THE WANGANUI SEAT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12645, 4 November 1905, Page 7

THE WANGANUI SEAT.

'MR. W. O. BASSETT AT CASTLE-

CLIFF

Mr. Basset* (addressed the electors at the above-nlamed place 'last evening. Mr Rhodes was voted to tlhe chair. InSntroducing the speaker the Chairman said that such well-known person needed very little introduction because no man could be connected with the district for ithe time that iMr Basset* had been without ibeing -well and favourably known.

Mr Bassett, in his opening remarks, referred to his association with politdcailparties, and said that while he would take his seat with the Opposition he •would nob ibe a Wind follower, but exercise hia vote every time in the best interest of the country. He was not blind to tho many good works of the Government, but he was absolutely agaiinst ttheir administration. He hoped to be able during biis address to justify the position he had.taken up; Dealing with the land question, Ihe explained his reasons for support-ing the freehold, and gave ia lucid and interesting talk cai what he classed as one of the most burning questions of tlhe day. The speaker also deailb with the old age pensions, advocating a universal pension to all, regardless of their positions. Workers' compensation for accident: The broad and comprehensive way "that Mr Bassett dealt with this subject wlas heartily applauded, and evidently found favour witih the workers at Oas'tlecliff. Superannuation: This the speaker agreed with, .butfc only ibeoaaise he believed it woulld lead to something 'better. He ■believed (the day was coming when superannuation would foe a general thing, and instead of providing only for official ilaJbour would embrace all classes. OEe wOuld give his full support to any scheme to widen the (benefits of superannuation. Industrial arbitration*: This had his entire sympathy, and whale not perfect was a step in the right direction and anything that would tend, to increase the efficiency of industrial arbitration /would 'be supported fay ham. Taxation: He was a firm believer in progressive taxation, and as 'much against money monopoly as he was against land monopoly. He was in favour of reducing the taxation on the necessaries of 'life. Education: He was absolutely opposed to any interference with the present education system. While one must respect the religious convictions of a certain class, we must not allow that to influence us, but maintain the present system, which is one of the best. Technical education was dealt with on the lines of his speech in other centres, as was also Bible an schools. Prohibition: fMir Baissett explained his position on !th.e question, although he thought it almost unnecessary. He was not opposed to total prdhibition, but was opposed to ctolonial .proh'ibitiion for the reason that the people were not ripe for it, and to force colonial prohibition on the whole of the community would only bring the thing into disrepute. Mr, Bassett concluded his address after haying spoken for If hours, and was heartily applauded.

There were only two questions asked, which Mr Bassett answered. Mr BasseH made a personal explanation with reference to the reports that are being cifculaJted as to his 'being an oppressor and a sweater, and gave every one of them an absolute denial, stating that they were pure fabrications and devoid of an atom of truth.

:Mr Bassett was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. ;