THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 336, 24 October 1908, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS.

■ —: —r ♦ "" " ■: NEWS AND NOTES. -. ; •'.»-• r DAN DI DATES AND THEIR; SPEECHES. The harassed 'member -.of Parliament who has to work very hard during an election campaign has tho mortification of losing part of .hlsiusual honorarium at'that time. 'TJnder the Logislature'Act members are not paid £300' fdr., ovory year of 'offioe; thoy are merely £iidv*at the, rate . of" £300, per annum. The horiorarium is received jitcqual monthly and is caloukted; from the day named in tho writ for the election at which they? wore returned, until the expiry or dissolution. of the Parliament for whioh they jforßfOrected. This year Parliament would nornially expire on December 13, but in.view of tho,general election it must not be allowed to eitilfe normally. Its career must be cut BlWrt .by the. Governor a set time before the next poll, and the dissolution of Parliament willtherefore be announced next week, This •'nibans that members who are not reelected will lose about sixweeks' honorarium, which they would receive in other years—that isi?aborit £36 in solid cash. With the eleotion taking• place' on November 17, tho new Parliament will commence as from November 24; so that tho member who'is re-elected mil lose only aliout three weeks' honorarium for the year', or; roughly,"£lß. tKe{Re'cord of the' Opposition Party. ti. Boxshalli Opposition candidate for Christchurclr made his first publio apon Thursday night; and, considering 'tho circumstances, did very well. The matter 'of his speech was sound, and 6howed that 'ho had. studied the subjects he dealt with, btit if-ho woro as deliberate behind the stumpy as 'he is on the platform ha would neV&r Ha'tre'made his reputation as a wicketkeefier.; That is "a .defect," however, which pricticij will overcome. He made a good point of 'the ;past record of the Opposition party. Those . Who thought it retrogressive, he said, must have forgotten the history of New Zealatid: ,:The party was; responsible for one inan ons, vote, payment of members, triennial Parliaments, the ownership and management of "railways, telegraphs,, and telephones, the present' system of 'wlucation, Government life agsuranco, and this Public Trust office. Women's .'franchise. ivas chiefly brought about by ; thV Opposition. party, headed by Sir John ,'Hall, and Mr. Seddon allowed the Bill to pass the Lower-House only because he felt surest would be','thrown out in the Legislative Council. The tlraaru Contest. ' Commenting on. political affairs in Timaru, .the " Press " expresses regret at the absence from the Dominion] of Mr. Frank Rolleston, who,:. Mad ho consented to contest the seat this.year, would in-all' probability have been eleotedf •" We should in that case once more have; Had a Rolleston in Parliament to help in/defending the liberties of the people the attacks; of the sham Liberals on tho.tGovernment benches. Mr. Rolleston, however, is still a young'man, and wo believe) 1 lie will, yet find his way to the House. In ; tflp meantime, .we may congratulate the supporters of the Opposition on having secured as a candidate Mr. W. D. Campbell,fthe editor of the.' Herald.' There is no opporflinism about Mr. Campbell's politics, He is?aa clear and ; downright- in the expression* flf 'his views as one could wish, and he is not the sort of man. to sacrifice one iota of for tho sakcy'of catching a few votes,i'Jeven'. if .hi's^electiion 'depended on it. He is;new, .to th« but he has opurage. and-.comifiori sense and ideals, and we iare^suije;'acquit himself well in tho' contest."

An Explanation n ' ' , Before,commoncmg his speech. Mr." Fishor a mistake had occurred (in th'o report of his'Aro Street speech, which'; appeared iin ;a contemporary. Ho had not expressed the ■ that, Mr.. Bolton would; be bottom of,\ the poll.-for Wellington North;and ie had -corrected' the mistake by letter: ..He'did not' wish■ it to be understood that He had expressed an,opinion either way in connection with a contest in which he had no persona] interest. ■ Mi*. Bolton's name had been used merely in an illustration concerning the second ballot. : h-.: 1 - The Brum Seat.' V Th'| Liberal party in the Bruce electorate ore-urging" Mr. Loudon to .allow hjmself to be for tho seat if his health will at all permit, even if ho is -unable to do auy electioneering. Mr. Loudon left foriHanmei yesterday, and should ;. B.s health show marked signs of improvement during tho en-suing-''wees'there is overy/prospect of his the field'.- .• ; - : ,iV Tribute to Mr. Massoy. A was .to Mr. Massey last evening by Mr. F1 M. B. Fisher, who referred to the.consistent plugging and pertinacity" of the Opposition leador, whom he believed to be actuated by the highest motives. Though Mr.'.Massey might havo some defects as a party leader, .he was always pulling hard on the collar, and pulling in what he believed to be a"_right, direction: ln]usttce to Mr. Major. It'is now stated that Mr. Major, the Government candidate for Hawera, did not make the ; remarks relating to want of confidence attributed to him:-by-the Hawera "Star," and-commented upon by us during the week. It is claimed' that Mr. Major was /misrepresented in tho matter, and that ho received a vote of confidence at his Alton meeting by 23 vbtes to 19. If this is true, Mr. Major has'been badly treated in tho matter. There can) be no excuse 'for misrepresentation of this nature, and it" is to bo regretted that unpleasantness of this kind should be introduced inj»b the contest.;-" Election-Day Holiday.

