TRUE INDEPENDENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 601, 1 March 1929, Page 1

TRUE INDEPENDENT

MR. RUSHWORTH’S ATTITUDE BAY OF ISLANDS CAMPAIGN (Special to THE SUN) RAWENE, To-day. In opening his political campaign for the Bay of Islands by-election here on Thursday evening Mr. H. M. Rushworth, Country Party candidate, made his position quite clear. He said that in an editorial published in The Sun some weeks ago his position had been clearly and correctly defined as the “only true independent in the House.” Mr. Rushworth went on to explain that the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, had sent for him soon after tho United Party had taken over the government of the country and had asked for a guarantee of support.

This Mr. Rushworth refused to do, but ho assured Sir Joseph that he would give him his support so long as the United Party progressed on the lines which it had indicated in its political campaign. Mr. Rushworth spoke of the Opposition’s reference, during the last election campaign, to the health of Sir Joseph Ward, and his inability to tackle the problems which might arise from such a responsible position. This reference was to some extent untrue. Air. Rushworth amused his listeners by recalling the fact that on one occasion in Parliament Sir Joseph had challenged Air. Coates to settle a question outside—with their coats off. Dealing with the handicaps of the farmers, taxation, etc., Air. Rushworth said that NeAV Zealand was the dearest country in the vvorld in which to live. The cost of li\'ing in France was 204 per cent., while in New Zealand it was 35-1 per cent. The speaker, during his political campaign, had stated that the taxation of food supplies must be done away with, and he asked Sir Joseph when this might be put into operation, as he was prepared to assist the present Government to some extent. He wanted a free breakfast table.

He AA’ent on to say that bread in England was Sd for a 41b loaf, and in New Zealand Is 3d. Boots were over double the price in Ncav Zealand. He had traced 200 pairs of boots that were manufactured in Northampton and sold for wholesale rate at 14s> lid. These same boots were sold in London at lt>s lid a pair, but in the Dominion at 32s 6d it pair. Immediately the cost of goods went up in New Zealand the worker, through the Arbitration Court, got a further increase in Avages. This affected the farmer to a great extent.

When the present Government went into power Air. Rushworth said that the advances to settlers Avere 22 months behind. Prior to his leaving office he had made inquiries, and found That now it was right up to date. This proved that the present Government had done something to help the difficult position of unemployment. Reference avus also made to the : annoyance and hindrance caused to launch owners by the Government inspectors. Avho demanded so many alter- ; ations that the owners found it almost impossible to carry on. He felt sure ; that the present dissatisfaction would . he remedied by the present Government. At the conclusion of the address , many questions were asked and answered, and on the motion of Air. George s*earson a \*ote of thanks was accorded the speaker. _ i