THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 17 November 1919, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE OTAKI SEAT. ME W. H. FIELD AT QTAKI. Mr W. H. Field, sitting member fo: Otaki, addressed tlie electors a Brights ’ Theatre, Otaki, on Friday last when there was a good attendance. Mr H. Freeman was voted to tin chair. Mr Field expressed his pleasure ai meeting his Otaki constituents, and a 1 seeing such a representative gather ing. He was seeking their suffrage! again, and was out to catch as manj votos as possible. They had just passed through a marvellous session during which they had got through a great amount of work. As a member of the Reform Party, he wished to acknowledge the assistance given them by the Liberal Party in putting through necessary legislation. They had now come to the most critical election ever held in New Zealand. The Local Position. Mr Field here explained his political position. He had been their member for 17 years, having been returned first in 1899, on the death of his brother. He had at first followed the late Richard Seddon, and, on the death of that great statesman, had been a member of the Ward party. In 1914 he had thrown in his lot with Mr Massey’s party, and still favoured the Reformers. If he did not retain the confidence of the electors it would be because of one of the three following reasons: — (1) That his politics were bad; (2) that he had neglected his duty to his district or the country; (3) that he had committed some offence or misconducted himself. So far as he was aware, he had not been found wanting under any of.these headings. The only allegation madp against him was that he held too much land. As to that, be contended that the property he held was not an unreasonable amount for himself and family. If at any time he found that it was not in the public interests that he should retain such a large holding, he would willingly relinquish part. The Opposing Candidates. Mr Fiold proceeded to deal with his opponents for the scat. Mr McKenzie stood as tho official representative of the Labour Party, and therefore prescribed to the platform of that party. Mr Macdonald was standing as an Independent Liberal-Labour representative. Mr Fiold explained that Mr Macdonald had written him, suggesting that he allow his name to go before the Farmers’ Union, togother with Mr Macdonald’s, for selection of a Union representative. He had declined, as ho considered this was hardly a fair way of making a slection, and pointed out that lie had consistently helped the Farmers’ Union in mapy ways. Mr Isherwood, the third candidate, was a personal friend of the speaker’s, who was standing ns a Liberal. With regard to himself, Mr Field said, while he was standing as Reform supporter, there was very little difference between the views of the two leaders —Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward—except that the latter favoured nationalisation of the coal mines and a State bank. The speaker said he also stood for sane labour. His sympathies had always been with those who worked with their hands. It had been said against him that he lived in the city, outside his electorate. As to that, ho spent about ouc-third of his time in the electorate, and pointed out that his residence in the city enabled him to be of much more use to his constituents than he could possibly be if he- lived away from the seat of government. He had always put his public duties first; Out to Fight the Extremists. The speaker said ho did not know who would win this election —Massey or Ward—but he (Mr Field) would support the party with a majority. It was felt by both the Liberals .and Reformers that they would not carry on the Government with the assistance of the Labour Party, and it was necessary that there should be a strong moderate party to fight the extremists. If neither Reformers nor Liberals had a working majority at the election there would be a coalition. The National Government. Mr Field proceeded to touch briefly on the Excellent work done by the National Government, and said it was to their credit that the country was so prosperous. They h'ad been enabled to carry on without reducing the exemption on income tax, and the whole of tho extra taxation necessary had not affected the poorer people, except as regards the duty on tea. Our revenue from exports had increased from 12} to 23 millions, and great credit was due to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward for securing tho trade of the country during the war. Tho Labour people snid the farmers of New Zealand had been getting rich at the expense of ( tho poor people of the Old Country, but he said that was not so. If it had not been for the middlemen’s profits, the Home people would have been getting their produce at much lower priees than they did. New Zealand had received no less than. HO millions' 'from the Imperial Government for produce, which had helped us ip maintain our prosperity. Increased Cpss of giving. The cost of living iB New Zealand had undoubtedly increased, but that not the fault of the eoyaranieat. wbi«h - had dope its best in the matter. That ibe-Thud been successful in this attract was proved by thfi comparative . figntes of the increases in the' cost of 1;'. ing in the various countries affected, which he quoted, showing that New Zealand was easily in tho best position. The Cpst ftf been able to accomplish much, but Mr Field referred to the lcgislatipn passed during the past session, by which the Board of Trade was given such wide powers as would prevent profiteeringIt v/as a most drastic law, and we might look for excellent results. Mr

Field gave credit to the Hon. W. L. ,S. Macdonald for this measure. In connection with this question, the-speaker remarked that in Queensland, where they had a Labour Government, and were carrying on State meat shops, etc., at a great loss, the people had not beneiitted, and the farmers had been robbed. ‘ - Reform Government. Mr Fiold proceeded to deal with the legislation enacted by tho Reform Party since it had been in power, briefly touching on many important measures placed on the Statutes by the party. The soldiers’ gratuities were not meant to bo a payment for what the soldiers had done —no payment could adequately comi>easatc them hardships and sacrifices. The gratuities were a token of the gratitude we felt i for the splendid work the - men had done.

