MR. POLSON AT KELBURN

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 44, 20 February 1918, Page 3

MR. POLSON AT KELBURN

There was a large gathering of Kelburn and city residents in the Kelburn Kiosk last night, when Mr. A. N. Polson, the Independent Liberal candidate, delivered a further address. Mr. C. V. Goulter was in the chair.

Before commencing his address, Mr. Poison asked that the audience should stand for a moment as an expression of sympathy to Mr. Justice Herdman in his cad bereavement in the loss of his wife.

After stating that ho was as much a win-the-war candidate and as loynl as any other man, the speaker stressed the fact that he was th» onlj' independent candidate nominated, and was in nowise bound by party dictates. The administration of the Defence' Department was adversely criticised, and tho need for increased pensions to soldieis, nurses, and dependents was emphasised, the speaker's arguments being similar to those of previous addresses. New Zealandei's who enlisted, in England with Kitchener's Army should receive the same pay and benefits as men who enlisted in the Dominion, and more attention should be paid to soldiers' graves on the various fronts. If soldiers' clubs, on the lines of the V.M.C.A., but on a much broader ba^is, were established, the men would have a meeting place where matters requiring redress could be diecussed, an 3 the secretary of such a club might be an adviser, as well as a secretary. The "Huns in our midst" might well come forward and prove their loyalty by subscribing towards the erection of those clubs. The need for the erection of a new station at Lambton without delay, the pushing ahead of Waikaremoana hydro-electrical 6cheme. the need for educational reforms, especially the establishing of State kindergartens—or "Anzac Infant Schools," for the speaker said the German word annoyed him exceedingly—an expansion in the teaching and inspecting ataff, to be brought about by better conditions and salaries, and the necessity for providing for the technical education 'of i-e----turned soldiers unable to "take up their former work, were dealt with. In conclusion, the speaker said that he sought no reward, but his desire to get into Parliament was to serve the soldiers, democracy, and the young people of New Zealand.

Dr. Thacker, M.P., then addressed the audience, urging that Mr. Poison should be accorded support. A vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. Goulter, was carrie_d unanimously.