THE TARANAKI BYEELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 14 May 1907, Page 3

THE TARANAKI BYEELECTION.

THE LAST SHOT. HON. CARROLL AT NEW PLYMOUTH The Theatre Royal was filled to turn-ing-away ]K>int on Monday nigli! to hear ;ui audre.s?oH pdilics by lion. James Carroll, Minister fur Native Affairs. The stage had indi provided with soa.ing accommodation, and this also was crowded. Probably this was among the largest audiences that lias ever congregated in Uic New Plymouth the.itrc for any purpose. -Mr C. E. Belli-inger prosid-d. and in introducing the Minister - L o his iirst New i'iynioutu audience, siateu that that gentleman had come, on Ilia eve ol the political baale, to expouiia to them the policy ci the Gowrnmeut. He had no doubt lhat before, he had iinish •' .Mr (.'anoil would cnmince many Uuu lliey could lie t serve tlic iiitercs.s of tile electorate and o£ i.lie c, lony by returning us their lepresisitaUvc ' one plcdgc.U to support ..lie Administration which had for so long held (lie r.-ins of i.ioveriii:ieiit, to tlie uuAunccincut and welfare of the colony. For that reason the electors slioulu sink individual differences, and .vote solidly tor the j Government Candida te. The Minister was in excellent form. On confronting his audience he was greeted v..ui ringing applau-e. In opening he referred to the demise of the late member, « Mil. E. 11. SMITH,

w,ho, he said, had lilied an important part in ithc history of the district and of the colony. He had labored strenuously for his distrie-t, and a* his reward he had found in the hearts of the people as the elections came round. Ikwas a man full of character, full of ability. . Bu: "he io Jione. Peace be to his ashes!" There must be A SUCCESSOR,

and it depended on the intelligence of the electors whether they exercised their choice in the negative or the altirmitive direction, If there were anything in preferential treatment, then the Government had the firs: claim ou the Taranaki seat, which had been held by the Government supporter for -o long. This must be considered in deciding the issue. They had declared for M R DOCKKILL

(Applause- as the candidate for the Liberal party. On me o.her side was Mr Okey. They hau also another Liberal, who was perforce independent— Jlr Malone. The presence of the ihird party made the struggle the more in-' teresting, for it was very difficult to correctly weight ithe chances of the Independent. But the fact remained that there was the great political division. There were two parties, and these were lighting each other tooth and nail. The electors had to consider, and decide, as to whether the issue should he decided on the basis of individualism, or on the broaden- lines of party politics. lie was not there to deal wun the personal qualifications of the candidate-, but he wanted to present /, THE GOVERXMENx \l'm OF THE

SITUATiOX. as opposed to that of the Opposition*. No one, he said, had any right to object to a Minister of the" Crown or a Leader of the Opposition taking a hand in this election. Such criticism wii" short-sighted, for the electors were fully entitled to have the whole of the facts placed before them by the advocates of ■ either side. What were the differentiating lines between the two parties? For the past fifteen years the present party had been in power, and the results of

THEIR ADMINISTRATION could be judged in the present prosperity of the country. Had they not itilly attended to the wants of the people, and risen to the higher ideals of statesmanship, the people as the judges would put them out of office. (Hear, hear). Why had the Opposition been >o long in the "cool shades?" Was it because of their superior policy, superior wisdom, higher flights of statesmanship?" Had they considered tile welfare of tlr.' poor and the lowly, as well-as (he interests of the higher ciasses? Had they been uuiver-al in their consideration"? If so, would they hive remained so long in Opposition? Perhaps their \irtue was of a negative order, for no strong Government could do good work witi° out a fairly good Opposition (laughter), and they had done their best to fill that bill. But THE OPPOSITION

would not rotilbe that the colony was developing along the most perfect'forms of democracy, and that they must comport themselves with a due sense of the changes nece-sary in that course. But tin- only work of the Opposition was in petty, carping, petulant tault-. finding; th<-y were great prophets of evil. (Laughter). Mr Massey claimed credit for the whole of the 'wise legislation the benefits of which they were reaping to-day. Of ail the Acts" which had claimed the attention of the out side, Mr Massey saiu, ''We suggested all these." He must be the political Bill Ad mis of the day. (Laughter). Hetook credit for the Lauds for Settlement A el, Advances to Settlers, Oid Age Pensions, and several other of the grand ideals of statesmanship with which NewZealand was now identified. He had suggested all these. But when they were at issue, how strange thu; he should have VOTED AGAINST THEM ALL. What excuse had he offered for opposing the Advances to Settlers' Act? That he was pledged to a non-borrowing policy! But why leave it so late in the day? Why had he not stated tL' ! s reason ia the House when he opposed the Biil? (Applause;. It seemed to him that Mr Massey in placing that excuse before the electors yttst have had a poor estimate of their intelligence. Mr Massey hid also opposed the Land for Settlement Bill, which had placed thousands of people prosperous on the land. What va- his excuse that time? And, dealing with the limitation proposals, Mr Massey, speaking in 180-1 in the House, said he would favor some scheme for limiting bind ownership to, say, 5000 or 10.00?) acres. Yet now he railed at the Government for ; daring to suggest a limitation of area, and a limitation of t'50.000 unimproved value of land, which was far g-ve.iterl than the amount he would have nllowled. This was but a sample of the In - 'consistencies which somel'mes a 'tacked the

