POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2062, 2 December 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Speaking at Levin on Thursday night, Mr W. H. Field, Government candidate for Otaki, dealt exhaustively with what ho described as a “hclow-the-helt attack” made upon him by a correspondent in the Otaki Mail relative to Native land purchased by his family, and showed that the total area of new holding involved in these transactions was eight acres and a-half. His son, who had given up bis medical studies in, order to serve his country, had returned from the war undermined in health as the result of gas poisoning and other war horrors. He was now farming at Waikanae, and was purchasing an area of about 120 acres of swamp and sandhill country, which had previously been held under long lease, and which his son would have preferred to keep as leasehold, hut tie Natives, who lived in other parts of the Dominion, desired to sell. Mr Field mentioned that his and his family’s holding included two miles and a-half of beach frontage, which was originally chiefly drifting sand, and he had, at great expense, gradually converted it into stable land carrying trees and other vegetation. This work formed an object-lesson to show what could be done with drifting sand. He had also spent large sums in river plantation works. He had reserved about 800 acres of native bush, chiefly cm rough hill country, (he total holding of himself and family was running about 2,500 sheep and about 500 cattle. He and his family were ploughing and improving and producing, and paid over £2,000 a year in wages. Altogether, Mr Field said, he could not lie said to he a menace to the country, and when the time came for dividing the properly in question into smaller holdings, he and his family would gladly submit to the needs of the country.

At his Lower Halt meeting, Mr Rishworlh quoted the following extract from a speech delivered by Daniel Webster, the American statesman, in the year 1838, the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation: “There are people win* constantly clamour. They complain of oppression, speculation, and the pernicious influence of accumulated wealth, '"hey cry out loudly against all hanks and corporations, and all means by which small capital becomes united in order to produce important and beneficial resells. They carry on mad hostility against nil established institutions. They would choke the fouuiain of industry and dry up all it streams. In a country of unbounded liberty they clamour against oppression, in a country of perfect equality they would move heaven and earth againsl privilege and monopoly. In a country where property is more equally divided than anywhere else I hey rend the air shouting agrarian doctrines. In a country where the wages of labour are high beyond parallel they would touch the worker that he is au oppressed slave.”

“The Reform candidate for this electorate has no policy,” said Mr T. M. Willard, M.P., at Lower Hutt. “lie is simply a follower of the Prime Minister. The latter has issued no policy, but seems to lie relying on a ‘Call me Bill’ policy.’-

The ’Wellington Post received the following statement; “On behalf of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee we express our strong disapproval of the interruptions to which some Parliamentary candidates are being subjected at the present lime, and emphatically deny that the Labour Party has the slightest connection with such interruptions. The Labour Party believes that all candidates should have a fair hearing. It holds that the right of free speech is sacred, and calls upon all its members to assist in preserving that right. IVe desire to point out to all Labour supporters that disorder at meetings will militate against the eause which all of ns hold so dear. Por this reason such disorder is often courted and encouraged by our opponents, and we earnestly ask all Labour supporters not to fall into the traps which are so frequently laid for them. The more mir opponents state their views the weaker their ease is found to lie. The Labour Party relies upon reason and argument, not upon disorder ol an\ 'kind, to which it is utterly opposed.’’ The statement is signed by G. Ward (president), K. M’Keen (secretary), P. Fraser, A. L. Monteith, J. Reed, R. Semple, and A. W. Croskery.

Mr Massey spoke ai Riverton on Saturday night, the address being on the lines of his 1 imaru speech. The hall was packed to the doors, and the Premier was given an enthusiastic hearing. At the conclusion'll motion expressing confidence in Sir Joseph Ward failed to find a seconder, and a motion of. thanks to the Premier and confidence in the present Government was carried by acclamation. The Premier spoke at WTumate on Monday, and will speak at Kurow to-night, and Oamaru to-morrow night. He will then go north, probably giving a day to Christchurch.

Mr U. G. O’Brien, who is opposing Mr Holland in Buller, became a miner at the age of 17 years, and has been in the industry for about 30 years. He took an active part in the formation of the first miners’ union at Milled on, and became its president. Later he was secretary for se\ eraf years. He was chairman of the Buller County Council when war was declared. He went, to the front with the first-body of tunnellers, won a commission in France, and

after?,ards .-aw service in Puh u Wne. On his return to New Zealand lie resumed work us an underviewev in the Millerton mine.

