CADIDATES' SPEECHES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2325, 5 December 1914, Page 8

CADIDATES' SPEECHES

WELLINGTON CENTRAL ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FOR.MR. , FISHER. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher addressed a nicotine in tho Mission Hall, Tory Street, last night. The hall was crowded, and the Minister gained an excellent hearing for about two hours. There was some interruption; but two men were ejected, and after that there was no organised attempt to stop the address. At the conclusion of the meeting a man persisted in interrupting, and Mr. Fisher ordered his name to be taken, and said he would prosecute him. "I am going to vindicate the right of free speech," he said. "I don't like to take drastic- steps, but I am going to stop this sort of thing, whatever the cost." (Applause.) Mr. D. R. Skinner presided. Mr. Fisher prefaced his address by referring to the statements which had been made regarding commercial travellers, and explained the position, as set out elsewhere. Mr. Fisher said that while one side was going to have an investigation into the merits of the commercial travellers, ho was going to havo.an investigation into the merits of the 600 seamen. Ho was going to undertake to see that they wero seamen. If they were not, and they voted, they would get "What for." (Applause.) The seamen wanted to get into his district to vote against him. If that was not victimisation, what was it? It was victimisation of the most cold blooded, cruel, and callous type. (Hearl Hear I) "I believe the good sense of the majority of the peoplo will seo that I am not wiped out by those methods." (Applause.) In addition there wero 236 seamen on the main Contral roll. Those were the people who were alleged to have been deprived of vote. A voice: You tried to. Mr. , Fisher: We gave them more electoral rights than any ordinary elector in. the country. He has the right , to vote in any district contiguous to the port in which he signed articles. A voice: You are a' winner, Don. (Applause.) Another voice: Why do you object to. the 600 seamen then ? ; Mr. Fisher: I am not objecting to the legitimate 6eamen. I am going to object to people igetting on the roll as seamen when they aro not seamen. Ho explained that three, days ago a group of seamen in Auckland applied to the Registrar, to be placed on the Wellington Central roll. They could not get there. If that was allowed now 4000 seamen could come to his electorate. That would not be right. ■A voice: No. ■ . Mr. Fisher went on to. refer to tho Government's proposal with respect to the Mount Cook site. They would place o.i it the Dominion Museum, Science and Art Library, and would store the records in tihe present building. The area round the buildings would be made into a park, and would be a thing of joy and beauty forever. (Applause.) Hβ proceeded to outline the legislation passed by the Reform Government for Labour, and defended Mr. Massey's action for keeping the ship of State going during the dark days of the beginning, of the war. (Applause.) What had they done for the workers? He enumerated a list of good works, including increased pay for Civil Servants, and school teachers. In addition to the advanced legislation brought down last session for the teachers, the conditions of that profession would have to be still ! urther improved. (Applause.) The hotol workers got their six-day week under the present Government, and yet the Cooks' and Waiters' Union sent out a circular to the effect that they got the six-days' week under the Arbitration Court, and Mr. , Massey tad nothing to do with it. He asked them if they got it without, tho help of Mr. Massey why did they not get it 20 years ago, from the Liberals? (Appjauso.) The Reform Government had given the pension -to the Maori war veterans, while the Liberals had let many of them go under. In many ways the Government had extended tho Old Age Pensions Act. He had succeeded in giving women the pension at t 6O instead of 65. . Mr. Fisher explained fully the amendments to the National Provident Fund. The Government recognised, he said, that the sheot-anchor which held the railway men to their posts during the striko was their superannuation. Tho Government wanted to give every man something to.livo for. ' It would induce men to hold on to thoir billots, and would largely discount strikes. He touched on' the cost of living problem, and referred to the promises of Sir Joseph Ward. Hβ pointed out that Sir Joseph Ward never referred to his schemo last session. Ho only promised to bring it in if he was elected, and they would hear' nothing about it if ho. was not. (Laughter.) Mr. Fisher said that before he came into office printing- orders wero sent to shops in England,' where, young girls wore "sweated" to do.the work, while men in New Zealand were out of work. When he camo into office he' Said that would stop, and all the Government's requirements were given to men here; in tho State works. ~ (Applause.) "I really do 'think," finally concluded Mr. Fisher, "that when the numbers go up on December 10' the Massoy Government will, go back with a larger majority than over." (Loud applause.) A voto of thanks and confidence in the speaker and the Government was enthusiastically carried, although thero was somo attempt to cry it down. Mr. Fisher , cheered, while tho response" for. the Leader of the Opposition was confiued to a small section,

