POLITICAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL CRISIS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S MANIFESTO. PAR-REACHING PROPOSALS. Following is the remainder of the text of Sir Joseph Ward's political manifesto, delivered on Thursday evening, on the occasion of his resigning from the National Cabinet and going into Opposition:— GOVERNMENT VENTURES AND TAXATION. All Government-ventures, including the State bank, life insurance, public trust, accident and fire insurance, coal mines and colliers should pay the same taxation as other concerns of similar nature. This change should, I think, be permanently effected in connection with all Government business concerns, first because a portion of their earnings should undoubtedly come in as general revenue of the country, and secondly because none of them has been established with the intention of driving other businesses of instiutions out of existence. The Government trading departments will always have the most important bearing in keeping fair rates in operation, for public and competitive institutions cannot hope to carry on their business successfully unless they do so at rates as low as those- of the State department. This mattor has given me a great deal of thought, and I am satisfied that no injury to State departments will be occasioned by applying to them a system of taxation that applies to similar institutions trading in this country.

REDUCTION OF INDEBTEDNESS OF NEW ZEALAND.

This amounts to £172,778,46'!). This is a large sum of money for a country with a population of one million and a quarter people, and as a matte- of common prudence a strong policy for the reduction of indebtedness should be carried out. 1 have already provided a sinking fluid for all loans in New Zealand, but the aggregate sum .now is so large that a strong policy of further reduction in such manner as to occasion the least possible disturbance to industry and to the country's credit is necessary. For this reason I would suggest that the whole of the country's loans should be repaid in 6j years, and that to enahle tiiis to be done the whole of the present accumulated surpluses, amounting to £ 1!i,25a,001, should be paid into a separate sinking fund. We have fought the great fight as much for posterity as for ourselves, and it seems to me' unfair that the present generation, and mainly the adults of it, should throughout their lives bear the whole, burden that the repayment of the war indebtedness involves. The annual amount of interest from the sinking fund should be used for advanec3 to ssMiers, settlers working, and local public bodies, and the countr-y would receive the benefit of the full amount of interest earned annually by the sinking fund if it were used bv the people for their financial needs. It would to me be a sad, even deplorable, thing if any influence at this critical juncture in the country's history were exercised to utilise any portion of the present surplus for present-day expenditure. I would, with all the earnestness in my power, strongly urge the country as a whole to resist anyone attempting to annex any of this money for any purpose, excepting that of a sinking fuijd for extinguishing war loans so generouslv and whole-heartedly given by the. people to help ns to do our part in the groat war struggle.

AERIAL SERVICES. • There can be no question that aerial work is coming into general use. in all important countries of the world, and New Zealand should not lag behind in this respect. I do not think we should establish an aerial branch for the sole purposes of defence, but I think a system should be brought into operation for postal and commercial purposes on a moderate scale, and that men should be trained for flying, so that if, unhappily, this branch, which during the war became one of the most important for defence purposes, should again be required in that way, we would have a number of men in various parts of the country with draining that would enable them to take rip defensive duties in the air. I believe thj services established for postal purposes would be of great value to the people in various parts of the country. I do not suggest they should be carried out upon anything but a moderate scale. A trial for a year or two would enable Parliament and the people of the country to judge as to whether their continuance was desirable. I am of opinion we should not tarry in bringing aerial services into operation. MILITARY FORCES.

There should be no attempt to build up a largo permanent military force in this country. It is not required. We should not, however, shut our eyes to our present and future obligations, and I think there is much to be said for the restoration of the cadet system that formerly existed, and for a continuance of the territorial system under conditions similar to those prevailing in the Dominion prior to the war.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. The war is happily over, mid as there is now no need for the continuance of the expeditionary forces, their complete demobilisation should be carried into (.fl'i*!; immediately. LAND SETTLEMENT. The land question lies at the base of the political edifice. Our available land is limited in area. Subdivision is eary. The soldiers must be* repatriated. Land which is not producing its maximum nhould be subdivided. Large landowners must recognise that tin's country is destined to be one of small holdings, and they should, on fair payment for their lands, cut them up and subdivide them. If the owners of land fit for closer settlement do not sub-divide, effective measures of compulsion can, I know, be found. Aggregation has been going on and land is wanted for soldiers and civilians. More stringent provisions against aggregation are necessary. All transfers and conveyances of land, whether subject to existing limitation of area or not, should be sanctioned by the land boards or other reliable tribunals, and without such sanction no transfer or conveyance should be valid. The remaining ordinary Crown lands must be roaded and opened for settlement at the earliest moment. It is of the greatest necessity that this country should increase its exports and do everything possible for the cheapening of transit and the elimination of. waste, and so help ns to work on successfully in the new

REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE. There should be no restriction on trade from New Zealand to any othei country in the world. As far as possible, however, we should try to conduct our trade within the Empire, and especially with 'the Motherland, and that is the spirit which has been predominating in this country for many years. It is a spirit that will continue, I hope, for all time. j During the wai this has been a compulsory system to a large extent, but in peace timss all compulsion should cease, and this country, as was the case prior to the war. should trade freely to any part of the world that offers the best markets, as the producers are entitled to obtain ;he best prices offering. Individuals and companies in Xew Zealand can be depended upon to carry on their business legitimately, and if' they are freed to protect from trusts and com bines our trade should continue to devel-. op year by year, as it has done in such u wondcrf-ii way during the last quarter cf a cent'irv. So far as inward trade is concern!il, [am of the opinion that we should impose additional duties -gainst imports from countries not members of the League of Nations. I do not mean that those countries within f hc league should be placed upon the .-anie terms as countries within the British Empire under the system of preferential trade, but it is reasonable that countries outside the League of Nations should not be placed upon the same .'jasis as those nations which have shown a desire to prevent wars in the future, and who are working for the peace of '.he world.

PREFERENTIAL TRADE WITHIN THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

We have long since in this country established a system of Imperial preference within the British Empire for all parts that reciprocate. This system -liould, in my opinion, be contuiiueu, and expanded. Up to the present there has been no definite announcement by Great Britain as to what her fiscal system is to be in the future. The settlement of :hat rests, of eourso, entirely with the i eople of Great Britain, and it would be out of place for me to comment upon t, excepting to say that until we know definitely what is to bo the trade system of the Motherland mutual trade upon a basis that helps the Empire is to a considerable extent limited. I am, however, warranted in saying I do not think this country will weaken in its support of Imperial preference.

ENEMY TRADE. To prevent persons of late enemy nationality trading in this country by holding shares in any company or in a comoany doing business in New Zealand, I ■-■• mild perpetuate the present war regulat on, and legislate to prevent them either directly or by proxy having any interests or shares in any business or company operating in New Zealand. LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

The fact that 53 per cent, of the population of New Zealand now resides in cities and boroughs shows the importance of the development of the secondary industries of the Dominion. A live department of industries should be established ;>nd the necessary funds provided for researchLABOR AND INDUSTRIES.

In order to provide employment and keep within the Dominion money which is now spent abroad for goods we are able to manufacture, our duty is to foster and encourage local industries For example, protection and support ,-hould be given to wool top manufacturers to enable us to send away our wool fops instead of wool in grease. To enable fishermen who are in. planes l emote fro n freezing works to hold their lish for transport to centres money should be advanced for the erection of cool stores This would enable the people to have a more plentiful supply of fish in good condition. For long distance train journeys eool trucks should be provided, at is done in other countries

