THE OTAKI SEAT.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 31 October 1919, Page 3

THE OTAKI SEAT.

ME EVELYN MACDONALD AT OTAKI. Mr Evelyn Macdonald, who is contesting the Otaki seat at the coming general election, delivered an address at the meeting-room of Brights’ Theatre on 'Wednesday night, when there Was an attendance of about 70 persons. Mr A. McDougall was in the chair, and ashed for a fair, square and impartial hearing for the candidate, and stated that if Mr Macdonald’s views were not approved by the audience he (the candidate) would be pleased to answer any questions at the conclusion of the address. Politics, suid Mr McDougall, promised to bo important and the election one of the biggest problems that New Zealand would have to face. He then asked all to think quietly, weigh matters thoroughly, and vote according to their conscience.

Mr Macdonald, after thanking the chairman for his remarks, said he. intended to be straight and fair, and do his best, to make all understand what he was driving at. He came before the public in all humbleness, but with every confidence —with the more confidence, in fact, when he came to look through the programmes and policies put forward by other parties and leaders. Ho was not put up by'any party, but had a policy of his own, and he believed in principles before party. He had always taken a keen interest in politics, but had not seen a programme from a politician that was acceptable—even the Prime Minister’s was not satisfactory; but as election time drew near promises were being made that were dished up years ago. He now proposed to' give concrete suggestions' whereby improvement could be effected. There was no doubt but that several supporters of Mr Massey were falling away and forming a National and Democratic Party, and it was clear that existing parties were not going to last long. Personally, lie would support what lie considered the best principles, and contended that what was required in Parliament were men who would give their undivided service in lhc interests of electors and not men who combined private business with parliamentary duties. In his opinion there were too many men in Parliament —there were 8S now, but 50 would be sufficient, while the change would mean a saving of money. He suggested that there be a House of • Ladies—a>women’s council with equal lights and privileges with the Upper House, and considered a man should have a negative as well as a positive vote. Either the preferential or the proportional voting, system should be adopted to ensure equitable representation. He came before them as a working farmer with a policy that ho believed was needed in the present critical time; he was, in fact, a coekey’s candidate, or, as he had described himself, a progressive«worlcing farmer candidate with strong sympathy for otlic-r branches of labour. The working farmer was beginning to realise that mat- | ters outside his. boundary fence might be vital to him. The farmer was no slacker, but instead just about led the world in production per capita. Despite restriction and interference the farmers of New Zealand had produced millions of pounds worth of produce without a complaint, but he believed it a fact that while the farmer was receiving 4id for best beef it was being retailed in London at 2s and 2s 4d per lb, and the British authorities were said to be payin" more than this for foreign beef, sonic of which butchers refused to sell as it was unfit for human consumption. Farmers in New Zealand did not cony plain—perhaps because they did not know the facts. It was disquieting, too, to know that British capital was behind the foreign supply. It was also said that tfiorc was more British capital invested in Argentina than in the whole of Australasia. Some benefited at the farmers’ expense, but it was n<ff the hungry workers of Britain nor our soldiers. The position of the farmer in America was similar to that here. Mr Macdonald, touching on wool, said it was commonly believed that our « 00l growers had received 55 per cent above pre-war prices, but that was not so. His own clip, as an example, realised as hi"h as Is 5d before the commandeer in London (1914 clip). It had not realised Is 3d since, and he contended prices were rising before the war. Some asked, “What "about surplus profits?” He had, at any rate, not received any. There was a sign of something not surplus profits. Seek deeper, said the speaker, ana the answer may be found -it is ominous. The bacffibloek farmer, his wife, and children were asking why should they pursue their lonely vocation amid privation and suffering to pamper, slackers and parasites and profiteers. The farmer did net foresee that some of the goods they needed were to go up 300 per cent and that they were to be deprived of an open market, and yet be asked to increase tlieir production by 50 per cent. It was time the farmer realised lie was up against it and did something for himself and he had urged farmers to combine in the interests of the whole community. The time was coming when co-operative bodies would have feell "S® for other similar bodies. He also felt it verv necessary that working farmers and other branches of labour should unite to fight capitalism Prudent Wilson had said we should make the world safe for democracy The farm was a worker (manual and brain), and he considered he was entitled to a fair wage—he was the first worker, to-day he fed all. When he adopted a go-slow policy or minimum wage a 10Te ' value of his labour it would be safe to Prophesy other changes _ st.Tftly ensuing. Let organised labour lie reasonable, let till reason together yk.li'the intention of being j u ■ aI ' -Jot demand luxuries while others wanted necessities; above il _ going with thoughts of others in ou minds, Tathcr than be greedi an -c fish. The farmer was not mean, bur he must remove misunderstandings 1 - would find his" business* outside the Jxrundary fence. If the **cockieo ptrt

him (Mr Macdonald) iil Parliament he would faithfully represent them, and would realise ho must work amicably 1 and justly with labour. He was opposed to extremists in any direction, and maintained it was not the extremist who survived. They wanted sound, sober men on the side of labour men

who would conduct the business in Parliament without discord. Ho thought the Labour Party should have more consideration for the farmer, and said there was a time when city men would be asked to go into the country.. The Government’s policy in settling our lads on farms was lost. It had been said that to suggest a remedy for mistakes made was the trouble, but: he maintained lie had suggested remedies, and in doing so referred all to the farmers’ political policy as published in Wednesday’s “Mail.-’ It was a policy that contained concrete suggestions re land and for preventing aggregation and inflation. •

