POLITICAL TRAINING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 955, 24 April 1930, Page 9

POLITICAL TRAINING

“LOCAL BODY EXPERIENCE NOT NECESSARY” MR. ENDEAN’S REPLY “Because we have not had any local body experience, Mr. Bloodworth has told the electors of Parnell that neither Mr. Donald nor myself is fit to represent you in Parnell. According to that theory, if Socrates came along and, not having any knowledge of local body affairs, offered himself as a candidate for the Parnell byelection he would not be qualified.” Addressing the electors of Parnell at St. Mary’s Hall last evening, Mr. W. P- Endean, the Reform candidate, refuted the suggestion that local body experience was the main qualification for Parliamentary honours. “In some respects,” said Mr. Endean, “I consider it would be an advantage for a member not to possess an experience of local body politics. He would certainly take a much fresher outlook with f him when he went to Parliament and perform much better service than in attempting to mix up local politics with the higher politics of the land.” Mr. Endean said he also had to refute a statement made by Mr. Donald to the effect that the big landowners were helping Reform at Parnell with their money. “He could assure Mr. Donald and members of the United Party that the Reform supporters in Parnell were quite capable of looking after themselves. By its stonewall tactics in the House and opposition toward tile Government’s land-tax proposals the Reform Party has been accused of contributing to the breakdown in health of the Prime Minister, said the candidate. But the tactics were justified and the result was that the Government was compelled to modify its proposals, proposals that would have severely affected the farmers and the production of primary produce so urgently needed at the present time. On that occasion the party had also taken a stand against the proposal of cutting up land for closer settlement which was not suitable for that puriiose, and on the questions such a stand was surely justified. Referring to defence, Mr. Endean said that the United Party had evidently determined to do away with compulsory training. Personally he thought that with the present unsettled state of affairs in Europe and the clouded state of affairs in the 1 acihc, the naval and territorial forces should be kept up to a safe standard. In regard to territorial training he considered it was a useful training for young men and that all who lived in the country and accepted its benefits had a right to share in its defence. Before cutting out the infantry forces in favour of air defence he thought expert military advice should bo received. Mr. Endean stated that a party’s constructive policy depended largely upon the amount of borrowing. It had been the policy of Mr. Downie Stewart to restrict borrowing as mucii as possible, and the result was a much healthier state of affairs as regards the country’s finances. Then came the United Party, which at once went on the market for £7,000,000. Sir Joseph Ward said he would borrow millions, but it rested with the financial people overseas whether New Zealand got it or not. Under Reform the country’s reputation for sound finance stood very high. Under Reform the country would stand a much better chance of getting money than under the present Government, added the candidate. LAND POLICY The party’s policy in regard to land settlement was that the unproductive lands,near roads or railways should be peopled by settlers who would have a good chance of making good and increasing the production of the country. Referring to the beneficial statutes brought forward by the Reform Party, Mr. Endean mentioned the family allowance, Plunket Society grant, educational grants, dental hygiene in the schools, Child Welfare Act, and increased pension grants. The Reform Party’s expenditure of £10,000,000 within six years on a housing scheme was also referred to as a highly beneficial scheme. It had also been the aim of the Reform Party to smooth over industrial conditions, and he contended that the comparative freedom from industrial disputes and strikes during the last years of Reform administration was striking evidence of the goodwill of the party to labour and the efficacy of its endeavours to keep the Dominion free from industrial trouble. Answering questions the candidate said he was not in favour of civil servants being employed as poll clerks while there were so many unemployed searching for work. Although not in favour of religious doctrines being taught in schools he thought the Nelson system of Bible teaching would be acceptable to most people. He saw no objection to the publishing of totalisator dividends, but preferred not to express an opinion at the present stage on the telegraphing of bets as he understood the proposal was impracticable. Mr. J. E. Barton presided over a well-attended meeting, Mr. J. S. Dickson also' being on the platform. A vote of thanks and confidence to the candidate, moved by Mr. A. Wallace and seconded by Mr. K. N. Rutherford, was carried by acclamation.