WELLINGTON EAST. THE QUESTION OF DEFENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 106, 31 October 1908, Page 9

WELLINGTON EAST. THE QUESTION OF DEFENCE.

Mr. A. R. Atkinson continued his campaign for the Wellington East constituency at the Victoria Hall, Adelaideroad, last night. Mr. J. Smith presided, and there was a fair attendance of electors — male and female. "He was a man of his word," said the chairman in introducing > the candidate. "If he intends to do a thing he goes straight for it." In the course of his remarks Mr. Atkinson announced himself as an Independent, although he nad no quarrel with either party. His attitude was the same as it was in 1896 — a supporter of Liberal measures, but an opponent of the maladministration of the Government. He opposed the Government on the score of its administration, while he generally supported the measures that the Government had brought down. The Opposition was associated rather too much with Conservative notions. He wanted to be an .absolutely free man, and to fee free to judge every question on its own merits. (Applause.) He should, if elected, go into Parliament in no factious spirit in regard to the Government. Ho should do his best for the Government when the measures

were good ; when they were bad he should try to improve them out of existence — a thing that he did once or twice when Mr. Seddoti was in office, and when the operation was more difficult than at present. On the subject of defence, he referred to the report of last year, and said that a mote melancholy, a more shameful story he had never read. In the past two years the volunteer forces had decreased by 1029, or 10 per cent., while the total parade at the Easter manoeuvres was only 5935. Further, the report of the Council stated that the force was not practical and not actual, camps were unsatisfactory, and in regard to some 20 corps the Council stated that they were so bad and useless that no justification existed for the expenditure incurred upon them in their present state. The report as to the school cadets was satisfactory, chiefly because of the compulsory ele : ment in their composition. Finally, tho Defence Report, referring to the " readiness of the forces for war," said that this subject was "strictly confidential." As a matter of fact, New Zealand was practically defenceless. "We are talking big enough to govern the whole universe," said Mr. Atkinson, " but we are dependent on the British Navy for everything. But for that we would be inundated with Chinamen. We are very little better than paupers and cadgers on the Old Country." (Applause.) He had no sympathy with, jingoism, but it was monstrous that we should be dependent on the Old Country, a great proportion of the population of which is in a state of semi-starvation. The only course was to sco that our young men get a military training before they get bound up in business life. • The Prime Minister talked as if we were trying to establish the German military system in New" Zealand, although the only thing suggested was about 21 days' training a year for young men between 18 and 21 years of age. (Applause). One of his other points was that a commission should be set up to put the Civil Service on a business basis, and that afterwards the element of political control must be eliminated. As to public works, lie urged that there should be constituted a non-political tribunal to determine the scale of grants The candidate, in answer to a question, said he was not prepared to support a proposal to commence the graduated land-tax at £20,000. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. x i MR- D. M'LAREN'S CANDIDATURE. Mr. M'Laren, Labour candidate, addressed a meeting at the corner of Taranaki and Tasman streets last evening. He again urged a policy of self-reliance, and said it was about time the country attempted to get on on its own resources. He condemned what he described as the repressive sections of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Labour could not secure representation in the country, and if labour representatives were not returned by the cities then the industrial masses would be entirely without representation. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.