POLITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 2 December 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL

THE PREMIER AT MILTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. Milton, Last Night. The Prime Minister addressed a very large meeting to-night, many people being unable to gain admission In the course of a lengthy speech, he dealt vigorously with Mr. Massey's statement that the people of NeW Zealand could safely borrow three or four millions a year. He said he was dead, against the Government borrowing any such amount, us, in his opinion, it would not be right for the Dominion to do so. He would not allow the country to be carried off its fi-ct by the pressure of members of Parliament. At the close of his address the Prime Minister was accorded a vote of th;uii;s and confidence, only a -few persons voting against the motion. SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT. Wellington, Last Night. Following are the -nominations for the Southern Maori seat: Tienni Hipi, farmer, Puketeraki; Tame Parata, interpreter, Wellington; Tahuaroa. Ivarira Watson, farmer, Wairau; Teone Matapura Erihana, interpreter, Puketeraki; John Hoper-e Uru, farmer, Tuahiwi. The nomination of Taniora Love, Picton, was disallowed owing to it -being unaccompanied by deposit. Mil. MASSEY AT PARNELL. Auckland, Last Night. The Leader of the Opposition addressed a most enthusiastic meeting at - Remuera to-night. There were about 600 present. Mr. Massey replied to Sir J. G. Finellay, and pointed out the inconsistency of Sir J. G. Findlay's platform with that of the Ward Government five years ago. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, almost without dissent, followed by cheers for Messrs. Massey and Dickson.

ACTION FOR ALLEGED LIBEL. Wanganui, Last Xiglit. In the course of his speech to-night Mr. W. A. Veitcli, Labor candidate for the Wanganui seat, and ex-president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, said that he had instructed his solicitors to issue a-writ claiming £5Ol damages from- Martin Lee for alleged slander. He said Lee had charge him with taking six days' travelling expenses to which he was not entitled. Mr. K. Veitch further offered to give £IOO to the Wanganui Hospital if it could be proved that he had wrongly taken one penny of the society's funds.

MR. FORBES AT THE THEATRE. Mr. Forbes addressed a very large audience in the' Theatre Royal last evening, when he gave his second and final address. He spoke for over an hour, and kept his audience good humored throughout. Mr. C. T. Mills presided. The candidiate commenced by saying that whereas on the first occasion he came among them as a stranger he now felt quite at home. He was out because he felt that Taranaki wanted a fighting man in the House —which it hod not got at present. Though he could not adimire his policy, he always had a great admiration for the laite Mr. E. M. Smith on account of his fighting qualities. He would never sit down till his requirements were .recognised. He referred. at some length to the attitude adopted by the local paipers. The Daily News had stated that his speech bristled with inconsistencies, inasmuch as in one breath he condemned borrowing and in the next advocated land- buying policy. He pointed out' that had the Government borrowed' in the first place and bought the land from the natives instead of firat putting railways through it and enhancing its value and creating a native aristocracy, they would have been able to still it to settlers at a reasonable cost, and with the profits have put the railways through without any further borrowing. The Daily News had said that he (Mr. Forbes) denounced the Advances to settlers. He did not. What he did denounce was its administration. Some people who wanted the money could not get it, and those who should not get it were able to, for the purpose of lending it out at an increased interest. With regard to the taxation, he showed that the Government, despite all their talk of taking the burden off the working men, lyid really increased it, and he instanced the increase in working boots.

He ciriticised Sir Joseph Ward's speech at luglewood. The Premier always said that the country was never more prosperous. In 1908 he said the railways were paying and if he was returned to office promised further reductions, instead' of which fares were increased. This should convince any one of the genuineness of these promises. The Premier said it was urged that the Government should be put out of office because it borrowed too much money. Personally, he complained that the money was not spent in the best way. He believed in giving credit where it was due, and admitted; that the Government had done a lot of good—(applause)— but it was only skin deep, and the evil results far overshadowed it. Sir Joseph Ward stated that the defence scheme cost £400,000 per annum, of which the naivy cost £IOO,OOO. He quoted figures to show that the actual cost was £684,573 (Territorials £384,573, Dreadnought. £150,000, equipment £50,000, and navy £100,000). He did not object to the expenditure on the navy, which was the first line of defence, but he objected to spending money where tlua'e was no guarantee of good results. He referred, to the hand gallop of the Liberal borrowing policy. During thirteen years of the Setid'On Government £29,000,000 was borrowed, and during the five years of the Ward administration £19,000,000. Last year three and a h«Jf milliona had been borrowed; this year six and a half mil'Mons; and in addition one million more had been taken from the pockets of the people. He failed to see, therefore, how the country could .be said l to be prosperous. The I'remiw had said that the Opposition candidates were big land holders. Why, Mr. Russell, of Avon, held' more than all the Opposition candidates put together, viz., 25,000 acres freehold! in the North Island. No wondor he was a leaseholder and was preventing every one having a home until the railway went through his .land and enhanced its value.

