WELLINGTON EAST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1293, 23 November 1911, Page 6

WELLINGTON EAST.

MI?. BfiODIE AT IyII.BIKNIE. Mr. John Brodie, Independent Liberal candidate for. Wellington East, addressed a meeting at the Methodist Schoolroom, Moxham Avenue, North ICilbirnie, hast evening. Mr. Fleming Laurrason presided. Tho candidate criticised the railway administration on th? lines of his previous speeches. He stated that he had come out as an Independent simply because he could not trust either Government or Opposition. Certainly his sympathies were with the Liberal party's policy, but not with their administration. He particularlv dealt with tho benefits of the Advances to Settlers Act, which ho regarded as indispensable if the pioneer settler was to succeed. ITe announced himself • as in favour of free education right through to the university, and, in expounding a scheme for the better development of our agricultural industries, stated that he was in favour of a primary course in agriculture being introduced into our elementary schools. .This could bo followed un by further courses in secondary schools, and, as a finish, there should be a practical course at our experimental farms and agricultural colleges. Mr. Brodie expressed himself as beiii-g in favour of the abolition of duties on tho necessaries of life, but this was a scheme whirh should be pone' into very carefully and introduced with the question of tariff reform. Ho was absolutely in favour of our defence scheme, but advocated cutting down the period of compulsory training so that, at 21 years of age, the young men of the country would have finished- With reference to the bonuses given to tho uil industry he stated that these should only be regarded as loans, and that when tho' industry, was on a sound footing the bonuses should be paid back to tho Government, with interest. In preference to any State bonus, however, he believed in Stale control. After answering several questions, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr. P. Carragan and seconded by ,Mr. A. 11. S. Lucas, was carried unanimously amidst applause.

MR. M'LAREN AT ANTICO STREET. Mr. M'Laren hold a short inee.ling at Antico Street yesterday, this Ijeing his second visit to that district. Tins proceedings wore of the nature-of committee wort and only a few remarks wcto given by tho candidate. It was found somo little time ago that some, confusion existed in the minds of electors as to which electorate they were in, and exactly where, the boundary was between the East and Suburb* eleclil.ates. Some candidates for the 'suburb,- had apparently canvassed a good deal within the East before discovering their mistake. Tho rolls have now been examined to satisfy the residents of that district as to which electorate they are in. MI!. BOLTON AT 0 OUR TEX AY PLACE.

Mr. F. G. Bolton, the Government, candidate for Wellington East, delivered an opon-air address last night at Courtenay Place East, about. 200 being present". Tho candidate spoke for about'three-quar-ters of an hour on the chief political questions of the day. Besides outlining his policy for reduction in the cost uf living, as previously reported, h<. contrasted tho legislation and administration of the Government with the Opposition's proposals to part with the freehold . of tho lens?s-in-porpetuity at the original value (which he characterised ai a monstrous bribe), and to re|>o-af (he Arbitration Act. and to hand over tiio control of the public finances to irresponsible local bodies. He cited the Ilult County Council as a striking instance of mismanagement at our doors, and asked his audience how they con'd possibly expect economical and fair expenditure lironi ainnlar local be die:, He did act

favour continual purchasing of kw <'*- tates under the Land for Settlement Ad, as it was bad business, in view of Iho present high prices of land, foi I lift Government to raise huge loans lor tins purpose, and' tho owners to tin? money out of thy country alter tho estates wen* purchased. He ci>n>idered that by tiie operation of tho Death' Duties Act, an incrca>e in the. gi-aduatml land tax, and a sdilT absentee tax, coupled with the policy outlined by him of raifins a loan for the purpose of purchasing all Native lands for the Slate, the country lands would fall to like their true value, and the owners of largo estates would be forced to sell in Rmall holdings at a reasonable price. Any Native land purchased should only leased bv the State to settlers, and no!, sold, and all railways, roads, ele., to Crown lauds or Nativo lands acquired br tlio Crown should lx: completed befnro the. land was opened for selection. 71** referred to the Advances to Workers nnd Workers' Dwellings Aet as two of the most beneficent pieces of legislation on the Statute Book. He also felt, sure that when ihe provisions of tlie NntionrJ Provident Fund became known the co.nmunitv would take very considerable nti vantage of ii. On a vote of thanks and confident bcins proposed, thero was considerable applause, but tho candidate called for any amendment to tho motion, and thero being none, be put the motion, winch was carried unanimously, amidst checring.

DR. NEWMAN AT HATATTAI. Dr. Mcwmaii, tho Opposition candidate for Wellington Last, addressed the uicctors at iiauitai ,a«it uigut. Air. Leign Uirnt took thuckair. The bowling pavilion was crowded, and many were turned away unuu.u to gain admission. Dr. Aowinnu reiterated his statement Unit there were I,Ui»O,IWO acres of Nativo laud in tho provincial district ol' Wellington. Ho said tho election oi ilr. Bonar Law, a Canadian, to the leadership oi lue Unionist party in England meant that he, the champion of piclerentiai tanlT, would, when ho became Prime Minister (aud in Engiatut they did not keep a Ministry in :il years), introduco prclerential tarin, and the expurts of Aow Zealand to Great liritani would then have more favoured treatment than those of other countries—to tho great gain of New Zealand. Dr. Newman explained that a pernicious habit had arisen in Parliament whereby in many Acts enormous powers were given to Ministers undor the pnrase (Jruer-in-Council. These powers were often abused—wero part of the vicious system 01 putting all power into Ministers hands. Ho dwelt on tho heavy Governiuc.it. and local taxation—which was largely "parsed on" to all tiie people. Uo said that at tho rate New Ztaland was going taxation must be higher tiniess the rate was slowed down. lie noticed the fact .that 'many, candidates were ncianir Government nor Opposition, but 1 new breed, "Piebald." They sat on a raii--aud tried to get votes from both parties. There was no use for such a bleed in politics to-day. Dr. Newman then gave a sketch of the campaign. Mr. Massey had liad a triumphal tour, and an especialiy enthusiastic meeting in the Prime Minister's constituency in Winton. Sir Joseph. Ward, Mr. Miliar, Mr. T. M'Kenzie, Mr. Buddo, and Sir John Findlay, though Ministers, were having desperate contests to secure re-election. Tie cited the Laurier defeat,- whero soven Ministers, although they promised most lavishly, were beaten. One result was now certainly teen through the din < battle. The Opposition would be much stronger and the Government much weaker. In another fortnight there was reason to hope for a great victory for Reform.

Mr. Batt proposed, and it was seconded' by a lady, that this meeting votes thanks to, and has confidence in, Dr.' Newman, and that the time had come for a change of Government. This was carried with enthusiasm, and the meetin K broke up with hearty choers for Dr. Newman.