GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1928, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION.

WESTLAND ELECTORATE.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 1928. (Hours of Polling- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

TO THE ELECTORS OF FAIL SOUTH WESTLAND. Dear Friends,—The brief interval of time between the rising of Parliament and the day of polling, precludes my journeying further south than Waiho Gorge, before polling day. The following is the itinerary I have been able to arrange out of the twenty-four speaking nights at my disposal: November 6th, Hokitika (afternoon), Manama and Kuatapu (evening); November 7th, Totara (afternoon); Ross (evening); November Bth, A\ attaint (forenoon); Kakapotahi, Pukekura, and Evans’ Creek (afternoon); Matainui (evening;; November 9th, Okaiito Forks (forenoon); Okarito (afternoon); Waiho Gorge (evening); November 10th, Tetaho (forenoon), Herepo (aitcrnoon); Harihari (evening).

I have, reluctantly, to ask you to excuse me meeting you further south just .now, but as 1. was able during the recess to cover the ground, and m any case know the district so well, 1 feel sure in the circumstances 1 it ill bo excused. 1 therefore take this opportunity of briefly addressing you in support of my candidature.

With the exception of a short break, i have now been your Member for upwards of 20 years. Always 1 have endeavoured to serve you faithfully and attend to the requirements of the district. I have a thorough knowledge of the Far South and its people, and it has been my aim at all times to do all I could to see the district opened up. I have seen considerable improvement from time to time in the means of communication, and I have now the great pleasure of informing you that the Government has sanctioned the extension of the Great South Road to link up eventually with Otago, via the Haast Pass. This great work of such magnitude is in reality a national work, and is regarded as such by the Government. The work is laid down as part of the policy in the latest Public Works Statement, and to clinch the matter, a Parliamentary vote ol £ISOO (on account) was included in the Supplementary Estimates. I have the assurance of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime -Minister, and the Hon. K. S. Williams, Hon. Minister oiTublic Works, that the work will be prosecuted with all despatch and arrangements are now' in hand to send a survey party down to lay off the first section of the road from Weheka on.

I regard this work as one ensuring the future stability of the Far South. A good highway of Government standard, will he built right into the heart of the territory and through to Otago. 'The route of the road is to he deviated where engineers consider necessary, and bridges are to be erected.. Jt is an undertaking ot the highest importance not only to the district served, but to Westland as a whole for it will add so much to the geneial prosperity. ] deem myself fortunate in being your member when an undertaking ot such magnitude is authorised, and it would he a personal pleasure to continue as your-Member, first, to accompany the Hon. K. S. Williams when with liis wife and daughter he proposes early next year to tour the Far South; and second, to be in Parliament dining the next three years to see that the w r ork is well provided for and advanced to the fullest advantage to meet the urgent need of the settlers so long isolated, hut now with such hope and promise of the removal in due couise of that cramping isolation.

This work is of such outstanding moment to you a!) that I could dwell on it for some time, but 1 must pass on to refer to other matters. For instance, ( must recall the completion and opening of the AVaiho bridge, one of the finest structures of its kind in the Dominion. You will recall I had long advocated that important link and it was a great Honor to he deputed by the Hon. Minister for Public Works to open the bridge for public traffic in June, 1927. ] am sure all settlers and travellers must appreciate the'groat convenience of the all-important gateway to the Far South district. The improvement of the main highway to Waiho, and the construction of the biidges now in hand, along that route are matters known to you. and must be appreciated very greatly by all travellers. All the bridges on the sections referred to should l>e completed within eighteen months to two years.

As you are aware the Waikukupa bridge was seriously damaged by flood a few weeks ago. At my urgent request, the reinstatement of the bridge was promised, and this is to be done as early as possible. 3 lie material required for steel girders was not available in New Zealand, and was cabled for to England. I have a definite promise that Doeherty Creek is to be bridged; also the Ocmoeroa crossing. Both bridge sites have been surveyed, and there is a vote on the estimates this year for the former bridge. There is a vote, also, and 1 understand the expenditure is in hand, for further improving the Waiho-Wehekn section of the road—a very urgent woi v. These works will serve all the Far South, and the opening up of the country must add greatly to the value ot the settlers’ holding as time for transport and means of communication are improved. Incidentally, with the erection of the very line hostel at Weliekn where Messrs Sullivan Bros, are showing such enterprise, the Government seems to be justified by the faith of the settlers who regard the future of the south with such assme.c staii 1> • There is no doubt that the enterprise of Messrs Graham Bros in providing such commodious and excellent accommodation at Waiho Gorge has been a great factor in the substantial development of the South.

It is part ftf the proposal in connection with the Great South Road extension to deviate beyond Y\elieka for a bridge site to cross the Fox river, and also for a bridge site to •cross Cook River. The section ot the rone at Bruce Bay along the beach through Native reserve is to he constructed as soon as possible, now that the lega formalities in acquiring the right to take the road have been completed by the Public Works Department. ns will assure vehicle trnliie through to Alahitahi. The main road is to he improved between Cooks and karangarua■ ; Pnringa to llaast; and Haast to Okiim. Votes for these works, in addition to the ordinary maintenance, have been provided on the Estimates, and will he expended by the Public Works Department. Other district " ol _ have been provided lor this year’s expenditure, and 1 can only say that the list appears to me a most gratilymg one. and must go a long way in meeting the immediate needs of the district in regard to roads and improved means of communication.

Apart from roads and bridges. T pressed very strongly the extension of the railway beyond Ross On tins matter 1 bad discussions with Hon. Ministers and am yet hopeful something will be done, as it is being recognised the railway will be required to prevent the belts of timber extending south being lost for building puiposes. Another matter specially stressed was that of the proposals for Okarito harbour. This is m a somewhat similar category to the railway as a means to save the timber of the district for utility purposes, and l am sanguine that by persistent effort and representation, a satisfactory scheme will be formulated For the opening of the luu nnu. honored with your confidence no effort will be lacking on my part to achieve success during the next term ot Parliament. 1 stated on a former occasion that the personal friendship existing between the southern residents and myself, was a feeling greatly cherished. Those feelings Lam glad to say have been fully maintained, and if m addition 1 can attract your full political support tire gratification will be greater. Dui'iim the past term of Parliament I have been a consistent advocate for assistance to settlers and farmers, and in regal'd to general matters have supported all efforts to maintain the prestige of New Zeaiam , and to assu.c constitutional government being maintained. I stand four square on that point, and feel that at the present time it is essential to maintain those principles of law and order which enable, the Dominion to be legal \ <uk . fullv "overned secure property to its rightful owner, and prevent any policy of confiscation or disruption. J. am distinctly and uncompromisingly opposed to the Red Fed element which present such an object lesson m the cou.se of event's in Australia and have no hesitation in saying that New Zealand as a whole would lie wise m avoidm possible trouble of that nature by preventing the return to Parliament of representatives whose leanings and proclivities are towards those of a Communistic' bearing who revel in strikes and upheavals ,to disrupt the com t and hamper national progress. 1 stand for tt.e principles of liberty and equality for all. bound up m the o d L.be . policy which legislated for the masses and not for the classes, and which gave New Zealand such a non period of prosperity and contentment. In conclusion, Dear Friends, 1 must thank you most cordially for your past generous support. It is over twenty years now since you took me first on trial. Your support has always been well mamtamed, and am looking forward to a continuance of your valued confidence during the coming three years. Advance, Westland: Advance, South Westland: Advance, Far South Westland! ' Yours obediently,

gT. tyj.

(Weymouth, October 23rd., 1928