HON. A. L. HERDMAN AT NORTHLAND

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2319, 28 November 1914, Page 8

HON. A. L. HERDMAN AT NORTHLAND

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING." . 'PffHon. A. L. Herdman addressed a largely attended meeting at Northland last evening, Mr. J. M. Aston presiding. The Minister, who was heartily received, and whose speech was frequently punctuated by applause, was listened to most attentively. There wero a few good-humoured interjections. Mr. Herdman said he ventured to believe from what he knew about incidents that were taking placo in New Zealand at the present time that the prospects of tho present Administration of coining back to power for another term were as good if not better than they had been for the past three years. '(Cheers.) If they desired to test an administration, the true test was not in a peaceful time, but in a time of stress and' difficulty. That was the test they had to apply to the Massey Administration. Mr. Herdman proceeded to enumerate the difficulties that had' confronted tho Government. He didnot think that any impartial critic' would be able to say when he had made an examination of the finances of the country that when the Government came into office the finances were satisfactory. They were, in fact, desperate. Then twelve months ago there was the general strike. Some people thought the Government did wrong in the action they took, but there was no man who contemplated the condition of New Zealand a year ago who would not justify the action of the Government. Every Minister of tho Crown and any member of Parliament in a British community recognised that Labour had an absolute right to get fair play. (Cheers.) But every sane thinking man also recognised that no mob had a right to take charge of a country and run rough-shod over the community .(Cheers.) •It had been said by their opponents that the Government had no sympathy with tho workingman—(A voice: "Quite right.")—and that' the Administration had not done anything on his behalf. Since the war broke out up to the present time every step had .been taken to see that there was no unemployment. Mr. Herdman reiterated his views inregard to the naval question, and to the Government's pledges. 11l conclusion Mr. Herdman'reminded his audience' that when they cast their votes on .December 10 it was not a question of Ward versus Massey, or Massey versus Ward., The issue was whether Mr. Massey was to be returned, or the Opposition in conjunction with the So-cial-Democrats.

A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Herdman was carried amid loud applause, an amendment of thanks only being rejected by an overwhelming majority.

MR. TURNBULL AT WADESTOWN.

Mr. W. H. Turnbull (Opposition) addressed a meeting at Wadestown last night. The hall was just comfortably filled. Mr. E. W. Gotch occupied tho chair.

Mr. Turnbull said he was in the contest as'a straight-out Liberal. He'admitted that he was not known* in politics, but claimed that he had sufficient common sense to quality him to sit with othet members of the Legislature. He expressed himself as being "dead against" the present Government. He opposed the present electoral methods, and suggested the adoption of proportional rating, which he said would give every section of the community a fair chance for representation in Parliament. He always had and always would support the Liberal cause. He objected to the Government method of running the country by commissions, and pointed out that two were sitting now. The Government, 'ho said, had done nothing for Labour. Practically every Act affecting Labour had been passed by the Liberal Government. The expense of the "Littlo Nary" would be too great for the country to stand. Speaking on the cost of living, Mr. Turnbull declared they should not only have a free buakfast table, but all tables should be free: The Government would certainly have totackle also the cost of bread and meat. He was satisfied there was discontent in the Civil Service from one end of the country to the other, and he proposed to abolish the Public Service Act altogether. The speaker also dealt with «everal other matters, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried unanimously. A committoo were formed to promote Liberal interests in the locality.

' It i,s said of him by business men who have intimate relations "!?ith both the Customs' Department and the Marine Department that Mr. Fisher has proved himself one of the ablest administrators of all those that have held.the portfolios. He is assiduous in attending to his Departmental business, prompt in replying to inquiries, and never leaving over till to-morrow that which can possibly be done by him today.—"Feilding Star."

Mr. Glass, the Opposition candidate for Franklin, despite his active participation in t~ho Vardist industry of producing mare's nests, does not appear to have been making much headway with the electors of Franklin. At the conclusion of his meeting there this week, Mr. Furniss, of Waipipi, proposed a vote of thanks and- confidence in the candidate, which was seconded. Mr. Shakespear proposed an amendment of thanks only. This was seconded by, Mr. J. Bent, who said that Mr. Glass, had omitted to mention one word of any Liberal policy. On a show of hands, the amendment was carried by about eight to one, only some eight or ten hands being held up for the motion. Loud cheers were given for Mr. Massey, and, on the call of Mr. Glass, cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward.

"Will you turn it up in favour of Mr. Fullbrook, and go for a triu in the floating dock?"— Question to Mr. D. Moriarty last evening.

At one of his recent meetings in the Gisborne electorate, Mr. H. do Latour, the Reform candidate who i 6 opposing Sir James Carroll, was paid lijgh compliments by men who have known him for many years. Mr. Fred Read moved the following resolution: —"That this meeting thanks Mr. de Latour for his address, has every confidence in his ability to represent tho district, and wishes to take the opportunity of oxpressing its utmost confidence in tlie Massey" Mr. J. C. Field, ill seconding the motion, said that he had known Mr. de Lautour all his life. Had known him as a very hard worker. He had, in fact, worked as long as 18 houra a day with him, and he was sure that if they elected Mr. do Lautour he would not disappoint them, but would givo tho district the active representation so necessary to its progress. The motion was carried unanimously with loud and continued applause.

When asked why Sir Joseph Ward did not settle tho Waihi and Rcefton strikes which had been''in progress for eight weeks when Mr. Massey got'into ofhce, Sir Jamos'Carroll could give no satisfactory explanation.—Gisborne "Times." • Attention is drawn to an_ advertiser ment of Dr. Newman's meeting in Vic- , toria Hall on Tuesday, December 1. The Official Canteen List specifics "Fluenzol" as a Troopship necessity.* A sale of timber will be held at tho Public Works Yards, Pipitea Point, on: Tuesday by the Wellington Auctioneer-, ing Co. Particulars will appear in Monday's "Dominion." Two rich fattening and dairying properties near Wellington are announced for salo by Mr. H. E. Leigh ton. Pea. tfeerston Street. i