. 'l'lie question has. been raised whether election day will be a whole or a half lioliday'.for tho 'shopkeepers. Reference to Section 123. of the Legislature Act, 1908 (Consolidated Statutes) shows that it will be a 'lialf-holiday for tho stores but not for factories; and that the hotel bars must be closed,, from 12 noon until 7 p.m. Tho section .reads"(l) Subject to the provisions of .this section every day on which any election Hakes place" shall • be deemed to be a holiday: after mid-day, and it shall not bo lawful .to sell intoxicating liquors in any licensed premises within the district between ' the' hours of twelve o'clock noon and seven in'the ovening. (2) Where the polling day at ;aiiy election' is other than that appointed as !th&' weekly, half-holiday under the Shops and Offices Act, 1908,' tho provisions of that Act relating to theweekiy half-holiday shall bo; deemed to refer to the polling day in lieti of the day so appointed, and it shall not be necessary for, any employer to obsorve the day so appointed in the week in which the polling day falls. (3) It shall not be necessary for any factory to close during any .working hours on the polling day, but the. occupier of the factory shall afford to eabh of his employees a reasonable opportuto record his rote, and no reduction shall be made from the wages of any such employee in- respect of tho time occupied in eo "'recording his vote, provided that such time,, does not extend over , one working hour." . Tho Createst Trust. .. . , of' us having ' to fight trusts through the State as is dona;'in America through President Roosevelt," said "Mr. Tf. M.'B.iFisher last night, "the time is coming ;when we shall have to . fight a great trust in the State itself ; that will bo ono of\the great fights in the future." Tho State,:'he pointed out, was paying at the present time about 3i million pounds per annum in wages. It was employing, roughly, Edttiei' 30,000 people. It had directly under it§';thumb a Public Works expenditure of 2£ millions, and in addition it had all the patronage that only a Government could hiiVel The 30,000 Government employees influenced, if thoy did not control, another 30,000, so that the Government at the preoent time, owing to the nationalisation of siich services as railways and public trusts, were ablo to ■ produce an influenco upon 60,000 people, and they controlled an expenditure of six millions of money. Aud what.

