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THE GENERAL ELECTION BATTLE

CANDIDATES' SPEECHES

TWO WELLINGTON LIBERAL MAIDEN EFFORTS

NEWS, NOTES, AND COMMENTS

A Poop Wreath for the Dead, "Civil strife is a poor wreath to lay on the graves of the dead. Clnss hatred is s, sorry monument to erect to their memory. High tasks await us. We havo titanic work to do. Each of us must play his part in the effort that is needed to build tho commonwealth."—Mr. W. 11. Field at Normandale, quoting from the "Morning: Post." A Liberal "Break" Shown Up. The Liberal candidate for Wellington North made a, etrong point last night of his opposition to indentured labour in Samoa. He is entitled to his own opinion on this question, of course, but he mado an obvious attempt to mislead when he was nslcod why his political chief, Sir Joseph Ward, hiul not voted against indentured labour - while the Treaties of Peace Bill was before tho House. "I will tell you why," he said. "Because the motion not only included the question of indentured labour, but everything in the Peace Treaty. If lie had voted against thn indentured labour lie would have voted against the Peace Treaty. You cannot upset tho whole Peace Treaty for the sake of ono clause. Sir Joseph Ward docs not etand for indentured labour." What actually occurred in the House was a division on a Labour amendment proposing that the Ordor-in-Council relating to the administration of Samoa should "expressly forbid the employment of indentured labour." The Peaco Treaty as a whole was not affected at all. Sir Joseph Ward was in. tho House at the time, but did not record a vote. It is movely reasonable to assume that the Liberal Loader did not wish to vote against indentured labour. Not Playing tho Game, It suits the Labour extremists to endeavour to arouse prejudice and create alarm regarding indentured labour in Samoa, but there is no good reason why Teasonablo men of any party should follow their example. The debate on the subject in tho House of Representatives showed clearly enough that all the parties regard tho evstem of indenture witli disfavour. Mr. Massey said he believed it would lie possible to do away with indentured labour in tho island, and he hoped that the time for ifs abolition would como soon. But Jie_ and other public men with responsibility on their shoulders had to realise that tho labour system of Samoa could not be changed by a stroke of tho pen. Tho plantations nre dependent now on indentured labour. No other la'bour is available. White men cannot undertake heavy physical work in Samoa. If the indentured workers now at Samoa were all sent homo at ones, the plantations would be ruined and the industries of the island would be wrecked. This may seem a small mutter to tho peonlo who would cheerfully wreck New Zealand if they had the onportunity, hut it is not a consideration that can bo disregarded by practical people. Free to Please Themselves. If indentured labour really were "slavery" of the kind described by Mr. Holland and some of his friends, tho snerifino of tho industries of Samoa would be justified in order that the evil might bo ended at once. But the indentured Chinese are not slaves at all. Most of them, as a matter of fact, have served the full periods of their indentures, and are staying at Samoa of their own wish. The Chinese Government has insisted a along that every indentured worker shall havo tho right *o return to China directly his term of employment is completed, and that Hie mon shall always have freo access to the Chinese Consul at Samoa.. Th«=e conditions have huen observed. Mr. Holland, who has rather a tasto for 'unpleasant insinuations, lins suggested Hint moral conditions union? the'indentured workers are bad. but the "evidence" he adduces in support of hia words relates to South Africa, whero the conditions were totally different. Wli«t the Government and Parliament have done so far is to sanction the retention of tho indentured labour pending the final settlement of the details of Samoan administration by the new Parliament. The whole question will bo reopened nest year. Suffering from Ennui? "The dull atmosphere of the legislative Council, which he has somehow managed to endure for the twelve or thirteen years of his political life, Ims 'become so oppressive to him of late that it is willingVi he says, that ho resigns his membership of that Chamber. —The "Otago Daily limes" on the Hon. J. '1 , . Paul. , The Crucial Test for Labour. "Many questions have been .put to Labour candidates throughout New Zealand, but the one crucial question, upon tho answer to which they should all bo judged, resolves itself into this: 'What did you do to help on the war, and to deliver New Zealand,' tho British Empire, and the world's democracies from the rulo of the Hun and tho iron heel of the oppressor?'"—"Mauawatu Standard," Mr. Wilford Skates. Mr. Wilford (at Hawera) explained the difficulty with tho privileges' enjoyed by tho Government experienced by m;ivate members in moving any motion in the House. A voice: That would apply if Sir Joseph Ward was in power. Mr. Wilford: Cortainly it would, and it was equally bad in'both cases. A voice: How will you remedy it? Mr. Wilford: You ought to get into Parliament, if you' want to do that — Hawera "Star." A typical example of Liberal methods of grappling with reform. "1 Bid Two Bob." As an instance of tho evils of party government they could take the soldiers' gratuity. Mr. Massey offered.ls. Gd This was purely as a gift, -they all know that had 10s. been offered it would not have compensated for tho sacrifices that had been made. Sir Joseph Ward said: "1 bid two bob," and extreme Labour wanted to make it ' four bob." IT<? did not think the action ot oxtreme Labour in this matter would bo greatly appreciated by tho soldiers when they remembered tho position taken up by Labour loaders here while they were' in tho trenches, ono having preferred gaol to active service.—Mr. Powilrell, ono of tho Keform candidates for Patea. Labour's Legacy to .Queensland. A Press Association cablegram from Brisbane Inst night states;—" Much unemployment prevails in tho City and other centres. Deputations havo constantly heckled the Government ein-o Mr. Ryan's retirement from the Prelniorslup. Failing ;o eecuro sntisfcielioi, thev havo appea.i'd to Mr. ]lu o 'hes to relievo the situation. Mr. Hughes, who is vi"oronsly pushing his political .caraIH'ign in Quecish ul, promised to provide work by pushing on the Comrnouwealth public works." Red Flag and Russian Anthem, When Mr. J. A. Nash was concluding a, meeting at Palnierston North, a supporter of tho Holland party interjected: "Let's havo a verse of 'Tho Red Flag' to wind up with." Another elector shouted: "The Russian National Anthom/' and a third voice was heard su?gesttng, "Not that; the new one.' , Messrs. Holland, l'raser and co. nre not fortunate in their company—or perhaps it is tho company tikat is unfor,tunato in jt<j sources of inspiration,

