SIR J. FINDLAY AT THE BLIND INSTITUTE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1257, 12 October 1911, Page 7

SIR J. FINDLAY AT THE BLIND INSTITUTE.

FAVOURS RAILWAY CONCESSIONS FOR THE INMATES. (By Telegranh.—Pres.* Association.) Auckland, October 11. Sir John Find-lay paid a visit to-day to the Jubileo Institute for the Blind at Parnell, whero he met the small community of electors, both whole and afflicted, and spoke briefly to them 011 political matters. Ho stated first that he had been asked by the principal of the institute to endeavour to secure for the inmates a concession granted by tho English railway companies to people similarly situated at Home—the substantial reduction of railway fares. It was usually necessary when they went upon holiday for them to tako an attendant with the,in, so that the fares charged at the full rate were a heavy burden. This was. ha felt, a very strong fdea, and lie* would recommend to tho Minister for Railways as strongly and feelingly as he could that a substantial concession should be made. Tho amount involved would not be very ■great, or impose any considerable burden on tho taxpayer, and he believed it would commend itself to Mr. Millar as it did to him. (Applause.) 110 warned them that ho was not making a definite promise, but hoped that when lie returned ho would be able to confirm it. Speaking of the Government's attitude towards Huch institutions, be snid that the Shite had a distinct duty towards tlioso who had not the full equipment given to most men and women, and it should be 0 parent, intelligent and though not over indulgent at least kindly - and humanitarian. The Government therefore made itself responsible for even-one who entered these institutions, and while those who could might contribute towards their upkeep it practically guaranteed their maintenance. That policy against which no one could cavil would be pursued still further. The State no longer intended to be a cold-hearted .policeman calmly watch-

ing while the people starred, hut should attempt in some measure to be an intelligent and benelirent parent doinp what a wise father would wi>h to do for his sons and daughters. vole of thanks, proposed by one of. tho inmates, was carried by henrly applause. Sir John l-'indlay, who lias made arrangements for tho temporary of a furnished home in Ihe l'arnell electorate, intends to return to Auckland at the end of tho session. Tfe left for Wellington by to-night's express.

TRESS COMMENT

(By Tcleßraph.-Special CorrcsDondent.)

Auckland, October JO. I'he "Herald," in dealing with Sir John Fiwlln.v's speech, in a leader this morning, hits «.-fT the situation llnis:— "He has acquired l.lie gentle art of saving tho things that are advisable, n;!d of leaving unsaid die things that: arn inadvisable, l-'or example, he did not refer to the Mokan case when explaining how investigations might, show whv prices arc so high, and the rewards n'f both capital and labour so small. Naturally, therefore, he did not tell us why the East Coast railway is still a myth as far as Auckland is concerned, iior unravelfor us tlie mysterious reason why a Maori aristocracy has arisen in inalienable land, and growing fat and rich upon tho toil of irredeemable European serfs should bo established in New Zealand by a so-called 'Liberal' Administration. Sir John ignored his difficulties in a manner which speaks volumes for his legal qualifications. He advocated the cause of the East Coast as one to tho manner born, and he argued that the time had come to treat. Maori land as European land, as though ho had never had voice or influenc-o in a Government which, in both cases, had persistently followed the opposite policy. But it is exceedingly difficult in considering Sir John Fmdlay's address to realise that it was intended to be taken seriously by a body of practical Auckland electors who have been selected by tho AttorneyGeneral in the telepathic system with the retiring member be'eauso of their assumed unshaken fidelity to the party to which he belongs. The whole thing is I paradoxical. A politician who has never; oeon elected to Parliament, but has taken part in the. Government for years comes to a constituency with which he has not the remotest personal connection and claims its support because he proposes to set right a series of bad policies for which the Government he belongs to is mainly responsible."

EDEN. (By Telegraph.—Sijecial CorresDondent.) Auckland, October 10. While Sir John Findlay was speaking at Parnell on Monday night, the Government candidate for Eden (Mr. W. J. Speight) was giving what was practically an Opposition address at Kingsland. Here are just a few sample sentences from his address. They speak for themselves. "To-day the Upper House was little more than an echo of the Lower, so far as conclusions were concerned. His conception of how to deal with the Upper House was to abolish it altogether as being an excrescence upon the body politic. He would suostitute in its place a real revising body. Young men," continued Mr Speight, touching on the land question," should be given all opportunity for going upon the land. Anchor them down by an ownership of the soil, give them a hope in tho future, and onr New Zealand population will prove both steadfast and virile above all others. The profitable occupancy of the it" i tlle cou . ntr )' lay at tho root of all their prosperity. It was noteworthy that difficulties of all kinds presented themselves to people seeking to go upon land. He suggested the speedy placing of every available acre of the million and a half of land unoccupied in a position to be taken up for settlement. All land offered by the Crown in small areas should bo given upon such tenure as tho man who proposed using it desired. The total area of N'ative land was over 1\ million acres, and of this about five million acres were lying idle, and about two millions leased. By far the greatest portion of the land was in the Auckland district, qui to four million acres. . How much longer was this process of stopping settlement tp be allowed to continue?"

. STRATFORD. | (By ■ Telegraph.—Press Association.) , r T Stratford, October 11. Mr. Joseph M'Cluggagc, tho Liberal candidate for the Stratford seat, gave his first address in Stratford last night, defending tho Government policy. The candidate was well received, and tho meeting accorded him n vote of thanks and confidence, and also passed a motion of renewed conlidenco in the Administration. TIMARU. Timaru, October 11. Mr. James Wallace, who was asked to become the Opposition candidate for Timaru, on the 1 advice of his doctor declines. A meeting of tho party decided to ask Mr. J.*Harold Moore, solicitor, to stand. He will give his reply on Saturday. WALLACE. Invercargill, October 10. Mr. Allan Carmichael, a. western district farmer, opened the campaign for tho Wallace seat at Riverton. He declared himself an out-and-out Oppositionist, supporting tho platform of the Inform party, as' led by Mr. Massey. Ho received a vote of thanks and confidence. WELLINGTON EAST.

Supporte) s "f Br. Newman, who is Standing for Wellington East, assembled in large numbers at tlio Hataitai Bowling Clubs pavilion last evening. Mr. Leigh Hunt, convener of the meeting, was voted to the choir. After a brief address by Dr. Newman it was unanimously decided to form a committee to promote his candidature, and Mr. Leigh Hunt was appointed chairman. It was stated by a member present that a canvass bad already been made of Hataitai, and from what could bo gathered.he had no doubt that Dr. Nowman would be elected head of the poll; as far as that portion of the electorate was rancerned

MEETING AT TE KUITI, A private letter receired in Wellington yesterday states that Mr. Wilson, the Reform candidate for tho Taumarunui electorate, had an excellent meeting at Te Kuiti on Tuesday evening. Tho meeting throughout was most enthusiastic in support of the candidate, and at tho conclusion a vote of thanks to Mr. Wilson and confidence in tho Reform party was carried without a singlo dissentient.

Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, Liberal candidate, will address the electors of Wellington Suburbs and Country at Worser Bay at 8 o'clock this evening. It is understood that an Opposition candidate for the Suburbs seat will be announced within the next day or two. Mr. Byron Brown will address Otaki electors at Koputaroa at 8 o'clock Ibis evening.