THE GENERAL ELECTION BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 59, 3 December 1919, Page 7

THE GENERAL ELECTION BATTLE

PRIME MINISTER IN THE SOUTH SPEECHES AT DIiNTROON AND KIIROW NEWS, NOTES, AND COMMENTS

"Arguments." One nf (he "arguments" Ihivl is ljoinjj (rotted out' by Labour candidates is Unit "Nauru Island will 'bn ono of the biggest white elephants ever foistwl on tho New Zealand.public..'" If the Labour tydivmis!s had authority, which fortunately they do not possess, they might test that remarkable .statement by putting Now Zealand's interest, in Nauru Island oil the market. They would find that pieiity of financiers would .iiimp at the chance, of taking over tliii Dominion's share of thri phesphalo awl paying a .handsome sum for tho privilege. Sew Zealand's prosperity is dependent oil the fertility-of tho-'Soil'.' The fertility of tho soil cannot be maintained without manures. The sources from which Iho manures can be. drawn are strictly limited. Nauru Island is ono of the sources, and iiic agreement made by Mr. Massey means that', (ho .Dominion can get its manure at cost price instead of paying a profit to' company. Where is tho "white elephant"?

Mr, Hornsby Angry. •' Mr.-Hornsby, the Liberal candidate for Wairarapa, is- still, very, very angry becauso somebody * said, or is' alleged to lutvo said, that between the date of. his declaration of independence and his return to tho Liberal fold, his .name was mentioned as a Reform candidate. He says that the report that his name was submitted to a meeting of Reformers at Carterton and turned down is a "lie." Here is what Mr. A', D. M'Lcod, the Beform candidate, has to say on the subject: "Mr. Hornsbv's name was submitted to tho meeting, to test if Reform in tho Waira-rapa was prepared to support him. Now, Mr. Hornsby has been very busy during tho past few days in Tcadin'g part of a letter ho received from Mr. MasGey. I am going to tell him, right hero 'and. now, that if lie reads the letter he wroto to Mr. Ma-ssey to a public meeting, or sends it along to the Press, with 1 the reply in full attached, it will bear' a somewhat different.'"construction to what lie is attempting." The point is not particularly important. But why did Mr. Hornsby formally leave the Liberal Party one year and i;ejoin it tho next, anyway?

Confused Thinking. Tho Labour canllidato for Mataura says that in creating a reformed Legislative Council tho Government should "appoint some half dozen men of the calibre, say, of Sir Robert Stout, the Chief Justice—incu whoso legal knowledge and ability would bo of infinite value—and pay them a good salary, and so mako them independent." This is a sample of the confused thinking that goes to the makiitg of tho extremists' policy. Tho present Legislative Council is subject, in the filial test, to tho will of the people's elected representatives, since the Government of the day can nominate new councillors in sufficient number to swamp an obstinato majority of "lords." But an independent Council of the kind suggested by tlip Labour candidate could defy tho will of tho people. Tho Reform Government has already passed legislation providing for an electivo Upper House, so that tho electors may have, full control of both Chambers.

A Slippery Path, Mr. Hiram Hunter, the official Labour candidate fo>- Cliiistchurcb East, has been asked if lie approves of tho goslow policy in the mines. That is the sort of simple, direct question that the Labour extremists do not like, and so Mr. Hunter evades it this way: . "A perusal of our platform will give you an indication of what wo .purpose doing to rid society of tho incubus or octopus known as the profiteer, who is responsible for industrial strife, whether it is in tho coal mines or elsewhere. I am not familiar with the trouble of tho coal miners, and know only what I have read on the subject. What I have read has led mo to believe that the Government is tho party responsible for the prolongation of the (dispute, and led the miners to adopt the tactics which you refer to as the go-slow policy." "'

If the Labour candidate. hn3 read tho newspapers, he cannot fail to be awaro that the miners adopted (he. go-slow policy after their conference with the employers, without waiting for anything what tho Government might do. But then it does not suit the Labour extremists, on the evo of an election, to bo frank with the electors.

