“MEMORY OF THE PAST”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 490, 20 October 1928, Page 7

“MEMORY OF THE PAST”

UNITED PARTY’S POSITION

SIR J. GUNSON’S COMMENT

In a criticism of Opposition parties and a defence of the Government, Sir James Gunson, Reform candidate in the Suburbs, last evening gave credit to Labour for its sincerity of motive, though he was not so sparing in his comment upon the United organisation. Sir James Gunson spoke to a largely attended meeting of electors at Whenuapai, on the upper harbour. “The remnants of the Liberal Party, shattered and living in the memory of the past,” is how he described the latest factor in the political field. He advised his electors not to take passage on the United political ship. “They have a captain, but no rudder,” he said, “and you do not know where you will be landed. I respect the Labour Party and believe its political convictions are sincerely held.” In an analysis of the situation in his electorate, the candidate admitted that Labour’s position had been consolidated since Mr. H. G. R. Mason, the sitting Labour member, was returned at the by-election two and a-half years ago. “Then we have a third candidate.” he went on. “I do not attach so much importance to that, although he may take a few votes from either side. But the issue is between two parties. “This electorate is going to return either the Labour or the Reform candidate, and my hope is that the seat is going to bo won for the Government by virtue of my candidature.

“This electorate returned a Reform member up to the time of the by-elec-tion, when there was a split Reform vote. lam happy to say to-night Miss Melville and I stand on common ground. I have helped her in her campaign, and she is helping me.” In criticising Labour's policy. the candidate said Labour’s main line of attack on the Government appeared to be that there has been too much borrowing. Taken at its face value, that criticism meant that the Government should either not have borrowed at all, or should not have borrowed so much. A very important contributory factor in causing the recent unemployment had been the greatly reduced expenditure by the Government and local bodies.

If Labour had had its way, and had reduced borrowing, there would not only have been a reduction in the number in employment, but no employment at all in the great departments of State, as most of the works had to be done out of capital, and not out of revenue.

The meeting, in a resolution, expressed its thanks to and confidence in Sir Janies Gunson.