Speaking at Rangiolu, last week, Mr E. Newman stated that when he first entered Parliament in 1908 Mr Massey whs Leader of the Opposition, and he was elected to support him. Since then he had been closely associated with Mr Massey, and had seen his transition from Leader of the Opposition to Leader of the Government. And he was bound to say that he had greater confidence in him now than ever before. He regarded him as a broad-binded liberal statesman, keenly anxious to do his best for New Zealand, and always willing to learn Doth sides of a question before deciding on it. He was entirely in sympathy with the legitimate aims of sane Labour, and in him the farming community had a firm and faithful friend. Since he first assumed office as Prime Minister he had had a rough time between strikes in New Zealand and the war, hut last session he had proved that, given a reasonable chance, he was able and prepared to initiate anil pass legislation of a most useful nature; and he (Mr Newman) hoped he would he returned at this election with such a substantial majority as would enable him to administer the affairs of the country with success for a further term.

On Saturday night Mr Newman, Government candidate for this constituency, addressed the electors at I’okomarh. There was a fairly largo audience present, and Mr J. R. Whyte was chairman. At the close of the address a number of questions were answered, and a vote of thanks was accorded the candidate.

In reply to a question as to what he would do with the profiteers, Mr W. B. Matheson, at a meeting in Masterton. said: “It; I could catch them I would hang them. 1 do nut think that a black tracker would find some of them, as'he is a very difficult man to catch. The only way ,io get at him is through taxation.” (Applause).

“Who are the extremists ?” was a question dealt with by Mr If. Semple, M.P., in his address at the Paramount Theatre, Wellington. Were they, he asked, the 150,000 who monopolised all the land of New Zealand, and who pocketed £200,000,218 unimproved laud values, com-munily-created wealth ? W ere they the landlords who monopolised the houses and who rackrented the people? The population of.(he metropolitan area of AVellington was {15,235, out of whom 2,080 owned their own homes. The estimated wealth of New Zealand was £BOO,000,000. One hundred million was owned and controlled by the people. The £700,000,000 was owned and controlled by. Jive per cent, of (ho extremists. Was it not the extremists who robbed the people of £7,000,000 in the shape of war profits'? W r as it not Hie extremists who eonscripted the ilesh and blood of the nation without the people’s consent, and who refused to conscript the wealth of the wealthy ? Was it not the extremists who were making a vigorous effort to introduce cheap Chinese labour into this country to compete with our young women for domestic positions? In short, was it not the extremists who gambled 'daily with the food, clothing, and shelter of the nation?

Replying to a question in his Avon campaign, whether in the event of no party securing a majority in the coming election, would he he prepared to join Mr Massey in order to form a stable Government, the Hon. G. W. Russell said that so far as that question was concerned he declined to commit himself either way. (Ironical laughter, booing, ami interruption.) There might, be tin entirely now party formed without Sir .loscph Ward or Mr Massey it it. A voice; “The Labour Party.” “I wish to say that the declaration 1 have already made is what I stand by,” added Mr Russell, “and when Parliament meets and it is seen what the strength of the parties is 1 will take that course which in*my opinion will bring about a stable form of Government in New Zealand.” “Are you going to support Sir Joseph Ward if Holland and Semple support him?” asked another questioner. “I tell you straight,” Mr Russell replied, that if Sir Joseph Ward’s political existence'as Prime Minister depends on the support of Semplejind Holland I will not he one of his supporters. Sir Joseph, Ward himself has said that he will not take office with the support of disloyalists and men of that sort. Consequently, when I make that statement I am standing exactly on the same platform as Sir Joseph Ward.”

Speaking to one of Mr Hdlier’s supporters' as to the prospects of the Labour candidate at the forthcoming election, he said that the chances of success were good. The party expected a 250 majority in Shannon, and nothing less than 200 in Foxton, while it.was anticipated that Bulls, which is looked upon as an old Liberal stronghold, would poll well for the Labour candidate. A Labour Rally will be held in the Town Hall to-night, when the speakers will he Mr P. Fraser, M.P. for 'Wellington Central, and Mr A. C. Tlillier, Labour candidate for Manawatu. The chair will be taken at 8 o’clock.