ON THE PLATFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1287, 16 November 1911, Page 8

ON THE PLATFORM.

ADDRESS BY MR. HERDMAN. A GREAT PUBLIC AWAKENING. Mr. A. L. Hcrdrnan, M.P., addressed a crowded meeting of Wellington North electors in St. Paul's Schoolroom, Tinakori Road, last evening. Mr. H. P. Upham presided. In opening, Mr. Ilerdman criticised the system of public expenditure in this country. In England, when Mr. LloydGeorge introduced his Betterment Fund Bill, Lord Robert Cecil, objected that the institution of the fund might confer upon the Government the power of expending money improperly. Mr. Lloyd-George, instead of resenting the suggestion, had embodied in his Bill a provision that au ' independent board should be set up to control tho expenditure of public money. Here, any similar proposal was fiercely resented by 'Ministers us an attack upon tlio Government. It was nevertheless in the interests of clean politics arid good government that an independent board should control public expenditure. Mr. Millar had said in Dunodin that the Prime Minister was second to no one iu his desire to make tho country self-sup-porting. The way in which Sir Joseph Ward had carried out a self-reliant policy during his term of office was to borrow more and more every year until in lfllO-11 tho annual borrowing totalled XG,157,000. The members of the Beform party held that employees in tho Public Service should 1« removed from Ministerial control. He had himself introduced n Bill which aimed at control of the Public Service by a Board of Commissioner. I At present Ministers gave increases to members of the Public Service just bolero an election, and retrenched when they were comfortably sottled in their eeats. Under control by a Public Service Board a man of industry and u.bilitv would got on, but tho loafer and tho political hanger-on would got short "shrift. The Public Service Scheme had succeeded in Australia, and there was no reason why it should not succeed lien.. This reform was opposod by the Government for two reasons. It would abolish Satronage, and it was supported by the ppositioD. A Government candidate had

sUlod that under a Public Service Hoard th(! Coiiiiiiitutioncr.s would bo responsible neither lo the people nor to Parliament. As a fact, in tho Bill which he (.Mr. Hcnliii.'m) had in I rod need it wa« provided that; the' Oiiiiiiii.ssinncr should be directly responsible to Parliament,. He could lie .suspended temporarily by a Minister, but oould bo dismissed only by Parliament.

Some Pertinent Questions. Ho belioved that at tlie present timo people in New Zealand wero waking np lis they had never wakened up before. They were really becoming stirred (o take a keen interest in their own business, and wanted to know a great deal more about tho administration of their own property than they had been content to bo told during past years. They were asking ■iiieh questions as:— Why, with a,ll tho prosperity that obtains in rural districts, is tho public debt, bounding up? Why, with all the prosperity that obtains, is taxation increasing? Why, after twenty years of Lilieral Administration,- ia tho cost of living so high? Why i.s it that the railway servants are, or were until a few weeks ago, diacontented with their lot? Wli) are public servants in such a ferment of discontent? Why was tho Mokau Estate- sold to Mr. lleinuan Lewis? Why was it necessary eighteen month* ago to set up a police commission to in. yrali.galo the state of tho polico furco of inn dominion? Why wero the income tax inquiries necessary? Why did the nutt Road cost ovci .00,0,000 instead of .CIOO.OOO, as the Government at first estimated that it would ? Why are aalarios increased before in election? Why did Sir John Findlay condemn the totnMaxtor in 1900, sinco bo approves it at the present time? \Yhy does Mr. R. M'Kenzio want to grab our trains, and why does he insult the Acting-Mayor when the latter heads a deputation to him about it? Why did. the Government purchase tho Nai Nai estate at the Hutt? Why do they remain in office? (Applause.)

Concluding, Mr. Hordman expressed a hone that on December 7, tho pconle would put an end to the condition winch had existed in New Zealand during the last twenty years. Instead of lifting the people, it had had the reverse effect, and they should seo to it that men were returned as Ministers who would look upon themselves as trustees and would intrnduce a better state of affairs.

Having answered a number of qnes tinns. Mr. Herdman was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Somo voices were raised in dissent, but thov were clearly in. a minoritj'. A verv succcssfu'i meeting terminated with cheers for Mr. Herdman.

