DISCREDITABLE TACTICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 40, 9 August 1911, Page 4

DISCREDITABLE TACTICS

A LOW ATTACK. STIRRING SPEECH BY ACTING - PRIME MINISTER. Levin, August 7. An attack recently made toy the Opposition organiser upon the ActingPrime Minister was the subject of spirited comment on the part of Sir James Carroll when speaking here tonight. Sir James said it had just been revealed to him that Mr. Martin, when addressing a meeting in the electorate the other day, had declared that he (iSr James) had nothing tangible to show for so many years of political life; but Mr. Martin had also descended to innuendo and low insinuation when he went on to say, "Unless you consult his bank account."

Sir James said he took strong exception to language and innuendo of this kind, for nothing tended to degrade the polities of the country so much. "They pose as purists," he said, "but can you indentify them with anything that, is pure? Can you associate with purity intemperance of that kind? (Hear, hear.) So yo\t see it on one side. Have you heard the leaders of the Liberal Party in going aibout the country descending to abuse and personalities and gutter speech? No; but if you have, take and note it well and defoit us with it. (Applause.) lam prepared to contrast the conduct, manner, and behaviour of the progressive Liberal party at any time with the Opposition party. We never abuse them; we never say anything beyond the legitimate border of criticism; we do not seek to employ their methods." (Applause.) WILL REFUTE THE STATEMENTS, lie would like to exchange his banking account with any one of his audience, because the only thing Mr. Martin could find there was a very, very small overdraft. (Laughter and applause.) It was indeed a poor, a very mean way of placing a question. He would make it his business to deliver a political speech in Levin on another ocpasion, when he would be able to tell the people many interesting things. Wherever the persona! reflections had been made upon him, he would go, and in the same place refute and answer them. (Applause.) IN CASE OF CHANGE.

These people would make one believe that it- was a crime to belong to the great Liberal party, and that it was a frail ami slender line on which they had to depend. It was all abuse, personalities, innuendo, insinuation and attacks. Th« present Administration had conducted the affairs of the people during the past twenty years with extraordinary success, and in the time the Opposition claims had been growing weaker and weaker. It was idle for the shreds of the old 'party to try to rehabitate themselves in the old garments with any hope of getting into power. (Applause.) If there was to be a change let it lie a change of personnel, not of party. If he, for instance, had been far too loni< a member of the Ministry, then he was quite prepared to let someone else take his place, "But never change your party," he urged. "Stick to Liberalism! Stick to the party that has developed the country, lightened the burdens of the people, and improved conditions generally I"

Sir James resumed his sent amid tumultuous applause.