A CROWDED MEETING.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14844, 9 December 1913, Page 7

A CROWDED MEETING.

Mr M. J. Miller, Government candidate for the Lyttelton scat, addressed his final meeting irt the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall last -night. There was a crowded , attendance, including a large proportion of ladies, many of vhoin 1 had to bo accommodated with seats on j tho platform. j The Mayor (Mr J. It. Webb) pro- j sided, and asked for a fair and attea- ! tivo hearing for tho candidate. I Mr Miller expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large and representative audience. Ho stated that tho rumour that tickets ha-d been issued, for admittance was quite untrue. After paying a tribute to the memory of the late Mr Laurenson, Mr Miller said he was a candidate because he was a New Zealander born and bred. Just prior to the last election ho had been in Wellington, and while discussing the prospects of the Lyttelton contest with Mr Laurensoa and several other members, the late member had remarked that Mr Miller was the only man ho was afraid of. (Loud laughter and chorus of "Ohs.") He had accepted nomination on this occasion as a maker of duty. The present Government was the best party in the House at the present juncture, was thoroughly progressive, and was tho only party ■worth 'consideration. Tho present Government was undoubtedly 'thoroughly Liberal and progressive. (Chorus of '"Ohs" and some boo-ing.) The socalled "Liberal" candidates could show nothing in the uovernment's policy that was unprogressive. The candidate then outlined some of the work of the past session. The Workers' Compensation Act had been further improved in favour of the employee and his dependents. The conditions of the 'railwayman had also been greatly improved, and in connexion with the Old Ago Pensions, tho Widows' Pensions and tho Military Pensions Acts ? tho amendments had been notably Liberal and progressive. Tho new Land Act, he contended, contained some of the most Liberal provisions that had ever been passed. 'Many members of the Opposition had supported these Bills. The appointment of Civil Service Commissioners had been undoubtedly a step in tho right direction, and in improved efficiency in the Service- tho 6alary of the Commissioner had been saved, fivo times over.

The whole question of the present Labour trouble in connexion with this election was whether the present Government or the lied Federation was to rule. He was confident that twothirds of the working men in the Lyttelton electorate would vote -for him. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Hβ wished to make it plain that ho was not in any way opposed to trades unionism, but he was certainly opposed to the Federation of Labour. (Howls from the Bed Feds.) Regarding the Arbitration Act, lie stated that this Act was undoubtedly the law of the land in regard to the settlement of labour troubles. He entirely agreed wit/i the opinions recently ©xpressd by the Hon. John Barr regarding the Arbitration Act. At present the Act was far more binding on the employer than on the employee. (Cries or ''Question}") When the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' "Union was registered under the Act, they had only to go, to the Court on one occasion for an interpretation. • They had never suffered while tinder that Act, and it was his advice to them to go back under the Act. Hβ contended that any other Government, whether Liberal or Labour, would.have been compelled to act in the present troubles exactly as tho Reform Government had done.

At this stage the meeting became somewhat noisy, due principally to the actions of a number of youths, many of whom were not voters, who persisted in shouting and singing, much, to the annoyance of the majority of the audience, who were desirous of giving the candidate a fair arid impartial hearing. Some of the lied Feds, present were persistent interjectors, but on ■ the whole their attitude was fair.

At the conclusion of his address Mr Miller answered a large number of questions. Ho stated that ho would support a referendum on tho Bible-in-schools question.. - * . •

In reply to a question as to whether ho considered Mr McCombs or any other Social Democrat a fit and proper person to represent Lyttelton. Mr Miller said that that was a personal matter, and in his catnpaijrn he had tried to fight fairly and avoid personalities. (Applause.) He denied that ho had at any time said that wharf labourers had no principles, although he was finnh' of opinion that it would have been far better if they had been loyal to their wives and families instead* of the Federation of Labour. (Mingled applause and dissent.)

At the close of tho meeting Mr Miller said ho did not tvant any vote from the meeting; he would leave it to tho electors at the poll. Ho asked for a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried.

Mr McCombs addressed meetings at Lyttelton, Heatbcofce, Redcliffs. and Woolston last nieht, after which a number of questions wore answered, and votes of thanks find confidence were accorded to tho candidate.