WELLINGTON CENTRAL. TnE LABOUR CANDIDATE. Mr. W. T. Young, Labour candidate for Wellington Central, addressed a meeting of .electors in the Mission Hall. Tory Street, last evening. Mr. W. Morritt presided. Mr. Young traversed, the political platform of the Labour party, the party which, ho said, ho was pledged to support. It was not his own platform, but iho platform of his party, and ho chalforo the electors the platforms of tho lenged the other candidates to put beparties to which they belong. Change the Government politics from Liberalism to Toryism, and from Toryism to Liberalism, and they would not then obtain a solution of tho great bread-and-butter problem, which was the problem which was the one which mainly concerned 80 per cent.' of the people of Now Zealand, die working classes. r He said lie favoured tho establishment of State butter factories to circumvent 'the operations of the butter ring to raise prices; and tho establishment of State ferry services. Ho objected to the Royal Assent being required to certain Acts of our Legislature, instancing tho Shipping and Seamen's Act, which had been vigorously fought by the British capitalist. He thought also that there should bo no imprisonment and forfeiture of wages for what was called "desertion." Sometimes "desertion" was accidental, but, in any case, could men be blamed for breaking their articles and leaving thair ship to try to better their lot in this country?. l Ho thought there iras a real need "for uniform shipping laws in Australia and New Zealand. In reply to a question, Mr. Ycuug said that ho was not iu favour of wages boards. A unanimous vote of bhanks and confidence was accorded to tho candidate, on tho motion of Mr. J. B. Smith.

' WELLINGTON EAST. ME, M'LAREN AT ANTICO STREET. Mr. D. M'Laren, M.P., addressed a meeting of electors yesterday evening it Antioo Street. Mr. J. Simpson occupied the chair, and the candidate received a good hearing. He contended that tho policy of Labour was one of sound reform, being directed towards benefiting tao mass of tho people. The power of the people should be increased by providing a more just system of representation, ora the basis of "one vote ono value," abolition of the country quota, and the institution of proportional representation Whilst somothiug had been effected towards closer settlement, much still remained to be done. The best means to th?.t end was to apply more vigorously tho taxation of land values. This year's accounts showed Customs revenue £:io7finml,hx . £6 ? S ' Ta < income tax £t07,230, which indicated 100 heavy a burdon in tho way of indirect taxation. He favoured Iha remission of duties on common necessities. His support' went to the advancement of our national system of education, and particularly in regard to industrial and technical training. The finances incidental to the increased expenditure on old ago pensions widows, pensions, aud other humanitarian legislation should be strengthened Inadding the remaining Crown lands to the national endowments. He stood for majority decisions upon all 'issues submitted to the people, which was a plank of tho Labour party s platform. To meet the demand for land, and provide for fuller settlement on definite lines of occupancy and use was the greatest n<vd of Ne«/oalaud. and he opposed land trafficking and mere speculation, but supported legitimate settlement. A motion of thanks am confidence was put to the meeting and carried unanimouslv. 6 '

WELLINGTON SOUTH. MR. K. A. WRIGHT'S CAMPAIGN. , I . l fr: E \ A -' n L" g !\ t ' Opposition member for Wellington South, addressed a well-at-tended meeting of ladies m St. Thomas's HnlJ, Newtown, yesterday afternoon. Mrs Honldcr presided. Mr. Wright urged women to take a greater interest m political matters and he devovea his, address to questions of tne day, m which, he said, women were especially concerned. Principal among these weae the liquor question, and he not only advised all women to vot-> for local No-License and Dominion PioinTiition but he also, by reference to .'he ballot paper" showed them minutely how this vote should" be recorded. He would continue his opposition to tho drink trade, and he would support the bare majority. 7I C with others in tho House, was in favour of giailting the old ;.ge pension to women at the age of GO years, instead ci fis. Ho would also use his host endeavours to assist the passage of such legislation ns would reduce the cost of living. One method of reducing it was by"the removal of duties on necessaries of life If the continued increase in tho cost of living was to be maintained, the Government of the country would noon have to tako drastic action.

