THE MASTERTON SEAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3024, 22 October 1908, Page 5

THE MASTERTON SEAT.

CANDIDATE'S ADDRSSS. MR A. W. HOGG AT THE TOWN HALL. There was an attendance ot between three hundred and four hundred electors at the Masterton Town Hall last evening, when Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., gave an adlress in furtherance on his candidature for the Masterton seat. The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings) occupied ..he chair, and in a few words introduced Mr Hogg to the audience. The Chairman said that Mr Hogg had held the position ot Member for Masterton for eighteen years, and whatever views he had held during that time it would be admitted that he had always been true to his convictions and to the constituency. Only those who were engaged in political warfare knew what the stress of the fight was, but Mr Hogg, though an "old warrior," had plenty of fight left in him yet. The speaker asked that the candidate be given a fair hearing. (Applause). Mr Hogg was greeted with applause on rising to speak. He first thanked the Chairman for his flattering remarks, and then the large auciience for its compliment to him in turning out on such a wet night. As the Major had remarked, he had bien the people's Member for eighteen years, and had just closed his sixtn Parliament. Now, the eighth occasion on which he sought their suffrage he approached them as an experienced and well tried representathe, who was prepared to be weighed in the balance and tried by the records of his deeds and his votes during his political career. Before passing on to purely political ma*ters, he wished to add his tribute to the supnort and encouragement accorded to him by the people of the electorate. In the rough and tumble of political warfare, it was important that a candidate should have the confidence of the electors, as it gave him a stroi ger position in Parliament, and the well sustaining arm of public opinion was : indispensable to really good work. The speaker acknowledged that he had not seen eye to eye with some of his constituents, and that ht- had "trod on some, people's cores," i.ut he felt such persons would exeicise forbearance, and at least give him credit for good intentions. Human beings' were not all' cast in the same mould, and were not made like watches —to go as automators. If they were, there would be little real progress iii the world, and it was only by a little friction that progress was procured. He was pleased that in consequence of such friction in the political arena New Zealand had gone forward politically further than any other country in the world in many respects, and Masterton, moreover, was an electorate in New Zealand which had always led in [ political fights. I THE COUNTRY FINANCES. [ The first matter touched upon by ' the candidata was the state of the | f-ounlrv's finances. What had the Domi.'iion been doing in this respect? Had the public debt been piled up recklessly? Mr Hogg admitted that the borrowing had been heavy since the Liberal Government came into power, but he daimed that most of the money borrowed was giving a handsome return. Since 1891 £27,623,546 had been borrowed, but most of the money was earning interest. The principal items were Land settlement, £5,940,046; advances to settlers, £4,110,000; loans to local bodies, £2,603,100 additions to open lines, £2,350,000 reserve fund securities, £800; purchase of Native lands, £715,675; Bank New Zealand preference shares, £500,000; lands improvement, £500,000; New Zealand consols, £487,000. The interest bearing portion amounted to £18,306,451, and the balance had been expended in building up the Dominion in giving settlers those advantages they required to bring the country to its present advanced stage. Could the Government, in the face of this be accused of reckless borrowing? There were however, in the Dominion, calamity howlers, who were not satisfied with bewailing in the Press of the country the allegedly indifferent state of the finances, but they sent their criticisms to places beyond, the Dominion's borders. When the Liberal party came into power many years ago they found New Zealand in the position of a bush section. In the South Island there were perhaps good railways and roads, but in the North Island, and especially around Masterton, there were large | areas of standing bush, and the I country was unproductive. Now, J however, the country had been elear- ■ ed, and this was why the money was I borrowed by the Government—to clear this "bush section." To show that no great harm had been done a look should be taken at what the "bush section" was doing. As far as the revenue was concerned it was healthy and buoyant. For the six months ended 30th September last £3,829,644 had been received, being £337 more than for the corresponding period last year. This was certainly not a large sum, but it was a far better result than was anticipated, as many had looked forward to a big falling-off. It showed clearly that the removal of Customs duties under the new tariff had not afFected the revenue in the way anticipated. In a young country borrowing was inevitable, and so long as loans were raised wisely, and the assets were all right, no objection could be taicen to borrowing, especially when a good return could be shown for the money borrowed. In spite of the croakers, fault-finders and "Jeremiahs" in the Opposition, the country had never been in financial difficulties yet, and was never more sound than it was to-day. To verify this statement he referred to the financial transactions of the Government of the most recent date. During the last six months loans amounting to £1,333,488 had fallen due. Of this £1,136,050 carried interest at 4 per cent., and £197,438 at 3J percent. Debentures amounting to £1,255,438 were renewed, and £78,000 redeemed by the issue of new stock. Of the amount renewed £883,400 formerly bearing interest at 4 per cent, was renewed at 3£ per cent, producing an annual saving to the Dominion of £4,417. The balance) was renewed on former terms. Thus in spite pf the general depres-

