SIR J. G. WARD AT OTAUTAU

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2328, 9 December 1914, Page 3

SIR J. G. WARD AT OTAUTAU

t(By Tolesranh.—Press Association.) Otautau, Decembor 8. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a packed gathering at Otautau to-night, there being over 800 .present, and ne received a most enthusiastic reception, boine continually cheered. Sir Joseph Ward made point of the Government's land legislation and their attempt to ridicule Libera] land achievements in the past, stating that the Government had been going to "play the very .gooseberry" in land legislation, but had done nothing. (Cheers.) He defended the baby bonus at length, stating that in conjunction with the Liberal legislation already on the Statute Book providing medical expenses to the extent of £6 in maternity cases, tho baby bonus would be of incalculable benefit to _ tho community. He denied tho existence of any alliance between the Liberals and Red Feds, pointing out that Labour -candidates wore opposing Liberal candidates' in several electorates, , which ho considered a full' and sufficient answer to any suggestion of a Red- Fed alliance. Ho also statad that' thero were numbers in tho Conservative Government who were more reactionary than any Red Feds. (Applauso.) He assured his audionce.that tho, Liberal ' Party, with its great twenty-one yoars' .record behind it, would assuredly be returned to power. (Cheers.) Tho ' meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Sir J.\ G. Ward, and confidenco in the Liberal Party, and the hope that after tho election Sir J. G. Ward would again bo the Leader of the Government of tho Dominion. ' The motion was carried with loud cheers and a few "Noes." Sir Joseph Ward speaks at Stewart Island, in the morning and at Gore at night.