FRANKLIN ELECTORATE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 281, 26 November 1919, Page 9

FRANKLIN ELECTORATE.

PKIME MINiSTEH'S OPPONENT. MR. REA'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT PAPAKCJRA. The Prime Minister's opponent in the Franklin electorate, Mr. J. Rea, opened his campaign at Papakura last night. Mr. Rea, who is contesting .t!he seat as an Independent Liberal, was greeted by an audience of about 200, who granted" him an attentive and enthusiastic hearing. His address was delivered in a fluent and racy manner, and was interrupted more by applause than by interjections. Dr. A. P. \y. Brookfield presided. The candidate, who was received with applauee, said that many might regard him as presumptuous in making his debut in polities as an opponent of a man of the calibre of Mr. Massey. However, he had for many years" actively participated in political matters, in one instance having acted as secretary for the Liberal and Labour organisation for eight years in Helensville. He was a practical farmer and a friend of sane labour. LIBERALISM AND LABOUR-

Taking his audience back to the year 1905, when the Liberals practically swept everything before them, leaving the Opposition with only Iβ seats, he stated that this situation had resulted from the splendid organisation of the LiberalLabour elements. It was a matter for extreme regret that this organisation had gradually gone adrift. The candidate was anxious to be identified with all the stages of Liberalism during the past 20 years, and while still regretting Labour's severance, he was still much in sympathy" wit-h that portion of labour distinct from the extremist section le<l by euch men as Webb and Semple. The last five years had resulted in the falling away of much of the Liberal organisation, and though lie emphasised the point that he would range himself with the party led by Sir Joseph Ward, in motion of no-confidence, lie st3'led liimself an Independent ac a result of the lapse of organisation and the stupendous propositions to be faced in the near future. In this connection he mentioned naval policy and Lord Jellieoe'a report, which the Reform party seemed prepared to swallow whole. His attachment for Liberalism was because it represented Democracy, against which Mr. Massey had shown himself a consistent opponent. Party government was essential, but there was great need of electoral reform, and he suggested some form of preferential voting. PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE. Passing on to some of the burning questions of the day—issues of the War —Mr. Rea maintained that the Government made a grave mistake on the outbreak of hostilities in not taking an inventory of all the stocks in the Dominion, and thus talcing steps to eliminate profiteering. It was not yet too late to apply combative and restorative measures, and Sir Joseph Ward, the ablest financier in the Dominion, was the man to deal with the situation. The speaker •believed in co-operative companies, which would abolish the middleman and eliminate the profiteer. Sir Joseph Ward, in his manifesto had suggested State encouragement to 'fhe co-operative companies a≤ the solution. ,

Another war issue was soldier stttlement, and in criticising the proposal to distribute twelve millions in placing soldiers on the land, the candidate described the schemes as far from final. There had been lack of foresight in not making preparation for community settlements, thereby giving the soldiers an opportunity of getting a little of the unearned increment which was inevitable, and doing something towards the solution of the most momentous problem of the day—increased production. In connection with the latter, be added that there was a limit to the capabilities of every settler, and of the present population, and in his opinion the desired increased production could only be brought about by a sound immigration policy. Regarding his attitude on several of the problems dominant in politics to-day be upheld the graduated land tax, in which he was a staunch believer. That it was not yet exacting enough was demonstrated by the cases of land aggregation. The nationalisation of the medical profession was urged to bring its precincts within reach of the masses. As a practical farmer he believed in a system for the standardisation and inspection of manures. He advocated State control with compensation as the fairest way of dealing with the liquor problem, and also eliminating many of the abuses of the present system. (Applause.) LABOUR ISSUES. Among- a flood of questions which were freely responded to was one requesting the candidate's attitude on a measuie to stop strikes. He stated that it must be recognised that unionism, which was essential to labour, would not tolerate the removal of an opportunity to get its rights by striking when other reasonable methods failed, and even Lloyd George had recognised this. In the event of the Labour party holding the -balance of power, who would you vote for? We cannot reasonably expect Labour to attain a majority at present, replied tb(f candidate. The questioner persisted in his query, and Mr. Rea reiterated his attitude towards Labour. The 1013 strike wae also introduced, and this was admitted to have been badly handled.

A negative answer was given to a query as to whether the candidate favoured imported labour to combat the "'go-slow" policy.

A vote of thanks for Mr. Rea's addrefe] was then proposed, the mover contending that the usual confidence portion would be manifested at the polling booth. However, in response to an insistent demand the motion was altered to include botb I thanks and conSdence, and in this form was carried with unanimous acclamation.

HOKITIKA, this day. Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, Liberal candidate for Westland, addressed a large and orderly meeting in the Princess Theatre last night, the Mayor presiding. The addrees was attentively listened to, only a couple of questions being asked. Mr. Wild (chairman of the Harbour Board) moved: "That this meeting of the electors of Westland tenders Captain Seddon its best thanks for his wide and varied services to the Emp're and the Dominion in connection with the war, and accords him the assurance that he is considered a very fit and proper person to continue ac Parliamentary representative of Westland. Mr. Duff (County -chairman) seconded the motion, which was carried without a dissentient voice.

Mr. Seddon was afterwards entertained at a social attended by a large number of people, and left to-day for a weeks' campaign in. South, Westland.

MR. SEDDON'S CAMPAIGN.