THE CRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14204, 18 November 1911, Page 9

THE CRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT.

~Sm,. .J. D. HALL IX THE RUGBY STREET SCHOOLROOM. Mr J. D. Hall, a candidate for the Christchurch North .Scat, opened his election campaign 'last night, in tho

Methodist Schoolroom, Rugby street, St. Albans. Th(\ro was a largo attendance, which included a number of ladies, and ovor which Mr William Roece presided. INTRODUCTORY. The Chairman said that he occupied his position owing to the unavoidable absence of the chairman of Mr Hall's distinct committee. Jt was not necessary for him to say much in introducing Mr Hal!, who was well-known te them all. The criticisms which had been levelled at him sine© tho by-election had fallen very flat indeed. Ho would only like to refer to one of thorn, advanced by clever people who seemed to knowhow Mr Hall was going to vote under all circumstances. It was unfair to say how a man would vote until ho had considered the circumstances, ami no doubt in thn House Mr Hall would give his voto in the direction which ho thought the right one. A voioo: Ho won't get there. Mr Recce: 'If it depends on you pr«v bably ho won't, but wo think he will." (Applause). Continuing, Mr Rcooa said that Mir Hall desired that only rotos of thanlcs should be accorded him at his meetings. The vcrt<-s of confidence they wciild know all alwut on polling day. Mr Hall, who was received with cordial applause, said that he very much appreciated tho presonco of Mr Recce. With regard to tho contest, if there wcro some present who did not believe ho was going to Wellington, it was no use them troubling to listen to him. There were, howercr, other opinions nbout it, and he hopod to induce tho electors to bclievo that ho could do good work as their representative, ttinco ho last addressed thorn, no very great amount of work politically had been done. Various Acta had been passed, and there had been a lot of recrimination, personal and otherwise, wliich had not done much good. The most important thing that had happened was that authority had been given to the Government to borrow another miDion or so. His views with regard to the question of finance had not altered. HIS OPPONENT. It was necessary that ho should refer to so mo of tho fitatomeute made by one of hie opponents. Mr Isitt. Mr leitt had referred to hie position, na nn Independent, and stated, anions other things, that ho was as free aa the air to condemn the Government if ho thought there was any maladministration. Ho did not know what Mr Isitt meant by maladministration. It might mean that tho administration might be really bad or ovil, or it might be only inefficient. Mr Isitt apparently meant that unless the administration was practically evil or corrupt ho was prepared to support the Government. He had said that ho considered the administration honest and clean, ho Itho speaker) had never made any personal imputations against the Administration, and his criticisms had always been politically against the persona occupying positions as Ministers. His view was that maladministration meant an inefficient and unbusinesslike conduct of publio affairs, and ho believed that tho present Administration was extravagant and inefficient, and did not get as much for tho money borrowed and spent as it should get. Mr Ifiitt had stated that if ho had his way ho would reconstruct tho Cabiinet to-morrow, and remorselessly turn out some men and replace thorn with others. Ho complained that in tho tooth of that fact he iiad boon described as a whole-souled admirer of tho Government, and added that his real offence was that ho had a whole-souled loathing and contempt for tho policy of the Opposition. Tho Opposition, ns far as tbo speaker was concerned, was in opposition to tho extant of being opposed to tho policy and the measures of tho Government. Mr Isitt liad never mado tho statement .about Cabinet reconstruction while in Wellington. It was rather an extraordinary statement, and ono wanted further information. Jfc was of tho utmost importance that tho doctors should know which of tho members of tho Cabinet Mr Isitt would turn out. Mr ieitt's next statement was that his offence was that ho had tried to bring into political life tho ordinary principles of decency, honour, and truth, that obtained nmongst men in the conduct of life's aifairs. Ho (Mr Hall) did not suggest tliat theso principles wcro absent from tho present Government and Legislature, and ho presumed Mr leitt referred to tho tactics of the Opposition. No doubt bittor criticisms wcro expressed by members of the Opposition, and personalities were uttered, Ho deprecated that there should bo anything of the sort, but ho did not sup* noso that in our time, or in tho near future, they would have a Houso from which personal recriminations would be entirely absent. Such a House would bo nn ideal one. Ho did not see that any good result could come from the bitter perr-onnlities which wero indulged in on both esides. Ho had never mado any imputation against ffco moral character or conduct of the raoml>ere of the Government, other than their political moral , ;. According to Mr Isitt, various charges hnd been mnde by the Opposition, referring to the Prime Minister's vote on women's franchise tho suggested coalition Ministry, and to a suggestion that the election expenses of a Minister were being paid for out of the* public funds. Really these matters did not enter into tho case at all. They wero things of tho past. Ho wanted *<> sec business methods, and progressive and liberal measures.

