MR H. J. McMANAWAY.

Shannon News, 13 November 1928, Page 2

MR H. J. McMANAWAY.

SPEAKS AT SHANNON:

The final shot of the campaign, sj far as Shannon is concerned, was fired last evening at the Maoriland Theatre by Mr H. J. McManaway, the Independent Reform candidate. There were about 150 persons present, who gave him. a very attentive hearing.

The acting deputy-Mayor (Mr T. 0. Thwaites), who presided, fn introducing the candidate, said there nas been a lot of comment to the effect that Mv McManaway was vote splitting by coming forward as an Independent Reform candidate, and' as chairman it was only right for him to say that Mr McManaway was only exercising the right of every citizen in the Dominion by offering his services to his country/ Mr McManaway in opening his address said he would support the Reform party on a no-confidence motion Since he was la&t in .Shannon the Prime Minister had been through the electorate and if he. (the' candidate) was not known before, as was now. Mr Coates had spoken well of him and m'ver once accused him of having butted in or vote splitting. On four occasions he had been willing to go before a tribunal for selection, but the sitting member had refused to do so. If elected it would not be necessary at the end of three years to bring the Prime Minister to the electorate to explain hia actions. He said the most burning question of the day was the land policy and he had made this his chief plank. Reform in 1925 had promised a more vigorous policy of land settlement, but it had not kept its promise. He said the group system of settlement now placed on the Statute Book will do good. This permitted of four or more persons selecting a property, which if approved of by the Government the latter will loan up to 95 per cent, cf the purchase monev. Referring to Sir Joseph Ward's proposal to" borrow £60,000,000 for land settlement, he claimed it was a wrong statement to make as it will harden up the price of land, the same has had happened when'the Government bought land for returned solliers. He approved of the Government's policy of settling and pumice land, which they roaded and had placed people on at cost. With handy markets, people on this class of land, he claimed were better off than those on land of high value. He hoped the Government would go on with this policy. Criticising the United leader's proposed loan he thought it was a political catch, but he did not think the Party would get on the treasury benches to carry it out. He condemned "he Labour Party's land policv. He" said the Government should have borrowed more money and let the country know they are going on with land settlement. If this system is not followed the party will not remain in power long. It is paramount to the -prosperity of the countiy. He would not. approve of further immigration until more land was available. a . Referring to dairy .control hedefend--ed Mr Coates' action as being in the best interests of the country, pointing out that Britain will never stand for price fixing. If elected he would do his best to I fee that the duty on flour was remov- ! od, contending that a baker could sell bread at s*d instead of 7d if there was no duty.

He favoured payment of wages on the sliding scale in the flax industry He thought the men were quite right in asking for it. At the conclusion ef his the candidate answered several questions, after which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr C. Grey, the same, being extended to the chairman for presiding.