REFORM CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1277, 4 November 1911, Page 6

REFORM CAMPAIGN

MR. HERDMAN AT THORNDON, SUCCESSFUL MEETING. SOME POLITICAL PRINCIPLES. Tho Sydney Street Schoolroom was crowded last night, when Mr. llrrdrann, M.P., addressed the electors of Wellington North, at whose hands ho is seeking re-election. The meeting was thoroughly ill sympathy with the speaker, and keenly appreciative of the points of his address.

Mr. C. B. Morison, who presided, said that everybody who had watched Mr. Herdman's public life must recognise and admire his straightforwardness, his absolute devotion to principle, and the pluck with which ho had fought for principle. Mr. Herdman said that during the three years he had represented Wellington North ho had done his best to bring about a change of Government, and he believed that such a change would take place, if not at the coming election, then very soon after. Three candidates were now seeking the suffrages of Wellington North—Mr. Carey, who represented labour, Dr. Izard, who supported the Government of which Sir Joseph Ward was Prime Minister, and of which Sir John Findlay would possibly bo Prime Minister later on—(laughter)—and in winch Mr. lioderick M'Kcnzie was the great authority on tramways—(laughter)—and tho third candidate was himself, standing as a member of the lieforni Party, which was led by Mr. Mossey. Some Great Questions. Ho wished to remind his audience of several important subjects in which he had taken a special interest during the timehe had represented them. When he first solicited their suffrages ho advocated a new system of railway administration, and he submitted that the widespread discontent that had since been manifested in tho railway service went to show Hint His views were correct. Ho had also advocated the freeing of the Civil Service from political control by placing it under a commissioner, who would bo responsible to Parliament alone. They would be told by Ministers that such an officer would bo a despot, but the fact was that tho despots in New Zealand to-day were tho Ministers of the Crown. (Hear, hear.) He also referred to his advocacy of a Native land policy, such as was lately adopted by Sir John Findlay in an utterance which tho Premier had said was only the utterance of a candidate. During the past session ho had handled the university reform petition, and he had suggested a Royal Commission to inquire into that highly important'subject. Labour Legislation. He had also been connected with the question of labour legislation. He had long believed that tho Arbitration Act was doing incalculable mischief. Every endeavour should bo made to settle industrial disputes by conciliation, r.nd it was the duty of the State to provide means for the purpose. It was also tho duty of the Stats to sec that no employer sweated his men, to see that proper hygienic conditions prevailed, and to foster happy relations between employer and employed. Tho effect of legislation in this country had, however, beca to widen the breach between those twi contending parties. Ever since the Arbitration Aofc came into existence tho feeling of discontent had increased. He hoped that when Mr. Masscy's Government came into power—(hear, hear)—it would foster a feeling of greater accord and friendship between employer and worker, and .that wouid be one of the greatest blessings the country could enjoy. At present the country was handicapped by legislative interference, and until that handicap was removed they would not have progress. Laws Should be Wise and Just. The candidate then laid down a scries of political principles, with which he contrasted the actions of tho Government. The laws of a country should ho m'xo and just. How did tho laws for which the prcfent Government wa; responsible stand that test? A few days ago a clause was introduced which seriously affected properties acquired pri-T to tue Nativo Land Act of 1009. The Crown thought that leases acquired by assignment were subject to the limitations of that Act, but the Judges decided otherwise, and legislation was immediately brought in to undo tho effect of their judgment, and takeaway property rights which hnd been lawfully acquired. In the same connection, Mr. Ilerdman condemned tho Government's tramways policy, saying that it was best for the tramways to bo owned and operated by the municipal authorities. Another example of unwise and unjust legislation wa-s the Shops and Offices Act, 1910, much of which the Government had never darod to enforce, for fear of rousing public opinion against themselves. One of the* results of that Act, if carried out, would have been to close up many of the boardinghouscs of this city. Weakness of the Government. A Government should be strong, but did the actions of the 'Ward Government on the land question show strength ? They wanted tho votes of both sides, and so they were afraid to announce a policy. In regard to gaming legislation also, they had yielded to.clamour. Was it not remarkable that at the present time, just before the election, the Government canio down with promises to raise salaries all round? Just after the last election canio retrenchment. Evidently tho promises that were now made wore intended to catch votes, and not devised with the object of benefiting the country. Tho Mokau Case. A Government should not destroy tho independent judgment of tho citizens. Tho people should be offered no inducements to alter their opinions except wise legislation and sound administration. A Government should not say, "We have a great storehouse of wealth, and if you bow the kno- to Baal, we will give you of these treasures." If a prominent sup. poi-ter of tho Government wanted an Ordcr-in-Council ho would probably get it.

