WELLINGTON SOUTH.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 335, 23 October 1908, Page 9

WELLINGTON SOUTH.

ADDRESS BY MR. R. A. WRIGHT. Mr. R. A. Wright, an Independent-Oppo-sition candidate for tho Wellington South seat, addressed a largo meeting of electors in St. Thomas's Hall last night. His remarks, which occupied upwards of an hour, were frequently loudly applauded. Those present appeared to be entirely :n accord with his views. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Heginbotham. The candidate, who had a very cordial reception, prefaced his remarks by stating that there wore live candidates for the scat, and ho respected his opponents one and all alike. So far as he was concerned, no personalities would, lie could assure them, bo indulged in. Ho was, he declared, an inde-pendent-Oppositionist. , No party was running him; he was in fact a political orphan. Although ho was uot a supporter of tho present Government, it was not to bo understood, that he was a reactionary. Need for a Strong Opposition. His opinion was that it would De a very good thing if the Opposition were materially strengthened as the result of tho forthcoming election. In the new Parliament the Ward Government was sure to have a largo majority. It would, however, lie in the interests of the people if there were in tho Houso an appreciable number of members who might bo called watch-dogs. That was really tlie reason why he was standing. II lie were elected, he would criticise any measure which might bo introduced and see that. justico and fair play were meted out to the people. (Applause.) Tho Liberal Government had passed a number of excellent measures, but there were others which should not have been placed oil the Statute Book. Although he might be termed a Conservative, ho was really a Liberal. The word Liberal was. he said, defined to mean one who contended for greater freedom from restraint, especially in political institutions. Personally ho objected to anything approaching coercion except when the people were dealing with a national evil. For instance, ho would object to interference with frWi speech, which was almost tho last bulwark ol tho liberty of tho people; ho would do his utmost to maintain a tree press; and ho objected to a political brand being placed on a candidate. (Applause.) What was the current idea of a Liberal iu the Dominion:" It was one who oloscd his eyes, opened his mouth, .and swallowed the policy of the Government. (Laughter.) That was not true Liberalism. No party had a right to nominate candidates. A man who was returned to Parliament' should stand between the people and the Government, even if he were a supporter of the party in power. (Hear, hoar.) Evils of Party Government. Under the present system of party Government tho Prime Minister was invested with autocratic power. The only way to remedy matters was to send to Parliament men who would not vote in favour of measures which were against their principles. The true test of a candidate was whether bis views were in the interests of the people, and whether ho would stand by them.

l Whilst party government had done a lot of s good, there was a -clanger if it were carried > to extremes of all the power being concentrated in one or a few persons. The Liberal Government had been in power 17 years, and it seemed likely, if party government were ; not abolished, that it would bo there for . another 17 years. In his opinion, the inem- . bers-should elect the Ministers, and then if | a Minister did not administer his portfolio . properly he could bo removed. (Applause.) . If members were to continue to vote simply . on party principles it would be cheaper and . better to vote for. the Government in power > straightout. Referring to the feverish rush at the end of each session, the candidato declared that a reform which was needed was that all the business of Parliamnet should be transacted ,in the daytime; committee work might, if necessary, be done in the evenings. Ho then proceeded to criticise the provisions of the Public Revenues .Amendment Act, 1900. That Act was, he said, passed to prevent the Auditor-General from carrying out his duties properly. The measure, or at anyratc most of its clauses, should never have been enacted; it was meant simply to "clip the wings" of the Auditor-General. (Applause.) But for the existence of party government that measure would never have been passed. Second Ballot Act Criticised. With respect to the Second Ballot Bill lie said it was introduced with a good object— to ensure that every candidato should represent a majority of the electors in his electorate. Ho felt that the object of the Act would, however, bo defeated. Suppose there were, he said, five candidates for a seat, and a second ballot was found necessary; would the supporters of the three candidates who wero dropped po to voto at the second poll? Ha thought' not. In his opinion it would bo found that the candidate untimately returned would not receive more votes at the second ballot than at the first poll; at any rate, ho would not represent a majority of tho doctors. He did not say that the "gag" clauso was introduced with an ulterior motive, but it was a proper thing that it should have been deleted. (Hear, hear.) Referring to tho Public Works Amendment