was the position? On tho day of tho last oleotion a certain newspaper leading article, as far as ho could remember tho words, commenced as follows-"Let the Civil Service to-day remember what tho Government has done for it, and what tho Government is going to do for it in the days to como." It was only .necessary; to increase that spirit to incrcaso the number of tho State employees, and tho amount of wages paid by tho State, and one-half of the community who were not omployocs of tho State would eventually liavo to stand by and see tho employees of the State compelling it to give thorn 'what they wanted. The "Cag" Clauso. Mr. A.R. Atkinson, in his speech last night, ironically suggested a few additions that might havo boon made to tho "gag" clause of tho Second Ballot Bill. For instance: "No candidate shall appear in the street without a permit from a rabbit, inspector; his clothes shall be branded with the broad arrow and tho letter 0 in a conspicuous place. Every candidate shall woar a dog chain of such size and pattern as the Govornor-in-Council may presoribe. Arty candidate found speaking to more than two doctors' at tho same time, unless in the, presence of a police constable, a justice,.pf the peace, or a rabbit inspector,' shall ,'bo deemed to be an idle and disorderly person, and shall be liable to ft term of imprisonment not exceeding six months." Rights of Property. * "There is'a tendency in the House at I the present time to disregard and disrespect I the rights of tho owners of property. They are being disregarded fartoo much at the present time, and you want men in tho House who will help to stopithat."—Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., last evening. A Severe Crisis. "During the past year," said Mr. Barber last night,' '-'the. Dominion has gone through a very severe crisis, and had it not been for the Advances .to Sottlors. Act and the Advances to Workers Act, probably a good deal more would have been heard about it. Had it not been. for fthe existence of . the Advances to Settlers Department, thousands of people would have lost their earnings ' of years., ... ' ■ .' - Civil servants' Salaries. * "Would: you bo in favour of a reduction of 10 per,, cent, of salary in the case of all persons engaged by the Government earning £500 a year-and over?" was a novel question put to Mr. 1". M. B. Fisher last evening. Mr. Fisher did not think that much economy would be. effected in that way, and lie thought that.in many oases the State, did riot pay its employees enough. If it ever came to such a point, he would sooner, reduce the salary of Cabinet, Ministers than that of heads of Departments. "Full of Work." In introducing Mr. W. C. Buchanan to his Featherston meeting on Thursday night (writes our . Wairarapa correspondent) the chairman (Mr. J. W. Card) said that no doubt many there would remember that it was twenty-five years ago since Mr. Buchanan first sought the suffrages of the electors of the Wairarapa. During the progress of that quarter of a century; Mr. Buchanan had been Snany years their representative, and had shouldered his responsibilities and multitudinous cares in addition to his own business, to the best of his ability.' After the long years of work Mr. Buchanan was still in the political field, and if that gentleman folt only as well as' ho looked, he thought that everybody who knew .Mr. Buchanan should be satisfied. (Applause.) In replying to this complimentary introduction, Mr, Buchanan said that he had contested many canlpaigns, during which ho had been defeated- onlytwice. '.Ho was like the British, however— ho did not know when he was licked. (Applause.) Ho -.was.iull,pf_work, and.he was also, full of fight" (applause) ; and if he did not: feel as fit as ,tha, proverbial fiddle he , would .iiot. havo boeh.;-bcfofe.,:.thein7,(that (Applause.)

The Writs. ; A Dunedin. Press Association:-;rf.elegram states that the Prime" Minister unformed 'an"Otago Daily Times" 'reporter •'• list I '' iriglit; that nothing definite had been decided about" ■ the issue of the writs, but they ivould bo issued about the ' end of next week or tlio beginning of the following week. Nominations will close on November 9. The Loador of the Opposition; Mr. W. F. Massey, Leadbr of the Opposition, is to deliver a' political address at Carterton on Tuesday, November 3, when he will reply to the Prime Minister's recent speeches at Palmerston North and at Feilding. - Jottings. Mr. F. G. Bolton ,one of the candidates for the Wellington North seat, is confined to his house through illness, which has precluded his appearance in public during the past few days. By a coincidence, another candidate, the present member (Mr. Izard), is suffering from a relaxed throat.' •Mr. William M'Lean is visiting the Taraiiaki oil boring operations, .and will return in time for his first public meeting on Tuesday next at Victoria Hall. Mr. 11. B. Williams, solicitor, who has been on an extended tour through _ England and America, is returning to Wellington by the Waikaro on Wednesday next.,' Mr. Williams, who is the Opposition candidate for the Suburbs electorate, will at once commence' his political campaign, giving his opening address on October 28. It was mentioned at the social tendered to Mr. G'. Witty, M.P., at Papanui, on Thursday night, that the Hon. J..A. Millar, who addressed the gathering, is the first Minister of the Crown to 'give an address in Papanui since Sir Julius Vogel spoke there many years Our correspondent states that the No. 2 supplementary roll for the Masterton elcctorate, which has just been issued.' contains 2000 names, 'or 80U more than were on the first supplementary issued last month. "Tlio Department loses 4d. ' on every registered letter which goes through the Post Oilice." —Mr. Barber at Newtown last night. Mr. AV. H, P. Barber (Wellington South) has secured St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown; for a public address on the 'night before the election. Tho Hon.' T. W. Hislop's executive committee meet at 7 p.m. on Monday. Mr. William M'Lean, candidate for Wellington East, will hold his first public meeting at the' Victoria Hall, Adelaide-Road, on 'l'uesdav next. ; Mr. i<\ W. Frankland will address electors of Manawatu as undor:—Rongotea, Monday, October 26; Taikorea, Wednesday, October 28; Awahuri, Friday, October 30; Feilding, Monday, November 2; Marton, Wednesday, November 4.- , ■"There's a strong cscape of gas hero some where," said Mr. C. Boxshall, who mttdo his debut on tho political platform at Christchurch East on Thursday evening. ' Tho ohanco was too obvious to be ignored. "Very strong," came the reply from an elector. The audience laughed unkindly, and Mr. Boxshall explained that ho meant coal gas. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINCS. . .Announcement is mado in our advertising columns of the following meetings to he addressed by candidates this evening:— ■ Wellington East,—Mr. D. M'Laren, Mercer Street, 8 o'clock. . Wellington Suburbs. —Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, Korokoro South, 8 o'clock. Wellington Suburbs. —Mr. J. W. Braithwaito, Schoolhouse, Tawa Flat, 8 o'clock.. . Otaki.—Mr: Field, Wise's Hall, Parannr.nimu. 8 o'clock.

