NATIONAL POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1938, Page 7

NATIONAL POLICY

MR J. H. IRVING SPEAKS AT EKETAHUNA LABOUR PROPOSALS ATTACKED. CANDIDATE GETS SPLENDID RECEPTION. A most enthusiastic meeting held in Eketahuna last night, was addressed by Mr J. H. Irving, National Party candidate for the Masterton seat. Mr Irving was frequently applauded and at the conclusion of his address was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr Goggin, seconded by Mr Farrow.

Mr Irving compared the leaders of both parties, stating that whereas Mr Savage had warned those who differed from him that they would get hurt, Mr Hamilton was the type who would hear all shades of opinions and compromise where necessary in the interests of the people. What Mr Hamilton ’promised would be carried out. On the other hand, the Labour Party was notorious for its broken promises.

Referring to the country quota, Mr Irving said it was introduced many years ago to prevent closely-settled industrial areas from completely dominating the more sparsely-settled rural areas, where the real wealth of the Dominion.was produced. Without the country quota, he said, there would be between six and eight seats less in the rural areas of New Zealand. As an example, he mentioned the Auckland district, where at present there were eleven city and thirteen country seats, whereas if the quota were abolished, the position vzould be reversed and the huge Auckland Province would be comnletely dominated by Auckland city. The Hon. A. Hamilton, said Mr Irving, had challenged the Prime Minister and Labour Party candidates on certain matters and Mr Savage had given his customary evasive answer. Mr Irving added that his opponent had challenged him at almost every meeting about some trifling matter. “I am only making one challenge to Mr Robertson, said Mr Irving, “and that is a challenge for the Masterton seat, which I have every confidence of winning.” Passing on to refer to the Post Office Savings Bank, Mr Irving said the figures for the first four months of the present financial year showed a reduction of £300.000 in the amount of deposits and an increase of £914,000 in the amount of withdrawals compared with the first four months of the previous year. This ‘meant, he said, that the value of deposits had receded by £1.250.000 in the first four months, which did not include the period following the publication of Mr Lee’s book on “Socialism in New Zealand. As to housing, he compared the two proposals of the respective parties, pointing out that the National Party preferred the people to own their own homes rather than that the State should let houses to the people.

Referring to the Labour Party’s proposals for the insulation of New Zealand, Mr Irving quoted a statement made by Dr McMillan that should the exports drop in value by £30,000,000, the Labour Party would block imports by a similar amount, and that New Zealand would make the goods required in this country. Dr. McMillan, he said, apparently knew as much about business as he knew- about social security, which was obviously little. To make the thousand and one lines which were imported would require the establishment of many factories, and who would supply the capital? It was recognised that money sources were drying up. The factories would never be able to manufacture for New Zealand requirements alone, and would be unable to export any surplus. How would the position react when it was known that £30.000,000 worth of goods ol English manufacture would be banned while New Zealand continued to seek a sale for all its produce in England? What about the loss of about £10,000.000 in Customs, Mr Irving asked, and if our produce prices rose again, would we still cease importing? During the last few months he had heard nothing of any restriction of imports to the value of £7,000,000, the amount by which the wool return had dropped. He stated that it was obvious that the farming community would not stand for such an unsound procedure. After making some reference to the freedom of speech for the civil servant, about which the Government was claiming so much credit, Mr Irving said the freedom Mr Savage talked so much about amounted to freedom for the civil servant who supported the Socialist Government. He drew attention to the way in which Mr Scrimgecur had the right to villify his opponents, and to make use of a public utility, the radio, in the process, and also to appear on the public platform

in support of a Labour candidate who was in difficulties. The Socialists, Mr Irving went on to state, claimed to have brought prosperity to New Zealand. He compared the conditions in New Zealand under a Socialist Government, with those in New South Wales under a National Government. The increase in the cost of living in New Zealand during the last three years, was 2s 6d in the £l, and in New South Wales, lid in £l. Wage taxes on a man receiving £4 per week were £6 18s 8d per year in New Zealand, and in N.S.W. ,nil. The taxation per head of population in New Zealand was £23 2s 6d, and in New South Wales, £l7 6s Id. In addition to that, the Labour Governmentw as going to commit the people to a further increase of taxation of £7 per head. Mr Irving dealt with what he called the reckless financial operations of the Labour Party, and said that was the reason why so many business men had rallied round the National Party. They knew that what the Government was doing was economically unsound, and amounted to national suicide. He repudiated the statement that the National Party would not carry out the Rimutaka tunnel work, and expressed the view that the scheme was necessary and important.

Referring to the Treaty of Waitangi, with which the Government had interfered, he said that clause three stated that the Queen extended to the Maori race of New Zealand her royal protection, and imparted to them all the rights and privileges of a British subject. Captain Hobson, when presenting the Treaty of Waitangi said: “The people of Great Britain, are, thank God. free."

After the resolution of confidence had been carried, the gathering sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” followed by three cheers for Mrs Irving, who was on the platform.