"LIBERAL" LEADERS

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1153, 14 June 1911, Page 8

"LIBERAL" LEADERS

MR. CARROLL AND MR. NGATA. ' CiKEERIN^ 1 UP'TIiE EANK AND FILE. IBy Telecrapb.—Press Association.) j Carterton, June 13. ' The Acting-Premier (the Hon. J. Carroll), accompanied by tho Hon. A. Ngata, .was present at the Liberal "social" in Carterton last night, and received a hearty reception.

Mr. Carroll delivered a short address, principally, dealing with Opposition criticism. He claimed that the Liberal policy was consistent and progressive. For the twenty years the Government. had been in power the Opposition had gone through many phases: first it was the great Conservative party, then tho ".National Ass," then the fteform party, and yoiv the only true Liberal party. The Opposition had termed Mr. Ballance and his party the seven devils of Socialism, but now said Mr. Ballance was a. noble, self-reliant man who did great good. Tho Opposition said Mr. Seddon was galloping to a deficit and ruining the country, but now said Jlr. Seddon was a great, strong man, whose work benefited New Zealand. The Opposition said the . Ward Government, was hypocritical and dishonest; a future Opposition would probably referjo them as tho noble men of 1911. The Opposition had . opposed' all the. Liberal measures, and now . claimed credit for initiating some and improving others, and would not repeal any. Mr. Massey had said the Native .Minister was doing no good, and should be removed as an impediment to progress. Mr. Carroll claimed to have consolidated .the Native land laws, introduced the board, system, put the Native lands on the footing of Crown lands, secured. proper valuation, settled 1,700,000 acres of Native land in five or six years, settled last .vear 3-14,000 acres—l74,ooo by sale, 170,000 by lease—yet Jlr. Massey said lie was doing nothing. lie referred to Taumarunui and Te Kui.ti on tho Main Trunk Line as once Native lands, but now municipalities, and lately a pastoral show was held with hundreds present where only ten persons were three years ago. AVas that not progress? Mr. Massey knew nothing about Native lands. Ho only indulged in vague generalities-. The speaker challenged Jlr. Massey to say where the six millions of v:aste Native lands were that he was so fond of talking about. The statement was absolutelycontrary to fact. The Government was not a class Government, but legislated for all small farmers, workers, and the ■whole people. There was no need to pull down the Liberal banner now; all should strengthen it and do their share to help along tho progress of the country they all loved so much. (Applause.)

■ Mr. Ngata gave a short address and ■urged young .electors to be aware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Tho Opposition were putting on Liberal clothes, and begging to be put in power. They would not repeal any legislation, but only wanted to administer it. The Liborals had not changed. Let them beware of wolves. The social was a great success and a largo number itere present.