THE GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2315, 24 November 1914, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CAMPAIGN POINTS. NEWS NOTES AND ADDRESSES AND PRESS COMMENTS.

The scheme propounded by Sir Joseph Ward for reducing the price of everything and removing the "anomalies" of life and Industry at a blow is not the first of Its kind that has thrilled the world. A student of Shakespeare points out that Sir Joseph Ward might even.be suspeoted of plagiarism from "Henry VI." Compare, for Instance, what he told the citizens of Dunedln on Thursday last, and the words with whioh Jack Cade, in the play, tickles tho ears of his followers. The similarity is remarkable, extending even to the plaudits of the multitude:— SIR JOSEPH WARD. " JACK CADE.' ! Speaking on the cost of living. Cade: Be brave, then; for your he asked if the present Govern- captain is brave, and vows reforment had done anything to reduce mation. There shall be in Engit? —("No!") Had -there been any land seven halfpenny loaves sold effort to do it?—{"No!") Then, for a penny; the three-hooped pot said Sir Joseph Ward, you put me shall have ten hoops; and I will into Parliament and I will do it. mako it felony to drink small • —(Loud applause.) ... beer. All the realm shall be in He .had been for the best part common, and in Cheapside shall of twelve months examining a • my palfrey go to grass. Andscheme by which the main articles, when lam king (as king I will of food could be cheapened, and . be),— the same system could be extended . All: God save Tour.Majesty! to meat, bread, and coal. It could Cade: I thank you, good be done with the assistance of the people There shall be no money; State. Tho great bulk of our pro- all. shall eat and drink on my ducts had a fine market abroad, score; and I will apparel them ail and. the State, without, interfering: in, one livery, that they may agree with the men upon the land, could. like brothers, and worship me provide a system whereby the . their lGrd.' whole of the products going abroad ' could go abroad, and the portion • remaining hero for consumption could be cheapened. Jack Cade did not attain-to office, so the world was deprived of the working details of his scheme, and unfortunately everything points to the probability of this misfortune overtaking Sir Joseph Ward and his amusing ideas.

The Prime Minister (the Hon, W. F. Massey) will speak in the Okristcliurcli Opera House to-night.

"When sturdy-Liberals such'as Mr. Davey and Mr. Craigie, of Timaru (to mention only two instances), are found cutting themselves adrift from the party to which they so long owned allegiance, .the average elector has.much cause to study his own position ere deciding how he will vote. Everyone knows that had the Liberal Party remained true to its first principles' it -would not present the bedraggled appearance it does to-day.". —A correspondent of the Christ-church "Sun."

Mr. Wilford'was out to make a good case for his own side, but perhaps if he had got all he wanted when tho Massey Government came into- office, it might have been the other side.—Mr. D.'H. Guthrie, Government Whip and Reform candidate for Oroua ' The enthusiasm of the small farmers for Mr.-Massey in the country districts showed that they realised that the Reform Government was a small farmers' Government. From the North; Cape to the Bluff they were going ,to stand by tho man; who had . stood by thorn, and the coming election would prove it.— Mr. T. A. H. Field, Reform candidato for Nelson. At the Glee Club's rooms, Brooklyn, last evening,' _Mr._ J. P. Luko met tho members of his .district committee,' aind was accorded a hearty reception. During ,the evening the candidate for Wellington South outlined his. policy, after which Mr. H. R.. Vilo (chairman), in a happy speech, expressed the loyal sentiments of every member of the committee, . ■ .: "Are you talking about the workers, Harry?" queried a voice at a recent political meeting held by Mr..H. D. do Latour, Reform-Liberal candidate for | the Gisborue seat.' "Of. course I am," [ replied the candidate. "What do you know-about the'workers?" replied the interjector; ."you have never done a day's toil in your life." "Haven't J?" bristled the candidate. "I'll, hot you I have swung an axo and handled a shovel as often as you have.'' "Let's have 'a look at your hands," replied the man in the audience; "I can)tell at a glance if a man has done manual labour—his hands will soon provo it." The interjector then came-for.vard, and made'a, solemn inspection of. the candidate's hands. These, to the surprise of the examiner, were found to be coated on tho inside with a good thick slcin, whidi those possess who have gripped firmly the axe, spade, or shovel m their time. "You'll do," remarked tho inspector, amidst the laughter of the audience; "yon must have done your bit in your time." At i this 1 another son of the soil came forward. "Hallo, Bill," said the candidate, "whore have you sprung from? I've not seen; you for years!" ' "Look here," said Bill, turning aggressively towards the first interjector, "I don't know who you are and I don't care, but I will back Harry de Latour to swing an axe with you in heavy bush for, any amount you like' to put up. I've worked with him, and he can keep his end up when it comes to hard slogging." "I'm satisfied," responded the dther good-naturedly. "Ho can talk about the workers as much as,he likes now. I don't mind a man speaking about subjects he understands." Thereupon the candidate resumed his address, and the loudest "hear, hears," it was , noticed, came from tlie man who had challenged his right to speak about the working man.