THE LAND QUESTION,

Mr Lsitt, explaining his views on the land question, had stated that the Opposition considered it a beastly £tnpertinence that ho should speak on tho matter at all. Hβ (the speaker) considered that Mr Isitt was entitled to hold and express what opinion ho liked, but he did ask whether. Mr laitt's experience with regard to land eottlernent entitled his opinion to any weight, or that his views were in the interests of the community. He (tho speaker) had had a certain amount of experience with regard to settlement of land, and he found himsoli at hopeless variance with Mr Jfiitt. Jlr laitt eaid that ib was undesirable in any way, or under any conditions, to givo the eejbtlers the freehold. Ho (the speaker) hold that either as a matter of sentiment or business instinct it was most desirable to get people on tho land in any way they could. If it was poseiblo for them to acquire the freehold on reaaou&bie terms, by all means givo them tho freehold. (Applause). Mr Isitt had stated that th& Opposition favoured Selling tho endowment lands. These lands were not very valuable, and -weru situated in the backblocke, and oousisted of mountain tops to a great extent. It was quite wrong to say that the Opposition desired to wipe out the endowments altogether. They wcro prepared to retain them as Government lands for all time. An opinion had been oppressed by a good many members that it was desirable to dispose of land of the kind described, and with the procoede *©- euro othve- lands in othor districts, which would bo immediately benefited by tho roads, bridges, and railways built by public money. Tho backblocks lands might remain at the same valuo for many years, and in a period of dcprcsiori they would depreciate in valuo. An instance was once provided in the depreciation in the value of the reserves of the Otngo School Comtr.usioners. The rents became insufficient, and tho funds had to bo supplemented by the Government. So far as the pub'to lands were concerned the public nad a

