REFORM CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 6

REFORM CAMPAIGN.

THE WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT. MB. HERDMAN AT SOUTHLAND. Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., Reform candidate for Wellington North, addressed a gathering of about seventy electors last evening at Northland. A number of ladies were in the audience. Mr. Herdman's vigorous address was followed with great interest, and he was repeatedly applauded.

Mr. S. J. Moran presided. Anyono who had studied Mr. Herdmau's Parliamentary record, said Mr. Moran, knew that nothing but praise and commendation could be said in regard to it. (Applaust.) In his public,lite Mr. Herdman Had always appeared as a man who had some definite purpose in view, and who always endeavoured to achieve that purpose. (Applause.) .Mr.' Herdman, who was received with applause, referred to the alteration in the boundaries of tho Wellington North electorate. As Northland was newly addtd to the electorate, he had thought it only right that he should make an early start, and form the acquaintance of tlie residents. (Applause.) He went on to deal trenchantly with the remarks of the Hon. I'. Mackenzie, at Waugauui, about tho alleged "personalilka" of the Opposition, in a new country, possessing the natural advantages that we had, it might well be expected that we would have a satisfactory Government; but it. was not so. Hut a satisfactory Government would bo obtained if the people would but direct their attention to the matter. He then proceeded on tho lines of his previous speeches to address himself to the two important questions of legislation and the administration of the public property. Legislation, to be good, must be wise, and to be wise it must be just. Administration, to be good, must be business-like; and to be business-like, it must be such as trustees of a private properly would practise. Did-the gentlemen responsible for' the Government of Iho country legislate justly, and did they administer the public property wisely? If the answer was in the negative, then the Government should be turned out of office. He was convinced that the answer should bo in the negative. The coming election would excite more interest than had been the case for many years. He was satisfied that the gentlemen in power at the present time were absolutely unworthy of tho confidence of the public—(applause)—and lie hoped that the people at the coming election would show that they also held tin's view. The present discontent was more the result of a succession of small events and circumstances, which, taken together, had convinced tho public that tho Ward Government should not remain in office. He referred to a number of matters connected with the administration of officers with which public dissafcfnclinn 'had been expressed, and in which relorm was desired, including the railways; the Upper House; the position of judges in regard to political influences; the long delay over the erection of proper Parliamentary accommodation, and the consequent additional expense of about .050,000 to the country. Ho would postpone dealing with the Imperial Council scheme of the Prime Minister's until Sir Joseph Ward made his statement in the .House. He also dealt with,tho increaso in taxation, with the Government's harassing and interfering legislation, and the consequent disinclination of capitalists to invest in industrial enterprises. He spoke trenchantlv of the Government's vacillation on all important matters, and its "Yes-no" attitude; whereas it should have a settled policy. He knew Mr. Masscy well enough to say that if he were returned to power he would carry out the reforms which he had outlined in his Town Hall speech; and if not returned that he would be manly enough to stand down, and let someone else take his place. (Applause.) Mr. Herdman then advanced his well-known suggestions for the reform of the Civil Service and for placing it under the control of commissioners. He concluded amidst loud applause. In reply to a question as to what "harassing" legislation c-f the Government's he would repeal if in power,, he mentioned part of tho Tramways Act of la*t session, and the amendment of tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of last session, which imposed absurd restrictions on people carrying on business in a small way. A voto of thanks and confidence was unanimously accorded Mr. Herdman, on tho motion of Mr. I. Clark, seconded by Mr. J. Johnston. The motion was carried with applause.