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing. "Tho Labour Party should not bo judged (so tho candidates say) by the trinity of Eed Feds., who have so far controlled its movements and policy, but on its political platform. From tho political standpoint none of these men are to be trusted (observes tho "MnP'iwatu Standard"). They will hark back to tho principles of tho old Rod Federation, which, should it ever unhappily bo their lot to govern this country, thev would not hesitate to translate into action. Tho candidate who is locally expounding the Labour platform has told the Palmerston electors I hat the decisions of tho -najority alone aro bindin? on the paHy, and that there is no need to fear extremist action on the part of the revolutionary section. Principles, ho says in effect, vill rulo the decisions of the party, and so wo are asked not to look too olsory into the character of the men expounding those principles. But no business man would think of t-npaging a departmental manager on the mere strength of his professions or. of his professed principles. Hβ would want vo know something about tho man's, <;hanct»r and something concerning hie associates. And, if he knew the latter were covertly seeking to undermine his business and to bring .ibout a revolution that would result in his eventual ruin, he would regard the man associating with them ae a suspicious character, with whora thefewer dealings ho had the bettor." Unadulterated Humbug. One of the-Labour candidates has.'declared that a defence system is unnecessary, because "any man can be" taught to' be a soldier in twenty-four hours/" This is unadulterated liunibug. What does ho imagine would happen to thp tw.cuty-four-ihour soldier if ho met an enemy who had spent a few months learning how to fight? It would bo much more reasonable to* eay iihat the country requires no facilities for teohnical instruction becauso "any man can be taught to be a plumber, a carpenter, or a mechanic in twenty-four hours." 'JPhe job of the modern soldier is no less skilled'and technical than that of the artisa.n. The difference is that the unskilled artisan merely loses hie billet or spoils good material, whereas the unskilled soldier loses his life. An unskilled army will lose a war. "His Unmanageable Ambition." "TJw Sir Joseph. Ward of tho Coalition is a far different person from the Sir Joseph Word, imer of tihe Opposition, and a politician mightily anxious to secure tne job now in tho hands of Mr. Alussoy," says tho Timaru "Herald; ''Aβ the foimer, under the terms of the arrangement, ho was bound to observe the condition of abstaining from parly manoeuvring. As an as.pir.ant for the highest ofhco in tho land. Sir Josoph is compelled by his unmanageable ambition to do as ho .has done and talk as ho has talked. When he left tho Coalition and challenged the Government, he .had' to justify by hook or by crook a step that app.eared to many as unpatriotic and unjustifiable. In • endeavouring to do this, he has gone to uxtieuiw of promisee and tactics which have played into the hands of his oppononte, and almost cast doubts on his political sanity. Jud&ed on his programme, Sir Joseph is as Seddon and Ballanco never wore, and never could be. There is nothing tiliat he is not prepared to undertake (or promise) in return for the nation's confidence." That Tcn-and-Sixpenny House, Mr. H. Atmore, tho Liberal candidate for .Nelson, oviuently believes in going tho wholo hog. He told • a meeting that "the Liberal-Labour proposal for meeting the housing shortage, whereby a man or woman could secure a good house at a weekly payment of 10s. Gd.,.was probablv tho finest in the world, and he predicted that l.ho workers would voto strongly for the party who had evolved this mußnificont scheme." Unfortunately for Mr. Atmore, tho "magnificent scheme" for building cheap houses is far too vimuo to commend itself to plain people. It is depeiiQont, as far as Sir Joseph Ward made himself understood, on the borrowing of tho