ON THE PLATFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1288, 17 November 1911, Page 6

ON THE PLATFORM.

WELLINGTON EAST. ME. BOLTON REPLIES TO ME. M'LASEN. ■ A LIVELY MEETING. Mr F. G. Bolton, Government c.indidate for Wellington East, addressed a ineetin" of electors in the Aew Century Hall last evening. Mr. J. -M'Grath PToeided. Nearly overy .-eat in the hall was occupied. Mr. Bolton said that some people considered that he slinuld have como forward as an Independent candidate, but an independent was a niiiu who had uo power in tho House. On a no-cunfielcnce motion he would vote with the Government, because he ■ considered that the Opprjiitinn was oppos-ed to overy democratic move. He elenounced the piopo?al of tho Iteform Party to alienate lcuse-in-pcrpetii-ity lands as an attempt to give away tho national iissets m order to sccuro'thn country vote* , . This item alone would justify wiping the Opposition out of existence, tiome of its members wanted to do away with the Arbitration Court Any party that suggested reverting k> the system of strikes was uulit to control the government eif this country. Mr. Bolton challenged Dr. Mcwman to substantiate his statements that tho Wellington back-country had been neglected, and stood in need of development, and iil?o his statement tluit there were 1,000,000 acres of Native laud lying undeveloped in the Wellington provincial district. Tho actual area of vacant Xnlivo land in Wellington and Tarajinki provinces was 558.-111 acres. f)f this area 510,1)00 ;irres were until for close settlement. Ho had laid these facts before Dr. Newman, but the latter lnul made no reply. Mr. liolton doprcc-.itwl Dr. .Ven-nr.in'> complaint Ih-at Wellington had bcou lirsluctcd in. tho matter uf hyrbo-electrical develop-:

jueiil. II tho scheme, proved prnu'tiible it would 'in rxti'iuled ovcrvwhcrc. (All lilinifP.) 111-. Unlliiii slati'd'diiil a I'li'liln U'lirli- ISoaiil would hi. iiii|ioinlcd hy llu dominant party in J'arliaiiunt, and \voiil< A Yuiiv. Belter than an im.Mioii.»il)]< .Mini.-,! it! Mr. Unll-im ™iil I hat if Parliament wa< Ruing to hiiuil uviir its powers to an ir iTSHMisil.lu 1,0:.rd. ho. fur one, would decline to IMltlT riM-liillllflll. Hi! Wil! nppo-cd Id I.lk, Second Jiallnt Act, ;in, pivferred absolute- majority. rum-liiiij,' mmii (In- cmfruverhy Ix'lwcci .Mr. M'l.nrou and him-eif, .Mr. Bolloi claimed that Jiis opponent, had adiiiittcc the Inifch of what lio 'had advanced All elector: "Raul the Idler, llr/liol. ton. Mr. Ballon: "Jt is (on Inns io read " \ oicos: "Von read (he other letters." .>lr. Bollon prrsis'ed in his refusal Iγ read tho letter, and was interrupted l>, wild uproar from which cam,, cries ofRead the, letter!" "Lei's liavo it!' i/ct us hear it!" Tho uproar coulimipd, Imt Mr. Holton said he was in possession of tho plattorm, and would do just what hp liked I here were fiirllitr crins of "Fair ni.v Afr. Bolton!" and "road tho letter!"'' -the chairman intervened, and said that no doubt the.audience would realise — , An indi.'n.iiit npr?ou (who had scemlnKly inislieard the chairman): Outside! »o ijill m?o who Roe.s onkkJe, yon or I! The chairman iooked .surprised for a moment and then proceeded to mildly sujißcst that Mr. I3olton was no doubt (ho best judio a.s to the manner in which his speech should bo delivered. A voice: He Ins given us no politics only abuse of the otliex side! (llear, hear, ant! applause.) The chairman, said ho was qnito sure the audience would hear Mr. liolton's constructive policy. A voice. Destructive! Mr. Bolton was now suffered to proceed, and stated, in reply to questions which had been asked hy Mr. M'Lai-eu, hat at a former election'he (Mr. Bolton) iad not been the Government candidate. On the present occasion lie was the Government candidate. (Laughter.) Before announcing his candidature it had been arranged that ho should Im> the Government candidate. Anvone might verify this by applying to Ministers or to tho liberal organiser. A voice: Produce your credentials! Sir. Bolton dpiiiod that ho had ever stated on any public platform that he did not belong to a certain denomination. Ho had stated at one of his committee mectn.es that a rumour on the subject was being widely circulated and that lie- might have to reply to it. A voice: It was not widely circulated. Leaving tho subject Mr. Bolton expressed a hope that Mr. M'Laren would deprecate the introduction of personalities as much as ho (Mr. Bolton) did. (Applanse.) Jfj.' Bolton dealt at some length Trith the question of cost of living. He declared himself a strong supporter of the leasehold policy. He favoured increasing the graduated land tax. (Hear, hear.) Any land that tho Natives could not profitably use should be purchased by tho State and leased to bona fide settlers. .The proceeds should be held on behalf of the Natives by the Public Trustee, and the capital disbursed only when he was satisfied that it would not be wasted. On the licensing question he favoured Hie present system tinder which a rhree-fiftlis majority was required to carry NoLicense. (Jlrar, her.r.) It n-as a graxo question whether they should not h.ivi» State control in the country and municipal control in the cities, (near, heav.) Mr. Bolton advocated a system c! public works control under which Parliament would 1)0 advised by experts and would bo Telieved of the responsibility of voting money for works that they knew nothing about. A voice: The Government would get no votes then. Mr. Ilolton concluded with an observation that he felt sure he had the ability to servo the prople of his native- land". (Loud app'nii c c.) A vote of thanks to, and confidence in. Mr. Rollnn was declared carried by aechwMifcV'ii. pho-ers ivere given for .Mr. iV)it/>n. ond in an equally hearty way for Mr. M'Laren. MR. M'LAKTON AT KILUERME. Mr. D. M'Laren, M.P., addressed a wellattended meetinc at the Seaview Private Hotel, South Kilbirnie, last evening. Mr. G. Myer presided.

