MR. NEWMAN AT TAJKOREA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2146, 1 July 1920, Page 3

MR. NEWMAN AT TAJKOREA.

■POLITICO L ADDRESS DE-

LIVENED.

In accordance with a promise made during last election. Mr Edward Newman, M.P., addressed the electors of the Glen Orona and Taikorea districts in the Taikorea Hall on Monday night. Mr E. Algar presided over a very good attendance.

In opening his address, the speaker referred to the results of the general election, and stated that in his opinion it was a most fortunate circumstance for this country tnat, given ordinary luck, a sound and hi able Government was assured for the next three years. In view of the unrest existing here and all over the world, such a condition of affairs would he regarded \vith satisfaction by all parties, except perhaps (hat small section of the community, and their representatives, whose ambitions lay in 1 he direction df wholesale destruction of existing social conditions —a policy which meant ruin such as now exists in Russia, and is threatening to overwhelm Germany. The result of the election must be regarded as a direct vote of confidence in the Massey administration and as a clear indication of approval of the policy set forth by the Premier in his preelection manifesto, and by his supporters from every platform during the election. Mr Newman believed (hat the lesson to be learned from the election, because the Liberal candidates and the Government candidates wore as one on this point, was (hat the people of this Dominion. by an overwhelming majority, were determined that law and order should prevail—that the Government of the country should be in the hands of men of proven loyally and capacity, and that reform and administration should he on sound and (•(institutional lines. Proceeding. Mr Xewman said that he did not believe in the proportional system of representation, principally because if would destroy the country quoin, and he would never vole to abolish Fiat, unless the interests of country electors were safeguarded in some other way and to the same extent. Referring to the inerea.-e in the cost of living, he said that lortiuialeL it was nol so had in New Zealand ns in other countries. The increased eo-i of living was to he deplored, hut no good could come I rom irxing p> affix the blame for what was a. world-wide movement on to the Government in power in any one eountrv. It had been stated by certain persons and papers that nothing had been done to keep down the cost of living, hut could any intelligent man or woman deny that the cost oi bread, for instance, had not I wen kept down? Everyone who rend the newspapers knew that the Coveiniiieni imported millions of bushels ol wheat from Australia and kept down the cost of Hour by large payments from the Consolidated fund by way of subsidies. Would anyone say that'the Government had not kept down the price of butter to the people of New Zealand As a matter of fact, the Board of Trade had prevented rises in the prices oi' wheat, (lour, bread, sugar, meat, butler, milk, groceries, bacon, benzine, cement, and timber, and oilier materials. Unquestionably thousands of pounds had been saved to the consumers of the Dominion by the work of the Board of Trade, and in one •ir!icle alone- (sugar) it was estimaled that during the last three years the sum of £2,000,00!) had been -axed owing to the satistaclory arrangements made by (he Government with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. In addition to controlling prices, the Board ol .trade had regulated the supplies of commodities of primary importance which were in short quantity, such as limber, cement, sugar, and benzine. By tills means essential users such as. dairymen and others were enabled to carry on when they might otherwise have been stopped. The latest figures in connection with the Housing Department s activities showed that the number of h-mises already creeled and in course of erection throughout the Dominion was 2(H), and the number of houses for which arrangements were at present being made was 500. The difficulty of obtaining limber and cement on the one hand, and catpenlers on the other, had kept back the work, but the regulations which have recently come into force restricting builders, to “essential work” would no doubt hell) the Government to proceed more rapidlx with this most important duty. Mr Xewman spoke of the increase in salaries granted to Civil servants. -i,d f ;aid he was still of the opinion that the public service should he kepi free of political control, although he was prepared to consider the question of whether the appointment of very high and responsible ollieers of the Departments should not he in the bands of the Minister who was responsible to the country for the administration of his department.

After paying a tribute to Mr Massey’s services to the country, Mr Newman said that he regarded the .securing of some measure of industrial rest to be the most important objective of every British Government, including that of Now Zealand. He believed that in no country in the world were the employers more anxious to meet the reasonable and just demands of their employees than in New Zealand, and lie was a.lso of the opinion that the great majority of wage earners were sane and reasonable in their demands. What, they wanted was a fair and just share in the profit resulting from their work. He hoped the Government would persist in getting employers and employees together, and that their discussions should be

public. The great third party, the long suffering public, - was entitled to learn the differences between capital and labour.

Altar referring to the financial position of the country, and (he value of the Dominion's exports, lie mentioned (he increased aid being given to education, and said it was gratifying to know that the Government realised its importance. He also spoke of the urgent need of agricultural education, and said it was deplorable to think that in a country like this, almost wholly dependent on farming, no agricultural college existed. The big Hawkes Bay bequest should, however, help the Minister in this matter.

Referring to local matters, Mr Newman stated that the hydro-elec-tric work's at Alangahao wore of primary importance to this district, and it was reassuring to know that the new Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. E. Coates) was fully alive to the importance of expediting this work. It was hoped that when material and labour became available the Government would push ahead this work, and as long as the speaker represented the district he would not fail to urge that this should he done.

In conclusion, Mr Newman said that the things necessary in this country were better education, closer settlement of the land, and development of our resources. Industry, economy and thrift were the true and only lines to follow if wc wished to make this, as it should he, the best country in (he British Empire to live in.

Mr 11. .1. Lancaster moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Xewman for his' able address, and expressing confidence in the Government.

This was seconded by Mr A. Griffith, and carried unanimously.