POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3858, 16 October 1928, Page 2

POLITICAL.

Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., has commenced his electioneering campaign. Last evening he addressed an enthusiastic meeting at Newbury .and to-night will speak at Kairanga. To-morrow evening he will meet his supporters in Foxton and later attend a function in Levin. Mr. Linklater will speak at Tolcomaru on Thursday and Oroua Downs on Friday. Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., opened his political campaign at Newbury last evening,'when he addressed a large audience. Mr. E. W. Collins presided and on the motion of I Messrs Jas. Knight and Cheetlmm, the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks.

The Leader of the Labour Socialist Party has said there are only two parties presumably worthy of consideration in the coming election contest —Reform and Labour. Possibly he considers that so little separates the United Party from Reform that it would' be foolish for waverers in his own party to transfer their votes to the Uniteds. Apparently the United Party is giving Mr. Holland and his socialist friends concern for it goes without saying that it is from the ranks of the Labour Party, and particularly the native-born —that the United Party will score rather than from Reform and it would not be surprising to learn, when the numbers go up, that the Uniteds have supplanted the Labour-Socialists as the official Opposition. POLITICAL CANDIDATES. As a result of additional announcements there are now 211 candidates in the field for 76 pean seats at the general election. The Reform Party’s representation has increased to 68, Labour’s to 56, and the United Party’s to 53. Analysis shows that so far there will be straight-out contests in only twenty-eight electorates. There will be triangular battles in 37 constituencies, four-cornered sorties in eft-lit, and six-cornered skirmishes in two. The only candidate to date unojfiposed is the leader of the La-bour-iSocialist Party and member for Buller, Mr. H. E. Holland. Sitting members not seeking reeicetion are: Mr. E. D. McLenan (Franklin), Mr. T. Wl Rhodes (Thames), Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi), Hon. W. Nos worthy (Ashburton), Mr. J. MeC. Dickson (Chalmers), Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South), and Mr. J. Horn (Wakatipu). LABOUR’S FISCAL POLICY. One point in Labour’s fiscal policy calls for more than passing attention, says the Wellington Post: “The Labour Party (declared Mr. Holland at Masterton) stood for the reduction of indirect taxation, and would ultimately abolish all Customs duties on goods which could not be produced in New Zealand.” Protection is promised, though the allocation and measure of it are uncertain; but ultimate abolition of all duties which are not protective means a considerable diminution of Imperial preference. In the last tariff revision the Government proposed, and Parliament endorsed, the free admission of some lines not manufactured in New Zealand where the articles were of British manufacture; but the duty on similar foreign-made goods was retained (though not necessarily at the old level). Labour’s declaration, however, does not admit of such methods. “All” Customs duties in the non-protec-live category are to be removed. Imperial preference is a long-es-tablished principle of fiscal policy in New Zealand. The principle is applied in varying measure throughout the Empire. Even Britain has accepted it within the restrict ted limits imposed by other articles of her fiscal faith. Does New Zealand Labour propose to break away from the circle, and to Renounce the tariff means of keeping business within the family? There is another aspect of the declaration to be considered. Discontinuance of nonprotective duties must involve considerable loss of revenue. If the protective duties, further, . are such as to erect an impassable barrier against competitive imports the loss will be complete. Even luxury commodities (commonly so termed) can either be produced in New Zealand or they .cannot. If they can be produced here the industries will be safeguarded. If they cannot be there will be no duty and no Customs revenue. Customs revenue now amounts to almost £9,000,000 annually.. L£ ..Labour proposes to forego "this, or any considerable part of it, how is it proposed to make good the revenue-reduction if expenditure on the Labour platfoim is impossible? If the spokesmen of Labour choose to answer this question, may we suggest that they should not' reply “By taxing big' estates and incomes” without submitting some estimate of the amount thus obtainable and the rate of levy necessary.