WORK OF REFORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 9

WORK OF REFORM.

JBJJJQEB'B SPEECH

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.

KE EPING EVERY PLEDGE.

FINANCE AND DEFENCE.

UPPER HOUSE REFORM.

FREEHOLD AND SETTLERS

THE RECENT STRIKE.

POSITION IN PLAIN TERMS

BOOM FOR THE AGITATOR

(fnE Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) delivered a political address in the Town Hall last evening, when the largest gathering that lias ever been seen m the building was assembled, about 0} people being present. ' Lon" before seven o'clock large crowds 0 people b." c -an to assemble in front of both the Qu?°n Street and Grey Street entrances to the hall, and within a few Smites of the doors being opened all portions of the building were well filled. By about twenty or twenty-five minutes past seven all the available including standing room—was taken up, and some 1000 or 1500 people were left standing in both Queen and Grey Streets vainly clam ouring for admission. The crowds remained there till after eight o'clock, and the doors had to be kept closed in order to avoid the building being rushed. Inside the building the Federation of Labour element had gathered in some force for the purpose of interrupting the meeting so far as it was possible for them to do so. This noisy section made a demonstration against the Prime Minister when Mr. Massey entered, but their hoots were drowned by the remarkable enthusiasm with which Mr.' Massey was greeted by the large bulk of the great gathering, The Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) presided. As Mr. Massey ascended the platform at ten minutes to eight, accompanied by the Mayor and other members of the platform party, he was greeted by loud and prolonged applause and ringing cheers, which were maintained for several minutes. Amongst those on the platform were the Mayoress (Mrs. Parr), Mrs. Taylor (daughter of the Prime Minister), Mrs. Von Sturraer (honorary organiser of the somen's branch of the Reform League), Mrs. J. P. Campbell (president of the women's branch of the Reform League), Messrs J. Bollard, F. Mander, J. H. Bradney, J. S. Dickson, J. A. Young. M.P.'s," and a large number of members of the executive of the local branch of the Reform League, and many other prominent citizens. An Excellent Hearing. Though excitement ran high at times Mr. Massey received an excellent hearing from a gathering which was in every sense representative of all parties in Auckland. It was evident from the outset that his supporters were largely in the majority. Distributed about the hall, chieflv in the side-aisles and beneath the gallery at the back, were parties of political opponents, who had evidently come with the intention of creating as much disturbance as they could. Their presence gave spice to the proceedings. Some turmoil reigned whilst the Mayor briefly introduced Mr. Massey, and cheering and counter-cheering greeted the, latter as he commenced his speech, which lasted 2£ hours. Shortly afterwards some of the Reform supporters who were intent upon preserving order, ejected a nosiy individual from the back of the hall amidst uproar. This had a good moral effect, and for a while the proceedings were quite orderly save for the interjections of certain unruly individuals. A keen watch for the worst disturbers was kept, and 20 minutes after the Prime Minister began to speak another persistent interjector was forcibly removed. Ten minutes afterwards a third ejection created a diversion, and a fourth speedily followed. There ensued a period of three-quarters of an hour during which Mr. Massey held the complete attention of his auditors. Some spasmodic disorders again occurred during the later portion of his speech, for which sympathisers with the Federation of Labour were responsible, and three or four more rowdy individuals had to be escorted to the door at short intervals. On each occasion Cere was some boohing, hat the superior force of tho counter-cheer-ing was patent to everybody in the hall. Enthusiastic Demonstration. On rising to speak, the Prime Minister *as greeted with loud and sustained cheers and applause. The demonstration was a most remarkable one, and the efforts of the hostile section were quite overwhelmed by tho loud applause and cheering. ' I only regret." said Mr. Massey, "that this hall will not hold 8000 people instead of 4000. I need hardly tell you that I am delighted to have the opportunity of speaking to so many citizens of the Auckland district." (Cheers.) Mr. Massey said the people of' Auckland had had one side of politics pin to them by Sir Joseph Ward, and he was now going to rut the other side before th»-m. He proposed to give a geneial r.-> \<-v. of the political position since {■•<■ i:.-t m Government had been in nffi.*. 'A,.j.innse.) "I would just like to sir ' i- '.i mv "lends who are on tho opp-w, ode of Politics that if there are am ;•.••,,:.. "ho think they may disturb mo t'h.-'v .. - ...-,:,- jig the biggest mistake the- '• •..■.!.. in their lives," observed the Pi; - M. -•- leramidst loud cheers. "Thev >■ .< .:> wire the audience—l don't think ti.. v » II do that— all the noise they mak- ■ •', ™* affect me in the very slight*i. (Cheers.) Sir Joseph Ward had referred to the, Wtjon of finance, and stated that when C Wvernment came into office there had ■«en a shortness of money. " The (J... «mment cannot deny it,' Mr. Massey «t on, "we don't attempt to deny it.'" «• Government found that the London iTI rket was a " ainsl thc Dominion. «fl that deposits in the Savings Hank had fenced to diminish. These were the '2 £* Which the Government had t„ W London investors were avin-' Ming money to New Zealand, or ~.„• J*? gantry, and the Post Office sav... -V ' SL-!i 1101 h °'P the Government to anv appreciable extent. The ' Treasury Chest. kilt/ another fact which Sir tort »i d not menti °n 6d . and that i."? Wen lhe Gove ">ment assumed j C n T r" rj ' che , st was almost l it V" 1 ? c Government had found when! Uta™ 9 * 10 power that the £800.000 had jl ftm f securities kept in London i SoSMft* 1 u ? t0 the hilt ' " The ?3KS? d i Mn l ,lerl H for £775.000," of hi! the I Prime Minister. Tho policy he was not finding kr', been to nod money for T Survi 1 •.°, rities - n * omcial *orth m antho . show «l that £775,000 »otliorilF ° miSeshad been made to local w inthft-r ' and there was on] v £17,000 ,-, J 6 treasury to meet them. ' '^t>s ( ey Spol^6 T ith re ß ard to the I '"flm, 01 the money market, tol A*? } ? Balkan war an tho abnor.seoaca {or money from diSerent bor- 1

