PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 150, 26 June 1913, Page 8

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS

MR. SYKES AT MASTERTON.

(BY TELEOIAPH— BPSCUL TO THE POST.) MASTERTON, This Day. Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P., delivered, a pre-sessional address to somo 200 electors in the Drill Hall last evening. The Mayor (Mr. J. M. Coradine) # presided. Mr. Sykea touched^ upon various legislation dealt with during last session, referring briefly to the Public Service Act, Legislative, Council reform, and the granting of the freehold to L.I. P. tenants. In regard to the railway service, he disagreed witl/the regulation in force by whioh railway servant* had deducted from their annual leave the , time lost through illness. He thought an amendment wa« required to place i railway men on th© same footing^ as other Civil Servants. Dealing with the Arbitration Act, Mr. Sykes said that as at present constituted the Act was useless, and should be either wiped off the Statute Book or substantially amended. If amended it should eontaiti not only a. proviso that before a ; atfik© shall tako place a secret ballot, conducted by a disinterested person, shall be held, but that the wives of the workers shall also havo a vote. > ' , Mr. Sykes was of opinion, that a Local 'Government Bill was badly wanted, and that provision should bo m&de for setting up a competent Public Works Boara, whoso duty it would be to classify tho country districts according to the urgency of their requirements. A comprehensive Land Bill would be introduced during the coming session, when doubtless settlors under the Settlement Act would be given tho freehold. Drastic clauses were necessary to prevent re-aggregation, and an endeavour would require to be made to mako tho life of the pioneer settler less full of hardships. Questions relating to taxation were extensively dealt with, the speaker's opinion being that the man most able to pay should bear tho heaviest burden. He heartily disagreed with penalising the email, struggling farmer with heavy taxation. Dealing with the financial -position of the Dominion, Mr. Sykes said it was sound, but caution would require to bo observed in the future expenditure of loan, money*. The money should be expended so as to increase the assets of the country. Tho general requirements of the district wero touched upon, acid brief reference was made to foad and railway construction, the Rimutaka deviation, and other matters affecting the electors. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Sykes was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.