THE GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2311, 19 November 1914, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CAMPAIGN POINTS. NEWS NOTES AND ADDRESSES \ ■ ~ AND PRESS COMMENTS. " ■ There Is a. strong family resemblance between the speeches now being delivered throughout the country by the Opposition candidates. In most of these the Government Is vigorously denounoed ' because in the arrangements made by It in the first strenuous seven weeks after war broke out one trifling daw has been found. The critics are silent as to what the Government did achieve in : ( those seven weeks. They'do not tell the public that, besides meeting ! the general situation created by the war, and carrying through legislation for the relief of business people and tho community generally, \ tho Government successfully dealt with the following matters;— (1) Equipped and dispatched, WITHIN SIX DAYS, an Expedition of 1500 men te Samoa, the first German colony to be occupied by . ■' the Allies. (2) Recruited the main Expeditionary Force of 10,000 men, and established training camps in the different centres. (3) Secured some thousands of horses'and arranged for the necessary saddlery and equipment. ' (4) Took over a fleet of liners and had them fitted as transports. \ (5) Procured the necessary stores and forage for the long voyage to Britain. . . (6) Clothed and equipped the whole force so that General Sir Alexander Codley was able to say, prior to its departure, that he was quite certain it would reach its destination considerably better equipped than some of the forces from other parts of the Empire, and . (7) Finally, provided for the reorganisation of the Defence Department after the withdrawal of practcally the whole of the Imperial officers. . ' ... ■ Of these things the Opposition critics say nothing. They have a grievance, and night after night it is aired from one end of the Dominion to the other. Their grievance is that the price of lemonade and cigarettes in the canteens as originally fixed was not the price on . Lambton Quay. This is typical of the way many of the Opposition candidates are attempting to obscure big issues and focus attention on small details. It'is.a tribute to the soundness of the Reform Administration that its -opponents should be reduced to such straits to find reasons to turn ' it out arid put in Sir Joseph Ward and the nominees of the Red ■ Federation. "•'. .

Mr.' Fisher had! a little fun with Sir Joseph , Ward's baby bonus scheme-last night. ; "I wonder if you have pondered over the £5 baby bonus,', ho said. "Every little , child that ie born is to get £5 from the State, and the little dear, with' a self-satisfied smile, will'turn.brer to sleep. While it sleeps the State will take back the £s—borrow it for 14 years—(laughter)—at 3£ per. cent, compound interest. And it will borrow the interest as it goes along. (Laughter.) . . . If the child dies before it is 14 years old, the State does not repay tho loan which it took from the infant." • ■■ Mr. C: M. Luke has decided not to become a candidato for Wellington East. • When asked yesterday as to his decision in tho matter, Mr. Luke said he had consulted many of his friends on thematter, and the opinion pretty generally expressed was.that he would probably, suffer by being too late in the field, and on that ecore he had decided l not to enter,the lists. : "A , unique thing in New Zealand politice, a statesman with a backbone, the Hon. A. L. Herdiuan."—The tribute of a colleague, the Hon. F. M, B. Fisher. ■' '/ ; . ■ . A qpestioner at Mr. D. Buick's meeting at I'djlme'rston-North: Are you in favour of the .continuance or abolition of. wage / slavery P Mr. Buick: Most workers won't -take , much' less than they are worth.' A voice at Mr. D, Buick'e Palmerston North meeting: "You have been well primed.". Mr. Buick: "And you too." (Laughter.) ■ .'• . The Christchurch "Press" printed the following brief paragraph in a prominent place in yesterday's issue:—"At the conclusion of his 'speech in the Bluff last night Sir J. G. Ward caused it to be announced that he had given a substantial .cheque' to! the. Belgian Relief Fund. We hesitated as to , whether we should announce the gift under the heading usual in such cases, or in bur political news. • Oii the' whole, we decided it was a political item, and we think our readers will agree with us."

When the Hon. F. M. B, Fisher mentioned workers' dwellings,' in the course, of his speech last evening, , a man at one side of the hall made some remark of an unfriendly character. "I am not dealing with your property now," retorted the Minister severely, "I am dealing with workers' dwellings. (Laughter.) I will mention your property later. lam dealing later with a scheme for the improvement of tho Terrace." ... -..'...

A voice: Massey's boardinghouse I Mr. Fisher: How did you find that cut? (Laughter.)

• Most people with fair minds admit that, all circumstances and difficulties considered, tho Government's record,of administration is highly creditable.— Duncdin "Star," an Opposition organ.