rowing countries which wanted, to go in for a policy of development. The consequence, ho said, was that the old law of supply, and demand applied,' even to tho money market, Tho demand for'money exceeded the supply, and. the price of money went up.- , "That was the position when we came into power," the Prime Minister continued. "Sir Joseph Ward told vou that we had borrowed £12,000.000 since we had token office. Perhaps we have. 1 'am not going to dispute the statement, but he did not tell you that £8.000,000 was borrowed, or required to be borrowed, to pay for the indebtedness that, he left to us Wo vera left with £8,000.000 to find to pay off the indebtedness that falls due during the present year. That was the effect of the policy of short-dated debentures." Paying Off Speculators. j Speaking on the matter of the £4,500,000 short debenture loan that had been raised by tho previous Administration, Mr. Massey said it was'all taken up by'specuators. It wa a good thing from ' the latter point of view, because it. returned them over 5 per cent., and he had no doubt that they would bo prepared to renew it if the Government continued to pay 5 per cent, interest. " But we are not (going to do it," said the Prime Minister. "He have raised monev, and we are going to pay them off." (Loud applause.) Serious Trouble Averted. The Government had found that local authorities had had difficulty in borrowing money. It was practically'impossible for any local authority to borrow money from the State lending department. A loan was therefore raised to meet the difficulty. " 11 wo had not been able to raise it there would have been very serious trouble in this country." remarked Mr. Massey. " I did not say so then, but I say so'now." The confidence of the British investors in New Zealand was proved bv the fact that when the recent £4,500,000 loan was placed on the market about £26,000,000 was offered. (Applause.) Electioneering Methods. " Money was scarce during 1911. which was election year." proceeded Mr. .Massey, "because the public money of this country was being used by the 'then Government to sweeten the constituencies." The Prime Minister went on to quote figures showing the expenditure authorised by the Ward Government before and after the last election. " In October, 1911, prior to the election, mark you I" said Mr. Massev. the amount' authorised was £234.000. In December, after the election, it was £91.000. (Laughter and applause.) In the following March it was £81.000. The money advanced to workers for building homes in October, 1911, was £69.000; in the following December it was £30.000. The sum of £164.000 was advanced to local bodies in October, 1911, hut only £67,000 in the following December, and in March, £24,000.' (Loud applause.) " These figures are significant, and they 6peak for themselves," was the comment of tho speaker. Advances to Local Bodies. Mr. Massey dealt with the reform made by the Government, in regard to advances to local bodies. A local authority could now so to the Government, and, if its security was good it could borrow up to £10.000. (Applause.) " Wo have got tho money, and we can foot the bill," he wid. "In the ease of a largo local body wanting more money than we can findand Jet mo say that it is impossible for any Government to find all the money wanted by local authorities—wo have arranged to guarantee the Government, estate behind these local bodies, and they may go to thc London market and get as cheap money as it is possible to get." Buoyant Finance. Tbo best proof of the prosperity of the country, and he was proud of the prosperity of tho country, was found in the state of the Post Office Savings Bank. For the quarter ending March 31, 1913, the withdrawals exceeded deposits by £57.091. For the quarter ending March 31, 1914, tho deposits exceeded withI drawals by £291.148. (Loud applause and j cheers.) These figures meant that in J March, 1914, the position of the Post ! Office Savings Bank depositors was j £348,239 better than it was 12 months | I before. And you well recollect," added j Mr. Massey, " that my friends on the opposite side of politics predicted that if ever 'Massey's crowd'—that is what they call us— into power, tho bottom would drop out of the country, that there would be depression, and there would be a scarcity of employment— I Here some uproar took place from a j small section of the audience in the back. Before it subsided, two interjectors were taken outside. "Grossly Misleading Statements." i Reference was next made by the Prime i Minister to the utterance of Sir Joseph | Ward that the present Government had I increased indirect taxation by £133,600 and direct taxation by £176,000. Sir Joseph Ward had declared that Customs taxation had been increased by £133,600. "Let me tell you," he said, "that tho Reform Party" has not increased Customs' taxation ly the hundredth part of a farthing. The increase in revenue is due to the increased population and the prosperous state of the country. (Applause. Such statements as the one I have quoted," added the speaker, are grossly misleading. Here is another one. It is a positive scandal that they should be made. The Leader of tho Opposition said that he had increased direct taxation. Tho only instance of direct taxation having been increased up to March, 1913, and that was tho date Sir Joseph Ward was alluding to, is the increase on the large unimproved estates. The increase brought in approximately £40,000, and the sum is being used for the purpose of bringing about the subdivision of large estates and promoting settlement. " Not Playing the Game." "This sort, of thing is not playing the j game," said the speaker, amidst applause. " A nolitician should tell the truth, thc whole truth and nothing but tho truth. (Loud applause and uproar from the back.) Any man may make a mistake. Sir Joseph Ward made a serious mistake in Dunedin some timo ago, and he was ma.n enough to apologise at his next meeting, and I give him credit for it. " You know," remarked the speaker to an interjector, "that there are people who aro economical with the truth. Let mo say that if a politician cannot keep , his position by adhering to facts he should i step off the platform and make room for ! someone else." (Applause.) Old Age Pensions. <ir Joseph Ward ; continued the speaker, '-..! <rd that the present Government ' ' ~,] mwelv touched the fringe of the sub- .-- ~f ..Id ago pensions. There were ] • • |„ who had said that tho Reform : IV- would repeal the Old Ago Pension ' Act. instead of repealing the Act the Government had reduced tho ago of women participating under Hie Act from 65 to 60 years. fAonlause.) Replying to an interjector, Mr. Massey said-' "I am afraid that the conditions of the Old Age Pension Act will never ! allow von to en. : '.y a pension, my friend. r„r it require i record of good charac- • ,r " Laughter and applause.) ■ : I he Government, ho proceeded, had im- . ,„ i ,i„. widows' pensions scheme, so Hi,, in the case of both parents dying— and 'here were nany cases—tbo pension was |ini.l to a guardian and used to maintain and educate the children. (Loud ap plause.) The Government had also provided military, pensions for veterans, j Veterans could now draw £36 per year for as long as they lived, and they were 'proud, not on account of getting thc monev, but on account of the fact that une I country had at last recognised their services. They would be able to spend their I declining years and go down to the grave j ' happy in the thought that the Government | had recognised the deep debt of gratitude ■ the country owed them. (Applause.) j Mr. Massey then dealt with the question of defence. In a passing allusion to ' the criticisms of the land defence system, he said that there were a few people who > I thought that we should do nothing in reI card to defence, but that we should sit 'down and allow ourselves to be absolutely defenceless, apparently thinking that be- | I cause we were defenceless no one would ,

