POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 274, 17 November 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WINTON

Per Press Association

Winton, November 16

Sir J. G. Ward addressed a meeting of about fifteen hundred people tonight. In his introductory remarks the Mayor said that Lady Ward had just handed him a cheque for £IOO for the Liverpool fund, an announcement which was received with loud applause.

Sir Joseph Ward complained that the Government had not commenced small but important lines of railway such as the Winton-Heddon Bush line, yet no less than five new railways had been commenced in the constituencies of four Ministers, including that of the Prime Minister.

Referring to the war, Sir Joseph Ward said that there should he no two opinions that the present unparalleled war was just, so far as Britain was concerned. The most effective course for New Zealand to follow was to support the good old British navy. (Applause). Without the British navy, New Zealand and Australia would have been unable to do what they had done in the Pacific. (Applause); If the Liberal party was returned, their policy would be to strengthen the Great Imperial navy. It was idle to talk of a local navy, and he had no hesitation in expressing his strong conviction in saying that even were it the best system the financial burden would Be absolutely ruinous. (Applause).

He argued in connection with foreign trade that New Zealand should institute a 10 per cent, preferential tariff.

Referring to internal defence, he said that it was cool impudence on the part of his opponents in the attempt to deprive him of what '"'as his due in connection with universal training. He had prepared the whole scheme, but he. did not think that the cost of universal training should he more than £IOO,OOO. because they did not want a military caste in the country. (Applause). On the point of finance, ho said that he had left the largest surplus of any Finance Minister in this country’s his tory—£Bo7,ooo. As a matter of fact. he had arranged in writing a clear million of an advance for his successor, not one shilling of which was pledged. After criticising the Government’s borrowing policy, Sir Joseph said the present position of the finances was’ unsatisfactory. The surplus.revenue fell last yeaivfrpm £807,000 in 1912 to £426,000, lessj^qO,ooo by non-payment of naval The .real surplus was,£3,76,OOOp(The expenditure out of ordinary yeyenpe had increased by £1,585,000, ap/J.last year’s expenditure included in .tljftt. sum,, increased by £744,,000,', asagainst an increase of revenue for ,tjbp same period of only £194,000. Healing witjbpthe advances to settlers, workers, and local bodies, he said that during the Liberals’ term of office this department had lent yearly £16,000,000, and in his last two year.of office £3,439,805 was advanced tc settlers, as compared to £1.915,850 advanced during Mr , Massey’s > two years.

The land legislation of .the present Government, hgs..proved a, rank failure, the poor man, or 'the man of slender .means, little chance to. his more wealthy opponent.' Sir ..Joseph showed that under the Liberal Gove/phnent the .total benefits to users of .railways and, employees up to the. pijcsent was .£3,695,000. ,Applause). ~ 1,, «

He quoted, the results of divisions showing the strenuous opposition ol the Government t to the old-age pensions scheme, Mr ,Massey himself having voted- 87 times against and nine times for the Bill.

He said responsibility for the Huntly disaster- could not yet be definitely placed, but it would not have occuired if the recommendations of the Koval Commission set up by the Ward Government had been carried into law.

No country, in the world could show so maiiy progressive measures as New Zealand, and the Liberal party were wholly, responsible. He said the Government’s Native land legislation had caused distrust in the mipds of natives, and promised, if returned, to make stringent provision for preventing aggregation, and to secure more rapid settlement, and to assist the Maoris tn?m selves.

The cost of living question should he dealt with, and an increase could easily lie prevented by organisation. He detailed many nroken promises of the Massey Government, and outlined the policy of the Liberal partj, including an Empire -Navy, proportional representation, increase in the graduated land tax, workers’ homes, cheap money, action against monopolists, cheap and -pure milk, abolition cl duties on necessaries of life, the removal of trades union anomalies, assistance to cripples and invalid;:, free nurses for back-blocks, assistance to fruit, gum, and timber interests, expenditure of £500.000 a year for the extension and additions to open lines, the completion of Main 'lrunk lines in four years, the limitation of borrowing for railways and public works to three millions a year, special assistance to hack-blocks roads, ferry services from Wellington to Pioton, development ot trade within the Empire, reluclion h . one-half of public building votes, internal defence not* to cost more than £ 150,000 a year, lake Waik.iremoana power scheme. Public Service under, Parliamentary control, £5 in Savings Bank for every child horn, preservation of present education system, with free access to University or Technical j Schools, grading of teachers and salar-: ios, encouragement of mining extension, agricultural education and afforestation, and concluded by forecasting the return of the Liberal party under the motto of “Progress, more progress, and still more progress.”

| A most cordial and enthusiastic ) meeting closed with a vote of thaiuis •I and confidence. ?

PALMERSTON NORTH SEAT. Palmerston, November 16. Mr J. A. Nash (Mayor), the Reform candidate, addressed a large gathering this evening. He said he was opposed to the referendum on the Bib'lc-in-Schools question; favored a threefifths majority on the licensing question ; was a strong supporter of closer settlement, and an opponent of land aggregation. He favored a more speedy settlement of Native Lands, opposed an increase in the Customs tariff; favored the State advances to settlers and workers being utilised to the fullest extent; favored further amendments to the Education Act; would support a defence system to enable the Dominion to protect itself against invasion favored raising the necessary loan for public works, also steadily pushing on railways to develop the country, and he advocated a system of valuations being placed on >■; more equitable basis so as to prevent undue inflation in values. DATE OF THE ELECTION. Wellingon, November 16. The Governmeht has now definitely decided that the dates for the dissolution of Parliament and the issue of the writs for the general election shall be fixed at the end of this week.

KCAERE,

(From a Correspondent)

Between seventy and eighty electors, a good proportion ladies, assembled in the local hall last evening to hear the Liberal candidate, Mr W. H. Hawkins. Captain Allen presided, and in an introductory speech referred to the wonderful development of the Dominion, and said he could not help associating that development with the name of Sir Joseph ■ Ward. Mr Hawkins’ address lasted for nearly two hours, and he was followed by the large audience with interest. After dealing with the failures of the “Reform” party and explaining many of the progressive proposals of the Liberal Party, the speaker urged his hearers to remember that the fight just jnow was not so much between Tiim land his opponent, as it was a contest between one party and another.. It was useless for any candi'date just on the eve of an election to boast of his independence and for three years assist to retain in office a party that, judged by its performances, existed only in the interests of the big landed 1 proprietors and the large financial and commercial institutions. At the conclusion of the address a number of questions were answered and a ■vote of thanks to the candidate was carried amid applause. A vote of thanks to Captain Allen for presiding was also carried.

Last night Mr Pearce addressed a largely attended meeting in the Opera House, Hawera. The Press Association .states that the candidate spoke in support of the legislation of the Massey Government and defended the Administration against criticism. A vote of thanks in the candidate and confidence in Mr Massey’s, party was carried. „

At Inglewood last night (states the Press Association), Mr Okey addressed a large meeting in the Town Hall. He is a supporter of “Reform.” He favored the 55 majority in the liquor question, and lie sooke with approval of the policy of the war and of the strike. He received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence in the “Reform” Government and cheers.

Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., for'Eltham, will address the electors in the E.ltham Town Hall to-morrow evening, at 8 o’clock.