POLITICAL ADDRESS MINISTER FOR MARINE IN MASTERTON

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL ADDRESS MINISTER FOR MARINE IN MASTERTON

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of Customs and Marine, addressed a crowded audience in the Masterton Town Hall last evening. In the anticipation of a crush, people had assembled at the hall before 7 o'clock (reports the Wairavapa. Age). When the doois opened there was a- rush for seats. By halfpast seven there was not standing room in the hall, and the doors were closed. Hundreds of people were turned away, and were unable to gain admission. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. 0. M. Coradine). When the chairman and the Hon., F. Ml. B. Fisher appeared upon the stage, there was a scene of enthusiasm. The crowd at the back of the hall groaned, but the great portion of the company gave the Minister a magnificent reception. The Mayor, when he arose, was re» ceived with cries of "Where's the specials?" The Mayor stood for a while, and eventually appealed to the audience. He said he hoped they would not disgrace Masterton. They were, he said, honoured in having a Minister with them that night. (Cheers and groans.) He asked for the Minister a fair hearing. (A Voice: "What about Waihi?'") The Mayor said it would be a good thing if the interrupter were at Waihi. The Minister was received with a perfect salvo of applause and groans. He said that before he commenced his speech he wished to say something of what he had seen in Masterton. That afternoon he had visited the school, and 1 had seen an institution which was a credit to the Dominion. (A voice : "You're smooging already.'") He also stated that he regarded the Rimutaka line as something that retarded the welfare of the district. (Cheers.) The Minister referred in the course of his speech to the statement made by the member for the Hutt regarding monopolies. Mr. Fisher asked why the "Liberal" Party had not destroyed the monopolies during the twenty years they had been in office. (Cheers and groans, and a Voice: "What about the boys at 7s 6d per week?") The Minister pointed out that the Liberal Government ha<li introduced immigrants a,t a lower Tale than that. Referring to the subject 6f monopolies, he stated that the greatest monopoly in the country had not been touched upon by the member for the Hutt. This was the brewing monopoly. (Cheers and uproar.) He quoted figures to show that the subscribed capital of sixty breweries "was £477,000. The annual profits of these breweries amounted to £250,000. (A Voice: It's good stuff, too!") Mr. Fisher pointed out that no attempt had yet been made to hit the brewer. If they were going to take it out of the hide of the man on the land, who produced wool and meat, let them take it out of the hide of the man who produced lunatics and criminals. (Loud applause.) The Government intended to devote attention to tied houses and the brewing monopoly. The member ' for Hutt, when in Masterton, had stated something about the New Zealand Party. (Uproar^ and a feeble counting out.) Mr. Fisher pointed out that five out of nine members of the present Government were New Zealand-born. If Mr. Wilford wanted a New Zealand Party, he had it in the present Government. After referring to other questions, Mr. Fisher stated that the recent strike had cost the Government approximately £400,000. (Voices : " Who got the benefit?" and "Who has to pay for it? ") The whole of the country would have to pay for it. Mr. Fisher referred to the Trades Disputes Investigation Bill, which provided that before a strike could take place the dispute would have to be investigated and a secret ballot be taken. He opined that the country would be grateful to the Government for this measure. (Loud applause.) The Minister in conclusion stated that he was prepared to answer questions. He wanted to see any party that was going to rule this country get ita power in a constitutional way. (Applause.) He urged that, any party that was striving to gam power should be prepared to give people a fair hearing. (A voice : " Why didn't you get a fair hearing at Wellington? ") He had not got a hearing because there were people who believed that the minority should rule the majority. (Uproar.) He did not believe in lawlessness. (Applause.) A young man asked what amount the "Liberals" had advanced to the workers during the last year of their administration ? The Minister said he was not a walking cyclopaedia. He could not say. (Uproar.) The same young man asked the Minister if he was a freeholder or a leaseholder. ' The Minister said he was a believer in the land policy of the Government, which provided for leasehold ac well as freehold. The same questioner : Were you returned as a leaseholder? The Minister said he was, but after the last election he found both parties equally divided, and both freeholders, and supported the party he considered the best. The same questioner : Did you pledge yourself not to join a freehold Cabinet? The Minister : Certainly not ! Mr. James M'Gregor, in a short speech, moved : "That this meeting returns thanks to the Hon. Mr. Fisher for his able and instructive speech, and expresses its appreciation of the manner m which the affairs of the country are being administered." Mr. Connolly seconded the motion, which on being put to the meeting was carried amidst tumultuous applause, mingled with cheers and an element of groans. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated (reports the Age) one of the most memorable meetings ever held in Masterton.