A unanimous vote cf thanks .mil conli. de'uco was accorded to tiio caudid-itc.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS. MR. W. H. D. BELL AT BELMONT. Mr. W. H. D. Bell, Opposition caudidato for Wellington Suburbs, addressed o. well-attended meeting of electors in Kilminster's Hall, Belmont, last night. Mr. D. Johnson was in the chair, 'jjic candidate referred to Sir John Findlav's hint to thej'arnell electors that it might be possible to move tho seat of Government to Auckland. Thus Mr, Bell characterised as an election promise which wis probably unsurpassed in its efl'ronterv. Tho candidate went on to deal with l!i 0 Beform Party's platform, and pointed out that, the establishment of that platform would mean the sweeping away of I he abuses which uad sprung up under the twenty years' Administration. A change was necessary iu order to impart new lifo into tho management of the country It was time that someone went through

(lio twenty years' accumulation of papers in the Government pigoon-hole.s. Tlio candidate was accorded a unanimous vole of thanks ami confidence, on tho motion of Mr. A. S. Troivcr, wcondcd'by Mr. J{. 13. Bell.

JIB.. J. P. LUKE AT OHAIUU. Mr- J. I'. Luke, on Tuesday addressed n wel -attended meeting of Wellington Suburbs electors at Ohariu on Tuesday uighl, Mr. S. liiyant presiding. Mr. Luko stated that the Land for Settlement Finance Act provided an cquitc.blo basis lor the closer settlement of the lands of the Dominion. While splendid nppjrtiiiiitics wore afforded in that direction, it would not entail a continuance of large borrowing powers by the tiovernment. The candidato stated that us persistent advocacy of the necessity or tlib Stale's iiiidertaking the manufacture of iron and steel had met with absolute, success, as also had his urging oi Hie revision of the. tarilt. liotli these questions wore now embraced us a part of the policy of the Government, and had also the general support of the Opposition. Ho was gratified that ho had been the moans of bringing about a wider view as to the responsibilities of the .State in thr-.-o industrial enterprises. What lie had done for Ihe industrial side of the community he was prepared to extend to the {arming side, and as he was now standing for a scat that included a large country area ho felt the responsibility of advocating a more equitable system- of taxation in connection with tlie farming land adjacent to cities and towns which could not make use of the towns' facilities. Such land should not be taxed on that basis, and a repetition of the Ward tiros', grievances at the llutt would no longer continue. Mr. Luke was in favour of the bare majority for Dominion option and 55 per cent, for'local option. .

A vote of thanks and confidence was passed on the motion of -Mr. H. Brvant, seconded by Mr. J. Field.

ME. MOORE AT NGAIO. Mr. P. T. Moore, Labour candidate for the Suburbs seat, address?d a meeting of erectors at Ngaio last night. Mr. Gibson occupied the chair. The candidate said the first thing he would do upon being returned to Parliament would be to move the following resolution:—"That whereas Home and colonial combinations of financiers, manufacturers, and traders iiiceeed in purchasing New Zealand's output of wool, meat, butter, and .other product* at. prices which do not yield the producer a fair return, the necessary steps bo taken to establish a State Mercantile and Financial Agency, which Department shall control the sale of all products for export, with a view to fixing the minimum prico of wool and butter at Is. per lb., and meat at 3d. per lb. f.o.b. Now Zealand; and that Australia and Argentina bo imitcd to adopt similar measures in order to secure unanimity of action among the world's leading producing nations of raw goods for export." He said that, having had life-long experience' in the export of farm commodities, he was certain that his scheme was quite practicable, and that the figures he named could be readily obtained if Parliament established tho agency ho suggested. In order to give this agency ample financial powers, authority could be given for tho issue of legal, tender, niercantilo cotes, in exchange for warrants for goods stored for export, which notes would be redeemable in gold when the goods were. sold. His scheme would prove of greater materH value to New Zealand than any legislation yet placed on the Statute Book, and he confidently appealed to the ■ electors of the Suburbs constituency to place him in a position'to carry out his gnat project. A vote of thanks and > confidence was carrie;! on the motion of Mr. Rotter, seconded by Mr. Gardiner.

