ON THE PLATFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1282, 10 November 1911, Page 6

ON THE PLATFORM.

WELLINGTON SOUTH. MR. WRIGHT AT BROOKLYN. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., addressed an audience of about 150 persons iu Fullford's Hall at Brooklyn last evening. Mr. r IV M'Dowell presided. In his address Mr. Wright dealt with the principal defects in the administration of the Government, and described the reforms which tho Opposition would carry if returned to power. One of his hearers asked him if he had not voted foT party instead of principle in supporting a freehold amendment moved by Mr. Massey durine the Budget debate of last year. Mr. Wright explained that the motion in question was accepted by tho Government as one of want of confidence. Tho issue at stake was not, therefore, leasehold or freehold, but whether tho Government should remain in office or not. Ho supported the motion, not as a blind follower of party, but in fulfilment of a pledge to his constituents that ho would at every opportunity voto against tho Government on a noconfidenco motion. On every occasion when a motion affecting the leasehold had been raised in tho House ho had voted for the leaseholdMr. Wright stated that he had consistently supported progressive legislation, such as the Advances to Workers and Workers' Compensation Amendment Acts and tho Widows' Pensions Act. He had opposed the Government proposals to subsidise tho iron and oil industries because he considered aid on these lines unnecessary. Mr. Wright had an attentive hearing throughout. Having concluded his address and answered a number of questions, he was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

DR. COUZENS AT NEWTOWN. Dr. Couzcns, the Independent Opposition candidate for Wellington South, addressed a well-attended meeting of the electors at Newtown Library last evening. Mr. A. R. Hornblow presided over the proceedings, which were quite orderly, the candidato being accorded an attentive hearing. The candidate, in tho course of his remarks, traversed the main points of his Brooklyn specch, and went on to discuss what he considered should be a charter of liberty—a declaration of right, and such as their forefathers iu the Old Land lvad fought for and won —for the people of Wellington and NewZealand. He dwelt at some length upon the main points of tho charter, taking them seriatim—the land question, Native lands, leaseholds, rights of municipal corporations, and so on. On tho subject of tramway control, Dr. Couzens thought that the Wellington tramway system was well managed, and tho intrusion of the Government should bo resented as an influence! that made for political intrigue and vote-catching. Replying to questions, the candidate said that lie was in favour of a Daylight Saving Bill, and of a tax upon motor-cars. A heart,y voto of thanks was accorded the candidate at the close of his speech.

MR. BARBER AT BERHAMPORE. Mr. W. H. P. Barber, Ministerial candidate for Wellington South, addressed- a meeting of over 80 people at Berhamporo last night, and hacl a good hearing. Mr. Brown presided. The candidate's speech was on similar lines to that which he

delivered at Newtown. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded him, on tho motion of Mr. Devonport, seconded by Mr. Dickson. WELLINGTON EAST. MR. M'LAREN AT HATAITAI. Mr. D. M'Laren, M.l\, addressed a meeting in the Bowling Club Pavilion, Hataitai last night. Captain W. Light presided, and in introducing the candidate said "though he had not supported Jlr. M'Laren -it Jast election, having watched his work in Parliament ho could heartily recommend liiin this time." Mr. M'Laren set forth the principles of Labour as being: Democracy in constitutional aflairs; equality of opportunity in economic affairs; effective administration by filling offices on tho basis of merit; and social reform in tho interest of the masses. He supported proportional representation, both in respect to Parliamentary and local government elections, and expressed tho conviction that a Proportional Representation Bill would be passed by the next Parliament. The electoral law still wanted improving to safeguard the Tights of electors, and better plans of enrolment were certainly necessary. One candidate, Mr. Bolton, seemed to' think he had a monopoly in the question of rents and prices, as he warned everybody off from discussing it except himself. This was perfectly ridiculous, as the workers in thousands were discussing it before that gentleman came on the scene. The inspiration of most progressive legislation had come from Labour Unions, and they should get the credit of their work. Next Parliament would require to deal with imporant industrial legislation, and he believed the electors would regard it as fair to have Labour men in Parliament when the Labour laws were'being dealt with. He had already helped in improving some of our industrial- laws. A motion of thanks to, and confidence in, Mr. M'Laren was put to tho meeting and carried unanimously.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS.