The Balance; of Power. , "There aro now three parlies, Jlr. '.Masspy's party, Sir Joseph Ward's party and th'o su-called Labour- Party," said' the Hon. W. 11. Hcrries at Tauranga. "Mr. Slnssey's party is tlio strongest. The Labour,. Party is almost entirely in the hands of the extremists, who aro verging on anarchy. What is wanted, if a combination of the two great parties cannot be secured, is that 0110 of the ■ parties shall bo so strong that it,will have a majority over the other party and the extremists put together. Tho extremists will not then be in possession of the balance of .power. The electors should sec that. Mr. M.asscy's party, the Reform l'arlv, being now the strongest, is made fctill stronger And firmer."

The Inconsistency of Bolshevism, "Of course, Bolshevism, is -only another name for Socialism," says tho chief organ of, tho Labour extremists, who aro themselves explaining all over the country that, their goal is Socialism. The same men slate that the.v stand for "democratic. government in tiho interests'of all the people." There is not much..democracy about Bolshevism. Tho first act of liie Bolsheviki, when tliey seized power in Russia, was to abolish tho Russian Parliament, lilie "Constituent Assembly." Tiliey have never elecled another Parliament, but liavo governed Russia, or portions of Russia, as 'dictators, maintained in office by military force, and terrorism. 'They undo some preparations for. the election of a Constiluenli Assembly early this year. Tlicy adopted a law, for example, providing lhat representation of tho cities. where they had the workers linder control, should bo fivo times as great on a population basis as representation of lilio country districts. But even then the.v feared lo lake an election. They realised that I hey coubl noli get. a majority in au elected Parliament even if voting power wis conccniralcd in-th? cilic?.

Tho Right to Work. "Class selfishness and class consciousness are bugbears in our life in this country." said Jlr. Ilishworth at; I'elone last nighl. "It is a great pilv wb could not get rid of them. The suggestion made for a. conference between Capital and Labour does not seem lo mo lo bo a solution of the difficult;-. There rnuat be some givo on one side." Voices: What! and What sido?

Mr. Kishworth: I say that the side lhal has must lie prepared to give. (Hear, hear.) IHtlerncss and strife and violence aro not good for lliw or any other country. They cause bitterness in tho community which cannot bo effaced by vears.

A voice: What about the batons? \lr. Uishworth: There has been a great deal of talk about batons. 1 remember the great strike when 1 was a> lad, and t shall never forget seeing a crowd brutally ki.cking a mail who insisted on tho right to work. Voices: Serve them right. _

Mr. Kishworth: I say that in a eounIrv like this every man should liavo tho right to work. ("Hear, hear" and "No."> Those who stand for lawlessness are not true citizens oF - this lair I'onntry, ami we don't waut them." (A pplause.)

Votes for "Reds" Only, Tho wholesale disfranchisement of their opponents was a de.vico adopted by tho Russian Bnlsheviki in anticipation of a..n election. Tho law promulgated by the J>ed dictatorship provided for tho disfranchisement ut' tho following classes:— All persons employing) others in con. miction with tho conduct) «!' their business.

All persons receiving interest, rents, dividend", or an income from financial or industrial enterprise?. All.merchants, traders, and deabrs. All clergymen, priests, and employee;) of churches and religious bodies. Certain persons connected with lilio Tsar's-Government, persons mentally afflicted, and persons convicted of* certain crimes against tho Bolshevik Government; • •

The "crimes" .under this last heading included any form of opposition to the Bolshevik Government or any expression of disapproval of tho Government's actions or methods. But yven then, fiio Bolshevik! dared not proceed to tho election of a Parliament. They aro nice democrats!

Tho "New Liberal Party"! The Goring Street Hall, where Mr. H. Oakley Browne, tho Liberal candidate, addressed the electors of Wellington North; hail its walls decorated v.ith copies of a poster acclaiming tlm achievements of the Liberal Party, This poster was illustrated with a picture of Sir Joseph "Ward, which was llanked by a picture of H.M.S. New Zealand on one side and tho new Parliament Building on the other side. Tho text under tho latter read: "Where the new Liberal Party will meet." "What about tho old Liberal Party?

