MR. A. W. HOGG IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 569, 26 July 1909, Page 5

MR. A. W. HOGG IN AUCKLAND.

A PUBLIC MEETING.

(By Telegraph.—Prcßß AeßOciation.l '. \.. Auckland, July 23., Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P. foivMasterton, and ex-Minister for Labour, addressed a, publC meeting to-night■ on land monopoly., The. liall was! crowded to its , utmost'capacity, by an audience of upwards of 1600, which over-, fldwed the building. The Mayor (Mr. C. D. Grey) presided. Mr. Hogg was greeted -with' prolonged applause. The majority of ■ those present were apparently heart and soul with the speaker, though there. \ras ■ a.'minority ... in a sportive mood (one of whom was 'ejected), and these now and then mMy enlivened the proceedings. There was strong Socialistic and Labour support on the plat-, Mr. Hogg, who was at the outset abjured by someone behind him to "Make it strong," referred to last , session as the. shortest and the most memorable in the history of the Dominion. There- were tjirce things which, if they were ..combined, would do a great deal for New- Zealand', namely, land, labour, and. capital, separated they would accomplish very Ivtyle, ,but;welded'togother ; ilito.a union, they would perform miracles. Tile proper occupation; of the land would increase our oxports, our wealth, and our. comfort. Hβ went 011 to refer to the vast acres of locked-up land in the- Dominion, making • special reference to the King Country. This King Country land would accommodate tons of thousands of settlers j instead, it was. Iwing allowed to: go to waste,_ '.Alluding to his; now-famous speech, Mr. Hogg declared that it was the .'outcome, plain .and , forcible' as it was, of the, pledge lie had given to I the King Country settlers..; The . carrying out of this pledge had cost him his seat in 'the Cabinet, ibut it had given him the confidence of the people of the country. (Applause.) Thero had been, and there stillwas, gross mismanagement.': in • connection with our land administration. , He then passed on to discuss labour'problems; paper currency,Vand other-matters., He declared that we were on the threshold of momentouf ■ reforms in lend, labour, and finance. In conclusion, he , urged all branches of labour to combine and avoid dissensions. Enthusiastic applause greeted the speaker as he resumed his seat/ On the motion of Mr. T. Long (president of the Trades and Labour . Council) -a- congratulatory motion-of •■thanks ... was accorded, to Mr. Hogg, and three ..■ "boohs" were given for Sir Joseph Ward. ,