WELLINGTON EAST.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2313, 21 November 1914, Page 8

WELLINGTON EAST.

DR. NEWMAN'S OPENING ADDRESS Dr. A. K. Newman, who is standing for re-election in the .interests of ttio Reform Party, for the*Wcllington East seat, opened his campaign last night 'in .the New Century Hall, Kent Terrace. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt presided, and the accommodation of tho hall was overtaxed. ■ Dr. Newman, met with very hearty applause when he rose, after the chairman's introductory remarks. Hβ said that, as the chairman had pointed out, his main object in going before tho electors three years before was to turn out a Government which he did not think was acting in the best interests of the country. They had succeeded in doing that. (Applause.) It was thought that the people would not take as miioh interest this year, owing to ■ the war, but he was not of that opinion now. He proposed first to deal with three or four important questions before going on with his main speech. He referred to the Civil Service, and said that the Ministry had made it clear that if they got into power again they' would make' tho appeal clause of the Act perfectly plain. He was asked, too, about sports' grounds. His opinion was that they were, essential. to the best health of the peopled "He had been asked if he thought they should be as heavily taxed as other places. He thought it was essential that in any system of rates or taxation the sports grounds should be specially considered. On the liquor question, he had not changed hie views. He believed the bare majority should rule, but so many candidates were pledging themselves to the 65 per cunt, vote that he thought that would be adopted in. the future. On the ■ Bible-in-schools ' referendum question, he said his.position was that he trusted' the people. They should have the right to decide all' big questions at the ballot-box. (Applause.) Therefore he would vote for the referendum. Because he did not agree,with it was no reason why the people should Mot have the chance to decide the matter. He did not like the Referendum Bill as it was drawn up. It was lopsided. Ho would not vote for any Bill that did not havo a conscience clause for the teachers. He desired to make his position still clearer. If tho referendum came up, he lyas against Biblereading in schools, and would yote ugainst it at a referendum. '

Reforms Carried out. V Referring to the Second Ballot, \ he said that the Government had done away with it. It was a- horrible thing, and did no good. He thought they should have the optional system, of 1, 2, 3 on , the voting paper. He hoped the House would do away, with the "first past the post" principle nest seseion. His party had been pledged to carry out a number of reforms, and they had done so. When they got into power again they were going to carry out more reforms,' to make life better and happier for the people. '.One of .the best reforms carried out by tie Government was the reduction of the: ago for women to receive their pensions. The present Administration also hoped to deal with other' classes when the war was over. They lad also inaugurated military pensions, and paseed a Bill to allow poor people the opportunity of being' represented in court: by counsel at the expense, of the Crown , , in criminal cases. '

Another matter in wnicli he vraa interested was State doctors to deal with sickness.; In other countries they were considering such a proposal, and' he thought it.woujd be a , good'thing hero. Another thing that had to be faced was to make things easier for the man frith' the big family. The cost' of food would also have to be taken under consideration. The Government was going to try and, cheapen tho cost of living. He thought the duty on necessaries such as flour, etc., should be swept awajr altogether. Mr. Fisher was also trying to make the supply of fish cheap; and plentiful. He had brought an expert from Canada, and was going to bring in legislation to cheapen the cost of fish. ; A voice: He won't be in next time! Dr. Newman: Oh, how ignorant you are I (Applause.) ■ '■ Railway Matters. ' Continuing, the candidate eaid that the railway tariff would be revised by the present Government. He man with a family would get relief when'travelling. , The present conditions were not fair, for the. man with the large family was unduly charged when taking young children about. By such reforms, 'he said, they proposed to make things easier for the people of New Zealand. He advocated the openinpc-up of the back-blocke. The more development they had ;iri the country the better it would be for the towns. One of the Pfreateat things needed was a level "line between here and Palmerston. He understood the General Manager of Railways had the matter under- consideration. The . Minister of Public Works had had a survey made from Kaiwarra to T&wa Flat, and the matter would come before Parliament next session. Ho heartily supported the flat line through to Palmeraton; instead , of a duplication of, tho present : route, i The Rimutaka deviation was another matter which .was • under consideration,' and during the recess the Hon. W. Fraser had promised to have several surveys completed. One of their troubles in Wellington, had been the lack of a proper railway ' station. If the finances warranted it next year one central station would he constructed here. The total cost of buildings would be £45,000, and it was quite likely, that if v the war was over that they' could borrow the nioney, and then they would carry out the work. (Apclause.) Railway conditions, with a flat line to Palmerston, a better route to the Wairarapa. and s» central station would he greatly ar>proved in tho Wellington Province. Better reading access would also be given to Wairarapa East. ■ ;

