REFORM CONDEMNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 498, 30 October 1928, Page 6

REFORM CONDEMNED

“TRAMPLED ON RIGHTS OF PEOPLE” MR. J. B. DONALD SPEAKS A strong condemnation of Reform administration was given by Mr. James B. Donald, United candidate for Auckland East, in his speech at St. Mary's Hall, Parnell, last evening. Mr. Donald hoped that Reform would get a “severe shock” on election day. Dr. W. H. Horton presided over more than 200 electors, who passed a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and pledged themselves to support the candidate. “There is no doubt that the Government has trampled on the rights of the people,” Mr. Donald said. “There has been chaos during the past three years.** Mr. Donald was emphatic that the Parliamentary candidates representatives of the people—had not been doing their duty. They seemed to have been sitting back, watching Cabinet. Then there was rule by Orders-in-Council. Acts were passed and then done away with by this means of legislation. How the men in Parliament allowed such tilings to happen, the candidate could not understand. If the United Party were returned, all needless Orders-in-Council legislation would become a thing of the past. “I’m not going to single out any special member, but I say that most of the men in Parliament afe not doing their duty,” the candidate continued. “Incidentally, most of the members are Reformers.”

The candidate went on to state his doubt that the Minister of Finance’s sur plus of £IBO,OOO at the end of the financial year was accurate. He had reason to believe that accounts unpaid were in the vicinity of £700,000. Close scrutiny was needed by responsible men. Last year nearly £1.000.000 had been over-expended by the. departments.

“A change of Government is absolutely essential,” Mr. Donald said, amid applause. “Both the Reform and the Labour parties are very anxious over United’s challenge, though they deny it. I assure you that they have reason to be anxious. Reform will be lucky if it goes back with 35 members.