POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2950, 17 October 1925, Page 2

POLITICAL.

MR, LINKLATER’S ADDRESS. There was a large and attentive audience at the Town Hall on Thursday night to hear Mr. J. Linklater, Reform candidate for Manawatu, place his views before local electors. The meeting was presided over by the Mayor (M. E. Perreau Esq.).

In opening his speech Mr. Linklater stated that when he was asked, prior to the last election, to contest the Manawatu seat, he was very diffident about doing so, but as his supporters were persistent lie eventually decided to stand. Naturally, he was very proud of the result of that election, which gave him a majority of 1500,'one of the largest majorities in New Zealand. He had now been in Parliament for three years, and though he knew he had not pleased everybody, he had simply done his duty as he saw it. He now sought re-eleetion in the interests of a party that stood for the ideals expressed by the Prime Minister —for stability and safety of the State and Empire; for the security of the individual; for toleration and equal opportunity for all; for order and peace in the community. The speaker then made feeling reference to the death of the late Mr Massey, a man whose opinions on Dominion problems were always valued by Imperial statesmen. However, Mr. Coates was unanimously elected as his successor and he was sure those present would all agree that the choice was a good one. His work in the different portfolios of State which he had occupied had branded him as a man of great qualifications. During the session which had just ended, Mr. Coates had led his party with singular ability through a very strenuous time. Mr. Coates stood for a policy which meant: firstly, the good of New Zealand; secondly, the progress of New Zealand, and thirdly the advancement of New Zealand. The programme of the Government would be in future to achieve “more business in government and less government in business.” The speaker then quoted the Reform Party’s manifesto and said that the Government would be shaped along those lines.

PUBLIC WORKS,

During the last three years the progressive policy inaugurated by the Minister of Public Works wheii he took office, had been continued. In 1920, when the Minister undertook a critical survey of the works in progress, he became convinced that the money provided for these works was spread over too many undertakings, instead of being concentrated on the most urgent works. The Government then took steps to ... see that, the money was spent on the- ~ urgent jobs and those were pushed forward with all possible speed, commensurate with efficiency, to a point that returned interest on the capital cost. In short, the Public Works were placed on a business basis and had so been carried on ever since.

The question of borrowing had often been mentioned and condemned by the opposition parties, hut in the opinion of the speaker, the Dominion must borrow in order to develop its resources. New Zealand was ‘a young land and but partially developed. The prosperity of both town and country depended on the successful marketing of primary produce. New Zealand was far away from the world’s markets, and it consequently behoved the country to cheapen the cost of internal transport from the farm to the consuming, manufacturing and shipping centres. It was true too much should not be spent, but it was also true that it would be foolish to spend too little. Every proposal of public expenditure should be thoroughly examined and considered from the standpoint of its net economic result. If it was economical and of value to the country, then the work should be carried out as speedily as possible. Better communication by road and rail meant closer settlement, and greater productivity. Increased population necessitated the extension of the telegraph and telephone, electric light and power, and the economic working of the farming and secondary industries. These facilities enhanced the value of the country, made living and working on farms more attractive and so helped to stem the drift of population to the towns. In these days of competition in the world’s markets, if the country did not develop its resources to their full extent, it would find itself losing ground. Safety lay only in going forward, but in so doing it was necessary to ascertain that expenditures were justified. The outstanding work completed during the year was the Mangahao electrical station, and Mr. Linklater stated that he would like to compliment the people of the district on the whole-hearted support given the undertaking. The demand -for electricity had exceeded the Power Board’s most sanguine expectations. It was the Government’s intention to carry on with the Axapuni scheme and in a few years to - undertake the Waikaremoana scheme. When that was completed there would be a tremendous amount of current available and it was possible that cheaper prices would prevail for the juice, which would enable more industries to be set up, to the benefit of New Zealand. The Government was deserving of great credit for the way in,-. which it carried on with the Mangaliao scheme during the slump time. Expedition had been shown right

through and the cost was justified. MAIN HIGHWAYS . The Highways Board, said the - speaker, had completed a year of operation. It had riot had much time to make very decided alterations in the transport system, but it was apparent that the additional ' finances the organisation provided had already had their This was one method of relieving local bodies from the huge expenditure that'was of late years incurred by the through motor traffic, which did not pay anything towards the up- : -keep of the main highways. The ’ great stumbling block to this ‘' scheme was the lack of facilities for raising loans at a reasonable rate of interest. It was his opinion that a large loan should be raised by the Government and re-lent to the different county councils. RAILWAYS. The reorganisation of the railways had been carried out with ; good results. “Our railways," said the speaker, “had been called ‘snailways’ before Mr. Coates took over the management, but they can truly be said to meet the demands of the community to-day, and are daily becoming more efficient in their working.” They were now more efficient in working and competing with motor traffic. He would not say that the railways were ./going to run the motor traffic off the roads, however. Motor buses had come to stay and they were a great, boon to country people. As far as freights were concerned, however, the Railway Department would get them. The gross receipts amounted to £7,112,524, an increase of £l2B, 313 on the previous year’s figures. Wbrking expenses amounted to £5,545,416, leaving a credit of £1,567,108 which must be considered a satisfactory result.

