LIBERAL RALLY.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 4 December 1914, Page 3

LIBERAL RALLY.

VISIT OF SIR JOSEPH WARD. % A wave of liberal enthusiasm spread over the town last Wednesday afternoon, on the occasion of the visit of Sir Joseph - Ward to Iluntly. The visitor arrived by train at 3.15 p.m, and was welcomed at the station by Messrs J. P. Bailey, L. B. Harris, junr., Dr John Macdiarmid, junr., H. H. Sissons, and C. Allen. After partaking of a light luncheon at the Huntly Hotel, he proceeded to the Miners’ Hall which was packed to its utmost long before the Leader of the Opposition arrived at the building. Upwards ot a thousand people were seated and eagerly waiting when the bugle*sll, sounding from one of the anti-rooms on the stage, signalled the entrance of Sir Joseph which was followed by prolonged cheering. The last echo of applause had scarcely gone, when a troupe of little children marched in twos across the platform and presented bouquets and floral emblems to the ex-Premier. After the recipient had suitably thanked the little donors he was introduced to his audience by Mr J. P. Bailey, chairman of the Huntly Town Board, who, in his opening remarks stated that Sir Joseph had visited Huntly three or four times previously, but last time as Premier ; and, concluded Mr Bailey, I hope that the next time he visits this locality it will be as Premier again.—Applause. Sir Joseph‘Ward, in opening his address, thanked the chairiiian for the hearty way he had been introduced, stating that he received a good reception at every place he had yet visited. We are on the eve of a battle, the speaker continued, the outnf wliip.h rests wittl those

come ot wincli rests witn tnose who have power to vote, and I advise the men and women to register their vote as soon as possible after the opening of the booths on the 10th of December ' next. The Government was sitting without the majority of ! voters, which he attributed to 1 the splitting of votes at the last 1 election. We are taking more 1 precautions this election and so i far as Parnell is concerned I I have arranged so that particular 1 electorate will only be contested b/one Liberal —clean past the sost and we will win. While taking part in this political fight we do not indulge in the use oi sentiment. I am dissatisfied 1 personally with the position, and so are you ; but, when I am re- - turned to power, I can assure you 1 I will not have minority ruling, and by adopting a system by which "not a single vote will be lost, this difficulty will be easily surmounted. The speaker continuing stated that during his term of office He had mining troubles to contend with ; but, he stated, I made it my business to visit the seat of the trouble, or if that was not possible, to send a minister in my place. During the time of the disagreement which arose between a certain company and its employees re the “Miners' Disease ” question, I deputed the Hon. R. MacKenzie to investigate the matter; the result was satisfactory on both sides. —Applause. In connection with the Wellington tramway strike, I visited the scene of t e trouble, and within two hours after my arrival the strike was ended and the men went back peaceably to their work. I am a strong believer in conciliation and arbitratinn. but, as I have already stated, I contend that it is a wise policy for the Premier to visit the seat of the trouble himself, or failing that, he should send one of his ministers whose duly it would be to investigate and do his utmost to create a settlement peaceably. —Applause. Continuing Sir Joseph Ward stated that the Opposition had placed no obstalces in the wayof the present Govenment, although they had been blamed for doing so, and the Massey Party were making capital out of it for the coming elections. Ihe present Government are going about the country sounding the praises of Acts which we were responsible for. They are taking the credit for them, and making believe the former Opposition to them was never in existence ; but, the speaker continued, ! can assure you that the Premier voted against the “ Old Age Pension’s .Bill ’’—tooth and nail —and now he is going about the country telling people what a good thing it is. The Govenment say that they had advanced so much more money than we did. W'hat did they do it for ? A voice : The Ostrich Farm. The speaker then went on to say that the mining laws of the country should be adjusted, so that the minerals, the fringe of which he contended had not been touched, could be worked on a more extensive scale. Contiuing the Leader of the Opposition dealt with the cost of living, and stated that the Govenment had promised to reduce it, but had not done so; in fact it has increased instead. Bring down the cost of living he said by putting the whole of the articles that are used by tile, people on a free list. Children up to five years should be carri free of charge on the New Zea,, land Railways, whilethose uud< the age of 14 should he conveys at half-price. The railway woi |< suffer very little by this sys becauso the Department w / get more adult fares under method than if the children charged at the rates now intax istance.

The speaker then dealt exhaustively on the qualities of the £5 bonus system, a scheme by which, on the birth of every child born in the Dominion, £5 is deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank at compound interest, until the child is 14 years of age. Proceeding he dealt with the questions of teachers salaries, favouring the removal of the average attendance system and paying the teachers a fixed remuneration. I am, ho continued, decidedly against the formation of bogus unions. “ Industrial life in this country or any other country is no good if placed on a false basis. I am also against the 48 hours a week system in wollen factories for girls, and until we come back into power (and the time is not far distant now), they-will have to work forty-eight hours. Sir Joseph Ward in concluding his address extended his heartfelt sympathy with bereaved widows and fainilies of the victims of the late disaster, stating that he did not wish to comment on it on the eve of the election* ns the truth would be arrived at ilfc time. A.s a public man, I havtP no hesitation in saying that had safety lamps been introduced there would have been no catastrophe. The following resolution was then read by Mr O’Brien, “ That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Sir Joseph Ward for his address, and also that this meeting supports Mr W. D. Thompson, the Liberal candidate for the forth coming election. Seconded by Mr Hooker, the motion was carried unanimously, there being only one dissentient.” A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman was then moved by Sir Joseph Ward, and the meeting concluded admidst applause.