POLITICAL ADDRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1931, Page 2

POLITICAL ADDRESS

MR GREENSLADE AT HOKITIKA THE COALITION PLATFORM —o — TRENCHANT CRITICISM OF LABOUR

A large audience filled the Princess Theatre last evening when Mr J. W. Greenslade, the official Coalition candi" date for .Westland, made his first public appearance in Hokitika in pursuance of his political campaign. He received a cordial welcome from the majority of those present as he took the platform with the Mayor (Mr G. Perry). Mr Perry, introducing the candidate for .political honours, said that Greenslade, although not so well known in Hokitika, was a well known personage in Greymouth and other parts of the electorate. However, he came here with a- great recommendation. The Mayor expressed pleasure at the large audience. Rounds of applause greeted Mr Greenslade when he rose to speak. He

thanked the audience for their warm * welcome, and said that lie was not '«o well known here as he would like, but • that was ' easily overcome. He had . gained a splendid impression of South t s Westland from the welcome he had re* -1 reived in tile district at the hands 4" of the residents whb had treated him kindly, and with every consideration. He was also vividly impressed with the potentialities of the district through which he had been travelling during the last few days. The fine tracts of scenic beauties went to prove that the dis-. trict must have a great future, and was worthy of every commendation. The hostels at the resorts were all that could be desired, and liis visit had been most impressive. Mr Greenslade gave a. brief resume of his activities in connection with public body work “for this must be taken into consideration,” he said, “when the electors have to make up their minds as to whether I am a worthy candidate or not.” For 21 years, ' with the exception of the War period, he'had been on the Greymouth Borough'Council, and had been chairman of the Finance Committee. He was deputy-Mayor for-, many, years until he had been appointed to the Mayoralty five years ago, and had been.chairman of the Greyjnonth Electric-Power Board, as well as being on the Harbour Board.. “So you see. I have some little record, as well as the respect of the community,” he added. “1 think you will all agree that we are in the throes -of -the greatest financial depression and trouble that New Zealand has ever experienced out* ■v side of the War period,” he continued 1 ‘lf we go into the position -and inspect it' thoroughly, we must realise that it is our duty to practice economy in every way.” (Hear, Hear.) “As a rulel, the want candidates to lay down something definite, to make promises. I am not here to play any -hypocritical part, and T am not in the position to make many promises. I would rather 'get no votes at all"*hjßr promise you anything which T knew could not be carried into effect.” Mr Greenslade said that the keynote of his address would ,be economy, confidence and stability. “I now come to the political side of my remarks,” he said. Unlike Labour, I will not promise you £25,000,000 as .... A voice: Leave Labour alone, and deal with your side. \ Mr Greenslade . . . Mr Holland said he would do. I must make some very trenchant criticism of the Labour Par* ty «in connection .with the policy it has outlined. There are two issues at the forthcoming electidns, Coalition and Labour and you must judge which of the two is the fitter to rule and guide your destinies. Therefore I must draw a comparison between the two, not with the idea of hurting the working man, for I am in great sympathy with him. An interjector :How are you going . to ?

| A 1 voice: Shut up! s. Mr - Greenslade :It is not in the ini' terests of-this country for Labour to be in power. As I have said, we are passing through a period of depression. What is the cure? The answer is “economy.” What is Labour’s cure? Mr Holland says that he is going to raise 25 millions and rehabilitate. . .” The speaker’s remarks were obscured ? in an outbreak of interiections from I the rear of the hall. A member ot £ the audience protested against the | interruption and appealed for a fair j hearing. Mr Greenslade: Mr Holland has asked you to give him a bill for 25 ■ . millions. Look at the Lang Government. ( . . . . Voices: Gut it out. . . Stow it. fj Mr Greenslade: Ido not think there l is any possibilitey of Mr Holland get-' ing the money. What happened when the late Government, went on the mark ket, and we .had to pay six per cent, t ,on the loan. .... Voice: Why don’t you keep to the i subject? Another voice (to the ' inter jector): You are a disgrace to your schoolmaster. Mr Greenslade considered that this : rate of interest was attributable to the reflection which the repudiation by the Lang Government had on the market. The difference between the two parties was that one was out to borrow for rehabilitation purposes while the other out for economy. He would like