STATE CONTROL BY LICENSE OF FREEZING WORKS. There should be State control by license of' all freezing works and prevention of their use by trusts or combines. The prosperity of New Zealand-is due mainly to the export of our primary products, and it is necessary in the interests of producers and the country generally that our freezing works should not be financially mined or made unprofitable by the operation here of any powerful organi--<itions with large capital designed to destroy the value of our legitimate enternriscs. The system of licens!ng all freezing works should be permanently continued, thus making it impossible for any combination or trust to interfere with what has been a great local industry for many years. FLOUR MILLS. During the war the price of the staff of life, bread, has increased considerably. With a view to reducing it the Government should purchase all working flour mills, paying full and fair value, and by amalgamations and economy in working get the cost of flour to the bakers down to the lowest possible figure. The price of bread i-hould then tie fixed .by the Board of Trade, a fair percentage of profit being allowed to the bakers, with due provision for bad debts, etc. Payment for flour mills should be made in Government stock at 5J or 0 per cent., subject to taxation The Government now guarantees the price of wheat to the "rower, and to be effective m cheapening ihe price of bread it should control the vlieat when it arrives at the mills. There should be ro attempt to make profit out of this most generally used article of food by all classes of people. CIL PRODUCTION. To encourage efforts to obtain oil by boring or otherwise a subsidy should he provided of (Id per gallon up to £20,000 per annum for a period of ten years. IMPORTED OILS. The presait price of imported oils compared with those ruling in America impose a heavy tax on oil engine and launch owners and on motor users generally, and the great majority of whom reed their launches, engines and cars for biisine.s and not for pleasure. The percentage of users for the latter purpose is comparatively small. I am of opinion therefore that the Board of Trade s&ouki be empowe-itd to fix the price of imported oils, allowing a fair profit to importers, and distributors. If this is not done the State should purchase all the imported til for the Dominion's requirements, and sell at a moderate price to retailers and distributors, who should be allowed to make a fair profit.

GENERAL NATIONALISATION. Tf am not in favour of general nationalisation of all kinds and conditions of things. I have named those which I believe to be essential in the best interests ri the country and which will be no turden up.-u taxation. All the existing State business departments have been worked moat successfully, and so I feel iouMeut will those I am new rscom*

mending. We are living in greatly altered conditions, and great changes are necessary to provide for a betterment of our social, industrial and commercial lite. It is the way tc prevent chaos, and a worse condition than exists at present arising in the future It is fot the people, without prejudice, to carefully and fully considei them.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF INCREASED PRODUCTION. Labor should receive a greater share cf profits cf industry, thus stimulating i.lie output. There should be financial ussistance to new industries, and those already established should be fostered for cheapening commodities to the eonmmer S-ate encouragement should be given to voluntarily-formed co-operative association!! on best English models worked on the federal principle- This Means a whle extension of the co-opera-tive store system, which aims at the elimination of middlemen's profits. There should bo encouragement of the adoption rf improved machinery and scientific methods, with a view to increasing output and ensuring employment for all, and a department of industrial and scientific research snonld be established. Assistance and support to the fanners «nga ; -- rd in the production of products from the soil should be a material part of the country's policy.

BEET SUGAR. To enco.irage the production of beet sugar in the Dominion, a subsidy should be provided at the rate of £6 per ton up to £IO,OOO per annum for a period of ten years. RAILWAYS. After the limited construction carried on during the war period, it i 9 desirable 'hat there should now be a great speeding up in the building and completion of railways. It would be a saving to the country to have works in the. course of construction completed as soon as possible. The loss of interest upon uncompleted line i is great, and the loss to those who require to use the lines is greater. 1 would urge the provision of £4,000,000 for the aotive prosecution of railways. The South Island trunk railway should be completed in two years, the North Island main extension in the Bame period, and the Otira Tunnel connecting Oliristchurch and the West Coast with Hie least possible delay. All the other lines in hand in the country should be finished within three years. This would ;,lford great facilities to settlers, and to Ihe users of the lines generally, and the laihvays would be a much more valuable asset to the country when in full earning power. As soon as the unfortunate difficulty in regard to coal has been overc.ime, there should be a prompt tfi'ort made to restore the railway ser\ice to the position of efficiency ruling piior to the war.

Free travelling for children up to seven yeais and half fares for children between stven and fourteen years sr.auld be established. This would, in actual operation, result in no loss, or, at worst, in only an infinitesimal one, and, as wen as being a valuable educational factor for the ch'.'dren, would be a great relief to mothea of families who are frequently prevented from travelling by their inability on account of expense to take their i-hildren with theVn. The former system of school excursions from town to country and vice versa should bi- re-established immediately the present coal trouble is over.

SUBURBAN TRAINS. ' Fast an\ cheap trains should be put on all suburban lines to enable homes fo be erected in the suburbs where the workers can live in comfort and yet have icady access to towns and cities. There is unquestionably a need also for the general public to have the benefit of cheap fares to and from the suburbs Miort suburban lines should as oouti as possible b,» electrified. The restriction against the extension of tramways from Wellington to Hutt should be removed.