State- Finance. "At the very heart of the government of any country," said Mr. J, P. Luke at Kelburn last evening, "is tlie matter of finance; and tho affairs of a country cannot be properly followed without an understanding of its finances." Mr. Luko said that in his opinion there should bo set up in tho Houso a select committeo which could call for all tho estimates and the accounts. That committeo should lmve attached to it an examiner, who would bo ablo.to assist the committeo in coming to decisions. He 'believed that the scheme would make for greater efficiency, as it would stimulate tho interest of the private members in important matters and would givo them opportunities for more intimate study of the countrv's finances.

A Warming Place. "A younger fraternity is needed in Parliament," declared Mr. L. M'Kenzie at. St. Mark's last evening. "There are some kind old gentlemen there keeping the seals warm for us." And some who perhaps would make it warm for Mr. M'Kenzie. Will the Wise Men Foregather? "A houso divided against, itself will always fall," remarked Dr. Ncwniau at his Newtown meeting last night, in addressing si small coterie of interjocters who professed .Labour sympathies. "You known," continued .tho candidate, goodhumouredly, "that you arc so divided up .that you have not got a dog's clianco of winning at the election." A voice We don't expect to, doctor. Dr. Newman went on to explain that even if neither Reformers nor Liberals were returned with a .working majority (be extremists would not, as they fondly imagined, he allowed to hold tho balance of power and dictate accordingly. "There will in that caso be a gathering of wise men of both parties for the protection of the country, and'wo will be able to pull things together, after trouble."

Industrial Robbers. ".Tust a word or two on the go-slow policy." saici Sir. E. Macartney, Government candidate for Lyttelton. "I lliink that the so-jlow policy means, firstIv. absolute robbery of the minoowiiers, secondly, absolute robbery of the country, ami thirdly, absolute robbery of tho men's fellow-ciliwus. Tlio mail who adopts the so-slow nolicv is an absolute waster." (Applause.) Ono could gather that the man who struck work was dissatisfied, but the man who took the ownor's money, nil then did not work, was nothing but an absolute waster. Personally, lie would "sack every one'of them," and ral her. than have such a policy in rogue ho would meter to see coal mining in New Zealand cease altogether." ( Applause.)

Livina on its Past. "Tho Liberal'Parl.v in New Kcnkino' is endeavouring to restore its lost prestige with the masses of the people by remindin'sr them of .the progressive legislation that was passed in the days of Ballauee, Seddon, and M'Kenzie," says the "Wairarapa Arc." "No political party in this, or any other country, can live uponIhe record o[ its predecessors. The pconln are not concerned with what has hamiened in the past, though they are not unmindful of tho magnificent services rendered l\y Si? Harry Atkinson, Sir George Grey, .Tolm .Hailanee, ana' liieJiaril .fohn Seddon. The world is urosressinsr. Evsrv decade brings a new coloration, and with it new Aspirations and new ideals. The social and economic, conditions that obtain to-day are rnfirelr dili'ercnt. to thn=o which were in existence twenty or thirty years ago. A Irco lhat has hirno good fruit in (lie nasi: mnv, in ils olo' age, be attacked wiMi blight and disease, and wither away. S.O it is wilh political parties."

All Got a Share. " llr. llish worth was speaking last tiipht iif the millions jeeoi veil liv this country Tor I lie. siilu of our produce. "What ha ppened In thr- millions.'

asketi-a frcnuent interrupter. ' Mr. liishworlli: They have helped to make' ill country prosperous. The voice: Tim workers got none I lie millions. , Mr. Ki.-liworlh: The million? havo gone to help all of von. 1 wy there is not :i man among yon wlio lias nol bonoliteil because ni' Hie piu-perily of Ill's country. If lio lias nol benefited, I say' it lias l.irn bis i.wn (anil. (Applause.)

