MR. SMITH.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1922, Page 5

MR. SMITH.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. •BIG MEETING AT THE EMPIRE. MANY QUESTIONS REVIEWED. By a quarter to eight last night the Empire Theatre was packed to the doors to hear Mr. G. Smith (Liberal-Labor candidate) deliver his final electioneering- address on the present campaign. The Mayor (Air. F. E. Wilson) presided. On coming on to the stage Air. Smith was greeted with cheers and applause, which was continued when ho was introduced and when he was presented with two bouquets of sweet peas for Mrs. Smith and his mother. His remarks were frequently applauded and cheered throughout the meeting. Speaking of the discipline which the Reform party had claimed for iteelf. Mr. Smith said that he had seen in the House a Minister of the iCrown get up to speak and the Prime Minister had called out “Sit down!” The Minister obeyed, and when another member of the Reform party had spoken for a little while on another subject Mr. Massey had called out that they had had enough of it and had also told him to sit down, and the member had obeyed. Air. Smith said that if Mr. Bellringer was returned he likewise would have to do as he was told. They did not want men in Parliament who would sit down when they were told instead of espousing the views of the electors who sent them there. (Applause). THE SALARY “CUT.”

Concerning Mr. Bellringer’s speech at the Coronation Hall, Air. Smith said he thought an injustice had been done him by Air. Bellringer with regard to the statement that he had east a reflection on him and the electors by his reference to the manner in which people would vote for the three. Taranaki candidates under proportional representation. He. had made the remark in a most jocular manner and had not intended to offend 'Mr. Bellringer, for whom he was sorry that he lacked a sense of humor! (Applause).

On the subject of the salary “cuts,” Air. Smith said he had opposed the reduction in the lower grades while judges, the High Commissioner and others had had their salaries left untouched. He had stood up for the “under dogs,” yet in the same year the Primo Minister had given rebates to big financial institutions like the Bank of New Zealand and Wilson Cement Company, in their income tax, while rebates were also given to the large landholders for simply paying their taxes promptly. “And,” said Air. Smith, “that was done while Air. Massey was telling them that they would have to effect economies wherever possible!” Dealing with housing, Mr. Smith said that Mr. Bellringer had gone round the country saying that his housing scheme was ridiculous, but he said that he had not propounded a scheme for Mr. Bellringer to criticise. His remarks had been deliberately distorted. Air. Bellringer also said that the Government housing scheme was a success, but, said Mr. Smith, Air. Alassey haid said it was a failure! (Laughter).

Reverting to the criticism that had been made against him in regard to indentured labor in 'Samoa, Air. Smith said that the Chinese taken there were the dregs of the Hongkong and Canton gaols, and they were defiling the Samoan girls and spoiling a beautiful race. Mr. Lsitt had said, when voting on the question in the House, that while he did not like indentured labor, as Mr. Massey had said that -that form of labor would be continued for only a year, he would support the Government on the Bill in order not to embarrass them at that time. Mr. Bellringer had not quoted that statement, although he had quoted the fact that Air. lsitt had voted for the Bill in order to discount a quotation on him used by Air. Smith. Mr. Smith said he voted against the Bill and would always oppose indentured labor. THE MARRIAGE ACT. On the subject of the attacks that had been made on him concerning the Marriage Act Amendment Bill, Mr. Smith, before relating what had actually taken place in the House, and how he had arrived at his decision, said that he was not a Catholic, his people were not Catholics, but he knew Catholics throughout the Dominion in whose places he would ;be proud to be. It had been said that the Catholics were not loyal, but the reports that had come back from Gallipoli had said that no more gallant men had gone from Taranaki than Colonel W. Malone. (Applause). When he was killed, continued Mr. Smith, he had on him a Union Jack worked by sisters of the convent. There were hundreds and thousands of Catholics who had done their duty to their country. Concluding an impassioned speech, in which he referred to Air. Elliott as a man of extreme views, Air. Stnitih appealed to hie audience to cut sectarianism out of politics altogether. (Loud applause and cheers).

At this stage a report of some remarks which were said to have been made at Mr. Bellringer’s meeting were handed to Air. 'Smith and were read out by him. Dealing with education, Mr. Smith said he had always advocated free, secular, and compulsory education and to say anything to the contrary concerning him was “dirt ’ and not fail play. (Applause). “There was a time when he (>!/. Smith) was out and out for land nationalisation,” was the next item read. “1 want to say emphatically that that statement is not true,’ said Air. Smith.

Concerning a question addressed to him ,by the .Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association asking if he was prepared to <rive the engine drivers 190 per cent above the basic wage, Mr. Smith said that he would not answer that question until he had had an opportunity of o-oing fully into Uie matter. On the motion of Mr. Jas. McLeod, seconded by Mr. G. Roper, a vote of thanks and confidence was earned amidst applause and cheers. Mr. McLeod said he wanted to make it plain that the old Liberals were not supporting a man who had gone over to the other side. (Applause).’ \ vote of thanks to the Mayor and a cheer for Mrs. Smith closed the meeting, but a call was made for Mr. Smith outside and he was given an enthusiastic reception when he appeared on the Jalcor”