THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10247, 25 May 1911, Page 5

THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN.

MR HERDMAN AT LEVIN.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

LEVIN, Last Night. Mr A. L. Herdman, M.P., addressed

a public meeting at Levin this evening. There was a big attendance of \ . electors, who attentively followed the ' speaker. Mr Herdman contended that the Ward Administration, during the last five years, had not been exciting the same power of control as the Seddon Administration. There was a general public district now, and it would be shown soon unmistakable manner. He replied to, the Hon. B. McKenzie's Opunake speech, and said that the statement that the "Government would help people who helped thev Government," was one of the most pernicious doctrines which had ever passed from the lips of a Minister of the Crown in any British community. In referring to the Public Service, he asked how it came about that the Christchurch Police Commissioner, after being dismissed as a result of an inquiry into his conduct, was speedily back in the Public Service as an employee in the Native Land Department in the North Island ? He also stated that a convicted Australian thief, who got into the New Zealand police force and was dismissed on a discovery being made ol who he was, was again in the pulic service, this time as a member of the railway service. Mr Herdman twitted the Government on the negative nature of ■•• its land policy. Once it was straight-1 out for the leasehold. Now it was j afraid to say what it favoured. He I advocated putting the public service j and railways under the control of committees. Mr Millar had striven hard and fairly to carry out his trust, but his task was too great. Since 1893 the public debt had been increased by forty-two millions, and since Sir Joseph Ward took office it had been increased by nineteen millions, or four millions a year. He asked, how long would the British money-lender tolerate that rate of borrowing? Heavy borrowing meant heavy taxation, and this resulted in less money being available for investment in industries. More self-reliance and more independence, and less harassing laws were necessary. A hearty vote of thanks 'was accorded the speaker.