POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2060, 27 November 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL.

MR. NEWMAN AT FOXTON. E. Newman, ALP., Reform candidate for the Manawatu Electorate, opened his campaign in Foxton on Tuesday night. There was aif attendance of about 200 electors. The [Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) occupied the chair and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Newman said lie was very glad to again appear on a public platform in Foxton. He had represented the Foxton district in Parliament during a very difficult time —when the fight in connection with the passing of the Harbour Board Bill was going on, and the extension of the Sanson Tramway was under discussion. He was pleased to know that at the present time the prospects for the prosperity of Foxton were much brighter. Mr Newman said that, at such a time as this there was a predominant thought of extreme- gratitude for the peaceful conditions under which they were selecting members of Parliament. He feelingly referred to the bravery and courage of men who had gone to the war. There was a time when we were on (he brink of disaster, but the bravery and tenacity of our men had saved ns from (lie Germans, ami we felt how much we owed the men who had fought for us, Willi regard to his political opponent, he had not had the pleasure of meeting Mr Hillier, hut he • assured his hearers that as far as he was concerned there would be no personalities. He respected his opponent's opinions; everyone hail a 'v right to his own opinion, and although (hey differed he would treat Mr Hillier as an honest man with honest convictions, and after the elec-’ lion he Imped there would he no animosity. Mr Newman said that it was with regret that lie saw Sir Joseph Ward and his Party cut adrift from the National Government, and lie thought Fir Joseph Ward made a great mistake in withdrawing when lie did, because although the war was over there wore still great problems |u be settled. He referred to (he position of the parlies after the IIM ) election, when Reform had a >■ •majority of only one or two. It was utterly impossible for any Government to carry on without a fairly substantial majority. In order to gel a stable Government both sales sank their political differences, and the National Government was formed to carry on until the war was liu-i.-dicd. Any credit or fault which might be found with the conduct of the war a Hail’s was due equally to both sides. At the conelusioii of * . the war the Reform Party was anxious to continue the National Government until at least the end ot the past session, hut the Liberals had declined to do so. Dealing with Hie Vjimiucial position, Mr Newman said that in 10 M the public debt stood al £00,730,420, and at the end of the war the indebtedness had gone up to two hundred millions, It was .recognised that the cost ol Hie war should he pul on those best able to bear it. The National Government bad pul a lax of 3d per Jib. on lea, for old age and other pensions. This was the only lax placed on the nee-e.-sarics of life owing to the war. Jo show that the taxation had been placed on (he shoulders of those best able to bear it, Mr Newman quoted ligures showing the great increase in land and income lax that had taken place since 1014. -In that year the total paid in this connection was .d ,321,722, whereas last year £7.732,029 was collected. A great deal had been said about the Government conscripting human life and not conscripting wealth, but Mr Newman claimed the above ligures proved that wealth had also been conscripted. Land aggregation was causing anxiety, hut it must nol he forgotten that there had been enormous subdivisions. Aggregation must be put a stop to. Legislation pul through could and must stop it. All knew that the Government valuation was a great deal less than prices paid now, and buyers knew they were taking a risk, as the land could be taken away, plus 10 per cent. K anyone had grounds of compliant they should let the Minister of Lands know, and he would pul the Act into operation. He was confident the Act referred, to would absolutely put a stop to land aggregation. Referring to what was being done for the returned men, Mr Newman said the amount; spent, on the purchase of private and Native lands. Grown leaseholds, and discharge of mortgages, was about £4,000,600’. purchase of chattels, stock, and for general improvements over £1,000,000; purchase of dwellings £1.881,583, a total of £6,871,l<)(j. The average cost per acre of private estates purchased by the Crown was £ll per. acre. They could not go on paying high prices for land. All kinds of soldiers wanted different sorts of.lands, agricultural land for agriculturists, and bush land for others. A point for alarm was the increasing money spent for high priced lands. Borne high priced lauds were most suc- . cessfuk and he instanced the Kopanc settlement, where the settlers could make £2O an acre prolit. He had suggested that he thought the time had come when they should settle the Urewera country. There were 750,000 acres of good bush laud, at present quite inaccessible. The Native titles were not yet complete. There was not time to wait /or the Natives to come ami sign. It might he against the Treaty ofWailangi. but he thought they should lake the land and give thorn land ebewhere and compensate them. Thev should get light railways into U* country. II w»« «» "wf Brazing country. Thut rvmlM unite a .rood trav of settling our soldiers tin Un W. » w* sw ft* ' u,s

