GENERAL ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1922, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION.

MR SEDDON IN THE NORTH. Mr Seddon continued his election- ' coring tour in tho north yesterday, when Nelson Creek and Ngahere districts were visited. Mr Seddon spoke at Nelson Crook early in the evening. Mr N; R. Curnow was in the chair, and at the close of the political address, thanks and confidence in Mr ; Seddon wero moved by Mrs H. Williams and seconded h.v Miss G. E. Adams, ad the motion was carried . unanimously. Liitor in' the evening, Mr Seddon spoke at Ngahere, where All - J. M. Armstrong occupied the chair. Again, a motion of thanks and confidence was passed in the candidate hv the unanimous vote of the meeting, ' The motion was nioved by Mr George Hill and seconded by Mr T. J. Furlong. Air Seddcnl speaks lit Kokiri tonight and at Greymouth to-niorrow night. He will visit the Kuinnrn dis- I triet on Saturday, and speaks in the | Borough on Saturday night. He then j proceeds to Otira via the Christchurch 1 road, ’ and resumes liis campaign, on Alomlay night.

[BY TELEUIIAI’U —PEll TltF-Sb ASSOCIATION] ROTORUA, Nov. 7. A Liberal meeting last night selected Cecil Henry Clinkard, motor-car proprietor to contest Rotorua seat. MON. W. F. -MASSEY. PUKEKOHE, Nov. 6. Mr .Massey was given an enthusiastic reception at Pukekohc to-night by a crowded meeting of constituents. Me reviewed the work of the last three years, and emphasised tho special legislation during the last session providing for the strengthening of the Advances to Settlers’ Department by £2,000,000 sterling, with an additional £3,(XX),000 next year, and also a provision for advancing up to £SOO to industrious applicants on chattel security. Me claimed that conditions generally were rapidly improving, and he believed cheaper money would ho available in the near future. It would l>e necessary to raise another loan next Alareh or April, but he desired to sound a warning that the country could not go on increasing indefinitely its load of indebtedness. During the past seven months the revenue was £11,012,610, compared with £11,413,--10!) for a similar period last year, an increase of £220,111. This was the first occasion for some time an increase in revenue had been shown. The Departmental expenditure for the last seven months showed a saving of £1,390,217. while the expenditure un. der special Acts, etc., showed a reduction of £401,540. This gave a total reduction in expenditure due to economies and savings of £2,291,706. As regards public works, the Government during the last ten years had spent £18,178,422, not including additions to open lines, telegraph extension. immigration, workers’ dwellings, or school buildings. Two hundred and thirty-live miles of railways had boon completed and handed over to the Department, and a further fifty miles were constructed and operated by the Public Works Department. Assistance had been given to 82,500 returned soldiers, through the hand and Repatriation Departments, and nearly £0,000,000 had bees expended on the purchase of blocks of laud. The Government proposed to carry on the sugar control for another six mouths. There had been a reduction in the price of Hour, enabling bread to he reduced by Id. "With reduced

taxation in sight, he believed that they soon would have a very rapid reduction of the cost o f living. Regarding the issues of the election, Mr Massey declared that the Government could only he ousted by a combine of the Liberals and Labour. The Leader of the latter Party had asserted that if Labour joined up with the Liberals, Labour would dominate the policy. It wits dear that the Labour policy was eon (iseat ion, in tho form of the socialisation of the means of production, exchange and distribution. Tho issue was thus between a stable, strong Government and chaos. His message to a certain member in the Liberal Party was: “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” (Laughter and applause).

The Prime Alinister was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, and a rousing demonstration of goodwill, the crowded audience singing “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow!” LABOR AT AYAJTEAIATA. AUCKLAND, Nov 6. Mr R. F. AVay, tho official Labour candidate for AVaitemata, opened his campaign to-night. He" outlined the Labour -platform. He said the housing conditions of New Zealand were a disgrace to any Self-respecting administration. He contended New Zealand was becoming more and more capitalistic, as was evidenced by the increasing of the incomes of the wealthy clastes. Tlie only" "difference between tha Liberals and Mr 'Massey’s followers was that one was “out” and tho other was “in.” Even under a Liberal regime. Labour had to fight to get progressive measures enacted. With respect to the war debt, capitalists who were drawing over £IOOO a . yea rshould he levied upon to pay off the; war bonds. A vote of confidence was passed.

TIAIARU SEAT. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 7. The Timaru correspondent of the Lyttelton Times states that although Timaru has never been represented liy other than a Liberal, the strange position arises that on this occasion there is no Liberal in the* field nor is one likely. It is difficult to make predictions as to the outcome, hut even ardent Reformers arc not over sanguine, realising as they do that considerable numbers who supported Air J. Craigie will now cast their franchises for LaItem - rather than assist the party to which they have ever been opposed. Of course, the intervening five weeks may bring about changes, hut to-day it appears that Labour has an excellent chance of carrying the Timaru seat.