Act, the candidate said that, inter alia, it enabled tho Government to give away water rights for nil time to anybody it chose, and tho people would have no redress. Was that right and proper? he asked. (A Voice: "No.") Touching on tho question of finance, Sir. Wright said that in 1901 the national debt amounted to over 3S millions, to-day it was over 06 millions. Ho did not deny that a large proportion of tho money borrowed had been devoted to tho carrying out of reproductive works. There had been a great increase in the revenue, and, i f there had not been cxtravangance, there should either have been a reduction in taxation or the arrest of the piling up of the national debt. What was tho good of a worker receiving ss. a week.oxtra wages if tho cost of living went up 7s. Od. per.week? There should be sinking funds' out of which the money could: be obtained to meet tho cost of rebuilding public buildings. The Arbitration. Act, ■ as it now stood, made it a crime punishable by imprisonment for a man or a body.,of men to strike. If a law wore passed it should, ho held, be observed. But to send a man to gaol for striking was too severe a punishment. (Hear, hear.) The proper thing to do if a union took part ill a strike, would lie to disband it, and its members should not get the benefits of the Act if tho fine wore not paid. Bribing of Electorates. Under tho present system an electorate had to send to Parliament a member who would vote for .the party in power. . There should not bo coercion to compel an electorate to return a member of a particular brand, in order that it might receive bribes from the Public Works Fund. (Applause.) Every constituency was- 'entitled to its fair share of tho moneys of tho. fund, no matter whether the -member-it returned was in favour or against'the Government. Party government placed a -government in tho position of a brook;' it might go on for over. That was one of tho forms of tyranny which ho would, if elected, oppose with all the power at his command. As a remedy for tho evil ho had just referred to, he proposed that tho power of spending tho moneys of the fund Should be ■placed in tho hands of local bodies. (Applause.) Ilis system might not bo a perfect one;"but it would be infinitely better than the present one. In connection with tho liquor question, lie averred' that licensing committees had only just as much power as school committtees, tho principal functions of which wore to see that tho schoolyards were clean and the door was painted. (Laughter.) It would appear that licensing committees were useful only ( to hand over licenses and to seo that tho lights, in front of hotels were kept burning at night. The Licensing Committee that was elected in Wellington six years ago thought it would carry out desirable reforms. In order to compel publicans to sell only tho purest of liquors it approached the Government with a view to having samples of liquors sold at tho various hotels analysed. The Government requested it to communicate with tho police, who in turn practically .told it to go to Jericho. At one time committees thought they had tho power to order the rebuilding .'of hotels which were in a state of bad repair. Recently, however, it had been decided by a judge of tho Supremo Court that as long as a building could bo repaired it need not bo rebuilt. It was his opinion that much greater power should bo placed in the hands of licensing committees. (Applause.) Review of Licensing Act. As a matter of fact, tho Licensing Act was, he asserted, full of pitfalls all tho way through. For instance, there was a clauso to the ell'ect that a licenso could not bo transferred from one point to another at a. further distance than half a mile. That clause he understood was absolutely useless to prevent what it was designed to prevent, it was possible under the present Act for the license party to have a poll upset owing to slight irregularities committed by their own supporters. If a poll wero upset owing to an irregularity another poll ought to bo taken. (Applause.) He felt that tho No-Licenso party should bo represented in the House. In conclusion, he declared that, if elccted, he would advance tho rights of tho people and see that justice and fair play wore meted out to ail. (Loud applause.) Questions. In reply to a question, the candidate said lie was led to understand that imprisonment was provided for in tho Amending Arbitration Act. Mr. liigg was his authority oil that point. Tho questioner: Was it not proved that that was only a bogy?— Mr. Wright: I am under the impression that what 1 have stated is correct. \ Another questioner: Are you in favour of a v State Ban!:?— No. . Which system of land tenure do you support?—l hold that only tlio lease of all unsold Crown lands should be granted. Further question: Aro you in. favour of compulsory military training?