-UK. W. H. D. BELL AT NGAIO. '/hero was a very large audience to hear Mr. Bell at Ngaio last night, the Methodist Churchroom being packed. Mr. Holdsworth, Mayor of Onslow, presided. Tho candidate commenced by referring to the statements reiterated by the Government that the Reform party had no constructive policy. In reply to those statements, Mr. Bell took as his text the platform of the Reform' party as defined by Mr. Massey at the Town Hall some months ago. Mr. Bell dealt with that platform item by item, and pointed out the abuses which it was designed to prevent and tho objects which it had in view. Dealing with tho land question, the candidate pointed out that tho Government, which had at one time nailed its colours to the leasehold mast, had now no policy upon this question. Anyono reading tho report of Sir Joseph Ward's address at Winton would find plenty of praise heaped by Sir Josoph Ward upon Sir Joseph Ward, and plenty of abuse heaped by Sir Joseph Ward upon the Reform party, but where in that speech could one find the constructive policy of tho Government? Mr. Bell said that tho platform of the Reform party, as expounded by Mr. Massey, was clearly defined, and with every plank of that platform ho (Mr. Bell) agreed. He thought that the policy of the Government must be judged, not by tho statements of Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues, but by the miserable results of the past twenty years' administration. In reply to questions, Mr. Bell said that he was not in favour of the second ballot. Ho was in favour of stimulating immigration, but tho development of the country must proceed at tho saino time, so as to avoid the flooding of the labour market.

Mr. Bell's address was received with enthusiasm, and at the conclusion the candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. J. Holmes, seconded by Air. C. Aplin, sen. A strong committee was formed. MR, FITZGERALD AT MAKARA. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, the Government candidate for the Suburbs seat, addressed the electors at Makara on Wednesday evening. Councillor Monoghan presided over an attendance of about SS. Dealing with tho land question, Mr. Fitzgerald said that it was the duty of Parliament to approach the question from a national and not a party point of view, and endeavour to define a policy best suited for this young country. As far as the remaining Crown lands were concerned he believed that they should be retained for all time as endowments for old age pensions, hospital, and educational puiposes. Referring to the borrowing policy of the Liberal party, tho candidate said it was truo they had borrowed <£10,000,000, but it was truo also that 86J per cent, of that money was reproductive and earning money. No Government could have realised its duty more than the present Government in the development of tho country by railways, roads, and other works of • public utility, thus had it endeavoured to develop tho known and unknown resources of the Dominion. Touching on defence, Mr. Fitzgerald said that three years ago he strongly advocated giving tho volunteer forces more encouragement—had that been done, he believed there would havo been no need for the Defence Act as we know it to-day. Referring to tho medical inspection of school children, he said that it was indeed an anomaly that,a country that led the world from a legislative point of view made little or no provision for tho physical welfare of its future citizens, and tho timo had surely arrived when the Government of the day should realise their responsibility in this respect, and appoint medical inspectors, whose duty it would be to periodically examine all school children. Mr. Fitzgerald paid a tribute to the Dentists' Association in endeavouring to bring this matter before the public. At the close of his address, tho candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation, and a committee was set up to further his interests.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

SPEECH BY SIR J. FINDLAY. Ujj Telegraph —pieaa issoclitloll., Auckland, November 9. The first half-hour of Sir Joun Findlay's speech at Remuera to-nignt was occupied in an exnibition ol resentment against tne critics oi tne Government anu himself. Having repeated his reiereuces to ttio clean auministration ot justice which he made on tne previous night, he went on to declare that tho Chief Justice had practically been toid by the LcaUer ox the Upposition that liie answer he Robert Stout) gave to the Government in connection with tho Hino charges was in- | liuenced by the fact that ho hau been paid for his services in connection with the Native Laud Commission. The candidate strongly deprecated such a statement. "These high critics of ours," he said scornfully, "who are posturing on a pedestal, who from their lofty height arc looking down upon our 'Tammanyism'—these 'saints' had better look to their own practices. I ask you," ho continued, "is the conduct I will now refer to fair or manly? An action was brought against tho 'New Zealand Times'; the Judge who had to try the case was tho Chief Justice; the plaintiff was tho Leader of the Opposition. A few days before that case should havo come before the tribunal, unsullied by bias of any kind, tho bitterest things of tho whole course of that wretched business of tho Hino charges were hurled at Sir Robert Stout by -Mr. Massey. That." ho contended, "is not what you would expect from public men in the highest positions." Pursuing tho same line of speech, Sir John next quoted some recent remarks uttered in the House by Mr. Isitt, tho member for Christchurch North, to tho effect that thcro was no bribery, no corruption no maladministration, and no political "gTaft" on tho part of tho present Government. That, lie claimed, was the verdict of as keen a critic as had ever entered tho House.

