Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1914 . MEMBER FOR BAY OF PLENTY.

;The\ speech delivered at Te Karaka last ' evening by Mr W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., may be regarded as the first shot to be fired m this district m connection with the 1914 election campaign. It was a speech, the report of whiclv is worthy of perusal by all who desire to .form a'fair^and unbiassed .opinion on the political situation. Mr Mac Donald, whilst he ha-s entrenched .himself m the confidence of his constituents throughout the Bay of Plenty by liis \ nntiring . energy , and • zeal on their bqhalf, is also able to. allow- that he has attained a broad . and statesmanlike grasp of NeAv Zealand! politics, and one cannot but be impressed with Jhis downright/ earnestness and sincerity. In championing the cause .of the Liberals as against the present holders pf Ministerial office, he raises a number of very pertinent questions, ; first as to the constitutional title to occupancy of the Treasury benches; seoondly, as to statements that have been made concerning Liberal administration, , which, he. contends, are not supported by facts; and thirdly, as to matters; of present policy m which he seeks to show that the farmers are getting no better facilities, to-day than they did previously, that the local _ authorities are getting J, no greater assistance, that the public' service iis . under no more satisfactory organisation; tliat the millions of public money allocated for public expenditure are hot being better spent, and generally that .settlement and prosperity are not being more greatly advanced than they were under the former regime. For the Liberals, Mr Mac Donald contended that they a*re ' c-iit to represent every "J section of - the community, whilst there is still a strong suspicion that the Government sympathies are more for the people 'of wealth and 1 broad acres than for the poorer classes. These arethe points upon which the Opposition indictment and claijn for the confidence of the people are based, and it will be interesting to .note whether they are traversed or avoided by tlie Prime Minister when he speaks at G.isbpine next week. Mr Mac Donald, witii his intimate knowledge of Native affairs/ was able to make a strong ' case, when criticising , the policy of the Hon. Mr I Hemes, and his former presidency of ' the Public Works Department also enabled him to closely examine the Hon. W: Eraser's statements. The Minister of Finance and Mr Fisher also came m -for trenchant criticism. ' Mr Mac Donald's pronouncement upon the subject of naval defence will, we are sure, receive hearty support from a majority of those who have given the matter thought, and who : recognise tjhat the better policy for New Zealand .to adopt isi not to embark upon the construction of a "toy" fleet but to' give the strongest support possible to the British Navy. Altogether the member for the Bay of Plenty is to be congratulated on his utterance, wliich being made so soon after Ids' being incapacitated by a painful accident, amply served to show the pluck and stamina that Mr - Mao Donald possesses^ Th'e hearty reception "that waa .accorded him demonstrated how strongly he holds the affection of the people by whom he. is best known and most intimately associated with. Thefe is a very strong regard throughout the district for? the gentlema-a who has honestly earned the sobriquet of "Fighting Mac," and- he haa certainly enhanced liis political reputation by the admirable fighting speech he -delivered last evening.