PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 142, 17 June 1910, Page 3

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS.

MR. C. E. POOLE AT PONSONBY. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS.- ■ A pre-sessional address was delivered at the Ponsonby Hall last night by Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P. There was an excellent attendance, and Mr. W. B. Leyland occupied the chair. Mr. Poole, who was very well received, said "that after every session of Parliament, he had made a point of appearing before his constituents and giving a resume of his stewardship. He first ferred to the question that vitally affected the North, and said that he desired to point out that the last session had been pregnant with good work. Those benefits would not be long in making their impression on the people of the Dominion. Vigorous . representation had been made to the Government in favour of a forward railway policy in the North. As a result of the persistance of Northern members, Ministers had been forced to go thoroughly into the question of Northern railways, and to personally inspect the country which the steel rails would penetrate. He did not agree with the Minister for Railways when he said that the North Auckland line when completed would not pay one-half per cent. If the line were run into a swamp, and left there, it would not pay, *but if it penetrated the rich and fertile areas or the Far North, he did not for one moment doubt that the line would not only pay, but would be of commercial value to the country as a whole. It was satisfactory to knowthat the New Zealand railways were at present paying three and three-quarter per cent, and he was convinced that the railways of the North would pay that amount in full. (Applause.) The member for Auckland West then referred to the fact that Auckland, under the new defence scheme, was to be a naval base for .the Pacific fleet. A strong and determined attempt was being made to convince the people of the Dominion that Auckland did not possess a port suitable for such requirements as a naval base. Also, in this respect, from the South in favour of Queen Charlotte Sound. Already an effort had been made in the House of Representatives to convince members of Parliament that Picton had greater claims than Auckland in this respect. It was probable that the unfortunate accident to the s.s. Kaipara in Rangitoto Channel would be-used next session as a further argument in favour of rival ports. He was satisfied, however, after listening intently to the evidence that had been given at the Kaipara inquiry, that Auckland was still the best port of the Dominion, and still the most suitable port for a naval hase. He also contended tha.t it was necessary in this connection to retain Government House in Auckland, for the use of officers of the Pacific squadron. Mr. Poole then briefly referred to the Native Land Act of last session, providing for the acquisition of native land at the expense of half a million of money per year. He also contended that the native should be placed on the same footing as the pakeha, and compelled to put his land to the same good purpose. Incidentally Mr. Poole referred to the roads and bridges policy of the present Government, and referred to the difficulties which at present faced the backblocks settler, and urged that the Government should follow a progressive policy in the future in affording opportunities of settlement.

The Tramways Bill of last session was briefly referred to, and Mr. Poole remarked on the disadvantages under which the Tramways employees In Auckland now laboured. He contended that the out-come of the Tramway Brakes Commission went to prove that the Auckland public were not properly safeguarded, and added that he belier/ed that the result of the Commission's report to Parliament would be to ensure better conditions for the employees of 'the Company, and safer methods of transport for the people. The gift of the Dreadnought was re--ferred to by Mr. Poole, and he said that he had not altogether . approved the lines upon which the Government had presented to the Home Government a battleship at the expense of the Dominion. His plan had been the presentation of a ship at a cost of not more than two millions sterling, the money to be raised at 3J per cent, and a sinking fund provided, with a view to the ultimate wiping out of that financial undertaking.

A scheme which the Government had approved was one which the electors of Auckland would be pleased about, and that was the promise of a new post office at the Three Lamps corner. (Applause.) The present Ponsonby Hall site, no doubt, was the most satisfactory one. The hall was the only one in the Dominion that was the possession of the Government, but the site was nevertheless most suitable for the purpose of a post office, and he believed that they would agree that the site in question was the best for the purposes of a post office. (Hear, hear.) Dealing with the question of tariff, Mr. Poole saw that the Government had done its best to give the people a free bi-eakfast table. He quoted figures compiled by Mr. Harry Ell, M.P., to show that remissions to the extent of £765,466 had been brought about by the present Administration. The saving in taxation in two years had been £230,774, and in food alone had been, in that time, £235,557, while, in three years, on tea. it had been £295,955. The member for City West then referred to the action of the Colonial Sugar Company in piling up the charges on the people, and said that the action of the Government, in bringing down the duty by a halfpenny per pound, was being nullified by the company in question. The action of the Colonial Sugar Company had been debated in the House. He believed the rich and fartile lands of the Waikato were eminently suitable for the production of sugar beet, and he would do his best to establish the industry in New Zealand, and beat down the monopoly which the company in question was seeking to bring about. Sir. Poole further added that he believed that the Opposition and its supporters were anxious to see a policy of freetrade introduced. Ho alluded to the action of the Farmers' Union in Auckland on this question, and the opinion voiced thereat, to the effect that every industry wnieh could not stand against outside competition without protection should fall. The speaker also dealt with the question of national endowments and the Reeves vote, which came up for consideration at the end of last session. He had been one of those to vote against tha passing oi £400 to the Hon. W. P. Reeves as Financial Adviser of the Government. Hia reason for voting against the passing of this vote was because lie had learnt that there was serious extravagance in the Office of High Commissioner. Afterwards it transpired that this Bum of £400—or £380 of it—wai

an existing liability, and the Prime Minister promised that if this sum was passed for payment, lie would bring 'the whole matter up again this session. Mr. Massey, htfwever, had made political capital of the occasion, and had kept up a stonewall for some days at a cost;of £150 per day. So the session wound: up. In regard to legislation for the couv ing session, he believed they would hear a good deal of the question of Government House next session. The 550 Grammar' School boys had only threequarters of an acre, while it was proposed to set aside 13 acres.for the University students. He agreed with the editor of the "Star", that there was room for a triple arrangement. Govern-' ment House could be retained with limited grounds; a ?00it frontage could be devoted .in Princes-street to a University, and the Choral Hall site could be handed over to the Grammar School. A three-storey building on that site would suit the 060 boys, and that was the position he intended taking up in the House. (Hear, hear.) In regard to the Knyyett case, he intended to use every possible endeavour to see that Captain Knyvett got a fair trial. The promise given by the Hon. Geo. Fowlds was in a measure satisfactory, and he was glad to know that the Government intended, as soon as the new Commandant arrived, to set up an inquiry into the matter. He would personally do all he could to see that that gentleman got fair play. The housing question, and better provision for workers, was alluded to by "Mr. Poole, and he also outlined the scheme for national annuities. Ocean mail services, and the extension of the Vancouver mail service to Auckland— as the front door of the Dominion—were dealt with, and generally supported. The Hon. Dr. Findlay's provisions for classification of prisoners, and prison reform, received Mr. Poole's enthusiastic support, and he also commended the Minister for Justice s scheme for using prison labour on fruiv farms. He spoke of the need for reform in regard to Harbour Board representation, and stated that he was prepared to vote for a better system of electing members to control harbour matters. The ment of a... general superintendent of harbours in the Dominion \vas also advocated bv Mr. Poole.

The temperance question was dealt with by Mr. Poole, and he said that the temperance people of New Zealand were morally bound to face the compact entered into at the end of last year. The whole subject would be gone into again, and if another conference decided to hold to that compact, then he believed that would be the best thing that could happen.

A number of questionr were then asked Mr. Poole. Asked whether he would stand next election as a Labour candidate, Mr. Poole said he would stand next election, as he had stood in-rthe past, for progressive Liberalism, and for the good of humanity. Several other questions were asked and answered, and a vote of thanks and confidence was passed, on the motion of Mr. F. Reeves.