WESTLAND ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1928, Page 2

WESTLAND ELECTION

□ MR SEDDON’S SPEECH -— m AT PRINCESS THEATRE o SPIRITED ADDRESS AND EXCELLENT HEARING

Q Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, United candiduto for Westland, addressed a large attendance of electors at Princess Theatre last evening. Tho candidate gave a spirited address, and received a very attentive hearing throughout.

The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) with! Mr Seddon occupied the stage, the both being greeted with a round of applause as they took their seats.

Mr Perry said it was a- privilege to he able to introduce Mr Seddon that evening. Tie was pleased to know that lie was putting in his usual energy into his work, and that lie was meeting with success everywhere. He was glad to know that the candidate though having a strenuous time was carrying on very hvell indeed. He Would not say any more but would ask Mr Seddon to address them. (Applauso.) Mr Sodden was greeted with applause. He said he desired to thank his Worship for the kindly remarks lie had made which he appreciated. He realised the campaign that he •was engaged in was a very strenuous oiio, as it was throughout the whole of New Zealand. In this district they were fighting for principles and it behoved them to consider who they selected as their representative in the Parliament of the country. The so-called Labour Party in New Zealand for the past three years bad been carrying on quietly, and endeavouring to allow the policy outlined three years ago to be forgotten. Put they .were still standing for that policy that had been outlined though some of the platform bad been allowed to drop into the back-ground. Ho realised the importance of the present contest., and lie would continue to do his utmost to. visit as many parts of the district as was possible as far as his strength went and ho would continue to place his views and actions before the electors. He had .known them for a long period of years and they knew him also both personally and politically. As they knew, there were many statements made against him throughout the district, but be would ask them not to believe all that was said, but take it with a grain of salt, till they had heard his explanation, and then they could make their decision. In tho district at the present time there were a lot of circulars being distributed, which wore intended to injure his candidature. Ho was still in the same position as he was three years ago when he lmd stated that on questions where Mr Holland as Leader of the Labour Party moved a no-confidence question lie would not vote for it. He saw that the Grey River Argus had published, a lot of these divisions, but the Argus as usual did not state that tliov were no-confidence motions, and that lid had voted against them as he had stated lie would at the last election in accordance with Ins pledges to the constituency. One of the statements made against him was that /when the timber mills had been suffering from want of orders, that he (Mr Seddon) had .asked the Minister to assist schools in the learning of Shakespeare. As far as the interests of the timber industry was concern-

cd no one could say with fairness that any one had done more for the benefit of the timber industry than he had. When in Wellington a Shakesperian Society had been giving recitals. What ho had done was to endeavour to get an opportunity For tho young children of country districts to have the advantage of the study of Shakespeare. That reminded him that when Ton; Heeney came to Wellington lie was a popular hero and some 4,000 people gathered to welcome him. They also had other notables in Kingston! Smith and Ulm there at tho same time. At the reception to Heeney Air Coates had asked him (Heeney) to reply and Heeney said he was very glad to he hack in New Zealand and then sat down. Air Coates told him to got up again and say something about Tunliey. Heeney said he like Tuuney knew a. lot about Shakespeare. Asked what it was he said: “He’s dead.” and sat down. (Laughter). But the point was he (Air Seddon) did not want the rising generation of to-day to bo as ignorant of Shakespeare as Heeney admitted he was.

Turning to the dodgers that were being distributed from the Argus Office, Mr Seddon said lie felt that no one would be misled with the stupid little things to which they referred. One of the charge made was that ho had entered into a secret arrangement with the Reform Paity in order to get their support in the present contest. He wished to state that lie lmd not entered into any secret pact. He stood in the same position that he had three years ago. His actions at all times had been clear and above board. The statement be had made at the last election and which lie adhered to on this occasion was that he stood before them as an accredited representative of the l nit od Political Party., which was led by Sir Joseph Ward. He had a perfectly free hand to support his leader, so f,„. as the other parties were concerned. So far as the official Labour Party was concerned, he would not vote'with Mr H. K. Holland on motions of no-confidence, where by so doing he might put Mr Holland and his party on the Treasury Benches. He would not help the United Party to get on the Treasury Benches, if they could only maintain that position by the support of the Labour 1 ai t> ■ That, was where lie stood and ho asked from the electors the light to follow his leader of his party, who was the old Liberal leader, Sir Joseph Ward. (Applause). He wanted the full right to follow him, hut if Sir Joseph Ward came hack at this election with a majority and he conic only get on tho Government benches with the support of the Labour pait>, then he would not support Sir Joseph to enable that to he done. He had told Sir Joseph Ward that this was the attitude he would take up. and Sir Joseph had approved, assuring

him that he would himself not accept office if ho coukl only obtain it with the help of the Labour Party.