Sir Joseph Ward's proposal with reference to tho , baby'bonus wae in striking contrast to his manifesto of last election. Then he promised _ a £6 maternity ■ bonus, : now he promised £5 in fourteen <years, at 'interest, which he immediately borrowed from the infant.—Mr. D. Jones, Reform candidate for Kadapoi.. ' . "The member for Nelson (Mr. H. Atmore) is earning for himself an unenviable reputation for unreliability in matters political," saye a Nelson exchange. "We are at a loss to know why it is lie makes such foolish statements. Speaking at the Theatre Royal on- Tuesday evening, he. stated that the Government had proposed to reduce- borrowing, but had not don© so. Clearly only loans for current expenditure can he counted. Here are the figures,for the last two years (27 months to be exact) of; the former Government's regime (April 1, 1910, to July 10, 1912), and 27 months, of Reform Government (July 10, 1912, to September 10, 1914):—'. , , ".Ward-Mackenzie ... £10,031,950 "Massey, , . ~....:. 9,078,680 "What?faith can electors have in a politician- who Bays the Reform Government has not reduced borrowing? If these figures are wrong, let Mr. Atmoro point but the error. The Reform Government; has reduced borrowing by nearly a million pounds. . Yet, in the face of this fact, Mr. Atrnore endeavours to make the electors believe that the -Reform Government has not reduced borrowing." .

In tlie course of Us address at Hope, Mr. T. A. H. Field, the Reform candidate for Nelson, said that some of the criticism that was directed at the Reform Government reminded him of the story of the clergyman who, after one of his discourses, .observed to a friend, "I have never preached a worse eermon." "I never heard you speak so loudly before," remarked the friend. "I always make the .most noise," • replied the clergyman, "wlien I have nothing to say." :

The Defence authorities have kept the matter very quiet, but Mr. Li M. Isitt, a Christchurch Opposition candidate, has discoyered_ tliat "no one. who was not blinded with party prejudice could deny that the one man fitted to handle matters ,in connection with the war was Sir Joseph Ward."

A' Tumour has spread about the Wairau electorate that Mr. J. Duncan, the Reform candidate, is in favour of reducing the majority necessary for NoLicense to 55 per cent. We are asked to state that is entirely incorrect. Mr. Duncan is,- and always has been a firm believer in, the present three-fifths majority. ■..-.,••

■. Mr. Isitt, to remain interesting, should keep .to the matters of which, as he recognisesy ho knows nothing.—Christchurch "Press." ' At a Tecent meeting, Mr. • Witty was asked to explair. how Sir Joseph Ward wculd have stepped the recent strike in twenty-four hours. •. Mr. Witty , replied: "With tact and, common-sense I" This reply did not satisfy the questioner, who said, "Can Mr. Witty tell us if Sir Joseph Ward would have stopped the strike in the • same way that. he stopped the Kaitangata strike?" The audience remained unenlightened. . "As a- good and consistent Conservative, thinly disguised, as a Reformer, Mr. Rhodes will also no doubt present all the arguments at his disposal to justify tlie attack that his Government made on the State Fire Insurance Office,' and- the assault that it desired but. feared to ( make on., the Public Trust Office." This, was said by an Opposition paper on Saturday. The Christcliarch ' "Pres§" has since given the figures showing' tho • way in which the present Government "ruined" the business of the State Fire Office. Here are the premiums received for the years named (from January 1 to December' 31):- ' ■ & 1910 40,562 1911 47,745 "•• 1912 .....:... 54,380 ■ 1913 59,418 Tlie general manager, Mr. Robioson, in his report this year said:—"The year 1913 has proved the most successful in the history of tho office." This is tho effect of Reform on the Public Trust Office Tho table gives tlio minibor and vhlno of the estates and tho profit of tho olfico year by year:— ■ Year Vnluo ending No. ol Nat March ol' oslnlos. proiits. 31. mUIm. £ £ wot) .„ now 0,a0n,»(i7 10,800 • 1910 ... fiftlU 7,!1W,W7 1t,73S inn ... fin , .) B,na,a«ii! 11,2.11 1912 ... iifio-i n.ii'pa.noi) ijfi.oii) . 1013 ... β-ihii n,i!flfl,:in 'J(,r>»i ■ 19.11 ... !» l«,i!B3,ffiiH .110,222. Mr. Fuslior at. t-ho Toivn Hull: "All the wealthy pixiplo Mii|\|iorl. tho (iovcrn■menfcl F clnii'l. Iliiiilc no. j wmit you to picture thin liltlo pni'ly,silling round a, table—Sir Joseph'!Wnrd, Mr. Arthur

"Millar was a rat." This interjection by one of. a noisy band of Red Fod. interrupters was replied to. by Mr. Fisher last night. "Tho Hon. Mr. Millar," he eaid, "is a man who, iii his time, rendered splenflid sorvico to Labour in this country. Now Labour hag turned him down, just as the workers have turned down Mr. J. C. Watson in Australia,, and Mr. John Burns in England. Why? They have even turned down Walter Thomas Mills I (Laughter.) . ■:.. So'the Labour Party have turned down Mr. Millar after he has served than for 21 years."

