POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 April 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

MR. PEARCE AT 11AWERA.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Uawera, Yesterday

Mr G. V. Pearce, M.P. for Patea, addressed tlw electors at llawera last night, when he explained the principal Acta of the last session. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Pearce, and a motion expressing confidence in Jiim and also eonlidenco in the Massey Government was carried. MR. RUSSELL AT ASH BURTON". Ashburton, Yesterday. Mr G. W. Russell addressed a crowded meeting of over 800 people at the Theatre Royal last night, criticising tne Government's one-ship naval policy and its failure to provide cheap money. The speech lasted two and a-half hours. At the close an amendment of no confidence in tho Liberals was defeated by a large majority, the meeting cheering Mr ltn sell. SIR JOSEPH WARD AT NELSON. Nelson, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward's visit to the Golden Bay district was signalised bv a banquet at Takaka last night, where Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were presented with an address of welcome. Later, the Leader of the Opposition delivered a political address on the lines of recent reported speeches to a very large fathering. Ho was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

The meeting also adopted a motion supporting the candidature of the Hon. R. McKenzie, who announced Ilia determination of contesting tlie Motueka seat at the general election. Sir Joseph Ward visited Collingwood to-day, and addressed a meeting. A motion of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

To-night he addressed the larcest meeting ever held at Motueka, and a vote was passed of the warmest thanks and confidence in him and the Liberal Party. MR. WEBB AT GREYMOUTII. THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S AIMS. Greymouth, Last Night. Mr. P. C. Webb, M.P., fddressed a large number of electors at lilaketown. He spoke for the most part on the lines of his Greymouth address, but devoted considerable attention to replying to Mr. Massey's criticism of his (Mr. Webb's) Greymouth address. In the first place, lie said that he was misunderstood from the abridged report of his address wired by the Press Association in reference to Mr. llickey. Mr. Massey, ill his Greymouth speech, referred to the political corruption that followed in the trail of the second ballot, and Mr. Webb bad said in criticism that if it were so the corruption was of the Reform Party's own making. In Otaki, the Reform Party had every available motor ear engaged to carry to the poll supporters of "Reform" to vote for Mr. Roberston against the FreeholdLiberal candidate, Mr. Field.- The same tactics were employed at Wanganui, where "Reformers" were most enthusiastic for Mr. Veitch: likewise at Grev Lynn. 11l fairness tj the Labor men, he (Mr. Webb) wished to say that the Labor candidates were in no way implicated, as the move emanated from the "Reform" side. Indeed, "Reform" agents in Wailii had interviewed Mr. Hieke.v between the first and second ballots, and promised him their support if he, when elected, would support their party against the Ward Government in n noeotifidence motion, but Mr. llickey absolutely refused.

Mr. Massey, in his speech at Creymouth, had waxed eloquent regarding tlio magnificent prosperity of the Dominion. He (Mr. Webb) retorted that the boasted prosperity did not extend beyond the wealthy class, and had never yet reached the great mass of wealthproducers. last year had been a nrospcrous one for the, monopolies and money-lending institutions, of which Mr. Massey is the political expression, and Mr. Webb quoted from the Official Year Book for 1013, which appeared under Mr. Massey's name as Minister for Labor. This showed that up to March 31, 1013, mnrtgages to the amount of £07,810,375 remained on the register, and, on the other hand, the mortgages were not all registered, many not being included in the figures. This, of course, meant a boon for money-lenders, receiving double the rates charged in the previous rear.

Referring to the statement by Mr. Massey that no workers had been shot down during the strike, Mr. Webb said that this was incorrect, for he knew of tho case of one young man being shot through the shoulder on the night of the riot in Ilaining street, whilst two boys were shot —one in the foot, requiring medical attendance, and the other boy in the knee. The case of the young man would come before Parliament for compensation. The whole, matter had already been discussed in the House, and therefore Mr. Massey must have a very bad memory when he said that no workers were shot down. In reference to Mr. Webb's statement that many of the specials were criminals just out of gaol, he was prepared to prove his assertions by means of trustworthy evidence were an opportunity given, but this had been refused by the Minister for Justice. Mr. Webb said that he had moved that a Select Committee be set up lor this purpose, but Mr. llerdinan had vetoed tile proposal, notwithstanding that the majority of those nominated for the committee were supporters of the Government. A petition, largely signed by residents and business people in Ilaining streets had been drawn up to the effect that a number of specials were to be found drinking in the hotels by day and riding about armed by night, and that fully fifteen shots were lired by these men.

In reference to the attitude of the Social Democratic Party, Mr. Webb said that the party intended taking up an absolutely independent attitude to both of the other parties, believing' that his •party's policy was the only policy that seriously and fearlessly dealt with the economic position as it existed in Xexv Zealand. His party's motto was to give full and free expression to its programme until such time as the people wore conversant with its aims and objects. He felt sure that when thai: time came the majority of the people, would insist 011 returning a party pledged to such a sound economic and humanitarian policy. However, the progressive forces were greatly handicapped on account of the repeal of the Second Ballot without a, substitute being pro. Tided. The repeal of the Second Ballot by the Massey party demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt that their • motto was "Office at any price," irrespective of the democratic aspirations ;of the people. Mr. Webb contended that the Reform Government liad made a dastardly attack on the rights and lib-

(•rties of the electors and workers, who knew well that the Massey party had strenuously opposed every Act calculated to improve the conditions of the masse* and decrease the burden of taxation on the shoulders of those least litted to bear it. In conclusion, Mr. Webb stated that it was the avowed object of Labor to put the Massey Government out of office at next election, and in the absence of a Social Democratic candidate its workers would roll up to vote solidly against the Massey nominee and support the nominee of the Liberal Party.