pooplo'e money from the Post Oulce Savings Bank at a IoY rate of interest, in order to give otli-jr people who aro'perhaps better off clw.mer houses. It is on the principle of robbins Puter to pay Paul. Its details, too.' aro about as elusive as the dotails of the scheme for completing all the important railways in three or flvo years'. In othor words, it is electioneering of tho most rabid order. An Imperial New Zealander, "With tho exception of one term of Parliament as meuiher for Dunedin East, tJift wholo of Sir James Allen's long Parliamentary service has been renewed in his capacity ae the representative of Bruce since 1592," says the Dunedin "Star." a ' Liberal papor. It can bo said without any reservation that his service to the State and Empire throughout the voara constitutes a notable record of conscientious work and high-spir-ite.l lovnitf, Hβ has beou a New /.ear lander first, last, and always, but uover at anv time n "Little New Zealander." That fact alone has placed him in a special class as a legislator and an administrator, somewhat apart and aloof from the too common type of pediling politician. He has had a wider and (to a conMulor.ibla extent as regards Imperial affairs) a clearer vision than most of his cciitemnojanes." Mr. Massey Makes New Friends, "Nothing could havo been bettor," said tho Priino Minister (the Eight Hon. W. F. Massey) whim a "Sun" representative questioned him regarding the nature of the reception riven him on his recent tour through tho North Island. , Mr. Massey went north very much of a stranger so far as addressing the electors was concerned.' Even in his own constituency thore was oiily one centre which had had a political address from him during tho past eight years. Yet there was a rousing reception for the Prime Minister everywhere. Some of !iis old opponents, but always very good friends, approached him with open hands. "We have opposed you in the past," they 6aiil. "but Dover again." Speaking of the feeling of the country, so far as he was able to gauge it, Mr. Massey said that he found tho people in the main solid and loyal. A largo number of extreme candidates were going to tho poll, and that section must capture'a few seats; but generally his impression was that a smaller number of Government supporters would lose their seats this time than ever before, while the Government also etood to gain, very considerably. Realty Funny. Ono of tho journalistic apologists for tho Opposition says there aro several reasons why tho electors regard Mr. Mnseey "as an enemy to tho interests of tho community," and that "one very etrong ono is tho Government's neglectundoubtedly wilful—iu tho matter of taxation of land values." This sort of argument really is funny. The Liberals havo always claimed the land tax as their own. and they had the fixing of tho rates up to 1912. Mr. Massey raised tho graduated tux after he took office. During the lifo of the NationV Government Sir Josoph Ward had charge of finance and taxation. Yet'now the Liborals try to make party capital out of the Reformers' "neglect" iu flip, matter pf, tho taxation, of land I '

Soldiers' Educational Allowances. In the telographod report of Mr.Massey speech published yesterday Mr. Massey is mado to Bay tluit discharged soldiers receiving educational and vocati.on;il training aro paid at the rate of .£1 per week. This point was brought undur Mr- Massey's notico yesterday, mid ho lias replied that his speech must havo been nii«reporled. As a matter of fac*; tuition, allowances, as eet out in tho Itottirncd Soldiers' Guide, range from £2 10s. per week for single men to X 3 Us. for married men. with children.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19191127.2.62

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,486

THE GENERAL ELECTION BATTLE Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 7

THE GENERAL ELECTION BATTLE Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 7

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