interfere with US. (Laughter.) , He did not agree with this view. (Applause.) There were British countries to-day which would not remain under thc .British Hag long if it woro not for British soldiers, sailors, and guns, and New Zealand might bo ono of these countries. (Hear, hear.] The Defence Act was on tho Statute Book and it must bo given a fair trial and improved as opportunity offered. (Hear, hear.) Coming to tho question of naval defence, Mr. Massey explained the present positioi: in the terms of recent speeches. The Government, ho said, intended that the young men of the country, both Maoris and Europeans, should have the opportunity of securing a naval training.. It was true that the naval regulations drew the colour line, but he thought that an exception should be made in regard tc the Maoris, who were born sailors. (Applause) He referred to tho trainingship Philomel, which he said would cost approximately £50,000 a year, but this would be deducted from the subsidy now paid to the Imperial Government, so that it would not entail any extra expenditure, (Applause.) The Agreement of 1909. Mr. Massey referred to the naval agreement of 1909, under which the Imperial Government agreed to place in New Zealand waters two Bristol cruisers, tlireo destroyers, and two submarines. As a result of Australia's new policy the vessels of the late Australasian Squadron had been withdrawn, and in their place all that we had were the Psycho and Pyramus, in addition to the training-ship Philomel. Those, of course, were not sufficient, and the question was whether we were going to be satisfied. (No!) lie did 'not blame the Imperial Government, which had its hands full, but when it was found that the agreement was not going to bo fulfilled the New Zealand Government offered to pay an extra £50,000 a year in subsidy if the two Bristol cruisers were provided. The reply to this was not satisfactory, and in consequence the Government had decided to ask Parliament to sanction the building of a Bristol cruiser. A conference of representatives of the Imperial Government and the Dominions interested in the defence of the Pacific had been mooted, but no date had yet been fixed. In reply to an interjection,' Massey said that the conference would probably beheld next year, and that he would be attending it as Prime Minister. (Loud cheers and apj'lause.) Sonic people, Mr. Massey proceeded, in referring to the proposed Bristol cruiser, jsked 'What is the good of the ship?" But if the people of Great Britain had said tins long ago they would never have had the great Imperial Navy, of which hey were so proud to-day. (Applause. A \oice: We would not have been here.") Future of the Pacific. Allusion was made bv Mr. Massev to a recent speech on the naval question made J Mr Winston Churchill (First Lord of ■ lie Admiralty) and he said that whilst he Weed with a great deal of Mr. Churchill's remarks ho could not agree with him that wo should be satisfied with the AngloJapanese alliance. (Hear, hear.) He agreed that the battle which would decide the fate of the British Empire would he fought in European waters but the lay would come, perhaps not in their time, when the Pacific would become the great storm-centre and when the Anglo-Saxon races in the Pacific would have to fight for naval supremacy there just as their foreFathers years ago had to fight for it in the Northern Hemisphere. The result ho Jioped and believed, would be the same. [Loud applause.) They'must prepare for possibilities, and if the Imperial Government would not do as much as New Zealand thought she was entitled to thev must nake a commencement on their own behalf. 