POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 23 November 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE OPPOSITION LEADER AT RANGIORA. Christchureh, November 60. At Kangiora this evening, Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded meeting o» behalf of the Hon. D, Buddo, M.P. for Kaiapoi, who is indisposed. Sir Joseph Ward was accorded a very good reception by the meeting. He criticised the Government's financial methods, and specially condemned its borrowing proposals. Last session it had taken authority to borrow £12,000,000, which was a record for New Zealand. He did not know how the country could stand the pace. With all the trouble in Europe now, it was not a proper time to borrow largely for public buildings. He claimed thatj the loan of £1,000,000 last year was ample for the public expenditure of New Zealand. He would cut the expenditure upon public buildings down by half, and' lie bclievid that in four years, upon n bmn of £.'1,000,000 a year, all the trunk lines could be completed. Sir Joseph Ward advocated a special graduated land tax, but at the same

time he would see that nothing unjust or improper was done to the large land owner. The land owner would either have to pay a special tax or hand the bind over to the Gnvrrnmcnt, who would cut it up. giving the landowner debentures. If at the end of the term the farms were not worth the Government valuation, a deduction would be made from the debentures, and if it was worth more, additions would be mr.de, so ensuring justkc to the large land owner.

The Liberals aimed at giving proportional representation, preserving the. country quota. Sir .tosepli Ward denied that he had entered into any arrangement with the Red Feds in connection with the general election. As many Tied Feds were standin? against tiie Liberals this time as last time. He had tried to win the sane labor vote for the Liberal party, and he believed he would secure it. 'He dealt extensively with defence subjects, claiming full credit I'or the Ilolenee .V (. and dec mi ,\n. T surest ion t 'at the f.iberal pa"iv wo i.l ever repeal the Act. He helicved, Jiov.-cdt, that'the internal defence of New Zealand shonld not cost more than rCd.iO.P-l;) yearly. He strongly condemned the idea of a local navy, and. supported the naval policy of strengthening the Imperial Xavy. which had been nursued in the past. It was nonsense discussing the idea of a local navy, until after the end of the war. when f!reat Britain would know what she would be d.dlV! with her fleet and the Carman fleet which would then be hers by capture. (Special to Xi'Ws.) Christchurch, November 20.

Sir Joseph Ward continued his triumphant tour of the South Tsland to-day addressing a meeting at the drill hall, Tdangiora. in. the Kaiapoi electorate, oti , behalf of the Hon. 11. P.uddo. who is at present in the hospital, and will probably be unable to address his constituents before the elections. The hall was decorated with flags, and a special platform wa s erected. Tt was the largest and most enthusiastic political meeting ever held in the district. The seating accommodation, which was provided for L">00 people, was taxed to its utmost long before eight. oYlock, and the overflow extended into the main street. There were well over 2fiflf> present, including a very large number of farmers, liancultursl and pastoral district. The town was en fete for the occasion, the local band turning out in honor of the guest. When Sir Joseph and Lady Ward arrived, the crowd outside the hall cheered them lustily, and Sir Joseph Ward's appearance on the platform was the signal for a great ovation. This was renewed when lie rose to speak, and his address, which was on the lines of previous speeches, was punctuated with applause and cheers, and augurs well not only for the success of the member for Kaiapoi, but for the Liberal parly Generally. "You will win in a canter." interjected one enthusiastic interjector. and the remark was received with deafening applause. This was the spirit displayed throughout. At the conclusion of the address, which was presided over by the Mayor, Mr. Jennings, the following resolution was carried almost unanimously and with the greatest of enthusiasm, on the motion of Mr Hugh Tioyd, and seconded by Mr K. Pavitt:— "That this large and representative gathering heartily thanks Sir Joseph Ward for his able address on behalf of Mr Buddo's candidature, and wishes to express the renewed confiddence in the Liberal party, so ably led by Sir Joseph, and pledges itself to work unceasingly for the re-election of Mr Buddo, and sincerely hopes that Sir Joseph Ward will be. Prime Minister as the result of the poll to be taken next month." The meeting closed with cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Subsequently Sir Joseph was entertained at supper by Mr Buddo's committee.

