The Liberal Leader.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1914, Page 5

The Liberal Leader.

SPEECH SN THE SOUTH. REVIEW OF PAST EVE GTS. [Per Press Association.] Winton, February 20. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a iaige and enthusiastic meeting at Winton to-night. Mr R. Wilson, the Mayor, presided, and the hall was filled to overflowing. On rising, Sir Jusepn Ward received an ovation. He referred to the reasons leading Co his resignation, and while stressing his cheerful willingness to abide by the majority at the polls, he would do his best for the country. He pointed out that at the election Mr Massey and Ids followers had polled only 28 per cent, of the votes. The present Government thus had no mandate from the country, and no absolute majority of their own followers in the House. He expressed the opinion that before any loader formed a Government he should go before the people. This also applied to anj member changing his party.

As to finance, the Hon. James Allen had eiiticisod him for not raising a loan for ten years before leaving office. The reason why he did not d;> so was perfectly sound. When the position between parties became .. (

be felt it was proper to leave a possible successor a free hand. Had he known there was going to be a loan of sixty millions, and another of xe;: millions,, raised by other countries, he might have considered the raising of four millions before going out of office. Yet, had be done so. bo woiild have been cried down from one end of the country to the other. Before leaving office he had arranged for one million from Home, and one million locally, which, with £BOO,OOO transferred to the Public Worlds b und, gave the incoming Treasurer £2,800,00U to carry on the business of the country till October. Sir Joseph quoted figures showing that Mr Massey had increased taxation by 10s 3d per head, instead of decreasing it, as promised prior to the election. He criticised the navy proposals as enormously expensive and ineffective in comparison with the system of contributions to the Imperial Navy.

He compared the amount advanced to settlers by his Government and b> Mr Massey, to the advantage of tho former. The system of Parliamentary grants for public works was continued, though the “Reformers” had once inveighed against it as degrading. Ho criticised land settlement, and promised to outline later a system •.vhich would mean closer settlement, cheaper laud, and • gr.-ntsgr production. He twitted the' “Reformers” with failing to reduce the cost of living, wlyich had increased. They had not reduced taxation, but had increased it. They had not reduced the cost if living, which had increased. They had not stopped political patronage. They had not reduced working hours* of Parliament. They had not stopped the rush of legislation at tln« end of the session. They had not introduced a. Local Government Bill

and had not promoted indnstria oca co.

All these promises were unfulfilled What a record, in comparison with beneficial-measures of the Liberal Government. He opposed the system •if Public Service Commissioners, saying the Public Service should be controlled by men responsible to Parliament and the country. Sir Joseph. Ward strongly denounced the statements that be prejudiced or hampered the Government in dealing with the late strike. He referred to the efforts of the Opposition to bring about a peaceful settlement. He denounced the application of the guillotine, and the tactics of the Reform League in endeavoring to have resolutions carried and telegraphed throughout New Zealand condemning the tactics of the Opposition. That sort of thing was responsible fov lowering the standard of public life, and such tactics would recoil on the heads of those responsible. He saw no solution of the industrial problem without some measure of State interference, but capital already invested should be protected. Superannuation funds and sick and accident benefits w ould do much to improve the condition of workers. He claimed during 27 years of public life never to have hit below the belt; never to have written anonymous letters about opponents; never to have written an article to a newspaper about an opponent. Ho had endeavored to play the game, and to do his best to promote the interests of the whole eountrv.

The speech was frequently interrupted by applause, and another ovation followed its conclusion, when a vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.