POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 12

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

There was a large.attendance of electors in the Amberley Oddfellows' Hall last night, when the Hon. A. L. Herdman delivered a political address. The chair was taken by Mr F. Lewton (chairman of the Town rioard), who introduced the Minister.

Before commencing bis address, Mr Herdman read a telegram from Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., who said that ne hoped the speaker would have a good meeting and bring tidings of great joy. Mr Herdman went on to 6ay that he had no doubt he would have a good meeting, and he had brought along A. W. Banks, who was the Reform candidate for the district, and who would be elected, he hoped, in November next.

All through the country, said Mr Herdman, the Ministers had had excellent receptions, except at some of the towns where there had been disturbances. He explained the position of the country when the Reform Government came into power, and detailed the many serious difficulties, such as the stringency of the money market, the strikes, the smallpox epidemic, and so on, caused by outside circumstances, which rendered the task of the new Government a peculiarly difficult one. He emphasised the point that the Government was not out to favour one class as against another. It did not matter whether a man was a large or a small farmer, or a tradesman: the Government recognised that its duty was to do justice to all classes without favouritism or distinction of any kind.

Reverting to the task of the Government, the speaker pointed out that an added difficulty was that all the Ministers were new "at the game," and had to find out a (treat deal about their new positions. But they had done very well, ho thought, and the dismal pro 7 pbecies that tho land would bo hllod with want and 5-oup kitchen* wero so very far from being the truth that the country had never been «> prosjKirous as it was at present. Nevertheless, be did not want to claim on behalf of the Ministers that their Government were the cause of the high prices farmers were receiving for their stock and produce. But it showed that the Government at any rate had not had tho disastrous effect that-it? opponent/, would want them to believe it was goinu to havo. Mr Herdman then dealt with the

question of misrepresentations by the "flying squadron.* and replied u> tn« 'charges of over borrowing and discontent and disaffection among the post and telegraph officials, and the cry <>f spoils to the victors raised by Mr Rus. sell. He also refuted the Oppositioi story that tho Reform Government owned, the bulk of the newspapers in the country- He read a return which showed that 2G.4 per cent, of the newspapers were Reform, 53.4S per cent. .Liberal and Labour, and 19.78 lndepenl dent, and this clearly showed that here again was another gross misrepresentation.

Mr Herdmau then spoke on strike matters m an explanatory manner on the lines of his previous speeches. Ho defended the Government against the charges of being pledge-breakers and non-fulfillers of promises. He detailed tho enormous amount of legislative work doire by the Government since it had been in office, the reforms that bad already been accomplished, and the reforms that were intended for the future.

A slight interruption to tho meetine: was.caused by a fight between two canine members of the audience, ono ot whom had to bo summarily ejected. Mr Herdman raised a smile by saying, "That must be a member of tho flying squadron.' " Continuing, he cave figures which showed that the Government had been remarkably active in pushing on the work of bind settlement and the providinjr of homes for workers, and then turned to questions of finance, complimenting the Minister of Finance on the wonderful way in which he had brought order out of chaos.

Mr Herdman concluded by expressine a firm belief in the future of the Dominion and the progressive policy of the Reform Government, and resumed his seat amid applause.

A vote of thanks and confidence to Mr Herdman and in the Government was moved by Mr G. D. Greenwood seconded by Mr W. Nicholls, and carried unanimously

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded ttie meeting.