THE HUTT SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1282, 10 November 1911, Page 7

THE HUTT SEAT.

MR. WILFORD AT PETONE. GOVERNMENT POLICY DEFENDED. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., was given a friendly reception by an audience of about one thousand people in the Palace Theatre ut l'etono l-itt evening, when he opened his campaign in the contest for the llutt seat. The chair was taken by Mr. Joseph Piper, who congratulated Mr. Wilford upon the progress he had made towards restored health. In extending a welcome to Mrs. Wilford, who occupied a seat on the platform, the chairman complimented her upon her successful activity some time ago on behalf of the Children's Hospital. Formal proceedings were interrupted for a moment at this singe, whilo a party of little girls presented Mrs. Wilford with a bouquet.

Opening his address Air. Wilford stated that in coming before his constituents for the seventh timo he did so as a man who had served his political apprenticeship, and claimed now to bo regarded as a tradesman, qualified by experience. (Applause.) Sinco last election he had been appointed to fill the second highest position which Parliament, could bestow—that of Chairman of the House. Speaking of his own health, Mr. Wilford said that he was not, at present, as strong physically as he had been, but his brain was as alert as it had ever been ,and he was better prepared and furnished than ever before with an understanding that would enable liiui to deal with political questions and problems as they arose. (Applause'.) After alluding to the platforms of tho various parties, Mr. Wilford said that he wanted his hearers to understand that unless tliev would have him free to fight any proposal that he considered unjust, they must reject him. In liis opinion there was no better party in sight at tho present time than the Liberal party. The Opposition party would be as dead in the future as -it was at present. He had road its platform, and saw in it nothing but words. (Applause.)

A Personal Platform. Mr. Wilford then detailed the twentyfour planks of his personal platform as follow: — (1.) Social reform by evolution, not revolution. (2.) Immediate settlement of the lands of the Dominion with tho restriction of area settled by taxation. (3.) The setting aside of areas in each settled district for homes for the workers and for the erection of schools. (4.) Acquisition by the Crown of the oilbearing fields of the Dominion. (5.) Acquisition by the Crown and tho Stato ownership of the iron-fields of tho Dominion. (6.) Settlement of industrial disputes by arbitration with' reconstitution of Courts in tho direction of providing experts in tho various trades as arbiters. (7.) Constitution of a Board of Railway Management consisting of tho Minister for Railways, tho chief engineer of railways, the chief mechanical engineer of railways, and tho chief traffic manager, such board to be vested with the power at present in the general manager. (8.) Tho creation of an improvement or bottermeut account to provide for improvement in open lines for rollingstock and renewals thus preventing the cost of work which should be defrayed out of railway revenue being charged to the A.O.L. vote. (!),) The reclassification of the railway servico and the immediate consideration of general grievances in relation to privileges withheld, and the grant of civil and political rights to railway employees as advocated by myself in Parliament in M'Cullougli's case. (10.) Extension of Military Pensions Act to provide for a military pension to all veterans who arc in possession of New Zealand AVar Medal. (11.) The increase of interest payable to depositors in the G.P.0., consequent on tho rate now received by the Government lending departments. (12.) Reduction of duty on tobacco. (13.) The inauguration of .insurance for linsmployment and sickness with the Mioperation of tho employers, trades unions, benefit societies, and medical men.

. <U,) ; The establishment of labour 'bureaus through Hew Zealand to provide information with regard »to work available anywhere in the Dominion. (15.) A white New. Zealand.. (16.) To extend the provisions of the Old Ago Pensions Act, allowing a pension to bo paid notwithstanding that, the applicant is in receipt of a grant from superannuation. (17.) The immediate promotion of the Upper Hutt-AVaikanae railway, and the scheduling of the same as a, national work. (18.) The hydro-electric scheme for the Hutt constituency and the City of Wellington. (19.) An amendment of the law to provide for the payment of rates by the Government to local bodies when land is taken in their districts. (20.) The election of education boards under the municipal franchise. (21.) An alteration of the law to prevent any reduction in a teacher's position through an epidemic in a school. (22.) A uniform and free school book. (23.) The establishment of a mint. (21.) Readjustment of charges for season ticket-holders on suburban railway lines so that short period ticket purchasers may not be prevented against long period ticket purchasers. Insurance Against Unemployment.

Speaking of insurance against sickness and unemployment, Mr. Wilford said ho did not think there was any question of greater importance or one that was less understood. The National ' Provident Fund Act and similar measures were good so far as they went, but did not go far enough for him. The Bill for the relief of-unemployment and sickness which was now being contested at Homo should be passed in New Zealand. By co-operating with trades unions and benefit societies some modicum of comfort could be provided for those who unfortunately had to suffer through no fault of their own. (Applause.) Mr. Wilford detailed at great length the insurance benefit proposals and described systems which had been established in other countries. He promised to deal with further details of the subject in a future address. Railway Affairs. Mr. Wilford said he believed neither in Railway Commissioners nor in Civil Service Commissioners. The former had been tried and found wanting. Civil Service Commissioners would be responsible neither to tho people nor to Parliament. If there was no Court of Appeal wrongs would be done. A club influence would exist. To suggest that .Commissioners should be set up who could be removed only by a vote of both Houses of Parliament was to indict democracy. Mr. Wilford claimed that experience had shown in Australia that control by Commissioners was undesirable, and quoted a New South Wales paper in support of his contention. He advocated a reclassification of the railway service. During the past session the officers of the Amalgamated Society had worked tirelessly, and he had done the same. (Applause.) The railway men would have obtained a settlement long ago of many of -their grievances if they had been recognised and understood, as they would bo if there were a Railway Board of Management.

At about ten o'clock, Mr. Wilford stopped short in his address and said: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am beaten. I have not touched my notes, and I have hours and hours of stuff to go through, but I can't go through them. ' He added that he had ljeen upheld by the sympathy and assistance of his audience, and that tho excitement had kept him up, but that, having stopped, ho felt the strain. There were cries of "Hear! hear!" "Sit down. Tommy!" and "You havo done well!"

Mr. Wilford concluded wtli a remark that ho hail always done his best for the district, and would continuo to do so if ho were again elected. (Applause.) Answering rjnestions, Hfr. Wilford said his was not in favour of the hare majority on the licensing question, but favoured the thrcc-lifths majority, because ho believed that with a bare majority there would lie no stability. He considered it fair that the Government should advertise in two papers in Wellington and not in Tin; Dominion. In Auckland, Duneiiiii, and Cliristchurch, Government advertisements were given to one Opposition paper ami to one Government paper. In Wellington tho advertisements were given to a Government paper and to another which had until recently been upon tho Opposition side in polities. Having answered a number of other questions, Mr. Wilford was unanimously aceordcd a vote of thanks and confidence. Cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Wilford terminated tho proceedings.