GOVERNMENT DEFENDED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 487, 17 October 1928, Page 9

GOVERNMENT DEFENDED

HAURAKI CAMPAIGN OPENS MR. A. W. HALL AT OTAHUHU A vindication of the Government’s administration in all departments of State was essayed by Mr. A. W. Hall, Reform candidate for Hauraki, who spoke in the Gaiety Theatre, Otahuhu, last evening. He declared that the only pledge required of him by the Reform Party was that he should vote with the Government on a no-confidence motion. There was an attendance of nearly 200 people. Mr. R. B. Todd, Mayor of Otahuhu, presided. The candidate assured his audience at the outset that people who had previously offered their services in the Reform interests were now working for his political welfare, thus assuring a block Reform vote in th© electorate. No Government had been called upon to face the difficulties which had beset the path of the Reform administration, but even in the face of war problems, followed by boom prices and economic upsets, it had brought the country through well. After the war exceptionally high prices ruled for our produce, and values were inflated. Then when th© slump eventuated, the party was blamed for its policy of soldier settlement, which after all was executed only to satisfy the cry of the people themselves. Adverse trade balance, he said, was the reason for the slump—caused througii the people living toeyona tneir means. Financial assistance had been granted to settlers, workers and local bodies up to £40,50U,UU0, of which amount £22,OUU,OUU had gone to settlers, some of whom were still disgruntled. They must remember, however, that the Advances to Settlers Department was not a charitable-aid society. During his tour of the electorate the farmers bad expressed themselves as very well pleased with the work of the Rural intermediate Credit and Long Term Credit system, in providing money witnin tne reach ot the struggling small farmer. Thanks to the splendid work of the Department of Agriculture, a great deal ot hitherto wortiiiess land had been brought into productivity, while other aids to the primary producer had been subsidies and Help to th© pork, egg, honey and tobacco industries, ana the Government had raised tne export of fruit to I,UUO,UOO cases a year. ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS The Country Party advocated a State .LsanK, yet Wnen tne government set up a commission to inquire into memous of rural nnance, Mr. W. j. Poison was one of tne commissioners wno gave a unanimous decision against tne formation of suen a oanK. iNow ne was urging tne establishment of a State note issue. Mr. nan defended the stewardship of Mr. Coates as Prime Minister, and claimed tnat Mr. Coates was tne best Minister of Public Worxs tne Dominion naa possessed. Tne present Minister, too, was doing wen under the guidance of tne Prime Minister. Turning to roaas, tne candidate said cnat in less tnan four years tne Main Highways Board had assisted in th© lormation of 450 mnes of roaas and Z4U miles of bitumen, and four miles of bridges; and on maintenance tn© board was expending £1,5U0,000, and on construction £l,'idU,UOU. This was a great benefit to the sparsely-popu-latea country areas. The car owners did not mind contributing to the cost and upkeep of good roads. The Government had been twitted with having no land policy, but it had tried to keep the people on the land. There were a few vacant and deteriorated areas, but it was not so bad as in Australia. It was the duty of the Government to open up the land, and if it had to be given to settlers, those possessing courage, backed by finance, would make a success of it. Every acre brought into production was a national asset. The State education system was defended strenuously, Mr. Hall declaring that education in New Zealand at present was practically free from the primary school to the university. Moreover, it hjal been lately realised that a sound body was as necessary as a full brain. The good work accomplished by the Plunket Society, in bringing about the great decrease in infant mortality, had been helped along by the Public Health Department. TARIFFS AND PROTECTION Several of the secondary industries were worthy of protection, particularly those where the raw material was produced in this country. The Country Party do not believe in helping the secondary industries through the tariff, and if they had their way they would have practically free trade, which would react detrimentally and cause further unemployment. Reform and Labour differed on questions of defence, Mr. Hall went on. Last year the cost of defence had been under £1,000,000, or 14s Sd a head of population. Of this nearly one-half was required for the yearly contribution to th© Navy, while £IBO,OOO went toward th© Singapore Base. “I believe it is our duty to do what is fair and reasonable for the defence of the Empire,” continued Mr. Hall. “No one wants war, but so long as those in authority say there is a definite need to provide defence then it is our duty to contribute.” The Government’s efforts to relieve unemployment were defended. The problem was world wide, but New Zealand was more happily situated than Australia or America. The State here had spent £500,000 in 12 months. An interjector: Yes; at 9s a day wages. Mr. Hall said it was not practicable for the Government to pay more. Was it not better to pay 1,000 men 12s and 9s rather than pay 750 a higher wage and leave 250 ta starve? To prove the progress New Zealand had made since 1914, when the Government took office, the candidate quoted th© production of wool in 1914 and 1928 as £6,500,000 and £16,500,000 respectively; butter as £1,500.000 and £12,000,000; and cheese as £1,000,000 and £6.000,000. The Reform Government, he concluded, was out to administer and legislate for the whole of the community—primary producers, secondary producers, and to do» a fair thing by the workers. It had given the workers a square deal, and made no fantastic, or foolish promises, that it could not carry out. At the conclusion of his a-ddress the candidate was asked several questions. He favoured a bare majority poll on licensing, with a two-issue paper. He would vote for a fair compromise, however, if that were unprocurable. A motion of thanks was carried.

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