THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, 15 December 1919, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

MR FIELD AT OTAKI. Mr \V. 11. Field. M.P., addressed a largely-attended meeting at Otiiki on Friday night. Mr H. Freeman occupying the eliair. Mr Field stated this the second occasion during the present campaign that he had addressed electors at Otaki. and regretted that he could not give v. further address nearer election day. Ho referred to the coming eleteion as i a crucial and momentous one, and «aid flic main issue was who would prevail— Moderates or Extremists? He felt that the former would be relumed to power by a large majority. The campaign in its earlier stages had been conducted fairly by the candidate-, but of more recent date unpleasantness had occurred, and he found it his duty to answer attacks. Labour was making big attempts to capture the seat, and it was for the electors to make a choice. Ho had to fight his battles alone and did not seek platform aid. He had been called by Mr Semple a political acrobat, but if guilty the elector.; of the Otaki district had approved of his actions: he had never changed his polities, but only Sir leaders, and be wished to make it clear that if Mr Massey was returned with a majority to carry on hr- would support Lira on a no-ccnfidcaco motion, but on other matters he wished Iris freedom, as he considered ij well to have a free ha d on important questions. He th ight there might ba a junction of tL two main parties, and tfcgt possibly ea didates might have Jq ga to the el- tors again, Mr Field Spoke of the m- user in which Mr Massey had been ho dieapped owing to the war, and said it was only during the past few months that he had been able to prove his worth. He showed he had a thorough grip of the country’s affair.-,

and tad proved his ability. and he considered the country could not do better than return him to power, Mr Field gave the Labour Party credit for their actions during the last session, and stated he was on good terms with both the Liberals and the Moderate;.

Explanations. Ho was c-earg'ed with land aggregation. but he had proved conclusively, that he and his family were not a menace to ihe country, and were prepared. when the time came, to have their land subdivided and distributed. It vres also said that he had taken advantage of a soldier by buying his land, but as a matter of fact nothing of the sort had happened, and the soldier In question {Mr York) had written to the press clearly denning ihe position. He hud begged Mr York not to sell his farm, and had offered to look after it. feeling sure that a= Mr York was medically unut he rrcuid coon be discharged from csmp. Mr York, ait or cie;hsr£s,

had decided not to go back to Waikanae,'and stated he did not want the land. Mr Field said he was perfectly willing to let Mr York have the land for the same amount that he paid for it. plus money spent upon it. He could have it to-morrow if he so sired. Another rumour circulated was that he employed a man at 10s or 15s per week. This was a half truth. About two years and a-half ago a friend asked him to assist a remittance man. addicted te drink, by placing him on the farm. Ho said he would see what he eould do in the matter, and asked that tho man be sent along. He duly arrived, and later his manager reported that the man was useless and unlit for work, and advised him to get rid of him. He suggested giving the man a chance, and asked him if he desired to stay on, and the man, answering in the affirmative, was offered 13s, with a promise of increases, which, with his remittance, brought his pay to 335. A number of men made it their business to wait on the man, who told them th« plain truth, and this was made use of to damage him (Mr Field) in the eyes of electors. He had scon the men and had said their statement would have to be contradicted or he would send the man away, and after he had fully cxl>lained his case they decided to say nothing further. That man is, said Mr Field, now a respectable and useful member of the community.

Speaking of his Labour opponent, the candidate contended that Mr McKenzie had written challenging him to a debate. As no earthly good could come of it, further ho had to study electors, he refused to accept the challenge. He had been asked if it was true that he had voted against the military age being increased to 55 years. He had answered that he had voted for the military age to bo raised to -1 years, uud it was said in reply that he had done so to exempt his son. He had also voted for the maximum age to be 4G years, nnd it was said he had done so to save his own skin. As it happened lie was over the age, and it could not possibly uSeet him, while it was known his fnmily had borne their share of war responsibility. It had been said he had attached Mr McKenzie unfairly, and this he denied. The chairman of Mr McKenzie’s meeting at Upper Unit had referred to Mr McKenzie as a volunteer, and then asked what had Mr Field done, and asked had he been “over Hie top.’’ Mr McKenzie should have no trouble to get his military rceord and prove how ho stood. Mr McKenzie had also criticised the Government and taken it to task on various matters. Mr McKenzio considered tho Steamship Company should have been taken over by tho Government, but he (Mr Field) ddi not think it would be wise—he was against nationalisation. The speaker nlso dealt with affairs in Queensland as go-verned by a Labour Government, and on doubts being raised by members of the audience, road telegrams to show that affairs as conducted in Queensland had not been a success under the Labour Government.

In speaking of Samoa Mr Field said it had been stated that slavery existed, but it was not no, and a pamphlet issued by tho Labour Party wn* misleading. He considered coloured laV ir was esscntiel to work Samoa, and st; ted that coolies appeared v.ell satist-d With tho conditions, and could return heme at any time by application to their Consul. Mr Field also dealt briefly with statements made by Mr Macdonald, and said one of that gentleman’s aims was to see that he (Mr Field) was ousted from tho seat. Mr Field regretted that Mr Ishorwood was ill and wished him a speedy recovery. He dealt with the cost of living, the financial difficulties the country had to face, and predicted all would be well if tho people of tho couctry worked shoulder to shoulder. He pointed out that more production was necessary, together with economy and thrift, and said wages could cot so on increasing without increasing the cost of production. He also stated that profiteering would have to bo stopped, and the people who had made money by ea doing should be made to disgorge. Touching on education Mr Field advocated better pay for teachers, and said the Government intended to spend much money on improving tho system. Modern education, he considered, essential. He said ho was always against sectarianism strife, and had advocated the exemption of school teachers, but had not advocated for the Marist Brothers over other teachers. After briefly touching on minor matters Mr Field resumed his seat amidst applause. .Questions. Mr Mackie stated he would Lke to know how the inhabitants of Samoa, lived before the Europeans arrived there, and contended they should be allowed to live in their own way as long as they lived within the law.