to give his listeners an idea of what Jnight- accrue here if 'Labour got into Power. In New South Wales, the people had been thrifty for many years and preparing against -old age and sickness by investing tlieir money m the Post Office Savings Bank. “ Mr Lang, Leader of the Labour Party was responsible for A voice: Stick to New Zealand. Mr Greenslade, continuing, . . . was responsible for the closing of its doors, a.nd now the people had to go down on their bended knees and implore Mr Lang to give them their money back. “You people in Hokitika who have money in the Savings Bank here, how would you feel? We can only be thankful Labour is not in power.” Voices: Out out Australia. . . .What about Victoria ? Mr Greenslade then went on to deal with the question of unemployment. It did not mutter which Government was in power so long as the best results were obtained. He compared conditions in Australia with those in th e , Dominion, “Some gentlemen at the back appear to be angry with me,” said the speaker,”, but I have to compare them so as to show you the true position in which he find ourselves to-dav.”

There were' approximately 50,000 unemployed in New Zealand to-day, and the' people were- being taxed two and a half millions sterling, to cope with it. It was- only a mere pittance. As far as the present Government was concerned, it was doing what it could to relieve the position. If it were possible to pay good wages to the men, then he was for it. They could not increase taxation, for .it would mean clogging the l wheels of industry.

Mr Greenslade was frequently interrupted by hecklers at the rear of the building, which made liis remarks difficult to be heard at times.

While they deplored the ten per cent, cut, said Mr Greenslade, they realised that the Civil Servants were big and loyal enough to realise tne hard position the Government was in at present. He hoped the time would come when these cuts would be restored. This would eventuate when

prosperity returned!. “And that will not be long,” he added.

/ Voice: Not the way things are going at present. Mr Greenslade said, he would like to compare the position at Home since Labour had been routed. A Voice: We don’t want it. Give us the Coalition, platform, - Mr Greenslade said that -since the Conservatives had attained power, unemployment had been reduced, and the former conditions. ... , A Voice: Oh, we have read all about it in the papers. Th© speaker, continuing, . . . were du& to Labour’s maladministration. As far as the worker is concerned, it is far better for him to he under a Government which inspires confidence. He would like to read out to his listen, erg Sir Philip Snowden’s speech to the workers prior, to the recent elections at Home. ,A Voice:' Is it from the “Guardian?” Mr Greenslade: No, from the “Argus.” (Laughter). Mr Greenslade read the statement which was an appeal against the power of Labour, the reasons being also given. To the workers the speaker said he would like to say that Sir Philip was a great man, find had sacrified himself for the workers, and they must pay tribute to such leaders as MacDonald, Snowden and Thomas.

More heckling ensued and an appeal for a fair hearing was applauded by the majority. The candidate referred to the question of the banks. Had it not been for them, they would have been in a bad way to-day. Yet certain criticisms had been levelled at the banks by the Labour Party.

A Voice: What are the hanks doing? It had. come to his notice that Miss Anderson, of the Labour Party, in a letter to the paper, had stated that the Bank of England had a gravebearing on the financial crisis in the Homeland. She stated that the bank could have done more to help tile position. Miss Anderson was a very nice lady, but it was wrong for her to set herself up a s a financial critic. Mr Snowden had said that the country owed a great deal to the bank, but Miss Anderson said otherwise. Mr Greenslade quoted Sir Philip Snowden who had said that they owed a great debt of gratitude to the Bank of England for the part it played in the crisis. Referring hack to the question of salaries and wage-cuts, he said that Mr Holland had promised to restore the cuts when- Labour gained power. The same thing occurred in New South Wales, but when Labour assumed con : trol. » h

A Voice: Cut it out 1 Mr Greenslade. . • What did it do? The cuts were never restored, but were increased by larger amounts. It was urgently necessary that Budget should be balanced. JVhat would

happen to the worker if it were not balanced? It would mean increased taxation, increased unemployment, and would affect New Zealand’s credit abroad, and they would be in a worse position than they were to-day. The Dominion was like a family with an illness- in it. A doctor would be called in to diagnose the case, and, after an operation or attention, would depart. So had New Zealand called in the doctor, and they would have to suffer a little pain before they could enjoy their customary prosperity.

