WELLINGTON SOUTH

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

WELLINGTON SOUTH

LIEUT.-COLONEL MITCHELL HAS A , SUCCESSFUL MEETING.

Lieut-Colonel G. Mitchell, D.5.0., Independent candidate for the Wellington South electorate, addressed a very largo gathering of the electors in the Star Theatre, Newtown, last evening. Tho candidate was greeted with loud applause as he mounted the platform. The chair was occupied by tho Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C. Proceedings were most enthusiastic throughout. The speaker at the outset warned thoso present that there was a danger at tho present time of them being led into wrong channels by the extremist section contesting the scots in ' tho House. (Much discord, during which ail individual called for tlireo cheers for Mr. Semplo, which were given with a mixture of hooting.) He would not say that tho other sido were blameless for tho present economic situation. The only way to remove tho unsettled feeling in tho country was to create a better spirit of brotherhood between all. The electors themselves would have (o decids at the election as to whether this was going to be brought about by evolution or revolution. Ho was against wholesale nationalisation, but he favoured tho nationalisation of the mines and ferry steamers as State functions. He con. sidered that there was room for very great improvements in tho education system whereby every child, bo it rich or poor, would have equal opportunities. Compulsory dental treatment was desirablo, and improvement in the medical services was very necessary. Tho spenker advocated the development of. tho water power of the country, which would go a long way towards overcoming tlw coal difficulty. Tho development of the water power would result in increased production, and would in time result in the country being able to deal with its own raw material instead of as at present having to export it for manufacture elsewhere. He deprecated tho "goslow" policy, and pointed out its effect on the community) as n whole. Thoso men practising the "go-slow" policy wero ill-advised and badly led—thev them, solves wero the first to suffer, 'l'lie legislation to combat the cost of living Arns inadequate, and he claimed that the standardisation of wages and commodities would be a step in the direction'of reducing the present high cost. New Zealand, however, was not the only sufferer—it was world-wide—but the Dominion was better off. The candidate further advocated a national superannuation scheme, embracing every individual in the country. (Applause.) Such a scheme would provide for the wifo and children in the caso of the husband or father's death, cases of sickness*, unemployment, etc., ,and would do away with the disliked charity. It would also provide for old age and tho maintonanco of dependants in the event of the wage-earner's desertion or imprisonment. The scheme would make provision for everyone irrespective of their earning power and wealth. He touched on many other subjects already in previous reports, and at the conclusion was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried amidst loud applause and much cheering. A counter motion favouring his opponent received a little support, which was promptly smothered by hooting and cat-ealb. >