NATIONAL PARTY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32309, 6 September 1943, Page 5

NATIONAL PARTY

MR CLARK AT HIKUTAIA •ELECTION CAMPAIGN GOOD HEARING ACCORDED Declaring that he took his position as National candidate for the Thames electorate very seriously, Mr W. A. Clarke spoke to the electors at the Hikutaia Hall on Thursday evening. Mr E. Elliot presided, and said Mr Clark required no introduction to the people of the district, having stood at the last election in the National Party’s interests. He requested the audience to accord Mr Clark a patient hearing. Mr Clark said he was not in the contest for any personal aggrandisement or to use any personal criticism of his opponents, but he would, if elected, do his best to raise the standard of Parliamentary debate. He had never heard such adverse criticism of the parliament of this country as had been levelled against the present Parliament. As regards the holding of an election, he was of the opinion that an election should not have been held, but the formation of a National Parliament on lines similar to Great Britain adopted. No one could honestly say that this country was well governed, and the answer would be found in the fact that there were five parties in the field. Mr Clark dealt with the Land Settlement Bill, which the Opposition had opposed so strenuously. Even the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, was not wholly in favour of the Bill as originally brought down, and consequently found it necessary to introduce many amendments. But the Government was told by those outside Parliament that it must bring the measure down, so it was rushed through the House during the dying hours of the session. This led Mr Clark to remind his hearers that the Labour Party members were dominated by an influence outside the House and when the party whips cracked they simply had to vote as they were told.

The National Party, when it became the 'Government, would change that andi permit every member freedom . of expression according to his or her conscience, on every subject introduced into Parliament. No other party enjoyed such freedom, said the speaker. The Labour Position One of the greatest difficulties facing the farmer to-day was obtaining sufficient labour to work his farm, and the position would not be improved until the farm-worker and the farmer were paid the same wages as those in other walks of life. If the farmer received the same wages as those in factories and on the wharves, he would receive £9 per week, said Mr Clark, and he would not be overpaid. Another matter that the National Party intended to rectify was the institution of the right of appeal to a Supreme Court judge and not permit the Minister of a Department of the Government to be the sole judge. The Servicemen’s Bill If any farmer supported the latest Servicemen’s Land Bill then he deserved all that was coming to him, said Mr Clark. In framing any policy a long view must be taken, and the National Party’s main platform was, first and foremost, to win the war. When the war broke out the farmer stepped up production, but during the last two years it had gradually dropped. There were never so many herds being sold as was being done to-day. When the National Party was returned it would endeavour to form a united Government, the best that could 'be formed to win the war. International Matters Dealing with international questions Mr Clark maintained that it would require the best brains and ability to deal with these vast questions after the war. India was to be given selfgovernment status, and China would be one of the foremost manufacturing countries in the world. These matters would require much serious attention.

Rehabilitation “Now, regarding rehabilitation,” said the speaker, “this is one matter that made me stand for Parliament, because I consider that when the 'boys come back they will require all the assistance that can be given them to help in their rehabilitation after the war. Our boys do not want relief jobs when they come back, but wellpaid steady, creative employment.” Broadcasting Broadcasting had touched a ?ot of people on the raw, continued the speaker. The Labour paper said in : 1935 that “broadcasting was a scan-

dal.” “If it was a scandal in 1935, what was it to-day?” asked Mr Clark. “It is to-day being used as the Government’s main political propaganda agent. This position should be altered; “I .am fighting this election in a clean, spirit. I'am not attacking, my opponents personally but only their policy,” concluded Mr Clark. After one or two questions had been answered satisfactorily, Mr A. W. Alley proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Clark and confidence in him and the National Party at the forthcoming election. This was seconded by Mr G. Avery and l carried.