GENERAL ELECTIONS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 87, 21 September 1938, Page 3

GENERAL ELECTIONS

MR. SULLIVAN’S CAMPAIGN \ . ' _____ V ADDRESS. AT OPOTIKI attentive .HEARING ■. • r ; .. ? *•'> A political address was delivered last night in the Regent Theatre by Mr \X. Sullivan, the National Party’s candidate tor the Ray or Plenty electorate. There was an attendance of about 220 and the chair was taken d>y the Mayor, Mr G. S. Moody. In introducing the National candidate to the audience, Mr Moody stated that Opotiki would give him a good hearing, and lie extended a hearty .welcome to dir Sullivan.

Mr Sullivan, on rising to speak, said lie was very pleased to visit Opotiki and expressed his. thanks to the very line committee acting on his' behalf. He referred to the splendid organisation that had been 'brought into operation to further the interests of the National Party. He explained how the various candidates had been selected and particularly thanked Mr F. J. Short for the very fine work lie had done and was still doing on behalf of his candidature.

Mr Sullivan then asked his hearers to cast their minds hack to the 193-5 election, when the Labour Party had been well organised and capitalised every difficulty of the previous Government. Many of the Labour promises had not been carried out. He promised that the, National Party would not make promises it could not carry out. The Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) had stated on the eve of the election that the sales tax would he abolished and the exchange rate reduced. The Labour Party had also promised to reduce the cost of living. Instead of that the cost of living had been increased from 30 to 40 per cent. House rents had also been increased and the Government had lost the confidence of the people.

•c present Government was a Socialistic Government—not a Labour Government. The Government was definitely going on to State Socialisation. Worse than that they had removed from the people the access to justice. That was a vital matter. If the people could not maintain liberty and freedom then it was a sorry state of affairs- In connection with the country quota, tin' present Government had made a promise not to interfere with the country quota during the present term of office. The Prime Minister should definitely state they would not interfere with the quota. There was the danger there. He (the speaker) wanted to talk plainly as he wanted the people to know where they were. The Labour Party, never stated at the last election that they were Socialistic. He believed that many electprs who had joined up with the Labour Party did not- understand the position. He would say that the Labour Party were going to Socialise land and industry, - and would take complete control of exchange. Mir Sullivan then

read wliat lie considered was the meaning of Socialism and also read an extract from the Te Ran Press in connection with the same matter.

There were certain people in the country Communists who were strongly supporting the Labour Party. M'r Sullivan then read extracts from statements made by members of the Cabinet, stating the aims of Labour. The Nationalists had wanted and had got a clear-cut campaign,, so that the people could say if they wanted • Socialism •or the freedom of -the people, the speaker stated.-

Mr Sullivan attacked the Labour Government’s national-health scheme, which he considered must fail as the social services were* fhr and above wliat lie believed the country could carry. The scheme would cost the country an additional £12,000,000 on top of flic present taxation of £37,000,000. The New Zealand exports averaged about £47,000,000, so that the'Labour Government was aiming at a very dangerous level. It was the a Government to see that the services could In; maintained- The total .cost of the Government’s scheme would be about 2/4 in the £, but others placed this figure even higher; That would push, up the cost of living. The Minister of Finance was going back to boys and girls of 16. He considered that a most iniquitous thing U> do. In his opinion the scheme had not been well thought out. The medical association in New Zealand was opposed to the scheme. The Minister could postpone the benefits but he couldn't postpone tho taxation. The National Party would not put this scheme Into operation, the speaker stated, but would bring forward their own scheme. The present Government had claimed that they had been responsible for the present prosperity but he would like, to point out that exports had dropped £2,250,GC0 in the last year and the sales tax returns were also falling, while imports had increased. It was about time the Government brought out its insulation theory. The National Party woul£ institute a laud policy which would assist and build up the country. The present Government was building up an immense public works policy and taking away men from foundation industries. The present Government’s policy was the old usehold one. The National party wanted to maintain flic right of individualism.

