MR. J, E. FITZGERALD AT MARANUI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1265, 21 October 1911, Page 6

MR. J, E. FITZGERALD AT MARANUI.

Mf: J- E. Fitzgerald, the Government oandidate for the Wellington Suburbs and Country Districts electorate-, addressed a largo meeting at Mnranni last night. Mr. Aitkin presided, and tlio speaker was givon an attentive hearing. Ho said ho believed that compulsory military training should ccaso at 21 years °f J 1 ' 1 ! other respects he approved of the Defenco Act. Ho then dealt with the land qu&stion, and advocated that .Maori lands should bear their share of the cost, ol roads, railways, and bridges, which' had improved their lands, lie considerj:l the Maoris should pay rates and taves and so be forced to bring their land into cultivation. He favoured the bursting "1' °( ,' i > r p° estate? by an increased lar.d tax, which would have the effect of placing land on tho market, and by an increase in land tax revenue enable a roauction to bs made in the duti<?s on the necessaries of life. Mr. Fitzgerald advocated a- policy of strict economy in public expenditure, and in referring to tho railways administration he considered that there was a good deal of waste through unprofitable train-running. Ho ridiculed tho Views expressed by tho. Laboi.i candidate that Labour should in the event or a sccond ballot support the Opposition. ,y i-i " le ''! ns , '?t I'Hoonr support ' their candidate, but if their candidate should not. be in the second ballot he asked them to remember the party which had made an.honest attempt to improve their eontlition. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Mini fie and seconded by Mr. Paul and carried by acclamation.