INGLEWOOD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 9 December 1914, Page 2

INGLEWOOD NEWS.

Considering the unfavorable weather conditions, there was a fair audience "to hear (Mr. Hine in the Town Hall last night. As at all previous meetings, the Mayor (Mr. Young) occupied the chair. Mr. Hine, who has considerably improved in his public speaking since last election, stated that it was not necessary for him to say it gavo him great pleasure, to address an Inglewood audience, as he had many pleasant recollections of days gono by of their town. The Liberal party had become stagnant in the administration of the country's affairs, and at the last election the Reform party were returned to power, and although their predecessors were reluctant to leave office, they eventually had to admit defeat, and since then Mr. Massey had administered the affairs of the country on more pro- . gressive and economic lines. They had guarded the interests of the small man during the present war by the Moratorium Act. He ■ challenged anyone to point to a single instance where liis party's legislation had been detrimental to the interests of the working classes as a whole. The prices of foodstuffs had been investigated, and where this country failed to produce a particular commodity they were prepared to import from the overseas Dominions, as they had already done in regard to wheat from Canada. It was in the commercial and industrial interests of the country that the banks had ceased paying out gold during the present crisis. They had erected 345 workers' homes, as against Sir Joseph Ward's 210. The whole country knew well enough the progressive legislation his party had enacted, and, therefore, it was useless for their opponents to endeavor to mislead the people. Sir Joseph Ward had paid the British moneylender a larger rate of interest than lie paid to the depositors in tlio ' Post Office Saving Bank. The present Government had increased the rate of interest to the depositor in the Post Office Savings Bank. While the platforms of the two parties were much the same, his party had amply demonstrated that during 'their short term they were more progressive than their predecessors. They had increased the super tax, which would tend to burst up the large estates throughout the country. Mr. Massey was prepared to differentiate between the man who would make the best use of the land and he who held it for speculative purposes. The sneaker i severely criticised Sir Joseph Ward's baby bonuses, which idea he had borrowed from Australia, and he stated the whole thing was the essence of bunkum. Something, no doubt, should be done to assist large families, and he favored something in the shape of a rebate from tho Customs. The Opposition continually accused the Government of. advocating a non-borrowing policy previous to their advent to power, but that was not so. What Mr Massey and his party had ali ways advocated was a more sound and judicious method of borrowing, and a more economical method of expenditure. During the dying hours »f the Liberal party there was what was known as the "'Scatter-easli Period." He quoted several amounts which were voted at that period to Eltham, Remuera, and Timaru. These amounts revealed an extraordinary method of doling out loan monies by the Liberal party, while other deserving settlers were unablo to obtain "a bean." One thing he felt assured of, and that was that if the Opposition got back ,to the Treasury benches they would, at all events, find 'a more satisfactory, state of affairs than when the present Govornsient took over the reins. The Massey party had always condemned short-dated loans, and they (the country, as a whole) were paying the penalty to-day of such a foolish procedure. Tho £3,000,000 falling due just now was very awkward indeed just at this juncture. They were charged with increasing the national debt at -a greater rate than their predecessors, when they were really borrowing to pay their liabilities. They found the superannuation funds on a very unsound basis, and they had rectified that blunder. Other matters they had attended to were reducing the ago at which women could qualify for the old-age pension, and granting the military pensions. The Public Service of the country had been removed from political control. Defence matters had received the best attention it was possible to give in these stirring times. Several questions were asked and answered, and a vote of thanks and confidence was carried.