ME. T. K. SIDEY AT DUXEDIX. Dunedin, Xovember 20. Mr. T. K. Sidey, Liberal candidate for Dunedin South, addressed n large and enthusiastic meeting of electors this evening. The candidate severely critieised tlie action of the. .Government in regard to borrowing, as compared with the borrowing transactions of the Liberal Party. The land legislation of the Government received particular attention from the candidate, and also the matter of tlve control of the public service, and he asked why, if it were consistent, the same control was not given to the railway service. Belay in proj scenting Otago railways was touched on, and the Liberal policy outlined. The. ■meeting closed with cheers for the candidate, and a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

HON W. FEARER AT CLYDE. Clyde, November 20. Hon. W. Fraser addressed a large meeting of Iris constituents at Clyde tonight. He dealt briefly with the position of the finances when the Masscy Government took office, and to the responsibilities the Government took over with the funds available. He contended that during bis two years of office he had spent more money on public works than Sir Joseph Ward had spent during any two years of his term of six years. Speaking of local authorities, be said the previous Government had sent large sums to wealthy municipalities. He referred to the excellent work of the. Public Service Commisioners. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, with one or two dissentients.

HON. HERMES AT TAURANGA. Tauranga, November 20. The Hon. Hemes addressed a crowded meeting to-night. He dealt at length with the platform of his party as presented at last" election, and claimed that

all pledges had been fulfilled, with a few exceptions, which would be redeemed next session. He also outlined the Government's future policy, and claimed that the country could receive, better legislation from a compact body such as [the Reform party than frqm an Opposition which he described as "a fortuitous concourse of atoms." He said the Government had snflieient money available from the last loan to carry on public works for the next three or four months, when further funds would be available. No portion of the .rail way loan would be raised thig financial year. A vote of thanks and confidence in the jtfassey Government was carried.

THE GREY SEAT. Greymouth, November 20. Mr. IT. L. Miche.ll, the selected Reform candidate for the Grey electorate, opened his election campaign in the Town Hall this (■veiling. One of the largest audiences ever accommodated in the hall were, present. In the course of a lengthy address, he reviewed tlm good work done by the Massey Government, and dealt fully with the important rpiestions which are facing the Dominion. He was accorded a splendid hearing, and at the close of his speech a hearty vote of thanks was passed unanimously. SPEECH BY HON. lIERDMAN. Wellington, November 20.

Hon. Herdman, the Minister of Justice, addressing the electors of Xortli Wellington at Kelbnrno this evening, said that facts faded somewhat from the public memory, but they remembered the last strike, when the commerce of the country was threatened with paralysis. The Oovcrnment— any Clovornment—must recognise that no section of the community had the right to paralyse the business of a country, or to molest people who desired to work. Despite abuse and misrepresentation, the Government had faithfully and fearlessly discharged its duties. The financial position, which was desperate when the Liberals were in office, had been thoroughly revised, and he anticipated that the railway system, if given a fair chance under Mr. Tliley, would be revolutionise:!. Tiie Liberals had opposed the proposals of the flovernment because they wee inert and uiqe.'ogressive. lie was opposed to the Bible-in-Scliools proposals, but was in favor of the XeLon system. Tf prohibition were carried Xew Zealand would be a plague-stricken place, from 'which visitors would recoil. (Cheers). Tie believed it was possible to devise a law which would create a. Stale licen-dng authority, apart altogether frran Stele or municipal control, which would eon-

trol the licoiisincr of hotels, see that notliins luit tlir lic-t liquor was sold. and the infliction of increased penalties in tlio case of drunkenness. A vote of confidence in the Government wa.; carried, with few dissentients.. DR. XEWMAX AT YVELT.TXOTOK EAST. VcllnK'ton, Xovemher 20. Dr. Xowmun, Kcform candidate for Vwdlimrto'i 7".;st, opened his canmaiyn tonicht. He had .1 j;ood luTii-inur, and devoted considoralde time to the war. xvkieh ho anticipated would not produce any difficulty in Hie way of Xe\v Zealand sirraiifihifr for financial need--', lie advocated a system of State-assisted medical service for tlic people, and a railway deviation to secure a praeiical'v Hat route from "Wellington to Paob'.kariki; also tlic construction of a line to tlic "U".<>ir.arapa, via TauhercnihTiu Oorpe. so as to ohviate the present Kimntaka incline. A vot<> of thank's and confidence ns declared carried.