WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1130, 18 May 1911, Page 6

WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT.

ADDRESS BY DR. IZARD. . HIS PLATFORM OUTLINED. The Sydney Street Schoolroom was well filled last evening by citizone who attended to listen to a political address by Dr. Izard, a Ministerial candidate for Wellington North. Ut. E, P. Flanagan was chairman. In introducing tho candidate, lio spoke, of tho high personal respect entertained for him, described lira as new, perhaps, to politics, but not to the electorate—having lived there all his life—and eaid no had taken an activo part in athletics and" in the promotion of various societies useful to the community. „ ' The Candidate's Speech, Dr. Izard, who was received-with, applause, expressed thanks for .the large attendance in view of the fact that he was an -untried candidate. Nothing but the Tequest he had received to offer hiniself .would havo induced him to leave a life of quiet usefulness to face the perils of publicity in standing for Parliament. Ho thought that it would be well to havo at least one medical man in tho House—(applause)—especially when so many questions concerning public health were before the public. There wero a good many lawyers representing tho country, and, incidentally, it was strange that so often there were.cases of dispute as to the express wording and meanings of Acts of Prtrlisi-. ment. Mr. Herdman, his opponent, socially was his friend, • but- politically Mr. Herdman stood for obsolete Conservatism— the avowed antagonist of progressive liberalism. "A Conservative," quoted Dr; Izard, "is a man who would let the ship of State.lie rotting in the sun." In outlining his points for the evening, he proposed, he said, to _ leave questions which he considered himself most qualified to speak upon—those affecting' public health, piiblic morals, contagious diseases—to bo dealt with fully Jater on. • . - '.. .

••:.'- "''am a 'Liberal." ' ' .' "In the first place," ho said, "I am a liberal—(npplansej-and I pledge myself to yoto for a Liberal Government as against a Conservative Opposition. In all other questions I shall vote as I con- , eider right, and in the host interests of any electorate and the Dominion as a whole. In general politics I am moderate. In tho ideal State all laws should .be merely a crystallisation of public opinion, and no law should be enforced unless backed by the wishes of tho community." He was also against legislation for extremists, and he was a sympathetic member of the National League, which had been formed to combat such ■legislation.

His Views. Dr.' Izard next quoted Dr. Findlay's outline of the true functions of a Liberal Government, and said they expressed adequately his own views. Ho recognised there were mistakes made in tho administration, but the Government was not, an Administration of archangels. (Applause.) But in spite of this he challenged Mr. Herdraan to say which measures ho would repeal if he were in power. (Applause.) "Education must be free, secular and compulsory. On that rock. I take my stand," he declared. Ho'recognised that xeligion should bo the basis of true education. Ho akp said that for- those ■denominations ■ which, , to-day, were making sacrifices' that their children should be brought up in the faith of their fathers, he, had; nothing but admiration. But State money must be used for State purposes only. Nothing must be done to imperil our education system. (Applause.) As to the liquor question, he had seen■•, both the uses and abuses of alcohol. - This question, however, had been, romoved from the party platform, andthe r people were , to express their own views upon it. He was not one who would alter existing legislation unless it wore contrary to the wishes of the community. (Applause.) .

