MR WORTHY AT ASHBURTON

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 46, 18 November 1919, Page 8

MR WORTHY AT ASHBURTON

IST IWlMrMb—'PrM» AurwlatUo Ashburton, November 17. Mr. Nosworthy adoressed a large meeting at Ashburton this evening'- Mr. Nosworthv, who was well received, spoke of the unanimity of the Keform Party. He with 11 dozen .Reform members, opnosed tiie formation of the National Government. but loyally supported it as a war Government. Only before the .Peace Conference the olive branch was held out to - the Liberal Parly, who rejected the offer, preferring party government.; The Liberals left tho Reformers to do all the washing up. Tho Liberals hoped for the soldiers'.-support by .their EXatuitv amendment, but the soldiers were satisfied witl'i the present provision. Tho Reform Party were for <i strong Government and administration. The Minister stressed tho increases on direct or hind and incomo taxes during the war. this being conscription of wealth. The tax incidence was unjust, especially tho laud tax, ( which was heavy on mortgages; Tile gratuity was paid by tho conscription of wealth. Tho Reform Partv was determined to revise the uniust svs,tem of taxing farmers on their debts. Inland and overseas transportation development was favoured.

Speaking of t!ie butter equalisation fund, he favoured the present scheme by the payment from ihe Consolidated Wind. Tho wheat question was a very complicated one, hut the speaker's policy was to help the fanners over tho period. If elected he intended to consult tho farmers in regard to the wheat after IIt« election, and to make a definite arrangement as Minister of Agrifculturo making arrangements for the grading of island fruit, so supplying plenty of cheat) fruit, while free from blight.' Encouragement was to bo given to imtmuration from Britain. Cabinet was opposed to militarism, but elements in tho Pacific sravo cause for watchfulness, and somn reasonable form of training was aecossarv both military and naval. Eegarding land monopoly, the liefohn Party uas.wd legislation to abolish reaggregation. The party was fighting tho meat and commercial monopolies. Tho speaker was out against the brewing monopoly. It was not' tho man on the hind who bled N the people, bat the middleman. There was an outcry about mittinc soldiers 011 Iho land, but many soldiers waiiteu' to go into business and commerce, where n close monopoly held them out. lie favoured taxing the mercantile community and burdening tlw farmer less. Sir Joseph Ward favoured nationalisation, which showed his sympathy for extreme Labour, which he fSii Joseph Ward) carefully denied. The Liberal and Labour members would combine to form a Government if they got a majority, but the IMormers had no oealimrs with extreme Labour, inr woujd thev accent their' support in the Government. He referred to Sir Joscrh Ward as a political opportunist of tho water. The country would bo bet. ter with the decks cleared of Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Myrs, Mr. Wilford, and comnan v. 3n conclusion, the speaker quoted Lord Kitchener's message at the beginning of the war. lie appealed finally for a stromr Government. A vote of thanks was passed to the sneaker by acclamation. THE CONTEST AT GISBO3!NE. Gisborne, November 17. ' Mr. W. D. Lysnar has announced his candidature- io* the Gisbornu seat, in response to iv large requisition. He will eland as an Independent on two conditions: (1) Tluit should the work aflyci the , sight of his remaining eye he will resign; (£/ that lie will have permission to visit England at an early date. Sir James Carroll Ims also announced his candidature. •======= 1