sion prevailing in the money markets of the world, New Zealand had paid her way, and in addition made terms saving to the Dominion £4,417 per annum. CUSTOMS DUTIES. The candidate contended that the general comfort of the community depended greatly on cheap food and clothing. Hence the policy was a wise one to free the necessaries of life while at the same time assisting as far as possible the young industries of the country. The only utility the speaker could see in taxes imposed on such things as flour, oatmeal and such like products was to enable middlemen and merchants to create an artificial price for them at will, and enrich themselves at the expense "f the consumers. A most striking example of this was shown over the rise in butter. Hardly had ship 3 gone away from New Zealand loaded with large consignments of butter than a cry went iip that there was going to be a shortage. Immediately butter went up to Is 6d per lb, while the poor farmer who produced it received about 9d out of that amount. Fortunately, however, "molasses and dripping" came K> the rescue, and the price had again receded. (Laughter). This served to show, however, how the pockets of the comumer could be picked. With 'regard to flour it had no doubt been known for years that he had been strving to get the duty on the commodity removed. In his efforts he had bfen assisted by a good number of true Lihtrals in the House, who recognised that about £IOO,OOO per annum was being paid into the pockets of members of an association, and chiefly by the workers of the country. It was asked by those against the removal of duty that a young industry be protected, whereas the flourmiiling industry was an old one in New Zealand. He contended that the millers had no right to expect "old age pension" treatment. If the millers had made foolish investments, and put up too much machinery and buildings,why should the workers of the country suffer? The speaker was well aware that there were candidates prepared to justify -the tax on bread for that was what the duty on flour really was—and he could not understand how such candidates could harmonise their convictions with the Lord's Prayer in the request "Give us this day our daily bread." People in New Zealand were, he believed, too well educated to be misled by the shallow sophistry of the supporters of the flour tax. THE DUTY ON TIMBER.

Rents and tha cost of buildings Avere regulated bv the price of timber. Sawmills had multiplied in New Zealand, yet since 1900 rimu had gone up in the Wellington market from 8s 6d to 14s 6d per 100 superficial feet, and heart of rimu from 13s to 245. Allowing for the increasing scarcity and the long railage the increase in price to nearly double seemed to the speaker inexplicable. The millers had formed associations, the merchants had combined. Drastic conditions as well as high prices were imposed on tha builders, and naturally they hegan to import. He had been asked to accompany a deputation that waited on the Government asking that the duty on imported timber should be irceased. His reply was that much as he believed in local industries there were conflicting interests in this instance, and the interest of the community at large must be considered. There were complaints about the high price of timber,, and as rents, cost of buildings, and the employment of tradesmen and builders were concerned, anything tnat might maintain high prices should be avoided. The speaker felt for the millers, and the mill hands, as the latter had been good friends to him, but he felt he must heed the cry of the many in the towns where workers were paying away as much as one-third of their wages in rent. Oregon pine, the timber complained so much of, was selling in Wellington at ]7s 6d, and the local millers should be able to compete at the price with the imported article. It was a matter for reflection that a building which a few years ago would have cost about £250, now cost nearly £SOO, while rents ; in the towns had gone up even in Masterton—from 10s to 15s and 18s per week. When the working man's rent was deducted from his wages it did not leave a reasonable margin for his other living expenses. Mr Hogg claimed to speak with experience on this matter, in view of his connection for some years as a member of the Wellington Benevolent trustees. He considered it would have been gross inhumanity on his part to have countenanced the raising of the duty on foreign timber. (Applause).

TARIFF REfcORM GENERALLY.