'Applause.) The whole responsibility for tho defence of the Pacific so far as the British race was concerned at present rested upon Australia, but this was unfair. [Hear, hear.) Mr. Massey referred to the gift battleship, and ridiculed the statement made bv ? ir Joseph Ward that the only people who were paying for the vessel were those who Mtronised tho totalisator and those who paid death duties. When the gift was nade great credit was given in the Old Country to the whole of the people of the Dominion, but what would the people in England think when they were told that, i.hey had been tricked and that the onlv people who vero entitled to credit were those who went to the races and those who paid death duties. (Laughter.) The Legislative Council. Part of the Government's policy wai to make the Legislative Council 'repre sentative of the people as it had nevei been representative before. Out of tin seven men the Government had appointee to the Council, three of them, Sir Willian Hall-Jones, the Hon. J. T. Paul, and tin Hon. J. Barr were not Government sup porters, and a fourth, the Hon. W. Earn shaw, was an Independent. The Govern ment meant to pass the Legislative Coun cil Elections Bill. (Applause.) The Government, Mr. Massoy said, wai going to give effect to every pledge it hat made. Though the Reform Admiuistra tion had only been two years in office it had laid the foundation-stone of a structure which he thought would static for centuries to come. (Applause.) Evils of Second Ballot. The Government had pledged itself t( repeal the second ballot, and it had kepi the pledge. Mr. Massey dealt with tin incidents that had occurred in Parliament when this matter was before it. Tin trouble which resulted from a second bal lot system was that the whole bitternesi of the election was concentrated betweer the first and second ballots. The bar gaining and intrigue that went on dur ing the interval between the first anr second ballots was a disgrace to anj Anglo-Saxon country, or anv civilised community. (Hear, hear.) The Seconr Ballot Act had been placed on the Statute Book for party purposes, but oven foi party purposes it had been a failure. A Voice: Why don't you provide a sub stitute ? The Prime Minister: When you havt weeds in your garden you pull up the weeds before you put anything else ii their place. (Loud cheers.) " Cutting the Gordian Knot." Mr. Massey then referred to the stone wall on the section of the Legislature Amendment Act, providing for the repeal of the Second Ballot Art, and to the remark that he made during the stonewall on the Bill to the effect that if the obstruction went on he would find a way of "cutting the Gordian knot." By this lie meant that he would ask for a dissolution. The Opposition did not want a dissolution but the Government was quite prepared for it. (Applause and uproar. I Sir Joseph Ward knew that he (Mr. Massey) was hinting at a dissolution, and the result was that on the following sitting day, when the ChaLman of Committees and the Speaker took strong measures to teal with the obstruction, they met with very little difficulty, and tho stonewall soon came to an end. The Second Ballot Act was repealed and it would never again become law. (Loud applause.) Some people, Mr. Massey continued, iskod what the Government proposed to substitute for the second ballot. If he found something that was better than the present system he would ask Parliament to agree 'to it. They had at least got rid of a system which produced a great leal of intrigue, bargaining, spleen, and bitterness. Reverting to the stonewall, to said that supporters of the Opposi.ion had expressed to him their disgust at Jie obstructive tactics. (A Voice: Name! Same!). He would not betray confidence. (Applause.) Reference to the Government's land egislation was made by Mr, Massey. The government had carried its pledge in regard to the freehold principle. It was ■ery interesting to note the change in entiment that had taken place on th« land luestion in Parliament in_ the last ten ears. Ten years ago, when a division ook place on any proposal in connection pith the freehold tenure there was a big aajority against it. The representatives iow in Parliament wero sick of the leaselold, wanted a freehold policy, and they lad got it. (Applause.) Alluding to the Government's policy of ettlement, tho Prime Minister said that Jrown lands for settlement purposes were letting short, and it was necessary to pur-