Mr. 0. K. Wilson, M.P. for. Taumarunui, arrived at Awakino yesterday, after' speaking at Tongaporutu and Mokau on Saturday evening, and addressing what is claimed to be the largest ana most enthusiastic, meeting ever held in the to.wn, settlers coming from all the surrounding" districts, some from' a distance of 26 miles. Mr. "Wilson spoke for 1} hours. According to a correspondent, his address was marked by continuous applause. A small section of organised opposition wa6 "turned down," and a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence .was passed, amidst cheers.

The Committee of the Wellington Branch' of the New Zealtnd Sports Protection League held a meeting yesterday afternoon, and it was decided" after considering the replies from the candidates for the Wellington and Suburban seats, at the forthcoming General Election, that the interests committed to the care of the branch do . not require it to intervene in the Wellington and Suburban contests during the prosent election. . The general secretary (Mr. R. W. Shallcrass) mentioned to a reporter that tho answers from other districts are not quite so satisfactory, and it -lias been decided that ho shall visit the South Island at once to watch the League's interest in the election.

Sir James Carroll has found a new plank for the Opposition platform. Ho suggested, according to tho "Poverty Bay Herald," "somo such fichcriio as a subsidised Sunday school."

The Opposition had denied .that the graduated land tax had had any effect. .Why had they not put on a better one during their 21 years of office? Mr. Massey in eight mouths iiad dragced . £118.Q00 out of .the big landowners. Yet

the Opposition told them that the graduated land tax was "a delusion and a snare."—Mr. Michel,' Reform candidate for Grey, , -

"What has the country gained by turning tho Liberals out and putting Mr. Massey ill p" Mr. 6. W. Russell asked in a meeting at Riccarton, and, pausing for a reply, got the unexpected answer:' "Showed up the scabby Liberals!"

In giving voice to the customary Wardist cursing of the Government and all its works the other night, Mr. J. D. Mathews, Opposition candidate for Pahiatua, airily discussed Mr. 'Hiley'6 appointment as General Manager 'of Railways, by.asking, "What advantage had. they got since tho new manager had arrived?" The "Herald" says that in turn_ it would .ask Mr. Matthews very seriously whether he is competent to express any opinion at all oh the railway system. 'It .adds: "We freely admit that the other day Mr. Mathews travelled all the way to Wellington by .train, ,and it may ;be 6uspected carried back the party's machine-prepared attack on the railway and other matters. But is that sufficient equipment to set him' up as a reliable aritic?"

Just as the "Liberals" say Sir J. G. Ward "could settle the strike in two days," and settle the war . in threo months (Mr. Isitt's belief), and so forth, so they insist that everything that goes wrong is Mr. Massoy's fault—the war, the Huntly explosion, the .. weather, everything. In Auckland, for example, Mr. W. Richardson, who is standing as a supporter of Reform, : met with some opposition, as reported in the "Star":—Mr. Richardson: Mr. Massey did not bring tho smallpox here, or the Btrilce. (Cries of "Yes, he did," and "What about tho Specials ho brought down?" "He blew up. White Island.") Perhaps the"voice" responsible for the last of these interjections was an ironical voice.—Christchurch "Press."