A voico: Question. Mr. Herdman invited the interrupter to study tho Mokau case. (Hear, hear.) Was the Government right in consenting to the sale of the land and issuing the Order-in-Council?

A voice: No, certainly not. Mr. Herdman: "Then the onlv thing to do is to turn out the Government that does that sort of thing." Mr. Herrninn Lewis and others made largo profits, and tho people who would settle on tho land would havo to pay those profits, a state of affairs for which tho Government was to blame. Tho Government said they were frightened of a_ lawsuit, but if they had cause to bo frightened so had the "privato purchasers. The transaction stamped I ho Government as incompetent. The Public Works Estimates went up before each election, and went down in the intervening years. This was because the Public Works Fund was used to influence votes, lie had fought for a better system of allocating money for public works, in order to stamp out one of .the most degrading features of our public life. (Uear, hoar.) Public Property. A Government should administer tho public property as belonging to the people and not to themselves. _ The present Government had voted against that principle in connection with tho distribution of Government advertisements. It had also failed to supply a return, asked for by himself and ordered by the House, showing particulars of railway passes granted to individuals. The Government had also voted down a motion that returns should be supplied as 'soon as possible after being ordered by tho Ilouse, and another motion that when an item on the Estimates was reduced by the House, as an indication of opinion, the Government should take it as an instruction. He also condemned the Government for refusing more definite information as to tho retrenchment effected in 100!). That was because members of tho Government considered themselves their own lords and masters. Yet New Zealand was supposed to l>e a democracy. Imperial Affairs, Beforo tho Prime Minister went to the Imperial Conference, ho tabled tho 1C resolutions which he intended to move,: but did so too late for tho Ilouse to discuss them. Ho and Sir John Fimllay went floiuo unfettered with any instructions, and prepared to do as they liked. Had the House discussed tho resolutions, as it was entitled to, tho Prime Minister would wobably have been saved from

making himself as ridiculous an ho did. The speaker read extracts from tlm ollicial report ut tho Imperial Conference, snowing how Kir Joseph Ward was heckled by tho other Premiers over his Imperial Council or Parliament, of Defence proposal. It was unfortunate thai these and oilier proposals were not discussed in the N.Z. Parliament, either before or after the Conference, 110 considered that the first thing to do for I.lm Umpire was | to have our own country governed well. The supreme control of naval attain should lw in the hands of the British Government.

Jn conclusion, Air. Ilerdman declared thill tho country needed a higher sen.'* of justice in public affairs, a more busi-noss-liko control of tho Departments of •State, promotion by merit in tho public service, reform of the public works system, either through extension of local government or through commissioners. If these reforms were carried out the country would thrive and prosper—for it was a magnificent country—and the people would bo happier and more conlcnlod, and would have a better public life. (Applause.) Questions. A largo number of questions were asked, most of them in writing. Mr. Henlman, in his replies, paid he did not think a universal Saturday half-holiday was practicable, but ho thought everybody should have a half-holiday once a week. Ho favoured tho three-fifths majority in licensing polls, 110 did not think a Fair Kent Bill was practicable, l>e~ causc the demand for land fixed its price. Ho believed in all the civil servants having full civil and political rights. "Would you favour a conscience clause exempting cons.cientiou3 objectors from compulsory military training?" was ono question. "No, I would not," replied Mr. Herdman. "But 1 understand tho Defence Department will arrange that conscientious objectors will bo given other work of a non-combatant character." Thanks and Confidence. A vote of thanks and confidenco was proposed by Air. Johnston, seconded by Mr. E. I l ', Hadfield, and carried by acclamation with great heartiness. No dissentient voice was heard.