t WELLINGTON NORTH. ll S ® MR. HOLLAND AT TINAKORI ROAD. I Mr. H.' E. Holland addressed a wellt attended meeting in St. Paul's Churcli--3 loom, Tinakori Road, last evening. The . speaker claimed to bo the only candij date in. the field witli a. progressiva 3 policy. He stood for proportional ror presentation, and believed in big elcc--3 torates. Under proportional reprej sentation both majorities and minorities would be adequately and fairly represented. He favoured the abolition of the country quota. The retention of the country quota, made proportional re- " presentation an absolute impossibility. ® The Liberal proposals on this matter, J lie said, wero ludicrous, and showed a lack of the first essentials of statesmanship, as were also their proposals in connection with a State ferry service, a pure milk supply that waß going to reconcile the interests of the consumer and the milk adulterator, and the baby bonus. Mr. Herdman, according t<> Mr. Holland, had not replied to a single charge made_ against the Government. The manner in which Mr. Herdman had dealt with the Police Force, when its J members had endeavoured to form an - association for mutual assistance, thus - claiming the same rights enjoyed by any r other class of citizens, wa-s, said Mr. - Holland, most disgraceful, and the victimisation which followed was, he addc ed, cruel in the'extremo. The police- - men of the capital city of the Empire, ' London, enjoyed the privilege of having a union of their 'own, yet it was denied the police of New Zealand. He (Mr. 1 Holland) stood for full civil rights for j all public employees, including the police. If elected, he would endeavour to get f legislation passed improving the condi--2 tions of domestic servants. He favoured a special war tax on all incomes * and the Government control of food supnlies during the war. 'A vote of j confidence was passed. unanimously. } WELLINGTON SOUTH. MR. LUKE AT VOGELTOWN. • Mr. ,J. P. Luke, Reform nominee for tho Wellington Soutli seat, gave another address to a large and enthusiastic audience at the Schoolroom, town,' last night.' Mr. W. M. Jackson was voted to the chair. Mr. Luke em- , phasised that during his previous -Par- ■ liamentary career lie had established, in and < out the House, independence of action, and capable application to, . nis duties as an M.P. Regarding the Massey Government; he was convinced , that they were the real promoters of * Liberalism. Their legislation and administration stamped them as men do-' * termined to do the country's work in > spite of great opposition. , Continuing, the candidate said that lie advocated a * strong policy in regard to naval and > home defence. The Dominion being now a partner in Imperial matters, she mußt 1 * be prepared to meet the obligations entailed therewith. He, advocated a for- * ward policy in land settlement, both L by acquiring private estates and the . opening [up of Crown lands. Mr. Luke » dealt with other questions on . lines . similar to his previous addresses. At . the conclusion of the address a hearty r vote of thanks and confidence in the, I candidate was proposed by Mr. A. * Eibj;e, seconded by Mi*. J. Ryan, and i carried 1 unanimously. , > I THE SUBURBS SEAT. ! SIR. R. 'A l . WRIGHT AT NGAIO. > Mr. R. A. Wright spoke last night 1 at the Anglican .Cliurchrooui, Ngaio, ' which was well filled. Mr. Finn prel sidod. Mr. Wright received a good hearing, and dealt with various charges 1 made against tho Government. He.was not in. favour of separate classification and promotion schemes for men 1 and women teachers, which would set .up different standards of ellloiency in the. service. Ho thought tho salaries of teachers in the lower grades should bo increased. The candidate waa accorded a vote of thanks. MR. F. T. MOORE AT OHARIU. Mr. F. T. Moore, the Labour candidate for the Suburbs seat; addressed a large attendance of electors at Ohariu last night. Mr. Steven Bryant occupied tho chair. The candidate said that the Labour policy for the enforced subdivision of' "large estates should demand tho support of every, country elector, ,for it meant that tho Eons, of small farmers whose parents' . holdings were not capable" of further subdivision, would be able to. secure land on advantageous terms, as theybecame of age. The method of advancing money for the use of practical farmers' sons, proposed by the Labour Party, through tho medium of a.State bank note issue, would, he said, ensure accommodation at a low rate, of interest,, and no farmer would ever be kept waiting for an advance when such a bank was established. He said that naturally the ■ squatters and capitalists would oppose those ■ benficial masures, which were extensions of" the late John Balance's land for settlement and advances to settlers scheme. A unanimous voto- of tha'nks' and confidence was passed to tho candidate. MR. FITZGERALD AT KHANDALLAH. Mr. J.' E. Fitzgerald addressed- a well-attended meeting at Khahdallah Hall last evening. The Mayor of Onslow, Mr. 0. C. Crump, occupied the .chair. The candidate criticised the statements made by Mr. Wright in The Dominion, wherein, he said, Mr. Wright led.the electors to belieye that there was less land settlement and more land aggregation during the term, of office, of the Liberals than during any other period in the history of Now Zealand. This statement,' said Mr; Fitzgerald, was the most impudent of the many, impudent representations that bad been made by the Reformers. The candidate said a sense of public duty prompted him to condemn the publication and circulation of a pernicious pamphlet bearing the imprint of Wright and Ca,rmen. Mr. Fitzgerald dealt with the Public Service Commissioners on the lines of past addresses, and criticised the constitution of the Civil Service' Ap-peal-Board, declaring that too much weight was given to theoretical examinations as against actual ability proved in years of service. He believed too much money had been wasted in alleged labour-saving devices. Mr.- Fitzgerald criticised monibers of the' Labour Party for declining to stand by their agreed ment, signed by their chairman and their candidate, Mr: F. T. Moore. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks ajid confidence, and also confidence in tho Liberal Party. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Mr. R. A, Wright, at Judgeford, 8. Mr. F: T. Macro, at Makara, 8. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, at Ohariu, 8. Mr. H. E. Holland, open air, Hawke- ' stone Street, 8. Mr. A. M. Samuel, at Alicetown, 8. 1 i Mr. Luke's Committees, at Newtown State School. : MEETINGS ON MONDAY. 1 The Hon. A. L. Herdman, at tho Town Hall, at 8 p.m. Mr. J.. P. Luke, at« Brooklyn, at 8 p.m. _ ' , Mr. R. B. Williams, at Vogeltown, at 1 8 p.m. ' Mr. W. H. Turnbull, at Spiller's Hall, | Boulcott. Street, at 8 p.m. ] Mr. A. M. Samuel, at Silverstream, l at 8 p.m. I Mr. H. E. Holland, at Sydney Street 1 Hall, at 8 p.m. ■ j Tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, at St. 1 Peter's Schoolroom, at 8 p.m. Mr. F. T. Moore, at Johnsonville, at 8 p.m. ' } Mr. R. 'A. Wright, at Maranui, at 8 j p.m.