— There is need for the young men of the Dominion to be trained in the uso of arms, but this should not bo elfcctcd at their own expense. _ ; A vote of thanks to the candidate for ' his address and of confidence in him as a fit and prop'er person was proposed. No amendment having been moved, the , Resolution was put and carried without dis- ' slut and amidst applause. ] Tkeciistomary vote to tho Chairman con- , successful meeting. MR. R. HOGG AT BROOKLYN. ! Last night Mr. R. Hogg, Socialist candi- i date for Wellington South, addressed a meeting at Brooklyn on much the same lines as his .speech at Newtown on Tues'day. He pointed out how all the Liberal enactments and all the concessions won through trade union activity had failed to materially improve tho position of the working classes, i rises in wages being always followed by in- ( creased cost of commodities, and absorbing i the increase gained. The methods at' pre- i sent employed were but salves to tho sores I that the body politic suffered from, and i Socialism was tho only means of clfcc-ting a i euro. The remedy wa's undoubtedly an ex- i treme one, but .was necessary for a lasting | cure. Tho Arbitration and Conciliation Act i was described as a "boon to employers," I and tho Old Ago Pension Act as a means of I

keeping wages down. The speaker referred to a paragraph in a morning paper regarding somo figures ho quoted at Newtown, and pointed out that he had stated that tho ratio of increase of largo estates was 114 per cent, greater than small ones; ami that it was absurd to stato that ho had referred to the returns from a tax that was not yet in force. Referring to Dr. Findla.v's speech, " Labour and tho Arbitration Act," he stated thjit tho wealth produced in New Zealand was £7,000,000 greater than stated therein, and that while there was but £20,000,000 invested the jvealth created was £41,000,000. From 1595 to 1905 the increase of amounts paying income tax was I<lo per cent., while the increase of w'ages was 15.5 per cent., and the cost of living 17.4 per cent.; so that- tho worker had lost ground, while capital was increasing rapidly. He asked whether tho £32 which Dr. Findlay had shown as what an average family could spend on food and recreation was a decent wage, and urged his hearers to seriously study the problem of economics, and voto in accord with their convictions. WELLINGTON EAST. MR. G. WINDER'S CANDIDATURE. Mr. George Winder, Liberal candidato for Wellington East, addressed' a well-attended meeting of tho electors at the .Victoria Hall, Newtown, last evening. Mr. B. Dawson presided, and, in his introductory address, referred appreciatively to tho candidate's municipal career. Mr. Winder said that tho present seemed to him to bo a favourable opportunity for endeavouring to further his ambition to enter politics, and, encouraged by the confidence placed in him by tho ratepayers in the past, lie had dccided to seek the suffrages of the electors of Wellington East. Tho legislative policy of tho Liberal Government had, he said, materially benefited all classes of the community. Although ho was not tho Government nomineo for Wellington East, he nevertheless was a party man, although reserving to himself the right, if elected, to criticise tho policy of the Government. Ho ivas not a pessimist, and was not afraid to borrow money. A borrowing policy was an essential plank in a progressive programme of legislation—he did not believe in a policy of " standing still." He eulogised the industrial and workers' legislation of the Government; tho "cost of living" question was a difficult one to deal with; rents wero high, but land values had shown signs of steadying down. The real solution was " every worker hjs own landlord," a consummation now attainable through the working of tile Advances to Workers Act, whereby it was possible, by a woekly rental of 6s. 3d., spread over a number of years, for a worker" ultimately to own his house. > Referring to the charitable aid question, lie. was of opinion that reorganisation was. desirable. There was too much overlapping. Tho prisons system of New Zealand also called for reform. The cost of that system reached a total of £3,000,000. A voice:" Threo millions 1" Mr. Winder: "Yes—three million." Same voice (satirically): " That's not much I" Continuing, tho candidate said that ho would reserve for- a future address his observations on the financial aspect of tho Libera] Government's policy.- If elected, he would make it his duty to inquire closely into questions of administration and finance.. Tho question of immigration also claimed attention. There was no room in this country for other than bona fido domestic servants and farm labourers. Tho question of temperance reform, . contended Mr. Winder, should be solved gradually. They should begin with the young, and teach the principles of temperance in the schools.

Asked as to his opinion on the question of establishing a State Bank, the candidato replied that he did not consider such an institution practicable. After answering several questions, a vote of thanks and confidence was,_ on tho motion of Mr. James Flanagan, carried by acclamation. WELLINGTON CENTRAL. MR. FISHER AT ARO STREET. Tho Aro Street Hall was crowded to excess last evening, when Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., addressed the electors of AVellington Central. Mr. D. Skinner was in' the chair. ■ Tho candidate dealt at some length with tho need for caution in tho administration of tho country's finances, pointing out- the extensive shrinkage in the volume of trade, and t-lio great fall of over two millions in tho value of our exports for tho twelve months ending last June. The danger, lay in tho fact that year by year our responsibilities were increasing in full proportion to our unprecedented prosperity, and now that there was a shrinkage in revenue wo wero being confronted with difficulties which must be greatly aggravated unless our trade should bo brought back to what it was last year. Mr. Fisher then dealt with many of tho Bills, which ho had successfully' piloted through tho Lower House. At his conclusion he was accorded a unanimous voto of thanks and confidence. To-night Mr. Fisher will sneak in St. Peter's Schoolroom, Ghuznoe Street.