-1 chase privately-owned land for tho pur- ) pose. During bis first year of office he i obtained from Parliament a grant of £5000 i per year in order to secure more surveyors , and increase their salaries, for on account t of the small salaries sufficient surveyors ) could not be got previously. The result , was that for the last year, ending March, - 1914. the sum of £559,000 was spent in , acquiring land for subdivision. Most of the land had been subdivided and taken , up by men who ho believed would make ii good settlers, and every one of them had a the right to acquire tho freehold. The a money so paid by settlers would be paid s into a fund for the purpose of acquiring - other estates for subdivision, and so the t good work would go on. (Applause.) , Development Encouraged. Tho principal plank in the platform of " ' the Government was development. He 1 believed that the prosperity of tho country depended upon its primary industries. If the country was to go ahead they would , have to increase the number of its producers. The land at presont producing | would have to produce more, and the idlo land made to produce. To show how active the Government was Jin ptosccuting its land settlement policy, - I Mr. Massey quoted the following areas 1 which wero being opened this month: — - Auckland district, 7083 acres; Hawke's . Bay, 14,822 acres; Taranaki, 5612 acres; . Wellington, 4864 acres; Nelson, 7150 5 acres; Otago, 7711 acres; and Southland, 1 6513 acres— total of 73,755 acres. He t, ventured to predict that nearly the wbolo i of the land would be taken up, and when , ; it w,'i6 taken up more would be provided., , I Workers' and Rural Homes. 3 ' The Government had launched out in 5 other directions. When he came into i office the Government had not been able ' | to comply with one-tenth of tho requests ' ! for workers' homes. Some of tho local ' j bodies had asked to share tho responsi- • i fcility of providing these homes and legis- ' i lation had been passed authorising tho • | city, borough and county councils to use ' j part of their funds for tho purpose of ■ | buying land and erecting houses to lease 1 I to workers or to sell to them on deferred 1 i terms. The Government did not intend, i j however, to leave this work to tho local i | bodies and after this year tho sum of i i £100,000 per year would' be spoilt to con--1 I tinuo the scheme. The speaker referred ; J to tho rural workers' homes scheme, statj I ing that tbo experiment tried in thc South j Island had been so successful that the l j Government had purchased some laud for I the purpose in the North Island. The ! ■ idea was to cater for men who mado good I i money at shearing, harvesting and so on. ) j These men had a good deal of spare timo , and this they could use by working their i five-acre sections. If they were industrious 1 men and found their homes too small, they could dispose of their holdings, the only condition being that those who succeeded them were satisfactory men. , Appointment of Officials. [ Mr. Massey was referring briefly to the ; tho Government's policy with regard to ' the settlement of gum lands when a voico <■ interjected " hat about land settle- " ment in Hawke's Bay?" 5 "I will present a return to the House • j on tho subject," said Mr. Massey, "and ' the amount of subdivision will astonish - people." An interjection was made with regard !> to the appointment of Mr. Rovd Garlick. i In reply, the Prime Minister said that r Mr. Garlick was a very valuable officer, - and had made a success of his department, i A similar remark in regard to the appoint- ) i ment of the general manager of railways . j led Mr. Massey to say that if Mr- Hiley r j was the man he believed him to be, he was - worth the salary he was receiving, and • more. Timo would prove it. (Applause.) Question of a Letter. j In reply to an interjection, " What about I tho James letter," Mr. Massey said that Mr. ■Tames, in writing, as secretary of the Rej form League, to secretaries of branches of j the league, suggesting the passing of reso- . | lutions condemnatory of the attitude of } i the Opposition regarding the stonewall, } . was doing no more than had been done by } ', the Opposition organisations. He quoted . a letter which had been sent out by an I : Opposition organiser, suggesting the work- , ing up of receptions to Sir Joseph Ward. 1 ; This had been published in tho newsf , paper. Mr. James's letter was posted