THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 3 November 1919, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

, MR EVELYN MACDONALD AT WAIKANAE. I At Waikanae on Friday night, Mr ! Evelyn Macdonald was in good form, i and spoke fluently for an hour arid a I half to a small audience. Mr Rodgers, j who was voted to the chair, said he did not know Mr Macdonald, and did not I identify himself with his views by taking the chair. He did not know what the speaker intended to say that evening, but he was personally of opinion that new blood was wanted and should be encouraged. Politicians seemed to lose quality and character after a few years of service, and he thought that they should not serve in more than two Parliaments in suoce?

Rcferring to the chairman’s remarks, the speaker recalled the reign of Tammany in U.S.A., when decent people ivere said to have taken no part in politics, until things got so bad that they were compelled to take a strong hand and abandon the policy of drift. He warned his hearers of the dangers accruing from such a policy in New Zealand to-day. The speaker said he did not ask any man ftfr his vote, nor a'ny party for Heir support. He offered his services humbly, but urged all to have more concern for political and administrative matters. Their responsibilities, if neglected, might result.in us all “landing in the soup” together. Politicians were largely to blame for neglect. The Farmers’ Union policy of, i tree trade in land, and the Farmer I Government (so-called), were partly responsible for the difficult questions of repatriation and settlement existing today. They had their opportunity and [ missed it. The free trade in land—ho was not opposed to frehohl if there was I such a tiling—had enabled the wealthy I to obtain large, areas cheaply, and hold , and now ask inflated values. Ho :-ugI gested practical steps to deal with these matters. The working farmer was 'helping to cut his own throat and that, of his neighbours by boosting land values. Steps ought to have been taken long ago to secure land and have it icady when the boys returned. He had pointed out at the time that it. was shameful to force men to sell out under pressure at low values and on short notice without the right to return and find themselves at. least no worse off than when sent away. Without giving names he quoted a specific case. The Public Trust ought to have done more. The official local committees ought x to have done more. The boys had a right to make a noise about it. The Government must take the responsibility. He also referred to the State Advances Office and other matters, and Iris remarks received close attention.

Questioned as to his attitude in the event of a no-confidence motion, the speaker said the question had been put to him elsewhere, and was a very proper and practical oi e, even to a non-party candidate. He, however, would net tic himself to any pledge. Special circumstances might arise to quite alter the position. If returned, on any important matter of the kind arising, lie would endeavour to-represent his constituents faithfully as one of themselves, and not use the occasion simply to force his own views. They might judge by Iris speech and policy that he was not supporting the squatter and capitalism, nor yet would he support extreme labour. On the other hand, while Sir J. Ward was probably the most able of our politicians, he was not sufficiently imbued with altruism and love of country and humanity. Mr Macdonald disapproved of Sir Joseph Ward’s title, he disap-proved-of his repeated, absences from New Zealand. He had become wealthy while New Zealand had got further* indebted. He had hoarded money in London while there was almost financial starvation in New Zealand. He did not wish to be too severe upon Sir Joseph Ward; but he must speak of theite things. -Sir Joseph had given fine service as colleague of the late Richard Seddon, and had helped in many a good fight. The speaker had taken the motto “principles before party.” but quoted Disraeli as saying in Britain when the ery of “measures before men” was heard, that even principles were in rain if “administrators were not sympathetic or sincere and resolved to carry them out. Disraeli had said. “We should remember in speculating- on the fate of public institutions how much depends upon the character of the men who direct them.”

Pressed by a further question, the candidate stated that, if he were a member of Parliament with the three parties -as they are at present, tn a vant-of-confidence motion he would probably fee found voting with the Liberals. to whom he had always belonged. The Chairman, in moving, a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, said Mr Macdonald had certainly, given them food for though. He had given them some new ideas and new ways or looking at things, and there certainly was no doubt of his sincerity, and he had pleasure, in asking the meeting to carry the motion with applause. The candidate thanked them, and returned the eorapliment—with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Replying to a question at his Manakau meeting Mr Evelyn Macdonald stated that he certainly did not approve the suggested increase of £290 to M’s.P. pay : —in view of results, the little done and many things neglected. Parliament had unconstitutionally given itself five years’ tenure, and members had carried on their professions and business riurir.g that time, and the pay they received for a few weeks’ (or months) partial attention to their parliamentary duties was. he contended, ample to recoup them, especially at a time of stringency, and when we were being urged to increesed economy and production. Workers got into the British Parliament when M’s.p. received no pay, and while it was right in principle that they should ba paid, they should not be bribed. The. way to-Parliament, he said, should be

1 , made more easy to able young. New Zealanders mho loved New Zealand and were willing to serve their country, but not to those who sought to make gain ol' it.