While it was hard! to frame any policy, as fiifances were changing from mouth 'to month, and as the revenue was not coining in as anticipated there were several services in New Zealand which had to be kept going. There were certain things in Westland which could be done, and be would make it liis duty to see thatWestland got its fair share. Fanning was in a bad way, but it was good to know that the Rural Credit Board was assisting the man on the land, and realising that production was the backbone of the country.

Thirty per cent, of farmers were bankrupt, 20 per cent, were heavily mortgaged, and the rest were free, and tlie Government realises that, unless the farmer were kept on the land, the country would soon be in a bad way. They should do all they could for the farmer, and he for one would see .that the former got a fair deal. He referred to the state of the.sawmilling industry, and said it was disappointing that in many cases one no longer heard the hum of a saw at some mills. Some alleviation should be given to the miller, enabling him try sell more timber. I.t would l be IW the good of both the miller and nfs employees, They were unable to get away their white pine oil account of conditions in Australia, so it would be seen how one country affected another. In thd meantime something should be done to help the industry. A number of unemployed men were going out prospecting, trying to get

a little gold, and some bad been successful, and the Unemployment Board was assisting where possible. The speaker advocated the setting up of a. central buying agency, controlled by the Government to help miners, and to see that the latter got the best

return for the product. Mr Greenslade said he sincere l v hoped that when Mr J iT. Thoms? visited New Zealand, som ‘.thing might be able to be done in the way of Deminion preference. He deplored the manner in which Soviet butter was being placed on the market to the detriment' of their own.

“IVo do eight hours work a day, and we think we are working hard,” he continued, “but when I was in South Westland, I saw men toiling from early til] la,te, and women helping them with some of the heavy worn. This is a wonderful example of the condition in which the country is today, and shows: how the women are helping to bear the burden. It is up to us to do likewise.” The fostering of tourist traffic was greatly to be desired ans wo.uld be an asset to Westland. \ It would mean more revenue and more employment. “It would be my privilege to see that the Government did more for tourist traffic, so that this district would get what wag due to it on this respect. Mr Greenslade referred to the question of capital as relative to labour. This was an nge when capital was needed, and the worker must remember that capital must receive a return, and that the worker must give a fair return to hi-s employer. The capitalist must be given ground for confidence, for if be had not confidence his capital would -be tied up. In the Wallsend and Dobson mines the capital has been subscribed in, and around, Westland, but not one dividend had been paid to the capitalist. When de-

preasion came it was not only the worker that suffered. When they talked of the capitalist they should pay him some respeot and give Aim encouragement. He hoped that capital would be invested in Westland. (Hear, Hjear). “What we want is capital, and more capital.” In conclusion, said the speaker, there was no cloud that did not have a silver lining. His keynote had been economy confidence and stability. “If we create confidence, practice economy, and balance tho< Budget, the wheel of industry will revolve, and the depression will lift. The Government is in a year of difficulty, and the people are passing through depression, and we have to make sacrifices that we may enjoy prosperity later. With the creation of confidence, and the election of a Coalition Government. I am sure things will improve. (Applause).

QUESTION’S There had been a miming interlude of interjections from a noisy coterie at the back of the hall during the major portion of the address and when question time .came some of the same persons were in strong evidence. Mr O. C. Friend asked if the cnnd : - tlaie considered it economy and good finance to make a oonus to Dr Valentine on his retirement of £6OO and to others of a similar nature. The candidate replied that so far as superannuation was concerned , the larger the amount paid. by the' contributor, the larger his superannuation payment. He felt that the supeiaiimiiitkm was a just reward for the services rendered to the State. Mr Friend • Why give such a bonus in a time of dop. h-rain was falling and it was >«-iy duqcn.t to hear the questioner). This caused the candidate to romara that it was a bit of bad luck that the Labour questions were getting drowned out to-night. He asked the questioner to come up to the front of the hall.

