POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 5 December 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

MR. DAN. HUGHES AT THE THEATRE ' ROYAL. AN INSPIRITING RECEPTION. Mr. Dan. J. Hughes, Liberal candidate for the iaranaki seat, made his bow to a New Plymouth audience last night at the Theatre Royal. Despite the fact that his speech was timed for an earlier hour than usual, the theatre- was paoked ■ before that time arrived. Tho Mayor(Mr. J. E. Wilson) presided. Mr. Hughes occupied the platform for three-quarters of an hour,' and in that time managed to infuse into a strongly favorable meeting some of his own enthusiasm, and he was cheered to the echo. The candidate found it necessary, as a comparatively recent settler on the land jn North Taranaki, to introduce himself to his audience. He mentioned j his Taranaki upbringing, and his hard fighting in days gone by for this pro- ( vince and for New Zealand on the football field. ( Cheers.) Whilst a strenuous exponent of the national game, he had never been accused of unfair tactics. No one of his opponents in all those years ! could say otherwise than that ' he had "played the game," and he came to the electors 'with clean hands.

Mr. Hughes found much in New Plymouth on which to congratulate the residents, but said: "You want someone politically 'on the same level—someone to fight for your rights. I will show you that you haven't got that." - He stressed the need for the completion of tho road to Mokau and northwards, the bridging of the Mokau river, the pushing on of the railway connecting Taranaki with the Main Line to Auckland the linking up by a line of railway of, the fertile plains with the Moturoa harbor, with its promise of overseas carriage of our dairy produce to the great markets of the world—a harbor for which lie had battled on and off for years and years, in the hostile South Taranaki district, with all its vested ihtcrAots in the port of Patea. He, had never "let up" in his belief in and ad-

vocacy of New Plymouth as a harbor for ocean-going steamers. (Applause.) This was a town, he said, with great potentialities, a town whose future prospects were probably unequalled in the Dominion. He referred to the magnificent stamina of the growing youth of to her prowess in the athletic field, to her splendid schools, which were a credit to the district, and should bo a source of pride to the people. Dealing with general politics, Mr. Hughes said that as the accredited representative of the Liberal and Labor Federation, he stood for a party fighting for tiie masses, and against a party which had always fought for the classes. He would not have been addressing a New Plymouth audience that night but for the fact that their fathers and mothers had been driven from their homes in the Old World by that very samo class. (Applause.) Throe years ago the representatives of that party luid gone round the country villifying, slandering, traducing Sir .Joseph Ward, principally on account of the gift of the Dreadnought. They had circulated printed matter, suggesting, though not openlv stating—tho "Reform" crowd never made a straight-out accusation—that the working man had had to bear the cost of the .Dreadnought. It was clear now i that death duties, totalisator tax, and ! tjjx on bank-notes, provided the interest and sinking fund, and though the Massey i party had opposed the imposition of the deatli duties, they still continued to collect them, even eollefcting £013,0H0 in one year, as against £323,000 collected Iby the Ward Government, Any man who ! had urged the workers to oust the Ward party on that plea should bow his head in shame. (Applause.) The speaker had a word or two for misrepresentations of the Tory Press, which was run by the moneyed interests of the Dominion. He referred to The Dominion's suggestion, three years ago that fSir Joseph Ward intended to leave the coun- | try to get itself out of the financial mess into which he had -got it. Had Sir Joseph i Ward left? He had given the lie direct by staying at his post "in the cool shades of Opposition," and assisting in the good government of this country, sinking his political differences in the present great national crisis. (Applause.) ,

Mr. Okey had.inferred that he was surreptitiously claiming credit for getting tiie High "School grant "when there wen; /no reporters present." Well, he had made a statement oil tiie matter at

