ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1925, Page 3

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

[uv TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

COL. Mac DON A 1.1) WITHDRAWS,

WELLINGTON. October 11

Col. MacDonald has retired from the Wellington South contest in order not to split the votes. The deputation strongly urged him to withdraw and he agreed.

ELECTION SPEECHES. WELLINGTON. Oct. 11. Mr Forsyth, Reform candidate foi Wellington East, opened his campaign. He pledged himself to support Air Coates' policy. lie believed the time had arrived when all desiring sound -ana administration .should unite so that the progressive measures formulated by Mr Coates might be carried into effect. and the forces of disorder and dent ruction defeated. There should he two parties only, to enable progress to be made. The finances of the country were undoubtedly sound, but borrowings should be curtailed. Tbo candidate supported immigration under a properly controlled system, as the country was able to absorb more than it. was now doing. He extolled Hie present Government's work in the improvement of {tensions, and criticised the Labour I’art.v severely, particularly in relation to it- land policy. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate. WELLINGTON. October LI. All- AfeKeen. the sitting member, began hi- campaign lor Wellington South, lie considered this election ithe most serious in New Zealand’s historv. It is ;i struggle between the Labour and anti-Labour forces. The present Government, despite it- declarations, was diametrically opposed to the welfare ol the working man. The Labour Party was growing and be believed that within the next three years it would be the largest in the House. The candidate condemned the existing wage system, especially the proposal to take <s (Id from the wageof the unmarried ebildles- people, lor the establishment of a fund for the benefit of people with families, lie urged the provision of houses tor flic people by massed production from standardised Government plans. Mr McKecii also advocated a national bank with the sole right of note issue. A vote of ihanks and confidence was ca rried.

Air Aloiiticth. -itting Labour candidate for Wellington East also opened Ins campaign, strongly < ondciiniing tie* Reform administration. lie declared land was the first tiling requiring attention since New Zealand on its agricultural and pastoral productivity, yet while the population had been increasing there had been no advance in land settlement. Government had failed to tackle the housing problem, which had been grappled with in South Australia successfully. The minimum wage in New Zealand was lower than in an State in Australia and Government employees in some vases we*" not receiving the standard wage, lhero had been no real reduction of taxa turn. Wealthy land owners bad IhO'C relieved, but customs taxation was higher, and the cost of living wa--1 herelore higher. A vote of thank' and confidence was accorded the can didate.

MR (OATES AT ( 11 RIS ITT IU R< II ( GRIST; IH'IM 11. October I t. Tiie Premier ! M.r ('nates) bad a hii-y morning. Lir-t lie received two deputation- and H'ou mol ol i'll to lin lapu. addressed a meeting and later went Li tin' Addington snloyards. where lie ah i spoke. AIR KEHIHEX'S CAMPAIGN. (Special to "Guardian”.) GEKYMOLTII. October I I. Mr Keddon bad a crowded meeting at Nel-on ( reek la-t night, the chaii bein,,- taken bv Mr Donuellan. 1 lie piling of the Nationalist Parly was outlined. Mr Seddon also spoke oil matters ol local imiinrialiec. At question time, two avowed ('ommunisls plied the candidate with questions and were not satisfied witli the candidate's views ol Imperialism, loyalty and his replies regarding conscription. A vote of thanks moved by Air Dalziel and seconded by Mr Sadler, was carried. The Communists a countervote. Mr Seddon also spoke at Ngahere and bad a splendid hearing. Air D. Armstrong being in the chair. Mr Seddon received a hearty recc]> turn and a most attentive hearing. Questions were asked and answered satisfactorily. A vote ol thanks moved l.v .Mr W. Ross am! seconded by G. Hill was earned with enthusiasm