PRESENT ADMINISTRATION' He considered the best form of Government was government for the people, by the people, and from the people; not class legislation or from class representation; with the result that it now touched every unit and every section of the community. Aim the colony wat advancing in line, advancing as a nation, and not as a section of tb.ii nation, not as a class-.

New Zealand, said the Minister, had been pntieulariy fortunate in the fact that it had men of extraordinary ability in the early days to lay the foundation structure of this country. It had had these eminent men from the Old World, cultured men, far-seeing men, from the first Parliament to the pre-cnt day. These men had be«n on both sides i.f the House, and they h id left their impress on the people and the country.

THE OPPOSITION'S POr.KT. Thin electorate, in his opinion. had I ■ every claim to the hcnelits ac: mini;: n»- , tier «K— (.'.■>vi-ri:nn'iit'.s leyi-la'ion. Jhe other side was caifvin',' only for the I fill nieiv ;■!'■! Ji ill bin -viie lKifici-,-. the freehold.'' Tlur tKtlt with liothlii" else, as if that "were the only inatler affcttiiijf flic people. 'they eotihl notall he freeholders, and the "ha lileery of the freehold" would only nfP'ci :i eei tain r-criioii of lie inininunify. What ahont city afFiiir?, commerce, trade. labor intere-t, and the feni.il/ interestr (L-iu<rhler). Were (hey nil to he entered for under the flag and Imimen of (he freehold? Was that a panacea for nil their wants and desires? Must their Interests, other thin land, he £• t | entirely on one side, to cnald» the eon-: 1 tc=t. to he fon-rht on the freehold erv? The. T.ihernl partv fouslit for the preai- •-..■■.' f.a- ihe'srre-it.-! nnmhei-. P:d ''■■■ other iinrlv -iii:;ied out rip'y the ' freehold. And evea 'hen they 'dhh't I hnOw what (hey v,-eve inl'm? nh-rat, j The fVnositinn ha,i he..,i for 15 v-nrH -! on the hrink of stirvation. They had -• 1 pen herefi of even- asset that could ■,■ po-siMy ffiv them a constitutional • ; foofinfr: they v.e.re "down on their ivnlli'v were on the vorcro of d<s-

pair, and there was nothing '"it gloom 1.1 front, of them. Whim the Government gave ttieiu the Land Kill Uie p:iy.y revived at once ami, "like something with a bone," clutched, and clawed, and snarled, and snapped, and, as usual, showed its teeth and its' ferocity to its benefactors. (Applause). And "<i'l ill. Opposition told them what was in THE LAND I*ll A? How nianv of them had read it? (A voice: -None of them). Air Mas oy wanted farmers to believe that the 'Land Bill proposals menaced every -inn's freehold. It didn't touch '■ ian's freehold. Hut the former, bcliev ;,,.,- -J.e tale poured into his ear, was to light the Land Bill without "iding it. It didn't affect the Tarty uaki electorate, for tlU'i'e were only 4:>S ,crcs of Crown land here, and there was not one landowner likely to lie affected by. the limitation proposals. Surely his hearers were not going to object to the clause which won)'' prevent the owner of land, to the value of £15,i; 00 unimproved value, coining into eora-n-iition with his landless neighbor in ■■plying for Crown lands. That was jue of the nroposils of the lVill. (Applause). Now, Mr Jlassey had sialyl, timuirh he denied it. that on the death f iiic lcss-e-in-pevpelui-y the !ca=c -.line to an end. Thai was un rite, for his lea-e pas-cd 10 his heirs :i\l a sh;n-, and could be disposed of. if i;rc;-K.-iry. Why did Atr Mnsscy not explain tha ? He 'considered such tactics were not honest, and slated his opinion that Taranaki farmers were liot going to he carried away by clap-trap of that kind. Mr Carroll touched on THE ADVANCES TO SETTLERS' ACT and instanced its value to the settlers on the land. It had, he sa'uh saved the mortgagors over nine millions in interest to date, besides half a million in procuration fees. I'et ilr Jlassey had voted against the measure, and had never made a decent apology. (Ap-plau-c). Up to (lain the advances authorised were £5,714,020, to 17,332 applicants; and the sccurkics were valued at ■;Cl4,oflo,o.'>!). Advances authorised to Taranaki had been £1,228,010 to 2920 applicants, lie quoted figure", to show that the present Government since 1800 had spent £349,734 in roads in Taranaki, an average of £35,001/ per year, whilst the previous Government, now the Opposition, had expended only £14,075 In the four years previous, or an average of £3700 per annum. That was an indication of their manifest care and attention to .he wants of Taranaki. Then railways in the district, under this Government, had absorbed £180,95S in seven years; public buildings to £55,700 in the same time. Crown lands settled during its | ieriu of office were 714,000 acres, exclu- i