Sir Joseph Ward would have them believe that the Labour Party only went forth like the dove from the Ark, when finding no rest for the soles of its feet it had come back at 'this election to the Liberal ark. (Laughter.) But he, found no such intention in the declarations'or utterances of the members, of the Labour Party. They realised only too well that the Ward Government had ceased to justify it© existence and could never again regain their confidence. The real position was far more accurately expressed by an Auckland candidate, who said that the .Ward Party was playing a nort of political cut-throat euchre. The Social Democrats were using the Liberals in an endeavour to oust 'the Massey- Party- from office, whilst the Liberals were using the Social Democrats in the same way.—Mr. W. Downie Stewart, Reform candidate for Dunedin West. According to the member for Avon, the advent of the Reform' Party to' power -"was the best thing that could have happened to New Zealand,'.'. because "it showed the people what the Conservative Party really_ was when, it got into office." In this connection, we may reprint what Mr. Russell said at Phillipstown on July _6, 1911: "If tho Reform Party got into power it would abolish, old age pensions, manhood suffrage, , land for settlement, cheap money schemes, and the State fire insurance!" At anyrate (remarks a southern exchange), the .■ Reform Party's advent to power seems to have shown with uncommon clearness what Mr.- Russell really ' was—and ia. It is a curious and significant feature of all the contentious, argument throughout " the Dominion at present that most. political candidates deliberately avoid serious discussion of the most important question of the hour; how the State stands with regard' to financial resources. This is surely one of the most serious questions before the Democracy of this country.' The Lahour candidates say_ least about it, be- . cause they are convinced that the main plank of their platform, which contains many appreciable proposals, provides the solution of' all 1 problems—a State Bank "with sole right ■of issue. Simply turn out millions of bank notes, and go on with a great programmo of development in every direction that holds'promise of increased prosperity and happiness! Well, that is an easy way out of difficulty; but scraps of paper have to bo paid for in tho end. •—Dunedin "Star." In his opening speech Mr. Isitt said: "If Sir J. G. Ward assumed office, within t'hreo months there would bo a relaxation of the present money stringency and business paralysis." Sinco the financial conditions are tho result of the war, relaxation of the stringency can come only with tho ending of the war. , The _ Christchurch "Press" says that if this does not mean that Sir Joseph Ward could stop the war .it would like to know what it does mean.

Sir Joseph W al "d lost, office, as tho result of the general elections of 1011, liecause the decided opinion of tho country was that his party had lost all public spirit aiul his policy all sincerity.— "New Zealand Herald."

' Tho Reform Party owes its origin to tho fapt that so many thousands of oeODle wore diozußtod with tho oonor-.

tunism of the old Liberal Party. This is no mere political opinion, it is a- matter of absolute fact. Frantically all the great work that made the Liberals famoils was accomplished in the 'nineties, and the party simply rested on its oars for years, boasting of the past just as it is doing now.—Nelson "Mail. .

At the various Labour oohferenceß and congresses' held since last election inmimorablo attempts had been made to construct political platforms composed of all sorts of planks. Someone had wittily said that during these'years Labour had been afflicted with abundance of political carpenters, but has lacked political joiners. (Laughter.) Why was it that these innumerable platforms all broke down and ended in wreokago and disaster? The reason was that the oratorical members of the federation failed to grasp the real facts, of the local situation ; they took the ready-made phrases of _ foreign Socialists' words originally written to portray the plight of the most unhappy toilers of the Old World, and the phrases were used absurdly in this country.—Mr. W. Downie Stewart, Reform candidate for Dunedin West.

Mr. R. M'Kenzie, Minister of Mines in the Ward Government, has always been recognised as an expert on mines and mining legislation. He ran a very grave risk of being denounced as a Tory when ho said in the House la'st session (Hansard,, vol. 171; page 740): "I contend that the mining laws in New Zealand are just as. forward as the laws in Britain, and I look upon Britain as having the best mining laws in Europe." Later on, Mr. Colvin was urging that the Huntly disaster was due to the fact that the Coal-mines Amendment Bill; 1914, was not made law, earlier. The following exchange took place:—Mr. Colvin: "I hope this Bill will pass, and that we will have no more of these accidents." Mr. M'Kenzie: "Legislation cannot stop them."

It may have been a slip, tut Mr. Myers lias made it plain that ho.looks fur the elections to result in the return of the -Government to power. In his speech on Monday night he discussed the reform of the Legislative Council. Ho admitted that an Act had been passed making the Council 'elective, "but," he added, "it had been framed in such a manner that the influence of the Reform .Party -would dominate the Council for the next eight or ten yoars." Now, asks the Auckland "Herald," how can the R-eform Party dominate the Council for eight or ten years if Sir Joseph Ward wins next month? It is a confusing political puzzle, with nothing very clear about it except that Mr. Myers expects Mr. Massey to be Prime Minister in .1917. If the war had broken out in 1912, it is impossible to imagine the trouble that would have been caused in New Zealand.—Nelson "JlailV' opinion of "Wardifit rule. ■ • "Alone I did it I Reminds one .of the famous Bill Adams and "Waterloo." —"Taranaki Herald," after reading Sir Joseph Ward's references to our defence system. ' ,

take/ and have shown that in placing the Reform Party in power the country (»ot the honesty and 6omid Liberalism it wanted,—Ohristchurcb. "Press."