Tn opening, Mr. M'Laren affirmed the need for reform of the electoral law, and advocated tho introduction of proportional representation and the establishment of tho principle of "one vote, one value," whether in town or country. He. stated that tho population of Now Zealand was, at present, only about one-fourth of that of some of the large cities in tho Old Gmnfry. It was necessary that more land sott'emont should be carried on, so as to promote a proper growth-of the popnIfitioit. He did'not sunnort indiscriminate immigration, but, with a due provision for settlement, would Iμ glad to see the population increase. There was need for improvement in rcrard to expenditure in various Departments. For instance, the State Coal Department showed pome losses on account of bad debts, and it was evident that some, favoured people, wore allowed to get coal on credit from the depots, whilst the general public had to pay cash on order. Administration was an aspect of government to which the Labour party would give full attention if returned to power. If there was one thing for which the Commonwealth Labour party could claim credit, it was in respect of the soundness of its administration. The revenue of last year showed that far too large an amount had been raised by way of Customs taxes. These should be reduced, and revenue should be obtained instead by a system of <lircct taxation of land values and incomes. While recognising that a strong defence system was necessary, lie feared that there was a tendency to increase the expenditure too much on the side of salaries and other emoluments. The defence voto was advancing at a rate which made carefu] scrutiny very necessary. He did not wish to sec anything in the nature of a special military caste created in this country. Mr. M'Lareu described tho social legislation passed last session, and urged that the remaining Crown lands should be added to tho National Endowments.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