WELLINGTON EAST.

SPEECH BY MR. A. R. ATKINSON. AN INDEPENDENT CRITIC. ; Mr. A. R. Atkinson addressed a well-at-tended meeting of Wellington East electors in the New' Century Hall last night. He delivered a racy and characteristic speech, and was very well received. Mr. J. 6. "\V. Aitken, M.P., who presided, spoke of the candidate as a capable critic, who had no fear of the "boss," as too many of the members of Parliament had. It was necessary to have more men who would strengthen those who criticised the measures that were pronoßod.

The candidate said he had been for six years politically on tho shelf, having been defeated in 1902. He stood down in 1905, in favour of Mr. Aitken. Referring to his opponents, Mr. Atkinson reoiprocated the kindly personal sentiments expressed by Mr. M'Lean, and acknowledged the valuablo help which that gentleman had given in tha endeavour to secure justifco to Mr. Meikle. Mr. Winder had shown his capacity both in the City Council and in his private business. Of Mr. M'Laren he Jiad heard nothing worse than that ail agitator, and he thought none the worse'of him for that, as ho was an agitator" hirfself. Ho agreed with Mr M'Laren that Labour did not get its fair share of tho'national wealth, and he admired the . sincerity and earnestness with which he stated his case, but differed from him on many points. Not a Party Hack. Reverting to his own career, Mr. Atkinson said that'in 1896 and 1899 ho was returned as [ono who approved of Liberal measures, but strongly criticised the maladministration of tho Government. As a colloaguo of Mr. J? Hutcheson and Mr. F. Pirani, ho had criticised measures, irrespective of their source. He gave no pledge then, and would give none now. He would co-operate with all who were opposed to the Government's maladministration, and he would not bo a party hack. Although ho had fought alongside Mr. Massey and. his mon; the Opposition, howover, was/too much identified with Conservatism, and his own label was Independent. Ho would not" say anything in disparagement of the work of the Opposition, and least of all of the work of Mr. Massey, who had done his duty well, according to his lights. It might be doubted whether the eloquence of a Gladstone would avail anything against the eloquence of the two millions sterling that "were disbursed from the Public Works Fund year after year. Mr. Atkinson' commended the" Canadian practice of paying the Leader of the Opppsition a salary, and endorsed the suggestion of Professor Leacock that the colonial Opposition leaders should attend tho Imperial Conferences. Socialism. He was not a Socialist, hut disapproved of the use of the name of Socialism as a bogy. He would support'or oppose measures from a business and practical point of view. As an instance he mentioned the granting of grass 1 seed to buint-out settlers a few months ago. The Wellington papers, including even Tjie Dominion, .which was the extreme antagonist of Sooialism, expressed more or less of approval of the action of the Government in that matter. Ho held that it was ridiculous for tho State to make advances without the best of seourity. It seemed that when a loose sort of Socialism to aid tho country people was proposed, the Opposition proved to bo as much Socialists as anybody. Such measures were sometimes called Socialism, but some of them might well bo called spoliation. The oandidato then mentioned some of the work which he had done in Parliament, and which, he said, had been ignored by the press, lie had moved tho t rejection of an unjust clause in a panic Bill in regard to • bubonic plague, and though ho failed, the Government afterwards got the Bill repealed, and embodied his suggestion in a later measure. He effected important amendments' in the Public - Contracts Act of 1900; 'and the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Act.

