POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1921, Page 5

POLITICAL.

QUESTIONS OF THE . DAY. ADDRESS BY MR. fi. G. SMITH, M.P. CRITICISM OF LEGISLATION. A political address was delivered by the member for Taranaki (Mr. S. G. Smith) at a meeting held in the Workers’ Hall, New Plymouth last night. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) presided over large attendance. The speaker reviewed certain events of last session and also directed criticism against the Government in regard to several matters of policy affecting present day events. In referring to the condition of the country to-day generally, Mr. Smith said that as one occupying a responsible position he did not want to say anything or take part in any action that would make greater the difficulties which the present Government had to face. During the past session of Parliament and up to the present, he had, according to his own views, done his best wherever he could. New Zealand was passing through a very critical period of its history and the financial set back they were in the midst of, and the serious problems facing the country to-day, were such that it behoved all loyal citizens to render loyal services to the country in order that New Zealand might emerge successfully from, the present financial crisis. The speaker went fully into this topic, and in regard to the prices received for primary products he advocated obtaining the control of shipping necessary to take the produce overseas and that New Zealand should also manage the distribution when the exports reached their destination. He expressed surprise at the fact that some farmers had come before the committee of the House advocating the issuing of a licence to the meat trust to operate in New Zealand, and he affirmed that the trust was partly responsible for the condition of affairs in New Zealand to-day. UNREST AND PRICES.

Explaining his attitude in regard to the fixing of the price of butter, Mr. Smith said he had heard the point argued from every aspect and had ho hesitation in supporting the report of the butter inquiry committee, namely that the price in New Zealand be fixed as the price paid by the Government at Home to the butter producers. The farmers, he said, were entitled to the full market price of their butter. The unrest prevailing throughout the country, and particularly as regards the public service was dealt with'. The speaker said that the railway strike during the Prince of Wales’ visit last year was a reflection on the Prime Minister, and on the management of the railway system, because they had it within their power to stop it. That strike was one of the most successful strikes that had ever been held in New Zealand, and also one of the few justifiable ones. The men had been goaded into their action by the neglect of the department to iheir application for better conditions. Further signs of unrest in the Railway Department were illustrated by the speaker, who quoted from the official publication of the organisations, and he said a similar state of affairs was prevalent in the Postal Department. Part of the negotiations between the respective departments «Cnd the employees centred round the cost of living figures and‘Mr. Smith incidentally remarked that it was an extraordinary thing that applications were being made to tire Arbitration Court for reductions in the bonus to be paid to the workers, because of the “slump,” while the monthly figures prepared by the Government Statistician showed that the cost of living was still rising. The speaker said it appeared to be a fact that since Mr. Massey had been in power the only unions which had received attention were those who adopted direct methods, while those who adopted constitutional methods remained in the same position.

LOCAL BODY FINANCE. A full review of the financial position was given by Mr. Smith, who at the outset expressed confidence in the solvency of the country, and he strongly criticised the administration of the Government. He also urged that the claims of the New Plymouth Borough Council in the request for an advance of the limit interest rate should receive serious consideration by the Prime Minister. He pointed out that the council was carrying out a scheme of national importance, and remarked that if they could successfully deal with the scheme at the Junction Road they would supply a big area with power, notwithstanding the jeers, which, he was sorry to say, sometimes came from the Stratford district regarding the New Plymouth Borough Council’s hydro-electric scheme. The New Plymouth Harbor Board was also in a similar position. A Board of Trade had been set up to deal with the cost of living, but, he said, it could not be argued that their efforts had been successful. figures showed, an increase of 28 points for the month and a total advance of 78.97 points compared with 4914. There was an explanation given that the rise was due to the price of new potatoes, but this the speaker did not credit seriously. He urged that more vigorous enforcement of the profiteering regulations should have been carried out, and he also criticised attitude of the Government in regard to the control and importation of cement. He urged that the Government should take over the industry so that sufficient quantities of cement could be produced at a reasonable figure to enable progress of building works.. Matters in connection with coal, wheat and timber supplies were also referred to. EDUCATION PROBLEMS. Education administration, both from the Dominion and provincial standpoints, was traversed. Figures given by the Minister of Education showed that the amount expended on this work in New Zealand in 19)3-1-1 was £1,413,432. and in 1920-21 wae set down at £3,240,000, but the speaker declared that, allowing for _.the difference of values, the extent of education operations had not progressed a great deal; in fact, the last year’s figures would relatively be only £200,000 more than the 1913-14 grant. Matters which particularly affected the electorate, and which were reviewed fully, were the West End School site, the application for a school at Spotswood, overcrowding at Fitzroy, the new Courtenay Street School, \nd the new Technical School. Some considerable time was occupied 4$ to ?ritieißßi nadft 1a