He also had a further request to make and that was that in the event of a. no-confidence motion he would be able to vote against Air Holland and his party. ■

In regard to the campaign, there was one aspect which he did not think had come home to the people on the "West Coast. They bad an official Opposition in the House last session, gilder Air Holland, which sat there [by* virtue of a majority of one vote only over the Liberal Party. Had it occurred to them that it was not a good thing for the Opposition to represent only one particular section ol the community in Yew Zealand? Ihe fjunotion of an opposition was to serve all parties in the country, and if the United Party became the official Opposition, then they would have a party of men representing every section of the community. They could not get, a fair criticism from an Opposition that only represented one section of the country. In the old Liberal Party they have an Opposition that would function well and carry out the duties with more advantage and credit to the country as a whole.

There was nothing at the presen! time being discussed of a political tiilture more than the suggestion made by Sir Joseph Ward that what the country wanted was an expenditure of some 70 millions ill the course oi eight to ton years. When Sir Joseph, elaborated his scheme it was found he proposed to complete the present imfinisbd railways and hydro-electrical installation schemes, and this course should' have a great effect in assisting to diminish the unemployed problem. At the same time by completing trunk railways districts would he opened up and settlements and townships established, as was the case with tile North Island trunk line which the Liberals completed and brought great prosperity to the North Island, and New' Zealand as a whole felt the advantage.

The demand in the country to-day was for money for advances to sottiers and workers hut at present this money was not available. There wen repeated requests for advances but time after time they had to lie re fused. What had been suggested was that portion of the 7”) millions should go to provide funds for the advanceto settlers departments, and so increase the productivity of the country the very foundation of the national Kvealth. TTe knew as then Member that numbers of applications had been turned down as he had received many applications from resi dents in this electorate.

Tf they secured that 70 million 1 which Sir Joseph proposed to borrow in the next ten years and added U| what was being asked by districts nl over New Zealand they would find that it was not sneh a large iimmmi after all to meet all the demands he ing made. Last session lie had ob taitied a promise from the Government for the spending of £500,000 on the work of extending the Main South Road down Westland to Haast Pas* and through into Otago. This scheme Mr Coates had agreed to and it was placed on record in tin l Public Works Statement as a national work to be carried through, and work would commence shortly. They would remember that last yeat the Greyinoiith bar was blocked up. and the prospects for the timber industry looked very black indeed, that a cry arose for an improvement to the harbour. With the Mayor ol Greyinoiith. he had joined in callin'.' a public meeting at which improve meets to the harbour were discussed. There arose again the cry. that the only thing to make Groynmtilh gc ahead was a deep-sea. harbour at Poin' Elizabeth. In 1905, the cost of such a harbour was estimated by (he Ad miralty at £1.000,000. The cost of such Vvork would have increased, like everything else, since that time, and the cost of constructing a. harbour today would probably he £1,2/30.000 Then he said take the Duller electorate: Mr Holland had not been very modest in asking for expenditure in bis district, and lie (Mr -Seddon) did not blame Mr Holland for that. Hi had applied for a considerable amount of money to push on a railway in hi* district. Mr Holland was asking for £OOO.OOO for just that one line, in addition to the £107,000 that had al ready been spent by the Government in Hie partial construction of that railway. The members for Motuoka and Nelson again, had introduced :

determined deputation of fruit growers from the Nelson and Motuoka districts, den milling the completion of the railway from the Hope Saddle right down to Murchison. The Prime Minister told them that the amount required for the completion of that work was estimated to he £'2.000.000. In the three electorates he had mentioned. said Mr Seddon, great financial demands were being made, and £70,000.000 would not go very far in the whole of New Zealand. Sir Joseph Ward’s idea was lo complete the main railway lines and lo develop hydro-electrical schemes, and so open up settlement and advance the progress of the country. By carrying out those proposals there would he provided employment for all the labour available as in former years. What was wanted was a sound progressive policy for the opening up of tho country, and that combined with a needful lending policy as before would bring in a return of tho former era of prosperity.

