POLITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 24 November 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL

THE PREMIER ON THE WARPATH.

IN FRANKLIN ELECTORATE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Waiuku, Last Night. The Premier visited Franklin electorate to-day, and received a cordial welcome from the settlers at the township. Replying to the representations for the need of a branch railway from Waiuku, Sir Joseph Ward declared the Government would continue borrowing money to enable it to prosecute vigorously roads, bridges and railways construction demanded by legitimate requirements of settlers," nor would it be deterred by the attempts of its opponents to employ that policy as a means of getting the Government out of office. This evening Sir Joseph Ward addressed a meeting of nearly three hundred persons, his speech following the lines of that given at Taiimarunui. The audience accorded him a warm reception and most attentive hearing, without any interruptions or 'hostile demonstration. Reference was made by Sir Joseph to a statement by Mr. Massey at Palmerston North on Wednesday evening that he had been invited to join a coalition Ministry. When the subject was discussed in Parliament Mr. Massey definitely stufi,l that he had not received any communication upon the subject of coalition from any member of the Ministry. To Mr. Massey's statement at PalmerSton he gave an unqualified denial, as he had given to the statement of Mr. James Allen, who was the first to make this assertion. Since the Hou9e rose he had received a letter from a leading supporter of the Opposition, who stated-that a number of members of the Opposition, believing that coalition would be a good thing, had endeavored to persuade Mr. Massey to agree to a proposal. This letter threw a good deal of light upon the subject, and he intended to publish it as soon as he returned to Wellington. Replying to the statement of Mr. Wright in Wellington, Sir Joseph Ward again declared he had no intension of accepting the High Commissionership. Apparently with the object of gaining a few votes, the Leader of the Opposition was endeavoring to find a parallel between the Laurier Government and the Ward Government, and forecasted the defeat of the latter. The comparison was an illustration of the extraordinary efforts that were being made by Mr. Massey and his friends to make capital at the expense of the Government. Sir Joseph Ward explained that the defeat of the Canadian Government was due to its policy on the defence question, and its proposal for a reciprocal treaty with the United States of America. The British and French-Canadian sections had disagreed upon the important question of Imperial defence, a position that could never arise in New Zealand, where there was no racial distinction. The Prime Minister was accorded thanks and continued confidence in the Government, an amendment being defeated by a very large majority, and the original motion carried with a considerable show of enthusiasm. In acknowledging the vote, the Prime Minister said that there had been no prearrangement in connection with the meeting, and he accepted the resolution as an indication of the feeling of the electors of the district. Cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward and Miss Ward.

MR. MASSEY'S MOVEMENTS. • Taumarunui, Last Night. Mr. Massey, who was announced to speak here to-night in reply to the speech delivered last evening by the Prime Minister, but this afternoon a telegram was received from the Leader of the Opposition at Taihape, stating that owing to a misunderstanding as to the time of the starting of his train from-Marton he regretted that he could not reach there this evening. Mr. Massey stated that he would speak here next week.

Mr. C. K. "Wilson, the Opposition candidate for the Taumarunui scat, who had been announced to speak in conjunction with Mr. Massey, thus had the platform to himself. He had a -largely attended meeting, which wrs presided over by the Mayor (Mr. Mackrow). He explained the policy of the Opposition at length, and at the close of his speech received a hearty vote of thanks, a motion expressing confidence was withdrawn at Mr. Wilson's request, he stating that the ballot box was the proper place for expressing confidence. THE INVERCARGILL SEAT. Invercmrgill, Last Night. Mr. Hanan addressed his first meeting in the Theatre to-night, the building being more than crowded. The speaker got a good hearing. He stated that his choice was not between the Government and a better government, but between this Government and the Opposition, and he supported the Government. He was a, radical. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried amidst cheers.

THE PEEMTER AND THE MOKAU DEAL. Summarising the history of the Mokau block at Taumarunui on Wednesday, Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that the position was that the best thing the Government could do was to allow the Maoris to do as they liked with the land so long as there'was the condition that no company or individual should be allowed to continue to hold it in a large area. It was not until one of the most honorable men in the country purchased an interest in the estate that political bias on Mr. Massey's part made the transaction appear to him like the red rag to a bull. (Applause.)

MR. DIVE'S CANDIDATURE.

On Wednesday evening, the 22nd, a large audience attended the Rahotu Hall to hear Mr. Dive, the Reform candidate, give an address. Mr. Dive's speech was on the. same lines a.s that given at Warea and other places. At the conclusion .a vote of thanks and confidence was passed in the candidature of Mr. Dive, which was carried mvuiimously amidst a- large round of cheering.—-Con-tributed.

MR. HINE AT RATAPIKO.

On the way out to Eatapiko on Wednesday evening Mr. Hine practically gave up all hope of being able to hold a mooting on account of the weather, as one could hardly expect farmers to come out on such a night, but, to his surprise, when he arrived at the school, it was found that nearly 30 persons had turned out, 'including several ladies, who apparently were interested enough in the political questions of the day to brave the elements. The chairman, in introducing Mr. Hine, paid him a very high tribute for the manner in which lie had carried out his duties whilst a member of Parliament, and, on rising. Mr. Ttfne was greeted with applause. His speech was on similar lines as those already given and was listened to most attentively. At the close of the address a number of questions were asked and I answered to the .satisfaction of all preI sent. On the motion of Mr. Podnton,

seconded by Mr. Anderson, a hearty vote of thanks and renewed confidence was carried unanimously, and the usual vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.—Contributed.

