation, nationalisation, pensions, and other subjects. As regards housing. Air Leo blamed •tl,i' G'oivcrifnieiit for 'its blnnddring j b.V'the competing on the open market. Ho urged a hold policy of expansion, instead of panic and retrenchment, as 11he best solution of the problem of ] unemployment. , Air Lee criticised the expenditure I being made on defence, saying that a i quarter of a million has been spent on the warship Chatham. This money ] would finance the Arapuni scheme and ‘ other development works, and also as'sisi towards an unemployment fund, i The Territorial system, said Mr I,ee. should K> abolished, as the expenditure mi it was unnecessary. \ Mr Lee was a cci tided a vote of thanks.

linn.' G. W. Ritsscil, the Liberal candidate, also made a speech to-day He said that since April th ( . Government had obtained 16] millions. He would like to know where this money had gone to. He advocated nroportionnl representation. contending that the Government is in power on a minority vote He favoured a decent contribution to the Navy; but a reduction in the homo land defence expenditure. Aviation, he said, should he developed, and we should help the Motherland with submarines.

! In telling why the National Government disbanded. Mr Russell said that shortly before Sir Joseph Ward ] and Mr Massey .returned from the j Imperial Conference, a most disastrous condition of tilings existed. In connection with the finances of the soldiers settlement scheme, there "as then two and a half millions owing, and five and a half millions more were .required before the end of the financial year. He declared that he could give ’a sensational fact, hut he refrained from so doing. Sir Joseph Ward, nut I having been consulted regarding the j financqs of thin Department, would ■ lint- accept the responsibility for it. and ! in consequence he retired from the Go-

vernment. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed at this meeting. Are ELAND. October 17. Replying to Mr Statham's statoment re, his candidature. Mr Foster (Independent) said that lie had resigned from tig. new Party solely because of health reasons, before there was even a- rumour of any vacancy [lending. or possible in Auckland. Feeling himself belter, and not forced to take mi extended trip, lie had divided to enter the lists. He deemed it unfair to approach tile new party to overtoil!# his resignation or to support him Any suggestion of treachery in ‘‘leaving them at tho post” was utterlv uncalled for.