WELLINGTON NORTH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 61, 5 December 1919, Page 8

WELLINGTON NORTH

MR. J. P. LUKE AT TINAKORI ROAD

,Mr. J. P. Luke addressed a crowded meeting of electors at tilie Churchroom, Tinakori Road, last night. Mr. _ D. Kerr presided. Mr. Luke's address dealt largely with naval proposals as set out in Admiral Jellicoe's report. Preliminary to expressing his opinion on tho new naval policy, the candidate emphasised (ihe profound gratitude of the Dominion's people for tho safety of fcho 100,000 soldiers of New Zealand who were safely convoyed to the shores where tho armies were established—it was a great triumph for British, naval and merdantile authority that the transport of men and the food essentials, not only for our own men but for the pcoplo of tho United Kingdom, was so successfully carried out. The candidate described the proposal of Lord Jellicoe lo incorporate New Zealand in lilie Imperial policy of naval defence, and stated that tho lesson acquired from the recent war and tho to New Zealaivl and tho Commonwealth by the assignee of tho Australian lloot should bo vital in considering our own proposals for naval protection in the future. Mr, Luke was jn favour 'of Now Zealand having ships of its own and manned by New Zealanders, to bo the f New Zealand 1 Division of tho Royal British Navy. Tho last ivar revealed I'he weakness of reducing the naval strength at tho outposts of the Empire, and ho declared we should never run such risks that in ft future war our country would be open to attack, and in not having done our part to protect our people and commerce; Tho whole matter was one for experts, but his opinion was that we should (lo our share to etand by the Motherland in war v a.nd peace. . lie considered that this country .emerged from tihe war with credit because it carried out a system that was fair and effective to all. jS'o man should remain in New Zealand unless he was prepared to take his share in its defence if it was needed. Other subjects dealt rfitli were immigration, housing, and maternity homes, pensions, cost of living', fisheries, and fruit, and several matters for lihe development and improvement of the city and district. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence was carried, although there woro several objectors, amid cheers for Mr. Luke and the chairman. MR. H. 0. BROWNE AT BOULCOTT STREET. Mr. JI. 0. Browne (Liberal candidate for Wellington North) addressed a meeting in tho Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, last evening. Mr. T. W. Hislop presided. ■' Mr. Browne said that it had been urged against him that he was a young man, nevertheless he claimed tho support of the debtors, and would leave it to them to judge after ho had placed his views before them. He was a straightout Literal. Liberalism had made New Zealand tho prosperous country it was to-day, and to Liberalism the future oT tho country ought to l)e entrusted. This was no time for tho independent candidate, but for the candidate "of straightout principles." Ho was surprised to hear the question asked: "What have the Liberals done?" "What have they not. done?" asked Mr. Browne. "I often wonder how it was possible for the Liberals to havo achieved what they did, because every measure that they brought down was ppposed tooth and nai! hy the men who are in office at oresent.'' Mr, Browne sketched reforms that ho would advocate in the Public Service. Every member of the service should havo the right of appeal against'dismissal; and room should be made for the young men by tho retirement of all who had had forty years in the service. If returned, he would make tho interests of tho Public Service a matter of special study.

A voto of thanks and confidence was oarried at tho conclusion of tho address.

MR. READ AT DIXON STREET. A meeting was held last night at Dixon Street liy Mi". J. Road, the Labour candidate for North. Mr. W. Atkinson was chairman, and there was a fair attendance. Dealing with Mr. Luke's statement that "Reform spelt freedom ami prosperity for vJie luimtry as .1 whole," Mr. Read said lie was surprised at n member of the Reform Parly making such a claim. As a matter of fact since the advent of tho Reform Party to power in 1911, and during the period,of the Coalition in the House' there hud, he said, been at hrst a gradual whittling away of liberty, ami finally almost a total supprcision of liberty, which in the Labour Parly's eyes had been totally unjustuiieii.' 'low any person could claim that a party which' had passed conscription without reference lo tho people in any way stood in the interests of liberty was a confusing puzzle. Mr. Road said that it had been reported to him that one of his Liberal opponent's supporters had staled to some of tho electors in the constituency that he (Mr. Read) was a niembrr of Ihe P.l'.A. Ho denied that lie had ever had any connection with the I'.l'.A. As a matter of fact lie did not believe in introducing religion into polities in am- wav. A person's religion was Irs own business. If necessary he was prepared to tight for the fullest religious freedom for oil- Mr. llt'jul Mini tliflt the Labour Party did not stand tor the right of initiating legislation k>:iig solely confined to Cabinet, as was practically the caw now. There was only one way of dealing with the matter, and that was by the adoption of the initiative and referendum as provided for ill the Labour Party's platform. At tho conchision of the meeting cheers were given for th« Labour Party and Mr. Road.