HON. G FOWLDS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10465, 1 November 1911, Page 5

HON. G FOWLDS

ADDRESSES HIS CONSTITUENTS.

By 'J'eltorum —trvm Association

AUCKLAND, Last Night*

The Hon. Geo. Fowlds addressed the electors, of Glrey Lynn to-night. There was a large meeting, ana he received an excellent reception. Mr Fowlds referred to his resignation, which \va& caused principally by his desire to have a freer hand ? ajid thereby give filip to the reform forces of the Dominion. If he had believed that 'his resignation could have resulted in the return of a majority of incumbers willing to follow Mr Massey, he should have felt it | his duty to remain where he was. After quoting figures, Mr Fowlds Raid he believed he had made out a convincing case for the first' plank in his political platform, namely, an increase of one penny in the pound on unimproved land values., If the Liberal party were true to itself it would, abolish the absurdity qf. thcj minority rule on the liquor question. As a private member he had always stood by the democratic, principle of the bare majority. As a Cabinet Minister he has compelled to stand by the policy of the Government. . He formerly acquiesced in the three-fifths majority without much protest, bejievmg" that it gave a certain amount of permanency to temperance reform when No-license' was carried in any district. Another source of degradation almost as deadly as the liquor traffic was the existence of slums and insanitary dwellings. Immediate action ought to be taken by all legal authorities to* ensure the elimination as soon as possible of any slum conditions' which had already developed "'itT 1 their districts, and to prevent a recurrence of these conditions in the futMre. The adoption' of the proportional representation system was recommended by the speaker, who then dealt with the 'Legislative Council and Local Government reform. In conclusion, Mr Fowlds said: "The people of New Zealand have a splendid opportunity to strike a blow for and justice, and I call upon you to rise in your might and help to herald in the dawn 'of a new day of human emancipation. If you resoond your children's children will rise up and call you blessed. You will earn the gratitude blessing of the children of the slums and gutters of every land." •