POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4497, 29 November 1922, Page 2

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

OHINEMURI ELECTORATE. MR. ALLEN AT NETHERTON. Mr S; S. Allen, Reform candidate for the Ohinemuri electorate, addressed the electors at Netherton last evening. There was an attendance of about 40. Mr, J. A. Reid was in the chair. The candidate was given a patient and sympathetic hearing, and very few questions were asked. The address was similar in most respects to that which he delivered recently in Paeroa, and which was reported fully in the “Gazette." Mr Allen in his opening remarks said lie hoped they would not be as tired of listening to him as he was of listening to himself speaking. Political speeches were not interesting .to the candidate. He was not looking forward to living in a town, and Wellington was a place he would not desire as a home; yet he would have to live there part of the tinie if lie was elected, as he considered he would be. The roads in this part of the country were not as good as they might be, said Mr Allen. He was no,t casting any reflection on the local bodies. The traffic had increased, and the roads were suffering in consequence. The Highways Bill authorised the setting up of a board to control the main highways in the country. The first road in the North Island would probably be the main trunk road between Wellington .and Auckland, and then in this district perhaps the main', Hamiltpn-Morrinsville-Thames road would be the first to receive attentidn. Water transport affected Netherton, which was not in any great danger of losing that means of transport as the channel would always be open as far as Netherton. The upper portion of. the river, however, would require dredges to keep the river open. PAEROA'-POKENO RAILWAY. The chairman invited questions and said he believed that Mr Alien was keen ’on questions. Mr T. Vowle-s said that Mr Allen had hot said anything about the Pae-roa-Pokeno railway, and asked if the candidate was in favour of it. Mr Alien : Yes. When the East Coast railway was finished the Pae-roa-Pokenp railway Would be absolutely essential, and it should be started now.

PROHIBITION. Mr G. Death asked for Mr Alien’s views on prohibitoin. Mr Allen said he did not, speak of his views on prohibition on the public platform. It was for the electors themselves to decide, and he did not regard it as a political question. (Applause.) KIRIKIRI BRIDGE. Mr Vowles asked if the candidate thought that the Kirikiri bridge would hinder the navigation of Uhe river. • 1 Mr Allen said the Kirikiri bridge woukl only benefit Thames, which lived on the rest of the district. (Applause.) It was much the sapie "with the Thames harbour. STATE SHIPPING. The Chairman: Are you in favour of a State shipping line ? Mr Alien : Not personally, as most things run by the State ane failures'. With the present state of the finances they could not take on another scheme. Mr Vowles: Would the candidate be in favour of farmers' being pensioned off at the age of 60 if not in good financial circumstances ? (Laughter.) Mr Allen said it would be a good scheme, and he termed it a universal pension. The present finances of the country would not permit of it. VOTE OF THANKS. Mr Vowles proposed .a very hearty vote of thanks to the candidate. Mr Stembridge seconded, and the motion was carried by acclamation. Mr Allen proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the chair, that motion also being carried by acclamation.