Fitaroy, 'when the Tpry Press wag present, and they had not even published his remarks. Bn'c liow coiiM lie claim credit for getting a grant which was mot yet in existence? (T.:r,ie<htcr.) M r. Hughes was not satisfied t.!>at the Government was acting liberally enough in connection with the High School, and promised that when he was returned as a supporter of the Ward Government—(Applause)—he would have something to say about it, and there would be a straight-out grant—not a promise to provide money after the 31st March. He was glad that he had stirred up matters somewhat. "This electorate has not been so stirred up since the (lavs of the'late Mr. E. M. Smith," he added, amidst cheers, ''and now they had Mr. Okey coining along with a promise like this right on the eve of an election." The Liberal party had never had to descend to tactics like these. He criticised Mr. Okey for endeavoring to shield himself by easting odium on the members of the High School Beard. Such tactics were beneath the dignity of a member of Parliament. (Applause.) As for the £OW'« loan to tiie High School Board from the Public Trustee, if Mr. Okey helped in getting that ho had only done, his duty as a member. But it was only a loan after all, and anyone else with the same security could have got the money the Board borrowed.. As for Mr. Okey's challenge, and his. offer to alow him (Mr. Hughes) to walk in, the. speaker said he v/as going to walk in, anyhow. Coming to the loan to the Petroleum Company, Mr. Hughes said that l"j had been "stumping the country" on the necessity for better recognition of the oil industry by the State, and in all his election speeches lie had urged the necessity for State help or for nationalisation. This activity had awakened the Tories, and they had moved the Government to set this £!)00l) on the Estimates. If returned, aril he felt fairly confident, he would do Ms best to have a depot, established, here, and far move liberal treatment of the industry than had been accorded in the past. Pipturning to the matter of Swir Plymouth's Joss by its. weak representation in Parliament, he' referrotl'to. the trailslei; of: the. Public Trust Office to Haw'eva.V anct <he'T^blic\W^rk8 < to''St«rttoiiJ. ijjn-. less tliey had a live man Sew Plvnraoth would be pushed into a back' seat,: (A voice: "That's right; rub it m!") .• The speaker' toucl»fed on -the-Bible'mi-Sohools qucstioji, the Premier wifcTilhis volte-face,-• and: • opposing > tli)s« referendum; and he declared i himself pi feßlMiNlHiittriiMistfift

the licensing question. He favored the abolition of the local option issue.

Touching on the war and the Moratorium Act, Mr. Hughes stated that at the end of the war there would be a tremendous accumulation of mortgages to renew, and God help the small man if there were a Tory Government in office at that time. They would need then a strong Liberal party in power to protect the small man, or the renewals of mortgages would have to be made at such rates of interest as the Tory people dictated. Mr. Hughes referred to the export of whey butter, which was exported as "factory" butter, whilst the butter which had built up our trade was exported as "creamery" butter. The distinction was insufficient. Mr. Okey had certainly ventilated the matter, but when' Mr. Massey declined to alter the system he had dropped the matter. That was not the speaker's way. He would never rest until the wrongs he protested against were righted. THE "RED FED." CR'i.

What is tho definition of a Red Fed.? asked Mr. Hughes, and he Answered the question himself—Anyone who is against JVIr. Massey and the Tory party, and who refused to worship and glorify Mr. "Rainbow" Fisher. He wag a farmer, and how could a farmer be a Red. Fed., he asked. He believed that a laborer was worthy of his hire, and that it was tlm duty of the Premier and his Government, instead of stirring up strife between 'Labor and the farming class, to "lbt capital shake hands \vith labor." It was this legislation of the present Government, and the deliberate policy of setting class against class, that was earning for, the Ministers their unfavorable receptions'" throughout the Dominion from the workers, whom the}? pretended ; to protect. Standing at the solicitation of sup- | porters of the Liberal and Labor Federation in town and country, he was there to unfurl once morn the banner of Liberalism in this province. He knew that ■Liberalism was in tho ascendant, and | that the people were too. enlightened to have another term of Toryism. "Give me a chance," lie continued. "I'll give . you all that is in me, and help to pro- ; mote the interests of this good little | town of yours to the best of my ability. : I ask you to trust me, as I trust you."