ROADING THE COUNTRY. It is not common sense to place large numbers of people on the land unless p'oper facilities are provided to enable uiem to reach the centres of population and market their goods, and it must be vmemborco that many portions of the Dominion that have been under oceupa(ion for years are still badly handicapped by the absence of proper roads and bridges. To obviate these difficulties a more vigorous policy of road-making with provision for maintenance should be adopted, and I suggest the expenditure of £4 000,000 upon State roads and bridges covering a period of four years. The main arterial roads should be the care of tin State. In countries that I have recently visited concrete roads are being largely constructed. These loads have gone past the experimental stage, and there is no doubt that their more gencal adoption throughout the Dominion would be advisable.

NATIONALISATION OF FERRY SERVICES. The time has arrived when the ferry services should form part of the railway system of the Dominion, with railway lates and freights applying to them. The necessity for good communication between the two islands makes it very resirable that the system which exists in many other parts of the world should be adopted here. It is evident that when the South Island trunk railway is completed a more frequent service between the two islands will be necessary, and I think that oil-burning steamers should be used for this purpose.

MOTOR LORRIES IN CONNECTION WITH BRANCH ROADS. It would be advantageous to have a Bervice by modern motor lorries. The Government could obtain these and supply them to local public bodies as required at cost price.

WATER POWER. There should be no unnecessary delay in establishing further hydro-electrical power schemes throughout the Dominion. ] have for years been strongly in favor of such a policy. In my opinion six million should be expended within a period of three years upon the principal works, which should be put in hand simultaneously, and pushed on vigorcusly- When in London recently I arranged for £2,000,000 to be raised for (he South and and Otago scheme at satisfactory rates. The loans were underwritten by an important financial London firm in association with a leading bank. The loans arc to be put •ipon the market to be subscribed by the public when the board of the Southland and Otago leagues have the necessary authority for this to be done. This would leave four million out of trie six million to be expended in carrying on the other works. It is certain that their earning power would be more than sufficient to ] ay interest and sinking fund, and no burden would be placed upon the peoplo by the adoption of this proposal.

PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. The "first ' past the post" system which permits the minority rule in the lepresentation of the people in Parliafflent should be Altered, &ad tba piiguu-

tionable right of the people to select eanA : dates by a system of proportional representation should he recognised in the cty and suburban electorates as a commencement This should be followed by 'he same system in other electorates when the growth of population renders it practicable.

WOMEN'S' RIGHTS. The fine services rendered by women in every bianch of work connected with Hie war have entitled thorn to the best '.oiisideration of the people of the Dominion, ami the disparity in the treatment of women should as far as possible be remove; To this end they should be entitled to stand as candidates for seats in Parliament. The distinction between the rates of pay for men and 'hose for women should be removed, and there should be equal pay for equal work. Work must be regarded more and more as a social service, and if equally efficient its value is the same whether done by a man or a woman.

COST OF LIVING. With a view to reducing the cost of living the Board of Trade should be given extended powers. legislation should be introduced rigidly controlling the profiteer and restricting all commercial trusts, rings and combines, with provision for fine or imprisonment. There should be elimination of waste by bringing down the cost of distribution. Rebef should be given as far as possible ly the removal of duties on and taxation of all commodities, including clothing and other articles in general use. Duties on luxuries should at the proper time he increased; indeed, a general revision of the customs tariff will at no distant date be necessary.

FREIGHTS. Freights from New Zealand abroad must, in the interests of our producers, be reduced to what, in the altered conditions due to the war, is reasonable, and they should not be higher than l tiling on similar produce for distance carried from other parts of the world. The same opplies to coastal freights for coal goods and general produce. Extended powers should be given to the Board of Trade to deal with this most important matter. What is lair and reasonable should be done, but nothing in the shape of extortion should he permitted. It is in the best interests of settlers, traders, merchants and the [topic generally that Shis matter should be dealt wt-h effectively and that adequate legislative provision should be made to make the Board of Trade's decrees operative,

POWERS OF BOARD OF TRADE. The Board of Trade Bhould have powei to prevent profiteering and the carrying on of trusts, rings or combines in the Dominion. Monetary penalties or imprisonment far breaches of the law should be provided. Amongst many other unties thi Board should be empowered to regulate: the percentage of profits ■•n food and clothing within the. Dominion, allowing fair profits to sellers, and taking into account losses by bad debts, sales on credit, or for cash.

