Political.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3602, 25 November 1905, Page 2

Political.

MR JOHN STEVENS AT THE PUBLIC HALL.

There was a large and attentive audience at the Public Hal! on Thursday evening last, when the Government candidate for Manawatu delivered an eloquent political address. On the platform were seated the ladies of Mr Stevens’ Foxton Com mltteo. Mr F. W. Frankland (secretary) was also on the platform. Mr G. A. Simpson was voted to the chair, and introduced the candidate to the meeting in a neat and appropriate speech. On rising, Mr Stevens was greeted with loud applause. After such warm applause, the candidate said, it appears almost unnecessary to deliver an address. However, he would explain hi# political opinions, such as they were. Whether returned or not, he hoped political differences would not interfere with their personal friendship. He did not like dealing wi’h personalties at all, but he certainly intended to defend himself against personal attacks. There were three caadidates in the field. (A voice: Only two.) peaking of the Party he was representing, i?* sure port of hi* party had twenty told ‘since last election. there was Party Government, it w’ as necessary that there should be Party supporters, and he could conscientiously assert that his opponent (Mr Vile) was a member of the most nonprogressive party the Colony ever had, The speaker then eulogised the Seddon Administration, quoting facts to substantiate his reasons for being of the same political inclination. Mr Stevens ridiculed the present handful of politicians who termed themselves Oppositions, and was particularly severe on those gentleman who term themselves Independent Liberals. “ What a pretty medley it would be if the present Opposition were to try and form a Ministry ?" Possibly Mr Bedford would be Native Minister, and Mr Vile Minister of Marine—the reason being that his facts and figures was always at sea. The duty of all Oppositionists was to turn out the Government, by trying to induce the people to believe that the Government were corrupt and untrustworthy, and that they wanted clean and just administration-“ Which the Opposition would lead US td believe we do not get. The leader of the Government had been ridiculed by Mr Massey because he had woro au appropriate uniform with a cocked hat. The speaker contended that the Premier’s intelligence and integrity commanded blfß w such, and it wag not enly to hl3 ■credit, but to the peoples. Personally, Mr Stevens would be unworthy of being called upon to support a loader ia whom he did not believe. When he visited Australia some years ago at one of the large celebration proces sions, a gentleman who had thought Mr Seddon the Admiral of the Australian fleet, was agreeably surprised to learn from Mr Stevens that the Admiral was none other than the Premier of New Zealand. “What a fine intelligent looking man he is ?" came the retort. And so he was! As to the chcked hat business, Mr Stevens reminded Opposition members that “ People in glass houses should never throw stones.” Why do the Government ask the support of the people ? Simply because they have placed on the statute books the most liberal laws any part of the civilised world could desire. Who could deny that this colony was not the most prosperous of any country in His Majesty's Dominions ? We must either regrade or progress, and if we washed to progress we must return the present Government to power, while if we wished to regrade, we could return the Oppositionists. The Opposition would like to claim the reins of power, ayd thus lay claim to rearing the children of the present day. “ Leave the present party in power, and thus foster and mature our present laws,” was his advice. Notwithstanding all our natural advantages when the previous Opposition was in power, how ridiculously low were the wages ? When the present party came into power, they said “ We will spoil no good laws, but we will go on improving our laws to the advantage of its people.” And it was perfectly plain hat this policy had been followed. Every form of industry had been aided, and would continue to be under present rule. The Opposition say, “ But what fearful taxation ?” Mr Stevens ridiculed this charge. Coming to the matter of finance, the speaker referred to Messrs Duthie and Vile as probably the greatest and most accurate financiers in the Universe. One of these, Mr Duthie, had said that the Colony’s indebtedness was £59,000,000, while at Upper Tetanui Mr Vila had said it amounted to £63,000,000. Shortly afterwards at Foxton, Mr Vile had told you that the Colony’s indebtedness was about £60,000,000. So what reliance could you place on their figures ? They were always afraid of being beaten down, and so Mv Vile had started at 63 million so that he could come back to the 60 million he spoke of. The Government were responsible directly to the people for the accuracy of their own finance, and their figures were correct. He (speaker) maintained that half of the public debt was interest bearing. And if we were to offer our railways, telegraphs, etc., for sale, why dozens of American millionaires would rush us to gladly give double the price he (Mr Stevens) had maintained they were worth. If he should have the privilege of again represent Parliament, as in the past, no vote of his would go to othrr than what would benefit the people only! The railways were run on lines which provided for the people getting all concessions possible in the way of fares and freight, after 3 per cent interest bad been derived. The Opposition had said that the Controller General had no control over public accounts. The Controller General was an officer of Parliament, and as such his work was the work of Parliament, and he could not be removed only by their consent. The speaker eulogised the Controller-General, who, with the