Sins of the Government. Th'e : Government had inherited the corruption of its. immediate ■ predecessors. The main roots of that evil wb.o political. ,ap-. pointments'and political . expenditure of public money. The'former of those had been slightly lessened, but the latter was absok; utely untouched. In further criticism;of' th'o administration, Mrl Atkinson condemned the system of Government bookkeeping, tlie pay- ' ment of working expenses out of capital, extra vianganco, the demoralising roads arid bridges policyj and the appetite for borrowing,.which, grew-with what it.fed on. Mr. Atkinson strongly, condemned the Public Revenues Amendment Act of a few years ago, and mentioned that in the measure that" now .ombodied it in the Consolidated Statutes, Section '40 represented' the "£4O [steal/"',"and-.'.; they"would remember that 40 was the numbor of' the thieves connected with one Ali Baba. He was t grateful, to the Commissioners for, so. numberjng'.tho Clause. Among., other, .bad clajises^in'jthe! same; Bill , was the; onejyhich'allowed the, Executive "to apply-.to one Work moneythat'. had been . voted for another. This was an example of the encroachments. of Ministerial power, which were also shown in the tyrannical practice of Government by regulation. (Applauso.) He also condemned the clauso in last session's Public Works Amendment Bill giving the Government power to grant lease of Water powers in perpetuity. 'The incessant meddling of the Government with local liberties, as instanced in the Tramways Bill (which, largely owing to the opposition of the Hon. T. W. Hislop, was : dropped),. the Fire Brigade ; Act, .the, Loans t-o Local Bodies Amendment Act, 1908. Mr. Hislop, whatever'they might think of his politics, deserved credit for his, consistent, opposition to every attaok made by' the.-pre-sent Ministry upon the rights of local government. . The ''Gag" Clause. The candidate strongly condemned the Second. Ballot Act and the "gag" clause. If the. latter had been passed ho would have been "run in" during the next three weeks. In the- topsy-turvoy Liberalism of this side of the world, the muzzle was apparently a symbol of liberty. He pictured himself in the dock,: charged before a Wellington jury with addressing the electors and defended by Mr. Wilford, who, though a Government supporter, had threatened to defy the "gag." We owed it to the cowardice of the Government, and not to its good- intentions, that wo should enjoy the same degree of liberty at the second ballot as at the first. The prophet had said, "The Liberal deviseth Liberal things, and by Liberal things shall lie stand," but the Government that devised such things as that -deserved, to fall. — Tyrannous Methods. Other instances of its peculiar kind of Liberalism were the "£4O steal," the "gag" clause, and the establishment of city single electorates, which had all been effected T)y' the Government without its having ever submitted the issues to the olectors. These things showed the necessity for more independent critics in Parliament. Ho 'recalled the bringing dowii of au Electoral Amendment Bill at 2 o'clock one morning when he was in Parliament, which provided that no defamatory statement about a candidate might, be made within a certain period of polling day, under penalty of six months' imprisonment. That would have" prevented anybody exposing theft on the part of a candidate, He' got j6he word "untrue" put in before "defamatory," as Sir Joseph Ward, who was in charge, know that ho was prepared to stay there until 8 a.m. if necessary. Another amendment which he effected in the same Bill saved much expense in connection with a recount of votes. Ho claimed Mr. M'Lean's' vote on that score. (Laughter.) He also got a clause put in- which was a safeguard against fraudulent stuffing of the rolls. Along with the tyrannous practices of the Government, it had a \i-ondcrful capacity for backing down, as shown by the surrender of the "gag" clause, the withdrawal of Mr. M'Nab's first Land Bill, the absolute betrayal of the Arbitration Act through weak administration. The new Arbitration Bill was excellent in aim, and the Industrial Councils should be more effective than the old Boards of Conciliation, if they had a fair trial. Ho was not at all sure that the keeping up of compulsion, though in the background, would help the machine to work smoothly,. ... Reforms Advocated. He thought it disgraceful that New Zealand was still dependent on the taxpayers of Great Britain for her defence. The recent report of the Defence Council disclosed a scandalous state of affairs. Some form of compulsory training was necessary (applause), but ho would deal fully with the defence question nex't week at Newtown. . Among measures which he considered necessary were a largo scheme of local government with assured finance, and the decentralisation of public works; a'Royal, Commission lo overhaul the public service, and the establishment of a Public Sorvice Board to abolish political control; abolition of the licensing of bookmakers, and of the totalisalor, reduction of the number of " race days, and cessation of land gambling at, the ballots; charitable aid reform; State insurance against accident and illness. Questions. ' Replying to-questions, Mr. Atkinson said ho whb anainat State monopoly of tho liquor

