POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1922, Page 4

POLITICAL.

MEETING- AT TOWN HALL. ADDRESS BY MR J. D. LYNCH Mr J. D. Lynch of Greymouth addressed a public meeting at the Town Hal last evening about one hundred persons being present. The .Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) presided. and introduced Mr Lynch stating he was firing his first shot in the campaign that night. It was hardly necessary to introduce Air Lynch, as he was well-known to most oif them. He would only ask that they would give him a fair hearing. He would ask Mr J.vnch to address them. Mr J. D. Lynch said lie had been born in Hokitika, and had been a member of the Borough Council some 25 vea-rs ago, so that lie was not a stranger to the district hv anx means. Some three years ago ho had announced his candidature as an Independent candidate and he was now standing again as an Independent, but he had always been a strong supporter of the .Massey Government. ITe made no apology for offering his services, as he held that any elector had the right to offer his services to the public. Some three months ago he had been asked to he the candidate of the Reform Party, but circumstances at that time had prevented him accepting the offer, and since then other arrangements had been made. When he had offered his sendees some three years ago, lie had intended -going to the poll on that occasion, but he had been struck down with an illness that lasted for over ten weeks, and ho reluctantly had to withdraw. His policy was for the West Coast first, last and all the time. He considered that the West Coast had fared hadlv in the past. The West Const wanted the host men they could get to help them through their troubles. He had stated in his previous manifesto that- the returned soldiers should have their very best assistance. There was a crying need to uplift the prosperity of the West Coast. A united effort should he made to cut up the land in the district, nnel the experimental farms on tho Coast should receive more attention, especially to show how lucerne could he grown. Ho was offering his services as an Independent, or an Independent Reformer. He was entirely in unison with tile attitude of General Russell. He stood for the workers every time. No man in Westbind had employed more men than ho had. and lie had never had any trouble with his workmen and ho could say he had always given them a fair deal. He was justified in offering his services as an Independent. If the Massey Government was returned lie would give them his whole support as against any other party. But tho Massey Government could make mistakes, and he referred to the timber policy carried out by Sir E. D. Bell. The restrictions put upon the mills by that policy had stopped the whole of the overseas export of timber. Io would havei been much better if they had been allowed to cut the timber and sow grass in its place. The Massey Government had hanked on the farmer, but on tho West Coast they had not fostered the timber industrv.

Referring to the coal industry lie said, the Government- had kept on importing coal till it was impossible to st-l! New /inland coal for a long time, and even now the coal industry had not recovered. lie had always believed in the future of tho West Const. But our population had -pot gone ahead. In 1913 there were 20.213 in tho district and in 1921 there was an increase of one.

Talking of finance, he said on the AVest (.'oast there worn 2.1 millions of deposits locked up by the hanks, hut this huge sum was not invested again by the hanks on the Coast. Not 15 per cent, of this amount was advanced oil the Const. There should he one state bank, * controlling the whole of the finance of the country. Unless they could not get financial support, the Coast could not progress as iti should, lie also thought tho rate of interest was very high indeed, especially when they considered the huge profits that the hanks were making. In regard to the liquor trade, in the event of prohibition being carried he would (Id hi.s part in seeing the law was can ied out. If continuance*' was carried then they should improve the licensing law. Ho maintained that tho license should he to tho person holding it. and not for the building. A licensee should have the right to take his license wherever ho desired. If any amendment was made it should he in this direction. He was absolutely in favour of the free, secular and compulsory system of education and would not allow anyone to alter it in any direction. It he were returned one of his first efforts would ho to try and chop down the Forestry Department. On the question of defence he said tho host way to save war was to be prepared. He said it should lie their policy to see their navy was prepared and that their air service was ready if needed. On the question of immigration he

said before there were any more immigrants brought hero they should take steps to have proper housing arrangements for them.

Speaking personally, he said lie had J been Mayor of Greymouth for six j years and ho had filled many public j positions, always doing his host for the | advancement of the district, lie was 1 not afraid of a light, and if ha had j right on his side he was always prepar- ] ed to light for that right, and he j would fight his hardest for the rights of the West Coast. I At this stage Mr Lynch made a personal reference to his position, which ho asked the press not to report. Con- j eluding Mr Lynch stated that i! the financial support he looked for was given before he left the district he would make an announcement of his ! candidature and if he did so he cer- ] taily would go to the poll, God willing, ! in spite of the suggestions that were ; made that lie would not bn a starter, but would withdraw like lie had three ; years ago. j QUESTIONS. 1 Questions were invited, and Air L. Queenan asked the following:— i Was the speakur a supjiortcr of some democratic principle? Mr Lynch stated ho was in favour of democracy. What was his attitude in reference to the referendum, the initiative and recall? i Mr Lynch said he was not in favour of a referendum on a question such as war. If they elected a representative, they should first try hint out, and not elect him unless they.had confidence in him. What were his views of the Legislative Council? i Mr Lynch said the Council was here long before the questioner came to this country. Ho thought it was a very valuable chock for hasty legislation. There were no further questions and on the motion of the Chairman a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to .Air Lynch. Mr Lynch briefly acknowledged tin* vote and on his motion a similar vote was passed to the Mayor for presiding. Dependable worm -remedy—WADE'S yOf V Fl f !S 1 'hildren like them.