heads of the different Govermentaf. finances departments, were as capableas any in the world. Taking a glase of water, Mr Stevens said .&• wa3 hoarse, but not as horse as the numbers of Parliament who had found a mare’s nest the other day—in tW shape of a vouchor. (Loud Laughter.) Re customs duties, Mr John Duttur thought he tripped the Premier, when that gentleman had said he intended to reduce the duty on tea. Mr Duthie said there was no duty on tea at present. Rut Mr Stevens pointed out that there was a duty °*V, a^ jr te , a ported from outside Hi# Majftsty » Dominions. Mr Duthie evidently did nof know this. Personally, Mf Stevens was in favour of reducing the duffel op all necessaries of life. The OppOtfi* tionhad even said the farmers had received ho benefft from the present Government. In e«V shape and form, the Government had all possible m the way of duty concessions and otherwise, so that the producers of the wealth of the soil, would benefit. Re the freehold, he wa* in favour of such. So far back as-. 1882, when representing Rangitikei i» Parliament, he had supported measure* in its favour, so that he could not be classed as a convert of yesterday. Speaking on the question, the speaker referred to Mr Vile’s statement that he (Mr Stevens) had voted against the freehold. That he had voted, per medium of a clause introduced in » DJ.'V. against the freehold, was true* RntMr Vile had only told you half tSe storv Another clause in that Bilf materially altered the' r a# against the one par. 'cu ar clauw Mf Vile touched on. Mr V.'i e had not told that. Oh no! Touching turther bn the land question, Mr Stev«a» spoke strongly In favour of present laws, and maintained that many people who had comfortable homes owed it to the Government’s ap. ministration. “Wa have our 4**s®® Maoris in this colony,” said the speaker,- and I assert they are the finest race in the world.” [A voice I What about Japan? The canal* date: “We will have a visit from Japan some day, and I hope yoil will have your gun well loaded.” Laughter.} He contended that to pay the - ; natives an annuity was wrong, a» it * did not tend to the advancement Ot the Maori. Give the Maoris an op portunity of making homes for them* selves, by granting them holdings by all means, but the fact of the matter was the M aoris were not suitable for fertilising the land. He was pleased to notice church people of the colony moving in the direction of educating the Maori girls, but contended that when these, native girls had finished • their education they generally per* ( {erred id t° back to the Maori jab, and drift baCiv ptomative custom with all its environ me*-! ts - This native . question was one of the greatest sub* l jects they had to deal.with, and would need careful legislation. Dealing with the flax industry, some three- . quarters of a million pounds worth Of this material was exported from the colony last year. As most of this money was expended in wages, the country, it was plain that the 10* dustry should be fostered. _ He believed in obtaining all possible con* cessions tor the trade, and mentioned that it was he who took credit for forcing the cabled reports of the Home market. We should get this information more often yt>vi As to grading, he did not think the millb'. r should pay the cost as at present, and yvould endeavour to alter this. Butter etc. was graded free, and why not flsi.x. He maintained also that flax grading stores should be erected here, instead of having to send it to Wellington for the purp'se. The speaker said he was pleased to notice the harmony existing between the employer and employee generally engaged in the industry, He (speaker) did not I'ke always referring to his opponent, buf he was here for the purpose of not agreeing with him. (Applause and laughter). As a citizen, he was certain their civilization was a success, I now refer to giving sustenance to the pioneers of New Zealand. His opponent had said we could not affordit, but he contended we could, and if ever he had the opportunity of according a vote, he would have the greatest pleasure in recording such vote in favour of benefits to old age pen* sioners, for it r£as one of his aims to help and save life. We should revere for having on our StatuteBook the present Old Age Pensions Ac'. Mr Stevens churned the colony • could afford the expense entailed in the schema, though there were a few pessimists who thought different. In , concluding his able speech, Mr Steveai said he would be prepared to answer any questions put him, contending that “it he could not take his physic . he had no right to be ill." (LOud >■ ■ applause). ,

