POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3040, 10 November 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

PREMIER AT NEW PLYMOUTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, November 9. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a meeting of electors at the Drill Hall tonight. There was an attendance of 1,500 people. The Premier received a cordial reception and an appreciative hearing. He was frequently applauded, and at the conclusion of his address was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation. His speech was generally upon the lines followed on previous occasions of late. He combatted' the statements | concerning the countries fin 3 made by the Opposition Party, and j said that he was entitled to protest | against the tactics which were dn rected to injuring the national credit in order to wound the Ministry. He j defended the three per cent, policy l of railway management, saying that the Government regarded the railways as the great engine for the development oi settlement, businesses and industry. The Liberal party would not raise the goods or passenger rates. The development of the country by roads, bridges and railways would have to go forward. The time for crying a halt had not yet come. The Government had done its best in the interests of all sections of the community and asked to be judged by records of strenuous endeavour not by the reckless assertions of people in opposition to the Government. He announced that Mr Bellringer was the Government candidate for the seat.