His criticism of the Government bad always been fair. Tt had not hoen captious or carping, but had been made in a generous wav. He would endeavour to keep to that kind of criticism in his remarks that, evening. It had been stated over and over again that the Reform policy

had increased the national debt of New Zealand out of all proportion, hut it would only be fair to analyse the figures and make comparisons lor themselves. It was, often stated, for instance, that the gross indebtedness had increased by leaps and bounds. Jn 1008, the total debt was £06.000,000. and in 1028. it bad increased to £251.000.000. The debt per head in 1008 was £67, while in 1028 it was: 0172. Til making that comparison, however, the critics forgot to mention that the war indebtedness amounted to £70.000.000 for this young country. New Zealand never burked her obligation to support the Mother Country when the call came. There was also another obligation to the returned soldiers that bad cost nine millions, but they were obligations that they recognised they must honour. It was also interesting to note in what manner the money was spent, and Iwhethor there were assets in the country to balance the indebtedness. It was also interesting to know where the debt was domiciled. Most of it £130.000.000. was lent from London mid four millions from Australia, while tlie people of New Zealand b\ their great advances had shown tha' they had much confidence in their owi country. A total of £263.000.000 wir invested in the country and that, was an asset to balance the indebtedness. It was proved that the people ol Great Britain were satisfied with tlw Position of New Zealand, because when All 1 Contes had floated his hist fivr million loan it had been greatly oveisubscribed, and this country’s credi stood high in favor as compared Avitl oilier Dominions of the Empire. New Zealand kept her borrowing within tin family, for besides loans raised in Australia and the Dominion, the remainders,me from the Alotberland. At Hillmans the other day it vur said he was gelling tho credi I ol back ing up the Government in reducin' wages paid for relief work. That wa ;i matter to which be would roler Throughout Now Zealand there had been thousands out of work includin' maiiv people in this district. On the West Coast here the mills were, closing and there were many workers out o' work. The Government had made : proposal for payment at relief work: of 9s for single and 12s for married men. It was the best the Government could offer at the time, and lie had ad used the men to take the work t< tide them over their present cliff: c-uities. He made no apology for tic stand that lie had taken. It. was the best that was available at the tine mid the Government stated they con < do no more, so he had ad wised accent ing what was offered. For these relic 1 ' works the Government had this yeai spout- £600.000 and last year had spem L'"00.000. "Works in the district a Dorothy Falls and Ruatapu had heei availed of and he understood with satis Li -torv results, the .earnings being satisfactory to those concerned. The,' were all looking for a solution of tin unemployed trouble. It was a matte 1 that had caused much consideration hut so far no solution had been reach ed. but suggestions were made. It had been suggested that the cause of unemployment in New Zealand was the importation of immi grants from England. That could nef lie the sole cause, hut. it might he : contributing cause. A total ol 21.00 male migrants had come into the 1 conn try. During the war. 16.000 New Zea landers fell, and there were anotlie 5000 totally incapacitated, so that tic man-power of the 1 country was jus! about levelled up by immigration. Tin I’rime Minister had asked the Hoiis* to consider the question in a non-Parb snirit. and to see whether some solu tion could not lie reached. Air Peter Fraser was allowed to introduce hi . ncmplnyment Insurance Bill, in ordei to ascertain the ideas of the Labour Party. .Mr Eraser’s solution did no' meet the case. ITe suggested tha I there should lie insurance against unemployment, by a fund contributed l" by the Government, the employers and the employees. The Prime Minister pointed out that surely Air Fraser wa not taking into oonsidcraiion the psv eliology of a man out of work, wlr would naturally say that, when In could come ipion the Insurance fund L which he had been contributing, why look for work? That was only hiimai nature.

The Labour Governments throughout tho world had lieen unable to solve the .problem of unemployment. What was wanted here wa.s a policy for the development of public works similar to that, carried out liv the Liberal party in the days of the Seddon-Ward Government. and with assistance to those on the land or going on tho land, help to create greater wealth from the produce of tho country.