traffic, and favoured abolition of barmaids. Ono license should only entitle tho holder to one bar. Ho was inclined to oppose uniform school books. He was in favour of restricting Chinese immigration. He would support a Bill for giving a weekly day of rest for all workers so far as practicable. The land ballot should bo replaced by sale by tender. He . approved of tile principle of proportional representation, which might he tried for the Legislative Counoil. He questioned whethei the time was ripo for colonial option in licensing, but thought it would havo to come. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr. A. Gray, seconded by Mrs. Macalister, and carried, with threo dissentients.

WELLINGTON SOUTH,

MR. BARBER AT NEWTOWN. Mr. W. H. P. Barber, M.P., who seeks re- 1 election as member for Wellington South, < opened his campaign at St. Thomas's Hall, 1 Newtown, last evening, speaking to a fair I number of electors. Tho heavy rain which 1 was falling doubtless had a diminishing effect ; upon tho attendance. Mr. B. Dawson was ] chairman. 1 Mr. Barber was suffering from a cold and : very relaxed throat, and had some difficulty , in speaking. He expressed the hope thatthe j election would be free from all personalities , ,or bitterness. .At the last election a few 1 personalities had been indulged in, but they , had not come from him or from his sup- . porters. He hoped that the forthcoming ■ election would be free from all malice. Since the election of three years ago there had : been -an alteration in. the constitution of the Ministry, and a change 111 the boundar- , ies of the electorates. Further, it was necessary now to obtain an absolute majority in order to seoure a seat. He was ofFeringhimself as a supported of the present Administration. (Applause.) They were following out the policy of the Seddon Administration, and proceeding with Liberal legislation in the interests of tho masses. Durins the seventeen .years the present Administration had been 111 power, the Dominion had enjoyed seventeen years of unequalled prosperity. (Applause.) Thß Burden of Taxation. He wished to refute the statements made that the burden of taxation had been increased. Year by year the revonue had shown an' increase which must be satisfactory to all classes of tho community. A handsome surplus was loft whioh oould be transferred from the consolidated to the Public Works Fund • for tho erection of schools, the extension of telegraphs, and other important works. IJnder the present Ministry £6,430,000 had been transferred from the Consolidated Fund to the Public Works Fund. Who could say that under a Liboral Government the oountry had not prospered ? Had they not been able to transfer that money, they would have had to borrow it or refrain from spending. Tho interest at 3? per 011 that amount for ono year would bo £225,050. It had been Baid that the Government were heaping up tho burden of taxation. In the last ten years there had been no increase except in the graduated land tax, and 1 that applied only to estates valued at £40,000 and over. This was to encourage tho cutting up of land. The Customs tariff had been reduced £568,250 per year. Postal and Railway Facilities. The public did not always appreciate the extra facilities and conveniences in tho working of public institutions at very much reduced rates. In the early days it took three weeks to send a letter to Auckland, and most of tho - communication •between tho two islands' was by schooner trado via tho Australian colonies. lu 1875 the price of registering a letter •was 6d., now it was 2d. The Department lost 4d. on ovory registered letter which went through "the" post office. In 1873 tho newspaper rate had been reduced to Id., and the rate from Australia reduced from 3d. to 2d, The letter rates to England had been reduced from 9d. to Id. In 1869 the price of telegrftms.lyid.beon 2s. Gd. for ten words, and 6d. for every additional five words. Tho rates ;h4d to Gd. for. ten, words, and at 'pr'esorit tlio : rate was Id. a word. Last year 85$ million letters had passod through tho post office'; double the numbeij of 1900, and nearly four times tho' letters posted in 1890.. In !1007 thi money orders issued had been/nearly three times tho number taken out in 1890. The savings bank receipts for 1907 ivore, roughly, 11J millions, and the gross departmental receipts and payments wero, roundly, 44$ millions. The railways had boon greatly extended, and ono of the most important facilities introduced >was tho workers' weekly tickets. Tho ordinary, passenger rates had also been roduccd. A passenger could travel a return journey of 250 miles for 7s. sd. loss than he could have mado tho single journey in 1890. Ho could now travel 7GO miles for the faro upon which he was entitled in 1890 to travel only- 250 miles.- A considerable aniount'had been spent in 'building stations and in improving tho rolling stock- . £563,250 had been taken off the' Customs tariff, and this reduction had been mado on many necessaries of life, such as tea, sugar, kerosene, cotton goods, etc. From April 1 to September SO last, notwithstanding the concessions mado, there had been an increase in the revenue of £331. This was not larger, because there had been a decrease in the Customs revenue 0f£133,933, there had beon a loss on the registration and othor fees of £8341, and on territorial revenue of £6120. It. was satisfactory to know that, in snite of these concessions, there had,been 'still an increase in revenue. (Applause.) As time went on tho effect of these concessions on tho revenue would gradually disappear. Wanted—lndustrial Poace. Turning to the work of the past session, he would like to mention an important Act passed, entitled the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill. Parliament had undertaken a most difficult task here. It was ono of the- most difficult _ problems that could come beforo any Parliament. The most that could be expected even of that measuro was that it might remove the present difficulties, and tond to achieve tho object which all so m-uch desired—industrial peace. Parliament should endeavour to secure as far as possible the confidence of the worker and employer, and so encourage the industries, which were of such vital importance. They must endeavour to allay the industrial strife which had had a detrimental effect upon their industries during the past few years. If the industries of a city were not prosperous, the whole community felt the depression. If they could encourage tho investment of capital in their industrial manufactures they would find work for all who wanted it. He hoped the workers would give the now Act a fair trial. He did not believe this legislation was detrimental to the interests of tho worker. The workers themselves did not believe in strikes, and he thought that tiie only real opposition to the measure came from the professional agitators. (Applause.) The whole of the legislation which had gonu through the House while he had been a member had been intended to assist the masses in every possible way, and to restrict the hand of the capitalist. During the past eighteen months, over.threo millions had beon 'advanced to settlers. At the present moment the Government was not in the position to advance any further sums. The Covci'nment and the Workers. Ho was sorry the workers did not appreciate the fact that the Government was legislating in their interests. (Applause.) At one time 600 girls were working in factories in tho Dominion for no wages at all'. Parliament had put an end to this state of things. That svstem had been altered, and anyone employing a boy or girl in a factory now was : compelled to pay him or her os. a week. An elcctor: When was that Act passed? ' ' Mr. Barber: In 1899. The voice: That's a long time ago. Mr. Barber: It is since this Ministry have 1 been in power. (Applause.) The State 1 Coalmines Department enabled the worker > to get his coal at a low rate. By tho pas--1 sing of the State Fire Insurance Act, tho : premiums bad been reduced by 3-3 1-3 per : cent.. Tho foundation of St. Helen's Hospi- ' 'tals was a most, important, thing for the ' worker, and the fees and attention could not 1 be put on a more satisfactory basis. : The Workers' Dwellings Act and the [ Advances to Workers Act were far- ' reaching measures. The Main Trunk > Railway was a most desirablp work, and ' would prove of the greatest, value lo settlers right through the Island. The total cost of I,lie railway, including extensive road ron--1 ''-initio", had exceeded two and a half roil- • lioat. Works about to be commenced wore:

Extensive alterations to the. General Post Office, erection of a post office at To Aro, and another (which ho had been successful 111 obtaining) at Kilbiniie, and an up-to-date railway station. Through the fire which had destroyed Parliament House it would be necessary to put up new buildings. Tho Government had no intention of spending half a million of money, and the Prime Minister had never suggested anything of tho kind. The proposal formulated by him showed a profit of £0000 a. year 011 the'transaction. lie (Mr. Barber) had suggested tho Parliament Buildings should bo erected on Mount Cook. (Hear, hoar.) If the new buildings were put on the Government House site, largo warehouses would bo erected in the vicinity and absolutely obscure the Parliamentary Buildings. ' Local Matters. Newtown had been handicapped because the telephone exchange was right at tho. othor end of the city. They had to pay an annual l'oa 011 account of tho distance from town. Ho was glad to say, however, that the Prima Minister had .promised him last year that a telephone exchange would he provided for Newtown. (Applause.) He had beon successful in getting six new letterreceiving boxes in tho electorate, and the olearances had baen increased from two to fivo. daily. His representations had been successful in another respect, and the Post Office at Newtown would opon at 8 a.m. (instead of 9 o'clock) from next Monday. It was most unsatisfactory that the price of building timber had increased from Bs. to 14s. 6d. in five years. As' a result of _ his representations, tho Government bad decided that, after tho elections were over, a Royal Commission would be set up to look into tho stato of that industry. (Applause,) Not Wanting a Portfolio. "Aro you, like tho member for Hawera, looking out for a portfolio?" asked ono of' the audience. "l am not," replied Mr. Barber. "I appreciate the position not as a member really, but knowing that it convoys with it the good wishes and tho confidence of the people I represent." (Applause.) Mr. Barber went on to speak of the work done by Mr. Guinness, wliOj 1 110 said, would make an admirable Minister for Mines. State Bank Notes. Mr. Barber was asked: "Aro you in favour of Stato bank notes?" Ho replied that he did not know how such a system would work, unless the Government had conv.rol or the bank. Ho had always, been 111 favour of a Stato Bank, and although some , people did not know it, they had almost a State Bank at present. Six of tho directors of the Bank of New Zealand, and tho AuditorGeneral, were appointed by tho i Government. In answer to another question, the candidate declared himself to bo a No-License man 011 the three-fifths majority.