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

SPEECH BY ME. A. M. MYEES. (By Telegraph—l'ress Association.) Auckland, Noveml>er 0. Referring to the liquor question in his first address to the electors of Auckland East this evening. Mr. A. M. Myers, M.F., said he was in favour of maintaining tho threo-fifths majority, partly bocause he thought it was necessary to establish stability iu such an important matter, and partly because tho experiuijoe of all pouotries wbicli bad tried

Prohibition had been that it .was impossible to effectively enforce it unless it had behind it an overwhelming public sentiment. (Applause) Drunkenness was equally deplored by the trade, as by the most ardent Prohibitionist, and ho would be the first to welcome any measure which ho thought would reduce or put .an end to it, but he did not think that Prohibition was the remedy. Before it was tried much more uso might, be made of tho existing laws which empowered those interested to issue personal prohibition orders against those who did not understand tjho difference belween use and abuse.

OTAKI.

MR. MONCKTON AT LEVIN. (By TcleiraDh—Soecial Correspondent.) Levin, November 0. Mr. Monckton, Reform candidate, atl-! dressed a meeting of electors at tho Century Hall, Levin, last evening. Notwithstanding the boisterous weather, tliero was a good attendance, and the candidate received an excellent hearing. Mr. T. M. Kingdon occupied tho chair. Mr. Monckton's audrcss was similar to that given at Otaki, but he also replied to certain criticisms of Sir James Carroll, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr. Field. The meeting was very enthusiastic throughout, and at the conclusion a motion was carried as follows:—"Thismeeting accords a voto of thanks to Mr. Monckton for his able and interesting address, and considers him a fit and proper person to represent this constituency in Parliament." An "amendment was moved by Mr. C. Palmer, but did not find a seconder. The motion was carried amid applause and cheering.

TARANAKI.

MR. W. FORBES OPENS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Inglewood, November 7. Mr. W. Forbes, an Independent Opposition candidate for Taranalci, opened his campaign last night. JIo expressed himself as a supporter of tho freehold, and morn progressive land settlement in addition to the deferred payment. He was against local option, but in favour of .Dominion Prohibition on the bare majority. Tho candidate was also against compulsory training ill every form. He would support the Civil Service being removed from political control, and public works being carried out bv contract. The candidate asked for a "rote of thanks only, which was passed accordingly.

New Plymouth, November 8. Mr. C. E. Bellringer, Government candidate and supporter of the bare majority on the No-License question, opened Ins Taranaki campaign to-night at the Theatre Roval. He spoke generally in defence of tho Government policy, and replied to criticisms levelled by tile Opposition at the finance and other Departments of the present Administration. OROUA. MR. GUTHRIE AT COLYTON. (By TclesrraDh—SDecial Correspondent.) Feilding, November 8. Mr. D. H. Guthrie, M.P., spoke at Colyton, this week, Mr. W. G. Pearce being in tho chair. In the course of a lengthy address, Mt. Guthrie dealt with tho waning power and influenco of the Government, instancing as reasons the laxity in administration and the autocratic methods adopted by somo of the Ministers. He dealt at some length with the financial proposals of tho Government, the audience following the speaker with interest. The meeting passed a voto of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. Shortall and seconded by Mr. Francis. Mr. Guthrie, the Opposition candidate for Oroua, addressed a meeting of ladies and gentlemen at Aratika last night. Mr. R. Brown was in tho chair. Mr. Guthrie's hearers showed the greatest interest in his remarks, and at the conclusion he was accorded a vote of thanks and renewed confidence, on the motion of Messrs. R. Brown and A. Gray. A strong request was made to the candidate to come to Aratika again. MOTUEKA. SPEECH BY HON. R. MUENZIE, (By TclccraDli.—Press Association.) Nelson, November 8. Tho Hon. R. M'Kenzie, speakin" at Wai-iti on Tuesday night, condemned tho Civil Service Board idea as unsound. Ho favoured reform of the Legislative Council, but was opposed to tho Opposition scheme of large electorates which, lie said, would unduly favour wealthy candidates which was doubtless the Opposition's object. He thought a Revising Chambers, comprised of barristers and solicitors, with other necessary qualifications, would meet the case. Eight or ten such men would be sufficient.

HAWKE'S BAY.

(By Telezranh.—Press Association.) Napier, November 8. Mr. Henry Hill, chief inspector of schools for Hawkc's Bay, to-night consented to stand as a Labour candidate for Napier, being assured by the representatives of tho Labour Unions of a practically unanimous labour vote.

THE PRIME MINISTER.

Invercarpill, November 9. Sir Joseph Ward visited various parts of his electorate to-day, and addressed fivo meetings, at all of which he was well received, and was tendered votes of thanks and confidence.