sive of pastoral and miscellaneous leases; and the nuiuoer of selectors was

2830; 40,000 acres were now open for selection, and 05,000 acres now being surveyed. Four estates hud been acquired for closer settlemen,; 344,434 acres of natives lands had been pur- ■ chased and nearly all settled; and 108,000 acres of native land had been re-) cently purchased, to be opened up shortly under the optional tenure. All native lands purchased would be offered under the optional tenure.

Mr Carroll then dealt with THE ENDOWMENT PROPOSALS.

in tile Land Bill, on the same lines a^

at Omata on Saturday night. He considered the Opposition, in opposing the

endowments, was pandering to the pressing needs of the moment, whilst the Government was providing for the future. Mr and Mrs Dockrill, who entered just at this stage, and afterwards Mr Malone, were greeted with tumultuous applause. Dealing with the proposal to give iae lcase-in-perpetuity holders the freehold at tin original valuation, the Minister said it. was an attempted breach of eontract between the lessee or tenant and the owners, who were the people, and such a thing could not be countenanced by the Government, the trustees for the owners. (Applause). Touching on

THE PRESENT PROSPERITY. of the colony, the Minister referred to the great growth of imports and c\\ ports, and of revenue. .From the working men to the highest section of the community there was a proportionate distribution of wealth. The gip between the rich and poor was being ip bridged—the result of true statesmanship. The wealth of the nation could not be judged by its colossal edillces. il ; man-ions, its work of art, beauty of town or cities; but by its dis.ribuiion, so that the prosperity could reach each thatch; each hamlet, each section of t':e community. No other country could compare with New Zealand's happy position in this respect. And in this development

WHAT HAS THE OPPOSITION DONE? It had been a clog on the wheel, and yet; now the party sought to gain the rciitsr of administration. And the only thing against the Government seemed to be that it had been in dli.-e for a long time, and Jlr Massey's party asked the electors to turn it out. ami give the Opposition a. chance. -NATIVE LANDS.

Mr Cart-oil spoke feelingly on the need for the uplifting of the Maori by placing him ou terms equal with the Euro-

pean. lie criticised Mr Okey's statement that he would ~ot extend the cheap money scheme to tile natives,, lie considered it a hearll.vs policy, and opined that no man without heart would make a. good politician. Tt was the duty of all to help in the development! of th..! Maoris' usefulness; instead of forcing him hack as Mr Okey would do. He outlined the proposals of the Government to give the Maoris grea letresponsibilities, and admitting him to g.'neral suffrage, and allowing him a voice in local and general government, puing rates and taxes as European-' !id. Coining to THE TARANAKI t!lvi\"" Mr Carroll asked "Who ;-.-.- you ".■':■':' to put in? (Cries of "Ji:;b le'). " ' adinittd MR~I.VI.OKIf was <m energetic and able men., .end that he had done rem.irkably wc"; tip

to the present. Jle had "load.' his marble aood," which was a great achievement lor a man announced for the firs-, time. His politics, too, f ivorcd the Government. But the Got em-

inent could not afford lo hav two V hor-es in the con.est. 1 ney had selec- !; ted the man they thought best to till |' the gap. They couldn't select two. Mr Malone's time was coming. (Voices: "It's come! ') They were approaching the fis-ltl. but they couldn't expect to run two men with any hope of -tiecess. Unless they consoiidated as a pariy thev must lose, and Mr Okey niii-t go in." (Cries of "No"). W'dl, there wis no question about it. Mr Okey i-list get ill if Hie Liberal vote was split. He would remind Mr .Malone's supporter rs that the general election was only 1S months oi'f, and his ability and exertion argued well for his cli.iuf.-s then. His "preliminary'' had shown his pace . and as he was a vomur colt lie be held till the big struggle. Then, if given a free rein, he inu-t get in. 11'.aptightcr). A "house divided against itself must surely fall." They should make it a party matter to gain a party victory by combining the. Liberal votes to piit the Coverninent's choice in. They could thank Mr Malone for the good run lie hid made. (J.auuitl t). It was of no use lo treat, ti'o m-.Hci-lightly. Every vole divided between 1(h ■ two meant one for Mr Okey. If they wanted the Govcrnnvnt party to j nuecc-e.l (bey consolidate. If some

