MR M. J. MILLER AT CASHMERE.
Mr M. J. Miller, the candidate for the Lyttelton seat in the Reform interest, opened his campaign last night .it the Parish Schoolroom, Cashmere. There- "was an excellent attendance,.and the speaker was given a very gratifying and enthusiastic reception.
Mr W. Guise Brittan, who was elected chairman of the meeting, introduced tho candidate. Hβ said to Cashmere belonged tho honour of opening the present electioneering campaign. He believed that the fight would be a keen one, and ho hoped that it would bo fought in a fair and open manner in the proper British fashion. (Applause.) Before concluding, tho speaker moved.a sincere vote sympathy and condolence with tho family of the late Mr Laurenson.
The Chairman put the motion to the meeting, it being carried in silence.
Mr Miller, who wae received with applause on rising to speak, said he felt that his first duty in coming before them as a Government candidate was to pay his highest tribute to their late respected member, Mr George Laurenson. He had been called from their midst, but his genial smile, his kindly advice, hie devotion to duty, would long bo remembered by them all. Personally, ho (the speaker) had lost a special friend, one who was a champion lor rignteousness and iair play, and he was sure that they all dejred to express tneir keen sympathy tor Mrs _Lauroii&on and family.,
Jn appearing as a candidate for this election, lie uici not in any way claim to be an orator, but only a commonserise New Zealander. He might state that he had been approacheU tor some years on different occasions in reference to contesting tho Lyttelton seat, but had.always refused, for the reason that he considered Mr Laurenfion to bo a better politician than he could ever hope to be, and that ac long as Mr Laurenson was able and willing to represent the district, ho would not contest the seat. .
He was a Government candidate be-, causo he believed that in asking them to return him as such he would be better able to assist in the general welfare of every elector'in this district and also throughout the Dominion. (Applause.) Some comment had been made in one of the newspapers to the effect that the election had been "rushed" by the- ' Government for motives of its own. ■ He "would like to point out that the times that had elapsed were almost identical with what had occurred after the death of tho late T. E. Taylor. Mr Taylor died on July 27th, writ was issued on August 3rd, nominations closed on the 7th, and the election was on August 17th. Mr Lanrenson had died on November 19th. the writ was issued on November 25th, the nominations closed on the 29th, and the election would be held on .December 9th. Hβ was sure they would see from this that there had been no extraordinary or unusual hurry;. The policy of the Government had proved to be, as he understood it, truly Liberal, and it could not be termed Conservative. Therefore, there was nothing inconsistent in any man who had been a lifelong Liberal supporting tho present Government. (Applause.) This by-election was not a matter of Liberalism versus Conservatism; but it was most ifnfortunate that it should occur at such a crisis in tho history of the Dominion, and make the issue appear to be who shall rule—the Government or the' extremists of the Federation of Labour? To his mind, the Federation, as now constituted, was not wanted (applause), and he thought legislation should ljp passed; to prevent the minority ruling tue majority. He wished to make it very clear, however, that he was not against properly organised'labour; in fact the country could not make solid progress, without it, and if returned as their member, he would do his utmost for the working class of New Zealand. - He had been a workman and employer of labour for thirty years, and -. had : always endeavoured to. treat his men well. With reference to the unfortunate strike, which they all deplored, ho sincerely hoped that Now Zealand'would never be involved in another. In his opinion the whole thing had been ill-advised; still, he was hoping that some good would come out of it all, and that better conditions would, be the outcome both for man and master and for the common welfare of the community as a whole.