A vote of thanks and . confidence was passed.

Mr. R. A. Wright, Independent Opposition candidate for Wellington South, addressed tho electors at tho Victoria Hall last evening. Tho meeting was fairly well attended, despite the wet weather. Mr. D. Campbell was voted to Mr. Wright, after ex-' plaining his political position, dealt with the questions of defence and the Legislativo Council. He pointed out that Now Zealand was practically defenceless. In view of tho possibility of war breaking out' between Groat Britain and Germanv in the near future, and that China had awakened from her slumber of centuries, it was necessary that New Zealand . should tako steps to defend her coasts. We wcro all'hi sympathy • with the movement for. a'white Now Zealand, but we must be in a position to defend that policy. Ho would support tjny reasonable; method of drilling and training our young "men, but such a scheme to be successful ' must neither produce irritation' nor involve pecuniary loss to the citizen-soldiers. He opposed the present system of.a .nominated Upi>or House. An olcctive Upper Chamber would be preferable, and J that tho present electorates"in'tlio Dominion" should be grouped in fours, each group of four eleoting 0110 member. A number of questions were answered, and a motion of thanks and confidence was carried i unanimously. . .

WELLINGTON CENTRAL. Despite the pelting rain, St. Petor's large schoolroom, Ghiiznee Street, was practically' filled last evening, when Mr. P. M. B. Fisher, M.P., who is standing for Wellington Central, gave' a political address. Mr. W. A. Thomson presided. Tho candidate spoke on the lines of previous addresses, and his remarks were greeted with a good deal of applause. A vote of thanks and confidence, moved- by Mr. G. Tullyy ivas carried unanimously. • WELLINGTON SUBURBS. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, candidate for the suburbs seat, addressed a meeting, at 3liramar last evening. Mr. W.,Somerville was in the chair. The candidate outlined his policy, and dealt on the political topics of tho day. He also referred to the present and prospective expansion of the city towaids Miramar, and reforred to the possibilities held out for industrial business sites in the reclamation of the southern end of Evans Bay. He was' accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. HUTT. Mr. T. M. Wilford delivered a short address to a crowded audience at Geo. Peck's Hall, Epuni Hamlet, last evening. At tho conclusion of the address a committee of thirty-five settlers was formed, with Mr. N. W. Breen as chairman, Messrs. Dome, Brown, and Soots as vice-chairmen, and Mr. C. W. Howard as secretary. This is the largest committee Mr. Wilford lias over had at ■Epuni. : , . - OTAKI. Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., spoke at tho Weraroa Hall on Thursday night. Notwithstanding tho boisterous weather tho ball was well filled, and Mr. Field's address was received with applause. Mr, Bartholomew was in the chair, and Mr. Ivor James moved the vote of confidence which was carried at the end of the meeting. WAIRARAPA. Mr. W. C. Buchanan had a good meeting at Feathers ton on Thursday night, writes our Wairarapa correspondent. Mr. J. AV. Card occupied the chair. The candidate delivered a two-hours' speech, during which time ho delivered a forceful criticism of the Government, and was applauded right through the meeting. In the course of his remarks, he showed that the Government spent more money on roads and bridges in election years than in any other years, and this was ono of the many corrupt influences which were being brougnt to bear upon tho electorates. At the conclusion of the address the candidate received a vote of thanks, upon tho motion .of Mr. J. G. Cox, seconded by Steffert.