right to any increase in value resulting from public settlement and the expenditure of public money. Mr Isitt spoke of tho rents from the endowments being applied to meet tbe increasing expenditure on old age pensions and education. The inference was that if the lands were disposed of there would be no funds to pay this increasing expenditure, but that was not a sound and logical inference. Tho actual amount received by way of revenue from the endowments was something like £100,000. and that was merely a drop in tho ocean so far as the total expenditure on old age pensions and education was concerned, as it amounted to something liko a million. On the question of native lands, Mr Hall said that it opened a big question. Tho prosperity of the city reflected the prosperity of the country, and that was due to progressive and effective settlement. There were millions of .icres of native lands lying idle, and there were dozens of people anxious to get on the land. The Government wore tho only people who could acquire native land ' sat'sfnctorily, as tnere were po many difliculties to prevent .acquisition by private people, without incurring very considerable exp< nse. If the present methods continued, the settlement of these lands would be a thine: of tlie very distant future. Mr Mn.x-oy wanted the land settled, and wns not particular whether it wae by leasehold or freehold. A CLASS APPEAL. Mr Isitt had stated that the Government wm weak, vacillating, and composed of opportunists. He (the speaker) was quite satiefi-ed with that ( (laughter), but he did not know how Mr Isitt could consistently make that statement, after the views he had ex-, pruned in cither parts of hie address. I , crimps ho was mi.srenorted. Mr Isitt aLso .stated that the Opposition were out to represent tho privileged few, and disregard the many. That statement wa.s absolutely without foundation. -No man in this democratic :• '.' would cfliiio cut to represent the privileged few. Tho c a.ss refen <"i to wen* people possessed of capital, :in<l they represented an interest which tho country must have. It was absolutely incorrect to say that tho Opposition were out to Mip;.ort them, practically as opposed to tho interests ok the many. The Opposition recognised that if there were not capital there would not be work for the many. Tho workers of tho country were entitled to their fair share of the wealth they created, also to fair condi- j tions of employment, and the hfaltli nnd education of their children. Tho statement made by Mr Isitt showed that ho desired to create class hostility. Ho (the speaker) gave his assurance that he was out to represent the many, an.l it was absolutely wrong and improper, after an assurance nad been given, to sock to draw by inference and innuendo the improper conclusion suggested by i»ir Isitt. THE BUDGET. "The rrjore I think of it, tho less I liko it," said Mr Hall, ret erring to tho Budget. Tho Prime Minister had pointed out that the revenue, £10,297,023, was a record. In summarising tho position, ho showed that the balance brought forward from the previous year was £432,316. The expenditure was £ 1 J,000,000 odd, and tne excess of receipts over expenditure, not including the £432,316 brought forward, was £954,1(37. This surplus of nearly a million consisted of pennies j taken from the pockets'of the people. What wa3 tho good of getting it, just to talk about it? It would have shown sound business methods for the Primo Minister to have gone more carefully into his estimates, and not to have taken this million from the people. Surely it must have gone to increase tho cost of living. The Prime Minister suggested a commission to ascertain the reason of tho increased cost of living, and it was suggested that tho increased output of gold was partly responsible. It wae rather an extraordinary suggestion, as tho increase in the output of had not increased tho value of the ordinary securities on the market. It was an economic law that if there was any taxation it must result in tho money being extracted from tho pockets of the people who had to pay for food and rent out of their daily wage. The statements made in tho Budget wore not backed up by facts and figures. • The Primo Minister claimed that £15,500,000 out of £19,000,000 borrowed during his term of office was reproductive. That depended on what ho called .reproductive. The money borrowed meant that tho country got £95 or £96 for every £100. A loan might be reproductive this year, but if there was a depression, would it be reproductive then" Would the railway reyenno be maintained, or would tho prise for land bo maintained? Would the advances to settlers ( always bo repaid? The country, tlianks to gocl seasons and its natural resources, had had a wonderful period of prosperity for tho past fifteen years. No ono seriously claimed that the Government was responsible ior tho prosperity. In periods of depression securities nad a way of falling in, and mortgages wero not re-paid. Land might depreciate in valub, and prices pt produco might also depreciate. A sound financial position could not bo gauged by one year's operations. The Government should look ahead for tho future, and see if tho investments of their loan money . would consistently return «nough to pay interest and sinking I fund. It was no use providing sinking funds one year, however, if they borrowed £5,000,000 the next. Tho sinking fund might have been established for the purposo of establishing the- country's credit. The country's stocks wore not in a very creditable position. Tho Primo Minister had stated that £2,4tU,000 spent on tho purchase of native lands was reproductive, but at the same time he stated that the return to the State from rents and sales wero more than sufficient to sot against tho liability. This was only squandering capital to the extent of the value of tho land that was sold. In tho statements of the country's Hjsoti, the Prime Minister included securities for advances to settlers and workers. Only the actual ! amount advanced should bi counted as j an asset. The Bank of Now Zealand < shares wero valued at £2,000,000, but '- ho (the speaker) considered that this was an excessive value. Tho position | of New Zealand stock on tho London market was quoted, in comparison with those of other States. The conipari- ' son was not a fair ono. as the value of stock musf to a eortnin extent de- j pond on tho date of the payment of interest. Now Zealand 3 per cvnts wero quoted at £S0 10s. and South Australian (tho lowest) at £Sli. The interest on the New Zealand stocks foil due in the following month, whereas South Australia's interest was not due until January. The financial position depended on what they got for these- stocks, and Now Zealand only got £'J6 6s ior every 1400 of the assets pledged. They did no* know the position of the Australian stocks, so the comparison was" not a fair one. j RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION, i Tho method under which tho Dominion's railways were constructed was a matter of very great importance, and ono all wero interested in, as ail helped to provide the money expended, and all paid railway tares. As tne a-> lie unck-r-------stood the matter railway construction methods were quite unbusinesslike and impractical. Tne Dominion should have i some material share in the increased ! value given to the land through which i the railway ran. (Applause.) Sir ' Julius Vogel suggested thirty years ago I that the Government should acquire tno ! land in close proximity to the lino to be constructed, so that it would reap thebenefit, or that the- betterment principle should be adopted. If such a method of construction had been adopted in the North Island, instead of the increased value of the land going to the speculators, he did not know how much money would have boon saved, but no doubt it would have amounted to millions. Tho people of the Dominion had to face tho fact also that certain rail-

' way. lines ■ will hardly be reproductive, even in the sense in which the Premier used that term, unless connected up. If that were the case they would have to bo connected up, because they could not ccc their money lying idle. They were committed to this expenditure by the policy and methods adopted by tho Government. If the betterment principle had been adopted there would have been money available to repay the loans much more quickly than by means of a sinking fund.

