SOCIALISM CONDEMNED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1938, Page 9

SOCIALISM CONDEMNED

CAMPAIGN FOR WAIRARAPA SEAT. MR J. F. THOMPSON AT UPPER HUTT. Shortly after Mr B. Roberts (Labour) concluded his address at Upper Hutt last night, the Majestic Theatre was occupied by Mr J. F. Thompson, the Nationalist candidate for Wairarapa. Some few left with Mr Roberts, but newcomers increased the audience slightly beyond that which had heard Mr Roberts. Mr Thompson urged the electors to consider carefully the issues before they cast their votes. The National Party stood for opportunity and freedom, and not for the suppression of individualism and initiative by Socialism. The 1935 election gave to Mr Savage no mandate to implement a policy of Socialism in New Zealand. Had people realised what the Labour Government was going to do in the form of a Socialist policy they would not have voted that party into power. Mr Thompson criticised the Government’s policy of guaranteed prices, and said the farmers were worse off today than ever before. They had put the present Government in power, and on Saturday they would put them out again. The_ farmers had not been fairly treated by the Government. Mr Thompson stressed the necessity for preserving the present country quota. If it were destroyed the Dominion would be dominated by the cities and trade union dictation. Mr Thompson was given a vote of confidence. KAHUTARA MEETING. ISSUES BEFORE ELECTORS. (“Times-Age” Special.) Mr J. F. Thompson, National candidate, completed his round of the electorate on Tuesday evening, with an address at the Kahutara Hall. There were over 50 present and Mr A. Campbell Pearce occupied the chair. Mr Thompson said he was greatly encouraged by the receptions everywhere accorded him, and from what he had seen and heard there was a pronounced desire in the minds of the people for a change of Government, and he faced the issue with great confidence on polling day. Mr Thompson outlined what he said New Zealand would not stand for on election day. The people would not stand for the insults hurled at pioneer settlers and their descendants by Mr J. A. Lee; for definite class legislation; the commandeering of the farmers’ produce; the filching of the people’s freedom; the threat that those employed in industries would be driven on to public works; the threat to socialise the means of production, distribution and exchange; compulsory unionism and union’ official dictatorship; taxation that was bleeding the country white; the threat to abolish the country quota; the threat to stifle private enterprise; the use of the broadcasting stations for party political purpose; the threat to curb the freedom of speech, and the danger in which democracy stood. In answer to a question, Mr Thompson stated that the sheep farmer was given the right to come in under the guaranteed price scheme, but evidently he knew enough to keep out of it.. To a further question as to his views regarding flood relief, Mr Thompson said, if elected, he hoped to do something tangible for the Lower Valley settlers. The settlers were endeavouring to assist themselves. They had taken surveys and had worked out a district scheme. He considered they should come under a National scheme and the work paid for by the country. By draining thousands of acres of land a national asset would be created, and the district converted into a dairyman’s paradise. The speaker was accorded a vote of thanks.