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS. Difficulties have arisen in the industrial world the last fifteen years, principally connected with the coal mines, an? the work on the harbor fronts. Speaking generally, labor in other respects throughout the Dominion has, with the assistance of the Conc'liation ant Arbitration Court, beqn upon the whole satisfactory. There must be some ca'.se for the trouble in connection with the two branches of workers to which I iiave referred. The stoppage oi the work from time to time affects more or hss every other industry and occupation throughout the Dominion, and a rational effort should be made to find 'i remedy to prevent recurrences of the difficulties. It is certain that the State 'annot, without ignoring the interests of the people as a whole, continue to stand a passive spectator of these gravely wasteful industrial conflicts. Strikes at the best aie not only unsatisfactory to the people who are not immediately concerned l.ut they involve for the men themselves, their wives and children, much hardi-hip and financial loss, which, in my opinion, could, with their cooperation, be avoided,

LABOR: THE HUMAN ELEMENT. There can be little doubt that the future'welfare of this country requires the co-operation of sane labor in every branch of its occupation to ensure good government on safe and progressive lines in the general interests of the community as a whole. The national and industrial estimate of the nature of labor lias undergone radical change in recent years The conception of it merely as a commodity to be paid for like other commoditie4 has almost disappeared, and Oie human elements, the condition of health, comfort and natural rights of the worker, have come into clearer and clearer national recognition. This is a profound and most beneficial change, as •t makes for the physical, mental and moral advance of the great mass of our people. In the promotion of this change cf view we must, in determining wages, !>.ok more and more first to the value of 'he work hi question as a social service, ■md secondly at its hardship, discomforts and risks. A proper appreciation and application of thiß principle would solve piany of our present labor troubles.

LAW AND ORDER. The liberal party stands for law and order. It will facilitate by the amplest legislative provision the will of the majority, translating itself into law, but it will give no countenance to any movement, organisation or party which seeks to secure redress of labor grievances by direct action or any other methods outside the law. I recognise the right cf every man to discuss any public question during a time of peace. It is different when war is raging, but whilst saying this I recognise no right of any pen.on to either incite or encoc age violence, lawlessness or disorder, when the freest constitutional methods arc open to him.

SOLDIERS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS. New Zealand is under a big d«M of gratitude to the men who fought for her during the great war, and there shmud l.c a proper recognition of the rights of discharged soldiers and soldiers' dependants, and a generous provision regarding gratuities, allowances, pensions, etc. These important matters require to be generally recognised by the people through the Government. It :'s the country's duty to help the men fairly and reasonably They and their families have to live in the country, and whatever ive finally do should be on a generous btsis that wo can uphold and maintain. The granting to discharged soldiers of Hie right to have their definitely formulated grievances investigated in accord with civil jurisdiction is, in jny opinion, desirable. In making this statement I am not in any way reflecting upon the military, but there can be no doubt, Iroking at the question from a ttnud iteu'ipoiaty ttet tM W,»ten» J>f9*

r.oscd wou.d be more acceptable than tue present one to the men themselves, as well as to the people of tbis country, for wnom they have fought.

PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL AMITY. Improved industrial machinery having c'oser application to (he requiremeuts of tue various trades should be adopted. In doing this there should be no interference with the present system of industrial unions. There is a good deal to be said for the proposals contained in the Whitley report, and it seems dcr.irablo Uut* a similai course should be followed here to that adopted in England, namely, the setting up of a comjv.ittee on relations between employers md employees to go into the whole i|ueation, and report to the Government. Vlie committee in England consisted of ft'teen members representative of various industries, and one woman was upon it I feel that a similar investigation should be made in .this country :n the interests of both employers and employees, with a view to reconstruction upon a basis that would enable the employer and the worker to have better conditions -.ban is the case now. Something of Ibe kind is very dean able, as neither this country nor any other country can hope to go on successfully unless there is good feeling existing between those representing the respective Industries. I recommend the course indicated above for the consideration of iba country.

