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TARANAKI BY-ELECTION.

m SMITH'S CAMPAIGN OPENED. BIG MEETING AT NEW PJUY'MOU.TfL Mr. Syd. G. Smith, progressive democratic candidate for the Taranaki scat, opened his campaign at the Empire Theatre, New Plymouth last night. Tie hall was packed, many finding only standing room, whilst the overflow filled the alleyway, ' Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert ■presided, and there were also on the platform Messrs 0, T. Mills, W. Healy, and A. Pearce.

The chairman, in introducing the candidate, congratulated him on speaking before such a great audience on his first political appearance. 'Mr. Smith had decided —and he hoped the other side would do the ejection would be fought absolutely fairly, and that 'he would abstain from anything ia the shape of personalities. They wished to make it an absolutely clean contest, in which it was hoped the questions of liquor and religion would be left out (Applause.) They wished the election confined to the one issue: Have the public of Taranaki confidence in the National Government or not?

Mr. Smith, who was greeted with applause, first thanked the audience for -giving liim the opportunity of placing before them Ms views on the fading political questions of the day, and the reasons why he was a candidate for the honor of representing them in Parliament.

He .sincerely regretted the circumstances "that had brought about the election, and he asked the audience, as a token of respect to the late Mr. Okev and of sympathy with Mrs. Okey and family, to stand in silence for a moment. This was done.

A PAIR FIELD AND NO FAVOR. All he asked for in the present campaign was a fair field and no favor. He briefly touched on the criticism that had appeared in the local papers, stating that he welcomed criticism, which, if fair, wm helpful, and if it was unfair and he had a clear conscience oil the subject, did not matter much. He held that the National Cabinet was the most inefficient that had ever held office in New Zealand, but he would not go the length of saying what liad been said in the press, when criticising him—namely, that if ho were returned to Parliament, the district would be penalised by not oibtaining any legislation. Personally, he did not believe that either of the party leaders would stoop as low as that. It was inferred that, if returned, he would represent nobody and no party. Well, he would say that, if returned, he wanted to be elected as the representative of the people of this district, and not of tho National Government or of any party.

A MANIFESTO CRITICISED. He relerred to the manifesto -issued by his opponent above the signature of R. 0. Eilis, lion. organiser, and he wished to emphasise tliat if at any time he mentioned! Mr- Connett, it would be politically and not personally, as he had come into the fight with clean a-hnds and hoped to xeave it in the same way. It was a remarkable coincidence that just recently the County Council, after a discussion in committee, decided to allow their clerk to take part in private work. Was this the private work that was in view ©id they know of the [probability of an election? The plank of his opponent's platform was: "Win the War" first, The speaker also was for winning the war, but which war? Some were for winning the war of profits, but he was for winning the war that would give the country its freedom. It further said "stay-at-homes" would decide the election. If he had highway, the soldiers would decide the election! Every elector possessed the privilege to vote. Yet the National Cabinet was afraid to test public feeling, and gave themselves another 12 months of office, thus denying electors of {hat priceless privilege. FAILING OUR BOYS.

They were asked not to fail the National Government. The National Government had failed oijr boys, as was evident by that awful tragedy of the transport recently, whereby over 60 of our boys had died without a fighting chance. He contrasted Sir James Allen's statement thai every care had Ibeen taken with the medical officer's report that it was due to lack of ventilation, and, if elected, one of his flr3t duties would he to urge an inquiry into that awful tragedy.

Regarding the statement in the manifesto that every vote cast for the National Government candidate is given to the boys who aTe fighting for us. He was prepared to have the election decided hy the boys in the, trenches and would aecopt their verdict. Elector? would have had no opportunity of votins now but for the death of' the late Mr. Okcy He hoped that the hon. organiser would pivhlkh 'yiore of such stuff, a* no one in the community would be hoodwinked into believing that they would do harm to the boys at the front by voting for the speaker; hut, on the' other hand, he thought his return would •be of benefit to the bpys at the front and those who have returned.