in . ' an envelope, bearing the name of tho Re- , ' form League, to an Auckland resident, but , ! it had never reached its destination, j (Laughter and uproar.) I At this stage someone in the body of I the hall asked .Mr. Massey why he did nut read Mr. James's letter,' Mr. '.Massey said s j he had not got a copy of the letter, but i- j upon a paper containing it being handed ri to him, he read the letter, some person in c ; the hall meanwhile being thrown out for i . creating disorder. After reading the letter, n ; Mr. Massey said that it was " nothing como, pared to what had been done by the Opposition." (Applause and uproar.) |. " What About the Strike?". j At this stage there were a number of i cries from tho back of tho hall: " What a about the strike''" _ , "Wo pledged oursolves to maintain in- ', ; dnstrial peaco in this country," wa* the j Prime Minister's retort, "and there is J. industrial peaco in the country to-day ; from one end to the other." (Cheers.) j Extended reference to tho recent indusI trial upheaval was mado by the Prime I Minister, who traced the efforts made by o' the Government to settle the strike. Fro't quently Mr. Massey's condemnation of the e tactics of tho strikers was the signal for a t good deal of disorder amongst the fedorae tion sympathisers present. "I take all the • responsibility of my action, and the action s of the Government in connection with the n strike," declared Mr. Massey emphatically. '• "And let me say that, though wo had a '• doubt at tho time as to the proper course "i to ..Jopt, in similar circumstances we would V do a similar thing to-morrow. (Loud and 1 continued cheers. I knew when that 1 industrial troublo came along and spread e , liko wiklfiro through the country that we I'j were ,p against the most serious crisis I we had even seen. In some cases we have '-been binned for not being sufficiently j severe, ,yt I did my best to settle the e : strike before tho real trouble commenced." e The Prime Minister alluded to the raising ii I of the special constabulary during the | strike, and his remarks drew forth a good I many interjections from the rear of the I hall. " By holding up my finger I could , have doubled and trebled the number of I 'specials' at a day's notice," Mr. Massey *l went on. "I am prepared for it (indus'- ] trial trouble) next time it comes. If you ji federationists thought you could take it [ out of me to-night you were very much ' i mistaken. I don't go back on a single ' action. If you think I havo done wrong, s and my party has dono wrong, then vote against us. (A voice: Vote for you!) • I know tho great majority will vote for ' us. I started as a wage-earner myself. A ' man has a right to sell his labour ' in tho dearest market, but he has 5 no right to say to the other man, 'You ' must not work." (Cheers.) Let it be 5 ' understood, ladies and gentlemen, the ' strike of 1913 was not a strike for wages J ; or for letter conditions of labour—" 'j A Voice: A strike for principle. " I The Primo Minister : There was a lot of p ; principle about it. There was a lot of i principle about the threat made in regard i' to the women in the country districts! I 5 am not a vindictive man, ladies and ! gentlemen. I don't think my opponents ' say so; if they do, they don't mean it. But t if ever I felt vindictive it was when I 6 road the utterances in regard to the wives J of the men who came hero to do their • duty. If I had my way with thoso who > mado these utterances, and could get them • punished. I would see that they would '< never make such threats again." ! . Referring to the claim made by Sir ■ Joseph Ward that he could have settled the strike in two days, Mr. Maesey said that when the Ward Government resigned the Waihi strike had been in progress some months, and the Recfton strike for some ■ time. "Why did rot Sir Joseph Ward settle those strikes?" asked the Prime Minister. " It is easier to prevent a striko than to stop it. (Loud cheers.) Anyone who says ho could havo settled tho late striko is either speaking from ignorance or else he is trying to deceivo the public for political purposes. Tho Opposition did not assist the Government as the Opposition in South Africa did. My difficulty was to keep certain prominent Oppositionists out of mischief while the Government settled the strike. My difficulty was to keep these men out of mischief and keep them from doing something which would encourage

