MASTERTON SEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 October 1938, Page 7

MASTERTON SEAT

MR J. H. IRVING SPEAKS AT MAKURI NO CONFIDENCE MOTION REJECTED One of the best attended political meetings ever held in Makuri was addressed last evening by Mr J. H. Irving, National Party candidate for the Masterton seat. Residents throughout the district attended, including all the members of the Makuri Public Works camp. Mr Moore, of Makuri, presided.

At the commencement of the meeting a speaker from the camp stated that Mr Robertson, Labour candidate for the seat, had that day instructed them to give the National candidate a good hearing. A running fire of interjection continued through the 21 hours during which Mr Irving spoke. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks to Mr Irving for his very able address was moved by Mr Trevor Rutherford. An - amendment of no-confidence was immediately moved by Mr Robertson, a member oi the Public Works Camp. Upon the chairman putting the amendment to the meeting it was overwhelmingly defeated by a show of hands by 81 votes to 13.

During his address, Mr Irving stated that after 100 years, the time had surely come for New Zealanders to hold the responsible positions of Government with all due respect to their friends the Australians. He gave figures to show the trend of legislation of the present Socialistic Government, particularly regarding huge State expenditure, which was undoubtedly, he said, getting beyond control. Mr Irving also drew attention to the considerable increase in the cost of .-living, quoting as an example the figures recently supplied by a school teacherin the Wellington province for a week’s household supplies, which had gone up in price from 13s to 18s 9d. He also quoted figures for the Auckland Hospital Board for the same quality and quantity of goods, which in 1935 cost £20,000, compared with £27,000 today. Referring to the guaranteed price as instituted by Labour, Mr Irving stated that it would cost the Government candidate in Masterton his seat, and would put Labour out of power throughout dairying districts in New Zealand. The farmer, his wife and his children and farm workers were today working very long hours for a reward much below that of workers in other industries. Mr Irving quoted figures supplied by one of the big beef-kill-ing meat works, which had paid its ten highest paid butchers an average of £625 for eight months’ work. He said he did not say there was anything wrong with high wages, but quoted them simply as a basis of comparison. Mr Irving addressed a very successful meeting at Rakanui yesterday afternoon. On the motion of Mr Robinson a vote of thanks and confidence was passed.