POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1917, Page 3

POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Messrs McCombs and Webb at

Opera House.

There was a large attendance last evening at the Westland Ope'.a Home to hear tho announced addressee by Messrs J McCombs a°d P. O. Webb, members of Parliament for Lyttelton and Grey respectively, on the subject of “ The Goat of Living aid Labor Idea's.” The Chair wis occupied by Mr F. W. Turley a visitor to the district, and in addition to the two speakers, Mrs McCombs ocoupied a aeat on the platform. The Chairman iu asking lor a fair healing for the speakers announced that any questions would bB answered at the conclusion of the addressee. Mr P. O. Webb was ihe first speaker and met with a warm recaption. He first took the opportunity of refuting a suggestion mode in the press that their visit was meant to be in any way detrimental to the member for Westland. Instead, his one regret was that Mr Sad don was not present that evening, and that he would loDg continue to capably represent Westlaud as he had done in the past. When Mr Seddon bad gone to the front h 9 with others had promised to do bis bast to assist the people of Westland and he mentioned that for one letter he received from hia constituents in Grey elec ! o;a‘o ha received two from the Westland district asking for his assistance and help. Recently he had visited Houth

Westland nud ha felt it his duty to urge to the utmost of his power tha urgent need for bridging the southern river?. Mr Webb then proceeded to refer to the land question and the need of bursting up the large estates. He pointed out that the Reform P/>rty he'd possession of 80% of the press and that therefore the L bj’ Party had to come on the platform to enable them to get proper publ'citv d rh-iir aims and aspirations. Ba king l<;gi - lation was touched oa and the nfceasity of extending Ssate enterprises to the formation of a StUe bmh urged, So with a State owned shipping and the necessity of extend Dg ihe scope of the State owned coal mines. The attitude of the Libor members in Parliament when the We.r Pensions Act was being dealt with was next touched on and he claimed that by their efforts the penfiou wis raised from 25/ to 35/ per week. He v?aa opposed to consciiption of men without the conscription of wealth. Ha disclaimed strongly against the action of those wealthy farmers and others who, while voicing their patriotism, were dragging huge profits out of th 9 people during the war crisis, stating that those men who were piling up wealth at tbo coat of the poor wete criminals of ths deepest dye. Near the end of the speech thera were a number of interruptions by members of the audience, one interrupter asking for something new, while another queried the reamn tha speaker web not at the war. Mr Webb was beat hi y applauded as be concluded his remarks. Before the next speaker commenced the Chairman again asked for a fair hearing. Mr J. McCombs waß well received. He first paid a tribute to the late Hon R. McNab, whom death he said waa a deep loss to Parliament and the country. He mentioned the great literary efforts of the deceased, and his connection with many reforms, including that of proportional representation. The speaker said that of late years progressiva Liberalism had languished in the hands of those who had followed the late Mr Seddon, and as a result tha Tory Party had come into power. He paid a great tribute to tha work ofßallance and Saddonand then outlined the course of events leading to the formation of tha coalition government. Dealing with the legislation he stigmatised the Cost of Living Act as tha greatest piece of hypocrisy ever put on the people. Tha Government had utterly failed to control the cost of living. Th?y had also failed to count tbe silver balls.a when they counted the heads of men. The question of conscription was dealt with at length and the attitude of the Labor Party fully explained, the action of the Christchurch City Cjunoil in granting full pay to its employees being cifcsd as an instance of bow, if proper provision were made for tbs dependants, that voluntary enlistment would not fail. At the conclusion of the addres*, questions were iuvited, and several were asked and roplied to. Tha moat potent was one by Mr Batson who SBked why Mr Webb did not go to the front. Mr Webb, in reply, said he was elected to represent tha people of the Grey district and he felt he was doing more good staying behind looking after the interests of his class than he would do at the front. If his electors told him to go he would at once resign and give thorn an opportunity to Bay whether they wished him to continue to serve them. Other questions were asked and answered and then Mr Webb moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, which waa carried by acclamatisn and a good humored, if at times somewhat noisy meeting, cams to a conclusion.