WATERSIDE WORKERS. An effort should be made to establish permanent employment for a large proportion of waterside workers, and also to provide comfortable housing and a contributor; superannuation fund for the benefit of Ibc men, their wives and children. Such a system cannot be operated effectively for casual employees, but it should be possible with a spiiit of eorperation among the shipping interests, the harbor boards and the men theinnlves to have a satisfactory system established on the lines indicated. It would surely be worth while for all parties interested to agree to the establishment of a representative commission to bring about something of the kind. If this were done public opinion throughout the Dominion would be opposed to any stoppage in the trade of the country by the men on the wharves through ■j'ant of consideration being shown to them. The system 01 detaining ships in port unnecessarily should not be continued, as expedition when competing with other countries is absolutely essential. If some scheme on the lines suggested were brought into operation ihe workers would have something to U'.ik forward to which should be .an incentive to them to help the country along the path of progress.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Move generous provision for workers' compensation is necessary. There should be a revision and amendment of the schedule oi the Workers' Compensation Act. Tho State should pay compensation, fixed by Statute, when an injured worker or the dependants of a killed worker are unable to obtain it through ;)te insolvency of the employee or through any flaws in the law.

WORKERS' HOMES. Tlie housing problem demands urgent solution. There is a great and pressing demand by wage-earners throughout we Dominion for better homes, and houses must bo provided at the lowest possible price, and opon easy terms to those requiring them. In addition to the authority already provided statutes relating to workers' dwellings and advances to workers there should be an amount of £4,000,000 specially provided for the erection of workers' homes where required, the expenditure being sp.-ead ove; a period o>' four years. Local and public bodies should be associated with the Government in carrying out this scheme <>n plans j>nd specifications furnished by the Government. The present limit provided f-r the erection of these homes is too small under tho altered conditions due to the war, and the advance should be 'iiised to £6OO per home. This important proposal can be carried on safe lines We have already lent settlers and workers £21,518,440, and this has been done most successfully and profitably to the borrowers and to the State.

MAIMED SOLDIERS. Special provision should be made for Uiosc soldiors who unhappily have been wholly or partially incapacitated as the leault of their services during the war.

PROSPECTING. A great deal of wealth has been on (ained in this country from gold and other minerals, but the Dominion has not by any means been thoroughly prospected. It would pay New Zealand to J.rovide a sum of £20,000 per annum for the next ten years to carry out prospecting in various parts of the country on a thoroughly systematic basis. In all probability further mineral deposits capable of being worked on a profitable basis will be discovered. If ao the money expanded would not be lost, as .'.vcrything that is taken from the bowels of the earth is practically found money, nnd adds to the general wealth of the <ountry. OLD AGE PENSIONS.

There v now no reason why old age pensions should not be granted irrespective o? income or capital up to a itasonablc amount. '■ The limits should be raised *o that ownership of a home or a limited income from savings should not be a bar to receiving the full pension, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Better provision should be made for widows' pensions, and for cases where children are left, both parents having died, and the wife having predeceased the husband

soterannuation; The public service superannuation scheme should be extended, giving larger benefits t,i widows. NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND. The extension of tho National Provident Fun! is,, required, making it universal in its! application.' and ensuring inrger benefits to all on a contributory basis. The payment under this seheme «>f £0 to mothers at maternity should be made without the restrictions at present existing. This is a wise course in order to h?'.p to increase the birth rate.

I-ÜBLIC SERVICE. The question of pay, privileges, •etc., in the pubKc service should come under lfview, proper regard being paid to the purchasing power of salaries. The pay ■n all branches should bo such as will amble the members of the service to live in adequate comfort and make suitable provision for their old age. UNITY OP EMPIRE. It is impossible, to overestimate the value of the services the Motherland has throughout our existence rendered to tnis country, and we should do all that i( io promote tho unity of Emigife tk Mgagil «4 totem *& & iff