AN IMPORTANT CONDITION. No doubt a great deal would be heard about the compact between the two parties, but the newspapers did not mention the conditions that were attached, the most important being that the two parties should combine for the purpose of reducing and keeping down the co3t of living, and those who were struggling along on 10s per day knew how the National Government had carried their promise. The first parties, therefore, to .break the compact were the National Government He contended that no one should bo foisted on the public by a small coterie without any public discussion. The public had the right to decide who slymld represent them, and he was standing as a protest against a small section dictating to the great moss of the people who shall he their representative in Parliament. (Applause.)

A SPENT FORCE. He Relieved the Reform Party to be t spoilt force. Indeed, -he was astounded [to hear prominent supporters confess that the party tad never carried out one prominent plank of their- platform, and their confidence had gone utterly since the coalition had been forded. As regards the Liberal (Party, he believed it

considered, was that from the coming into power of the late Hun. Jolm Balance to the death of the late Hon. R. J. Seddon. Sir J. (;. Mard, for some' unexplainable reason, had failed to keep that party together. He ibeiicved that from end to end of the Dominion there u;;s evidence uf keen dissatisfaction in the National Government in their failure to reduce the cost of living, their failure to protect the small farmer, and their protection of the interests of the wool kings He believed next election would see a, Ijtrge proportion of the present members not re-elected, and there would emerge a young* vigorous, democratic party com-, posed mainly of young New Zeaianders imbued 'with a love of country, who would adopt a policy that would lift it to the plane where the late R. J. Seddon left it.

ATTITUDE TO LABOR. They would probably be told that he was the representative of Labor and the organiser of trade unionism in New Plymouth, That was not true. lie was not an organiser of labor, nor was he the official candidate of organised Lnbor in New Plymouth. His committee was representative of all classes of the community, the small farmer included. He would say emphatically that lie was not standing in the interests of organised labor, but would say deliberately that he was standing in the interests "of the people as a whole. (Applause.) His opponent was standing in the interests of the National Government, and when the party whip cracked would have to answer it; but. if elected, the speaker would go to Parliament to represent them and the party whip would have uo terror for him.

HARBOR DEVELOPMENT. Regarding the New Plymouth Harbor proposals, it had been inferred in some quarters that they had got to send Mr. Connett to Parliament because he understood the harbor proposals, but their representative had got to understand more than that—he had got to understand how to get the members assembled in Parliament to assist in getting tho Bill through. He briefly touched on the harbor development scheme, which he strongly supported, stating that he was interested in the development of Taranaki. and was anxious to see' the harbor constructed so as to berth the largest liner. Hi had visions of the day, not very far distant, when Taranaki would not be the fourth or fifth province in the Dominion, but one of the leading provinces, with a harbor capable of handling the produce for the whole of the province, and. if elected, it would be his duty and privilege to do his utmost to get the Bill through. A VIGOROUS POLICY. Hand in hand with the harbor scheme must go a vigorous policy of road, railway, and bridge construction through the back-blocks of Taranaki. so as to enable the settlers to get their produce to the port- For years past they had heard of the coast railway, hnt it was never very prominent until an election was in progress. Tho other dav a sympathetic letter had heen published from the Minister of Public Works in connection with the Moturoa-Opunake railway. He knew that there was a shortage of men and material at present. ibut'they must be prepared to adopt a vigorous policy as soon as men and material were available- He had had the privilege of passing through the backbloeks of Tarnj naki. and though he had always realised the great possibilities of the province, the trip had been a revelation to him. Tf elected, one of his chief planks wou'd bo roading and railway facilities for the backbloeks.

IRON AND OTL INDUSTRIES.

He bad always been interested in the iron and oil industries and if the/truth was known one of the first words he was able to say as a youngster was ironsand. He believed the day would come when the ironsand industry would fie established in Taranaki, and, when thftt day came, perhaps their minds would go back to those who were pioneers of the industry. The iron and oil industries were too valuable to be allowed to suffer through lack of capital, and the Government sboud give the utmost assistance to develop tliem, and, if returned, he would do his utmost to the Government to make an additional grant. They must all have Realised what an asset it would have been to the Empire in the present war, and what a great and glorious contribution it would have been, if the oil and iron industries had been established here. He hoped that day was not far distant, and that. as. a result, not only would this district prosper, "hn.it tlie whole of the Dominion would benefit.

EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. Referring to the needs of New Plymouth, Mr. Smith said the school buildings in the town were not fit to show any visitors. Yet, notwithstanding the fact that the children were taught under very disadvantageous conditions, excellent results 'had been attained. This, he thought, was due to tlie eflicient staffing of the town schools. He hoped the demand being made throughout the 'Dominion for better conditions in this respect would bear fruit in the establishment of better schools, larger playing grounds, more teachers, and bet--1 ter pay for efficient teachers. The primary schools, however, were not the only schools demanding attention. He j referred to the difficulties uder which the New Plymouth High School was carrying on. and the trouble the Board of Governors was having to induce tlie Government to subsidise the public contributions towards tlie rebuilding fund. He said there was plenty of sympathetic consideration of the board's proposals and representations, but no word could be heard of a grant to help in the rebuilding of the school which was destroyed by fire early two years ago. The delay in tlie completion of the new school was principally due to the Government, who had told the board to cut down their plans and reduce their estimates, as there was no money for educational matters because the war was on. He continued that here, as in other countries, education should be treated as a war measure. The children must be educated for citizenship, in order to be able to face the war that would come when the military war was over. The Government had failed to appreciate that when they asked the board to reduce its plans- It meant that from the day the school was opened it would be overcrowded. The.Government had suggested that the people should be asked to contribute towards the cost of tlie building; and tlie people had contributed; and all the board had got from the Government was sympathetic consideration, but no The speaker predicted that, as election" usually had a wonderful niflu-

a telegram from the Government stating a subsidy had been granted, ''lf they don't," continued the speaker, "someone else very soon will read a message that a grant has been authorised, as thctresult of the persistent agitation of Syd. Smith, M.IV' (Applause.)

"WIN THE WAtt." The speaker proceeded to state his attitude towards the war, saving lie was whole-heartedly' iu favor of winning tlis j military war. Ho said nobody hated war mors than ho did. But he was also in favor of winning the industrial war which must follow when hostilities ceased. He believed, therefore, in preparing for that war now. He stated that he had that night offered for home service. He belonged to Class E of the j Second Division, and if called he was I prepared to go willingly—not cheerfully, for war could never be a cheerful business—and do his share in upholding the honor of the country and empire. There were multitudes, he said, suffering on account of the war, and those sufferings would bring about vast changes. Remarkable changes in political life had already taken place in the Homeland, and those who were the leaders among tho people saw* even greater eocial changes coming and to come. At present the whole world was definitely against Prussianism, but When that was destroyed—as it would be—something else would have to take its place. He was not just then able to state what should take its place, but lie believed it necessary to be prepared to take every possible means to meet the change, in order to'get the full fruits of the military victory that would be achieved. (Applause.) A GENERAL ELECTION. Mr. Smith said tiyit, if returned, one of his first demands would be for a general election early next year in order to test the confidence of the country in the National Government as at present constituted. If that election was granted it should be conducted on the principle of proportional representation. The present system of the. "first past the post" winning], while all right when thera were only two candidates in the field, worked i very unfairly when there were several candidates, as was the case now in the Wellington Central election, and might result in a very small minority of electors returning a representative. Under proportional representation all parties 'would be represented. If the Taranaki province were called upon to return four members under proportional representation, Labor, which was the largest single party in any electorate, would return one man. Other parties also would by that means secure their proper proportion of representatives. He hoped the election would be held early next year and under that system of voting.

THE LIQUOR QUESTION. Referring to the liquor question, the speaker said he favored a poll on that being taken at the general election. Of all the. proposals for the settlement of the question at present before the country, he thought the best was that put forth by the Labor Party and issued by the national president of the party (the Hon. J. T. Paul), which suggested submitting four issues to the voters, which would protect and preserve the democratic principle of the settlement of such questions <by the people. Those issues were immediate prohibition with compensatibn, immediate prohibition without compensaton, national ownership, anil continuance. They should be decided on tho single transferable vote system. It was a.somewhat new way of voting, and would enable the proper will of the people" to be made knownHitherto the vote had simply been Prohibition or Continuance. Under the Labor Party's proposal other issues for which there were said to be a demand would ha considered. Many people were said to believe that while the liquor traffic was allowed to exist it should pass out of private control to that of the State. Those . people should be given an opportunity of expressing their opinion. He then detailed the system of preferential voting, and said he be--l'cved tho proposition was the best that could be put before a democratic country. (Applause.) SOLDIERS AND DEPENDENTS.