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS. SPEECH BY MR. YOUNG. Mr. W. T. Young, the Labour candidato for Wellington Suburbs, addressed tile electors at Northland last night. Mr. Finlay M'Leod presided. In advocating a selfreliant policy, Mr. Young mentioned that during the term of office of tho late "John Ballanco tho national debt had only been increased on an average of £213,745 per annum, whilst the debt per head of European population had decreased £1 Is. 4d., and the population increased 14,764; during the 14 years of the Seddon-Ward Ministries, the average increase in the national debt was £1,780,085 per annum, showing an increase per head of European population of 10s. 4d. per annum, whilst the average increase in the population was 18,400. Of the seven different States in Australasia, tho national debt of New Zealand was tho second highest, being only £22,449,000 beneath that of New South Wales, a State somo fifty years older than New Zealand, and which hail constructed 3367 miles of railway as against 2427 miles constructed in Now Zealand. Victoria constructed 3394 miles, whilst her national debt was only £53,079,800, or £43 os. 9d. per head of population. Although the Scddon and Ward Ministries claimed to have carried out the self-reliant policy of John Ballanco it would bo seen from tho figures ho had given that tho financial policy of the Seddon-Ward Administrations was one of supremo extravagance, placing upon tho shoulders of each person in tho Dominion an exceedingly heavy burden. He claimed'that civil servants should be given indentieaily the same political rights as any other citizen, and severely criticised tho inconsistency of tho Government in claiming to be democratic, and at tho same time having a regulation prohibiting. its servants from enjoying full political privileges. Mr. Young received a patient hearing, and at the conclusion of his address was accorded a unanimous voto of thanks and confidence. Mr. J. P. Luke addressed a largo attendance at Tawa Flat on Wednesday, Mr. J. Nawn being in the chair. Mr. Luke declared his opinion that while caution and care should be cxercised by the Government, the. finances of tho country were sound. There had been a slight depression, due to the low prices of wool and the reduced export of flax, but ho believed that trade would soon be normal again. He urged that the Government should encourage tho settling of tho unoccupied lands of the Dominion, and lhat agriculture should bo included in the courses of technical schools. A voto of thanks and confidence was passed.

AN OPTIMISTIC MINISTER. (ill TKLF.GIUI'U— i'ltliSß ASSOCIATION.) Gliristchurch, Octobcr '22. The Minister for Labour, who is in Christehureh to attend the "social" in honour of ilr. U. AVitty (lliccarton) at l'apaiiui tonigiit, is very optimistic in regard to the rosulb of the coming elections. He (loos not think tho elections will bring imicli change in tho membership for Otago and Southland, most members having fair prospects of reelection. lie said ho was now preparing regulations under the new Arbitration Act, and commissioners would be appointed when tho election was over. Ho will leave for tho South by tho first oxpross to-morrow.

PAHIATUA . (BT TKI.EGRAPE. —SPECIAI. COItIIF.SPONnENT.) , Walone, October 22. Mr. Ross, M.P. for Pahiatua, addressed a , good meeting at Horccka on Tuesday, and at Waiono on Wednesday, and received a , unanimous vote of contidencc' at each place. STRATFORD. 1 (by telegraph—press association.) Stratford, October 22. Mr. Walter Symes, Government candidate for the Stratford seat, addressed a big meet--1 ing hero last night, defending the general policy of tho present Government, and ex--1 plaining his position in the matter of charg--1 ing a certain commission which one of tho audienco brought forward. - CLUTKA. (BY TELEGRAPH—rRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunsdin,, October 22. Mr. Malcolm, who for Clutha, speaking at Tapanui, complained that many votes to increase the salaries of civil servants' were introduced on the last day of the session. Ho advocated greater economy in administration; r^but-recognised that with tho present Housei it-was impossible to effect it. Tho Dominion should have a thousand officers trained ,to.-, military science, and enrol all adults-capable of bearing arms. He did not think-the'enormously rapid growing expenditure on..the Agricultural Department was warranted, by the results. Tho meeting carried, a :,vote of'-con-fidence amid-a scene'of enthusiasm. /. . CHALMERS." (BY TELEGRAril —rRESS ASSOCIATION'.) Duncriin, October 22. Mr. Barr, Socialist candidate-for Chalmers, addressed tho electors at Anderson's Bay to-, night. He supported the ..'