Questions. On a question put re an advance*, ment in the poll-tax on Chinamen, the: candidate said he was in favour of doing anything to keep our race as pyre as possible. We do not want Aliens here at all. i •

Speaking to a question put -as to whether the time had -arrived \vh«n the four Maori members should be dis* pensed with, and whether Maoris should enjoy the same franchise as we Europeans, Mr Stevens thought the system may be tried, and if a success, adhered to. We must fry to make laws to suit the natives as well ai f ourselves.

'* Was it true, Mr Stevens, that you approached the Government re the purchase of Moutoa Estate ? ” was the text of one question. The candidate said it: was very painful to him to have to touch on private affairs. Still this ruin our had been set afloat, and it was his duty to deny it. The man who made such a statement was a “ rail.” Spell that word backwards, and you have him. Some of the statements made about the Moutoa Estate were unworthy of honest men. Mr Stevens went into private affairs concerning the transactions which led up’ to the acquirement o’f the Moutoa ~ , Estate, and clearly proved, thatGovern merit had nothing to do with?* the purchase. The syndicate had obtained the estate in the usual business

form, as anyone else may have acquired it. Elector : “ Do you consklet: that the electors ot this district showed any intelligence in electin')-': a man like Mr Vile, whose tacts nnd figures were all at sea ? ” Mr Stevens: “ You will find the eleotocs; much more intelligent after this election than they ever were before**'"

As to a question re legalised •gambling, the candidate said he was against all forms of gambling, but the people would have it, and if it was to he, it would be better to choose the lesser of tjie two evils, and gamble in the daylight, instead of under a cloud. Mr F. W. Frankland then rose and spoke generally in favour of the present administration. He strongly praised Mr Stevens for his eloquent address, and moved “That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Stevens for his masterly speech, and also a vote of confidence in him as their representative in Parliament be passed, and further that this meeting expresses its approval of the present Government’s administration.” (Ldnd applause.) Mr Frankland said one had only to listen to the speech of Mr Vile, and then-to the one delivered by MrStevens, and there could be no doubt as to which man would represent us best in the House.

Mrs A. S. Easton seconded Mr Frankland’s motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Stevens briefly returned thanks, after which a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings,

Mr Stevens addressed a large and appreciative audience the Moutoa Sohoolhouse last there being over thirty present., Mr’Walter Carter pre,. sided and appropriately introduced, the candidate who sj,oke for OV, 4C an hour and was conVinually applauded. Several questions were asked and answered to the satisfaction of those present arid a hearty vote of thanks and c&hfidonco in Mr Stevens and renewed confidence in the Government, on the motion of Mr T. Bowe, seconded by Mr Edwards, was carried unanimously. Three cheers for Mr Slovens and a hearty vote of thanks to the chair concluded a very successful masting. A. correspondent writes as follows: 11 The schoolhouse at Tokomaru was taxed to its utmost on Thursday night to hear Mi* Vile, the present member for the Manawatn seat in the House of Eepresentatives. The large audience, which included many ladies, was industries of our rising township and district and the attention and frequent applause of his hearers must have been 'gratifying to the speaker. On the motion of Mr Griffiths, seconded by Mr Startup, a vote of thanks and confidence was heartily carried. Mr Sandibanks, Chairman of School Committee, ably presided.” Mr Vile addressed a very large number of electors at the Shannon Town Hall last night. A hearty vote of thanks was given to Mr Vile, on the motion of Mr Venn, for his very able address.