, In dealing with the question of the pay of soldiers and allowances to their dependents, Mr. Smith said not a single advance" in any o? the rates paid had been given willingly by the Government, but had been secured by means of the persistent agitation of those most interested in the welfare of tlie soldiers and their dependents. Mr. Smith said- he was deeply interested in tlie welfare of thft soldiers, and that interest dated from the day the first soldier left New Plymouth.

COST OF LIVING. He asked what effective steps had: the Government tkken to deal with or reduce the cost of living? They had set up boards who formulated reports, but little else was done beyond that. The difficulty was that the Board of Tradewas the main body that had to deal with the cost of living question at present- The electors, however, would have an opportunity of expressing their opinion on the matter on October 10, by sending to Parliament a representative wlio would demand to know why the Board of Trade had not taken the public into its confidence in its findings in respect to tlie reasons for the increased cost of living. He said it would be interesting to know who drafted the regulations for the 'Board of Trade, under which they were to fix the price of foodstuffs Those regulations were not framed, he ventured to say, in the hope of anything being done. Tf they were, they had signally failed to effect any improvement. It was said fjiat Parliament could not tackle the question—tiiat it was a matter of supply and demand. The Bupply-and-demand idea was out of date. The persons responsible in tlie New Zealand for the present cost of living were the merchant princes of tlie country. (Applause.) The Government were well aware of this, but they took no steps to prevent it and protect the people. The only people protected bv the Government were the wool kings of the country. (Applause.) If the cost of living was considered in open council, he was quite satisfied no increases in the prices of foodstuffs would be allowed unless it was absolutely proved that such was just and essential.

He then referred*; to the methods adopted by which false shortages in commodities -yere created, by cornering supplies, and then, when prices were raised, the goods were released. He instanced what had been done in dealing with chaff in this way. The whole question was wrapped up in the personal greed of the people who had the opportunity of'doaline in these essential

j The. speaker said lie had been 22 years in the railway service, but had resigned, and read a telegram from the General Manager stating his resignation had been accepted, A voice: You'll get a better job! 3 Mr. Smith: I hope so, and perhaps get a better job for you. £ Continuing, he said his service had been a good education for him. He had ■ thought that since the war Belgium had ' been almost wholly occupied by Ger- ' many, who controlled all its industries. ! He was surprised, to see only recently ■ glass coming into New Plymouth marlc--1 ed "Made in Belgium." "Where," he • asked, "has this glass been during all ' the time that there lias been such a < shortage in glass?" The Government's cry was "\yin the war first, and deal - with all these questions afterwards." , That was not "business as usual"; it - was "robbery as unusual." What ! should be done, he said, was that the t Government should step in and control r and distribute themselves all these com- . modifies. (Hear, hear.) It was not - too late even now for them to do some- - thing along those lines. America had • done and so could New Zealand. Steps [ should be taken to organise the induss tries of this country for the war after ■ the close of hostilities. If returned at [ the election, he hoped he would be able f to do something which would help to re- > duce the cost of living. A lot was heard • about the liigli prices being received "by i the fanners, but lie blamed the mer- ■ chants, who supported the farmers in ; their demands for high prices. liecause those merchants really reaped the greatest benefits from the high prices for farmers' produce. He referred to the prices at which wire and corrugated iron , were quoted by the Government to soldiers going on to the land, and said that if it could be imported and supplied to soldiers at cheap rates it could also be supplied to settlers similarly. There was any amount of room for investigation, and lie hoped the electors would send to Parliament a man free and nntramelled by any ties to the party now