LEVIN-GREATFORD DEVIATION.

In referring to the deviation question, Mr. Linklater said it was by no means a new question. It had been discussed as far back as 40 years ago. He was in favour of the Levin-Greatford deviation but was not prepared to agree to it being proceeded with at once, because he considered there were far more important works to be done first. When the time was opportune the work would be carried out. When the duplication of the line was considered he was sure the Levin-Greatford line would be put through. He was not the Minister for Railways. However, he had done his best to see that the scheme had been inquired into by those in authority and had personally conducted Sir Vincent Raven and Sir Sam Fay over the proposed route and donated £5 to wards the business. A little practical help was worth tons of talk. If the scheme was not gone on with it was not his fault.

PALMERSTON NORTH DEVIATION. The speaker said that it had been •said that he was keenly interested in this scheme. He was interested because it was necessary. Any unbiased person could see that the Palmerston North yards were badly congested and he considered the accidents that had been taking plaee were due to the crowding that is going on there in the yards. He contended that when snch a scheme as that decided on for Palmerston North was undertaken it should be on such a scale as to make provision for the requirements of the next 30 or 40 years. He considered the Government was doing the right thing by taking the railways right out of the town (not shifting them from one street to another, afe had been said). It had been said that the new site was on his property. Well, it was two miles away from his homestead and he wished it was further still. * THE FUSION QUESTION. In referring to the fusion negotiations, Mr. Linklater said, without hesitation, that it was a great pity the fusion had not become an accomplished fact before the election. The Reform and Nationalist are two parties with the same platform and ideals, and he felt it was wrong they should be fighting each other. The main obstacle was the reconstruction of Cabinet, and the Prime Minister’s determination to carry out its programme. Another reason against fusion was that neither party had a mandate from its supporters, on the question. Personally, Mr. Linklater stated he was. willing that the Reform party should, join with any other party which had for its object the formation of a strong party and a strong front against extreme Labour. The speaker considered that a Government should be judged like a business concern —on the balance sheets it presented. The revenue of the country last year was £28,643,000. This was an increase of £682,629 on the previous year. The expenditure was £27,399,200, which left a. surplus of £1,243,800. The Government was economising in every possible manner, while maintaining the efficiency of the public service. Farmers had been assisted in every way possible, because the Government realised that the country depended on the farmer for its prosperity. Two Acts, of direct benefit to the farmers, that had been passed were the ' MEAT AND DAIRY CONTROL ACTS. The speaker briefly traced the history of the Dairy Board, and ‘mentioned some of the benefits that had accrued from its operations. He also voiced the appreciation of farmers of the work of the Meat Board,. which had already saved £900,000 for the Dominion. He also urged his audience to buy only

Homeland goods and so help to lessen the unemployment and misery existing in England to-day. England’s interest was of vital importance to New Zealand. Without her New Zealand would have no place in the sun.

In dealing with fertilisers, Mr. Linklater stated that there was no doubt that as years went on, more would have to be used in order to restore the soil to anything like its former fertility. Much improvement had been made in fern and pumice lands through its use, consequently the time was opportune for the Government to take such steps as would secure a cheap and sufficient supply for the farmers. The speaker also expressed pleasure at the general adoption of systematic herd-testing, but one weakness in the scheme was the problem of the cull cow. He did not say whether it was a matter for legislation or not, but the practice of putting those culls into a sale as dairy cows should be stopped. He also applauded the action of the Government in establishing laboratories at Wallaceville, which will not only help the production of better butter and cheese, but would also provide opportunity for research into different diseases which caused losses in dairy stock. HELPING THE WORKERS.