-'•Mi.' !..!■ Mr. A1:.!.,||... fir Opposiiion ciiili.lale imi.-t »..| In. In! h- ,"xp .<• ed flic "..1,1 j/roy m..rc'' would (, M , die poll. (I.oud applii'ic). It hud 1,,...., sniu flint

Sill DOCKWU, wiis Mi. aid. Fri.ni his -uililv and ability di,played in ll.i' ,inv- j( was .■ri'.leilt. ibcl'e wns -iii-. I.i Hi,. „M l,„v >•■>:." If !;, „:,, p-,,,,1 ~;,„„;;, .„ i,',. •i:.'. nr id' N'i-v rkiiionlh. iiiyl 111, cs.ver bad 1-. .'ii Midi (hit ii «.' could point to a Mark .-pot on Lis cbavi: and as he had pruvort to lie u imui alien.ivo in why not niai--:.' him member for TaranaI,i; Mo had been n tnii' public scrI v.int. :tetfn«j in (he infere-is of liis town, i.iiKt (lie ratepayers hail always licon ::'il|. to tni::L liini. lie linil rallied out his duties with coura«e, with Imuesly. and abiii y. mid was ill every war Illted to lie the'.i' representative in Parliament. (Applau-e). He concluded by thanking the audience for the patient hparinjr accinled liini, and ooinplinieiited New Plymouth folic in general 'Hi i!'-■!;• understaiidine; of (lie great poll tical. situations of the. clay. He urgou the electors "to do the right thing to

n morrow," (Cries of "Vote for Mai- lone). v': Tin' chairman invited questions, but g none were forthcoming. d : COM'LINiON. 1, ! Mr S. G. Smith moved, and Mr H. f. .s I Uusscll Seconded, a very hearty vote of d I thinks to lion. Mr Carroll for his aide n I and statesmanlike address, a vote of j confidence in Mr Dockrill's Candida tun-, \ and renewed confidence in the Liberal v Govcrnmeni. c j fu fulfilment of a promise made at Sir v 'Malonc's meeting on Friday, wa-n Mr i] Carroll made a speech, Mr Malone was ■- j given the opportunity uf addressing the t [ His remarks were lirief. lie regretted |. j very much that the resolution propo ed S I had been so worded that he could not 0 support it in its entire,y. As ilie - Minister iiarl moved a heartv vnt" of thanks 1.0 lliiu at his (Mr.'Mat'Uicsl . meeting, he would have lieen ,:' i J to compliment. He could, however, compliment Mr. Carroll on ins earnestir-ss and siuceritv in Ids remarks, and for his 1 steadfastness. Thev le.nl heard from ' Mr. Carroll's lips that. nii;hf words which ' lie felt thev would treasure. Thev hid ■• had an intellectual treat. (Hear. bear.) 1 .\i it was not his mivUijg he could not, '■ of curse, traverse the eddies, but he ' hu|ied. soon to have an opportunity of , speaking on soir.e matters mentioned. Il.'iueiiu'r.) The Minister seemed > troubled about the Taranaki seat, ami , ]i','.licicd ilt.it under certain eircumsl ernes the seat would be lost to the . Übe'o.i par! v. There was no neeessilv to divide die vote on the morrow. If the tiovernnienf wanted to be absolute- ,' Iv sure of the seal, thev could vote for him (Mr. Malonol. and that would eonelude the whole matter. (Laughter.) Cheers were called for Mr. Malone and for Mr. Dockrill. and given lustily. The resolution was carried, and three cheers were given for the Minister. In thanking the meeting for the votes of thanks and confidence in the Ministrv, Mr. Carroll said that, notwithstanding what Mr. .Malone had uttered, he felt sure that when they calmly considered the position, the Liberals would have only one. vote, and that would be given for (Cries of ".Malone") Mr. Dockrill. (Cheers.) Mr. Dockrill faced a loudly cheering house. lie thanked the audience for the portion of the resolution having reference to him. lie was sure the Liberals would support the Government candi date at the ballot-box. No doubt he had been selected as the candidate on account of the sincere and steadfast manner in which he had stood by the party on every occasion. (Applause.) He had never on any ocacsion done anything to promote disintegration, but had always stood shoulder to shoulder with them. A vote of thanks to the chair con eluded a most enthusiastic meeting

SPEECHES BY MESSES. MASSEY •AND OKEY.

