LIBERAL LEADER.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1924, Page 1

LIBERAL LEADER.

SOITH ISLAND CAMPAIGN. [by Tr.r.KGitAi’n —i'i:n muss association* WAI.MATK, Juno 17. Air T. AI. W'ill'onl commenced tho Smith Island mootings in AYaitaki electorate hy speaking here. He addressed lour hundred and fifty jiersons, getting an attentive hearing, lie spoke on the lines of his North Island addresses, lie contended tile Ooevrninent has broken faith with the returned .soldiers, and that the Liberals were battling “for.a scrap of paper.” lit* advocated State banking. He criticised the State Advances Administration. contending the Premier took money front the Advances Department for tho floating of loans which was not ihe purpose for which the Department was created. He went on to refer to the need for trade with the Hast and exhibited to the audience tins of Australian butter as sold in Sin gapure.

.Air AVilford said that the big Aleat Trust formed in England would imperil our marketing of produce, and he referred to possible competition hy Russia in butter and cheese on the Home market. AVe should, therefore. take advantage of all the possible trading opportunities.

Speaking of ibo Premier’s surplus of .£1,812,000 he stated that it meant the Goevrnnient bad taken out of the country by means of taxation, that much more than was necessary to run the country.

He went on to refer to the number ■of bankruptcies which constituted a record for any administration since ISS7. Ho referred to the Petrol Ring. One ■way to deal with this was by the State coining in, but the Government had set its face against tho State taking on anything. He spoke of high taxation which crippled industry and caused unemployment.

In conclusion, he claimed tliat Limeralism stood for everybody, being between Reform, which was for vested interests on the one side and an extreme policy led by Holland on the other.

A motion of thanks and confidence in the Liberal Party was carried, with only tnree dissentients.