When addressing sawmill centre' along the Otira. line lie had mentioned what the Government had done to advance the industry. Representative', of the snmilling industry considered that the difficulty and trouble in connection with the industry was caused partly bv tho importation of millions of feet of Oregon pine into New Zealand. Year after year, that doctrine had been preached until the Government put an increased duty on Oregon pine. Not since 18M had any New Zealand Government increased the taxation upon imported timber, until 192(1. when an extra dutv of two shillings per hundred superficial feet was pur on rod cedar. City members said they wanted cheaper timber for the erection of houses in the centres, while the farmers were also unsympathetic towards the sawmillers. as they also wanted cheap timber. Tt was not until the year before last that those interested in the timlier iwlustrv got together and secured the sympathv of the House. During the session of' 1927. the "’•gnnis,at.ion was completed, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Customs were interviewed. It was then pointed out that foreign timber was disorganising tbe local industry. That

was one difficulty. The excessive increase in royalties and freights were others. In 1927, a duty of three shillings was put on rough sawn timber, making the duty live shillings per hundred superficial feet, and the duty on dressed timber was increased by five shillings to nine shillings per hundred superficial feet. There had been a giod deal of work to he done in securing that improvement, hut lie was more than gratified to find that his personal efforts had been recognised by the {New Zealand sawmillers. and he received a letter of congratulation from the Sawmillers’ Federation headquarters at Wellington, signed by the Secretary. Alr Seed.

A great deal yet remains to he done to put lli(> timber industry in a sound aml stable position. In the dying hours o! the late session the Mon Mr .McLeod 'brought down an lOflieioney Bill which lie promised to place before the country so flint it could be fully discussed alter i lie recess by Parliament, with a view to improving the marketing of timber.

lie wauled also to say in regard to the sawmilliiig industry, that there was a great waste in the system ol sawmilling. It was most, regrettable to lit id the amount of timber that was burnt along the- Otira line.

At the present time the Government was endeavouring to do everything possible to utilise waste products from sawmilling. Last year, an officer of the Forestry Department, Mr Kntriean, was sent to America to report on the suitability of New Zealand timbers for wood pulp purposes. Me took samples of New Zealand limbers with him, and studied the wood pulp business at ‘Wisconsin. To everyone’s surprise, lawsi was considered, and proved, to be one of the most useful timbers for wood oulp purposes. Rimu and kauri were i Iso tested, hut it was pointed out lift chips of soft wood, and a great -imoilnt of soft timber would he re|iiircd. The experiments so far carried out were only in the primary stages, ■ind it would not do to say that they had opened up a now era of prosperity for the sawmil'ers. because Mr Rubrics n did not go so far in his report, lie stated that the country would have t ' decide whether In go in for a costly nlant. and also what system of wood unlp manufacture it would adopt, the •liemica! process or the pounding up of the chips by hydro-electrical power. So far as the Government was concerned, (lie research work had been started and •i very valuable, report submitted, and that promised very well, up to a certain mint. Mr Fntriean had yet to make his final report. The possibilities were great on the West Coast where vast areas had been set aside for wood pulp nurposes.

They would recall the times of the ild Liberal Government which had carried out a progressive land for settlement policy He had only to refer to the Cheviot estate, where there were flourishing settlors in what had been a sheep run. and he. instancing the success, on the land, of Mr George Rothes, the former leader of the Nationalist Party, who had been one of those to make good after being successful at the ballot for a Cheviot section. There were other estates taken in Marlborough where success had been achieved and the townships of Seddon and Ward had sprung into life to mark tlu* success of the set I lemon ts established in those localities. At the last election tlx’ land question had loomed large in the policy of the Government. That was the vulnerable part in the admin•stration of the present. Government. When Air .Massey came into power he said the policy of the Government in regard to land was a policy of “settlement. more settlement and still more si’ll .lenient.” hut this policy had not been carried out by the present Government. The land settlement carried nit hv the old Liberals was settlement which put thousands of people on the land and gave them financial assistance, which self let’s were noi receiving at the present time. He did not make that slntcinont without consideration. The Government could, if it had the money, lend £5.000.000 to £9,000.000 annually to settlers who wanted financial assistance. There was no certainty that, advances lo settlers would he I’oiTbeaming, and they had just to wait their turn.

lii marked c-onirasl; was the working-: of l lie Reform land policy which Inn I nol. proved successful. They had I lie doleful informal ion that the Governinent. in purchasing; (‘slates for closer selllenienl, had purchased two estates. The To AVera estate, bought for £<sl.(H)(), was a dismal failure, and no one had applied for any of the sections into which it was subdivided. The Alataikona estate was bought for £BO.OOO. and was settled, hut the settlers left their holdings. Thai was the storv of the last estates the (hivernineiit. purchased for closer settlement. In connection with Te AVera. when the Alinister was asked for an explanation, lie could give none, hut the fact remained that his advisers had advised him wrongly. It was hilly country, and was not suitable for closer settlement. He made that criticism of the Government’s land policy because it was talked about from one end of the .country to the other.

