MR HAWKINS' SPEECH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 56, 22 October 1914, Page 7

MR HAWKINS' SPEECH.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.;

Sir, —Having been out of town roi several days I have been unable to correct a few slight errors that inadvert ently crept into the very fine report of my repent speech delivered in the local Town Hall and published in your issue of Bth instant. Dealing with the State Advances Office, I pointed out that during his last two years of office Sir Joseph Ward lent £3,373,394 to settlers, whilo the Tory Government during their two years only lent settlers £1,823,305 plus a small amount from sinking fund, etc. To workers, Sir Joseph Ward lent £543,840 during his last year of office, but the Tory Party for 1912-13 only lent workers £419,260, and in 1913-14 only £272,800, and this notwithstanding the fact that the Tory Leader's heart was bleeding for the workers. Dealing further with misrepresentation, I stated that in May lust, on that very platform, it had been stated that the amount standing to the workers' credit in the State Office, when Mr Massey came into power, was £69,000, when, according to the Tory Finance Minister's Budget, the credit was £95,000. Trusting you will publish these few corrections, and again thinking yon sincerely for your very admirable report.—l am, etc., W. H. HAWKINS.