The present Government, Mr. Witty says, are ii Government by commission, and they "do not seem to. have the backbone" to do tho work which they delegate to commissioners. The "Press" comments thus:—"Remembering the 'work' which Mr. Witty has in mind as the work' which the 'Liberals' used to do . and which the Reformers liavo not continued, 'stomach 1 ie tho word—not 'backbone'"

"You have two alternatives. Ono' is to liavo t'ho present Govornnicnt returned to power; and the other is to have the Opposition returned to'power, with tho Federation of Labour Sitting on tho safety valvo diotntitip: the policy,"— Mr. Ifishor. at fcho Towa Hall,

Myers, Dr. Robert- M'Nab, and Mr. Goorgo Fowlds, and, say, Mr! Hickey and Comrade Dowdall—(laughter)— plotting against capital and against wealth. (Laughter.) It is too absurd for words. I believe the wealthiest men. in New Zealand are opposed to us. For anybody to say that I represont the largo landowners is'absurd. I never had a large landowner's vote in my life." • . • ' . In the speech-with which he opened his .campaign, Mr. L. M. Isitt, Opposition candidate for Christchurch' North,talked airily of Sir Joseph Ward's magic power to banish "financial stringency." The Christchurcli "Press" asks Mr. Isitt to recall the position.of five or six years ago.- "Hβ will hardly believe us," says the journal, "but anyone will tell liim it is true, that in the very middle of the Ward Administration there came a' financial stringency which led to the wholesale sacking of Civil Servants. Even that did not eettlo the thing in, iwo days. The great 'Liberal' financier, after two years' struggling along that and similar lines, showed this result:— Year. Revenue. Expenditure. 1908-9 ...Dec.£62,003 .Inc. £571,648 1909-10 ... Inc. £236,931 Ino. £205;409 Net increase £174,928 , £776,957 A questioner: Will you give your opinion on the Second Ballot? Mr. G.W. Venables (Reform candidate for Napier): I think it. was ono of fho foolish measures ever placed on the Statute Book. (Applause.) Mr. Nosworthy, M.P., in his speech at Ashburton, briefly referred to what the present Government had been doing in the direction, >of steadily improving and protecting the public health. The inspection of dairy herds was now more effective and the Government's activity in the administration of the Pure Foods Act, medical inspection, and physical training of 6ohool children, the extension of the maternity homes system, and the special training of nurses in the treatment of infante would do a great amount of good. ' . No farmer who disapproves of disloyalty and lawlessness, of the foreign agitators; who deluded the true working man into law-breaking; could desire to. bo classed as a Red Fed. But be would point this out that if the Liberal, candidate at the coming election was successful and his party got into power again, they would be in the position of being controlled and dominated by. the Red Feds. They could only anticipate the results at the forthcoming election by what had occurred at the by-elections. ... . Of three seats hold by prominent Liberals two were won by Red Feds., and one by the Reform Party. Was it possible, therefore, for the Liberals to . govern the country without the assistance of the Bed Feds? He said, "No."—Mr. G. Pearce, M.P.,at Hawera.

Dealing with the Ward party's going out of office, the candidate stated that it. had gone because it had been tried and found wanting. Starting with a big majority of 52, that party went down to an even vote in the House, and even then Sir Joseph Ward only got the casting vote,of the Speaker on ; a no-confidence motionby the announcement that he was about, to resign.— Mr. P; W. Lang, M.P., at Mt. Roskill.

ting of votes. •Aβ far as the Otkai seat was concerned there would be no official Liberal candidate and in other electorates Labour candidates had been withdrawn in order to give Liberal candidates a clear run.

