Political.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 3 December 1914, Page 8

Political.

lift. 11. OKEY AT TIIE THEATRE KOYAL. A GOOD MEETING. Mr. H. Okey, sitting member and Covornfiient candidate for the Taranaki seat, addressed a crowded meeting last night at the Theatre Royal. Mr. J, E. Wilson •(..Mayor of Xew Plymouth) presided, and brielly introduced tiie speaker. Mr. Okey was; given a very hearty reception. He brielly traced the unusual trend of events following last general election, stating that the electors had returned a majority of representatives to vote against Sir Joseph Ward. (Cries of "Xo!" and "Two rats!") Mr. Okey continued that when Parliament assembled, two of those returned in opposition to Sir .Joseph Ward, on account of a statement made by him that he would retire from the leadership, supported the Libeial leader, and the vote of no-confidence was lost. He then referred to Sir ■Joseph Ward's resignation, the advent of the Mackenzie Ministry, and its defeat by Mr. Massey. From that time the affairs of the Goveriiment~iad"T)een administered by the Massey Government, without losing a single division in the House, and when the House rose the party was as strong as ever, and its members were prepared to support Mr. Massey so long as he brought forward progressive legislation. (Ironical laughu-r.) PLEDGES FULFILLED. Proceeding on the lines of his Fitzroy speech a few weeks ago, Mr. Okey reiVm d to the pledges of tin: Massey candidates prior election, and to th • nivthna of their fulfilment. Dealing with iin.-uice, lie stated that the Ward Government, jurf before the elections, had ■ lit! 'ijiiuices in such a state that it beca.nc necessary though the fact was concealed, to cut down the limit of loans to

settler;; and local bodies. Tliis reduction was actually put into olleet in January, just after till" elections. That showed that the finances were none too good, lie then criticised the policy of raising loans on short-dated debentures. The Myers loan cost the country £5 Is 3d per cent. The speaker referred to the difficulty that confronted Hon. James Allen when lie went Home to borrow, but still the Minister had been able to borrow for 30 tor 40 years at £4 as per cent., which showed that the moneylenders had confidence in the party in power. ("Xo!" and applause.) The next loan by the present Government was subscribed six times over iu 90 minutes. (Applause.) And so matters went oil until, just before the war, the financial position had so improved that loan limits were extended. This policy of safe finance would bo continivd, as it had put the Dominion finances i such a satisfactory state. , LAND. The second pledge was to reform the land f.yytem. This had >een done, outstanding features being tlu: granting of the fr 'i hc.lt!- to Crown tenants, and an improve,! for-i of deferred payment system, while the pracvice of paying funds from cash sales of Crown iiinds into ti;e Consolidated Fund had been discontinued. )n reply to nn interjection, ho explained that the old system was bad finance, ''Suppo'se you own a farm," he explained, ''and rou cut ofT two acres—("A voice: ''Of blackberry!" and loud laughter)—of your farm each year, you would soon find that you are getting rid of your farm." The Government had tr.rpcd oi't an active policy in .providing land /i.ii- the people and people for the land, and in two years had made available for closer settlement no less than 1,043,763 acres, being 7.10,033 acreo of ordinary Crown lands, 83,800 acres of Native lands, and 23,052 acres of lands acquired under the hands for Sett.cment Act—nit a bad record, he said, for two years' administrat.ei!. (Applause 1 Ti.cfiovernmUit also int r.ded to estr<>)■":.-h. agricultural bank ), iul to make it possible for the peop o r i the land to make their jaiul, as euriy a.- .possible, profitable to t!'emsel"es mid to the oointminit,. The speaker :i\'vr,ted coiiii.l.'i ilile time to the Government's amendment of the West Const settlement reserves, enacted to give the tenant a chance of obtaining the freehold of the land which he had brought from a state of wilderness to that of productivity, and at the same time fully protecting the Maori owners. It was not correct to say that the Natives were icing robbed, lie would not wish more favorable conditions for his best friend than had jeen given to the Maoris by ;hc .eminent, TIIE PUB.' .F.r.VICE. The Government ; ad reformed the Public Service by putting it under the control of the Public Service Commissioners, clear of political control, and the Commissioners had, in their first year, saved £40,000 to the State. (Applause.) THE UPPER HOUSE. r The Government hail, as pledged, reformed the Legislative Council by making it elective on a proportional representation franchise. Replying to a pertinent interjection, he stated that he had supported the Bill, though he was not in favor of it. It was a policy measure, and when a man was a member, of a party lie had sometimes to vote for mea- ; sures with which be did not sec eve to eye. (The same interjector: "\Yhy didn't you act the man, and vote as you thought?") " j THE IRON INDUSTRY. Mr. Okey said the Government was iu favor of encouraging local industries, and quoted the Act for helping the development of the iron industry by granting a bonus of 'l2s a ton on pig iron produced from native ores, and 24s for iron run direct from the furnace. No other Government had ever given any encouragement, though the late member for this district, Mr. E. M. Smith, had urged it on them in season and out of season. (A voice: "You're wrong; both the Atkinson and Seddon Governments gave bonuses.") Mr. Okey continued: The Labor and Opposition members hr.d fought the Iron Industries Hill, on the ground that the iron industry should he controlled by the State. (Applause.) The speaker believed in Stato control of this kind, but did not believe that all enterprise should he checked while waiting for the State, to step in, letting these vast deposits of iron ores lie idle. LOCAL INDUSTRIES. The Government had passed legislation to assist local industries generally, particularly by providing for loans to fisher- ) men for the purchase of boats and equipment. They were prepared to advance I £9OOO to assist in the oil operations, a | tilling no previous Government had done. / iiiniMtiiiii'iiFrniiir iirnin Mr tiny")

