THE RAGLAN ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1927, Page 3

THE RAGLAN ELECTION

THE CONTEST BEGINS. TAUPIRI, Sept. 13. Last night Mr A. 11. Waring, the official Reform candidate for the Raglan seat, opened his campaign in the Tnupiri Hall when he addressed a good attendance of electors, the chair being occupied by Mr E. H. Nortlieroft, of Auckland. The candidate, who spoke for half an hour only, was afforded an attentive hearing. He created occasional hursts of merriment owing to his original' treatment of some questions. The candidate was received with applause. He said it was with a feeling of regret that lie found himself before them in the position of successor to Hie late Mr Bollard. He felt it incumbent on him to take up tho burden their lute member had deposilited. and to carry it on. (Applause.) He had been selected as the Government candidate, he stood lor the very principles for which Mr Bollard had stood, and lie would do his best to fellow in his footsteps, honourably and creditably. He had had little opportunity of studying politics, as he had no aspirations in that direction. The country had been through a period of depression and falling prices, which had been laid at the door of tho Government. Depression in New Zealand was largely a reflection of tho position in England. When they realised tho amount of produce Great Britain took from New Zealand they were astounded. Mutton and lamb of late had been making good prices, hut beef liad experienced a had time, as had dairy farmers but, for the i’atter there were brighter times ahead. The credit of New Zealand stood brighter than that of other States under the British flag. The latest loan of six millions was floated much easier than any previous one. and yet there were people who said the country was not governed properly. Increased taxation was almost directly due to the war. There were anomalies in every piece of legislature passed, and Iho land tax was one of these. This was merely a matter of shifting the burden from one to another, and income tax was imposed on the farmer who had no means to pay it. The speaker condemned the land tax a> a burden that should never liavo been imposed, and, if returned, ho would do his utmost to have it abolished. Unimproved values were too high.

Referring to reading problems, Mr Waring advocated some heavier form of taxation to make heavy motor traffic pay for the maintenance of roads. I’eopi'e said we should stop borrowing. It was ridiculous to talk like that. If we did we would simply go hack. Local bodies were clamouring for money, and at. 11 io same time they rated tbo Government for reckless borrowing and wasteful expenditure.

Referring to the Singapore base, the candidate said New Zealand expected Great Britain to take all her produce—she did in fact take SO per cent —and, in order to protect the trade routes and got our produce to market—was necessary to have policemen of the sens and police stations. Tbo candidate was asked wlmt were the intentions of the Government with regard to the dairy factory employee award. Mr Waring, amid laughter, said lie bad not got over the first hurdle yet. lie would look into that la ter.

“ What is Mr Waring’s opinion of flic Dairy Control' Act?” Mr Waring: That is another cautious matter. Tho Control Board controls that.

Tbo candidate was asked bis opinion of the fertiliser question, and if it would not be better for tho Government to subsidise the purchase of manures to fanners than to spend inoiicv on wild-cut schemes.

Mr Waring said the question was a thorny one which might have a boomerang effect on fanners who dabbled in it. Farmers were shareholders in different companies, and they did not know what they were.

The questioner said the Government had spent a. mint of money in blowing up rock on Wniliora River, and would never do any good there. They were also wasting a lot of money messing about planting “trees and things ” at Ngnrunwahin camp.

On the motion of Mr E. R. McCarthy, the candidate was accorded a voto of thanks and confidence.