POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2513, 2 December 1922, Page 2

POLITICAL.

Mli FLYTIKU AT THE TOWN HALL. There was an attendaiiee of about two humlreil elector,-, in the Town Hall on Thursday night to hear the views of Mr Flyger, Liberal candidate for Manawatu. The weather precluded a number of people from venturing out and the rain falling on the roof, made portions of the candidate’s speech inaudible. The candidate spoke for about an hour and a-lmlf and was given a very patient. and attentive hearing. The Mayor (Mr J. Chfystall) occupied the chair and in introducing the candidate referred to Mr Flyger’s connection with various public bodies. The Mayor said entrance into the political arena brought out a candidate’s virtues and vices. He quoted a well-known humourist who said he did not know what a rascal he was until he became a political candidate. However they may differ with Mr Flyger’s politics, they could admire his loyalty to King and Constitution. He extended a hearty welcome to the candidate.

Mr Flyger, who was received with applause, said the Liberal Party would never be dead while he was alive and the people to-day were being benefited by Liberal legislation. His candidature would be fought without personalities and his publit.- statements and what he bad written were in the interests of this young nation. The legislation of .the Liberal Government could never be overthrown. The future needed the best trained brains in Parliament to grapple with the problems ahead. His father had arrived in this country jit 1841 and was one of the pioneers. The speaker had a deep attachment to his native land —the fairest oii God’s earth. He was paying his own campaign expenses and was willing to give his time unselfishly to the service of his fellows. He referred to the public debt and incidentally paid tributes to',Sir Joseph Ward and the late Mr John Duthie. He advocated a stable government. On the Licensing question lie was “straight out for continuance,” as the state of the finances should not be disturbed by loss of revenue. If a widow had money invested in hotel property and prohibition was carried, it would send her to the wash-tub for a living. He objected to old men being placed in the Upper House —“dying in their chairs, and if they can’t getup and speak as 1 am speaking tonight, the sooner they get out of it the better.” He advocated universal penny postage. He advocated a State Bank and criticised the exoenditure on the High Commissioner's office in London. Shipping freights should be reduced and the railway placed in the hands of a Board consisting of business men. He incidentally quoted the high railway freight on strawberries and the effect of motor delivery in competition with the railways. The soldiers settlement lands should be revalued. He favoured free, secular and compulsory education and no reduction in the education grant. He believed in evolution and not revolution. He quoted from and elaborated many points in his pliamphlet which had been circulated throughout the district. He favoured a reduction of members of Parliament from 80 to 40 and said members should only be paid out-of-pocket expenses for their services. If the number were reduced they would get better men. If elected be would give the whole of his time for the benefit of till the people. He had no axe to grind and it would be an honour for him to represent them. Men had got on to their feet through his brains. He was a practical man “from the axe to the cow and the cow to the plough.” He had gone through every grade of it. He referred to the high price of benzine and the huge profits which went to America when the oil wells in Taranaki should be exploited. He advocated the encouragement of industries and the widening of our markets. If elected he would support all measures which had for their object the welfare of the workers and the nation.

lih answer to questions the candidate said he was in favour of reducing the duty on tobacco, as smoking was companionable and soothing. He would support a Premier or Premiers who legislated for the heuelit of all the people. lie was in favour of the Levin-Marton railway which would ell'eet a saving in railway expenses. Supported preferential trade within the Empire and was opposed to the dumping of American goods; reduction of railway fares, maternity homes to eueourage the birthrate and assist motherhood; abolition of Lpper House; licensing bookmakers.

The liev. Walton asked the candidate whether the loss of revenue in the event of prohibition being carried would not he more than counterbalanced by the savings effected in prison and hospital maintenance. iVlr Flyger said he did not think so as all the inmates of such institutions were not there on account of drink. Mr Walton said as one who had officiated as a ehapliu to these institutions he differed from the candidate. A vote of thanks to the candidate, proposed by Mr Foilas, was earned . acclamation and a similar compliment was accorded the chairman.