POLITICAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3868, 8 November 1928, Page 3

POLITICAL

Mr. J. Linklater, Reform candidate for Manawatu, addressed a large audience at Taikorea on Tuesday evening. Mr B. Bennett presided and introduced 'the speaker. Mr. Linklater was listened to attentively and at the conclusion of his address, after answering a number of questions to the satisfaction of the audience, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. MINISTER OF FINANCE QUOTES LABOUR ALLIES. IN ATTACK ON UNITEDS. Invercargill, Nov. 6. The Minister of Finance (Hon. W. JD. Stewart) addressed a large meeting at Gore to-night. In dealing with the dissimilar views of the three chief parties in the field he said both Reform and Labour were quite opposed to the piliey put forward by the United Party. Nothing, had impressed him so much as the criticism of the United programme levelled by Labour. 'The Minister referred to criticism levelled at the Government in respect to land settlement, but claimed that the Minister of Lands was doing everything possible. The position in that respect was difficult in all parts of the world. After dealing at length with the borrowing proposals of Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister said: “I rely on the voice of the people of New Zealand to keep our borrowing within such normal limits as the business man would consider reasonable, having regard to the proper development of this fine estate. If it be the hall-mark of high statesmanship largely to increase our annual borrowing, lend money at less than cost- price and burden i'the taxpayer with a deficit, then we must admit that the United Party has a statesmanlike policy, but if it be the test of sound government that borrowing should be kept within such limits as will not adversely affect our national credit but be adequate to complete, with businesslike promptness, our public works, land, finance and housing, then I claim that the Reform Government lias answered to this test.”

UNITED PARTY LEADER.

ACCORDED GREAT RECEPTION IN THE SOUTH. Christchurch, Tuesday. Looking remarkably fresh and vigorous, Sir Joseph Ward spoke to an appreciative audience on the Christchurch railway station this morning for nearly three-quarters of an hour. He delivered a strong extemporaneous speech which was frequently interrupted with cheers and applause and cries of “you’ll be Primp Minister.” In his address, Sir Joseph scathingly criticised the policy of the Reform Government in respect to lano settlement and put forward his own plan on the subject. Loud cheering marked the end of the speech, followed by the singing of “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” and requests that he deliver an address in Christchurch before the election. In describing details of his land settlement scheme, Sir Joseph said that he would set aside blocks of 25 acres not far away from the railways. He would make it possible for settlers to obtain needed money at a low rate of interest. “‘Back to the land’ should be the cry,” declared the speaker, amid applause. They should be settled on smaller areas than ever before; they would be able to support themselves and families and have their own homes. The other people would not require assistance and they should not complain, because his scheme would not cost them anything. Unemployment would be stopped and the productivity of the country increased. If another 50,000 people went on the land, the increase in the productivity in the aggregate would be great. ENTHUSIASM AT INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, Tuesday. Sir Joseph Ward’s return to Invercargill this evening was the occasion for a remarkable demonstration at the railway station, where he was greeted by three bands and cheering crowds of wildly enthusiastic citizens. The leader of the United Party received a tremendous ovation as he stepped from his carriage and it was with difficulty that he was escorted to a waiting motor car from which he spoke for about 15 minutes. Sir Joseph said that on Thursday night he would remove the existing delusion about the loan which he considered was the only way to get the country into a stable condition. Those who objected to 'it were not friends of the people. From what lie knew of New Zealand, the United Party was going to be victorious. He drove away to the accompaniment of further cheering. A CHALLENGE TO SIR JOSEPH. Mr. S. Morell Macalaster, Reform candidate for Invercargill, has issued the following challenge to Sir Joseph Ward (1) To show that there will not be a large annual loss on money to be borrowed for the State Advances office (nearly £60,000,000) on the terms he proposes and lent out at 4| per cent. (2) To show how he can make up even the loss admitted by him out of sinking fund payments and interest thereon and yet have adequate sinking funds for the loan.

(3) To say whether sinking funds on loans for the State Advances office should not be adequate to repay the loans on maturity and borrowed for the same term at which the money is lent out, seeing that the borrower from that office will pay a sinking fund payment to the Government. (4) To show that his suggestion that sinking fund and interest should be taken into account in making up the loss’in the annual charges would not, if divulged to London investors - seriously damage the credit of the Dominion. (5) To say whether as what he terms the sinking fund is to be available to make up the losses in the annual charges, such fund can in any sense be properly called a sinking fund. Mr. J. Linklater, Reform, candidate for Manawatu, notifies by advertisement in this issue that all his committee are disbanded as from Friday, 9th November. MR. McMANAWAY AT RANGIOTU. Mr. McManaway addressed the largest attended meeting yet held at Rangiotu last night, and was ' accorded a wonderfully enthusiastic hearing and a vote of confidence was carried unanimously at the conclusion. Several of those present stated that it was the most successful meeting yet held there. Mr. Bond occupied the chair. The candidate’s speech was on similar lines to his previous speeches. He criticised the Government’s want of a land policy. Mr. McManaway addresses the Foxton electors at the Royal thea-tre'to-night at 8 o’clock. AT MOUTOA AT 6.30 P.M. Mr. McManaway will address the electors at Moutoa at 6.30 this evening.