The Driil Hall was inodcralelv well Tilled last evening, when Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. Okey, the Opposition candidate, addressed a linal. word to the electors. Mr. W. V. Brooking presided over the meeting, which was most orderly. An apology was tendered for the non-attendance of Mr idling, M.il.K. for Manakau, owing to (be Uarawa missing Monday's trip.

Mr. Okey dealt mainly with the Land Bill, on which he held the election should be decided. T'ue Government had not dared to accept the challenge to put up a candidate fully pledged to the Bill. 'The endowment proposals, favored by Mr. Uockrill, really meant that there would be no further Crown lands for sale in the colony, if was all very well for Mr. Uockrill to say he was a freeholder, (hough in favor of endowments; the fact that that gentleman advocated a fair rent Bill showed that he was the worst kind of leaseholder. They could not very well expect Mr. Dockrill to know the requirements of the country, because he was essentially a town man. The town was living ou the country, therefore the electors should put in a man who knew the requirements of the country. This, Mr. Okey claimed to do. The main policy of the Opposition was to settle the native and Crown lands, and no opportunity would be lost of enforcing this ou the Government. By sending an Opposition member to Parliament the electors would not be turning the Government out; it would simply i strengthen the Opposition, which was necessary in the interests of good legislaI tion. But for the Opposition searchlight the Land Bill might have been hurried on to the Statute Book ere this. It was said the .CiiIMUM) limit would not affect anyone in Taranaki. Of course it would I not directly do so, but it would atl'ect the ' rate of interest payable on mortgage. 1 if this measure passed mortgagees would i not he able to lake over more than a i certain limit of landed security, consequently the borrower would have to pay more for monetary accommodation. .Mr. Okey corrected a misconception regarding his attitude on the native laud question. He suggested that (hey should settle native lands, give the nati-.es enough to farm, sell the. balance, and give the proceeds to assist the .Maoris In utilising their holdings. The areas of native land going to waste rellected ro credit on Mr. Carroll. The speaker proceeded to make a personal attack on the conduct of (he Native Minister. Mr. Okey also referred to the apparently large retinue of the Government candidate at this time, who seemed to have their pockets full and be spending money freely over this election. It was said Mr. Carroll and the other .Ministers were not spending the people's money. "They sav thev have a fund the same as the Opposition have," added Mr. Okey. |--Wc.il, all I can say is that I have never I seen a glinij.se of any Opposition fund,

so, if the Government fund is the same—(laughter). Continuing, the candidate said "this Socialistic measure." was the grave issue before the electors. If they relumed a (iovermnent man it would go throughout Ihe length and breadth of the colony that Taranaki was satisfied tvilii the Land Bill, hut the return of an ■ppnsilion member would be the greatest It'tock that Taranaki could inflict on the Bill. Mr. Malone bad found twenty reasons why the people should support him. Well he (Mr. Okey) could find 40 reasons why lie should be the favored TT-i.■;•-., r ... -j,|7 ; oppos'i'nox.' Mr. V- ;. referred to (lie "stn;v,i-,i-forv.'a".■.- . •:! outspoken speech" of .Mr. .Okey's. I ... latter appeared lo impiove each time tie appeared in public; in fact, alter he had been a member for three wears he would be an orator and able lo "cro-s swords with some of the best speakers ill Ihe House. I Laughter and of Taranaki on the food spirit sho'.vn .•vnevi'lly in connection with Ibis election, anil the eeod taste and moderation nf the local press. When the heat of the contest was over he trusted they would all shako hands, and help the ol",lc:l man. He went on to criticise the •'•extraordinary action" of the Government in connection with this election. The

LAND 111 1.1, was it policy measure, and when firs I i brought forward the Government were . as p'roud of it as a pullet of her lirst ' egg, but. like the egg, it had grown stale, and. (he Goveruiin'iil knew better '.h-.n to pul up :■ candidate to stand or fall by it. Formerly if a Government's policy' was not acceptable to the people Ihe .Ministry rel'r.d li':e men, but the present Govern), guile willing to allow their pi ; '.irked out so long as thev cm;..: .. -•■ ollice like a limpet lo a rock. (Laughter.) It was I said the Bill would not alVeet Turnnaki. Well, so Jar an he (Mr. Massey) was aware, (here was no saving clause, no nnalilicalion leaving Taren.iki out. It j applied to this province the same as any ' part of New Zealand; bad land legislation, especially leasehold legislation, meant less produelion. less employment, 11-.-s muuev available, end higher cost, of living. Thai was how it affected the towns. The country population knew bow it would affect them, and no dou'a would vote accordingly. Why should the