Mr. Linklater said that the Reform Government had been called “the rich man’s Government,” and ;it was . also said that it Rad no time for the poor man. This was quite wrong. What had it done in the matter of State Advances? The amount that could be borrowed was increased from £2OOO to £3500 and lending authority was increased from 60 per cent, to 75 per cent. This change brought about an increase in applications. Altogether the total advances made to workers, local authorities and settlers amounted to £26,143,191, since 1914. Reduction in taxation amounted to £150,000 and the argument that this reduction branded the Government as the wealthy man’s friend was untrue, because the man on the lower rung had more freedom from taxation than in any other part of the world. The total amount advanced to soldiers was £22,208,300 and these men would now have a fighting chance to make good. The Government had passed between 40 and 50 acts which were of direct benefit to the workers and many passed prior to the Reform Party’s coming to power, had been liberalised. The Govern ment was continuing the policy of giving all possible assistance to overcome the shortage of houses and in that connection had provided capital for building 33,365 homes at a cost of £20,164,923. The expenditure on pensions amounted to £2,403,612. The total cost of education had been £3,723,000 and Air Linklater said he regarded this department as the most important of all. He did not consider enough attention had been given to agricultural teaching in the schools, and he would advocate a larger expenditure that would give greater facilities in that direction. The children of to-day were the farmers of the future and they should be taught how to carry on on scientific lines.

AFFORESTATION. A good deal of work had been done in this connection during the past three years. A Forest Service Department had been set up and tree planting carried out. Seven and a half million acres of Crown land had been set apart for tree planting. He was a strog advocate for tree planting on sand dune areas and was in favour of the acquiring of the waste dune lands between Paekakariki and Wfanganui for the Government tree planting. There were 2000 acres of such land fenced in at Tangimoana. If the Government did not undertake this work private enterprise would. The Foxton Harbour Board realised the value of tree planting and already had planted 5000 trees at the Manawatu Heads. THE LABOUR PARTY.

Our most formidable opponent in the political field in this election is the extreme Labour party,'‘said Mr. Linklater. I have been in Parliament three years and can give it as my considered opion that it would be disastrous to this young and prosperous Dominion it the Labour party came into power. How any farmer can vote for a Labour candidate, I cannot understand, because the party’s policy is so unfair and detrimental to the man on the land. He proceeded to criticise the Labour land policy and bi’ieliy touched upon the shipping strike. As a result of the strike New Zealan farmers had missed some of the best prices for produce they had seen for years, and this, coming on top of one of the worst seasons experienced in New Zealand for some years, was a hard blow. The Government was not against the seamen, but the strike was a matter that should have been settled in Britain. If the strike was allowed to continue, the whole country would be reduced to bankruptcy, and everybody would soon be in a state of poverty. There was 'no doubt that the Labour party was behind the strikers. They had appealed for subscriptions to help the strikers. In-conclusion, Mr. Linklater made a strong appeal for the return of .the Reform party, which he said, stood for business, efficiency, and safety of the Empire. QUESTIONS. Mr Linklater was asked why it was the Government had not taken any steps to put a stop to the strike until the Banks brought'pressure to bear on the farmers. The speaker said that the Gov-

eminent had the matter in hand long before the public knew anything of the operations in connection with the strike. Air. W. Adams asked if the candidate believed in a free breakfast table and if so why was the duty kept on wheat? The candidate said that the duty imposed on wheat was to protect New Zealand growers and endeavour to make New Zealand self-sup-porting. He was in favour of a free breakfast table.

Asked by Air. Adams if, seeing that his party had granted 30 ex"tra racing permits last year, he would be in favour of the holding of sweeps in New Zealand as is done in Tasmania, Air. Linklater said he was opposed to such a proposition. Two wrongs did not make a right. (Applause). Further question, on his land policy Air. Linklater said he supported a freehold policy.

“Age you in favour of the LevinAlarton railway deviation?” Asked Air. Adams.

The speaker said that he was, as he had said in his speech. Engineers were appointed to run the railways on a business-like footing and were paid to do their work and make the railways pay. He was a layman but considered the engineers knew their work. It had been said that he voted against the scheme last session. That was quite wrong. A programme of works had been submitted to Parliament one afternoon while he was away at the investiture of Mr. Newman as K.C.Af.G. He had been specially invited to attend that function as he was Air. Newman’s successor and it would have been a rank discourtesy to have been absent. Both Mr. Nash and AH. Field spoke on the report. It would have made no difference, however, if he had been present and spoken for a month on it, as he could have made no difference to the programme as set down. The Levin-Alarton question was settled long before ever he was made a member of Parliament. Mr. Adams said that the Government said it had 8,000,000 acres of land for settlement. Where was it?

Air. Linklater said he would be only too pleased to give anyone interested in land settlement any information on the matter Air. Adams’ final questions were to ask the candidate if he believed the Rent Restriction Act fair, and if he was in favour of a further cut in Civil Servants’ wages, Air. Linklater replying in the affirmative in the former and the negative in the latter.

No further questions being put a vote of thanks was then moved by Air. B. G. Gower and seconded by Air. Adams and carried by acclamation.