MR. J. E. FITZGERALD.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 121, 20 November 1908, Page 3

MR. J. E. FITZGERALD.

It blew hard and rained harder at Johnsonville last evening, when Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, in the prosecution of his second ballot campaign, addressed the j electors in the Parish Hall. Despite the very inclement weather the hall was crowded to the doors. Mr. J. Rod occupied the chair. Up to a certain point the candidate, who had already addressed a successful meeting at New lands, received a considerate hearing. In opening his address Mr. Fitzgerald expres-' sed his gratification at the large attendance, and thanked those who had helped to send him to the second ballot. He believed that next Tuesday would, with the aid of his friends, bring him his crowning success. The speaker then touched uj>on the political problems of the day on lines similar to those of bis chief election campaign. In reference to the reduction of taxation on the necessaries of life the speaker avowed that the Government had done all in ils power towards the end of providing a free breakfast table. He eulogised the Government policy in the cause of the workers, and despite what the Opposition had stated to the contrary, the workers had every reason to be proud of the Government efforts on their behalf. The workers' liberties and rights were preserved and safeguarded by the programme and humanitarian acts of the Liberal and Labour Party. As a relutation of the Opposition criticism, the speaker cited the large majority attained by Mr. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour. Finance was also dealt with in concise examination of the Government's borrowing policy, which the candidate considejred was a sound one. Though the National Debt had increased by over £2,000,000, tho speaker held that the money was invested in works of a directly reproductive nature. The candidate advocated voluntary superannuation and medical inspection of school children. The latter was one of his strongest planks, and if elected he would do his utmost to have a measure to this effect placed on the statute-book. The speaker believed that strong encouragement should be given to volunteers, and school cadets, after leaving school, might be drafted into any other corps where their service should count towards' army honours that might be received for long service. Mr. I'itzgferald contradicted his opponents' statement to the effect that he (Mr. Luke) had the Government support. Anyway the only support he wanted was the support of tho people. ("And we'll put you in, too!") "Then you will show your fine discretion," returned the speaker. Concluding, Mr. Fitzgerald said* that if returned he would divide the honours with those who favoured the cause of political freedom and progress. After a passage of questions, a vote of thanks and confidence was declared by the chairman to be carried.