POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3867, 6 November 1928, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Mr. Link la ter, Reform candidate for Manawatu, addressed a large gathering of settlers at Linton on

Saturday evening, in conjunction with Mr. J. A. Nash. Mr. Jos. Batchelar presided and introduced Mr. Linklater to his newly acquired electors. Mr. Nash also introduced the speaker 'and asked his old electors to place their whole-hearted confidence in Mr. Linklater as he was a man who would do his utmost in their interests and those of the district as a whole. During their term in Parliament together he had had an opportunity of seeing what a conscientious member Mr. Linklater was and he could give the electors his assurance that in Mr. Linklater they would have an honest, straightforward member who would look well to the requirements of the district. (Applause). At the conclusion of his address Mr. Linklater was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Messrs J. Batchelar and J. Lynch. PRIME MINISTER IN TARANAKI

Hon. J. 6. Coates met an audience of about three thousand at New Plymouth on Saturday night and had a successful meeting. There was considerable heckling and counting out at times, but this was confined to one section. At the conclusion confidence in the administration was expressed.

Replyig to a statement by the United candidate that Messrs Goodfellow and Sterling were so strong that they could dictate tc the Government and that Mr. Sterling’s salary was free of income tax, Mr. Coates said the railways manager certainly had to pay income tax. He denied that the Government had made a seven years’ contract with Mr. Sterling at the end. of which time he would receive full superannuation as with other railway servants. Mr. Sterling would have to complete forty years service before he would receive the maximum superannuation. As he had now only twenty-six years’ service he had about fourteen years to go.

In reply to a statement that Mr. Coates when Postmaster-General had given Mr. Goodfellow the sole right of broadcasting in New Zealand, the Premier said when the contract was signed he was not Postmaster-General nor was he in New Zealand. He would stake his reputation that Mr. Sterling would be a success and would not earn only his salary of £3500 but £lO,000. During the day Mr. Coates had a cordial reception at Waitara and to-night lie is spending on Mount Egmont, and will visit Inglewood and Stratford to-morrow. LABOUR LEADER AT HUNTLEY. Mr. Holland, leader of the Opposition, addressed a crowded meeting at Huntley on Saturday night. He was cheered on entering. Besides speaking on the usual lines ho gave special attention to the coal industry. Labour would use the Research Department with the aim of producing all the coal needed in the Dominion. Briquetting should have been established long ago. A motion of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. MR. P. J. SMALL’S CAMPAIGN. Mr. P. J. Small addressed a good attendance of electors at Clydesdale on Saturday evening. 'Mr. J. McKelvie occupied the chair. Mr. Small was accorded an attentive hearing. His speech was on similar lines to his address at Awahuri, the land policy, railways, rural credits, advances to settlers, etc., being dealt with. On concluding Mr. Small received a unanimous vote of thanks. This evening Mi*. J. Linklater, Reform candidate, will address the electors in the Taikorea hall. Mr. Small, United candidate, will speak at Rangiotu, and Mr. McManaway at Tiakitahuna. SOCIALISTS AND CHARACTER. “When the Socialists—if they - ever get into power —have nationalised everything; when there are no employers and we are all workers, who is to be the employer?” asked Mr. M. Luekie, Government candidate, at Newtown, Wellington. “There is only one —the Government. But the constitution of the Socialists provides that the conditions and wages of worker’s shall be controlled by the union concerned —job control! So that the workers are to be their’ own employers and bosses, and as all are to be treated equally the laziest man will get just as much as the most energetic and skilful, reducing all to the dead level of dull mediocrity, and eliminating all those qualities of thrift, care, diligence and initiative that go to build up that most precious possession of any country —any nation —character.” NEW ZEALAND’S REPUTATION. “A tour of the United Kingdom, the Continent of Europe and America, which I have just completed, has taught me that what I have read is true —New Zealand’s credit and reputation are of the highest,” said the Mayor of Te Awamutu, Mr. L. G. Armstrong, when welcoming the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, on Saturday evening. “I think the Government which has maintained that credit should be returned to office to carry on the good work,” said the Prime Minister in acknowledging the welcome.