THE LIBERAL LEADER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 133, 5 June 1914, Page 8

THE LIBERAL LEADER.

HE_E-_V-__E'S CONFIDENCE. AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. SOME TIMELY REMINDERS. The Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward.) ___ _. _$_endid meeting at Heiensville last night, when the Star Theatre was well filled with townspeople and settlers. Mr. J. McLeod, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and gave the speaker a hearty welcome to the district.

Sir Joseph Ward, in his opening remarks, spoke of the fact that the legislation that had been introduced during the past 20 years by the Liberal Government had shown the way to older countries, and had gained the encomiums of some of the master minds of the world. Those laws had enabled hundreds of thousands to lead a wider and a happier Oife. Before 1891 the ordinary farmer -and the ordinary tradesman could not look forward to a future of content and possibility. Prior to that file country was governed by the holders of large interests and large areas of land. The regime of the Liberals had changed all that. (Applause.) A REVOLUTION. Sir Joseph doubted whether there was any country in the world whore there had been such a revolution as that which had been brought about in New Zealand. He drew a graphic picture of the disabilities under which the small farmer and tradesman Buffered In the way of taxation that was imposed for the benefit of a special class. He did not refer to tlie matter to excite class differences. hut merely wished to place on record the facte as they existed. The measures of the Liberal Government were passed with a view of more evenly distributing the burden of taxation between the ordinary farmer and trader and the large landholder. AN ENVIABLE RECORD. Beginning with the Lands for Settlement Aot—which he reminded the audience had revolutionised tho Auckland province—Sir Joseph told his hearers of some of the Acts the Liberals had passed —Acts that were once anathema to the Conservatives and to men who had since gone about the country with their arms round them (Laughter.) The Advances to Settlers Act gave the Leader of the Opposition a fine opportunity of contrasting the lot of the small farmer then and now. In spite of the great advantages that had been placed at the disposal of some persons, who had thereby improved their positions, —_re were unfortunately . some of them who smote the hand that fed them. He didn't object to fair light or a man's political opinions, but he did resent anyone, going out of his way to detract hie benefactor—and behind that benefactor's back. (Applause.) PROMISE AND FACT. The audience greatly appreciated the Leader of the Opposition's account of the non-borrowing promises with which the Massey Government went into office, and the lavish way in which it borrowed during its short- career of two yeare. The Tory party had criticised his expenditure and the size of his building vote,

aid Sir Joseph. When it got into power tlie same party showed a raueh highet expenditure, and its building vote was L' 200.000 higher than any vote of his ever was. ELECTION" HOPES AND PROSPECTS. After dealing witli naval defence (as reported in another column). Sir Joseph Ward gave a masterly recapitulation of "the main planks in tlie Liberal policy which had enabled the individual New Zeala—der (no matter in what walk of life he moved) to enjoy opportunities and advantages that were undrea—ed of before 1891. Sir Joseph assured the. audience that he had not the slightest desire for personal aggrandisement. All he desired was to -work for the good of the whole cotun__ity in this the linest and freest «o_ntry in the world. (Applause.) If the people were in the frame of mind he believed they were, then the Liberals would be back in power after December next. (Hear, hear.) He believed they , we re going to win. However, the elections were not going to worry him. If Ihe turn of the wheel were against him be and his party were not going, to whine. They would not go about creatine bogus ideas. They would not stab their opponents in the hack or circulate false rnxnours about them. The liberals Telied on the good common-sense of the people. Whatever the election might bring forth he would still go on doing all lie could to help forward the general interests of the people and make this grand little country a still greater one, if possible. THANKS AND CONFIDENCE. . The Leader of the Opposition sat down amid applause, which —sted for several minutes.

On the motion of Mr. D. Donovan, seconded by Mr. R. Xiceol, the meeting passed a unanimous vote of thanks for Bus address, and entire confidence in him as Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Hoe, Liberal candidate for the Kaipara seat at the forthcoming election, in supporting the motion, said he was convinced ,that when the history of New Zealand was written three names would stand out as leaders in the cause of progressive and humane legislation, and they -were Grey, Seddon, and Ward. (Oheers.)

A vote of thanks to the chair—an and cheers for >Sir Joseph and Lady Ward concluded one of the best meetings held in Hclensvillc.