A free breakfast table had not yet arrived, but the cardidate still had hopes for it. Under the new tariff large concessions had been made.* The Customs Act of 1900 and 1907 had remitted duties on tea, sugar, rice, kerosene, cotton goods, J,and other articles to the value of .-£563,000. Sugar represented £205,000 alone, and tea £BO,OOO. The removal of the duties from such articles as those enumerated reduced the cost of living without at the same time crippling any young industries. There were, however, duties imposed which produced no real revenue to the country, but the money paid by the consumer went into the pockets of rings and associations, such as the duty on flour. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. Referring to the Advances to Settlers Act, Mr Hogg said that when it was first introduced it was strongly opposed by the Conservative party, and was met with criticisms that it would be a failure, and was a dangerous measure, and would ,be of no benefit. Even after two years of experience of it, Mr Massey' had*condemned it. What, however, was„the aggregate result of its operations up to now? Up to September 30th last, the Department had advanced £8,394,890 to 24,541 settlers, and £482,035 to 1,915 workers, to enable them to secure their own dwellings. Owing to the state of the n.oney market of late, the Department had been deluged with applications, and as fast as principal and interest was coming in it was being re-loaned to fresh applicants. So far the Government had borrowed about £4,000,000 in respect of this great Act, and in ppite of the pre-

dictions of the Opposition it had done untold good to struggling settlers. THE BURDEN OF THE WO RKER,

Mr Hogg said that if the worker had not been sufficiently assisted it was not for want of effort. His great desire was to assist the masses as far as possible in the removal of the duties from the necessaries of life. As they were doubtless aware, he had not been entirely successful, and had not always had the support of the Ministry behind him. In the House also there were some professed Liberals who were not above sacrificing principle" for party, and who were lacking in backbone. It was the duty of statesmen to improve wages and reduce the cost of living, and make land accessible to labour. Some may disagree with him in his views on the latter point, but he said that he was not so particular about the tenure so long as the land could be brought into the market to relieve the demands of those whom depended on it. But there were those who sought the suffrage of the electors, who nlaced the interest of rings and associations before the well-being of the community, and such were not worthy of public positions. He could not see why, because a candidate had a flour mill, or saw mills, in his electorate he should support a tax on bread and on timber. A candidate should rise above such principles. WORKERS' DWELLINGS. So far the benefit of the Workers Dwellings Act had only been extended to the centres. It was intended, however, that the scope of the enactment should be greatly enlarged in the near future, and its provisions inure for the benefit of the country. The Advances to Workers Act had done a great deal of good, and,it was now proposed to make it a still more beneficial measure. .Nearly half a million acres had been taken up under the Act, providing close on two thousand applicants With homes. Further improvements would be on the lines of allowing a worker with such a small sum as £2O or £3O to take up a home, and by second mortgage to overcome the difficulty now ;in the way of such a small sum being sufficient for the purpose stated.

NATIONALISED COAL MINE 3.

