THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 13 November 1902, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MR. FIELD AT OTAKI. Mr. W. H. Field, who is seeking reelection for the Otaki seat, addressed the electors in the Town Hall, Otaki, on Tuesday night. Mr. A. Small occupied the chair, and there was a- fair attendance. The candidate prefaced his remarks by reminding his hearers that he mu&t to a large extent repeat observations made in his presessional addressf m June last. Though no. serious opposition to his return was offered, he had thought it well to visit all parts of the electorate and organise his supporters. He had been pleased" to find that some who had previously opposed him were now supporting him. His only opponent was the Rev. Frank Isitt, the Prohibitionist, but it was necessary for his (Mr. Field's) friends to see that they voted strong, and allowed no surprise to, take place. He would have preferred either a walkover or a hard fight. The Prohibitionists were justified in th< ir action, owing to tbe unsatisfactory position, of the law. It wa3 awkward that men who otherwise would have a, walk-over should find opposition so as to secure a local option poll. He thought some alteration should be effected in the future, and it might be that the local option poll should be taken on a separate day. Dealing with financial matters, the "candidate said the public debt showed an increase of £14,136,000 during the past eleven years, but pointed out that no less, than £9,773,000 of this was direct interest bearing, and -was earning an income in eccess of the interest which was being paid on it. During the eleven years £6,057,000 borrowed was non-interest bearing. From this total of £15,831,000 redemptions aggregating £1,695,000 had to be taken. Large as the increase of borrowing was, it was less than that of the Hall and Atkinson Administration. In order to develop the country," it was necessary to borrow, and he did not think the borrowing had been excessive. He would like to see the North Island Main Trunk line completed,- if the Government could gut the money to push on the work. It was gratifying to find that, if our public debt had increased, the increase of our revenue more than kept pace with it. He quoted figures •in support of this contention. It was worth noting that the total of the land and income tax of last year came to less than half a million, or less than onetwelfth of the revenue. The increase of revenue was not due to abnormal external influences, as a comparison of the revenue returns for the six months ended 3rd September last with the returns of the same period of last financial year would show. An increase of £70,000 was shown in the 1902 return over those of tho six months of 1901 (when abnormal conditions existed.) He quoted figures showing the buoyancy of the revenue and an increase of our oversea trade during the past eleven years, and pointed out that concessions had been granted on railway charges, Customs, postage and telegrams, and the mortgage tax. Mr. Field compared the condition of New Zealand with that of Australian States. He hoped at an early date to see a free breakfast table, but quoted returns to show that the duties paid by the people on necessaries of life were only 11s lOd pci 1 head per annum. Remissions of duty on such articles as candles had been <)f great benefit to farmers. Personally, Jie was hv favour of a modified freetrade, Customs dues to be levied for revenue only, but the changes should be made gradually. The colony was to be congratulated upon having Mr. Seddon as,its representative at the Imperial Conference. The result of the Conference, went to show that of the twelve resolutions passed, seven came from New Zealand. A distinct advance, he considered, had been made in the direction of preferential trade between the Old Country and the colonies. Federation was nc^ longer a live question, and we had more reasoh than ever to congratulate ourselves upon riot having joined the' Commonwealth. He claimed that the present Government had been a good Govern- ' ment for the farming community. It had brought about a. change from tho property .'to the land and income-tax, had given cheaper money; had developed ihe Agricultural ' Department, encouraged dairying, flax, poultry, and other industries, granted railway concessions, provided grants for much-needed roads, given Customs protection to farm products,, removed duties on agricultural implements, etc., prpvided market quotations, had trade representatives abroad, and facilitated agricultural and pastoral legislation. He complained that the -(.Jovernment had not done all that it might have done in providing more markets for our meat industry. Better regulation of the Home market was needed. The Post had suggested that the meat industry problem could not be solved whilst 'the private interests of the Government were concerned in it. He (Mr. Field) did not believe members of the Ministry were privately interested in the industry. He would not shield any Minister if he could get an inkling of his having a private interest which hindered the development of the industry. Continuing, Mr. Field commended the South . African direct- service agreement and remarked on the great improvement in the flax industry caused by Government grading. The sum of £3,073,000 had been lent by tho Government Advances to Settlers Department, and no money had been lost in its operations. A reduction of fess to borrowers was contemplated. Complaints from settlers had to a largo extent ceased as to land valuation. He was a firm bsliever in the granting of tho freehold, and believed the lease in perpetuity was the worst system the country had ever known. He commended the Government for its labour legislation, and compared the condition 6T New Zealand with that of America and France. \ Our legislation had abolished strikes, lock-outs, and sweating, and consequently had prevented poverty, suffering, and vice. He was a member and supporter of the Farmers.' Union, and hoped it would prosper. 1 It would prosper so long as it remained non-partisan.' ' In answer to the questions of' the Union, he had replied that he agreed generally with the Union's platform, but he would not pledge himself to give his allegiance to that platform rather than to tho Government. (Applause.) He was nob in /avour of bursting up the home of any farmer. One of the main features of the Government policy should' be the' opening up of Crown and native land, which should go hand in hand with the land for settlement scheme. More land should be acquired for workmen's homes, especially along the Manawatu line, for when that line was acquired by the Government, up would go the price of land. He considered the Government had been fair in its treatment of the Manawatu Railway Company with regard to the negotiations for the company's line. It was the Government's intention, when it took over that line, to tak6 over all the company's employees, and also admit those employees to the benefits of the Railway Classification Act. He was: a supporter of the present Government, giving an independent rather than a. servile support, as became the representative of a farming, community. v In answer to questions, the candidate said he believed the Bible should be taught in the -home, the church, and the Sunday school, rather than the day Hchool. Whilst not au advocate of Bldlu reading in schools, and would not like to (>t : e the present education system diaturbsd, he would favour tho question being referred to a referendum of the people. Was in favour of the Lands for Settlement Act, and it should be

placed in oporaticm in every district where it could be used to advantage. On the motion of j>sessrs. W. Warn and W. J. Howell, a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was given to Mr. Field, *nd a vole of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.