selihi's ill' l!i-- fiiiure'mil have flu- same <>|ijH>!-tuniiv of their own landlords ns tliose already in possessionY Mr. Mas-ey v.i-ni mi l" sav thai In- wished to i,,.„h-'(„ a ;\-v: points rain,! of late. \ir Tai-roll that In- (Mi- adass.-y) 1,-„1 ii-ii-,1 io ~'ial:o tvilli-r.s l.riieie limi „,,.!i-i- Hit- l.i.n. iiiinii-iliiiii-lv 11 U-iianl died tl,,- lease terminated. Mr. Cam.ll ..Med. a.-eordiu;.; to tin- newspaper it|U'h a .talenie.it 'was oiilv made 1.1 ll'rh.'W™ Hi- wives ami dependents nl'! I.i.p. holders." As a matter nt' t'm-t he (Mr. Massev) had never mad.- tli-it. -dalriueiil : in: limi simply ipioinl. durimr Ids pivvimi- addivss. remarks mad? liv hi- iion Vr: Millar. Tlial Minister l.af! rl.-arlv unii!.- tli.- .-H'eimail ilml dealli '...■n-.i'mali-il I he-lease, Intt Hut the Oov- ! idiasisiiiH al-.a. in reply to a question, illi-.il (lie ci.nlv;iel ve-. Hi)! made with ''he widow, i-ii'l ■■■;) ended willi the hus- ■ ! hand's ileaili. -l! wa.s inlended," comMnifnlH Mr. Mas«ey. "lh-.it this tenure |.!io\il,l he us ;,'ooil as the freehold, mid I lots of people took it up cm the underlet anding tli-U it n-,v os good. If there

[is anything v.-niUuv; to make the !>!)!> yours as gosd as a iiv!i-!;l. I sun willhh; lu suinioi-l legislate.a it, Hut direct imii I believe it is the i:r..-..-.-i- thing io do.' Tilts speaker dealt in det.tll with instances in general legislation win re die

OPPOSITION MAI! I'OUOEI) i!i FORMS.

and made suggestions eteiittially :e ; | by the Ooveriinienl. 'the auditing nf the "whole of the public accounts 'had been 1.-i'oii<rlil about through 1 lie Opposiiioii after being violently opposed for jears by the Government. When i!ie. same j.arty fought for the. establishment of A HIXKINC !"i XIJ io improve Ihe colour's cr-.dil, the Covcriiuicill said, "Inoiis.-iis'," yet thai was boingrt inlo exislen.-c Us I session. The Opposition hail objected to the mainten-

ance of main arterial roads out of tile I'liblie Works' Fund, wliieli was mostly

borrowed money, with (lie result (hi! la. i session a. sum was placed on the

Consolidated Estimates out of revenue for lh,' |>ur|iose of maintaining reds. lie (Mr. Massey) suggested an n.iniiities seheme to make provision for those ill declining years. He held ibai, if should be possible for young ]ieo].le !i> pay into a fund sums ranging from fie, upward, upon which compound inlcre-l should be oiiM. thus providing, with (be addition ~f Government subsidies, ami-.ti-lies mi lie.- basis of cc!!i rihuU.--.il". (All plsiiso.) following „;, ;i this (he G.-.v-eniineiil did 1 »iiuy: down a measure Ja.-l I.ATIo.YAL AXXITi'IHS WL|;.

Ihiit th-rc wan no time to discuss it.' lie |.\li-. M.-sey) hoped it would come forward again next session, and thai ii •would be passed into law. lie had dratted the Mutual Fire Dill, introduee'd by the late ."Mr. Kirkbride. and a provision ensuring that the ralepayev should be represented through the local authority on I lie Court of Assessment was also his work. Regarding tile .Loans to Local Bodies' Act the Opposition bad insisted (hat the rate of interest be reduced, and lie sincerely hoped the lioverninent would give ell'ect to their suggestion to make (he rates more reasonable. We have not yet nearly done, said Mr. Massey, alter enumerating'others, "and as soon as the Government give elVe.et to these ire will provide Uiem with some more. (Applause.) As to the Government policy, the Cabinet was not united. With the exception of -'the wretched Land Bill" he did not think the Goveminent were agreed upon one point of policy. One party were strong protectionists, the others free traders. Some were prohibitionists, some represented "the trade"; some Ministers favored preference to unionists, the others were opposed to it; some advocate the referendum, others were against it; a section favored an elective Upper Chamber, the balance were opposed to it, and so on through the list. Beside the Land Bill, though, there was one other point on which Ministers were, at one: they were all agreed that it was the proper thing for them to retain their positions at all hazards and draw their salaries. (Laughter.) They thought they were overworked. "Overworked, ladies and genlleinen. \'ou have seen a sample of their work in this district during the last fortnight.". (Laughter.) A Bill had even been introduced last year to increase the number of Ministers by two. When the Chairmanship of Committees was filled there were two malcontents, who had had designs ou the position, and to appease them the Government wanted aiilhi .My to appoint them De-puty-Chairmen—quite a new and unnecessary innovation —at a salary of .tli.'ii) (including (heir salaries). The Premier was forced, however, in view of the attitude of the House to drop the proposal. "The feeling of the House is that the Government of the day have far 100 much inlluence in Parliament for the good of the country," explained Mr. Massey as an additional reason for strengthening the Opposition. Whilst he (Mr. Massey) did not object to criticism —which public men must and did expect—he strongly resented misrepresentation.

