WAIRARAPA SEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1938, Page 9

WAIRARAPA SEAT

' MR B. ROBERTS’S CAMPAIGN. ADDRESS AT FEATHERSTON AND MARTINBOROUGH. (“Times-Age” Special.) Political addresses were given last night by Mr Ben Roberts, Labour candidate for Wairarapa, at Martinborough and Featherston. At Martinborough Mr Roberts was well feceived by a large audience, the meeting being a

most enthusiastic one. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried practically unanimously. Mr Roberts also received a splendid reception at Featherston, where he was again given an almost unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Referring to the Rimutaka Tunnel proposal, Mr Roberts said that so far the Leader of the Opposition had not made any public utterance in support of the tunnel. Mr Roberts pointed out that there were of the National Party who had condemned the Rimutaka Tunnel project as a wasteful expenditure of public money. Mr Roberts also spoke at length on the Social Security scheme.

NATIONAL CANDIDATE. RIMUTAKA TUNNEL PROJECT. During his address in Featherston and Martinborough last night, Mr J. F. Thompson, National Party candidate for Wairarapa, quoted from a pamphlet issued by his opponent, Mr B. Roberts, in which he said, it was implied that the Nationalists were at cross-purposes over the Rimutaka tunnel project and that the people could not expect the work to commence if they voted other than for Labour. Mr Thompson stated the National Party considered the tunnel an economic national project and he had the assurance of his leader that if his party got in at the elections the work would be pushed through. That, he said, would clear up any misunderstanding on the matter. The National

Party had definitely stated that it would complete all public works now under construction and the Rimutaka Tunnel was classed in this category. It was a national matter and would be gone on with as a economic project. Mr Thompson referred to what he termed the Jukewarm support the Labour Government had accorded the Mother Country when she was on the verge of war. The Prime Minister had certainly stated that New Zealand would be with England, but could they compare his lukewarm attitude with the patriotic enthusiasm displayed by Seddon in the South African War, and by Massey in the Great War. The National Party was out to restore that love of Empire which had previously animated the Government of this beautiful country. Mr Thompson said that on Saturday the electors would stand at the crossroads —one road led to State supremacy and the subjection of the individual and the other to the land of opportunity and freedom. All other issues could be thrust aside. New Zealand, he said, would follow the precedent set in Great Britain and New South Wales and reject the Socialist Government before it had done irreparable harm to the country. He made a final plea for a return to freedom for the people and children and to make this country a young, virile and spirited nation. At both centres Mr Thompson received an ovation and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.