One great work; that the Reform Party was pledged to carry out was the removal of the Civil Service from.Ministerial influence, and causing merit to be the test for promotion, instead! of political support.,' That duty the Government faced in a fearless manner, and all would agree that it was riot undertaken a day too 6oon. The Civil Service to-day is under the.control of Commissioners, in whom the country has full confidence. ... The Government may well be proud of its achievements iin putting the Service on such a fine footing.—Mr. J. A. Nash at Falmerston North. ■ '■ /

The member for Pahiatua, Mr. J. H. Escott, said in a recent speech that "during its two years of office the Reform ,1 Government has. placed 4125 settlers on an area of 1,3b2,844 acres, exclusive of reserves set aside for education endowments. During tho last year of office the present Government placed :under settlement ah. area ten times as largo as that'settled by the Ward Governmont during its last year of office." "What did-the Red Feds down on' the Coast;do when wo asked'them to" work on pay-day to give ue coalfor the Navy ?"—This question was asked by Mr. Fisher at his meeting last night, in reference to the frequent action, of the present-day Red Feds in calling for three cheers for Sir Joseph Ward, and the Dreadnought. "I am delighted to see the pride of the'R-ed Feds in their ■new leader with the hereditary title," said Mr. .Fisher. ■ ' ;■; ■;■;. Sir Joseph Ward'e statement that the building vote should he cut in half waa a vote of condemnation on himself, because nearly all the public buildings in the payments referred to were built oil the foundation-etones laid .by Sir Joseph himself. D. Jones, Reform candidate for liaiapoi. ../"' j The work accomplished by the Government as already outlined .by the Prime Minister, and others, speaks.for itself, and it is opon to the honest and searching criticism ■ of ; all who are opposed to the reforms which Mr. Massey and his colleagues set about to accomplish. The Government,welcome.s such criticism, being assured that their, measures and policy will emerge triumphantly when the time arrives for the test of a popular ■' vote. —"North Otago Times." . . :, y\: : . : ; V.: -' ''. In his,speech at Happy Valley, Nelson. Mr. TV A. H. Field told how one of the leading members of the Opposition Party described their' defeat •in 1912. He was asked "How was it you went out?" He replied: "After the. House 'met there were 38 freehold members looking us in the eye. .. What were wo? Some freeholders; some. leaseholders, and no land policy since Sedr don's time. , AVe had to walk out.",, What wae the Ward party's land policy to-day? asked Mr. - Field. No one' knew. They had no policy. And yet, added Mr. Field, the land question was tho most important before the New Zealand Parliament. . '■

The feeling in Nelson is etated by a business man who has travelled throughout the electorate to be decidedly cold towards Mr.Atmore. Mr. Field, the Reform candidate, is having excellent attendances'at his meetings, and has made a decidedly favourable impression on the electors. It-isetated that a careful canvass of districts formerly supposed to be strongholds of Mr, At-, more's has shown a majority of votes for Mr.. Field. • Even his friends are stated to bo heartily tired , of Mr. Atmoro's inability-to'put .a bridle on his tongue, and .his shuffling attitude both in respect of the general party'question and also on specifio measures', has led to a general distrust of his political claims. Our informant, whose business brought him into contact with allcl&Sßes of people throughout the district; states that even in the most unexpected'.quartera he found evidences offsolid support for Mr. Field.

Reports from Marlborough state that ; Mr. Duncan', the Reform ■ candidate for Wairau, has met with an excellent reception throughout the electorate.' A noticeable feature of his campaign has been that almost invariably the attendance at his meetings has been larger than that at those of his opponent, Mr. ■ M'Callum, the sitting member.. An enthusiastic committee is working for Mr. Duncan, and his return is considered to be practically assured. ; ■

Surely in the name of all that ie sensible it is not to be expected that such a crowd as that clamouring for the overthrow of the'Massey Government' can reasonably bo.expected to steer a course along safe and sane legislative lines. As soon ae the leadership of. tho once powerful party fell into the:hands of Sir Joseoh Ward and he wasasociated with his present. colleagues the |'rot" set in, andats deadly disintegrating work was completed in five years. The party crumpled under the plight with which it was stricken, and in its place has grown up and expanded the genuine'progressive party, more democratic and more Liberal than Sir Joseph Ward and his following can consistently claim to be. The array of legislative work attests eloquently, indisputably to ■ this fact. Contrast the achievements, the liberalising ; and broadening of various measures for publio benefit, with what was done during the Baronet's terin o£ office. What ie tho result? Even biased people would have to admit a distinct'advantage-to the Reform.Party. Yet it is seriously: argued that this advantage ' can be wiped off and the promises surpassed by the'combination of' Liberals, Labour, and Red Feds.—by the faction' dictating terms that' called, the disturbing strike of last'year, and caused some loss to every dairy farmer-in.'this district I— Pahiatua "Herald."