assist mining prospectors by allowing them the assistance of the Geological Department, and so on. Among measures which also came under the heading of progressive measures, was the. fjocal 1 Railwayi Bi I—one of the most' important measures passed last session. ('Applause.) Under this measure the Gorernmont allowed settlers to build their own railways. They proclaimed a railway district. (A voice: "The ostrich farm!" and laughter.) The Local Railway Bill would have all the powers of a local authority, and power to purchase land and do anything required in tonnection with the milking of a railway. The Opposition fought that measure. (A voice: ''l don't wonder!") Mr. Okey replied that it was a progressive measure. It gave to the country 3ettler right to construct his railway, just as. the townspeople were enabled to construct their tramways. Yet thy Opposition had fought the Bill for thirty hours to prevent the country people obtaining this right. The Bill was in the main drafted along the lines of the recommendations of Mr. A. H. Johnstone, of New Plymouth, and Mr. E. 'Maxwell, of Oaonui. The settlers along the coast had always offered to rate their own lands, if necessary, to pay any deficiency on the working of a railway, if constructed, but the Liberal Government had refused to do anything in this way until the main lines were finished. 'Mr. Massey had not played the game of the dog in the manger, but had said that if the Government could not make the line, it would not prevent the people from making the much-re-quired railway themselves. (Applause.) The Government was progressive in this thing, and the Now Plymouth business puoplo would feel the benefit. The Hon. Mr. Eraser had authorised the making of a detailed survey of the route, and thi! surveyors had already reached Oakura from Opunake. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. It had been left to the Massey Government to put some life into the ] Workers' Dwellings Act, and they lutd | lr.li!i far !>::w of thtue place", in two M'.V:! than t.'i" had done in the previous six years. The Government I had increased the amount of the, advance j to the. worker, increased the area of ! land for the workers' home when out- ] side a borough, and extended the term ' for repayment when the buildings were j erected in permanent materials. He j would, if returned, do his best to have j those workers' loans made available to ) owners of individual sections, instead of ) in blocks, { "PENSIONS. I The Government had strengthened the j State superannuation schemes. There was one great defect in the railway scheme, for at present the contributor could make no provision for a pension for his widow in the event of his just after retiring on superannuation. The Massey Government had removed the Civil Service disabilities, and members of the service were now eligible for election to local bodies. They had increased the salaries in the Railway, Police, Post and Telegraph, and other Departments. Further, civil servants could now be paid overtime. The extension of the old-age pensions scheme, sc that women became entitled to a pension at 60, instead of 05, and the provision for children of widows drawing widows' pensions were also the work of the present Government. It had been left to this Governmnet to recognise the services of the old veterans, who had fought for the country in the days when their help was required. He favored universal pensions of £26 a year at 05 years of age, but the country could not stand the cost at the present time, for it would take considerably over a million pounds a year. EDUCATION ACT. Touching on the Education Bill, he saitl that the Government proposal had been to merge the Taranaki district into Wanganui. The Taranaki members had opposed that, and he felt sure that Taranaki district would not be abolished. (A voice: "Why didn't you raise your voice against it in the House?") It would be extended to liorTTi and south, but the local Board must bo brought up-to-date. (A voice: "Our member wants bringing up-to-date, too!") Settlers in South Taranaki were not anxious to come under the board centred at New Plymouth, believing they got better treatment than the Taranaki schools got. So, lie repeated, our Board must wake up. WAR LEGISLATION. Mr. Okey outlined the legislation enacted to deal with the extraordinary conditions arising out of the war, such as the moratorium, the facilities for all members of the Expeditionary Force to vote in the present Parliamentary election. The war risks insurance scheme under the control of the Imperial Government had rendered our produce trade possible, and it was going on almost as if no war prevailed. The Government had learned of the rapid increase in the price of foodstuffs, and what did Mr. Massey do at once? (A voice: "Nothing!") Mr. Massey had set up the Commission, and had purchased wheat in Australia and Canada. (That voice: "Only lit to feed ostriches!") This wheat would cost Cs a bushel, landed here, but the Government would sell it to the millers at such a price as would ensure the Hour being sold by the millers at no more than £l3 10s per ton. If trie merchants continued to hold on to the wheat, Mr. Massey had backbone enough to seize it. ("Why didn't lie do it long ago?") Those were nieasureVihat would be taken only when the Premier was obliged to, but he would do it if required. (IA front-seatcr: "Too late now!") THE NAVY. Mr. Okey gave, a length statement, dealing with the naval question, on lines already reported. He solidly supported the naval policy of the present Government, which scheme had been so adversely criticised by the Opposition. He believed that we ought to have at least one ship on which our boys could embark on a naval career. THE HIGH SCHOOL GRANT. Having now dealt with the principal political matters of the day, Mr Okey referred specifically to the New Plymouth Girls' High School grant. His opponents, he said, were endeavouring to make political capital out of the fact that at his Fit/.roy meeting he had read the .Department's letter, which he had that day received. He claimed that he had a perfect right to read that letter, and yet he was accused of using it for electioneering purposes. When he went down to Wellington last June, he said to a friend that there were two things that he wanted to pull off—the Local Railways Bill, and the Girls' High School grant. lie had pulled off both. (Applause.) He read the letter from the Department enclosing a copy of that sent to the High School Board, promising' that the money should be made available, "provided that no part would be payable before March 31st, 1915."' He was not responsible lor the failure of the postal authorities to deliver the original letter to the board. On learn-