A striking contrast of the actions of the Ma6soy and 'Ward' Governments in times of national peril was afforded by Mr. H. F. Toogood at a mooting last week. The present war was the greattest crisiß tliat had affected the world, but owing to the Massey Government's strong. administration the incipient panic which Iliad broken out had ueen suppressed, there was no great unemployment, no Civil Servants were being dismissed, everything .was going on fairly smoothly, and everyone had regained confidence. In 1908, during the Ward Government's tenure' of office, when, there had been merely a financial stringency throughout the world, all our markets were upset, there were thousands of unemployed, Civil ; Servants had been dismissed, the railway workshops had slackened down, money was scarce, and interest was high. Yet the people wero asked to replace a Government like the present in favour of the one that had the administration of things in 1908.

At the meeting of Mr. J. Thorn (Social Democrat candidate for Palmeraton North) at Terraco End a . slight disturbance occurred, a young man being seized by two muscular supporters of the candidate and rushed out of the hall. "This action," sa>6 the "Standard," "showed that the_ Social Democrats ale extremely sensitive about interruptions at their own meetings, although- they have no hesitation- in going into'other candidates' meetings and interrupting speakers. Mr. Thorn spoke to his supporters about decency and culture. If he could persuade the ncisy section following him to practise these virtues, he would be doing a good jervico."

Why. Mr. G. W. Russell is so impressive as the defender of naval subsidies may be understood from this, passage from a speech in the House in October, 1910:—"I yield to no man in my desire to see a thoroughly efficient system of defence set up, but I do differ from the Government and from the member for Bruce also in this respect: My opinion is it would be far better that we should assist the Mother Coun-. try in obtaining more ships, or that we should work conjointly with Australia in having ships of our . own in these waters so as to protect ourselves and prevent an attacking force ever having an opportunity of landing.—Mr. Russell (Hansard, Vol. 152, p. 226)."

Mr. F. W. Lang, member for Manukau, and Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives,- who is seeking re-election to Parliament as a supporter of Reform, has sat in the House for 21 years.

Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P. for Dunedin North, discussed, in opening his oampaign, the parties who were seeking election. He did not think there was any call for members of the Reform Party to defend their administration. (Applause.) He had followed Mr. Massey and the Government that was now in power for the last six years, and ho was a consistent supporter of the'party long before he entered active politics. In regard to Mr. Masscy and the gentlemen associated with him, in his opinion ho had never met' a straighter lot of men.- (Applause.) They were men who were trying to do their duty by the country, and he could: not; recall a single instance of anything being done to affront his sense of propriety' and right. Mr. Massey was an absolutely straight man; sometimes too goodnatured with his opponents. (Laughter.) The speaker would not follow a man if be .was.not straight. (Applause.) There were now four parties seeking the suffrages of the electors of the .country. He did not intend to trouble much with the Social Democrats. That party was not very strongly in evidence in Duuedin as far as he knew; but regarding the extreme section of the Social Democratic party, his views were perfectly clear.' Be believed they were a danger to the community. (Hear, hear.) .

Accusations of excessive borrowing come well from Sir Joseph Ward, who always loaded himsolf up with mere authorities to borrow than he was ablo to exercise. Last night he declared himself in favour of borrowing three millions, annually for public works alone. Add to this the two million war loan he would also havo had to obtain, had he been in office, the half million a year ho wants to spend on railway improvements, the million and a half that the Advances Department is authorised to obtain annually for settlers 'and workers, not to mention other authorities to' borrow under the Land for Settlements and other Acts, and it is perfectly obvious that there is nothing to distinguish - Sir Joseph Ward's borrowing policy from Mr. Allen's; . . . The point is which iMrty uses borrowed money to the best advantage."—Ohristchurck . "Sun." 'Sir Joseph Ward, who was supposed to be a man-for the masses, had allow-, ed Customs taxation to go..up,, while land taxation had 'gone dojwn. On the • other hand; lie said, the Massey Government, which was supposed to be the friend of the. landed proprietor, had reduced Customs taxation and increaised land taxation. —Mr. Toogood, Reform candidate for. Christchurch'North. The speech delivered by Mr. D. Buick was characteristic of the man—Palmorstonians have known in public life for many years. It was straightforward and unfaltering in loyalty to the party with whom he travelled and' struggled in adversity and has been associated in victory and control . . . He also showed a good grip of the political, questions of the day,'and had ready answers for his questioners and quick repartee for interrupters. Mr. Buick's references to his opponents wero also tactful and moderate, .and his speech created a very good impression, which should be satisfactory to_ his ardent supporters. —"Manawatu Times." ,"It is really surprising that-we have not heard from the member for Nelson that the Government is responsible' for the war. Appointing. himself to the " exalted position of supreme judge of affairs, he 'has convicted .the Government' of practically every political crime ■under the sun. It is everything that is bad, and nothing that is good. The case he constructs against the Government is so faulty and paltry that we would not be surprised to hear of his friends pleading with Mm to be . more careful, and impressing upon him the necessity for confining himself more fully to the facts. Politics should' be a serious business.—Nelson "Evening Mail." The Prime Minister will be the first to admit that much of lis legislation has not been new'' in the world, and that, he has in many respects only placed the Dominion on a level with progressive States. For example, the herculean task of sweeping political influences from the public services .woe simply doing in New Zealand what had been accomplished over a generation ago in Britain' and over twenty years ago in New South Wales, not to speak of ot'hor countries.—"New 'Zealand Herald." / The fact was that, bo far as social reforms were concerned, the public conscience had. been, so aroused that the Labour Party need have no apprehefr; sion that steady progress ■would not be made in that and the bost guarantee that tho electors could have that the present Government would continue to initiate a nd carry out large measures of social reform was the energy and success with which it had dealt with the questions already standing on its programme. —Mr. Downie Stewart, Reform candidate for Dunedin West. The Liberal Party had found itself in such soro straits after tho last election that it was prepared. to sacrifice principle and supporters in order to hold on to offico. Such tactics has not ■ onlyalienated the support of Mr. Field, but numbers of others in this electorate who refuse to be bought and sold at the whim of a set of political strap-hangers. Mr. Field has followed 1 the right course in what ho haa done, and his actions will meet with the endorsement of nil honourable men and women throughout this constituency on polling day.—' "Manawatu Herald," Weary as they were of 'the'opportunism and shuffling and incoinpetenco of the Word Government, thousands of electors jet supported it in 1011, because they believed Mr. Russell and the others who declared that Reform was "Toryism," and would abolish oldage pensions, the State advances system, and 60 forth. Time and facts have cured thess cleotort of their mie-