Three Great Thoughts. Speaking on nalional superannuation aI- Brookl'vn yesterday afternoon, o oncl Mitchell -aid: "AH arc asreeH "'■'J- "" ime .should want who is prepared to work, and no one should want who raniiol work, while .•>. gracious <-«xl «'"! ;l bounteous eininlry send enough ami to tiiiare for all." is one ol tin* $xro;u*.'>C tutulions of I lie Slate. Tim children of tod\v are the men and women nl to-mor-ruiv, and the Hlato _ must rnsnro that tliev ;ii'e made good citizens." "f believe llio liomo and family lile I lie sonreu of all our people's greatness We want heller home.s, belter surroundings, and a return to a hotter homo life, (iml more, national and individual thrift." Neccssary Legislation. Spc;iking at Newtown last evening, llr. Neivnian, liefovm candidate for Wellington East, said that ho wanted the tioiorr.inenl. to lakij up a public health crusade against the dread disease cancer.. If this were undertaken and prosecuted vigorously, lie believed that in a very l'e'-v years the deaths caused through cancer would be rcduced to one-third of the present ougta. The muiio thing, hi) added, applied to another cliscaso cummott in New Zealand—goitre.

The Wizard Again. "Sir Joseph Wand ink in V&» 'JloaM during *Jio debate on 'At housing pioi)> !om that In* would'toko monoy from fhn Post Oflicc Savings Bank to provido cheap funds for iho building of'homes. I eairl thou and I repeal: now that whatovej Government lakes monoy from the Post i.'Hici) Savings Bank ought. to pay I,ho right interest for it, iiotavitlislwiding that it is for tho housing scheme."— Air. .T. P. Luke, ut Kclbuni. If, am] When, When lilio proper of peivon puU up for Parliament, bo will gel; the support of (ho people," said Mr. L. Jl'Kenv.io at 'Sk Mark's last evening. "You'd only havo ono.votc in the House," said nil inlerjactor.

"I'm glad you mentioned thai'. I was twitted tho sniuo way recently by a. member of tho liofprm Party, but 1 cur.tewl that ono man' can do a lot if ho can liandlo the job, and .tho man that can't do anything for Ibo city was not worth inuoli."

"You wanfi to ejcL a mesmerist!" eaid a voice.

Aliens and Undesirables. In urging upon his a.udionca at Newtown last night the desirableness of keeping New Zealand "white," Br. Newman, .said that ho did not want to fee the Bomillion, subjected to any ''silent invasion" of -Asiatics and other undesirable alieiis. 110 believed in Now; Zealandets keeping their country to themselves. Alien immigrants always spelt trouble, and they were, us was proved during tho g'reat war, a thorn in oiir side. Ho ha/t always' voted for, and always would advocate, a-- wbito Australia, and a white New. Zealand. . An interjector: "What about■ indentured labour in Samoa? Didn't you vote.for that, Doctor?" "No, I did not. Thai; is a'sell for you!" was tho rejoinder. Tilio candidate added that undgi- a Bill of last session tho Government took serious steps to prevent an influx of any undesirables to the Dominion.

"Oh Where, and Oh Where,'' Etc. "Hag anybody a knowledijo of tho present whereabouts of Sir Joseph Ward?" asks tho ' Clrristehurch "Sun." For ono so prono to. speech and ona occupying such a responsible position, ho h&5 been strangely silent of late. When first ho went south his observations were telegraphed at groat length throughout tho Dominion. Since then ho has been one with tho most inconsequential of candidates: just "ono cf the starters." Meanwhile, the Prime Minister luis travelled southward, too; as far down as Hivcrton, which is not a great distance from Sir Joseph's own constituency. At tho time of writing, no counterblast to Mr. Massey's challenges has 'been, heard. No answer has come out of Winton, though there is much that calls for reply. What has happened the lost leader? Is ho going unreported? Is he merely rusticating'against tho time tho battle thickens? _ Or can it ho that lie is working out in detail those schemes of his which have haffled elucidation even by flio financial experts who are responsible for tho Liberal editorials r"

In the Inconceivable Event—l 'Mr. A. M'l-achlan, ivho is contesting the Mataura. seat as a I/al»ur candidate, says that the electors need not be nervous about putting the Labour Party into office, since "if tho Labour Party wont into power it would have tho assistance of the heads of tho various Departments till it got into iis stride, and iso it would Ijo enabled to carry on." Evidently Jfr. M'Laclilan has his own doubts about tho ability of his leaders to manage tho affairs of the Dominion.

