POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 111, 31 October 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

THE GOVERNMENT ATTACKED. MR. ALLEN AT MILTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. Milton, Last Night. Mr. James Allen, addressing the Bruce electors to-night, deprecated the way legislation was rushed through in the dying hours of Parliament, and defended his action in criticising the payment to the Chief Justice for sittings of the Native Land Commission and of revising the statutes. He disclaimed having injured the credit of the Dominion, and said he would turn the tables on the Prime Minister and attack him with misrepresentation and injuring the Dominion by placing such a document upon the table as the Budget. It showed the net debt as £79,837,388, which was £2,148,992 more than a return he h.ad asked for disclosed. He had pointed out discrepancies in connection with the amount borrowed for roads and bridges, and drew attention to the growth of loans from £202,201 in 1907 to over 6V2 millions in 1911. He also referred to the decrease in premiums on 4 per cent, loitns between 1907 and 1909. The next point touched upon was misrepresentation, to which his party had been subjected, including a statement that if it was in power it would repeal a great deal of the legislation on the Statute Book and that it had never assisted the Government in passing legislation. This statement he refuted, and quoted instances in support of his denial. The Government was severely criticised for extravagance, and also for its carlessness, which were attributes to its long continuance in office. This same cause led to undue preference, in which connection advertising was cited, and the increased expenditure of public money in election years was also mentioned. The evil effects of our borrowing were commented 011, after which Mr. Allen referred to the lack of a district policy 011 the part of the Government.

Mr. Allen received an almost unanimouse vote of thanks confidence at the conclusion of the address.

DUNEDIN NORTH SEAT. Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. A. R. Barclay, who was asked by the Labor Representation Council to retire from the contest for Dunedin North, writes to the papers contradicting that he was in bad health. He quote certificates from the three medical men that ■they can find no trace of organic disease, and that he is apparently in good health. Mr. Barclay announces his intention to stand for the seat nndei any circumstances. At a meeting of the Labor Representation Council to-night it was decided to take no pari in the Dunedin North election, Hon. J. T. Paul being unable to accept nomination by the council. MINISTERS' MOVKMKN'TS. Wellington, Lost Night. Sir John Find lay left for Auckland by to-day's train. Hon. 1). lSuddo went south to-night. Sir Joseph Ward leaves for the south to-morrow night. He will speak at Winton on Friday evening . MR. MASSEY'S PROGRAMME. Mr. Masscy has set himself a very busy day to-day. He will be speaking at the following places: Manga toki, 8.30; Kapongn, !).3f) a.m.; Awn tuna, 10.ISO a.m.; To Kiri, 11.3!) a.m.; Opunake, at noon; Pihama, 2.30 p.m.: Anroa, 3.30 p.m.; Otakelio, 4.30; Manaia. S p.m.

There will be a meeting of Liberals supporting Mr. Be'lringer's candidature at the Town Itall to-night. There are some matters of exceptional interest to be brought forward. A full attendance of all interested is requested.