municated with the Department, and had been assured that the letter to the board had been duly posted, that the actingsecretary of the board' on I7th November had not received, it, and that on the 27th November, a second copy had beoii sent. The contents of these letters, Mr Okey contended, showed that tho Government fully intended to erect a Girls' High School in the Taranaki district. He had been twitted by a certain newspaper with having failed to look after the interests of the district. (Hear, hear.) They must admit, however, that as far as- he was concerned the interests of the district had not suffered. There were people in this town, aye, and men on the High School | Board, too, who would rather that New Plymouth should not have its Girls' High School than that It should come I through him, Mr Okey. (Dissent, and I cries of "Name them.") Mr Okey 1 categorically repeated his charge, and went on to refer to the Daily News statement that it would be ridiculous for the board to start building on the information at its disposal. He denied over having even suggested that they should start. He, had, however, said that the Board had obtained authority to borrow £9001), that they had drawn £3OOO for reducing overdraft, and that £OOOO was available. Why not start, then, in buihliT'g the homes for the teachers and scholars? The High School Board, he said, wanted waking' Up. THE PETROLEUM £9OOO. "When I go out into the country districts, where there are no reporters, I am told that Mr Hughes claims to have been instrumental in getting the ,£OOOO vote for the development of the oil industry. I have said there, and I say here, with the reporters present, thilt if Mr Hughes can prove that he was instrumental in any way in getting that £9OOO for tile petroleum industry, I will stand on one side, ami let Mr "Hughes walk right in. (Applause.) That's a fair deal. (A A'oice: Sir George Clifford got it, not you). Mr Okey said that there were people in New Plymouth who knew better than that. The Opposition had fought it. As for himself, Mr Thomas Wilford had tried to catch him by dividing the House but he, as being personally interested, had walked out, declining to vote. ME. OKKY'S ACHIEVEMENTS. A member of Parliament, was apt to be judged on the reply to the question, what has he done? And unless a man was continually shouting from the house tops, the people were apt to forget. Mr Okey mentioned that a settled district like this could not expect as large grant 3 as the newly-opened areas, but he contended that the district had not suffered through him. He quote a list of grants and other achievements, which lxill be reported in to-morrow's issue, NEW PLYMOUTH'S NEEDS. New Plymouth's most pressing need was the opening up of the roads and railways, such as the TongaporutuMangaroa road and the Stratfonl-Main Trunk railway, to feed the harbor. The vote for this railway, about £IOO,OOO per year, must be increased. Now Plymouth must assist in having the Mokau river bridged,, to bring a large accession of trade which the inconvenient ferry now drove northwards. The construction of the Opunake, line must benefit New Plymouth. What was needed most was a combined pull of town and country interests —a long pull, a strong pull, und a pull all together—so as to put New Plymouth in the important position she was destined to fill. Mr Okey resumed his seat amidst applause. QUESTIONS, Question time was a busy time. Replying to "Square Deal," in the Daily News, Mr Okey said that the "Reform" Ministers when 011 electioneering bent, did not draw travelling expenses, and quoted figures to show that their travelling expenses were far less than those of the Ward and Mackenzie Cabinets.

