THE HON. W. NOSWORTHY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1919, Page 5

THE HON. W. NOSWORTHY.

REFORM PLATFORM OUTLINED. 1 By Telegraph.—Press Association. Ashburton, Last Night. The Hon. W. Nosworthy addressed a large meeting at Ashburton this evening. Mr. Nosworthy, who was well received, spoke of the unanimity of the Reform Party. He, with a dozen Reform members, opposed the formation of the National Government, but loyally supported it as a War Government only ; Before the Peace Conference the olive branch was held out to the Liberal Party, who rejected the offer, preferring party Government. The .Liberals left the Reformers to do ail the washing up. The Liberals hoped for the soldiers' support by a gratuity amendment, but the soldiers were satisfi<s4 with the present provision. Tha'Reform Party was for a strong Government administration. The Minister stressed increased direct or land income taxes during the war, this being conscription of wealth. The tax incidence was unjust, especially the land tax, which was heavy on mortgages. The gratuity was paid by, the conscription of wealth. The Reform Party was determined to revise the unjust system of taxing farmers on their debts. Overseas transportation development was favoured. Speaking on the butter equalisation fund, he favoured the present scheme by the payment from the consolidated fund. The wheat question was very complicated, but it was the speaker's policy to help the farmers over the period. If elected he intended to consult farmers in 'regard to wheat. As Minister for Agriculture he was making an arrangement for grading Island fruit, so as to supply plenty of cheap fruit while free from blight. Encouragement should be given to immigration from Britain. ' The Cabinet was opposed to militarism, but elements in the Pacific gave cause for watchfulness. Some reasonable form of training was necessary, both military and naval. Regarding the land monopoly, the Reformers passed legislation to abolish renggregation. His party was fighting the meat commercial monopolies. The speaker was out against the brewing monopoly. It was not the men on the land who bled the people, but the middleman. There was an outcry about putting soldiers on the land, but many soldiers went into business and commerce, where a close monopoly held theiri out. He favored taxing the mercantile community r.nd burdening the farmer less. Sir Joseph Ward favored nationalisation, which showed his sympathy for ex-' treme Labor, which Sir Joseph Ward carefully denied. The Liberal and Labor members would combine to form a Government if in a majority, but the Reformers had no dealings with extreme Labor, nor would they accept their support in the Government. He referred to bir Joseph Ward as a political opportunist of the first water. The country would be better with the decks cleared of Sir Joseph Ward, and Messrs Myers, Wilford and Company. In conclusion, he quoted "Lord Kitchener's message at the beginning of the war, and lie appealed finally for a strong Government. A vote of thanks was passed to the speaker by acclamation. | WELLINGTON SUBURBS SEAT. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. C A. Wright, Reform candidate for Wellington Suburbs, opened his campaign to-night at Karori. He said he stood for stable Government, sober finance, and steady progress. The war had left a great burden of debt, and the Minister who had charge of national finance must be cautious, firm, and progressive. The Government had been generous in the provision for soliders by way of repatriation and gratuity, but lie thought the pension paid to totally disabled men would have to be increased. .Mr. Wright was accorded a unnnilnous vote of thanks and confidence. THE LYTTELTON SEAT. Christchnr-ch, Last Night. Mr. MeCombs, Labor candidate for Lyttelton, opened his campaign to-night. He claimed that Party Government under existing conditions was a necessity. The political Labor Party was seeking by constitutional means to bring about a better state of society. The Liberal Party occupied a position midway between conservatism and progress. He_ claimed Labor was the only Party definitely challenging the old' order, with its corruptions, inequalities, injustice, commercial immorality, and profiteering. He advocated free education from the kindergarten to the university, more liberal pensions for widows, and the .acquisition by the State ot flour mills, mines, and the ferry serviep, He condemned Sir Joseph Ward's financial proposals, and he said he was convinced the repatriation policy would have to be reviewed. He received n unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. MR. ASTBURY AT OTAKEHO. The Liberal candidate addressed the electors in the hall on Friday evening, the hall being comfortably filled with electors, Mr Eaves, member of the Taranaki Education Board, presiding. The chairman bespoke for the candidate a fair and impartial hearing. Mr Astbury dealt with statements made by Mr Hawken in his criticism at Norinauby and lilthain on the working of proportional representation. Mr. Hawken's statement that under this system Wanganui or New Plymouth could elect the five members, Mr. Astbury showed to be utterly wrong, saying that it required, 011 his figures, 30,000 votes to elect five members. How, then, was it possible for 10,000 voters either in New Plymouth or M anganui to elect five, supposing even that it was possible to got the electors in these towns to vote all in one way? Mr. Hawken's statement proved he had no grasp of the question he was dealing with. He quoted Mr. Rolleston and Sir John Hall as having stated they believed in this system, and pointed out that Mr. j Massey, whom Mr. Hawken was support- , tog, had placed the system 011 the Statute Book to elect the Upper Chamber by I these means. The speaker trenchantly criticised Mr Hawken's statements as to i the lack of sympathy for miners, denied 1 his statement that he (Mr. Astbury)) m ivas not a freeholder, ridiculed Mr. Haw- I ken's claim that the Reform Party, whom ' lie was supporting, had favored Liberal .1 legislation in the past, and pointed out ® that his political opponent had no constructive policy whatever to meet the needs of the time. Speaking on the need for a State Bank, ho quoted figures show- • ing the marvellous growth of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and the J profits it was making, ranging up to al- 1

most, £500,000 per annum, urging tiua.tr the need for the Government to have a system of banking to deal with the Blc« founts of the soldier boys (which under present conditions were unsatisfactory), was absolutely necessary; and closed a Very forceful and well-reasoned address by claiming representation, as a dairy* man, for the dairy industry. Quite a number of questions were asked mid answered, the candidate remarking, in response to a vote of thanks, that he was gratified at the interest shoWn by his hearers in the political questions agitating the public mind at the present time. | THE TARANAKI SEAT. ' At a well attended meeting of Mr. S. G. Smith's supporters at the Soldiers' Club last night, it was decided to adjourn the meeting pending the selection of the Reform candidate. Mr. smith addressed the meeting, and pointed out that all supporters should enrol without further delay, as applications might close in the near future. Mr. Smith speaks at Okato this evening. MAJOR HINE AT TOKO. The Hon. J. B. Hine had a good meeting at Toko on Saturday .evening, when' he addressed a crowded ball Mr. Martell occupied the chair. At the commencement of the meeting interjectors Were frequently in evidence, but these Were summarily dealt with, and thereafter tho meeting proceeded in an orderly manner, the speaker receiving an attentive hearing. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was moved by Mr. Gcrnhoefer and carried. Major Hino will address tbe electors in the hall at Rowan this (Tuesday) afternoon at 3 p.m. and in the hall at Mahod at 8 p.m. r ■