POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3022, 20 October 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

THE PREMIER AT PALMERSTON [ NORTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. PALMERSTON N., Oct. 19. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded and enthusiastic meeting at the Opera House to-night. He dealt at length with Mr Maanoy's recent addresses. The Audit Office, said the Premier, gave the W;j?v! Government a clean certificate tor public accounts last year. Mr I'lassey had said that they Were playir.g second fiddle to Australia in connection with the mail service, and n.' one who knew the facts would blame the New Zetland Government for discontinuing the 'Frisco service. He himself was dissatisfied with our passenger and mail service. He then dealt exhaustively with Mr Massey's statements regarding the Government's land policy. Regarding taxation, there was persistent misrepresentation, and he emphatically stated that no increase of taxation had been placed on the Statute Book for many years. He denied that the Government had proposed to spend half a million for Parliamentary Buildings at Wellington. The whole of the proposed cost of the erection of the Parliamentary Buildings on the Government House site was £225,000, and the cost had been exaggerated by the Opposition. The Government were anxious to be economical. Regarding the "gag" clause of the Ballot JJill, it had never been intended to "gag" the Press, but it was merely desired to prevent criticism which a candidate would not answer. He denied Mr Massey's statement that thousands of articles" for use in the mining' and agricultural industries* were now taxed that were free last year. He then reviewed the work of the last two sessions, saying that a Liberal and progressive policy had been carried out in respect to legislation. He referred at length to the progress of the Post and Telegraph Departments, saying that the development for the past seven years nad been like a romance. As to the dairy regulations the object was to improve the quality of the butter. He referred to the tremendous strides made in dairy produce during the past seventeen years, which was admittedly due to the Agricultural Department. The regulations would not come into force tor nearly a year, and dairy farmers will have ample opportunity to make suggestions. He would appeal with confidence based on the record of good and useful work and valuable reforms to a people neither ungrateful nor insensible to the work of the Government, and to show that the Government desire to help them. After dealing with the expenses of the Native Land Commission he spoke of the criticism of the Advances to Workers, denying that the Government opposed applying it to rural lands. He himself had suggested the Advances to Workers Act, and not Mr Massey, as was claimed by him. He heped the new Arbitration Act would improve the relations of employer and employee, as the law was now nearer the system of conciliation than ever before. Dealing with the Government's legislation lie claimed that it was in advance of most countries. The Government had dealt with some of the greatest and most difficult subjects affecting this or any other country. Concluding, he said the Government wanted to make the condition freer and better for all —not to legislate for one class against another. He advocated progress in Liberalism. At the close of the address a vote of thanks and confidence was carried with only one dissentient voice. To-night's meeting was Sir Joseph Ward's maiden speech here. The meeting was by far the greatest ever held on the East Coast. The Municipal Opera House is one of the largest in Australasia, yet it was packed to the doors in all parts. The whole of the big stage had to be cleared of the scenery, and it was filled with people. Even then hundreds were unable to gain admission and had to gb away.

NELSON, October 19. Mr John Graham, M.P., addressed a large meeting of city electors tonight on political questions. He was accorded a good reception, and at the close a vote of confidence was carried unanimously^ OAMARU, October 19. Mr J. Mitchell, who opposes the Hon. T. Y. Duncan for Oamaru, addressed a good meeting of, electors this evening. He pronounced himself a supporter of the leasehold tenure. He said the syllabus was being overcrowded, and children were not receiving as good an education as years ago. He defended the Minister for Labour against the attacks made upon him by the Unions. He favoured the policy of the present Government, but claimed the right to freely criticise their doings. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 19. Mr G. Malone, standing as a supporter of the Government, opened his campaign to night. He spent an hour and twenty minutes criticising the selected Government candidate, i?nd the alleged method of selection to which he claimed he had not submitted himself. He expressed himself a strong supporter of the Ward Government, but while a strong friend would not be a slave. He claimed to be a strong freeholder. Native lands should all except that required for the natives' use be sold, and the interest paid to natives. He was accorded a vote of thanks.