His Railway Policy. ■ ; The time was xine for the appointment of a Royal Commission to consider tho advisability of completing our railway system. The Commission should go throughout the Dominion, investigate conditions in each locality, and then nil necessary works should be scheduled. The total cost should be arrived at, the time required for completion, and then Bufficient money borrowed for the finishing of tho system in a definite time. (Applause.) _ He pictured the value this would he in tho development and progress of tho Dominion. He would support any scheme in this direction. He also advised the subordination of any water-power electrical scheme to the pushing on with the railways. He . briefly ' approved the Government's land system, but would extend the 33 years' lease in the case of rough, broken holdings; while .in the case of city reserves he was not in favour of lessees seenring so much benefit from the unearned increment value as they at present sometimes did. Coal areas and rights ' over streams suitable fov water-power uses might bo leased for a certain time, but he was against them failing exclusively into the hands of private individuals. • The survey of the coast of New Zealand v:as a very urgent necessity—(ap-plause)—and-certain,new lighthouses were required' Additions to shipping laws concerning the health of crews were outlined. Ho criticised Mr. Herdman's action in the House in regard to the City Milk Supply Bill; advocated the Charitable Aid Board giving medical Telief to those unable to afford it, the extension of the St. Helens Hospitals, some form of legislation to grapple with contagious diseases, town-planning, and the compulsory provision by municipalities of sufficient recreation grounds. Replies to Mr, Herdman. Dr. Izard then read Mr. Herdinan's platform, as outlined in his recent speech in the Town Hall Concert Room. lie-sug-gested that Mr. Herdnian had the plea for a Civil Service Board on the brain. Dr. Izard said our Civil Service compared favourably with any other in tho world, and we were proud of it. (Applause.) Mr. Herdman's proposal for a board of control was unsound, and undemocratic. The Government should have full responsibility, and tho Minister could bo questioned publicly about appointments, etc. Much the same argument applied to the suggested appointment of Railway Commissioners. Ho twitted the Opposition for their want of unanimity on this point. The speaker had been endeavouring to find out what tho railwayman's alleged grievances were, and he would deal witih that matter at a later date. . He agreed that tho Government had no right to treat their men in .a way that no private employer would do. Taking off the Gloves. Mr. Izard then said he would accept Mr. Herdman's challenge to tako off the gloves, and he proceeded to traverse his opponent's criticisms of tho labour laws nf the Dominion. Hβ enumerated many of tho labour laws, and asked were they "senseless and tyrannical," and a "tumultuous flow," as characterised by Air. Herdman. Certainly strikes had not been stopped, but they had been minimised, and sweating had been absolutely abolished. The electors would have to choose between one lPho ras opposed to these laws and himself, who said they of beneficent, progressive legislation, and who would bo one to have any neces=nry defects remedied. (Applause.) At the same time. Dr. Izard cautioned tho electors that thero could bo over-lp-,'i?;!ation. Ho also combated Mr. Herdman's statement that the legislation hnd been for one class only, quoting certain Acts passed. Charges of reckless administration wero being made, but definite charges wero wanted. When tho Hine charges became definite they wero found—except in one case which concerned a private individual and not tho Government—to bo unfounded. The Opposition wero against further borrowing and against further taxation. Where then must tho money como from? Ho would deal with defence matters later, though he referred in terms of praise lo Gc-noral Godley, who should havo "a free hand, unfettered by political interference." Dealing briefly with finance, Di. Izard sought to show that only a. quarto, ,of the debt of the present Government wag unproductive, while of the debt

existing when they came into office, two thirds was unproductive.

His Platform, In conclusion he gavo his platform as follows:—(0 A!'systematic completion of the railway system; (2) u central railway station for Wellington; (3) a .systematic survey of the const; (t) Hie erection of lighthouses where necessary; (5) the extension of municipal control of milk supplies; (G) extension of the system of maternity hospitals; (7) charitable aid board medical relief; (8) old age pensions for women of sixty years in special cases; (9)' town-planning and recreation grounds. "You will seo the- challenge is accepted," he said in conclusion. "Shine up your armour, sound the- tocsin, let the battlecry ring out—("Amen," cried a voice, causing loud laughter)—and fight tho causo of progressive Liberalism." (Loud applause.) Questions, An individual caused some amusement in trying to get the chairman to understand his questions. Replying to other questioners the candidate said there was no reason whv railway men and all Civil Servants should not possess full political and civil rights. He was in accord with the establishment of the State coal minn when the objoct for which it was started was considered. He was not in favour of the abolition of the totalisator; and ho would not favour tho Government, at present at all events, competing with a State-owned ferry system. Oa the motion of Mrs. Dodwell, seconded by Mr. W. Perry, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded tho candidate, one. opposing hand being held up. The motion was carried with cheers.