GENERAL ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1931, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTION

HON. J. G. COATES

VISIT TO TEMUKA

(By Telegraph.—Per Press Association j

TIMARU, November 26.

Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates visited Temuka to-day, paying a visit to the Insulator Works, where the position regarding the Government’s subsidy was placed before him. He later addressed a meeting of the unemployed, explaining what the Board were doing in an endeavour to meet tne situation. In the afternoon, he addressed a large gathering of electors, his speech being along the Tines . of these in other centres. He was accorded a vote of thanks. Later, Mr Coates visited Timaru.

REPLY TO UNEMPLOYED

TIMARU, November 26,

Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates visited Timaru to-day, and lie gave a brief address, at the conclusion, of which he was questioned by a young man, who evidently was acting as the spokesman for three youths who have recently returned from the Lindi’s Pass Camp for tne Unemployed. The young man said that he had received a bill for 4s 6d for;- tobacco, with a threat that he would be sued if the hill is not paid by December Ist. He asked how could he pay when, ho had not received wages for the work he had done at the Pass.? Mr Coates took the bill from the man, and then commenced to examine him about it.

The young man: “I received only is a week in wages.” Mr Coates: “Not in wages! It- was never intended to be a wane.”

Continuing Mr Coates 'said that the men at the Camp were well provided for and received 10s a week as payment. He strongly advised the men to go hack to the Camp, telling thorn that it would do them no harm in the meantime. He appealed to the men to make the best of the difficulties that the country was in. After a deal of questioning, tne Chairman informed the men that Mr Coates had to leave, and asked them to cease.

“Then you will push us to the front during war,” said another member of the unemployed. “We will he the first to go, and then we will be put out of the way! That’s what happened last; time! The men who went first never came back!”

Mr Coates: “Push again? If you know your duty to your country, there would 'he no need to do that. I was at the front, and was never last over tlie top. So that’s that!” (Applause).

Mr Coates then left the stage accompanied bv applause. He later left for Waitaki 'Hydro Works and Waimate.

MR FORBES AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov,

Mr Forbes addressed-a crowded audience at the Opera House this afternoon, and received a fairly attentive hearing but there, was a rowdy element present. There ivere a number of interjections.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. It was ’ followed by counting out and cheers.

LABOUR IN WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, Nov. 26

Mr I?. McKeen in his speech at Berhampore, criticised th e system of taxation which he said favoured the biggest squatters.- While the Government leaders were stating that unemployment was decreasing, the fact was thait it was increasing. To-day in the city there were 700 men who could get no job at all. WOMAN CANDIDATE. -CHRISTCHURCH, November 26. “Christchurch North has an opportunity to make history at this election,’''’ said Mrs E. «. M’Combs, the Labour candidate, at Papanui last evening. “Auckland,” she added, “is putting up a woman candidate, -and as a Christchurch woman I don’t want Auckland to beat Christchurch.” “Neither Mr Forbes nor Mr Dowire Stewart, the Minister of Finance, has yet given an assurance that wages and pensions will not be reduced if the Coaltion ' Government is returned ” AT OAMARU. OAMARU, November 26. Mr John Kirkness, Reform Coalitionist, addressed a' meeting of nearly 1000 in the Opera House to-night. lh<: Mayor, Mr J. M. Forrester, presided. The candidate was accorded a.vote thanks and confidence. The mee mg was most orderly, although Mr kirkness was inundated with questions at the conclusion of t-hi meeting.