WELLINGTON SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2322, 2 December 1914, Page 7

WELLINGTON SOUTH

MR.R. B. WILLIAMS AT NEWTOWN Mr. R. B. Williams, independent Reform candidate, addressed a meeting in St. Thomas's Hall last night. ' There.

was an attendance of about 180, Mr. G. Flux-presided. ■ Mr. Williams, for. the most part, spoke along the lines of his opening address. He emphasised his independence, and said that it left him free to oritioise. He made the reservation that on a no-confidence motion he would vote for the Roform Party, for he recognised that they must accept that party's legislation on all main points at tills time. But if; over there was a time for independent and vigilant watching it was now, when the platforms of tlie two main parties: were so much alike. He contended that'neither the Liberal nor the Reform Party had tackled the cost of living problem, but Sir Joseph Ward, instend of criticising Mr. Massey now, might have devoted his attention to the problem during his term of office. (Applause,.)'' On the licensing question; Mr. Williams said: "I am not a Prohibitionist, but I am a democrat, and believe the vote of the people should decide the question."'" He favoured the bare majority. Touching on new matters, he said he favoured an additional extension of the Pensions Aot to assist indigent help-' less people. Fire insurance premiums might'also be'lessened.'The Government might reduce the premium, in view of. the profits made, by the &tate Office. Such a reduction would extend to the private concerns.. He touched briefly on tho Publio Service Act, and said he thought there was some reason for the complaints of Civil Servants. He favoured increased State.aid to the people for loans, and for f the erection of dwellings. The candidate was listened to attentively, and there was an entire absence of .interjections. A vote of thanks and confidence' was moved, but the candidate asked' far a; vote of thanks only ,and the rote /was,carried by.acolamation; !