; Mr Massey wns deserving of special r credit, said the candidate, for .the excellent arrangements made with respect to the Nauru Island products. Australia had reckoned on securing this island’s products for herself, and Mr Massey was to be congratulated on securing New Zealand’s recognition in the matterT Now this country was entitled to 16 per cent of the products of the island, and as a result this country would in future be assured of an abundant supply of phosphates at probably onc-half the cost we paid hitherto. Re indentured labour in Somoa, the speaker said it was necessary to retain same, as wo had to take over existing contracts, but tho conditions would bo altered ero long. < Mr Field claimed that the Reform ' Party had carried out the policy it hail enunciated, and was worthy of continued support. ' Referring to the Mangahao electrical works, Mr Field said he had ten years ago been impressed with the possibilities of the Mangahao for electrical energy, and had urged the Government to investigate. He regretted that the proposed scheme was not being pushed on at a greater pace, and said he hoped at an early date every local body and i farmer in the district would have tho t benefit of the Mangahao current. r Serious Financial Position. Mr Field referred to the serious financial position of the country, saying that our national debt had increased from 100 millions to 200 millions through the war, and was now at the rate of £92 per head .of population. It was thus very necessary for us to pursue a sane policy. In order to raise ‘ the interest on our huge debt it was accessary to have increased production* To secure this thoy must steer clear of 1 industrial unrest, they must not hamper tho farming community, and should stick to sane, moderate legislation. He was in favour of an increased graduatccl lund tax, to burst up the big estates, and remarked that they had fallen short in this respect in the past. They must encourage farmers and J others to increase their products. ' j Mr Field defended the Massey l< Government in giving what had been called the “butter bribe,” and do- 1 dared that this payment was only what the dairy fanners were entitled to. The * farmers had sold their butter for local ' consumption at a lower price than they 0 would have got had they exported it,, and it was only right and just that this ™ loss should bo made up to them.

In regard to education, Mr Field said sit was necessary to spend more money on teachers’ residences, smaller classes were wanted, and bigger and better playgrounds, and we should pay much more attention than wc did to tho teaching of agricultural science, in which we were far behind America. Much hqd been dpne in regard to conserving thp health of tho children, and much more remained to be done. With regard to defence, Mr Field said there was no occasion to spend huge stuns on an elaborate system of defence. He strongly urged that more encouragement should be given to rifle clubs, and said there should be thousands of these clubs throughout the country. These would provide a valuable and economical means of defence. Additional facilities should be given, said the speaker, for an extension of tho telephone system, especially in the backblocks. Re tho railways, Mr Field said he had advocated a substantial reduction of the general manager’s falgry from £3OOO, and pointed out that it was not only the actual salary that mattered, but other salaries were affected, and the superannuation fund suffered, also very severely. He considered the increased salary should never have been passed by Parliament. The local railway service needed improving. Hesi- : dents of Otaki and district should be enabled to reach the city by 9 a.m. and ! have a later'train returning from Wellington, . : . .. Mr Field said he was. tho first person who had put before the Government the proposal to make a new main road deviation, between Paekakariki and Paremata. The Government was new considering a proposal to shift the railway line in tliat locsli|y so as to skirt the sea coast, and he -urged that this should be done as speedily as possible, and then the existing railway line could be taken for a He had parted this Piatter going, qnd intended to see it through. The Elections. 1 In conclusion, Mr Field minded bis Jlffaxers the coming elections”would be a very crucial time. It was going to be a fight between the moderate? qnd ftxiremists, and he hoped the moderates' would win. The whole world was in the melting pot, and there were enormous problems to be faced. At the same'time, he did not see that they could better the present systeip. labours! object was to' destroy capitalism, but labour and capital wefe interdependent At this stage Mr Field read remarks expressed by Mr Keir Hardin, the. great Socialist, to tho effect that New Zealand was the most socialistic country in the world, and i expressing the ogiaiou that this coun-

try had gone • far enough, and should hesitate before attempting anything 1 extreme. 4 Mr Field urged his hearers to consider whether they should not stick together and settle the after-war probleins in a sane and moderate fashion. He sincerely hoped that a spirit of reasonableness would prevail among the . people, and that they would remain ' loyal to King and country. Questions. Replying to a question by Mr j Clements, Mr Field said ho was in' favour of preventing all enemy aliens from taking any part in cither national or local politics. Mr Norgrove asked if the. Reform Party had a man who could fill the portfolio of Finance as skilfully as Sir Joseph Ward. The candidate replied that he thought. Sir James Allen v.-ys Sir Joseph Ward’s equal as a Minister of Finance. Sir James had taken up the position and proved himself most fitted for it. Thanks. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr C. 11. Williams, n hearty vote of thanks was acconlcd Mr Field. Mr Williams, speaking to the motion, said Mr Field had served them well for many years, and lie saw no reason why they should desert him now. No bettor man was offering. A vote of thanks to the chairman ended a very orderly meeting, the speaker receiving an attentive hearing. mr McKenzie at manakau. Mr J. McKenzie, .Labour candidate, addressed a small meeting of electors at Manakau on Friday night. The speaker dealt at. length with the Labour platform, and was listened to attentively. No questions were asked. A vote of thanks was accorded the candidate.