MB. CARROLL I alleged that the Opposition claimed to belong to a superior order and talked about the "common herd," how they were bred, etc. The last part of the paragraph, ill which Mr. Carroll said the Opposition had no ideas, was disproved on the face of it; he (Mr. .Massey) had instanced how the Government adopted their ideas, lie (Mr. Mussey) objeeted to the attempt to set class against class and set up social distinctions in Ibis country. As a good democrat, which be said" he was, lie held that there should not be class distinctions. Mr. Carroll, a Minister of the Crown, had. instead of discussing higher polities as might |,e e.vpec-led nf one in bis position, had appealed to the lowest prejudices of humanity. That portion of the speech was a speech that no man with decent instincts would have made. It was absolute nonsense to sav that the Opposition had talked about the •'common herd." "Siipp,,se my linaneial and social position were v.-ry much belter to-day.'' said Mr. Massey. "do you suppose l' would colonists? Not a 'bit of it," (Loud applause.) Such assertions as be objected to might mean votes, but votes obtained in that way were not worth gelling. lie spoke of the men of whom the Opposition was composed lo show that settler, artisan and sons of the people were, included in their ranks. It would be a very good thing for the colony, he thought, if Parliament contained "more men of this slamp. The Opposition contained no professional politician, and their records would compare favorablv with those of .Mr. Carroll and his col"/eagiK's, Mr. Carroll was one who had taken a change to the other side of politics when lured by oilic-e. >\o one could say, further, that his administration of Ihe Native Department had been a success, The stale of the natives and native lands was worse now tlinn ten or twelve years ago: in fact, Mr. Carroll's administration of native affairs was one of the most dismal failures in Hie history of the Government. 'The Opposition 'con tamed straight-minded, broad-minded men who wanted to see the business of the country conducted on sound, broadminded lines, and io lay the foundations for a larger national prosperity. The Opposition were only Hi in number, but were holding the fort until relief came, and trusted the people of Taranaki would send another man i lo help (hem. (Applause.) It was not the function of an Opposition to put forward a policy, but tliey put forward A PLATFOIIM. 11 was well that there were men in (he Opposition able to criticise the policy of the Government, (hey succeeded last session in shelving the Land Bill for the time being. The Opposition wanted to see something more done for the pioneer s'l tiers in the way of providing them wilh roads,-railways where possible, telegraph and telephone facilities, and proller education for their children. (Applause.) J A messenger arrived at this r-tagc, ■ ! ''!iL"i'.' 3[i,ss "> v explained that iilis was

SPECIAL "TELEGRAPH SERVICE" between the Drill Hall and the Theatre.

C..dinning Mr. Massey for' lln' iuicrrupiion. lie had uo set speech, i'.n.l recognised Unit liis remarks must lie a. Utile rambling, but lie wished to r.-ply to various points raised during tin- campaign. Mr. Carroll had sought !o lustily l!:t; Ministerial visits for election purpose. So far as he (Mr. Massey) was concerned his first visit had been arranged prior to the late member's demise. This was a coincidence, but could be verified bv reference to the newsI papers, lie did not olijct to jh e Min- | islers coming round, but did object to so much. i\"noi;i''i'.i;i:\ T oK ix tfie elkctiox. !i Mr. Carroll had not cmic lo this district he (Hie speaker) would not have lunde a return visit. He had made il clear in his first speech that if there was no interference on the part of the Covcrniimnt he would not interfere in H>- e!e;!v„i. Mv. Carroll further staled 1 tirt evening, "Xo (loveniment could lis v,-it!n..'i!t an Opposition." What a splendid iireiiuient in support of what he ' (Mr. M.i-sev) had said all along. Doubt-

