POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1922, Page 1

POLITICAL.

ME SEDDON "at"gR*TSM#TH. A FIGHTiN-i SPEECH. There was a splendid attendance at the Opera House, Greymouth, last night when Mr Seddon spoke for the second time in the town during the present campaign, the occasion being in reply to the Rt Hon. the Prime Minister. Air W. Parfitt. DeputyMayor, occupied the chair.

Mr Seddon’s address extended over an hour and a half during which he dealt trenchantly with many statements of Mr Massey and referred also to striking defects in the Government administration. It na' essentially a fighting speech, carl ■>-ng the war into the enemy’s camp, and Mr Seddon’s vigorous onslaught won him great applause. He dealt -ith a variety of matters and replied very convincingly to the Prime Minister's references to Air Seddon allegedly voting with Afr Holland on no-confidence. Air Seddon’s clear exposition of the ease in question and his definite statement that he could not support Afr Holland oil principle in regard to a no.-onfidenee issue met the favor of the audience who applauded roundly. In dealing with the ease referred to, he stated it was a matter where the second cut of public service salaries was involved, and there was no question of no-confidenee raised. The. whole trend of the debate was as to the equity of the penalty proposed to he put on the public servants. He instanced how Afr AVilford’s speech made a clear exposition of the Liberal party’s stand on the matter, the leader pointing out exactly how far the party’s support could go in the matter. In dealing with Air Alassey’s changed attitude on proportional representation, Air Seddon quoted the Prime Alinister’s speech when lie proposed to apply the system to an elective Upper House, and to his promise of giving ■‘something better” than the Second Ballot for the Lower House. Afr Afassev now had turned round completely, and had failed to fill definite pledges lu> had given, not only on the hustings, hut also in the law he had passed, hut which he had failed to evoke to give the country an elective Second Chamber.

Referring to Mr Massey’s claim /if ready belli to the district, Afr Seddon showed how the Premier and his party in times past had opposed and delayed the Otira Tunnel, which but for the Liberal Government, might never have been started. It was only when the works were well advanced, and the official heads of Departments endorsed the prospects of the future of the Afidland railway that the present Government became friendly. Tt was known, too, how in respect to the Afidland railway litigation in times past. Afr Afassey and his party had failed to give the

Liberal Government of that day adequate support to fight the legal battle of the country.

Another inattoi in regard to which Air Massey's Government had failed to help was in respect to the payment to the Greymouth Boruugli Council of expenditure affecting the railway encroachment, and this notwithstanding that the Select Committee of the House had reported favourably on the Borough’s claim. A reference vas made to loyalty in respect to which All Seddon said there were different kinds of loyalty. There was loyalty to one’s country, to one’s church, and to one’s party. In regard to the party loyalty, lie detailed how certain members of the Reform party, during the absence of Mr Afassey in England, bad formed a “cave” with the object of undermining the I’reinier’s influence. But when Mr Afassey returned he adroitly took three of the “cave”, Afessrs Lee, Anderson and Parr, into the Cabinet and that was the end of the “cave.”, the other Reform members who had loyally stuck to their pledges to stand together, being left deserted. Now this same Afr Parr,

pursuing a loyalty “stunt” in another

direction, had set about persecuting Afiss Dark, a school teacher of the I North Island, who happened to he a young lady lie (Air Petition! knew very well and most favorably while in Hokitika. Air Parr, an influential member of the Afassev Government used nil the legal and financial resources of the Government and the country to persecute and prosecute the young lady, hut who the teaching world rejoiced to know had won her legal ease against the Afassey Alinistrv. and Afiss Park had come through with flying colors. Dealing with the extravagance of the Government. Afr Afassey’s explanation of the £I,OOO expenditure for the nigh Commissioner’s furniture in London was dealt with. Afr Seddon said this outlay was a tribute only to snobbishness. Previous Agent-Generals and High Commissioners had been quite content with their quarters and accommodation and had done good work in tlie Old Land for Now Zealand. Tt remained for Sir James Allen. Air Afassey’s first lieutenant to incur this extraordinary expense, and fo incur also other largo sums of expenditure which in this time of stringency the country could ill afford to pay. ATr Seddon regretted, at the end of an hour and a half’s speech, that there was not time within reason to deal with matters of finance, and he concluded a spirited address by a reference to the campaign in which he was fighting single handed. They had had the Leader of the Labor Partv in the AYestland electorate. Afr Afassey felt called upon to make four speeches in the AA r estland electorate in onposition to his (Afr Seddon’s) candidature. The Greymouth evening racer which in August last had urged the electors to “vote Liberal” fsee article in this issue) was now dumb nn his ftlie Liberal' candidature. Afr Seddon read the article in question, and generally com-

mented on the attitude the evening paper at Greymouth had taken up,

Afr Seddon, in finally closing, said he felt after his good reception by the meeting that evening, that although he stood alone, and was fighting his own battles, he had behind him the record of the Liberal party, and all that its great works for New Zealand stood for. He appealed with every confidence for support to enable him to continue with his loyal colleagues in Parliament to carry on the battle for the people, to restore the country’s prosperity, and give the people the fullest and freest opportunity to enjoy the better times which he was sure was in store under a sound Liberal government bent on legislation for the greatest good for the greatest number. Quite a number of questions were asked Afr Seddoii by supporters oi Labor present, three or four individuals making themselves conspicuous in the task. Afr Seddon’s replies were all straight-forward, and received with plaudits by the audience. AL' F. J. Rundle proposed a vote of thanks and confidence to Air Seddon, which was seconded hv Afr T. Jones. Roth gentlemen spoke appreciated of ilie address given and of the value of the Liberal party to New Zealand. The motion was Carried with a fine 1 show of enthusiasm, and a very or- j dorlv and appreciative meeting eoneluded.