.As far as the Alines Department was concerned there was no effort on the part of (lie Government to assist ihe industry, which was at a very low ebl>. Air .Seddoii proceeded to read extracts from the Minos Report, confirming the retrograde state of mining. It was dismal reading, lie said, to lind every year the decline in the return of the output of gold won from alluvial mining. If it were not for the Rimu dredge operations the returns would he very small indeed. He realised the importance to this district that that dredge was. It was interesting todind that the West Coast was head and shoulders above other dredging areas. The New River dredge had won gold valued at £5038 and Rimu dredge £53,128 last year.

The attitude of the Australian Government was far more favourable to alluvial mining than was being done in New Zealand. There every possible assistance was being given the industry.

For years past there has been no initiative in the Mines Department in regard to alluvial mining, a striking contrast to what was being done by the Australian government to assist the industry. He advocated stops < n the lines being adopted in Australia to promote a sound development policy in regard to gold mining.

Another plank in the platlurm oil the Reform Party at last election was to put taxation on the shoulders of the people best able i<> hear it, but he would he able to show that this policy had not been carried out . 'I o give some idea of the cflect ol taxation, Air Seddon quoted figures : In 1911. the Customs revenue totalled £.‘£589,000; in 1919. £l,OU0.()00: and in 19AS, £8,000.000, being an increase ol 100 per cent. The land tax in 191 I realised £707,000; in 1919. £1.512.000; and in 1928, Cl .151,000. a decrease.

The income tax in 191 I produced £551.900; in 1919, £9.000.000; and in 1928. £9,279,000. a drop of approximately 100 per cent. The recommendations made by the Taxation Commission of 1921 had not so far been carried mil by the Government. M they were carried out, he was sure there would lie fewer inequalities than under the present system of taxation. A study of the Customs taxation was most interesting. f lhe incidence of taxation compelled thoii study, it was the duty ol the House, and of whatever Government came into power, to alter the present system ol taxation, in the direction ol the recommendations of the ’taxation Commission in 1924.

Their" recommendations have 11" I been carried out, and he fell that those recommendations wore sound and adniiia.hlc, hut these recommciidal ions had not received the consideration they should. Ju regard to another question the present Government have done them best to increase pensions, hut he had been taken to task by the Aigus over his vote on this subject. He had a little quarrel with the “ Grey River Argus ” over a very subtle statement: made against him. one particular reference that ho strongly objected to. When Air W. K. Parry, the member for Auckland Central, moved in the Mouse that it ho a recommendation to the Government that the pensions for the aged and the blind lie increased, a report, which was finite decent and fair, was sent to the “ Argus.” hut at the end of the report was added a little paragraph foreign to the rest of the thing, saying that Air Seddon was absent from the House when the division took place. Air Seddon was not absent. He had been granted a pair with Air McLennan, which was duly recorded. He went to the editor df the " Argus,” and the latter agreed to make the matter right, ” Imagine my horror.” exclaimed Al,r Seddon. “ when later on h.c doubted the statement i had made, that the pair was propelly fixed up.” The editor refused to give the name of the man who had sent the message, it was a perfectly lair challenge. but was unanswered. He knew perfectly well that the man who sent tli(> first part of the message was not flic man who sent the later paragraph. Mr .McLennan, the Reform and Cnited Pjiriv whips and Idinsell made statements to the “Argus,” and the pair card was also procured from (tie Hansard supervisor, hut the “ Argus still refused to accept their word. That was only typical of the attitude towards himself adopted by the “Argus.” Ii was implied that lie was unmindful of the needs of th(> aged and blind, and that he would not assist them. Ho far as pensions were concerned, lie thought the audience would lie perfectly satisfied with his record. During (‘he. time that he was a member for "Westland, the amounts of all classes of pensions had steadily increased.