Years agu the speaker had advocated State working of the coal mines of the Dominion. In his efforts in this direction he had met with rebuffs similar to those he had experienced in connection with his efforts to remove the duty on flour. However, he felt he was on the right track, and now thanks to popular pressure, coal mines were being worked by the State. Depots were doing a flourishing business in the chief centres of the Dominion, consumers getting coal at half the rates they paid previously, and a better quality coal. The value of a State coal industry had been shown when not long ago a large ring was formed in the country with the object of raising the price of coal, but the State kept a useful check on the ring's intentions. LABOUR LEGISLATION. The amended Arbitration Act had done good if only in removing the perambulating nuisance known as the Conciliation Board, certain members of which simply stirred up strife to have the job of rig ii ring matters again. The laws of the Do-" minion in regard to labour had gone perhaps a little too fast, and it was well to amend them to make them so that they might stand the test *of time. The speaker had endeavoured to get Ministers to separate the four large centres into separate industrial districts, believing good would accrue to the industrial realm if such were done, but his proposition had not met with favour, as it was thought the country districts would be too small. HOME CRITICISM. Leaving the subject of general politics, the speaker said he was glad to have a critic. A fault-finder had been throwing the searchlight over the speaker's career and actions, and he felt he must reply. He had been told he had not been making proper inquiries in regard to lea estate. He affirmed that he had made lots cf inquiries but had never advocated its resumption while such a valuable and universally esteemed old pioneer as the late Mr J. C. Andrew was a live. But for sixeen or seventeen years he had been making inquiries about that and other estate 3, as East Coas't settlers could testify. He was very anxious about lea, and would like to have seen it cut up for settlement, and when the family of the late owner cut it up among themselves he was greatly disappointed holding the opinion that they should have allowed it to come into the hands of the Government for closer settlement. He thought legislation —a stiff graduated tax —should prevent this class of "cutting-up." He did not contradict a report made by the Commissioner that lea was unfit for closer settlement, because he had never heard of such a report. In regard to his critic's statement that only one estate had beer cut up in the Masterton electorate as against eight in Wairarapa, because "the Government considered the Masterton seat safe," the speaker thought the electors of Masterton were to be congratulated, as it implied that tht Government considered the people of the electorate above being bribed by Government expenditures. However, he would suggest that a person who made such an insinuation should be closely watched, as such unworthy reflections disclosed a lack of principle. However, what had happened in Wairarapa? The census showed that between 1901 and 1906 Masterton added 2,159 to its population and Wairarapa 988, and this ■ although the Government were buying estates in Wauarapa and neglecting Masterton. He had never recommended the Government to buy land that could not be profirably occupied, and was opposed to borrowing'heavily to increase land values. It was bad for the tenants and bad for the Government. He was pleased with the result of Langdale settlement, because it was one of the cheapest investments of its nature in the North Island, and the settlers were prosperous. It had on it 79 souls, living en 31 sections, carrying 14,475 sheep, and. 1,058 cattle. The improvements were £l3,79o—double the amount required. Leaving out Dyer settlement, Langdale was nJt far behind the whole of the Wairarapa settlements put together. Tawaha had

survived because it ha d been fed u on roads, and rents were remitted. He thought the Carrington estate would also be a doubtful investment. As for the "acrobat" critic —ready to fall ovpr to the Massey side like most other "independents"—he was a stranger (not a tea-meeting stranger) or he would not have made the remarks he did. (Laughter). The speaker and the people of Masterton had for years been asking the Government to acquire estates for closer settlement, but with inflated prices and unwilling settlers the Government could not see its way to make a deal. Still, a good many owners had themselves cut up their lands as in the case of Weraiti, Te Ore Ore, Solway and the Cockburn estate. He was also accused of going to socials. To that he pleaded guilty. He went to socials and tea meetings and sometimes to Church, but never to canvass for votes. The people had brought him out, carried him shoulder high, and he had "barracked" for land, roads and bridges, cheap money, grass seed, State coal and other blessings. He differed with some of them on the land question, but he had never tried to turn a farmer off his land, and he had done what he could to assist people on to the land, and to stick to their homes. GENERAL REMARKS. With regard to local industries, while he would free the necessaries of life he was a staunch portectionist. There was plenty of raw material in New Zealand, and the country could manufacture nearly everything it required for itself. Masterton had five educational institutions; it was growing and destined to grow, and no part of New Zealand had better or brighter prospects ahead. Whether he were returned or not he would always further the interests of the district by the utmost means in his power. QUESTIONS. In answer to questions, the candidate made the following replies:— He believed Civil Servants should have a right to take an interest in political matters. —He had not made up his mind whether to vote NoLicense or Continuance, and would like the questioner to answer the query hims«lf. (Laughter.)—He voted against uniformity of schooibooks because he believed such against the best interests of the scholars of the Dominion's schools. He had previously believed in such uniformity, but his convictions had altered with experience.—The Dairy Regulations had not been submitted to a vote, nor did he think they would. He had been one of the first to assist in extracting some of the snags in the original draft. —He favoured colonial option in preference to local option, but believed in one of the issues being submitted at a time. —He believed in the absolute majority on the liquor question, if such meant a three-fifths majority.— He was opposed to bottle and packet licenses in No-License districts, though he thought such a question should be left to the people to decide. —He believed in the closing of breweries in No-License district?, but thought the brewer should be compensated.—He was not in favour of altering the present licensing elec tion conditions.—He was opposed to imprisonment without the option of a fine in sly-grog cases, believing that prison should be a last resource for punishment.—He believed in workers being paid compensation under the Workers Compensation for Accidents legislation sooner than a fortnight after incapacity. Mr J. Creelman moved, and Mr J. Smith, seconded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence to the candidate. The Mayor asked the audience to carry the same by acclamation, which was done. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.