POLITICAL MEETINGS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3028, 27 October 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL MEETINGS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WINTON. By WINTON, October 26. Sir Jo.soph Ward addressed a crowded audience of his constituents lat Win ton to-night. The Premier I immediately plunged into a sheaf of statistics, quoted to show the pros- ' perity of the Dominion in the last ten years. The population had increased by 27 per cent. The values of the principal exports had increased as follows: -wool 72 percent., frozen meat 118 per cent, tallow 215 per j cent., sheepskins 323 pr cent., butter 301 per cent,, cheese 340 per cent, gum 45 per cent., flax fibre 26.12 per cetn., gold 106 per cent., coal 117 per cent., Customs revenue 61 per cent., excise duties 58 per cent., occupied holdings 20 per cent., land in cultivation 30 per cent., horses 39 per cei;t. cattle 50 per cent., sheep 6 per cent., pigs 29 per cent., inward shipping 82 per cent., outward shipping 81 per cent., railway receipts 100 percent., telegraph messages 161 per cent., bank deposits 64 per cent., Savings Banks credits 132 per ceiat. Referring to Opposition criticism of public expenditure, he asked what items would they cut down and what items would they cease borrowing for. The Opposition had no policy, and could not build it&elf into power. The Government had never claimed political perfection in administration, legislative or constructive works, but desired to give every class equal opportunity to improve its position by hard industry, application to work, and Bteadfastness of purpose. The Minister replied to Mr James Allen's criticism, saying that Mr Allen knocked JJat the Treasury door for all sorts of public works in his district, and was a self-confessed agitator for an increase in borrowing. The gross expenditure for public works amounted to £46,702,078, of Which £19,803,942 was expended since the Liberal party came into power in 1891. He went on to show that by improvements in railways, roads, and other public works, the Liberal Government had done more in seventeen years than had been done in the country since the initiaticn of the Public Works scheme. The only increased tax was the graduated land tax: There were 128,000 land owners in the country; JJndgr 37,000 paid the land tax and" under S,<JoQ>.p?!4 the graduated Und tax. No in&eSTg ?f income tax had been made since the Liberal Government had come into power. He pointed out the great concessions that had been given by way of remissions of Customs duties. The Premier went on to explain that in the past three years the Government had had no difficulty in carrying out all the loan conversion operations, satisfactory arrangements having been made for a considerable period ahead. Sir Joseph said he could not have better indication of the financial position than was afforded by 9 study of the Post and Telegraph and Railway Departments. He compared the charges in New Zealand with th'i. U.-ited Kingdom to show tha grtat advantages in this country. He spoke briefly of the National Provident Fund, and Employers Accident Insurance Bill, and then on the arbitration and -conciliation" system, ' In this he said he did not believe there were many who would bo willing to go back to the old system of strife and chaos brought about by strikes. The Conciliation and Arbitration Bills had been put on the Statute Book in the hope that they would be for the best interests of the people most intimately concerned. He concluded by saying that the country wanted a rest from legislation. They should give all the existing practical laws a fair trial. At the same time they must have progressive legislation where necessary. He proposed in the next four years to spend a million pounds on road works, etc. Finally he urged the cultivation of a national spirit among the young New Zealanders. Sir Joseph concluded an enthusiastic meeting by receiving a " unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. MR HISLOP OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN. By Telegraph-—Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 26. The Hon. T. W. Hislop (Mayor of Wellington), who is a candidate for the Wellington Central seat against Mr P. M. B. Fisher, commenced* his campaign to-night, speaking to an overflowing audience. His remarks were largely in support ot the Liberal administration and policy, and in answer to a question Mr Hislop said he would not support a no-confidence motion which would put the reactionary party in power. A unanimous vote of thankd and confidence was passed.

ADDRE3S BY MR DILLON. By Telegraph—Press Association. NAPIER, October 26. ' Mr A. Dillon, M.P., addessed a a large meeting of HawksV Bay electors in Hastings to-night, and spoke in support of the Government. At the conclusion of his address he received a vote of thanks and confidence.

MR BUICK AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

PALMERSTON N., Oct. 26. Mr D. Buick, Opposition candidate for the Palmerston North seat, addressed a crowded meeting at the Opera House to-night. He criticised the Government freely, and at the conclusion of his address he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.