.In regard to the subject ol Public Servants salaries, he mentioned that in Parliament last session, to Ihe motion that the House go into Committee ol Supplv on the imprest Mill, Air •!. McCombs (Myflellon) moved an amendment: “That in view nil the lari (1) that the cost of living bonuses granted to public servants in 1920 were based oil an increase m the cost ol li\ing ol (;•_> |M‘r cent ; <‘2» that the cost ol living is now (J2 per cent- above per-war leiel. whereas the average increase in the salaries of the public servants is only .T> percent; (3) that the cost ol living has heroine stabilised and has not varied more than 2 points since 1921. it therefore he a recommendation to the Government that the salaries of the public servants lie restored to the 192.) standard.” Quoting statistics the .Minister said that the average salary of 10,45(5 officers who were in the service in 1914 was £158,973 whereas in .1028 the average salary was £253,554, the percentage increase ol salary at April 1, 1028. as compared with April 1, 1014. being 59.4 1. If one took the permanent officers in the public sen ice, excluding administrative officers, Native school teachers, and Post and Telegraph officers, it was found that the average salary in-1914 was £187.20 while in 1028 it was £290.952—an aver, age increase of 55.3-1. Air Seddon said in comment that he favoured the restoration of the salaries to the pre-war standard of living. 1,, regard to racing taxation, when explaining the Budget proposals. Air Downie Stewart- had suggested the introduction of a graduated system foi the relief of the smaller clubs. 'lhe whole tiling wanted reviewing, because a good deal ol the taxation upon lacing c.lulis was introduced ns a war measure, under the assurance time there would he a remission when the war finished, and times were brighter, hut nothing had boon (bom. lie* chib’ secured seven and a-hnlif per cent., hut there was no expanse to the Government, whereas the clubs had to >

pay for the installation of the totalisator, its upkeep, and its equipment. The five per . cent, dividend tax and the ten per cent stakes tax had been imposed on the plea that they were war measures, but the dividend tax had been made permanent and the stake reduced to five per cent. It was not fair to the racing clubs, when the taxation was introduced as a war measure, and was not repealed when the war was over. It his taxation continued, it will drive the racing to tho larger centres, as the country clubs cannot stand up to it indefinitely especially where they have to take the lisk I of had weather and the drawbacks ol a limited attendance.

In regard to euchre tournaments, there was also a matter in which he took strong exception to the law as it. was being enforced. Euchre tournaments might he a. small matter hut tho action of the authorities had had a very far-reaching effect on some members of the community. For instance, cut’llro parties were held at Blaketown if or the purpose of raising luuds to pay oft the public ball. Under the Gaming Act. when an information was laid againstthe people running the tournament, and they were found guilty of giving prizes, they were convicted for keeping a common gaming house, and they could he refused admitttance to every race-course in New Zealand. ' Yet the Government was getting, by a pure gamble, £500,000 per annum from tlie people who put their money on trots and gallops. The thing seemed ridiculously inconsistent. He saw the ■Minister, hut the latter said that, if tlie Gaming Act was touched nt all, there might be a demand For a lot more amendments, and the Ministers did not do anything last session.

He wished to retfer to a statement made at Grcymouth by his opponent in connection with the last election contest. As they well knew at last election there were fought two historical contests, at Lyttelton and in Westland. where- after a very hard contest, a dead heat had been declared. Then came tlie Election Petition Court, which ha cl been set up to decide tlie issue. It was a long and trying period of four months and ho would ask them not to let the result he so close on this occasion. When the Fiction Four* sat both parties had every opportunity to establish their case, and the result had keen that he was declared duly elected by a clear 12 votes. The fight as far as-he was concerned had been a perfectly clean and fair one. He was sorry to find his opponent speaking this week had made a very serious statement and charge according to the “Argus” report, in regard to the Judges of the Flection C ourt by saying that the Judges looked after the interests‘erf -Mi" Seddon ! It was a very serious charge" that had been made against the two Supreme Court judges and Air Seddon gave a warning against the danger of such remarks in a community where law should he respected. RerSoimllv lie had fought fairly at all times, nod when six years ago M»‘ O’Brien was returned he (Mr Seddon) trad gone up and shook hands. An interrupter—“Ha! ha ! ” Air Seddon —“ That’s how tho Red Flag goes.”— (Laughter.) Continuing, Air Seddon said that Mr O’Brien after the last election did not come to him and shake hands, and now there was this outburst against tlm Supreme Court judges. 11 It is my hounden duty to give a warning againsc a repetition of such statements.” said Air Seddon.