Mr. Hughes resumed his amidst a scene of enthusiastic applause. Mr. Wilford followed Mr. Hughes, and at the conclusion of his address, on the motion of Mr. F. C. J. Bellringcr, a vote of thanks was accorded the speakers; with confidence in Sir Joseph Ward ami the Liberal party. The .motion was-car-ried unanimously, with cheers for the candidate, for Sir Joseph Ward, for Mr. Wilford; and for "Our Boys in Egypt," tho great gathering then singing the National Anthem. MR OKEY'S ACHIEVEMENTS. AS TOLD BY HIMSELF. In the. course, of his address on Friday, Mr Okey referred to the history of'works and grants authorised by the Government during his eight years' term, this being' done in order to disprove the . charge made that New Plymouth and its district had suffered o;i account of the lack of interest in its affairs and lack of ability shown by him as its member. Taking the town first, when he was first elected efforts were made to get tho Deeds Department shifted out of the dingy offices in the Post Office buildings. Ministers visiting the district were taken there, and the place was condemned by the health authorities. and to-day they had the most up-to-date Deeds Office in the Dominion. A new police station had been erected. A subsidy of between, five and six hundred pounds was got towards the building of the Mountain House; and every year funds were obtained towards the upkeep of roads and tracks leading to and from the house. When the Egmont Road leading to the house was in such bad order two years ago he obtained £IOO to repair it and a further £IOO for this, year; £3OO towards' repairing the piers of tile Waiwakaiho Bridge; a vote for the purchase of Kawaroa Park from the Education Department, which meant a gift to the inhabitants Uf New Plymouth and district of £O3O. Dealing with the country districts, he said that all that inland country near Warea and Puniho was of very little value seven years ago for want of road communication. Now it was a. most" prosperous district. The Stony River Bridge had been erected; also tiie Warea and Waiweranui bridges; the road which was then bush was now metalled between the Newall Road and Stony River, bringing these settlers out at Okato. Numerous other grants from £SOO downwards had been got for the roads inland of Okato. Tiie Carrington Road was now* formed and metalled to the Keri River, partly by loans, but in every case subsidised by a Government grant. This year tfieTe was £250 for expenditure on forming and. metalling between Petone Road and Keri River, and 'for bridging a dangerous stream m that locality; £l5O subsidy on the New Plymouth Road loan; £l5O metalling- between Carrington and Mangorci roads; £2OO subsidy was got towards opening a road between Franklcy and Carrington roads, and numerous small grants for Mangorci Hill.

The following measures had been put through since 1907, direetely affecting the Borough of New Plymouth:— 1907. —New Plymouth Borougli Electric and Waterworks Validation Bill. 1907—Taranaki Botanic Garden Act Amendment giving the board power to lease two pieces of land, one in Liardet Street near tiie Recreation Grounds, and, some two acres where Mr C. Bellringer iiad built.

Empowering Bill, giving the Harbour Board power to raise funds for the purpose of paying oil' the balance of their previous ioan, also to purcnase a dredge and carry on harbour construction, etc. 1909. —New Plymouth Harbour Reclamation Bill, giving the New Plymouth Harbour Board power to reclaim a large area of land at. Moturoa.

1009.—New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Exchange Bill authorising tiie exchange of certain sections, held by the borough for recreation Purposes, with others held by the Taranaki Jockey- Club.

1909. —Taranaki Agricultural Society Empowering Bill, making tiie society a leasing authority and empowering them to lease St. Germain Square.