Speaking at Temuka, the Prime Minister (Hon. \Y. Massey) said that the Leader of the Opposition had said they had appointed seven rejects (not a nice term to uso h© thought) to the Legislative Council. It was a very improper thing to Tefer to those gentlemen as rejects, men who were thoroughly worthy of the seats which they,were' given. Se (the speaker) would challenge anyone to show when the Liberal Government had appointed members to the Legislative Council on other than party lines. They, appointed only those of their own colour j but the present Government'made their appointments irrespective of party, considering merit instead of party, and if the Liberals had done that there would have been no cry for the Reform of the Legislative Council. (Applause.) Mr. Massey also referred to the fact that the Reform Government had legislated so that three; years hence the appointments'to the Council would be on aa elective basis. (Applause.) '

■ The Continuous . Government's , land policy was always a case.of the tail wagging tli© dog. A handful of.leas©holders dictated the policy of. the party. Mr. Jennings, in addition to maintaining his own right to he called a freeholder, claimed thei same title for Sir Joseph Ward.' It may be so. Sir Joseph Ward may he a . freeholder, hut he was head of a Government which for years waa dominated by leaseholders, and which gave over the lands portfolio to Mr. M'Nab, who, like all other leaseholders, haß a weakness for the freehold for himself, hut thinks the leasehold good enough for everybody else. This was all that Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Jennings, and the other freeholders in the party did for the farmer.' They were never really, driven into the lobby, compelled to give a final "aye" or "no" for leasehold or freehold till Mr. Massoy came into offioe. Then the' leaseholders who • had- for years shaped the land policy of the country could only muster 17 votes to Mr. Massey's 43. Was, there ever a clearer case of the tail wagging- the dog? Is it any wonder that Reformera tell us of the danger of law-abiding Sir Joseph Ward being led by the nose by the unattached, "members of his party, who snap their fingers at the law? The leaseholders did it. The firebrands who claim to represent Labour may be as skilful at handling the political . stringß as tho leaseholders were.—Auckland "Herald."

'A- deputation of unemployed waited on Sir. Joseph Ward and asked for advice, says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch. The spokesmen said the gathering was not political in any way. Sir Joseph Ward said he was of opinion that it was tho clear duty of the Government to enable work to be put in hand for the -unemployed. Parliament had given tho Government 'finance to enable it to meet difficulties ; that money had been guaranteed by the Imperial Government, and ought to be available. Ho would do his best to impress on tho Government the importance of the matter. It was a time when money should bo spent, not withheld.

A. meeting of the War Distress Committee, presidod over,by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), was held in the Town Hall yesterday morning. Those present were the Rev. W. A. Evans, Messrs. R. Fletcher, W. Oronfell, and J. Jack. Several cases of local distress, wero dealt with. Those eases had arisen for tho most part out of lack of employment due to war conditions, and assistance was granted in recommendod cases in the form of goods aiid rent. The Hawke's Bay Motor Cycle Club have arranged to hold their usual sports ton Boxina Day,.