the direction in which they must go. From his personal experience the man that goes bn to hush land was the man that in the long run would do the best. Speaking of the effects of the war as far as prosperity was concerned he said that Hie revenue in 101-1 aa'us £12,421,015, in 1010 £22,352,372, and the estimated revenue for this year was £23,000,000. This showed how wealth had increased during the war years. Another interesting point was that Bank deposits had risen from 27:* millions in 1014, to 50.' millions up to June, 1910, and most satisfactory was that Savings Bank deposits had increased by practically 17 millions during the war. It was quite evident that the working man was putting by money. It was satisfactory to know that. The cost of living had increased everywhere during the war, but lie pointed out that the increase had been less in New Zealand than in other minifies. In England the cost of living had gone up 110 per cent., France 100 per cent., Canada 75, America 03, Australia 40, and New Zealand 43, higher than before the-war. II was still satisfactory to know that wp were lower than anywhere else, and that because we were a producing, country. Mr Newman also referred to the Board of Trade Bill, which he considered was a most effective measure. Dealing with the Railway Service, the speaker said a mistake had no doubt, been made in increasing the salaries of the higher paid officers before the lower grade ones, but these were also to receive increments which-iverc to be made retrospective. In connection with Education, £3,500,000 had been provided, and this most important question would, now the war was over, receive the consideration it merited. Dealing with the Samoan question, Mr Newman said New Zealand did not want Samoa, hut the Government had considered it onr duty to accept the mandate from the Peace Conference. He was confident it would no! he lung before indentured labour would be done away with there altogether. Jn conclusion. Mr Newman said there was no doubt the next three years would he one of the most critical limps in the history of the country, and of the Empire. U was never more important that we should have men to represent u* who were competent and were able to give their whole lime H> the great problems they would be called upon tn lace. Royal, faithful men were required. It was the duly ol ;i I} Hi do everything possible In increase production. Mr Newman said he would he pleased to answer any questions. QUESTIONS. A written question from the Riccnsc.il Victualler.-’ A—m ialimi was hauded up, asking (J) Are you in favour of Continuance? (2) Are ymi in favour of State Control? (3) Are you in favour of d’rohibilion ( i I Arc you in favour of a Licensing Poll being taken every year? The candidate replied that all these questions should be left (o (he people to decide, as provided by law. ‘‘Are you aware (hat one man in the Railway Service has received promotion simply on account ol Ids

achievements as a pugilist? ’ J am of opinion it would be a good tiling lo have public servants removed from political control, and have promotion by merit only. Asked if lie was in favour of the war bonus to Postal officials, the candidate said''ever since he had been in Parliament he had supported every increase brought down for the Public Service. Asked if he would support an amendment lo the Military 'I raining Act as outlined by Hie Defence authorities, providing for a four months’ camp for Territorials in a year, Mr .Newman said that as far as lie knew no such proposal had been’made by the Dot once Department, but be was certainly not: in favour of a tour months scheme. This answer avus received with loud applause, proving beyond douhl that the audience avus very strongL opposed lo any increase in military training. Mr E. G. Martin moved: “That (Ids meeting thanks Mr NeAvmau tor his address, but after rovieAving the promises made by the Reiorm Parly ami their utter failure to formulate a progressive policy in the interest of all the people, this meeting considers that, a change of Government is urgently required, and there!ore has no confidence in 1 lie Reform Parly.” This avus seconded by Mr J. Madden. Mr B. G. GoAver moved as an amendment: “That Mr Newman he accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his address.’ fins was seconded by Mr C. Spring, An elector al Hie back of the hull questioned Avhelher Mr GoAver s proposal could be accepted, contending that it avus nol an amendment, but vlie Chairman said it Avas in order. He put the amendment, asking that it be carried by acclamation. There Avas a loud clapping of hands*- On calling for those against.it, there avus again a loud clapping, and amidst cries of “Dead heat!’ the amen*dmout avus declared carried by the Chairman. Air NeAvmau, referring to the Imperial Government's consent to allow.- butchers.to purchase meat at Cost price from the freezing works, said that a number of butchers had taken advantage of the concession, which brought forth the query: “We haven't any here." On the penalty for profiteering, Air NcAvman was asked: "What about the flannel case? (Laughter). Air NeAvmau said that men in the railway service should have an opportunity to rise by merit from the