the strikers to go on, with the loss of time and loss to the country which we were unfortunately experiencing. You asked about the strike and you have got it in plain terms. If there are any enemies in this country it is a set of men who are going about not earning their living as honest men do. but living on tho earnings of others, men who are endeavouring to set class against class, country against town, and employee against employer. That strike was not a strike led by Now Zealandere, that strike was led by representatives of foreign organisations, by the I.W.W.—the 1-Won't-Workers of America—and another organisation which has its headquarters on the Continent of Europe. Those were the organisations responsible for the strike taking place. We want population in this country, but we don't want that class. I say, as leader of this country, the sooner these peoplo go and shake the dust, or mud of New Zealand off their shoes the better it will bo for the peoplo of the country." (Loud and prolonged cheers.) Line ol Cleavage. Proceeding, the speaker said that he did not care a snap of his fingers for the votes of the "Red Feds." What bad happened had drawn a line of cleavage, clearly and distinctly, between the two parties of the future—the party which believed in progress, development, and prosperity, and tho party which, if its leaders were to be believed, would place tho country 50 years behind any other civilised country. "I am thinking of what the strike leaders said in Wellington," continued Mr. Massey. " They said that they would have the streets of Wellington running with blood. (Uproar from the back.) They said that they would fly the socialistic flag over Parliament Buildings. Nice people to fly any (lag! It would be a flag of distress. They declared that they would make New Zealand the first Socialistic country in the Pacific." If at tho coming elections the Ward Party did get a majority, and it was unlikely that it would, it would bo absolutely at the mercy of the six or eight fedcrationists who would probablv be returned. (Cheers and counter-cheers.) . "It is evident that we have enjoyed ourselves," said tho Primo Minister, in conclusion, "but I will have to ask you to hear me another time. The party has been in power for two years. The people wanted a good Government that would bo equal to any emergency, and they have got it. We have encouraged people to have confidence in themselves and 'n tho Government." Ho thanked them briefly for their reception. When tho speaker resumed his seat, a rcmarkablo demonstration of sustained cheering took place, tho majority of the audience rising and enthusiastically waving their hands. Thanks and Confidence. The following motion was moved by Mr. S. J. Harbntt and seconded by Mr. R. Farrell:— this meeting tenders its thanks to the Prime Minister for his able and statesmanlike address, expresses its hearty appreciation of the many reforms he has inaugurated, the splendid service he has rendered to New Zealand, cordially approves of the policy outlined in bis remarks, records its entire confidence in him and his Government, and hopes that the Reform Party will be returned to po-.ver with a large majority at the forthcoming election." The mover was received with loud applause and cheers, intermingled with hoots and yells from the small rowdy element present. On tho motion being put it was carried on the voices by an overwhelming majority amidst further cheers. Mr. Massey returned thanks, and proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor, which was carried amidst applause and cheers and some hooting. When Mr. Massey left the hall, a few minutes later, he was again greeted with cheers from his supporters and some hooting from a few Labour Federation sympathisers who gathered in front of the 'buildlnS-