In dealing with public health, Mr Macdonald said he believed in e.vtehsion of and subsidising of medical advice and care by qualified doctors and nurses, increased provision of maternity homes, cottage hospitals, children’s temporary homes -and rural cases (maternity cases to have expert attention free), informative and educative articles in school journals, and the establishment and free distribution of a State annual medical journal, having an equity and an open column, enfoi cement of every borough council or town" board to provide proper and approved resting and retiring rooms for women U T.d children, and conveniences for men, compulsory notification, segregation, and treatment of V.D. cases to be rigidly enforced, every possible step to be taken to improve social conditions, and promote social virtue, health, and understanding, free medical, dental and optical advice and treatment of school children, or action under such a scheme ,as proposed by Mr D. b. Mackenzie, the Levin dentist.

He advocated placing a copy of the Statutes for free reference at ever-’ public library, suggested that the At-torney-General give a clear, simple, and authoritative statement of the mcei’'ng and intention of each, referring same to . Supreme Court where a doubt existed; considered that every' cii *cn should have the Tight of enquiry and official reply at the Crown law office, and a placard to this effect to be put up in every post office; simplification and consolidation of Statute law to be continuous; every amending Act as far as practicable to incorporate the Act amended, and where there was a deuaitc change of policy- such Act to be a consolidating and repealing measure; hasty legislation to be reviewed periodically and at the earliest opportunity, and other steps taken to ensure that tlic lav; shall fully express the people’s will under changing conditions and improved knowledge. He considered “wre was room- for improvement in local government, contended chairmen of county councils should get the same pay as members of Parliament; county councils to have absolute or joint eon-j trol of rating and rates, roads, bridges, hospitals, rivers, hydro-electric p ant, libraries, theatres, town-planning, land valuation, etc.

In regard to defence, he believed in a speedy reduction to a peace footing, with sufficient precautionary measures, aiming at tlic preservation of peace and , ■justice, and shorn of militarism, or tlic < creation of a military caste, revised and j . reduced scheme of compulsory training . for cadets and youths, preference for coastal and naval defence, and modern equipment, submarine bases, etc. In answer to questions Mr Macdonald said the Farmers’ Union was a non-, political body, who influenced no one , as lo how and whom to vote for. He added that the Labour Party was purely-. political, that there was no farmers’ representation, and further that if he was returned to Parliament he would represent all classes. \«ked how he proposed to reduce the co'st of living and solve the housing problem, Mr Macdonald stated that he personally lived first in a tent, then secured a whare, and considered if more people did the same thing the better it would.be for all concerned. He suggested fewer attendances at picture shows and the programme of their forefathers adhered to more closely. He _ stated a suggestion had been made in Wellington to erect marquee*, and pointed out that in Victoria there was an institution called the Voluntary Workers’ Association, who built houses for people. He thought a similar organisation would help solve the difficulty in New Zealand. Timber and iron, honker, were dear, and had to be considered. The tendency was tor people to make for cities instead of the count.rv, and instead of a wharc of nikau people desired £SOO residences. As for reducing the cost of living, the best brains of the world were trying to solve it. Behind all was the steady rise of prices, while capitalists had invisible powers that others were just beginning to comprehend —there was something abnormal about capitalists. The scarcity of land, together with high prices, kept up the cost of living, and he thought the matter one that should have everv attention. As long as people remained the willing slaves.of capitalists so long would they suffer. Regarding -dental treatment to school children, he would place all on the same footing independent of denomination. He believed the day would come when the national system would be the best of all. 1 c How are vou on the liquor V I * m not on it,” came the brief Teply. He considered all who contributed taxation should participate in the benefits; he would not say that the “coekey” and labourer should share and share alike—lie considered the harder the job the more a man should be paid. , __ Asked was he in favour of Homo Kule, Mr Macdonald stated he was In favour’ of extending .freedom, and considered Ireland deserved sympathy m her present unfortunate position, but at the same time he could not say that Home'Kule should be extended to her t

but he hoped there would be-a reason able solution of the difficulty. „

•On the motion of Mr W. Bowden, seconded by Mr Clements, Mr ■'Macdonald was accorded a hearty vo-e of thanks. MANAEAU MEETING. Mr E. Macdonald addressed the electors at Manakau last evening, speak-' ing on similar lines as at Otaki and Levin. The address was appreciated by those present, while tlic bearing accorded him was satisfactory-.