Grossly Misrepresented. "Tho position regarding indentured labour in Samoa is being grossly misrcpre-\-. sented to tho electors. It is a great stretch of imagination to say that thoro is tho slightest danger of slavery being introduced into Now Zealand,"—-Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell, D.5.0., at Brooklyn yesterday afternoon.

Something to be Thankful For,

Some interrupters said: "Slavery, at Mr. Eishworth's meeting last night. Mr. Pislnvorth replied: "The Massay Government has been allied with tho Liberal Government in the best interests of this country to win a war to save you from that slavery you are so fond of talking about. (Applause.) If it had not been for tho National Government, that pulled this country through jts ties you would liavc been lacked off tho footpaths 'by arrogant Prussian conquerors." (Applause.)

Cryptic. "Sir .Tames Allen is a stubborn man and .when he B ets something in Ins; heart he carries it out.' -A cryptic statement by tho Liberal candidate for Wellington North. No Party to Betraying the Electors. "I would ho no pnrly to a Gnv«nmenfc that was put into power and had us li'»i«latiou dominated and determined by 1 Action of the Labour Party that does no'; possess the confidence ot lie people of Now /.ralnnd," said Mr. Luke at Ivelburn last evening.

Strange! . \ ■ "The National Government had only lasted 011 the strength and initiative of the Liberal members of the Cabinet, siid Air. Will'ord modestly at Eltliam. Mr C II Major, Liberal candidate for Maniikaii, the action taken by Rir .loseph Ward in leaving the National Go\ eminent, contending that the dominating tactics of the Reform of the Cabinet made hie Liberal .Ministers' retention of office impossible. ' The Liberals, really ought to ccine to some agreement about their asseiT.oiis. Another Fabrication. Kb a political meeting in t.lie TCicearlon electorate last week an elector'made h« definite statement (hut .M r. Ma?M\\ ono of the largest, shareholders in he Auckland Hour mill?.- Ihe idea..behind the Statement apparently ■ was to si1 ow tliat this was the reason that the Prune Miniser had countenanced tho system of the subsidy to the millers, and also the wheat-growing farmers of and North Of ago had found it difficult lo obtain more favourable terms ~, connectiou With the Gvernment trol and the prices paid for -j-ho celeal. Air ivvereux, of course, could not deny tl o statement oIV hand at fho meeting. I tie lon 11. Monro was cimoua enough about the matter in Mr M'i»'sov at Queenstown, asking if 0 llSio" «as hue W \ inisfcr replied on Saturday:- Tho s , einent is an. ahsoluto fabrication. I 1, i i"ver "wned ft share in any flour ; , ifP » n to know how large a proportion of 0 ("foments made against Mr. Mnssev nml his parly havo foundations as solid cis tho above-mentioned one..

The Solfi-.h Party. "Your parly is all for self,'"- said Mr, IJishwoiih to an inlerjcclor.nl. lei one h-t 11H1I. "You have no idea, that i» not seliwh. The party that is pandering (o those ideas of selfishness is not going |„ got a chance ot the next election, and that is the Liberal Parly." (Applause.) That Four Months' Schemc, Mr. Ifishworth, liefonn candidate tor Tlull. made it quite clear last; nicM that, lie does not support any schemc lor getlintf voung men into camp for military training as part, of our defcnre srslinn Mr. .lvisliworth said that ine ]liberal member for tlm district had declared that ho (Mr. lashworth) would never daro In raise his voieo against; tlio "iiulocratie Minister of Defence" if tko Minister declared for four months' training, Mr. Uishworth told'of an cccar sitm when Sir .lames Allen spoko in the llutt, and mentioned this four-months' traiilin" scheme, which was advocated by his military advisers. "At that time," said Mr. Uisluvorth, "I was on the platform -Ivith-' him, I spoko after Jiinvmnrt I told Kiiii smartly'thiit'the peopld-of- this country would not stand for tlus'form of conscription. What I told him in public then I would not hositato to tell Hun in the .House, for no one win say that t am weak-kneed about csproisipg uy. opinions,"-