POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 460, 13 July 1899, Page 2

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

DR. HOSKINO AT HAMILTON

The Rev. Dr, Hosking delivered h's second address to the electors of HamiN ton, in the Volunteer Hall, last evening. There was a large attendance, the hall being well filled and His Worship the Mayor (Mr Wm. Dey) presided. The rev. gentleman said he was afraid lie would have to 20 over a good deal if the ground already traversed by him in Hamilton some weeks ago, when there was not nearly euch u large attendance as on this occasion, for the benefit of those who were not present. The speech was in many ways similar to that previously delivered here, and fully reported by us, and we, therefore, do not feel our selves called upon to repeat it. The rev gentleman first dealt on personal matters, and he claimed that, notwithstanding anything that might be said to the contrary, politics and religion were not diametrically oppesed to each other. He thought a man when he stood for an electorate, should declare which side he was on, and he had no hesitation in saying that he supported the Government now in power, and he would do his best to return it to power, and if it was returned, as he had no doubt it would be, he. would do hia best to keep it there, but he would not sell himself body and soul to any Government, and if he found he could not support the Government as he promised to do he would resign. He believed in a truly radical and progressive Government, and although he iked some Conservatives, he did not like their politics, and if they compared the Conservatives of to day with those of 80 years ago they would be found to be exactly the same. The motto of their flag was " Stand where you are, don't go forward." He referred at somejength to the early stages of Liberalism in England, and contended that the go ul points of Conservatism were culled from the garden of Liberalism. What was styled " Independence " to-day he considered rank Toryism, and he thought the member for the Bay of Plenty had struck the keyno'e of Conservatism at Cambridge when he asked what were a few old age pensions compared with the Kaimai Track ? The speaker referred to the lack vi policy of the Opposition, and said it was monstrous that they should expect the people to return them when all the satisfaction they could get regarding the'.r policy was " Wait and you will see." The Leader of the Opposition said there were 50 reasons why they should not disclose their policy, one of them being that the Liberal Government did not disclose theirs until they got in f o power. He combatted this statement, and referred them to the speeches of Mr Reeves and several other members delivered nine years ago, where all the principal features of the policy of the present Government were set forth. He contended that they were returned to power on this policy and hud never wavered from it, while the Opposition had steadily opposed every progressive measure, which simply meant capital versus humanity. The Opposition members appeared to be agreed on two things, not very creditable to them either one was to scandalise the Ministry, and the other to run down the country. This year they could not get a land scandal, so they went to sea for it—(laughtei) and after manufacturing the bcandal they wanted to act as the judges. Referring to a letter which had appeared in the last issue of The Waikato Argcs, he said the writer asked him a question and then set himself to answer it. He might say that if he were returned to support the present Government and any measure were introduced that he did not like he would do one of two things. If he could not conscientiously vote for the Government they had returned him to support he would resign. If they thought him right they could send him back to Parliament; if, on the contrary, they thought he was wrong they could " kick him out." This he thought a far more manly proceeding than to go to Parliament as an Independent member and oppo.«-e the Government every time. He also referred to the cm respondent's report cf his address at Ngaruawahia where it was stated that he had devoted the most of his time to a personal attack oa Capt. Russell. He denied this, and said his remarks had been levelled at Capt. Russell not as a man, but as a politician. Nevertheless, he thought Capt. Russell should be the last man in the world to talk about men feathering their own nests. Speaking of the colony, Dr. Hosking contended that it was in a more prosperous condition today than ever it had been be'ore, and the present Government had done more for the farmers than for any other class of men iu New Zealand. The speaker referred to the surpluses brought out every year, and thought the Premier deserved the gratitude of every man, woman and child in the colony. Speaking of the railways, Dr. Hosking said they were in a far more flourishing condition under Mr Cadnian than under the Commissioners' rcgime,a.n<i were managed at about one-third the cost. There was, he said, an enormous increase in the revenue each year, while a much greater sum annually was spent upon the railways than in the time of the Commissioners. The present Government had already increased the wages of those engaged on the permauent way by Is a day, and now talked of increasing the wages to 7s 6d a day, a further 6d per day. The proposed increase would cost the country £15,000 a year, yet, if the Government could do this and still make a profit, they should by all means do so. He believed in cheap fares, and thought the railways should be run in the interests of the public and concessions made to men searching for work, as well as to commercial travellers, Pressmen and others. He referred to the increase of exports and the increase in the deposits in the Savings Bank, which he considered was a very fair criterion of the prosperity or adversity of the colony. Where were the unemployed men who were in evidence six or seven years ago ? If the working men returned the Conservatives to power they would make the biggest whip for their own backs they possibly could do. He expressed his intention of holding a special afternoon meeting for ladies, and therefore passed over many of the subjects of special interest to them. He defended the land and native land policy of the Government at great length. He dwelt for some time upon the advantages of the Advances to Settlers Act, aud said he was pleased to find that the Government was now going to extend this Act to urban and surburban lands. He strongly favoured the establishment of a large Agricultural College in the Waikato, and thought the Government deserved the support of the farmers in the electorate if only for the establishment of an experimental farm at Wairangi. He described the Old Age Pension Scheme as a little rosebud which was going to unfold its petals, and admit fragrxnee to the hearts aud homes of the aged m n and womeu of the colony, and thought it would be heartless, cruel and brutal for the country to go back upon the scheme. He strongly deprecated the pension being made universal, and considered that the insertion of a universal clause in the Act would be the death knell of one of the grandest schemes ever inaugurated. He strongly advocated the referendum, and thought momentous questions should bo submitted to the peopl* for an expression of opinion. Coming to the prohibition question, Dr Hosking s;iid he thought the people of the King Country should have an opportunity of voting on the question of licenses, and considered the Government had there a splendid opportunity of giving State control or the Gothenburg system a trial. Dr. Hosking was frequently applauded, and at the conclusion of his speech sat down amidst prolorjged applause, A

number of questions were satisfactory answered, and on the motion oi Mr seconded by Mr Joues, a vote of thanks was carried unanimously.