1910.—New Plymouth Recreation and ' Racecourse Reserve Amending Bill, a measure, suggested by the speaker to the late Mr Tisch, then Mayor of New Plymouth, who heartily took the matter up. It dealt with 12 acres of land above the High School on the Avenue Road and was used by the borough as a paddock to keep their horses in. The thought struck liim that it was not required for recreation purposes and if it could be made revenue producing it would be an advantage to the borough. A Bill was drafted by the borough solicitors giving power to lease, half of the proceeds of the rent to g6 to the borough funds and the other half to the Recreation Grounds Board, The Local Bills Committee, to whom the Bill was referred, reported to the House that the Bill be not allowed to proceed, and he moved to have it referred back to the committee with a view of bringing forward further evidence. After considerable discussion this was agreed to. The Hon. 0. Samuel and the Hon. T. Kelly gaVe evidence before-" the 1 committee. The discussion in the House had shown the objection to the Bill was that the borough was to get half the rent. The evidence of these gentlemen was in the direction that the whole of the rents should go for the mikeep of the different reserves in the borough,, with the result that when the Bill was reported to the House the clause giving half the proceeds of the. rents to the' borough was struck'out and amended to give half to the Board of Trustees appointed under the Botanic Gardens Act, 1870, to be expended upon the Recreation Grounds; the remaining half upon or about lands contiguous to the Borough of New Plymouth, to which the inhabitants of the borough had for the time being right 'of access for public recreation. This should now include Western Park, and the East and West End Reserves. ' This land, when all let, would bring in about £2GQ a year, and should be an advantage to these boards or committees. The advantage to the borough is considerable. They would receive rates from land that was previously unrateable, and as 1 it was built upon the leaseholders would be contributors to the borough water supply, lighting and drainage. He maintained this would prove one of the best pieces of legislation ever put through for the borough, although there were many objectors at the time, who supplied members in the House with their objections. 1912, —New Plymouth Huatoki Stream Diversion and Exchange Bill, allowing for improving the entrance of the Carrington Road in the borough. 11)12.—Authorising si'.le or lease, of refinery site at Moturoa. 1f)12.-*-fo'fc. - Aubvn Town District merged into Borough of New Plymouth. 1912.—Validating Bpfoial rate levied by New Plymouth Borough Council. 1912.—Including certain sections in the Borough of Inglewood in the Domain ",nd other se?t ; ?ns to the corporation for 'casing purposes. 1013.—Changing purpose Reserve E.,

Kawnroa 'Park. This piece of land, con*.ainh"g 71 acre 3, well-known by reside.) ts, was previously an Education lease. The borough leased it from the . School Commissioners and erected the

baths and the Tisch Memorial upon it, besides the settlers doing considerable improvements upon it. The late Mayor, Mr tt. Browne, was very 'anxious it shtuld "be given' to the borough, and when the Hon. Mr Massey visited the /district some two years ago lie was taken on to the land -and the position • placed before hi in, with the result tliat lie promised to give iiie land to the inliabitants'of New Plymouth as a park. This meant that a sum of £630 had to lie paid to the Education authorities, as the Prime Minister later discovered that that lie had no power to give, away an Education Reserve. That amount appeared on the last year's estimates. ■ 1014.—A measure giving the Defence Department power to exchange lOt acres of Ifand. part of the Rifle Range, with the Taranaki Agricultural Society for the Coronation Hall. MR JENNINGS' CAMPAIGN. (Special to News.)' Te Ivuiti, Last Night. Mr Jennings finished his itinerary at Tc Raumaku and Honikiwi yesterday afternoon. He- spoke at Tahaia the previous night, and met with cordial receptions «t each place. At tiie latter place the vote of confidence was challenged, but the amendment was defeated. All the places at which the candidate has spoken are farming districts, and the farmers at-each meeting moved the confidence motion in the old member.

Mr Jenning3 has spoken at ninety-fivo' places, and in addition has given addresses on "The' Love of Country," and "Patriotism," to school children at the Waihi, Tikorangi, Hangitild, Mftiroa, 1 Paem-ako, Hauturu, Ma-hoenui, and other schools. The candidate was present at' Sir Joseph Ward'r- meeting at Te Kuiti, which was an overflow meeting, the enthusiasm ending with cheers for Sir Joseph Waid arid Mr Jennings. THE CLUTHA SEAT. Dunedni, December 3. 'Mr. A. S. Malcolm. Reform- candidate for Clat'ia, addresr-od the electors at Jialclutiha on Wednesday might. He spoke generally in support of the Governinent legislation and-, a local unit of then Imperial navy, making' particular mention of tihe admirable services oitho Australian squadron. He also referred to the good work done by the Government in appointing the Food Commission. If it had not born for the action of the Government in tluit matter the 41b loaf would ho selling to-day at a 'Shilling. Mr. Malcolm was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence by a large majority.