connection with the council of action incident, arising out of the cablegrams which were sent Home last year anent the Russian position. Mr. Smith explained the action of Messrs. Veitch, Kellet x and himself in denying the right of Messrs. Holland, Fraser and to speak for New Zealand labor. He contended that the action of the British workers in interfering tn the Russian trouble was challenge to constitutional Government. Pursuance of such a policy would mean the end of the British Empire and lie Tlid not stand for that kind of attitude. He expressed the hope that there was no money coming in to New Zealand from the sale of Russian jewels to assist in propaganda against the British Empire. At this stage a person at U.e back of the hall interjected with the remark that the speaker ought to read “Red Russia.” Mr. Smith replied that he had read the publication referred to, and he proceeded further to denounce the Bolshevistic policy which was being propounded by a pen. THE MARRIAGE BILL. Recent assertions of the Rev. Howard Elliott were the subject of a detailed explanation by Mr. Smith. He went fully into his action as regards the Marriage Amendment Bill, and stated that in voting for it he had carefully weighed the evidence placed before the committee, including the opinions of several well-known Anglican and Presbyterian ministers. He denounced the stirring up of sectarian bitterness, and in explaining his attitude, Mr. Smith said he could say from the platform, that he had never had a single Roman Catholic make any representations to him with regard to the proposed legislation; neither had he been requested by a Catholic organisation to assist jn their official work or to secure for them something to which they were not entitled.

Further remarks were confined to public works matters, and the action of the Minister in regard to stoppage of work on the Tahora section of the Stratford-Okahukura railway was criticised, the speaker recounting that thia had been done in spite of the fact that the Prime Minister had promised that the line would receive attention. In connection with the Te Roti-Motur<j& railway, Mr. Smith pointed out that it. had been already decided that the line sliould go through the base of Paritutu, and he suggested that the commencement of the line at the New Plymouth end now would help in its earlier completion and thus relieve the coaet road of its heavy traffic. The opening of the tunnel would also disclose the quality of Paritutu metal, in regard to which there was some difference of opinion to the suitability of the stone for harbor works.' OPPOSED TO PREIMIER’S TRIP. Prior to concluding his remarks, Mr. Smith intimated to his audience that unless more valid reasons were given than had already been announced he intended to vote against the proposal that Mr. Massey should go to London. He expressed t£e opinion that the wprk which would require attention could be done equally as well by the High Commissioner (Sir James Allen) and that Mr. Massey’s place was in New especially in view of the difficult times, industrially and otherwise, through which the country was passing. It was an undemocratic proposal to place Sir Francis Bell in the position of Prime Minister.

At the conclusion of the address, Mr. Smith replied to a number of question* He denied that prior to the by-election he told a Labor deputation that he could not accept their nomination as they were not strong enough. He had tola them that he could not link up with the Labor Party as at present constituted and with its present leaders. An address on “State Banking” was to have been given by Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, but owing to the lateness of the hour Mr. Veitch announced that he would have to defer his talk on this subject. In the course of some remarks, Mr. Veitch made a strong plea for the “Independents” in Parliament, and urged that they were doing a lot of good which could not be accomplished by members bound to a party. He believed their position was becoming daily stronger in the minds of the public. They had the support of the great mass of ordinary people. ' At the conclusion of proceedings a vote of thanks to Mr. Smith, moved by Mr. J. H. Cock, was carried by hearty acclamation, and a similar compliment was paid to Mr. Veitch.