N.Z. ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1931, Page 6

N.Z. ELECTIONS

MB, McCOMBS OUTSPOKEN. ARBITRATION COURT 'POLICY. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 19. “The proposal to undermine the Arbitration Court is most contemptible, because it is deliberately deceptive and subtle,” declared Mr J. McCombs (Lab. Lyttelton), when opening his campaign. “The Court,” he 'continued, “is being nominally retained, but is being rendered practically useless. It would have been more stranght forward, and honest to destroy it outright, and let the people know exactly what was intended.” Mr McCombs added that it was not the use the Prime Minister trying to side-step the real issue, that the Government did intend absolutely to destroy compulsory arbitration. The candidate dealt also with landtax abolition, and fusion. He was accorded, a vote of thanks and confidence. MR LYNSAR’S NOMINATION. GISBORNE, November 19. The nomination is announced in Gisborne of Mr W. D. Lynsar, las the Independent Coalition candidate. WHANG ARE! CANDIDATE , WITHDRAWS. WHANGAREIj November 19. Mr William. Jones, who was previously announced a,s an Independent Reform Coalitionist, has withdrawn from the contest. THE WAIPAWA SEAT. ) WAIPUKURAU, November 19. Under the auspices of the Political Reform League, Mr J. J. Ormond,, in nr., Reform Coalition candidate for Waipawa, opened bis campaign at ESjMhorpei last night, addressing ■ a large audience. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. NOMINATIONS. PALMERSTON NORTH, Nov. 19. J. A. Nash (Coalition) was • nominated for Palmerston.

THE PRIME MINISTER AT

RANGIORA

(Christchurch Press.)

The Prime Minister’s speech at Rangiora on Tuesday night will he read, as it was heard, with a great deal more than interest. It was a stout-hearted, bracing statement, in which there was much to admire, hut nothing so much as the straight-out references to some of the Government’s >intentions-! '•MmloForbes v* < said»»tbax>i’itf would modify the Arbitration Act, so as to remove harassing restrictions and, by widening the scope of free arrangement between employers and employees, restore its lost importance to the principle of conciliation. tfe said also that the education vote must be reduced. These were brave things to say, when it might be calculated that silence would save more votes than speaking out would win; and on. the eve of an election, few politicians refuse to calculate in this way or have the strength to- resist the answer. But the Prime Minister has given the electorate plain words, and it is challenged by them to think as honest, ly as he has spoken. Unless the temper of the people is softer and its good sense less than it would he pleasant to believe, the response will be a clear ai|d firm assent.