MR M. J. MILLER'S CANDIDATURE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14840, 4 December 1913, Page 8

MR M. J. MILLER'S CANDIDATURE.

SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS

Mr M. J. Miller, the Reform Party's candidate at tho Lytteiton by-election, had a very successful but strenuous day yesterday. AT WILSON'S ROAD. Despite the unfavourable weather, Mr Miller had a splendid meeting at Wilson's road, where, on Mr Wilson's lawn, he addressed some fifty electors. The Reform candidate briefly outlined his platform, and answered satisfactorily the numerous questions asked. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. Mr J. Longton was in tho chair. AT OPAWA. Tho Mctho'list Schoolroom at Opawa was crowded in the ovening, when Mr Miller delivered a lengthy address. Tlio meeting was noisy? many interruptions coming from a section of men standing at the rear of tho building, but Mr Miller's straightforwardness and his abundance of good humour prevented any real disturbance The Chairman (Mr Georgo Scott), in introducing the speaker, said that Mr Miller was well-known to many as a successful business man, and a fitting person to represent them in Parliament. (Apxilauso.) ' Mr Miller commenced his address by a'tribute to-tho late Mr Laurenson, and said that while their late representative was 'n Parliament, he had no desire to contest the seat which Mr Laurenson had so ably represented. The speaker felt quite happy m his little corner, taking his share in local government, and was not particularly anxious to enter the wider political field. The present election, he continued, would undoubtedly show whether the action of the present Government in doing its utmost to maintain law and order was to be approved, or whether the action of the Federation of Labour bad tho sympathy of the electors. He was in favour of the Arbitration Act. Under it the employers did not. and would not, take notice of any small breaches, of award, but the paid secretaries of the unions made it their. business to find out and fight over, similar breaches, in order to justify their position. Dealing with finance, he said that the inheritance of a large amount of short-dated loans had so embarrassed the Government that it was not abfe to do all it desired in the way of lending money for the development of the country., The stonewall he strongly condemned, amidst applause, and proceeded to review past legislation on the lines of his previous addresses. Answering questions, Mr Miller said he did not believe that Sir Joshua Williams or any other man could settle the present trouble; the money spent on special constables was justified. Ho felt that he could represent in Parliament both employers and employees, and stated that the worker was entitled to a minimum wage of £3 a week, and a littlo more if ho could get it. A State ba*nk and State ferry service met with his approval, save that he was only in favour of the latter if it could maintain modern travelling requirements and yet pay its way. He would not sunport the "recall." " "How ci-n you justify your change from Liberalism to Conservatism ?" •read one question. "__,?. j A youth, wearing a red badge, who had been making numerous pointless interiect-oms, remarked, "There s no difference 1"' ~ , ~ , "That's just it*!" replied the speaker, amidst applause and laughter. _ Te a further stream of questions, Mr. Miller explained that he was\.a protectionist, and while . some Customs duties.might fall heavily on the people, he thought the: Government in power might be trusted to do .its utmost to make this taxation as equitable as possible. ■.-..-.,.■- ---"How did Mr Massey get his majority in the House?" asked one man. , ■ ~_?»#-'.» "Because the people gave it to Mm, came the.reply. ? , . Mr J. Longton then moved a hearty vote of thanks to the sneaker _for his interesting and instructive address. A motion of "no confidence" was refused by the chair. e;\ ••:• - '■■-' , r On a show of hands being taken, the body of young men in the rear who had been interjecting so strenuously managed to defeat the .motion., The,meeting; closed amid cheers for. the Federation of Labour, and counter-cheers for the Reform candidate, Mr Miller's supporters easily holding their own.