Hr Field considered the natives would be better ofx under European control, they would become more useful and increase products. Sir End kin considered Queensland in a healthy state under the Labour Government; but Hr Field failed to agree. In answer to a question Hr Field said he had dose his best to secure land at Ohau at a lower price than paid by the Government, and considered the Land Purchase Beard had certainly made a blunder. Hr Hackie; Are soldiers allowed to sell at a good profit!

Hr Field: Not always; hut they can sell to returned soldiers! That is the only restriction placed on them. Hr Field, in answering a farther nnestion, said if the shipping companies did not lower their charges he would he in favour of the Government purchasing the vessels, bat he considered the present freights, which were as high as 400 per cent, coaid not be sustained. There was nothing to justify such large charges, and if returned he would do his best to get the charges reduced. He hoped later that New Zealand would build its pra Sis 2£cSst:gsii raved a vote of

thanks to Mr Field for his lucid and able address, which was seconded by Mr Tompsitt and carried amidst uppin use. A \ote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. labour candidate at OTAKI. Mr J. McKenzie (official Labour candidate) addressed a large number of hearers in the open-air at Otaki on Saturday night, and was accorded a good hearing, with but few interruptions. Mr McKenzie explained the Labour Party’s programme at some length, and said it was a democratic programme that would make for good government m (ho land. Referring to the statement made that the Labour candidates were bound down to the party’s platform, Mr McKenzie said candidates simply put their names to the principles advocated by the party. This, he considered, was only right, though it, might be distasteful to souto who wished to go to the poll unfettered, and would not even say what or whom they would support. Questioned by Mr Rudkin. Mr McKenzie said that the Government ventures in Queensland, with one exception, had proved most successful, and had resulted in a considerable protit, while the people had reaped the benefit o£ lower prices charged. Tlic meeting closed with cheers for the candidate.

I MR Mckenzie and me field. ji A VIGOROUS REPLY. ’ g Speaking in the open-air at CWaki o I* Saturday night, Mr MoKcnzi (Labour candidate) made a vigorou reply to statements made re bis mil tury career. He said that lie had ei tured the campaign determined to leav personalities out. and so far as Me.--i ~ Macdonald and T-honvood were coi Scorned bad no complaint to make. Ini Ij Mr Field had indulged in such bespit J| .able tactics that, no inatrer what ill jj result of the poll, he (ihe speaker S could not shake hands with Mr T'iek Mr McKenzie said Mr Field had held gay little party recently at Waihoang.tvhere he had said the speaker was disloyalist, that he had refused to sig the oath of allegiance, am! while at th front had thrown his ammunition aw.-e and run for his life. <A voice: A in of lies!) Mr McKenzie said he ha handed bis papers to the secretary o the K.N.A. at Levin, from whom he ha received a letter to say that hi- mil tary character iva- without Idnmis! This: letter would lie published a-. an a< vertisomcnf. The speaker said thing had come to a pretty pa s when a jaa had to take steps like these to protec Lis character, and he warmly (.•.■■.pre-sc the opinon that o man who would no as Mr Field had done in this matte v.as “unlit for decent company.’ ’ II declared, amidst applause, that ji wa absolutely vile that such a brutal criti cism should lie hurled at a candidate. NOTES. Mr Evelyn Macdonald sprat:, a Cockrell’s corner. Otuki. to-night a 7.30, “I am not altogether in favour o extreme labour,” -aid Mis-. Melville a a meeting at King-land (Auckland; “I am altogether in favour of ever section of the population being repr> •ented in Parliament, but to my min there is no definite dividing line tween Labour and other thing-. I self work id and li and i~> hou; day, and I aru not a member of an; union. Home of the alleged Labou lenders have done very little to he! win the war, but 1 realise very we that the workers have done v< ry t-.ee to win the past struggle in Europe.” Miss Melville, the Reform ct-.cdidat for Grey Lynn, is winning' support a along the line. She is never as a loot question time. Thus: “Do you b. lieve in State control?” a-ia-d one o the audience. “No; if we want th liquor traffic we’ve got it: and if v. don’t we know v.hat to do with >V she replied. A gentleman at this stag rose and gave every indication o' r.:- : ing an address, but he uvrciy want* to say that New Zealand wa> a:> ngr cultural country, he him-eir was e agricultural mar:, and if he had ;e rotes he would east them all tor Mix Melville, fApplause.) Many pthc questions were asked, and all weanswered by the candidate. After ihi the audience thanked the -p-aker is resolution, and passed a vote of eon fidence also. ; Says the ''Auckland Star”: We css not say that Mr Massey he- made hi position on the land question am better. There were gem-rae-h-s in speech at Pukekohe about had settle inent, and we admit it is something v the good when Mr Massey denounce; land speculators as a a obstacle ‘ necessary development, but the county: wants more than this. I' wants prre tical proposals, and a policy that v ii place the community’s interest- ttbovs tbo-e of the large land-ow ner. But Mr Massey is afraid to support list necessary increase in the land tat which Sir Joseph VTcr l hr - promised, it is not surprising. Sir TValt’r: Buchanan might hear him.