WELLINGTON SUBURBS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1296, 27 November 1911, Page 6

WELLINGTON SUBURBS.

MJR. BELL AT PAHAUTANUI. Mr. W. H. D. Bell, the Opposition candidate for Wellington Suburbs, paid a visit to Pahautanui and neighbouring places on Saturday afternoon, and addressed a decidedly sympathetic meeting at Pahautanui in the evening. Councillor W, Galloway occupied the chair. Mr. Bell referred to the extraordinary amount of borrowing for which the present Uovernmc'nt was responsible, and contended that' this should have been accompanied by an extraordinary development of the country. Such development had not taken place. He asked his hearers if, when they looked around them in their own district, they could see any great development. The countrv ,wa's being run, not for the benefit "of the people, but to keep the Government in office. He went on to refer to the Government's delay in the settlement of tho Nativo lands. In this matter the pcoplo had far more reason to trust the Opposition, wlro' had made the settlement of the Nativo lands a plank in their platform, than the Government which had failed them in this connection for at least ten years. (Applause.) In fact, the Government had no land policy at all. After showing how increased taxation increased tho cost of living, and referring to the question of land tenures, Mr. Bell went on to say that the Government favoured its friends and injured its enemies if it could. Civil Servants did not care to take any political action on the Opposition side, but they could safely do so without-fear of consequences if liie.v favoured tho Government. The same remark applied to many business men who feared to come out openly against the Government. Was that a clean state of things? Tt. was the first duty of the electors to clean out this system of jobbery by which friends were favoured and enemies injured. It should have been nipped in the bud long ago. At any rate the people would have an opportunity at the coming flection of making the public life of the Dominion clean. Mr. Bell then proceeded to refer to two matters of special interest to the people of Pahautanui and surrounding districts. The first was the railway sul>iirban area which, in other centres, extended for a distance of 20 miles. When lho Manawatu line was_ taken over by the Government the Minister promised that a similar suburban area would come into force at nnce. That premise at ill remained unfulfilled. He did uot know why; but in view of tho Nai N.ii purchase it wos possible that tho Government was actuated by a desire to boom tho Hutt at .the expense of other suburban district?, such as Pahautanui. In any case, what reason had they to trust a Government which disregarded iU promises as the present Government had done in this matter? It was no argument to say that the Government would not right this wrong unless a Ministerial ■ candidate were elected. An honest Gov- : ernment would do juslico in any ease, i (Applause.) Referring- to the closing of ' tho hotels in the district, owing to' (he ■ alteration of tTm electoral boundaries. • Mr. Hell said it was admitted on all ■ sides that an injustice had Wn done, i Some time ago a deputation hail asked i- (he Government to put matters right, but the session had been allowed to pass without anything being done. Tho Gov■eminent had pad its chin.es to runcdj

(he evil, but bad refused. IH promises | were not worth the miiip of ,i linger. Mr. i Bell went on to say that. if the people wanted clean and ellicient miliums! nlioii thev iiiu-1. look to t!i<- flp.iosilK.ij. and was loudly applauded on eotic udiii" hi= -•p'.eoli. If« held the iiltciilnin of'lris audience from first l;n la-t. He made his points clfeelively, mid spoke with a clearness and ilireclne.sn which left no doubt, ns lo his moani.ig. In answer to a question, Mr. licit sun be was in favour of free, M-.-ulur, and compulsory education. (in the motion of Mr. J. Jor.es, seconded bv Mr. D. Gardner, a vale ill thanks and confidence was earned i liuvst nmuilmoiisly.