People‘said the National Party was a hash-up of the old party but he could state definitely that the party was a new one. He realised that as time went on they had to change their viewpoint. The National Party candidates was a wonderful team of menThey did: not belong to any one section of the country. ’ . Returning to the land question Mr Sullivan strongly condemned the Labour policy, which he claimed had been piaetically valueless. The National Party would put into operation a laud policy that would encourage young men to tako up farming. ’Phe speaker next dealt with tho Primary Products. Marketing Act and the guaranteed price. He said that in

1935 Mr. Nash, had said'that iu a year, of loss the country would bear, tho loss and in a year of profit it yvould belong to the Government. There was. no right of appeal against the price. The Government had established an internal marketing system and this had never been asked tor. He believed tho' farmers could tun their own business without'interference. There was an enormous .section 6f the farmers of the •country up against the present' Government. -

The National Party represented ev•ery sane member of the community, the candidate claimed. “Did they want dictatorship from irresponsibles ?” he risked, and went on to refer to abuse creeping into the public works department, whereby the men were compelled to pay towards the Labour .Party campaign funds. The freedom of the workers was being taken away, be claimed. He reminded his hearers that to-day the people! had their freedom

and their vote. , • . ~ : Mr Sullivan roundly condemned the Government’s allocation of radio speakers and scathingly condemned the Government’s action in allowing the privilege of broadcasting to two Independents,, who, lie claimed, were..' on the side of the Government. lie also said that ythe director of broadcasting was also going to broadcast on the side of the Government. The present broadcasting system was condemned by' the candidate, who said there should be single control and not duplication of the two services as at present; During- tlie past two years there had been a less in the radio broadcasting system. In regard to the Government housing scheme, Mr Sullivan claimed that if the Government had kept out of the scheme the country would have had mere houses and lower rents. The

Government had fixed the rents at 'from £1 to about- 35'-. Some of the blocks of • houses were being built without the calling of tenders. In his

i opinion private enterprise would have built a bigger number of homes. In connection with the claim that the Labour .Party was following ill the footsteps of the Liberals, Mr Sullivan said that Labour had no right-to any such claim. When Labour first, contested seats .they had opposed Liberal candidates. , ' The '• Nationalists were bringing all their 1 forces together to oust the Labour Government.

My Sullivan concluded his address by reading from the policy'of the party, and extracts from this, will be publised in future issues of the “News”.

Before resuming *his seat the Nationalist candidate said that the policy contained no glowing promises. Taxation was becoming a definite burden on the people' of the Dominion. He believed that when the people wdro called on to make their choice they would v/qte for the National Party and against State Socialism. Mr Sullivan resumed his seat amidst acclamation, after having a very good hearing, only being interrupted by occasional murmurings during his address. Mr Sullivan announced that he would again address electors in Opotiki on the eve of the election.

The chairman then called for questions hut few were forthcoming.

Mr C- Black moved a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Sullivan and the National Party. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. Shove and carried by acclamation. Mr Sullivan brieflv returned thanked and’the meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, on the motion of Mr. Sullivan.

MR HULTQUIST’S CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES ON THE COAST In continuation of his election campaign which commenced tin Monday of last week. Mr A. G. Hultquist,' present member for the Bay of Plenty, and Government candidate at the forthcoming elections addressed further meetings ol his constituents on Friday and Saturday last. On Friday afternoon the candidate addressed a largely attended meeting at Omaramutu where the headmaster of the school,

Mr F. J. McLaughlin, occupied the cliair, and m welcoming the candidate paid a tribute to the services he had rendered to the district during the •past three years. 'At this meeting a unanimous vote of thanks and continence. in the Government and the candidate was carried.