MR, BRODIE AT KOSENEATH. Mr. John .Brodie, tho Independent Liberal candidate for Wellington East, addressed the electors in the Roseneatb Schoolroom last evening. Mr. 11. Spear presided. Mr. Urodio laid particular stress on the value of independence in Parliament, and stated that he would not be surprised to find that tho "new party" spoken of by different members would start with a nucleus composed of Independents elected at the forthcoming elections. Never before had so many Independents announced their candidature, and this he regarded as a sign th.it the elcclore did not trust either tho Government or Opposition. Dealing with industrial matters, the candidate emphasised tho paramount iinportanco of developing and maintaining our commercial supremacy, and in this respect stated that the world's ■leading nations depended chiefly upon commerce to maintain their power. He irasii firm believer in a business Government—he did not lxjliovc in putting square pegs in round holes—and as the commercial man practically created tho wealth of llic nation, so should the commercial man take a prominent part in the government of tho nation. If tho Stale enterprises were, put ill charge of experienced commercial men better results in every way would 1» achieved. Jin maintained (hat he was a better Liberal than Uio majority of the piesent members of tho Liberal party. Like tho majority of old-establish-ed concerns, the present Liberal party had lost much of its progn\-siveiiess, and wa.-i in danger of becoming with ago. The candidate expressed himself as strongly in favour of progressive measures in afforestation—for every tree cut down two should be planted. Mr. Brndio slated that his sympathies were with Labour, and ho would always do what lie could to help the. labouring community a,s he realised what a splendid asset they were in this country. He was a firm believer in tho elective Executive, and also in an elective Upi>cr House. With roferciiTO to I lie elective Executive, lie believed that tills system would do away with the lime-wasting bickering* wliicli nnw seem to form the major portion of the work <jf the House. In conclii.-ion, Mr ISrodie .sliijoil lliaf h<!stood for clean, honest administration, and t!u- ruiiuiii!; of the countrv on practical business lines for tiin poopk>'s good. Mr. lii*die stated: "VV ( . have hail three yuai-s i>£ Hannati.m. caused., he thought, largely by the fact that the present Government did imt consist of capublu business men. ([uali/it'd to deal with suck important matters as uiom>pu.

lie---, lan'ir ri't'orm, nnd languishing indiifc-Irie.-v" Aller answering several i|iiesliiins t< vole of I},.■»n!,w nnd ciMilideiiee, iim|.ii.-rfl l.v Mr. ll,ill.>iid seconded by Mr. Tii.rlur, h:. ; > nirried unanimously. WELLINGTON SUDURBS. Ml(. MOOKi; AT KIIANDAU/Air. Mr. K. T. Muore, labour candidal for Hie Suburbs Iliu electors (if Kliamlullali lii-l. night. Mr. i.iranl. oreiipieil (lie ehair. The randi-lale said tlu-il. Ilu> prmpcril.v of .New Zealand depended up'.ui Ihn ii-lunis Hie setllei's ail Die land were able 1" i-ealix' for (heir priniiiry ijixiiiiii-ls. Tin , carilinal aim of his pulie.y lias I" eiilianee this return so that New Zcfilinii! rmild be made entirely k>l freliant ami able In li rid all I lie money for public works, land for wltle.im lit, advances to workers and settlers, and other Arts, without, fiireijjn borrowim;. 110 sai<t that the money w<. now Ixirrmv l>llll Homo was in reality (lie very cash which we wero i-lwrt-iKiid by mainifa<-lurers and dealers in our wool and meats. We should therefore Ir.ko steps lo seriire for ourselves (he v.eal'.li wo aro mow slinrlpiiid, wliirli lie allimied I'otild Ix; done by nrfopl.iiij,' his scheme for the. establishment of a Sln.lo niereaiilili) and iinnneinl agency lo control the selliny prico of all our exports. To increase the national wealth was iho sfalosmansliip tluit the country Rhoulil support, and the candidate fnr Parliament whoso proposals were best calculated to achieve tins end was the, proper man to elect. A voto of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, on the motion of Mr. Living, seconded by Mr. Kowden.