m power. THE LAND. In dealing briefly with land matters Mr. Smith said Taranaki was tlie home . of the small freeholder. The system had been successful in Taranaki. They, had not, however, escaped the evils of land aggregation, and he quoted newspaper reports showing how land was being mopped up by people who, he said, evidently wanted, to hold it till the boys came home. Complaints were heard all through the country of aggregation go- ' ing on, ami these were echoed by some of the land boards. All the laws to prevent it had failed. Instead of encouraging the small settler, the State was discouraging bim. Small farms should be held by the Government for the boys when they came home in their thousands, as he hoped they would do in the course of the next "year. The Government was not protecting the small farmer as it ought to. Referring to the butter tax, lie said it was an imposition on the small farmer, and if the Government really wanted to establish an equalisation fund it should have hit the bigger men harder. The money should come out of the Consolidated Fund, and not from the pockets of the small farmers. ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION. In the matter of the result of industrial legislation, the speaker .admitted that the Arbitration Act had done much good, but its powers—or the power.of tlie' court—were too limited. The Conciliation Council and tlie court could only deal with actual disputes. They should have tlie power to go further into the conditions of any trade, and investigate its real position, and if it was found that the business was unable to pay the rates determined by the court, the business should be discontinued, and the Government should find some means of carrying on necessary industries without '• sweating the workers in that industry. (Applause.)

STATE SERVICES. Mr. Smith then .dealt with the question of the shortage of shipping, claiming that the country was at the mercy of the shipping rings, and if no remedy was found the position would be worse i after the war. He advocated State- ' owned ships, and claimed that while the lamicib produced tho 'foodstuffs thev ■OMnaiHriMriUbltatt-atbdiu-i -

the ships to carry their produce to thi markets.. He also advocated a State bank, wit! the right to a note issue, State farm; for producing foodstuffs for the people, State-owned public services, and nationa medical services and free medical atten tion. • GENERAL MATTERS. Referring to industrial unrest, th< speaker said that while proud to be identified with the Labor movement, he wai not a member of the Federation of Labor, and could not be called a Red Fed He did not advocate the claims of Laboi only, but of the whole people. He was proud of having bfeen a trade unionist He had, however, always endeavored tc steer a moderate course, and recognised that by that me&ns more was gained than by going to extremes. I He then dealt with the platforms of the Labor Party in accordance with o promise given at his previous .meeting, and mentioned the planks in it which he subscribed to. He believed in the initiative, referendum and the recall. He was not prepared to vote for the abolition of the Upper House. He did not believe some reform was necessary, and that a revising chamber was essential He favored the removal of political disabilities from women, and also from public servants. Jn the matter of education, he supported the present system of free, national and compulsory education, and advocated a_ uniform system of school books for tlfts whole Dominion. If tho Government would not provide these free of cost, then some arrangement should be made by the boards to supply the 'books at cost price. ■ ..< He a supporter of increased taxation on unearned incomes and monopolies. and favored ffltinjr upon the wiiminmetl of ±lif> land If ill rf ■■

tary Service Act, %t any during the war, but hoped tlmt afterwards a defence system would be adopted on thu lines of a volunteer citizen army, with proper pay'while undergoing periodical training. CONCLUSION

In concluding, he thanked his liearsrs for the attention they had given to his remarks. All ho asked in the- contsst was a fair field and 110 favors. He said , the question of winning the war did no* affect the election. The war would b» won whether he or Mr. Connetfc was returned. If he was returned,, he .would do his best and serve all classes, ,and hp was sure the people of Tmmi&W would not regret giving the National Government the first kick on tnl .doWfl" ward way. He hoped thosa who sup • • ported it would receive their quietus at the election tfnl tlie people be given the opportunity of ruling their own- des> tini'es. ■' '• The conclusion of the ape«<m wfts ttiß sii'nal for an outbrust of applause. No questions were asked, and a motion of thank a and confidence, moved "by Mr. W, Healy and Sfftonfltd by. Mr. Na»h, was carried without dissentMr. Smith returned thinks, and alid thanked the chairman foT presiding, th® meftin? concluding with cheers for tba candidate.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19181001.2.31

Bibliographic details
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Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1918, Page 6

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4,477

TARANAKI BY-ELECTION. Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1918, Page 6

TARANAKI BY-ELECTION. Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1918, Page 6

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