vclopmenfc of the .Empire's resources and improvement m social and industrial conditions. LEAGUE OP NATIONS. With a view to promoting the pe&ce of the world and preventing future wars the League of Nations recently agreed to in the peace treaty should he supported. If the League is responsible !cr the prevention of only one great war in the years to come it will have fully justified its creation. NAVAL POLICY. It wouid, in my opinion, be a great mistake for this country to undertake Die burden of anything in the shape of a local n&vy. \Ve must, however, be prepared to support a suitable scheme :oi our protection in the Pacific. The visit of Admiral Jellicoe is important and opportune, and the country will await wltn much interest his report upon this question. Before finally deciding on any definite policy and the cost to the coanlry, I wish to point out that of the whole of the principal proposals I am suggesting only the expenditure on soldiers for gratuities, allowances, etc., education, roads and bridges, are a direct charge upon the State. The whole of the others arc revenue producing and more than pay their own way. They will result in increased prosperity to the country, aid provide work for all. The fxceptions above named are of a nature tntt every right tnm«... 0 person will recognise we must as a matter of duty provide.

CONCLUSION. I repeat, in conclusion, that the need for a National Government created to help the country during the period of a gieat and unparalleled war does not now exist, nor do I think it can be carried on with advantage to the country. It is true tnare are difficult maters still to be dealt with, and the aftermath of war calls frr a strong Government and Sim administration with definite, plain and determined views on main issues. The risk of divisions in this country is great, and presents a grave danger to the well-being of the people as a whole There ,is a section of extremists whose role object 'a to take anarchio charge of the country. They have in many instances shown that they would press if they had the power the abominable and disastrous doctrine of force and direct action. Inconvenience and suffering caused to the general public does not concern them. Force, strike methods, and other similar means affecting our food and *uel supplies, including the vital necessities of the poorest and the weakest, hove been their resource. These methods will not preserve a great country for the use and benefit of its pcoj.'e. The will of the people expressed by constitutional means can alone be rt cognised. This is a time for the best hrains and the brightest intellects of *re country, not only inside but also outside Parliament, to cope with the many and varied problems that have to be solved, and to help in the work of the (iovemment on strong, progressive lines, dealing justly with the poorest and helping them in their trials, acting fairly ro the more fortunate classes, and calling upon them to assist in making adequate sacrifices and in meeting the claims arising from the conditions of those not so well off as themselves'.

'Che price of food and clothing of the psople is a problem of grave importance. T'e profiteer must be stopped fiom imposing unfair and arbitrary prices on tne masses of the consumers. At the same time care must be exorcised so that the legitimate general -rader, either wholesale or retail, is not hampered or harassed in the legitimate carrying mi of his trade. It is not in connection with the legitimate trader who is entitled to fair profits that action is necessary. It is in connection v/ith any section that is from motives of avarice abusing its opportunities and charging extortionate prices. This is what is and has been adding to the difficulties of '.lie people in the altered con•1 tions due to the war. Producers 'mist be protected from excessive freight rates. Trade should be freed from any shackles that now impede and hamper its competition, and a spirit of legitimate and vigorous rivalry are the surest and safest m nns to secure the best results for tho public. Personal imbHions at this grave junc-.j we in oiu* country's affairs should be subordinated for tho common good. The i arty who elected me as their leader will fbortly have the opoprtunity to concider the whole situation, quite irre- j ppoetive pf any consideration for me and to come to, I hope, sound conclusions calculated to promote the best interests of the country.'_ I have no desire from personal ambition's to undertake a task heavy enough to tax the ne've, skill .ind judgment of any man, however experienced he may be. ' I should oniy conpent to do so with the full approval and assistance of all who wish to see this lountry placed- in a position for solid •»nd safe progress. A leader who is endeavoring to. give his best services to his coun'.vy requires the full support and eo-opcf.iticui of all who believe in the policy he submits. New Zealand is a glorious country, a priceless heritage, worth working for. Whatever, assistance can be rendered should be given whole-heartedly by all who desire it to become still greater and wko wish to see it handed on to the coming generations as a constitutionally governed country in which people of all classes and creeds can live as free citizens with their rights and privileges rospected and protected by its law; a country, in fact, which will be an example to tho world.

It is to the moderate section only of all classes that I feel the destinies of this country can be entrusted, not to ixtremists from either side. It is for the people to choose from all section* of the community men of ability and wide sympathies to represent them. Only by having the House of Representatives composed of such men can the people expect to have the present difficult problems effectively dealt with. If the people do not choose well it is useless for them to cry out in complaint or dismay after the elections, sb Parliament is ociy what they themselves mako it.