POLITICAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 99, 2 June 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE LIBERAL LEADER. Press Association. ; ■ , THAMES, June 1.. Sir Joseph-Wart! addr,cssed ; *a crowded meeting in the King's Theatre to-night,, despite the fact that rain i'ell steadily all l the evening. The Mayor (Mr H. Lowe ( presided. . The Leader of' the ■Opposition received a-splendid hearing,' his remarks'being constantly punctuated ivith japplause." Ttis speecli was on the lines^. of others lie' has delivered in differentmparts of- ; the country- r ® ? ferring", to the .suggested electoral reform' of the cities, he . said people should know at once what was : -proposed,'. and how long they were to be. given to- adapt themselves to the . change. Referring to finance,. Sir. Josfeph again repudiated Mr Massey ;'s statement that the • Treasury chests were depleted When the -Reform <?overnxnent came into office. He stated that .there was a: balance of £807,276 to cfedit.' This had been shown: toi be so by Mr' Alien" in liis first Budget, andhadbe.en upheldby the / i Otago' Daily Times.*•'.." .1. ~v . At the conclusion of the speech Sir Joseph Ward .-received an 1 applause' lasting for 'some considerable time. .On the . motion .pf ,Mr F. .H. ' ; the following reso'liitiou. was . carried by . amidst a scene .of,' ' this meeting of- inhabitants, of Thames thank's Sir. Joseph Ward, fOr . his, interesting' and instructive address, and expresses its-confidence in him .as, Leader of the Liberal' Party] in New'; Zealand, and trusts lie will 'secure a majority at next: election." ! MU G-. W. EUSSBLL. , • r V Press. Asstbciativ'n'; " - MILTON, June 1. Mr G. W; Russell, - M.P., addressed a large meeting at Milton to-niglit, the Mayor . (Mr C.. King) presiding. Mr Russell received a good hearing. Regarding. naval defence,- he deprecated the ". establishment of a '' toy navy,'' and; advocated dependence on the. British Navy, with three, or four snb-1 marines, torpedo destroyers, etc., and a .fleet .of airships to hold off the enemy till help arrived. ; Mr Russell dealt at great length. with finance, scathingly criticised tlfe Government on this and other matters, and dealt with the criticisms .of the Opposition . by. Ministers,' and with the strike. A vote of thanks to Mr Russell and confidence in the Party, he represented, was carried. /