War and Naval Matters. Coming to matters connected with the war Dr. Newman said that the Opposition scoffed at Mr. Allen's proposal to-establish an expeditionary force. They said it was not necessary, but it was, and Mr. Allen was able to send the force away. New Zealand took her part, and was ablo to capture Samoa. (Applause.) The German flog in the Pacifio to-day only floated on some twq or three men-o'-war, which were tryiuc to got some hole to hide in. It was quite ' probable, that 'at the end of tho war Samoa would fall to Now Zealand's • share. Dealing with naval matters, lie said there liad been a lot of useless talking about the question. The question of a. fleet 6hould be put off till tho war was over,' and until they knew ■ what class of vessels would best serve New Zoalarid. Opinions were changing as to the best class of ! war vessels, and it would be well for them to learn the lessons of the war before spending, their money. , They could well afford to wait. Another thing, they might just as well throw, tho money into the sea ae contribute £50,000 a year for the upkeep of things like tho Psyche and the Pyramus. They could neither fight nor run away. As to the war itself, he thought things were going on vory well. Ho was assured that nono of the Dominions felt tho pinch so little Oβ Now Zealand did. Of course the war wae. going to cost them something. If it lasted a year tho cost of tho Expeditionary Force would bo £2,000,000. Taxation .for that would not troublo them much.

Dealing with money ■ matters,.' : Dr. Newman said that thsj'e was no anxiety about.the war loan, for England was Roing to help. There was,a loan almost duo, lint Mr. Allen had arranged for that. In addition,, the Government had money., in hand, and

there did not seem to bo any difficulty, about getting another loan if necessary. New Zealand had nothing to worry about. Most of the things they exported were in great demand. New Zealand had escaped wonderfully from the porils of a great war. Of course, it the war lasted for a longer term than si year they might havo to put on extra taxation, but it could go on luxuries, and would not bo felt. (Applause.) Hβ entertained no doubt that- when our men got to the front they would bo a credit to us. Ho referred to the canteons, and said that the men were apparently, very well satisfied with them now.

The Opposition Rabbje. He proposed "to say a little about parties. > ■ » A voice: Give .us a little about ' Huutly. Dr. Newman: I give you .'what I : choose, not what you choose.' . (Applause.) "■■■.. He went on to say that the Opposition was composed of two bodies—a kind of rabble. The "Liberal" Party was headed by titled aristocrats, and 1 the other party by Social Democrats who did not care much about them. They wore only united'in their desire to turn out tha. present Government. , The statement evoked applause from the back of-the hall. ' Dr. Newman: You may clap your hands now. but you, will Lot be able to clap your hands after the election. The. Reiorm Party is coming back stronger than ever. (Loud applause.) ■ Answering questions, the ■ candidate Baid he thought the shipping companies should-be placed on tho same, footing as the State railways with regard to accidents to passengers. ::■.■-;• "Who do you blamo for the Huntly disaster?" the candidate was-asked. He, said he did not blame anybody, Unfortunately mine accidents happened , when any Government was in power, but with , due precaution they would'be lessened. He thought they had plenty; on. their hands now without troubling about acquiring vessels for a State-owned ferry Bervice. .... .-■•■:... j A-vote of thanks to the candidate and confidence in the Government Party was moved. .There was a good-.deal of applause and oounter applause, and the chairman declared the motion carried. ■_ Someone called for cheers for Mr. D. SJ'Laren., and these were given; followed by a loud outburst of applause for Dr. Newman. • . MEETINGS TO-NIGHT. ' ' Mr. W. H: Field, at tlie'old echool, Waikanae, 8 p.m. . ■ MEETINGS ON MONDAY.. ;_'"' Mr. W. H. Turnbull, .at Sydney. Street Schoolroom, at 8 p.m. -'■,". Mr. R. A. Wright, at Masonic Hall, Berhampore, at 8 p.m. ■ ■ Mr. F. T. Moore, at Kioskj Seatoun, at 8 p.m. Mr. A. M. Samuel, at Lyceum Theatre, Petonej at 8, p.m. Mr. Aislabie, at Town Hall, Miramar, 8 p.m. . ■ Mr. W. H. Field, at Shannon, ■ at 8 p.m. ■ ■ •..•>.... . .■.Mγ. -J; P. Luke's committee, at Brooklyn,-8 p.m. •■'-• •'-

The lady supporters , of Dr. Newman are asked to meet'on Tuesday afternoon at 3.30 inthe New Century Hall.', :•