bottom, lo the -top. ‘’is t ’ ! ;11 how Hi ley rose?" called forth an elector, tor. When Mr Newman was referring to the Urewera country as suitable for soldier settlement, a voice interjected: “No Man’s Land!’ “How about Moutua ?’ interjected an elector when land aggregation was being discussed, “fake, Hiley’s estate,” was another interjection. The candidate said land should he selected to meet the individual needs of returned . men, when one wagcalled out: “What about running an ostrich farm?" When Mr Newman was talking of the government of Samoa, a voice chipped in: “Send Bill Massey there!” (Laughter.) Mr Newman was told lo “cut that out” when advocating that American I.W.W.’s should not be allowed in the Dominion. “What is the Government going to do about the patriotic funds?” was a question pfti to Mr Newman,, who explained that the Minister would see that the funds would be expendid on the objects for which they were raised. “Well, the returned men will die of old age before they get it!” was the retort. During (he course of his address, Mr Newman said he wanted to refer to the question of the aggregation of land, which brought the interjection: “Why doesn’t the Government stop it?” Mr Newman said it wouldn’t go on much longer, as the Reform Government would put it down. The response from the interjector was; “Oh, rot! They said that six or seven years ago. A questioner at- Mr Newman’s meeting asked what kind of land it was described as totally unimproved Hurt was purchased by the Goyornment in the Wailolava district for soldier settlement at £2O per acre. Mr Newman said he did not know, but tie presumed it must have been rich -wanqyland. The questioner’s comment: “There’s no swamp land up on the hills around Maitotara,” brought forth a hearty laugh from Hie audience. Mr Wilford had declared that land aggregation must he stopped, but that was all very well, because neither the Ribera! Party nor Die Reformers dared to make any real move in that direction Jest the big landowners should withdraw their support to (he parly lighting funds. He agreed with Mr Wilford that aggregation could he stopped if a party had Hie will to stop it, hut neither the Liberals nor (lie Reformers had the will. ‘.Only the Labour Parly, lie maintained, would tackle the question as it ought to be tackled. —Mr .Pritchard, Labour candidate for T 111! 1. Speaking al Wanganui, Mr W. A. Vcilch, the Moderate Labour candidate, “wanted Hie electors that, if elected, lie would vote for an increase of the members' salaries, and, as ;■ compensation for this, Dial: all sessional committees be held after Hie closing of Parliament, thereby enabling members to devote all their energies to Parliament when silting, and during Hie recesses doing the sessional commit Ice work.” —Don’t mention it, Sir. The general feeling about Hie increase to members' salaries is that it is necessary, and fail’, to meet the rise in the cost of living, not lo induce members (u. work overtime and complicate the housing question in A ellington.

The Reform Government claimed credit for having prevented profiteering by means of the Industries Bill, but this was drawn np by the lion. \\, If. S. .MacDonald. Mr .Massey promised alterations in Hie incidence of taxation, but gave no indication lioav :in improvement avus to be effected. The Liberals proposed an Increase in the graduated income lax, increased land tax on largo estates. and increased death duties. He opposed the encouragement of (be military spirit by four months’ training for youths. He declared that a local navy would be ineffective except ;il (he expenditure of £20,000,000 sterling. He supported ;iii increased coiitributioii to the Imperial na\y, and suggested an proAemonts in the arbitration laws to prevent industrial disputes. He criticised Mr Afasscy’s ■.failure to amend Hie electoral hiAvs beyond abolishing Hie second ballot. He advocated the nationalisation of coalmines Avhere payable, and claimed credit for (lie Liberal party for any Stale institutions, which he described its anathema to the Reform Party.—Mr Wilford at Eli ham. Mr Hillier, 'Labour candidate for Manawatu, addressed a meeting of electors in the Coronation Hall, Rongotea, on Monday evening, Mr J, Cook presiding. At Hie close of the address Air Hillier was asked a number of questions, Avbicb were satisfactorily answered. A vote of thanks Avas carried by acclamation. Air Hillier addressed a Avell-at--1 ended meeting at Tiakitahuna on Tuesday night, Air D. AlcCully occupying the chair. At the conclusion the candidate avus accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Air Alathiesoii. Air J. Buick moved a vote of no-confidence, but it lapsed for want of a seconder. Air Ala sscy addressed a crowded meeting at Tenmka on Tuesday. A vote of confidence avus carried in the Reform Party and Reform candidate. Air C. E. Statham, Independent Progressive candidate for one of the Dunedin seats, said the only pledge he would make AvaA that he Avould not support a Government, Avhether led by Air Alassey or Sir Joseph Ward, which avus dependent

for it- .existence on the votes of (he Labour Party. Asked at Westport if he would he in favour of restoring political rights to conscientious objector’s, Mr D. J. O’Brien, the Liberal candidate, replied: “Yes, if you will bring back my dead mates from France!” Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P. for Westland, is meeting with much success in his campaign. Sir T. Wilford addressed a packed meeting at Hawera on Tuesday night. A motion of confidence in the Liberal Party was carried without dissent.