POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 8, 28 May 1914, Page 4

POLITICAL.

i THE PREMIER IN TUB (SOUTH. BIG MEET [KG AT INVXROAUGILU By Telegraph—Preas Association. Inversargill, tut Night. Ihis evening the Prime Minister addressed a meeting which crowded the Municipal Theatre in all parts. Standing room was at a premium, and all accommodation at the back of the stags was overtaxed. Mr. Musney was loudly cheered on entering, aid again on rising to speak, and while there were a number of interruptions in the course of the a! dress they came from a limited section, the Premier's reception from the meeting a« a whole beiig extremely cordial.

The Prime Minister replied to one or two statements made Dy Sir Joseph Ward at Blenheim. He had nevei stated that the population kad decreased, but had pointed oat thai ten years ago the population of the eonntry districts exceeded the population of towns and eities. That positien kad been reversed, and the great percentage of the population was new in the towns and cities, and that wag not a cafe position for a country like this. That was his contention in regard to population, and ihe stood to it.

It was quite true {hat the Government had borrowed largely, bat the reason wsb that it had t» meet tfcfe debts of its predecessors. That was the real position, and any politician touching it should be candid enough to explain it. The statement that the Government had iaereaeed Customs taxation by 3.98 per sent, was wholly and absolutely incorrect. The Government tad not in* ereased Customs taxation by a fraction of a farthing, but the people being more prosperous were buying larger quantities of dutiable goodis. Dealing witn the statement that the workers paid nothing towards the cost of the gift battle-croiser, Mr. Massey said the payments were made from the Consolidated Fund, to wiiich every man and woman contributed. The state; ent that the workers did not pay waa only put forward for electioneering purposes. The leader of the Opposition waa inaeurate when he said that the Govern- ■ ment succeeded to a surplus of £780,-4 000. That surplus existed on Marrin 31, 1912, but owing to interest and oth»r payments the amount had dwindled to £IBB,OOO when the Hon. Jas. Allen took control of tie Treasury. Financially, the Dominion was now out of the wood. Referring to Sir Joseph Ward's claim that he could have settled the strike in two days, Mr. Ifoasey quoted figures showing that 03 strikes had occurred during Sir Joßepli Ward's Premiership, and asked why on earth he had not settled some of these in two daye. | In conclusion, Mr. Uaasey expressed, confidence that when the people had to choose whom they would support at the coming elections they would choose wisely and well. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by a very large majority.

, A CONTRADICTION. I Duntdl*, kast Night. Mr. H. 13. Moller «ontradicts the rumor that hi; has definitely decided to contest the Port Ohafaen seat at the general election. Hi «ayg that if he doe* stand it will not b« as an Indenendent.