.freehold, .but opposed any definite system of■:immigration.; Ho was against No-License by Act .of Parliament. The meeting accorded .'the candidate its best wishes in the campaign ho has undertaken. ;; WES7LANO. . (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.). Hokitika, October 22. '. Mr. T. E. Y. Saddon, tho present member for Westland, opened his election "campaign this evening, when despite boisterous .weather, a very largo assemblage ' attended -at the Theatre. Sir. Scddon reviewed work of tho session at length, and strongly defended tho present Government. He also refuted a number of statements made by his opponent, and answered a number of questions, to the evident approval of the audience. A motion of thanks and confidence was carried. Tho mover of tho motion read telegrams from tho Prime Minister unreservedly accepting Mr. Sc-ddon as the Government candidate for West-land.. ■ Tho meeting was at times lively, but good-natured. ( ' BRUCE. . (BT . TELEGEArU—I'KESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, October 22. Strong pressure has been brought to boar to induce Air. J. Loudon to resunio his campaign for Bruce. . His health lias improved considerably during tho last few days; and lie leaves for Hanmer to-morrow. He has not yet decided what action he will take. WAIRAU. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Elsnheim, October 22. Mr. John Duncan, who is opposing the Government candidate (Mr. R. M'Artney), for tho Wairau seat, mot a good reception at Blenheim to-night. He represented himself as an independent, and said that-lie would vote for or against tho Government, according to his own convictions'.: The address was largely critical of present methods of public works expenditure, which, ho contended, were wasteful, and had moreover rcr duced the national legislature;tQ.J;h.i»..l.eye_l of, a scrambling shop for loavesjmd. .fishes. He contrasted the stnallness of the vote'of £50,000 given to the South Island Trunk Railway in comparison to other lines of less ■ national importance. The largo audience gave Mr. Duncan a vote of thanks and confidence. WANCANUI." V/anganui, October 22. Tho local election campaign.' opened tonight. Mr. George Hutchinson,. who is opposing tho Government, addressed , a largo meeting in tho Opera House. Tie had a fine hearing.; TIMARU. . (Bt TEI.EGKAPil —TRESS ASSOCIATION) > Timaru, October 22. Mr. W. D. Campbell, editor of the- "Timaru Herald," has in response to'.'many debtors, decided to contest tho Timaru. seat" at the general election as an Opposition; candidate. - RICGARTON,'.; ; PRESENTATION TO MR/ WITTY. (1!Y TELEU It A I'll —PRESS ASSOpiATION.) Ciiristciuirch,-dctobor:-22:; Mr. Witty, member of Riccarton;- was tendered a social by the residents, of Papanui, which has been severed from:his;clectorate.. Amongst tho apologies were-telegrams-.from Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. J.- Carroll. The Prime Minister telegraphed that Mr. Witty was a most energetic.! worker, and as representative of Riccartoiuhad. done excellent work, not only for ;his: own district but for the Dominion as a whole. He added that ho looked forward witlfpreasure to see him returned to the next Parliament,. The Hon. J. A. Millar spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr. Witty's political career,--and expressed the hope that the people of would send hini back for many years'to -grace thei House of Representatives.--- Complimentary speeches were also made by 'Messrs. Davey and Buddo, M.P.'s. Mr. .Witty.-1 and Mrs. Witty were presented with, a':silver...tea .arid, coffee service and tray bearing a suitable inscription. • SOME SAMPLE F!CURES' A Ministerialist contemporary-printed yesterday an article full of miscellaneous figures, the value and accuracy of which may be gauged from the following-passage in the article: — ' ' r: .' ■ "The imports have grown iri.this way:— Year. ' Value imports. . 1900 ;.':~:':5,928"595 1 • . 1907 ... ... ' ... 16,539,707 showing that while imports increased 200 per cent, the revenue received from these imports advanced only 22i per cent." According' to the Official Year Book the imports in 1900 wore valued at £10,6-16.096, and not £5,923,895, and those in 1907 at £17,302,861, and not £16,539,707. A mistake of only five millions in one case, and less than one million in the other ! Imports did not increase by 200 per cent., but by about 63 per cent. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. ■ Candidates' meetings announced -, for this evening are as under: — Wellington Central. —Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, St. Peter's Schoolroom, 8 o'clock. Wellington East. —Mr. A. R. Atkinson, New Century Hall, Kent Terrace, 8 o'clock. Wellington South.—Mr. R. A. Wright, Victoria Hall, Adelaide Road, 8 o'clock. Wellington South. —Mr. W. H. P. Barbel', St. Thomas's Hall, S o'clock. Wellington South. —Mr. C. H. Chapman, Mount Cook Schoolroom, 8 o'clock. Wellington Suburbs.—Mr.. J. E. Fitzgerald, Miramar Hall, 8 o'clock. Wellington Suburbs.—Mr. F. T. ' Moore, Schoolhouse, Tawa Flat, 8 o'clock. Wellington Suburbs.—Mr. W. T. Young, State School, Wadestown, S o'clock, Hutt. —Mr. T. M. Wilford, Mr. Geo. Peck's residence, Epuni, 8 o'clock (to form committee). Otaki.—Mr. Byron Brown, Schoolhouse, Koputarua, 8 o'clock. Otaki. —Mr. Field, the Hall, Shannon, 8 o'clock.