He was strongly in favor of ii Civil Service Board free from political iu-1 lluence. Let the ablest men lia>ve an opjiovtunity of getting' to the front irrespective of political inllueuce. The present system was only sowing seeds which woiiiJid produce a crop of corruption. He was iii' favor of the railway men having a minimum wage of 9s per day. The lives of the people were in their hands, and lliey should he paid a living wage. lie was also in favor of a maximum wag'. There were men drawing big salaries who were drawing travelling allowances and .never travelled. Railway men should have full political and civil rights. should not have the right of veto, Bailwaymen should be represented at Appeal Board and departmental 'inquiries liy independent men. Tltcv should only work 48 hour>, as the. cause of most accidents was over work. He admired the Premier for introducing the Widows' .Pulsions Bill. He was against the co-operative sys-

tem, which was nothing short of "dnyr : ;i light robbery," as from his own obsex >a- , tions the men seemed to be forced to do ? as little as they can and get as much ae they can. (A voice: Don't you believe it.). Work should be done by small contracts, and straggling Jiettlprs should have the opportunity of carrying out, so that the work would be done more economical and the money stop in the colony and assist settlement. Economy had to-be-faced, and as Sir J. Ward's promised retrenchment pro red to be a blindi, the only way wad to root Sir J. G. Ward and party out, the same | as weeds were rooted out of a garden. He said that the Advances to Workers Act had opened the ey« of the worker to the advantage of having a home, and . he wanted his piece of freehold. The prospect of ownership was the only true incentive to industry. He was a freeholder. The Reform Party proved its weakness -by allowing Sir James Carroll to bo returned unopposed. Was that party sincere when it advocated leasehold: as a stepping stone to freehold? • He advocated one tenure, viz., freehold, with -the, deferred l payment as a stepping stone. If returned he would do his utmost to see -the 'latter replaced 011 the Statute Book. He was opposed to compulsory training or anything in 'the -nature of conscription. The German scare was as far off as ever. He didi not think there was any fear of war, because every nation with advancing education realised that war was unnecessary. The pen would stand supreme. England stood for all that was good, and had an open door policy for all nations. He advocated physical training, and -believed that those rejected as unfit needed it most. He believed in the volunteer system and rifle clubs with rifles supplied free. Why was not volunteering successful? Because good men were not recognised by the pow-ers that be. He instanced Optain Knyvett. (A voice: What a>bout the chairma.n.Applause.) One volunteer was worth two pressed men. On this question the Opposition he emphatically believed in one issue, license or no-license, and the bare majority. He did not believe in, reduction, and local option was practically that. He also believed in increased - powers to local- bodies.

'As regarding what the Government had done for workers, lie stated that j when there was a financial crisis two of three years ago, Sir J. G. Wa.rd had said: "The Opposition would do nothing, but I have issued instructions to double the men on co-operative works," when, as a matter of fact, he had reduced them by one half. Mr. Bellringer had said that the Hine charges had shown the ■ world that the Government was all squaire and above board, but he thought otherwise, particularly in the light of i after events concerning a member of the Upper House. In conclusion, he said that electors had no guarantee when voting for a Government candidate that he would be on ' ' the side in power when returned. He resumed his seat amidst applause. : Numerous questions were handed up, and there was some hilarity at the back over an individual, who repeatedly asked a question, but would not como to the front.

The candidate said he was in favor of * the one day country racing clubs having their meetings, even at the expense of the metropolitan clubs. He did not think it was feasible, especially at the ! large ports, to limit the hours during which waterside workers should be em- ' ployed. He did not think taxation was now on a tfair and equitable basis. On the motion of Mr. W. B. Daivdes, seconded by Mr. Bransgrove, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the candidate, and carried witli acclamation. A similar vote to the chair terminated the • meeting. , '■

MR. BELL RINGER AT FITZROY. Mr. Bellringer addressed about SO or 90 electors in the Fitzroy Hall last night. Mr. J. Tisch presided. The candidate spoke on the usual lines, and at the conclusion of his address was asked and answered several questions. A vote of thanks to Mr. Bellringer and confidence m the Ward administration was carried ri ! , '? SOnt ' • Mr - J}cllrin 8« mu also aceoided tliree ringing cheers. TO-DAY'S MEETINGS . T?^l lUn vr kl ~^ Mr l : C " E- Be]lvin g el ". Koru fload, Mr. J orbes, Hurford road: Mr I Oke.y, Albert road school. -Sta-aWord-Mr. J. B. Hine, Cardiff; ■Mi. I. McChiggage, Punnvhakau. Egmont.—Mr, B. Dive, Moeroa, 1 p.m.; Hon. T. Mackenzie, Kaponga Taumarunui. Mr. C. K. Wilson, Leppeiton; Mr. W. T. Jearnings, Titorangi.