MR A. W. HOGG, M.P.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 10 August 1909, Page 2

MR A. W. HOGG, M.P.

SPEENDID MEETING AT SHANNON. By telegraph—Special to Shannon, This Day. • Notwithstanding the heavy rain last night, the Druids’ Hall was thoroughly filled by an audience that included a good number of ladies. Mr William Murdoch presided and the address delivered by Mr Hogg met with an enthusiastic ■ reception. Referring to the circumstances under which he left the Ministry, he denied that there had been the slightest attempt at compulsion. He dealt chiefly with the land question and State currency. A resolution of approval was carried amidst cheers. Eater. Mr Hogg related certain incidents in his experience as a Minister that led to his retirement. He denied emphatically that there had been any compulsion. The speech that gave offence was on the lines of the late Premier Ballance’s policy which some, who called themselves liberals, had abandoned, surrounded by place seekers. Ministers resembled a party of Russian travellers attacked by hungry wolves. Asked to go out to propitiate them, he readily did so, but the wolves had fled ! The Premier had made a dramatic exit from the Dominion to arrange Dreadnoughts and future loans. He made a dramatic exit from the Cabinet to awaken the people to a sense of their danger. The Premier’s danger signal was the jingo flag. His was the flag of freedom from land grabbers and usurers. He commended the use of the graduated tax against monoply and aggregation. He urged that the currency should he liberated from the control of the banks which provoked much enthusiasm and was followed by a resolution of thanks, approval, and confidence, including cheers and musical honours.