| ROADS AND BRIDGES. < Tho expenditure of public money on ' roads and bridges was by a method thai; 1 practically meant that the favoured people in the favoured districts got the largest amount spent. Il that was to continue he did not wonder that there was very material disagreement and disapproval, and strong criticism of it. Jt was not desirable, and it was a method of political corruption —there was no doubt about that. To say that no distinct, except a district returning a Government supporter, was to receive a fair share of public money, was simply the adoption ot the principle of "spoils to tho victors"—a principle that was not sensible or reasonable. How to alter matters he did not quite know. : An Opposition member had moved the reduction of a vote as an indication that , the method described was undesirable, but he only got six or so.yen members to support him. Other members of the Opposition could not afford to allow their districts to suffer, because if they said that they did not want the money tho Government would tell them that they would not get it. The matter required careful consideration. He thought that the present method was abominable, and that it would be preferable to appoint somo independent persons to go into the proposed expenditure and report upon the different items, and say that certain works, and only certain works, should be carried out. (Applause.) LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM It was desirable that some legislation amending the local government sysfem should be passed. Such legislation was promised, but in tho last Budget there was no mention of the matter. Tho multiplication of local bodies resulted in overlapping, which caused friction and dispute as to tho rights of the j various oodies regarding different matI tors, and in increased cost to the community. Ho blamed the Government for not having made even a suggestion on the subject. Regarding tho government of municipalities by commission, the candidate said it seemed n sane, sound and practical method. He did not say that he was prepared to support a measure for the substitution of government by commission for the present eystem, but he did say that the people's money was being wasted, and that the present inefficient methods should be altered. EDUCATION. " Mr Hall declared himself an out-and-out supporter of the present free, compulsory and secular system of education. It was good and efficient: was introduced by a good man; had lasted a ■ pood long time, and would last a good long time. But there should be soma method provided for the inspection of the health of the children in the Dominion's schools. It would probably astonish his hearers to learn that New Zealand was one, of the few countries in tho world that did not provide such inspection. If teachers possessed somo little experience regarding health generally, and were aware of the symptoms of diseases much good would result and matters remedied in time. The inspection of the health of school children was such an important subject that he marvelled that it had not been taken in hand by the Government long ago. THE DEFENCE Quj<£TloN. The practical question in regard to defence was whether certain provisions of the present Defence Act should bo enforced. The Act was the result of a report of an eminent and experienced soldier who reported on the requirements of the Dominion —a man who knew better than he (tho speaker), and probably better than any member of the Government, what tne possibilities were in regard to New Zealand. There was very serious and grave danger of invasion, peaceful or otherwise, by the Japanese or Chinese—that was beyond question. Assuming that was the case, the report of the soldier referred to should be adopted as long as they were satisfied that there was no unnecessary compulsion--(applause)—and that no unnecessary harm was likely to be inflicted on their boys and young men. Ho did not think there was any risk of that, but if there was any suggestion of it, he would take every possible step to do away with it. If the Government was prepared to do so he was prepared to support them in carrying out the provisions of the Act. (Applause.) LABOUR QUESTIONS. The labour question was one that would have to be faced in tho near future; it was the greatest and most serious problem of the day. Strikes had been experienced in Australia, and had got as far as Auckland. It, was coining right home to the people of the Dominion that grave discontent existed amongst tho workers in almost all parts of the world. On a previous occasion lv suggested that there should bo a commission of enquiry into labour matI tors, and he noticed that it was adopted by the Premier in his Budget—probably Sir Joseph Ward thought of it long before. He hoped, if such a commission wore set iid. it would not be one of the ordinary kind. Tho matter should be enquired into by economists, as well a.s by employers and workers. If the commission was composed of Government supporters and other people who wanted to have a trip round the Dominion, it would do no good, and he would sooner leave the matter to be dealt wun by the workers and the employers. The candidate referred to the dangers of syndicalism, and expressed the hope that there were reasonably-minded men amongst the workers who recognised that the adoption of that method of dealing with imliistr'al disputes would result it; groat suffering to the wives and children of the workers. Ho also hoped that reciprocal feelings between employers and employed would be brought into existence as the result of the report of the proposed commission of enquiry. CONCLUDING REMARKS. The candidate said that ho had boon asked to give, in thirty words, a message to the electors to b© screened by moans of the kineinatograph. but he found it impossible to do so. The people who could do co wore wasting their time in politics; they should go in for writing advertisements. As to his general platform he believed that economy in tho finances of the Dominion was desirable and necessary in order to keep down the cost oi living; that efficiency in the administration of tho Dominion's legislation was necessary if the full benefits _ of it were to bo reaped; that progressive land settlement was necessary it the Dominion was to bo prosperous; that some solution of the labour problem should be arrived at; that our system of local government should be reformed: and that our education system should be on lines that would enable children to grow up healthy and wise. He could not give- thorn anything "more than the assurance that so far as he could he would if elected, serve the whole of the people of the community regardlose of class, and would do all he could to promote i>oace and prosperity. (Continued applause). QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, Mr Hall said that he did not know what protection was required by the iron industry, but he considered that tariff matters should be considered by economists, financiers, and manufacturers. H»» would not, if elected, prevent advances to i-et.tiers and workers- tie was not in favour of conscription, nor tvi,s he j in favour of repealing the compulsory

clauses in the Defence Act. The Elective Executive was a big question; an Elective Executive was uo doubt desirable if the business of the Dominion could be carried out under it.

On tho motion of Mr 0. J. Cooper, seconded by Mr Robert Coates, tin? candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and a similar compliment to the chairman concluded tho meeting.