Hβ believed the Arbitration Act was a good one for tho worker generally, arid with, liberal .amendments as occasion arose it. ought to be quite satisfactory to all. Personally ho was quite prepared to accept the opinion of the Hon. J. Barr, whom he considered an expert in tho labour movement and laws of New Zealand. In'respect to the waterside workers, he felt that a better system of permanent ' employment, with ' a guaranteed minimum wage, and, if possible, a subsidised superannuation scheme, could bo arranged by the parties concerned, to the general benefit of the watersiders. (Applause.) The present stylo of engagement was not very satisfactory in many respects, especially to tho men, as it was so intermittent and insecure. Hβ felt obliged to. pay a tribute to the action of tho Government in treating so fairly all concerned in its endeavour to maintain law and order." and in upholding tho common law rights of persons who desired to do their ordinary business. (Applause.) This action had been supported by the general public, and particularly by those who had sacrificed time and comfort for the protection of every law-abiding citizen. Tho whole condition, from a Dominion point of view, had been unfortunate, and any Government, whether Liberal, Labour, or anything else could not have acted in a better manner for the welfare of the community. (Applause.) THE LAND QUESTION. Mr Miiler stated that he supported a limited freehold, which principle he believed was now endorsed by tue present Opposition. He undoubtedly upheld the freehold for ali residential areas and small holdings. Lven their late member, Mr Laurenson. .endeavoured to get the freehold for the Iloimata tenants. The present Government's Land Bills had been supported by Sir Joseph Ward in the second and third readings, and also by the majority of Liberals. 'The number of freeholders in 1911 was 150,000, and there were from 25,000 to SO,OOO Holders of Crown leases. Allowing four persons-to each holding, it proved that > of the whole population were terested in land, without mortgages. Tho mortgages registered underthe Land Transfer Act valued at £90,000,000 This included investments, of building societies, friendly societies'- ninds, life and fire insurance companies, savings bans funds, and people's money generaU}Tho expenditure of this money had helped to increase the value of land,
«nrf interest thereon was a share of the : ofkSd in New J****** was . about 000 ac««. the 4 ffree. ch ° ld area being an tioo'oOO acres, and tho balance Crown Si Native lands, much of which was Wked up by reserves. Hβ understood tStabok U nulnon acres of land had been sold by previous Liberal Governments and treated as "wnuennd *I»ut accordingly- He ; he , id decidedly that sXient Crown lands should be held for future purposes, but not to such an extent as to prevent presently proCTck Ho thought the majority of those present there that night would acree that this was a reasonable idea to take of the land question. Even when the freehold was given, the land still remained in the power of the Government, who could rate to any reasonable extent for the upkeep of tho Dominion. FINANCE. i i n 3 young country like New Zealand ' no progress could oo possible without a generous expenoiture, and a large amount of tne increase in expenditure under the Reform Government was mainly due to expansion in railway construction, which roust be inevitable. Tiie increased expenditure under tho last year of the Ward Government was £997,263, whereas the increased expenditure under the first year of the Reform administration - was £741,609, making a difference in favour of the present Government of £225,594. In many ways tho present Government had been hampered in its operations by ehort-dated loans which had been arranged by its predecessors. Not that ho wished them to think tho Ward Government did no good, but it was always possible for a business organisation to so conduct affairs that its successors wero rather embarrassed by its operations. But for having to meet these short-dated loans on an unfavourable market, more money could have beeu obtained for development purposes and on easier terms by the Reform Government. The gross public debt when the present Government came into power was £84,353,913, and the gross public debt when the Ward Government came into power in 1906 was £64,179,040, making an increase of £20,176,873, which must bo debited to Mr Massoy's predecessors. Much had been made of the increased expenditure of the present Government, but a comparison of the income and expenditure of the Ward and the Reform adminis•trations was largely in favour of the latter. The Reform Government's increases in expenditure were mainly for the following:—Working railways and increase in wages, £365,425; increased interest through increased debt, £60,673; under special Acts previously passed, £63,953; old age and widows pensions, £30,221; education £71,994. Some of these items were unavoidable, and the rest were very worthy and creditable, and he understood that all wero legitimate increases. He also understood that the Government had given tho Public Accounts Committee full authority to go through tho estimates and call for persons and papers, etc., so that before tho estimates came before the, House the members all knew that they had been carefully considered by competent men. Sir Joseph Ward was a member of that Committee. This, to his mind, is an important reform, showing that tho Government was prepared to let in the daylight on to tne finances of the country. In conclusion Mr Miller said if successful he would endeavour to get the Licensing Bill on a more democratic footing, and would eupport the Bible-in-Schools movement. In short, he would support any measure for the general advance of the Dominion irrespective of parties. The speaker referred to some of the other candidates; Mr Radcliffe was an old friend, and he knew and respected Mr Laurenson. Whatever happened he felt sure that he would have a fair fight, and that no ill-will would be shown, whatever tho outcome was. Ho hoped all the electors would do their duty when polling day arrived, and thanked them for the patient hearing they had given him. (Loud applause.) In answer to questions, Mr Miller said that had there been no Federation of Labour there would* have been no Employers' Federation. On being pressed for a. "yes" or "no" reply as io whether he was in favour of the Employers' Federation, the speaker said "yes." With regard to his views on the second ballot, he thought the Groy election ehowed its weakness. He ■would be content to let tho matter bo decided by the majority of tho members of the House. He was in favour of the Defence Act as it. stood. (Loud applause:) He believed as timo went on some small amendments might be found necessary to facilitate its working, but ho was sure that the measure was for the good of the Dominion. He was in favour of the bare majority on the temperance question, but saw little hope of getting it for some time to come. That being tho case, ho would support a 55 per cent, majority. "How much did the recent stonewall cost?" said a o.uestioner. "It cost £7000," was tho reply. "And how much have the special constables cost?" came-another query. "They don't send the accounts in until the job is .finished." replied Mr Miller amid applause. There being no further questions, a unanimous vote of thanks wae passed to the candidate.
During the meeting a telegram arrived from tho Prime Minister to tho following effect: "I wish you a good opening to-hight, and a successful campaign on behalf of the Reform Party—Kind regards, W. F. Massey."
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Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14835, 28 November 1913, Page 9
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2,012MR M. J. MILLER AT CASHMERE. Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14835, 28 November 1913, Page 9
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