MR. LUKE AT NEWLANDS. Mr. J. P. Lnko, M.P., in continuation of his campaign for tho Suburbs spat, spoke at Newlands last evening. Jfr. F. 11. T'utter was in the chair. The candidate, in describing tho process of pettleiw'nt in iho Dominion, paid a tribute to WTe enterprise of the Liberal party siuco. it bad come into power in Dominion politics. He also dealt with tlio financial affairs of the country, which he considered to be quite Kimul, and alw with land settlement. In referring to the railway system, ho considered that cortnin anomalies oxis'od, and that resilient." of tho Manawatu line wero denied equal justice with residents in thoso other portions of tho Dominion that were deemed suburban areas. Ho favoured a universal military training system; njid was convinced that thn people would support it. Tho present difference of opinion in some quarters would, ho believed, l)e less vigorous when the system became aasiini laled with Dominion life. The candidate favoured the present system of education, with an open door to the university, and the provision of bursaries to enable specially-fitted students to continue their studies there. A large number of questions wero answered, and a vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. J. Englc, and seconded by Mi\ J. Pyle, was carried.

WELLINGTON NORTH. MK, CAREY AT WADESTOWN. Mr. E. J. Carc.v addressed the electors of Wadestown at the elubrooni last evening. There was a good attendance. Mr. A. Parlane presided. Mr. Carey claimed that his selection for tlic contest was due to the fact that he had gained the confidence of his fellow workers. Before his selection he had expressed a wish to contest the Wellington Jvorth seat, because ho wanted to show that Labour was not a pick-and-sbovol party, but appcalcd to the whole of the thinking section of tho community. In dealing with electoral reform, ho advocated tlie system which tile Labour party had advocated for years, and which was contained in its platform, namely, proportional representation. The policy of th~e Anstralisv; Federal Labour party in connection with banking reform was the rioiicy of the Npiv Zo.ilnnd party, and lite Bankin'; Bill introduced by Mr. l'isher in the Federal Tloiisc ivas what was asked for by the Labour party hore. Tho Stnte ni-ti' is.-uo was enly toyin-r witli the f|iip=tion, because of the small circulation of notes here. To co-inlo'e the reform it was necessary to establish a State bank. Mr. Carey dealt with various Labour prnnosisls on the lines of his previous ad-dre.s-.e5. Re stated that in common with a'l Tiabour candidates, ho favoured baro majority voting on the licensing rpipfUon. and on all other questions. ' Air. Carey was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks ami confident?.

HUTT. ME, SHORT , ! , AT ALICETOWN. Mr. R. W. Shorlt, R-eform candidate, addressed a good meeting of electors ai tlio schoolroom, Alicftown, last night. The Rev. Mr. Bawden Harris occupied the chair. The candidate stated tliat, though defeated three years ago, he was by no means downhearted. The nresont Government were not Liberal, and he hoped that, on the 7th of next month, the electors would turn them down. Dealing with local needs, he thought thnt the Government should reduce the railway fares',,, the Hntt lias. Such reduction' would indiice ma.ny people to come out to Hutt to reside, and that in turn would reduce the congestion of MV.lineton. Another need was the electrification of the ITutt line. If this could not be done, the embargo on the read should be removed so as to allow tramways from the city to Hntt. Tha candidate went on to say that railway men should be. removed beyond the reach of political control, and *h'ouV be under the supervision of a board. H> supported the Rofomi party on the land question, and added that the Government had no land policy worth speaking about. Wo had, he continued, a great deal to learn from the Motherland in. such matters. There they had thirty million acres under cultivation, employing about, two million people. In New Zealand there were 151 niillioni acres under cultivation, and these employed 07.000 people. "Settle' the land question with a sound policy," said Mr. Shortt. "and you will have a country which will be a credit to us all." Continuing, he stated that lie was not altogether opposed to borrowinr but the money should be spent judicious'and put into reproductive works. The resignation of Mr. Powlds had been a blow to the Ministry—Mr. I'oiclds had quitted the sinking , ship before the bitter final came. In conclusion, Mr. Shortt criticised the Government for what he characterised as "the scandalous waste of money" on tiro Hutt duplication worts and road.

The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks.

QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE. VIGOROUS SPEECH BY MK. nOCKLY. (By Teleeraph.—SDOcia! Correspondent.) Ohafcune, November 18. Mr. Hockly is conducting his campaign for "Waimavino with characteristic vigour. Ho held a most successful meeting at Ohufcuno last night, there being a large audience, despite the dreadful weather. Tlie candidate delivered an excellent address ami ■concluded us follows:—"The questions for your consideration are— "Arc you satisfied with the feeble

attempt of (he Government lo open up the remaining Crown lands for settlement, ind to satisfy the present ia-tciis-y land liuuscr? "Are .von content to allow the huge areas of Native land to remain Jocked up in tho hands of thft Natives? "Are you content to continuo the

present ' wasteful and extravagant methods of public expenditure, Ihtpolicy of the spoils to the victors, and the nsc'Of public- money for party purposes? "Do you agree with tho secrecy in regard to uur loans and finances generally and tho autocratic attitudo of the Government in other nays:- .

"Are you coatcnl to return !o power for another term a weak and spineless Administration, which is devoid of any political principles, and whoso one motto is to slick to office at any cost?

"If you do," said Mr. Hockly, "then by nil moans vote for them, and so tell them that you arc satisfied, and don't expect anything better; bill, if yon arc not, then yoii have 11 duty to perform to yoiirHilves, your coj!.-.tiluonc,y, and ,vour conntry, and you must dn what you can lo eject this elTrti! AlinHry from oilice, and tmtru>t the destinies of the country to a body of mon who have laid down a vigorous, a- pi-oßivisivo, and a democratic policy, in which (hey ltc-liove, and which they are prepared to Rive effect to; who will lot the searehlighl of publicity into every corner of tho public ndmijii.-,tr.i-tion, wko Till hsli the scales oi justiti .

I mill all I'lsi! absolutely fair anil true bclueen all sic.linns of (lie community, rich and pour .-ilike, ami who:* oik; object in jiiilil.iejil lifii is 1.0 improve tho conditions "I , life i.f the whole people, anil .so promote pro?|)i;.rit.y ami happiness." The riimliiliilo resumed his teat amidst loud applause. OPPOSITION AND LABOUR. THE POSITION AT NAPIER. Uly Tclccrarb.-l'rcsa Association.) Napier, November Iβ. Mr. Crowlcy, Hefcirm Ciimlidald for N'apicr, has retired from Iho. contest in favour of Mr. }|. Hill, tlio Labour candidate. THE MINISTER AND THE RAILWAY SERVANTS. "A MISAPPREHENSION. Palmerston North, Novcmlicr IC. "Regarding the, statement contained in Ilir; Press Association's report of tho lion. •I. A. Millar's Dunedin speech that Iho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at, I'jilmerfiton North passed a'resolution condemning him "P lull and down dale, ami siih&crjucnlly rescinded it, representatho A.S.R.S. hero desire to point out that there must bo a inisanpreheniion on /ho part of tho Minister. Their r«olulioii did ..not mention tho Minister for If-nilways at all, but protested against a promise, of u nino shillings minimum made, in tho Budget not being given effect to. They did not; rescind this resolution, as Elated in Dunedin. TIMARU AND TEMUKA.

Timaru, November IG. Mr. Craigio, M.P., has not commenced his election campaign yet. All other candidates for tho Timaru and Tcuiukn seats aro bn.sj - . WAIPAWA. Waipawa, November 18. _Mr. A. E. Jull, the Government candidate for Waipawa, addressed a largo meeting last night. Ho strongly defended the Government policy, and a voto of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. MATAURA, Gore, November H. Mr. John Mac Gibbon, Independent Liberal candidate for Mataur.i, addressed a fair audience at Mataura last night. Ho explained tho position of tho public debt, showing the benefits which the country obtained from money expended in regard to taxation. Ho held that taxes should be placed on tho shoulders of those best able, to bear them. Ho ■ advocated the leasehold as a step to the freehold and tho abolition of tho totalisator. Ho spoke at great length on advances to settlers and workers which ho regarded favourably. 'A vote of thanks was accorded, and ho asked that confidence bo recorded at tho poll.