]Jo was in favour of the abolition of < the Minister's vight of veto in the Railway Appeal Bourcl eases being abolished, after the c,ascp have been dealt with by the Board. He believed in civil servants having full civil and political rights. "'They can go into Parliament if they like to resign their position." He was in favour of a 4-5 hours' week for all railway servants. He favoured paying superannuation to widows of superannuated servants. He favoured placing dining-car men on the permanent railways stall'. He believed that every man in the service should have the right to riae to the highest position in the railway service, and the new general manager would give every encouragement. He favoured all engines and rolling stock being constructed in the Dominion if this could be done. The* Government proposed spending £40,000 in increasing the plants at the workshops; He favoured increasing the railway casual laborer's wage from Is lAd to Is 3d an hour, on account of the broken time. lie would extend to all branches of the civil service the right of appeal now given to the railway service. He would favour reducing the customs tariff on' necessaries of flife. Already there was practically a free breakfast table.

He would not favour making special taxation 011 land values for payment of expenditure 011 tho war. There was no need for any special taxation. The war should be paid for by the succeeding aa well as the present generation. He was not greatly in favour of pro' portional representation, though he had 1 eoted for it in regard to' the' Uppei" House.

He did not believe llr Massey had a' shilling invested in the Iluntly minbSi' Mr Okey deprecated tho tone of the 1 question, and this mud throwing, to which we would not descend. (Applause, loud and long).

Are you in favour of the. Noxious Weeds Act, and if so what for? (Laughter).—Mr Okey said he had always supported it. (Cries of "Blackberry.") Mr Okey was not aware that fines were not being enforced against cadets and Territorials for non-attendance at parades in New Plymouth, but thought they should be enforced.

A question regarding the strike drew from Mr Okey a vindication of the action of the farmers in loading their produce. (Applause). The questioner said his question was "Was the State against the farmers, or against the U.B.S. Co."? and ignoring a lengthy dissertation 011 the happenings at Wellington, insisted 011 an answer, but Mr Okey said he had never ha,d this matter before him. Probably the questioner knew more about it than he did.

Mr Okey could not say whether it was true, as a questioner said he could prove, that the Wellington wharf laborers had offered to load daily produce on tho steamers, and that the offer had been refused.

In answer to a question on tariff, Mr Okey said he was a free trader. Any reductions should be made so tliat the consumer should get the direct benefit. He supported the referendum on the Bible-in-Sehools question. He favoured replacing the dining-car

bridges on the line were not lit to carry the heavy engines. "When whey butter was being shipped to England aa creamery butter, did you raise any protest?"— Yes, I did, and I have Hansard to prove it. He read from Hansard ,1912, a question he asked in the House, suggesting that this whey butter should be specially branded, and the answer of Mr Mansey. that it would be exported as whey butter. A further question elicited that tho Premier had later agreed that the butter should be shipped as "factory" butter, ami, though lie had written to the chairmen of three dairy companies at New Plymouth those men had taken no action.

In reference to Mr Hughes' statement that Taranaki was not represented by a dairyman, Mr Okey said he had been milking - cows before Mr Hughes was born. Mr Okey ridiculed Sir Joseph Ward's baby bonus, as a "shrewd move which would not catch many fish." He himself would give the £5 bonus to the mother at the birth of the child. Some questions, of an objectionable nature, were not read. MEETING GETS OUT OF HAND. Tho meeting got quite out of hand, in good-humoured fashion, when Miss Pardy commenced a speech from the door in front of the platform. She praised the Reform Government as "a good Government to Taranaki," and, in the intervals of miuh "counting out" from the pit, and cheers for Sir Joseph Ward, remarked on the Opunake railway, the Harbour Bill, and at some length concerning the Government's treatment of the police force. The Mayor: Madam Miss Pardy,. ignoring the chair: I mrm> The Mayor; more loudly, but still ineffectively: Madam Miss Partly: I'm surprised at the want of gentleinanhness in this audience. (Uproar). The Mayor: Sergeant Bowden, will you please come forward. No Sergeant Bowden appeared, but the call drew the lady's attention to the stage, and she consented to go on with her motion, which was "a vote of thanks and continued confidence in Mr Okey for his nianagement of this constituency's 1 all airs, and also in the Reform Government." Cheers for Sir Joseph Ward were lustily given. Mr J. W. Boon seconded the motion, his remarks being inaudible. More cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. An amendment of thanks only, moved i by Mr S. Brooks, was not seconded, the meeting by this time seeming to have lost touch with what the various speakers were doing. The motion was put and carried, amid much dissent.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the meeting.