Referring to the Labour Party policy Mr S'Mdon said the Labour Party were going on the soft pedal where the land question was concerned. At the last election Air Holland had given out his “ usehold policy.” hut lie was not sa\ing much at present in regard to that aspect of the land policy. U Air Holland’s policy of land purchase,, by the .State only were carried into effect, 70 times 70 millions would lie required before a government would ho able to buy all the land that would he oflerod. Before concluding he would give them the planks ol the United Party, which included— Closer settlement; the prevention of land aggregatin'! by a steeper land fax; assistance to Crown land settlement; remission of rent or interest where necessary; reading policy without placing a heavy burden on the land ; more expert valuat'on ol the land on a productive basis; electoral reform by the preferential system of voting; free, secular, and compulsory education ; sharing with the Motherland in Umpire defence. Jii many of these planks the Reform policy may he the same hut the United Party claimed that they would carry them out to better effect. The United Party stood shoulder to shoulder with the Reform Party in Empire defence, hut they could look in vain tor anything of Empire service in the Labor Party’s policy. AVliat was the Labour policy in Samoa where they were against the Empire? Also the Labor Party was strongly opposed to the Singapore base. The Reform Government’s vote of a million spread over several years, was the subject of the strongest criticism from the Labor Party. Personally he felt the Singapore Base was an absolute necessity. It was essential to have that naval base for the safety of the Empire. He considered the vote was simply a premium paid for defence insurance. There was no knowing where some nation may break loose and involve the world in another war in the spite of the talk for universal peace. Great Britain was finding most of what was necessary for the defence of the Empire, and he was proud that New Zealand was ready to take her share and assist. The opining contest in the Dominion was of constitutionalism against the party of revolution. He was proud indeed to stand

up for Empire defence. He thanked the audience for the patient hearing, and ill- he lp.d the honor to again represent them he would carry on the good work that lie had clone in the past in regard to' the gold mining and timber industries, which he wanted to help as much as possible. The farming community also lie was anxious to help in every possible way, and they could rely on bis best efforts .always. There were important political issues 10-dav for their decision. If he were again returned lie would do his utmost for every section of the community, and continue to make every effort to assist in maintaining our country “ (bid’s own country.” (Applause. ) QUESTIONS. The -Mayor invited questions, and after some delay .Mr J. D. .Burns said he had two questions to ask by request:— 1. —AY as the candidate in favor of arbitration for the fixing of salaries of the Post and Telegraph Department. 2. —Was the candidate in favor of a minimum salary for all members of ibe Post and Telegraph Department of the age of 21 years. -Mr Heddon replied that be was not in favour of No. 1, and the other question be would look into and consider. TMAXKS AND COXKI PENCE. .Mr .). A. -Murdoch .moved a very hearty vote of thanks to M.r Sodden; and entire confidence in him to-repre-sent Westland. Speaking to the motion Mr Murdoch said 22 years ago lie bad moved the same motion. There was one tiling Mr Heddon bad referred to other harbours but lie jiad not referred to the Hokitika harbour and tin unarf. lie bad been on the wharf when the Zingara went out the other day . and if the captain bad not loosened bis mooring rope, be was afraid the. wharf and those on it: would have been towed away to Wellington. (Laughter.'l .Mr MnreUvdi also referred in tlrgreat assistance Mr Heddon bad been to the Westland Power Retard, which had resulted in Westland having electric power without costing the ratepayers a penny, and he was also lighting the battle of royalties against the Government on bebalil of the. county. He gave the advice not to swap horses when crossing a stream. He had pleasure in moving the motion. (Applause.) Mr T. W. Duff seconded the motion, endorsing Mr .Murdoch's remarks and trilniting the excellent work of Mr Heddon as member for Westland. -Air Kedelon had fulfilled bis promises and did all lie was asked to do. •Hear, hen r.)

The motion was put and declared carried, there being some negative voin>s at tin' rear of the hall. Mr .C'oddon thanked Messrs Murdoch and Duff for their remarks and the meeting for its handsome vote. He stated it had been a pleasure to address the assemblage. He looked forward with confidence to election day. feeling flint the electors of the district find no desire, for-a further display ol the Red Flag. He moved a hearty \.,te> of thanks to the Mayor lor presiding and asked theun to carry it by ae-clamation. This was heartily accorded and a very successful meeting t crniinatod.