HUTT. MR,, REARDON AT PETONE. At his meeting at Potone on Tuesday evening Mr. M. J. Reardon, tho Labour candidate for the Hutt seat, stated that his Petone committee had asked him to examine the plallorm advocated by the sitting member (Mr. Wilford). That gentleman, he contended, had nothing better to offer than tho rest of the party he belonged to, and its policy was of tho go-as-you-please order. The electors should not give support to a man who was allied to a party which had got behind the times and out of touch with modern thought. Mr. Wilford had advocated tho acquisition of oil and ironbearing lands in tho Dominion. That was what the Labour party wanted, not the Government. Tho Government wanted (o give bonuses to capitalists who would exploit the people. Mr. Wilford had urged tho establishment of labour exchanges, but that idea had already been covered by tho Labour Department. He had advocated tho adjustment of railway grievances, but- that would not oome about until a Labour Government wns ■ elected. In that connection Mr. ' Reardon noted with amusement that the Government considered tho railway man's vole worth 2Jd., and had increased the day wage to that extent. Dealing with monopolies Mr. Reardon urged the establishment of n State ferry service. He also contended that butter and sugar combines existed, and blamed the Government for allowing such a condition of affairs to be possible. In reference to tho laud question ho advocated a tax on the unearned increment which lie submitted would make possible a reduction in the Custom? duties on tho necessities of life. Tho oandidato was accorded a vote of thanks.

MR. SHORT AT WAINDT-O-MATA. , ¥ r -, R V, Y; Si 1 , 01,4, Opposition candidate for Hint, addressed a large meetiii* at Wainui-o-Mata. The candidate dealt with the land problem and other nutters. At the conclusion, Mr. Short was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

OHINEMUBI. !By TclceraDh-Press Association.) Waihi, November 15. Mr. Nisbet M'Robie, the Reform jiarfy's candidate for Ohincmuri, opened his campaign here last night. He addressed a largo audience and was accorded a splendid hearing. THE PRIME MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Invcrcargill, November 15. Sir Joseph Ward to-day addressed meetings at Greenhills and Makarewa, and to-night at Waikiwi, where the hall was crowded, and Sir Joseph Ward spoke for two hours.' The speech followed tho lines of previous ones. Votes of thanks and confidence were passed at all . the meetings. Sir Joseph Ward, who goes north in the morning express, expresses great confidence iu the result of the election.

THE WESTLAND SEAT. A VERY KEEN CONTEST. (By TclcgraDh.-I'rcss Association I mi ~- „ , H ° kitik a> November 15. the Wcstlnnd election is being contested with an intensity of interest probably unknown in any part of the Dominion. Jioth candidates, tho sitting member (Mr J. 1. Seddon) and his opponent (Mr. H," L. Michel), are speaking nightlv to largo audiences.

This evening Mr. Michel spoke at Hokitika, the Princess Theatre being taxed to its utmost capacity, while large numbers were unable to gain admittance. It is estimated that the gathering numbered about a. thousand people. In tho coui&e of a vigorous speech of ncarlv two hours' duration, Mr. Michel declared himself to bo a straight-out Liberal, and while prepared to give the present Govornment genoral support he wotrid not bo whipped into line against his convictions. In regard to tho land question, reform of the Upper House, and several other matters, he expressed the opinion that a majority of tho Inst Parliament were too sea-vile, and did, not represent the bone, sinew, and brains of the people, but rather that of individual Ministers, Beferring to a statement made by his opponent, Mr. Michel declared that neither Mr. Mnsscy nor nnv of his party had evor a.sked him to stand in their interests, or join their pnrtv. The candidate, who has always declined a vote of .confidence at any meeting, was accorded a voto of thanks, which was carried by acclamation and cheers. It is generally believed that the contest will bo a very close one. Mr. Mii;hcl is contorting the seat for tho third time against the sitting member. In the byolection immediately after tho death of tho lute Premier, Mr. T. Scddon defeated his opponent by 721. Tho general election