"Never in the history ,of party warfare in New Zealand have more discreditable tactics been, used to injure a Government than is the case in the present campaign in regard to the Huntly mining disaster" (says' the Manawatu "Standard," "i'l an: editorial). "Knowr hi" that that regrettable affair made a very deep impression on the imagination, of.the people of New Zealand,- and eycited, the compassion-, of everyone in the Dominion, Opposition and Socialist candidates all over the country are do-' liberately seeking to exploit the sorrow and suffering involved in that disaster for paltry party purposes, ji Such an attempt to inflame public opinion, against tho Government , of tho day cannot be too strongly condemned. It will recoil bc-omerang-'ike upon the heads of thoso issuing such questionable political methods. • In various parts of the Dominion last night Sir' Joseph Ward and Mos'srs. Russell and Isitt attacked the Government on the Huntly dieaster, and it can only bo supposed that the bankruptcy of present-day ' 'Liberalism' of progressive ideas ind their lack of grounds for serious criticism of Reform administration have led them to resort to tactics that are almost without parallel in tho political history of this country. Aβ a matter of fact, the Government cannot be held responsible in the smallest degrco for any part of tho deplorable happenings at Huntly."

. The National Schools Defence League waited on,the Napier Reform candidate (Mr. G. W. Vennbles), says our Napier correspondent, concerning his views on the Bible-in-schools question. Mr. Yenables said that Prohibition wad a matter of conscience just as much as the Bible in schools, and the question should bo decided by the bulk of the people.' Ho declined to recede from his position of advocating the referendum. .''-.'■ ; .''. -■-: '

The disgruntled remnant of the.old 'Liberal Party, composed of politicians' who are living solely on the reputation and achievement of men whose performances . they are hopelessly incapable of emulating, have practically as their sole aim the to power. It does not matter a pin's point to them how this is accomplished. Back to office and political patronage is the obsession and the only consideration.— Pahiatua "Herald." ■ ••;:-.'

Some amusement was created by Sir •Walter Buchanan, M.P.,' at his meeting.at Morison's Bush , . Sir Walter Buchanan suggested that a search party should be formed to endeavour,to find the £5000 that the Opposition candi-date-alleged he. had placed on the Estimates lor the survey of the Rimutaka deviation. 'In hie opinion the search party las an impossible task in front of it.' ■ < ••■■.' '.'...-■ . -

Another Socialist attache to the Wardist camp has let in light upon what somo Oppositionists, seemingly, wished should be , a secret compact. Speaking at Foxton, Mr. J. , Robertson, Opposition candidate for' Otaki, said (according to an exchange): By reverting to the first past tho post system the Government hoped to retain the.-Treasury benches., on a minority •votii. They hoped to split the progressive vote and-thus win. It was a deliberate attempt to defeat the wishes of tho majority of the people, but the progressive)' had come to an understanding whereby there would be • no split-

Among those who champion the Hon. James Allen, the Reform financier, is 'Mr. J. A. Young, member for Waikato. In his speech at Hamilton' Mr. Young claimed: for the Minisfer'of Finance the display of a prophetic instinct in case of national crisis. With regard to advances to. local authorities the Minister of to-day took the people confidence, but the Minister of three years ago, •• when, there, was no financial crisis, did not do so. The financial administration of. to-day was one to be proud of. It could'be .trusted,. (Loud cheers!) ..' ■■' '.-•. , ,

It has teen urged against the Government by political opponents that its land lawß 'hare encouraged land aggregation. That '• is' one or the most absurd charges that could be made. Some time ago charges of this nature were made respecting holdings. in, the Rangitikei electorate. A Commission was set up and .its investigation/proved that the Government wore justified in their denial,of the statement. .Personally I am strongly in' favour of the freehold limited area..- . The days of big holdings are past. .New Zealand relies chiefly upon. its, , - products' for its prosperity, and the greater facilities we can offer young men for going upon the land the greater will our prosperity be. Therefore it would be a suicidal act for the Government to permit the land to bo mopped up in large areas, and there is clear evidence that it is -not their intention to permit this to bo done by the amendment made in the law enabling the Government to take actiou if land is aggregating in the hands of private owners. The Government by proclamation has authority to resumo the land as for the purposes of a public work) and compensation is assessed- in the manner, provided by the Public Works Act.—Mr. J A. Naeh, atfPalmerston North.'

"Hβ won the seat by the thoughtful way in which he approached national problems, and the air of sincerity that marked his candidature. Tho electors trusted him. He has -naturally developed in his three years of Parliamentary experience; but ho has developed along right lines, and those qualities that first commended him to his constituents have-led to his being regarded as what this country has grown most highly to eeteoui— a straißhtforv;ard public man." — Dannevirke "News" on Mr. J. H. Escott, M.P. for Pahiatua. ■ • • :

Mr. G. Pearce, M.P. for Patea, says it is evident that, as far as the elections are concerned, tho people are continuing to take an interest, in politics, for. , 'everywhere, particularly in the back-block districts, ho had been, addressing larger meetings' than ho had during the six years he had represented the district.