HUTT SEAT

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 114, 11 November 1919, Page 3

HUTT SEAT

MR. WILFORD AT PETONE,

Some two hundred: supporters of Sir. T. M. Wilford, M.P., met at the Oddfellows' Hall, Petone, last evening, to form a. local committee to promote his candidature in the coming General Election. Mr. Douglas Bedingfield was elected to the chart. Mr. Wilford, who was received with applause, gave a record of hir work since last election. He had held the portfolios of Justice, Marine, Stamp Duties, and Minister-in-Charge of the Police' Force; and he hoped that his- administration of these important offices of State has been approved by them. He could claim that even members of the Reform Party had placed on record generous tributes of their appreciation.. "Labour/ added Mr. Wilford, "has always stood to me in my election contests ; and from the evidence to-night before me and from the numerous promises, unsolicited, ■ that. I have received •since announcing myself, I feel sure that my efforts have been appreciated, which is sufficient reward to any public man. What has he done? ask my opponents. Here is my answer—for my friends : Apart- from local assistance in the way of school grants, railway concessions, and local wants which are, naturally, never ending, I have 'off my own bat' since I last met you succeeded in carrying progressive social reforms which all will agree with. Here are some of them: The safety of men in ships and on wharves and hulks- has been provided for by the passing of drastic and far-reaching regulations appi'oved of by.the watersiders, the shipping'companies, - and the harbour boards of New Zealand. 'The inspection of all working gear on ships, wharves, and hulks ha 3 for the first time been made by me part of the law of the land. I have given opportunities for working men to become inspectors of gear under the Marine Department for the first time in New Zealand; and have appointed working men representatives as Government nominees on harbour boards, with entirely satisfactory results. I have carried by one vote through Parliament a Bill which reduced the hours of women worker^ in woollen factories, and this has now been incorporated in awards. During the wav I obtained pensions for seamen, and for the first time in. the history of New Zealand I liave gazetted and brought into law regulations connected with the lauding of petrol and inflammable oils. I have increased the pay of policemen and provided house allowance for them, and inaugurated an eight hours' day in the cities for them as well. The payment to warders of prisons has been increased by me, also the payment of-an increased wage to seamen on Government ships under my control. I raised the status and pay of marine instructors. With regard to the prisons of the country,;l have made some improvements in hours and diet — while I have appointed agricultural experts to the prison farms to teach the science of agriculture of all discriptions to the prisoners."

Mr. Wilford detailed many other measures for the Bublic welfare which he had succeeded in carrying through the House, mentioning the Htitt Road Bill, which enabled local authorities to run trams over the road. He had authorised the drafting of a Bill to assist the people of New Zealand to obtain cheap fish, and this was now law. He claimed to have been the helper and friend of men of the. railway service during twenty years. All present pledged themselves to assist Mr. Wilford'p candidature. , Mr. Bedingfield was appointed chairman and Mr. Staples secretary.