If,', Mr. Carroll would .ills.. a«iw tin; in the-e ehv.imstaneos Mr. Okev's reiuni would lie llu- best thin;,', (baiif-liter.) Mr. Massey referred humorously to (lie title of "Hill Adams" conferred upon him liv lir Xativo Minif-lcr. Adams, lie believed, was (lie lh'i'ii of Waterloo, mid he ventured to i=nv tli.it til" T.iUi.l t'.ill would be the Waterloo of the Covern--111 '■lit. (Lam'htor and applause.) lit de--e.mliii!.' iii'.nii the fuel that be bad onee v.n.,1 n<niiist the Advance* to Settlers' Ael (uhi.h was solely beeause be was pledtted against borrowing, as lie favored local means of raising the money), his critics quite forgot to add that it was in !S!U. and that siuee then, released ■ fi'niii bis pnli-borrowin;,' pledge, hj" had 1 voted for ipiile half-a-dozen Advances to ' S.li!evs' Acts and amendments. 110 had " ;>!.-<> years afro s\i»gos(ed that cventu- • l ally some limitation of areas would be 1 1 ii"iiv.-aiv. and still thought so. (Ap- " jdause.) neverting to the labor miestion, " Hie cry that the Opposition were op- '' I posed to the working man was always 'i raised to try and entice votes away, '" I It was a low contemptible trick. H« 0 \ challenged the individual to show e

i single instance where an Opposition I member or candidate. either privaLuly !«r publicly, had ii.,i=.- anvthiiip, in the I ilirect:..n 'of I..Wi'l-iisjr wajjvs. He had urged I hi: (lovernincnl tn increase tin l rales of pay in ilie lower grades id' tin: Uailw..y Department, and In: had supported ' i'k' must, liberal conditions in conni-i lion with workers' homes. He also supported i.n increase in teachers' salaries, a.nd had always lukfii up the altitude "a fair day's pay I'or a fair day's work.' 1 In conclusion he summed up the (ippusiilnn's aspirations, and outlined 'their platform on the lines of Ids recent speeiii's. "We are ilia moderates in Parliament,'' he explained, "and possess the (imialellre of the people who don't w,::u to ;;„ to ex.r.-iiie.s iii miv direction." A dissertation on mulins;, the reform of the Legislative Council', Covcvum.nt cxtiava:s;:!.-e as shown liy the i-iiipplcm.-ntary intimates (the lilxhibition beine; singed out for special referi".i:e). th' duty of the (lavenimenl to iv.ime ia.\nti:.ii on the n.'<ass«ries of life, am! the expressed intention of the .speaker to light the Land iiill "word by word, clause iiv cb.use, sixteen hours n diiv for a month if ne.essarv" eoneluded a vigorous address. A number of ipies--.i-'irs, n e.i.> ul' very vital interest, were, uuswi'-cd. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. W. A.mimry, an.l seeonded by .M'k. <'mukrod«er. was un.ininioiisly ac-M-.rd.d tlie speak.-T. Cheer* were called for and responded to.

lis-. Ma lone spoke at liiirford lloart yesterday mornine;, a.nu hid a real good moeii.ig,' and was voted the most; able can.lid.,te in the held raid the one tit and proper person to represent the people. Mr. Malone addressed the electors at Omnia on Monday night, the attendance being about oil. The candidate held tin: audience interested throughout. On conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker.

clothing at lowest prices goes straight lo the Melbourne . These are convincing reasons: Mackintoshes ISs 6d, top coats (the finest m ths province) 29s Oil, 39s CI, Itoslyn shirts 3s 3d, pants 3s 3d, flannel shirts 2s ,3d, all-wool Crimean shirts Gs lid.— Advt.

If yon have read a paragraph previously about something «t White's, and felt it was "only an advertisement," remember also that it is news. White's wish to Jet Daily News readers know the "daily news" of theii store. Every time wo mention an article, it is valuable news to someone. To-day's is that we have made another purchase of wide, plain ribbons in addition to those tartans we told you of the other day. All going at lid per yard. Every purchaser of wide ribbons during this coining week should see them.—Advt.

Your cold? SYKES'S CUEA COUGH is a. seething an<' baaling balm. It stops the cough, allays soreness and makes expectoration easy and free from effort. Sold everywhere !/G and 2/0. -Advt,

It doesn't do to neglect yourself during these cold snaps,'and wool is always cheaper than drugs, and our woolen underclothing is cheaper than ever, lien's heavy woollen so>:, Is; Men's Flannel Singlets, full size, Colonial flannel, 2s 3d; Men's Eibbcd Underpants, 3s 11(1; .Men's Heavy Overcoats, 255; Men's Merino Shir!s,'2s (id; Men's Heavy Ribbed Colonial Singlet, 3s Cd. At "The Ivash,'' Devon street. New Plymouth.—Advt.

Ladies and gentlemen (as tile political aspirant says), v,e want you to see the spelndid show of boots and shoes at the Melbourne Clothing Co. You'll find the goods to be up-top quality and marked at prices v. long way below competitors'.—Advt.

Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds n»»«« lails. Is Cd And 2s Cd.