In the 'evening, Mr Hultquist visited Torero, where upwards of seventy residents, the greater number of wlicm were members' of the Maori race, gathered in the Torere Maori' Hall. At this place the chairman of the Maori Labour committee presided over an enthusiastic meeting, at the conclusion of which the large number present rose spontaneously and sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.’ After the meeting Mr Hultquist and Mrs Hultquist and their party were entertained to supper in the hallOn Saturday morning Mr Hultquist spoke at Omaio. At this place- again in the Maori hall. Major W. S. Lane presided over upwards of fifty electors, which Mr Hultquist addressed for half an hour on the Government’s record of achievement. Mr Hultquist. whose voice was showing signs of the severe strain which he has imposed on it during the past few days, obviously was conserving himself for the two further meetings which lie proposed to address that same day. The Omaio residents, like these at Torere the evening before, carried a unanimous resolution of thanks and confidence in the Government and its candidate. In the afternoon, Mr Hultquist made a determined effort- to reach Itaukokore. Leaving liis car on the southern side of the Keren Itiver, Mr and Mrs Hultquist and his party were taken over thd river in an aerial page, being assisted by- local residents, and it was with difficulty that the other side of the river was reached. From that point Messrs Drake Bros. > took the party in their lorry as far as the Raukolcore Riy ; er, . where horses and riders were waiting to transport the candidate and his party to fhe oth>er side. However, heavy rain had fallen/-,the evening before, and_.it. was impossible to reach the opposite bank without swimming the horses, and Mr Hultquist was compelled to return to Te Kajra, and to cancel his Raukokore and Cape Runaway meetings. On Saturday evening lie addressed an audience of over seventy-five Maoris and Pakehas, in the Te Kalia hall. Heavy rain was falling hut this did.net deter the residents of the district from turning out to hear their member. Mr IL W. 13- Hunt, headmaster of the Te Kalia school, presided, and before calling on Mr Hultquist to, speak, invited 31 r H. Paora. chairman of the Te Kalia factory, to extend a welcome -to the candidate. 3!r Paora in doing so, paid high tribute to the services which Mr Hultquist had rendered to the Coast residents, and to the Dairy Factory suppliers, especially mentioning public works in the shape of road widening and bridge building which was in operation. FJe trusted that the present member would he returned to serve his constituents for many years to come. The chairman of the meeting, in reiterating the tribute paid by 31 r Paora, referred also to the assistance which 31r Hultquist had given to the school committee, and reminded the audience that last year when application had been made Tor a sum of £l,5<X) for extensions to the school, the application had been granted within «... u weens.

The audience listened attentively to Air mutquist lor one and a half hours, at the conclusion of which a resolution of thanks and eon.ideuee was moved hy Atr Cato J.P., who also lilted an present to work and vote solidly for the return of the Government member. The resolution was carried unanimously, and with prolonged applause. Air llultquist- stayed at To Kali.a overnight. leaving at 8 a.m. on Sunday and arriving at Opotiki at.ID a.m. In order t 0 keep liis engagements on the Fast Coast on Monday Air Idultquist had to leave Opotiki at four o’clock for Gisborne, arriving at approximately 8 o’clock, where he stayed overnight, and left for Kuatoria at 9 o’clock on Monday morning, en route calling at the Hiruhafaina Native School, where the children entertained the member and his wife and party to a programme of singing. On Alonday afternoon ‘ Mr Hultquist was scheduled to speak to the ladies of Ruatofia in the hotel lounge, and at 4 o’clock to the employees of Pakiliiroa and surrounding stations, and on Alonday evening to stay overnight at Whakaangiangi. On Tuesday lie was scheduled to speak at Alatarau station

at 10.39, Hick’s Bay to ladies at 3 n. m. and Te Ararea theatre at 7.45 p.nv. Further meetings to he addressed hy him this week include an address to the employees of the freezing works in the Waima Barracks at 12 noon to-

day, Tokcmaru Bay, address to ladies at 3 p.m.; Arero School, public address at 7.45 p.m. To-morrow in the Waimana Valley hall he is to give an address to ladies at 2.30 p.m., and at Makauri School at S p-m. ;. # on Friday i'3rcl. September at the Mharigara Hotel at 7.30 p.m. • on Saturday at Wae-renga-a-hika an address to ladies at 10 a.in., in the AVaikohu School a public address at 2 p.m. and at Kaiteratahi a public address at 7.15 p.m. The election date having been altered from that which , Mr Hultquist assumed it would be to Saturday 13th October, has necessitated him .making drastic alteration to liis itinerary for the last two weeks. He proposes to adhere strictly to his itinerary for this coining week and the following, that is, until Sunday 2nd. October. r l hereafter it Ts proposed to make alterations and contacts and others responsible for arranging his meetings will be. notified of changes made' this week.

Apart from tlie fact that he is obviously showing signs <of the severe strain imposed on his voice, 3fr Hultquist is standing up to the herculean task he set himself very well, and anticipates that he will he able to seep all the engagements he lias made without difficulty. It does not need much imagination to realise that the task is a big one, when it is known that, in addition to keeping his parliamentary correspondence up to date, and his other duties attended to, he proposes, during the last fortnight of the campaign, to address three and four meetings every day-