THE BATTLE IN TARANAKI. KEEN CONTEST IN TAKANAKI. tßy Telccranh Special Corrcscondeat.l New Plymouth, November 16. Matters in connection with the Tara naki elections avo beginning to assum< very _solid interest, and both Oppositioi and Government parties are working ver , hard. Most attention is being devoted to tti struggle for the Egmont seat, where th sitting member, Mr. B. Dive, is opposei by. tho Hon. T. Mackenzie. It was an tieipated at the outset that Mr. Div ivould put up n (rood fight -against his o[ ponont, and indeed he has so far pei formed so well that his chances of r< election are improving .day by day. Hi criticism of Mr. Mackenzie's past politics record has been especially destructive, an< his reference to fliat gentleman's opinion ot the Government before lie joined th Ministry have considerably weakened Mi Mackenzie's position. Mr. Dive has ha smno line meetings, with excellent hpai ings. On the other hand, Mr. Mackenzi lias had a rather chequered experience At the commencement, his Ministerir halo was regarded with a certain amoiiii pi awe, but iv certain rashness in buttci lilt ami milk yield figures has appai eiitly got him below bis political deptl to the good-natured scorn of practice dairymen. His statement at a mcetin that had a cow on the Euakura Exper meiit I'arm that would give 1500 pound of butter-fat per annum has been d< scribed by Tnramiki farmers as do Kougomont dairy yarn which will nc bear analysis, tho figures being two an a halt (imes those attained by Granny Girl, tho Taranaki champion cow. 0 Inosday night, at JliUapu, tho hoi gentleman staggered a farm audience wit the further assertion regarding auothe Kiiakura bovine wonder, which, he sail H-oiild produce 10!) pounds of milk in on day on a 3.8 test. "Send her to Jlntapii, was tho cry. On various other qnestioi Mr.. Mackenzie has been considerabl heckled, and last week at Npacre, who he invaded Mr. Hino's electorate for son , sort of limelight, ho was shown in unmi tsikable termiHhat his excursion was n( regarded as playing the game. In the Patea clectoratn, Mr. Peart continues to improve bis position, a though his opponent, Mr. O'Pea, is worl ing very hard indeed It is considere that Mr. O'Doa's platform, largely of (!■ bocialistic order, and his peculiar "attituc" over the liquor poll, are not likely ( benefit his chances on polling day, whi the straight-going thoroughness of M Pearce, and his \yhole-souled services ( his electorate, are a topic of conversafio in every thinking portion of his distric At Patea on Tuesday night, Mr. Peart was especially thanked for his work ; member of Parliament. It is considere that- he will have an easy win. It is rumoured on best anthorit that Sir Joseph Ward's intended visit I

Hawera on November 27 is being received with mixed feelings by the Government candidate's supporters, some of whom would prefer to fight their own battle without personal help from tho Prime Minister. Another coterie of Government supporters, however, consider that the candidate- or (he causo will require special help, and Sir Joseph Ward has decided tu appear at Ifawera. The visit is apparently a hurried one, as he is booked to speak in the middle of the day. Xhe l'nmo Minister is also supposed to visit Inglnwood, the Opposition tendencies ot which have been a Government nightmare since IDOS.

lor (he past tliren weeks. Mr. Nine's tour of the Stratford electorate has been a regular (rinmpltnl march. His meofing in (ho town of Strnffprd .was a record pt its kind, and it is contended that in .tins former Government stronghold lie will more than hold his own, instead of being in a minority of about -100 as was the case in 11)08. Mr. M'Cluggnge, Mr limes opponent, is supposed to bo strongest at Wliaiigamomoiia, but even in that district ho is not likely to have nearly all his own way. In the strnßßlo for tho Taranaki seat. Mr Okey is likely ( 0 have the easiest of victories, and there is not a great deal of interest over the contest.