POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 221, 11 June 1908, Page 8

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

U MR. BARBER AT NEWTOWN. d • ■ . ri ' MOUNT COOK SITE. ft

There was a large number present at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last evening, when Mr. W. H. P. Barber, M.P., gave a political address. Mr. B. Dawson occupied the chair.

Mr. Barber, who was well received; said that he wished to refer to the chango in the constitution of. tho Government. Mr. Seddon had done a great'deal for tho people of this country, and it was held that,, with his death would come the downfall of Liberalism j but such, as , far as tho speaker could see, was not the case. It would romain in power for a long time, and-so would tho Premier, Sir Joseph Ward. Last session was a very useful one, and although its enactments were: much criticised, they would meet - with approval when properly understood. .

. FINANCIAL. , " The financial position must, be very satisfactory to all who noticed the steady increaso which took placo year by year in the revenue. This. remarkable increase indicated the greatest prosperity in the Dominion, ■ and it was reflected upon all portions of the community. This largo; increaso was not due to taxation, as the only increaso in taxation was the graduated tax. Last year large concessions were mado in-railway, rates, Cusr toms duties, and telegraphic and postal charges, and tho sheep-tax was abolished., It was necessary to protect-the Dominion-from the results of sweated labour. Prom an inquiry, recently, instituted in Great Britain; it was proved -conclusively girls - .who worked all day in factories took work home wliero they toiled long hours .by . candle light, and it was . impossible for them to live a wholesome, .and desirable lifo.. , -The speaker quoted an ■ advertisement in' a London paper, offering a-suit to measure for 10s.; rainproof overcoat .for Is. 3d., and boys' suits Is. 6d. This stato of affairs must not bo allowed .to obtain in New Zealand, a,lid to this end duties were imposed to pro-, tecfc local industries. He also dealt with tho question of. preference. In acoordance with his promise, ho did what lie could in the way of abolishing tho duty oh flour. Tho Government bad been induced to introduce-a Bill which did not,go as far as soni6 wished, but it was_ hoped that ultimately the goal would be achieved. There should, he. maintained, be enough protection for the local article in freight and other charges which 'had to be met by the importation. CHINESE LABOUR. ' . The speaker wtis decidedly in opposition to Chinese immigration. It was known, he said; that .a company assisted Chinese to get here, and the Chinamen worked at low wages to repay the money advanced. Evon the educational test might bo overcome, and he was in favour of an annual tax which could not bo evaded. Ho complained that the Telephone Exchange was at one end of tho city and Newtown was penalised in having to pay high rates. If the Government Buildings were to bo moved at all from tho neighbourhood of its presont locality, tli'oy could be erected at Mount Cool;. Tho Departmental buildings, it was I estimator], would rcquiro replacing in about ten years, and' ho thought that both sides of Buckle Street could bo utilised for trss.purpose. The Government, City Council, and Harbour Board wero spending large sums in the immediate future, and this should make things very busy during the next year or two. Sir. Barber dealt at length with last year's legislation, and at. tho ronclusion of his address ho was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. .