BATTLE FOR PARNELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 950, 17 April 1930, Page 9

BATTLE FOR PARNELL

REFORM CANDIDATE ENTERS ARENA MR. W. P. ENDEAN’S PLATFORM TVinonslratlre cheering from a house greeted the Reform and Ida te for the Parnell seat. Mr. ■\y. P. Kndean, last evening, when, •with a forceful but terse address, he opened his campaign. The candidate, vbo was given an attentive hearing, singularly tree from interjections, condemned extravagant borrowing, and advocated examination of the Defence system, encouragement of manufacturing industries, reviewing of taxation and the setting up of a hoard of directors to control the railways. The meeting was presided over by jlr, J. B. Paterson, and associated on the platform with the candidate were Messrs. J. S. Dickson, H. R. Jenkins and It. Glover-Clark, all of whom were stated to be working in the party’s interests in the campaign. Cheers were called for and lustily given when Mr. Kndean rose to speak. *T feel sure the time has arrived when the tide in favour of Reform Is coming up the beach,” said Mr. Kndean. “I feel that the electors reouire a stable Government with Reform back on the Treasury benches.” Commenting upon the present state of parties in the House, Mr. Kndean said that Reform and United each had 28 members, and there were 19 of the “Socialist-Labour” Party—— A Protesting Voice: Labour Party; not Socialists. Another Voice: Call them Reds. Continuing, Mr. Kndean added there were four Independents, and recently the Socialist-Labour Party had captured the Hutt seat, and there had been three defections from the United Party. EXTRAVAGANT BORROWING The performance of the United Party since it has been in power was dealt with by Mr. Kndean, who first referred to the manifesto concerning the £70,000,000 loan scheme. He asserted that not a single sovereign had been raised or lent at rates approaching those mentioned in that document. He claimed that if the Government’s extravagant policy of borrowing was carried out, the Dominion’s credit would soon be gone, and he cited as an example Australia's financial debacle. which, he contended, was contributed to by extravagant borrowing. * We are a more sturdy people,” continued Mr. Endean, “and I am pleased to say that while Reform was in power ” “It never borrowed anything,” cut In a quiet voice from the back, amid laughter. The candidate asserted that Reform had applied the strictest principles of finance during its term. He supported this statement by quoting the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who announced it was the Reform Government’s policy to taper off borrowing, and that good progress had been made to this end. The opinion of Sir Basil Blackett, the English financial expert, who investigated New Zealand’s financial position when on a visit here in 1928, was also cited by the speaker, to the effect that nowhere in the world were the principles of sound finance better understood than by (lie Government in New Zealand—so sound, in fact, that lie doubted if they would appeal to the electors.

"Where Is extravagant borrowing going to lead?” asked Mr. Endean. “The issue must be considered from an impartial and commonsense viewpoint. “It borrowing is to continue the exports must be increased, and the impbrts reduced to pay for the loans,” he added. Criticism was levelled by the candidate at the United Government's action in introducing a Bill designed to burst up large estates without any consideration being given to suitability of the properties for settlement. He also attacked tbe administration on imposing a primage duty when a reduction in taxation had been promised, and its failure to face tlie unemployment problem. Whatever candidate stood for the “Socialist-Labour” Party stood for Us platform, said Mr. Endean. “That's old stufT.” commented a tinek-seater. “The Empire lias been founded and built up by private enterprise.” he continued, “but tbe manifesto of that party destroys everything at one fell swoop.” “Rubbish!” came a terse observation from the rear. The candidate proceeded to criticise seriatim the State schemes of of the Labour platform. “I don't believe in the dole: it is degrading and encourages laziness,” Mr. Endeati asserted. He said he •would personally see that no man, woman or child in New Zealand starved. Dealing with the suggested equality in Labour’s policy, Mr. Endean suggested that if the minimum wage and payment by results were adopted, the economic results would be better and there would be more happiness.

DEFENCE POLICY “We have to protect ourselves and to prepare for war,” declared Mr. Endean in discussing New Zealand's Defence policy. Although the Labour Party believes in no defence, we must face it, he proceeded. He considered however, that economies could possibly be effected in this service: though he was not prepared to suggest that territorial forces, training camps and night parades should be abolished. He considered a board should be set up. including an expert from England, to report on the Defence requirements of the Dominion, and it then be seen where savings could be effected. Discussing the land policy, Mr. Endean suggested that an overhaul of the incidence of land and income taxation could be made by inquiry. He went on to commend the group settlement scheme of the Reform Party, under which the Government would advance up to 95 per rent, to settlers taking up land under this system. The huge areas of undeveloped laud in the Dominion were described by the candidate as an economic waste. He suggested that the Government should be advised to cut up such big properties into blocks of from 100 to 520 acres, to be under the supervision * a board of experienced farmers •*»oads could be made by the uneni**oyed, and arid wastes of Crown land could be brought into productivity ✓ believed also that capital could be encouraged to take over the

many abandoned farms, but in any case, in_ his opinion, it behoved the party to’ devote its energies in developing this national asset. RAILWAYS CONTROL The establishment of a board of directors, representing all classes of the community, to be responsible to the Government, to control the Dominion’s railways, was advocated by Mr. Endean, whose proposal was to adopt the system of administration in Germany and Canada. The railways were much used for political purposes, which was bad for the country, he said, but a board of control would divorce all suggestions of political intrigue and interference from the system. The candidate said he would not support the construction of any new railway unless a body of experts gave an assurance that a reasonable .return could be expected from the capital outlay. “Secondary industries should be encouraged,” declared Jlr, Endean. In his opinion foodstuffs should be brought into the country free to keep down the cost of living. Other secondary industries should not be protected by tariff unless it could be proved that the efficiency of a particular industry was assured. Mr. Endean declared his opposition -to the State setting up in trading in competition with private enterprise. He considered it was more inequitable that the State should undertake trading ventures free of taxation, thus placing private enterprise at a great disadvantage. He, of course, made an exception in the case of the railways, which were a national asset already in existence. A motion, proposed by Jlr. G. Brownlee and seconded by Dr. Jlarsack, that the meeting considered Mr. Endean the most suitable to represent the electorate, was carried amid applause. A further round of cheers for the candidate concluded the meeting.