POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 7 December 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

THE LAST SHOT. I( MR. C. E. BELLRINGER AT THE , THEATRE. AN ENTHUSIATIO MEETING. ] Mr. V. E. Bellringer, the Liberal candidate for Taranaki, addressed a crowded audience at the Theatre Royal last night. The speaker was in fine fighting form, and gave a vigorous address, gotting in some very telling shots, which evoked spontaneous bursts of applause from his hearers, the latter part, when he hit hard and often, raising the audience to considerable enthusiasm. Mr. Geo. Grey presided. He remarked that this was his first experience as chairman at a political meeting, and it gave him especial pleasure, as he had known the speaker from boyhood. That friendship had continued. Mr. Bellringer was, ho pointed out, a supporter of the Ward Government, and the liberal aims as embodied in that party. Taken altogether the speaker said that the legisla-1 tion for the past twenty years would, j solely from the interests of the people, form a record for all time for any coun-t j try in the world. From those opposed ; to Mr. Bellringer's policy he asked for' a courteous hearing for one born and | reared in their midst. From his friends he asked for that meed of appreciation a Taranaki boy was entitled to. Mr. Bellringer, who, on rising to speak( was greeted with enthusiastic applause, expressed pleasure that his school chum, who had sat in the same desk with him in the old school forty years ago, and with whom he had upheld the honor of the school by fighting in the cricket and football field, should be fighting for the same party, a party, too, that was worthy of the confidence of all people. (Applause.) To-morrow would be a red-letter day for the people, who had a great and important issue to decide, whether to continue to support a party which for over twenty years had guided the destinies of the Dominion, moulded the legislation and done such a great work for the peo-

pie as a whole, or whether to support j a party which had opposed all measures designed to improve the country. Would they allow a party of stagnation and retrogression to sit on the Treasury benches? (A voice: No!) He had no doubt what the result would be, despite all the noise and boastings of the Opposition. He urged them strenuously to support the party to which he belonged. He referred to the complete change of tactics adopted by the Opposition, who now admitted that all the legislation they bad so consistently denounced and derided was greatly beneficial and had proved a success, and were now seeking to administer it. There was no just ground for any change. THE OPPOSITION AND THE MASSES. The Opposition had no real sympathy with the masses. The Opposition also appealed for a change of government, by saying that they were the only clean and pure party. The Government, they said, was unworthy of being entrusted with the task; that they, and they alone, had pure motives; they and they alone were the only ones that could administer without corruption. The people, however, would be able to judge whether there was any change in the Opposition; whether it stood merely for a privileged few or for the country as a whole. They were not, he said, asked to choose between an ideal Government but to choose between the Liberal Party with a splendid past record, and the socalled Reform Party—the Opposition Party of some many years, clothed in a new skin, but, like the donkey in the lion's skin, the old tone was recognised in'the bray. (Applause.) The Opposition said the past ought to be buried. They could not ignore the past, as it gave an index of the future. Upon the policy of to-day the future must be reared. The Opposition past was so black they would gladly blot it out, but it could not be obliterated. It showed how the party had always opposed proposals designed in the interests of the people. Mr. Massey lacked that sympathy, political and constructive ability, that must belong to the party in power. He had developed his critical powers at the expense of his constructive, if he ever had any. THE OPPOSITION ATTACK. The, whole Opposition attack was concentrated on charges. They did not denounce the policy of the Government, but its administration, and the whole question resolved itself into a question of proving charges made, which they could not do. He instanced the Mokau charge. Never, he said, in the history of the Party had there been such a strong denouncement of their tactics as had been made by their own friends. They had been accusing the Government of all kinds of evil doing, but in this they had gone so far that they had aroused that feeling of fair play inherent in the British throughout the world, and some strong followers of the Opposition Party had issued a strong protest against their leader's actions. (Appause.) He read the letter recently forwarded to Mr. McNab by Mr. McLean, of Napier, a staunch supporter of Mr. Massey (which had already been published). The Party was' assailed from within by those who were disgusted by its actions. The charges recoiled on the heads of those that made them. The history of Parliament proved that. There were several men seeking re-entry into Parliament, and were denied because of charges they had made. People always recognised the unfairness of the charges. The Opposition had failed in their charges of corruption, maladministration and Tammanyism, and stood condemned at the bar of public opinion. The mere assertion of their party or thanking God that they were not as other men. would not avail them. Let the Opposition first convince the people of their ability to carry on by fair criticism before they asked to b'e placed in power. Notwithstanding all prophesying he felt assured that the people were going to stand by the Government and give them a splendid victory at the polls. (Applause.) MR. OKKY AND THE GOVERNMENT. He referred to Mr. Okey's conduct at the previous election. When at Fitzrov he stated that he had no wish to turn the Government off the Treasury 'benches. This he bad not denied; in fact, he had admitted. He had then turned round to the people, and said: "What would you have thought of me if, v.-I'en elected to support the Opposition. 1 had not. turned the Government off?" or, in other words, "What you have tliought of me if I had not done what I told you I would not do?" Mr. Okey was a straight-out Oppositionist, who claimed credit for the humanitarian measures of the Government, and said they voted for them. He had challenged this statement, and said that if the' Opposition had got into power it would have meant the death knell of sound humanitarian legislation. He repeated that challenge. Mr. Massey would not have conceived the Widows' pensions. In fact, all great humanitarian measures would have been in oblivion. Mr. Massey's interests were in the wealthy few, not in the great masses. (Applause.) MR. MASSEY AND LABOR. Mr. Massey's new-found sympathy with labor was marvellous. Mr. Massey