Mr Friend did so and stated Mr 'Greenslade had misunderstood his remarks. His question was why give a bonus of £650 in these times of financial

stress. Mr Greenslade said there in ay be facts governing the matter of which lie was not aware. He did not think the present government or even a Labour Government, would give a bonus if the recipient was not entitled, to it. A Questioner: Did the candidate consider it economy to give Professor iHornell £4OOO for a detailed report on Awapuni. The candidate replied that large amounts are given for experts’ reports, because by obtaining the very best opinions large sums are often saved. That was an expert’s job and they require to be highly paid. Mr D. Greaney asked if .elected the candidate was prepared to support the Government in another cut of ten per cent. Mr Greenplade said he trusted that such a course was not involved. If the Government is forced to make such a proposal it would mean that the position of the country was that of practical bankruptcy, He would strongly res'st such a proposal unless forced upon the people in* the latter case, and then only after it had been fully explained to the service. Mr C. Friend : Is the candidate a United or a Reform Coalitionist. Mr Greenslade replied that he stood as a Coalition candidate. He had not given consideration to that issue. He would stand or fall as a supporter of the Coalition Government. Mr Friend hoped the candidate understood the policy of the United and Reform Parties. In the event of a split what part would he take. Mr Greenslade : The Labour Party want to split the two parties and he would not answer that.

•Mr Cutbush : Another twister. Mr Greenslade: The Labour Parties are out to split the two parties if they can. Mr James Toohey: Would the candidate support Mr Joseph McLean in-get-ting the Kapitea-Kumara road througn with a view to making Hokitika a suburb of Greymouth, and having ail the tourist traffic make the latter place their headquarters. The candidate said if elected he won id be out to give fair play to all parts of the district. In such a matter as mentioned the two towns would have to battle it out themselves.

Mr J. P. Coulson asked if the candidate would support the local education authorities in the:r endeavours -to have children carried to the main schools, and not for country children to be forced to avail themselves of education by correspondence, where the smaller schools have been closed. Mr Greenslade said lie was ill hearty support of the contents of this question. When in .South Westland the matter had also been brought under his notice. He felt that full consideration in any shape or form should be given to the smaller country schools, and he also thought. that every possible assistance in this respect should also be given to the older people who were in the outlying country places away from the beaten track. Mr A, Cutbush : Was not the candidate at mst election a staunch supporter of Mr J. O’Bric-n and opposed to Mr 'Seddon.

Mr Greenslade said he could give that a definite answer. Ft was an emphatic lie. As ho had stated earlier he was u friend of Mr J, O’Brien, and lie had presided at many of Us meetings, but ho had publicly stated that they must remember that he was not of the same brand of politics. A Questioner; 'Was not the candidate the first person to nominate J. O’Brien, Mr Greenslade ; Ho had never nominated him in his life.

Mr A. Cutbush, who had been a constant interrupter then rose and stated it hacl been a pleasure to hear the address of the candidate and moved a hearty vote of thanks to him for liis able address.

The Chairman who had just before called on Mr S. J. Preston, again called on the latter.

Mr Preston expressed 011 behalf ol •the young people of the West Coast their gratification at Mr Greenslade becoming a candidate. He had toid them to use New Zealand goods and tlmy were pleased to know he was a New Zealander and also a West Coaster. The West Coasters want fair play and they would show their attitude on polling day. He had pleasure in moving a very cordial vote of thanks for his able address and confidence in Mr Greenslade at their representative. Mr F. McGregor seconded -the motion, stating he had known Mr Greenslade from his boyhood days at Greymouth. He congratulated him on his able address and trusted the electors would return him as member for Westland by a large majority.

Mr Walter Wright spoke at length in support, his remarks causing much hilarity, The Chairman then put the motion which was carried by acclamation,

Mp Greenslade thanked the large audience for their attendance and the splendid reception given, He had enjoyed the meeting in spite of the many interruptions, He was proud of being a West Coaster, and proud of all West Coasters on whatever side of politics they were. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for so ably presiding. This was carried by acclamation and a. capital political meeting came to a successful conclusion.