POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 437, 19 September 1908, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Mr. Newman at Foxton

The political campaign for the Manawatu seat was opened by Mr. Newman,the Opposition candidate, in the Masonic Hall last evening. There was only a moderate attendance. The Mayor (B. G. Gower, Esq.) presided and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr. Newman said it was only his intention to briefly outline his views and at a later date he would take the opportunity of addressing them more fully. It had been stated that it was hardly safe for an Opposition candidate to take the platform at Foxton. He did not think so. He was not a new chum to public life and referred to his connection with the Rangitikei County Council, Wanganui Education Board. Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, etc., extending over a period of 20 years. He referred to Mr. John Stevens, Government candidate, as an old friend with whom he had worked amicably both in public and private affairs and paid a tribute to his pluck. Messrs. Frankland and Gardner were gentlemen whom he respected and he hoped that nothing would crop up to cause regret after the campaign. The time had come when party lines should be re-adjusted. Although an Oppositionist, he was prepared to give the Government every, credit for certain legislation which was conducive to the welfare of the country. While giving credit to the Government for their action in reference to the Bank of New Zealand, he thought the time had now arrived when the Bank should be allowed to get rid of the State’s interest. He was opposed to a State Bank, With reference to the Advances to Settlers Act, while it was a good measure, yet it was more helpful to the comparatively well-off, than the poor man, because the State demanded a big margin, and this took the cream off investments. He would support the continuance of the Bands for Settlements Act, and stated that this Act could be brought into operation with advantage to Foxton, by acquiring large areas of Native land near at hand for closer settlement. He intended to give this matter his close attention. He was a firm believer in the limitation of area. He approved of the Old Age Pensions Act, but this should be accompanied by an Annuities Act as suggested by the late Mr Seddon, so that before the burden of the Old Age Pensions become too great, it could mature. He was in favour of the Superannuation Act, a measure framed to encourage thrift, which, in time would supersede the Old Age Pensions and lessen the burden of the State. He approved of the Graduated Band Tax but was of opinion that this tax should apply to other forms of wealth. He supported an increased vote to. the British navy to whom we must look for protection in time of trouble. He was a strong supporter ot the freehold and every Crown tenant should have the option of the freehold which was the only tenure that was any good to them. The leasehold was far more difficult to finance. The present Cabinet contained four Ministers who were against the freehold, and he did not consider the Government was sound on the question. He referred to the public debt which in 1891 stood at millions, which had risen in 1907 to millions, an increase since 1892 of 25 millions. Dividing the past fourteen years into two sections he said that in the first half of the fourteen years, the debt increased by 8£ millions and in the second, from 1901 to 1907, it had increased by £16,300,000. Our annual payment for interest is about equal to the annual borrowing, viz., 2\ millions. He contended that that was not good business. He was not opposed to borrowing, but he objected to the way in which a great deal of the money was expended and instanced ,(,80,000 for a public building in Wellington and a similar amount for Dunedin, and it has been stated ,£IOO,OOO for buildings when complete at Rotorua —a very insecure crust on which to erect public buildings. At the present time borrowed money could be better used for the purposes of settling people on the seventeen millions of unoccupied Crown and Native lands. He touched on the question of railway construction through the vast area of native lands, which greatly enhanced their value and tended to create a Maori aristocracy, which kept this noble race in idleness and caused them to die out. The Native Bands Department called for better administration, as the present system was deplorable. A more energetic Native Minister was required, and certain reserves should be set apart for the Maori race, which would provide them

with employment, instead of, as at present, allowing them to remain in idleness, spending their money in billiard rooms. More population was required. In Canada settlers were given the laud, but this could not be done in New Zealand ; but desirable settlers could be induced to come here if they were offered the freehold. They suffered too much from landlordism in the Old Country to accept leasehold in this country. Under the present system of land settlement, it would take New Zealand 50 years instead of 25 tp double its population. Better inducements should be offered to selected British immigrants possessing sufficient money to take up Crown lands. He deplored the decreasing birth rale. Referring to the Arbitration Act, he said it had failed to prevent strikes. He doubted whether compulsory arbitration was possible, but he would give every support to bring about a scheme which had for its object industrial peace. He believed in the payment of high wages, as cheap labour, was poor labour, and men should be encouraged to use their brains as we 1 their hands. He advocated the reform of the Upper House, as at present it was a farce and a laughing stock, occupied by defeated parliamentary candidates, and possessed a Cabinet Minister who had never been elected by the people. The present system of election to the Upper House may be constitutional, but it was not democracy. Between Otaki and Hawera there was not a representative in the Chamber, yet Wellington was represented by eight. He would support an elective Upper Blouse, whose representatives should qualify through the rendering of some public service or experience in public matters. Dealing with the Civil Service, he said that this department should be controlled by a non - political board, and appointments should be made apart from political influence and only after examination. The Civil Service represented about 100,000 votes whick was consideration to the party in power. He was opposed to the Government borrowing money in New Zealand, as during the past five years they had mopped up about 2 millions which should be allowed to fini its way into other channels Referring to Socialism he stited that the Government had leanings in this direction. He was opposed to Socialism which sought to destroy individual effort and substitute State Control. The State should encourage thrift, conserving to every man the legitimate results of his own labour. He approved of restrictions being placed upon the undue accumulation of great wealth by individuals, but the people should not become the slaves of the State. He touched on the revaluation of Crown Bands, State Coal Mines, etc. More attention was necessary to the subject of Defence, when it was considered that not far away there were 500,000,000 of people antagonistic to us. He did not urge conscription, but every young man should be train d to handle a rifle. New Zealand, he said, is too rich a plum to be left unprotected, and it is belter to arrange these things in time of peace than in a hurry when danger may threaten our shores. He briefly referred to other matters and stated that he would again visit Foxton and deal more fully with other questions of importance to this district and the country as a whole. In reply to Mr Spring, senr., Mr Newman said he was opposed to the Second Ballot because it would impose a hardship upon country settlers and he thought that the candidates would be less representative of the people if the act came into force, than they were under the present system. In reply to Mr, Alex. Spiers, Mr Newman said he was in favour of the Advances to Settlers Act, except that the margin of security demanded was too wide. He was in favour of the Advances to Workers.

Mr. Alex. Speirs in moving a vote of thanks to the candidate said that it was right that the people should hear both sides ot the question and he hoped to hear Mr, Newman express his views more fully at a later date. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Spring and carried amidst applause. In acknowledging the compliment Mr. Newman said that he had only briefly touched on the broader questions. All local matters would receive his cordial support, more particularly the Bevin-Foxton-Greatford Railway (applause). He did not think the Government was dealing out justice in reference to the proposed Harbour Board, as the revenues accruing from the river should not be absorbed by the Railway Department. Another very important local matter which would receive his attention and which was of the utmost importance to Foxton, was the acquiring of Native Bands for close settlement purposes. He intended to go fully into this matter (applause). He referred to his assistance while on the Edqctaion Board in reference to local school matters. He would be pleased at any time to further Foxton’s interests.

A vote of thanks to the chair erminated the meeting.