ha<l for long complained of the socialistic tendency of the laboring classes, and accused the Government of pandering to labor if legislation was passed to improve their conditions, and tried to frustrate every endeavor made by the Government to that end. Now he was coquetting with .labor. Why? In order to bring about the defeat of the Government. Did? he think labor would ignore the past? If labor "were so foolish as to believe his promises, it would early repent the unholy alliance. For even at present, whilst in the cities pretending to be the I friend of labor, in the country the Op--1 position was denouncing its socialistic tendency. PURE SEEDS BILL. The Opposition were also endeavoring to ridicule the Government over the "Pure Seeds Bill" by alleging that the Government were legislating to provide for a certain amount of impurity in seeds. The intention of the Government was to provide for a minimum of impurity. Now the farmer had no protection, and his seed might contain 50 per cent, of weeds. If they insisted on absolute purity it would kill seed mer- \ chants, but a minimum of 1 per cent. ■ had been arranged so as to protect the 1 man who buys as well as the man who I sells. They could thus see to what ! desperate straits the Opposition were reI duced when they had to distort things j in this way in an endeavor to gain an advantage. The farming community were, however, keen to their own interests, and were' in much deeper sympathy with the Government than three years ' ago, when the dairy regulations were the ' trump card. Yet, despite the hue and ' cry over this, a few weeks after the I election at Stratford, and some twelve : months ago at Eltham, the Farmers' I Union were found making requests . which, if carried out, meant the appoint- . | ment of many more inspectors. Was j that fair play?

PROFESSIONS OF EXTRAVAGANCE.; Dealing with the professions of extravagant expenditure, he said that it, was general knowledge that the Opposi-' tion members always supported the loan proposals, and when money was to be expended were most persistent in urging the claims of their own districts. Yet oil' the hustings they denounced what they had encouraged. He contended that the Government had shown prudence and forethought in the expenditure of public money. Look at the results: Out of every" £IOO borrowed, £BG was re- | productive and directly or indirectly interest producing. This was a sound answer to the charge of extravagance. There must be in the Dominion a borrowing policy suited to its needs, and the Government had gripped the position strongly. He pointed out that it was a strong argument for the soundness of the Government when three such men as A. Myers, L. M. Isitt and the late T. E. Taylor, who had entered Parliament as Independents, were seen arrayed on the Government benches, and giving strong testimony in favor of the Party in power at present; and he read quotations from their speeches in illustration, THE OPPOSITION PRESS. A section of the press of the Dominion had been strong for the Opposition Party. In the Wellington Dominion views had been, expressed to poison the minds of the people. This paper was owned by large landowners, who had put money into it. Why? To endeavor to bring about the defeat of the Government. It had denounced the Government policy, and said that the Opposition possessed all the vitrues. If the interests of only landowners were supported, the majority of the people would suffer. In the days when the Opposition were in power, men were receiving 3s and 3s <sd per day wages, whilst large areas of land were carrying a few sheep. The Opposition would repeal the Graduated Land Tax. This Act was not designed for revenue raising, but for bursting up large estates for the purpose of improving the country. The Crown lands would soon be absorbed, and the landowners would be forced in the near future to cut up their lands for settlement. The Opposition papers were fighting the battle for the Opposition Party. If the workers didn't recognise this they would be responsible for the success or otherwise of the Government. He urged the people not to be misled by statements that the Government had become effete. GOVERNMENT POLICY. There was never a time in the history of New Zealand when there was so much progressive legislation submitted. (Applause.) Their policy was for an ideal democratic Government, with legislation for all, and it would be as strong for the future as in the past. It was approved out of the mouths of the enemy that the present policy was a good one, as they would not undo what had been enacted during recent years. The Government had substituted the Land Tax for the Property Tax. The latter imposed taxes on what they possessed and all improvements effected, but the Land Tax was on a much fairer basis, and greatly relieved small owners. The Graduated Land Tax burst' up large estates and materially'assisted the small man. Out of 150,00.0 landowners, only 12,000 paid 25s a year land tax. The Land for Settlement Act was a great improvement, and the settler who needed assistance got it. He referred to the advantages of the Advances to Settlers, Workers' Compensation, and others, laying particular stress on THE WIDOWS ACT, which would come into operation on January 1, through which every poor widow who had children under fourteen years of age would receive a pension from the State. It was a splendid measure. (Applause.) That was evidence that the Government intended to help those who had denied themselves for the benefit of their children. Many citizens had assisted their neighbors when in need, but the State was now accepting responsibility, and a widow with one child under 14 years would be entitled to £l2 per year; two children £18; three children, ';G24; four children, £3O. (Applause.) He knew there was gratitude in New Plymouth, and he believed the women would not be slow to recognise such a humane spirit, and will see that the Government goes back to power. The measure will bo a boon. THE FUTURE POLICY of the Government would be a programme for democratic and humanitarian ends. The land settlement would be maintained and extended; the acquisition of large estates would be made easier, and taxation would be placed on those best able to bear it. Exemption Avould be made wliero necessary in the interests of the workers, the aim being to make food free of taxation. If the other class bad their wav the burden would be made to fall on the people. The railways would be extended, the Old Age Pension Act amended so as to give more assistance. The interests of those employed by the State were to receive more consideration, and fair pay given, as it was only just and right that they should receive fair remuneration, and the Government would deal with their grievances. The speaker said that all must admit that the facilities for the post and telegraph services were the best, and that Sir Joseph Ward had done more than any other Postmaster-Gen-eral, having earned high encomiums throughout the world. Tt was intended to provide cheap clee- | trie power to foster industries, and help