POLITICAL QUESTIONS.

To the Editor. Sir,—lt has been rather amusing the way gome of your correspodents try to flatter Mr. Okey.. One, I forget now which, compared Mr. Bellringer to a small stream, and Mr. Okey to a deep river, surmounting all obstacles. Welt, I don't deny that he is "deep." For instance, what he claims to have done for the place is rather "deep/ but your correspondent must remember that however deep a river may be it is, if not in the right place, to use an engineering term, "not worth a dam,' while the little stream goes along, doing its worth, until perhaps joined by others, when it becomes larger and stronger than the other, for unity is strength." Another correspondent pities the oft defeated Mr. Bellringer, forgetting that it is the man who does not admit being beaten that in the end succeeds, and with more credit that he who has a walk over. It may interest "Albert Road" to know that Mr. Bell-ringer's twenty-mile drive on a wet night and other similar excursions will probably result in he, and not Mr. Okey, being our next member. Further on this correspondent, in speaking of the Mokau block, where he is all astray, speaks of the "Bloated Capitalists." This has set me thinking of the components of the Opposition Party and that of the, Liberal or Government Party. Of the first party mentioned, I find that it is the large landowner, the money-lender, and many others of that ilk, and all their many servitors, but especially "dupes," that form this party. They try to do with as few workmen as possible, and to keep down the rate of wages, and hence their hatred of trade unions. The Liberal Party, on the other hand, consists of all who have to earn their wa"es by the sweat of their brows, and is it any wonder that they combine, and form trade unions as the only means of obtaining due recognition of their services. The small and struggling tradesmen are also found on this side, and the smaller fawners also, until they grow rich in this world's goods, when I admit the tendency is to become conservative. I wall not trespass further' on your space.-I am, etc> ' WORKER.

WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.

To the Editor.

Sir,—.l read in this morning's issue of your journal a letter containing threefourths of a column from the pen of one James Burgess wherein your correspondent endeavors to adversely critici» tk* Government. The only portion of the letter worth referring to is the concluding paragraph, wherein your correspondent takes the Government to task for not creating him a justice of the peace. Your correspondent, like the scorpion, carries the sting in his tail. To adopt his metaphor, there has been a lot of "wind," and he who runs even may read why Mr. Burgess' "feathers" have been ruffled.—l am, etc., COOK-A-DOODLE-DO. Jiltham, November 23, 1011.

MR. BURGESS' FIGURES. Sir,—Mr. Burgess, of Warea, feels it his duty to give the other side of the question. If he cannot do so more effectually than he has he should keep quiet, even if the withholding of the J.P'ship hurts. He quotes Mr. L. M. ■ Isiitt. Let me quote a. further passage delivered by him on September 10 in the House: "I want to-night to tell the men and women throughout tho length and breadth of this Dominion that there is no bribery, no corruption, no maladministration; there is no political graft; that members of the Crown are shamefully libelled; and men and women, New Zealand through, should turn a deaf ear to these cowardly untruths." Does Mr. Burgess want anything straighter by a man who has seen as much of Now Zealand as any other, is independent in bis political Views, and has proved his downright honesty and unselfishness for twenty years or inoref But it is in his figures "that Mr. Burgess gets hopelessly tangled. He says: "The Government claim that 881,433' acres of land was settled last year, but they do not tell us that (144,003 acres of'this was pastoral runs taken up by only « people, and that 300,000 we're forfeited." The Government claim no such thing. The Premier claimed at Winton that 403.150 acres were settled iiv 1910LL, and 637,120 in 1909-10. But Mr. Burgess says 4)44,695 acres of this was pastoral runs! Mr. Burgess should be more careful of his faets before, lie starts to pose in print. The insinuations and innuendoes in the other part of his letter carry their own condemnation. It is easy to libel tho character of a Government, but it is another thing to prove the allegations, as the Opposition wilL find, when their case goes before the jury on December *.—l am. etc...

ELECTOR. THE MOKAU CASE. To the Editor. Sir, Your correspondent, "Albert Road" endeavors to be funny regarding the Mokau and other matters. There are one or two outstanding points I would like to place before him. First, the Opposition are always howling about giving the Maori freer use of his land, putting him on the same footing as his white brother; second, the Opposition are very insistent about cutting up blocks of unproductive land, especially native lands; third, the Opposition are always complaining about the Government putting obstacles in the way of capitalists desirous of improving the country. What is the position now? (I) The Government have given the Maori owners the opportunity of disposing of their interests in the Mokau block; (2) the Government have made it obligatory on the part of the syndicate to road and cut up the block in a certain period, according to the provisions of the Land Act, or they forfeit all their interests; (3) the Government have facilitated the capitalists improving this part of the country. For doing what the Opposition are always preaching and striving for, Oppositionists all over the country are now railing against the action of the Government in this matter. Where is their sincerity, their consistency? The Government have nothing to be ashamed of in their connection with the Mokau. They have ensured early settlement of the land, they have seen justice done to the Maori owners and the lessees, and they have removed a bar to the progress of Northern Taranaki. Tf the Opposition have no better-ammunition than this to fire against the Government, the latter need not worry about their position.—l am, etc., SETTLER.