SIR JAMES ALLEN

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1918, Page 7

SIR JAMES ALLEN

RESIGNATION DEMANDED NO CONFIDENCE IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. Napier, January 23. What was described to-day as the inauguration ol a new political party took pl.xce at the Municipal Theatre lust evening, when Dr. Thacker, M.P., addressed one of the most successful political meetings ever held in Napier. ' Dr. Tlmcker said he was not in Napier to throw inud, as some had asserted, but to speak plain truth to people who wanted to hear it. He referred to what he said was evidently a doctrine of the Defence Department, 'Don't go near Dr. Thacker." lie characterised the CI camp iis deplorable, and uaid the camp system should be altered. The Minister for Defence had bet 11 proved incapable and inefficient. I!c I'dcrred to the ridiculous action of giving doctor* military uniforms and calling thc.in colonels. The staffs of the Defence Department should be cut down. General Robiti, Colonels Purdie, McDonald and Gibbon should be at the f 'out, and theii places filled by competent returned soldiers. Although the railways were in a deplorable state. Colonel Hiley still concerned himself with military ull'aiv:-, liven if it were said that tbe railways were faultless, then Mr. Uilcy should be in Trance directing the build in;; of railways there. The speaker referred in scathing terms to the hide-bound system of the "Railway Department. The chief official of the Railway Department were Mr.| Herries, Ked Tape, Mr. McVilly, and Mr. Hiiey. He advocated cutting down the Sew Zealand reinforcements to tile original quota nf 8511 per month. The ships should go through Panama Canal and to-ki; American soldiers as well as New Zealand produce to England. Every soldier landed in -England cost at least ..t'3so, probably >: I'lKi. He advocated local camps, as well as large camps, with which they should act in conjunction. Referring to the proposed granting ol furlough to the Main Body men, lie said that while it. was said to be dangerous for these men to come home, vet the unfit men were coming home. The few men who did come home should ho granted double pay instead of being given no pay at all. (Applause). He (the speaker) would light Sir James Allen on any platform in the Dominion. He quoted a telegram sent by him to the Defense Minister 011 November 15, 1917, concerning the Medical Hoards. J*o notice of this telegrau was taken. A second telegram was sent, to wliicli Sir ■Tames replied asking Dr. Thacker for the names of the complainants. Tliese the speaker refused to supply. Tf there had been no red tape in the world, he thought that there would be no Red Feds He was going to keep the evidence he had collected until next session of Parliament •■vhen he was going to fight like a tiger for redress. The, Medical Boards in ' hristehurch had tried to question his ntegrity Surgeon-General Henderson had told recruits plainly, "Don't go near Dr. Tlmcker." He advised everyone eligible to see that their names were on the electoral 10I] as soon as possible. All election might be precipitate' Everyone pres- | "nt believed in the principle of the NaGnnal Government, but not in the mem- '' 'rs of the present New Zealand Gov■niment. The speaker referred to what '■ characterised as the hopeless bungling • hich took place on the arrival of hospital ships at Auckland. Speaking of " ( h" Hnns in our midst," he felt sure '.hat everyone present believed that all naturalised and nnnaturalised Germans '"■ mid be interned. (Applause). Mr J. Vigor Brown moved a vote of >'"anks to Dr. Thacker for his address e. This was carried by acclamation. RESOLUTION'S CARRIED The chairman then asked if any per--1111 desired to put forward any resolution. Three were forthcoming, which •-■ere carried unanimously, as follows: That this meeting of citizens held '.ll teh Municipal Theatre, Napier, is in' opinion that the time has arrived v.lien Sir .Tames Allen should hand in his resignation as Minister for Defence, as this meeting has no confidence in him. That this meeting of citzens held in the Municipal Theatre, Napier, is nf opinion that the so-called National (iovernracht should resign forthwith, as the country has no confidence in them or their administration. That this meeting of citizen? of Napier view with alarm the continued increase in the cost of living, awl looks upon such increase aci r.-.t1.:„2 less than a national calamity, and calls upon the Government to stop the exploitation now going 011, which is in the interests of the wealthier classes of this Dominion. Mr. Brown asked for permission to convey these resolutions to Wellington, which was granted unanimously.