the oil and ironsand. It had been said J that the district was under a cloud— [ yes, an Opposition cloud. "But," he. said, "send the clouds away, and let the bright sunlight shine on Taranaki. (Applause.)— You can do it if you wish." (A voice: "We will.") "I know you will" The speaker here criticised the evening' paper's action in giving a lead regarding various matters appertaining to the advancement of the district, pointing out how their judgment was at fault, and liow it also was in regard to the Taranaki seat.

OPUXAKE RAILWAY. With reference to the projected line to Opunake, he said the people were not agreed amongst themselves as to the route. The members for Taranaki were pulling different ways, and the member for Taranaki was sitting down and doing nothing. (Applause.) "Send back," ho said, "five Government members, I pledged to do what is best in the interests of the public. While the people are | pulling against each other the Govern- J ment are sitting tight, and no wonder!" While people in other parts of the country were united they must be the same, and give the Government a victory at the polls. Their help was wanted, and if they stood by the Government to-morrow they would do their part. He appealed to the women to cast their vote in a full rich measure, and sweep the Opposition into the sea of oblivion. (Applause.) Some members of his Party were not altogether in sympathy with some of his convictions, but they were prepared to sink differences and join hands for the success of the Liberal Party. If they voted for the Opposition candidate they would be supporting that party, and their regrets would not avail if that party went back to power.

ENTHUSIASM. Tf the same spirit of enthusiasm pre-1 vailed to-morrow that was experienced I that night their influence would be felt \ throughout the electorate, and they I would make staunch supporters of the] Government out of Oppositionists. TOTALTSATOR. His views on the totalisator had not boon reported. Tie held that it was a question which should he submitted to the public vote. (Hear, hear.) It affected the life of the people, and should be dealt with in the same manner as the liquor question. CONCLUSION. In concluding his address the candidate thanked the audience for the interest displayed. The Opposition talked about ( blotting out their past, but the Govern-1 ment hold up .their past for the world - to see. (Cheers.) Other nations were copying their measures, and the Government's action could not be hidden. Happy homes existed where there used to be sheep runs, settlers were freed from money-lenders, the aged poor were looked after, and their pensions enabled the old couples to end their days happily together. Good work would he carried j on, the Government would respond to i the wishes of the people, and would make this country what he believed it j to be, "Cod's own country." j Mr. Bellringer resumed his seat, amidst great enthusiasm. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions the candidate said ho was in sympathy with straight, clean sport; that he hoped there would not be any rejected Taranaki Government candidates to bo called to the Upper House; and that he believed in fitness for the position; that he was not in favor of, old age pensions being universal unless there was some system of contribution, as some people would get it who were in good positions; that in his opinion the education of the Leader of the Opposition had bpen, neglected, and he did not think the country would get value for its money if he Were sent to Ireland to learn political economy and land legislation. THANKS AND CONFIDENCE.Mr. C. H. Weston proposed a vote of, thanks and confidence in a speech eulo-' gising the work of the Government and wishing the candidate every success, from whom they could always rely on getting a square deal. (Applause.) Mr. G. Roper seconded the mobon, adding that if the voters were true to themselves there need be no fear of the result. The motion was carried amidst cheers. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded one of the most enthusiastic meetings held in New Plymouth. MR. MACKENZIE AT MANAIA. The Eltham Argus says that Mr. Mackenzie's meeting at Manaia on Tuesday night was a great success. At its conclusion there was an extraordinary scene of enthusiasm. The men hurraed, ladies threw bouquets on the stage, hats and handkerchiefs were waved, someone ran to the piano and played ''For he's n jolly good fellow," everybody joining in the chorus, and there was a scene of wild, enthusiastic excitement.