MR. LUKE AT KELBURN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 127, 15 February 1918, Page 6

MR. LUKE AT KELBURN

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING OTHER CANDIDATES ADDRESSES ■ The Kclburu Kiosk was crowded to its utmost capacity last evening, when Mr. J. P. Luke addressed the electors of Wellington North. Mr. John Hutche--Bon was appointed •chairman. The candidate, who was uiven a cordial reception, said that the principaj factor in the election was net the candidate, but wlmt will bo the result of Win election. Tho supreme question was, Who will do the best to win the war? He maintained that ho had a perfect right to submit himself as a candidate, and as representing them for twenty years on the council and 'or five years as Mayor, he challenged anyone to say he had not the right 10 stand. Referring to the Military Service Act, ho said that it was 200 years old, and was re-enacted every year. It was necessary in order '.hat they should call up the men for service when they were needed for the defcnco of the Empire and their individual rights. Some thought that by passing the Act they put into force a despotic system such as was in forco in Germany. That was not so, as they could not do so against the will of the people, and it was the will of the people that they should have a force to resist any attack such as that of the Germans, when its hordes swept over Belgium and the north of France. He denied that England was moving towards the adoption of the German system. lie reminded the audie'uee how they hnd done their best for recruiting until the time came when they could not get the men by voluntary means, and the Act had to be exerted. The gentlemen who objected to the Act should remember that without it they might not now be in possession of New Zealand, and he paid a tribute to Imperial troops and the pioneer settlers who had done such service to the Empiro at the time of the Maori War. It had also been said that the men who went away to the \vi\r now would not bo entitled io the same honour as those who went away early in the war. That was not so; no matter where they went to—France, Belgium, or Palestine—tho honour would be the same —there was no discrimination. Take, for example, tiie young men coming of age. They did not hang back, did they? And they honoured them just as much as the men who went away with the Main Body. (Applause.) Some bold that the pay and pension were not, originally, enough for the soldiers, but they must remember that the work was new to the National Government, and since then they had built up a generous scale of pay and pensions, which they would all adhere to, no matter what the taxation was. (Applause.) In referring to the sick and wounded who returned, he thought they should not bo stingy, but should see that they were established in civil lifo according to their capacity to work. He believed in a liberal land policy tor the soldier. Thero was no land too good for him. (Applause.) He would not put 'them on rough bush land, but would put them 011 improvedland at a fair valuation and establish a sinking fund to pay for it, repayable over a long period of years. There should bo no land left unproductive that could be brought into profit. It was the duty of the Government to stimulate the industries of the country rather than see money being sent abroad that could be utilised within the country. Tho extra taxation for tho war should bo borne first by those who are making profits out of the war. (Applause.) He did not believe that there should be any taxation on the necessaries of lifo. They did not pay much now on the necessaries, but if ever he had the vote he would urge that the necessaries of life should have tiia first claim for exemption. They should see that the country grew enough wheat to supply the wholb of the needs of the community, so that we should never be dependent 011 any country overseas. Mr. .Luke said that he had always had a very high regard for the electors' late member, Mr.' Justice Herdman, Land he mentioned particularly the work of the Discharged Soldiers' Department, of which Mr. Herdman had been | the head, and he enumerated the various callings for which ex-soldiers were being trained by tho Department. Tho speaker referred to the local free-place problem, and said that if any boy or girl had properly qualified for a scholarship or a free place and could not get a seat the authorities were not acting honestly towards them. He knew it was a difficult job to put up buildings, but difficulties were made to be swept away, and if he could not go with them i as their member he would go with them as Mayor of the town to the Minister aiid demand that these things should he recognised. Referring once more to his candidature, Mr. 'Luke said that electors should reflect as to what man was generally acceptable, and speaking without egotism he helieved that he would be tronerallv acceptable to both parties in the House. (Applause.') He did not consider that he had foisted himself upon Wellington North, and if he were returned he nuslifc consider his place of abode. Dr. Newman had not lived in his electorate, neither lisd Mr Fletcher, nor Mr. Wright at 0110 time, nor Mr. Herdman when member for Mount Ida. He had the kindest regards for the people of Wellington North —(laughter) and in his activities on the City Council believed that ho had as many friends in Wellington North as in any other part of tfie city. 'T believe I'm" the man for the job," he said in conclusion, "and hone and trust that you will) place at the top of the poll the man who is addressing j you at the present time!" _ ' !' On the motion of the chairman Mr. : Luke, was accorded a heartv vote of I thanks, which was carried with acclamation.