WILLIAM T. HILDRETH

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 78, 28 September 1918, Page 9

WILLIAM T. HILDRETH

(Bitsaclsd FUport Pub lished by Arrangement.)

THE NATIONAL CANDIDATE

WELL-REASONED AND THOUGHTFUL SPEECH

A BUILDER—-:)NOT A WRECKER

HIS PLATFORM IN BRIEF:-

(1.) The prosecution of the war to a victorious conclusion. (2.) Unswerving loyalty to King and Country. (3.) Loyal labour with adequate remuneration based en the . cost of living. (4.) Proportional Representation.' (5.) The repeal of the present method of settlement of labour disputes. (6.) A referendum on the prohibition question, to be settled by a bare majority (with compensation), such referendum to include an issue dealing with State control with compensation. - (7.) A general election without further delay. (8.) Drastic reductions In the cost of living. (9.) Maintenance of the present system of education. (10.) A State-owned line of steamers for carrying New Zealand produce overseas; a State-owned ferry service between Wellington and Lyttelten. 1 (110 Purchase of State colliers for coal-carrying, thus cheap- \ N enihg coal to the public; the nationalisation of the coal mines of the Dominion; and a reduction in the price of coal. (12.) The appointment of a Repatriation Minister to prepare for the settlement and placing of all returned soldiers In suitable avenues of, employment. (13.) The payment of Increased fees to jurors and witnesses In criminal;and civil cases. • (14.) The increase of wages to warders and school teachers, and assistance and extension of the School Medical Service—dental, etc. (15.) The Introduction of a National Pension Scheme for the benefit of all loyal subjects of the Dominion, and assistance to Friendly Societies to meet the expenses of war levies, etc. (16.) The Increase of the War Pension to widowed mothers and dependents. { ] (17.) Vigorous policy of speeding up the cutting up of larger estates, and the development of» New Zealand resources and Industries to enable the country to meet the heavy war obligations, also providing employment for all.

Mr. W. T. Hildreth, the National Government candidate for -, Wellington . Central, spoke at St. Peter's Schoolroom -last night. The attendance took all the - Beating accommodation and much. . "standing room" at the back i and in passages. Mr.; John Hutcheson presided. It was apparent early in the meeting ..that' the .audience included a number of individuals of the type that prefers to be heard rather than to hear. They did some interjecting and some questioning (particularly at'the close'of the speech). However, the candidate was able to deliver his speech any great difficulty, ' ' The^Chajrman saidl'{hat Mr. Hildreth was tine of the first'friends whom he had met. in Wellington 27 or 28 years ago. He had seen much'of Mr. Hildreth • in. that time, and: had never found him doing.a: dishonourable or shady action. The :speaker had served two years 'on the City Council with Mr. Hildreth, and could say. that those who thought Mr. Hildreth would.-be merely a pawn on, the political - chess-board did not know the'kind of man they were up against. Mr. Hildreth was rather inclined to be dour, as the Scotch would say, when he was settled in,his views.' His inclination was always towards "the down dog" and. democratic methods. His'efforts for the better housing of the ' .people and: other reforms for the wellbeing of; the public showed .thatj .Mr. Hildreth ?s sympathies. were with "the under dog." In this 1 field of public service he was: as true'as' the needle to the lode-stone.' \, , T A- voice: Define ; ; the term "under .•dog:''";';-'';-'-..;.■;■.■; ■ ■ ■ ;■■/.. ■■ '.. As this interjectbr persisted in asking for a denfinition, the chairman made a .request .for the rules of fair. play.. in freedom of speech. . (Applause.) ,-,', 'TRIBUTE TO ME. FLETCHER. „ The. Candidate said that -he had . to deeply: regret the event which had'caus-; ed the election.' (Hear," hear.)' -The late Mr.. Fletcher and himself had been prac-; tically life-long friends. •,He : had'lost a friend whom he esteemed very highly— . a citizen who had held .the esteem of the whole community. Tho speaker had worked for,about live years on the Har--.fcbur Board with. Mr. Fletcher. \ They

had. been; regarded aa two solid friends of working men.' They had been always .pleased to be counsellors and friends of 1 workers: :,-' - ;'; ■ ■,' ■' .- • . ■■■■ ■...'.-'.. ■ ■ ..Mr." Hildreth then outlined-the main points of his platform as set out above, and proceeded' to enlarge upon them. - THAT BLACK LABOUR : ;.-• /; ."■ RUMOUR. - ; ; "Rumours have been circulated that I am an employer of • black labour, and consequently that I am a man .whom Labour cannot stand to. Let me deal with this .question," said; Mr. Hildreth. " I know the source of the rumour and what it is built on. Some; time ago, when the 'mosquito 'fleet wasTaid up in Wellington, I was asked to send 200 tons of scrap-iron to Diinedin to bo manufactured into bar-iron for the urgent needs of the Railways. I collected 200 tons, and engaged carters to take it to the wharf to be shipped in the Rosamond, which was not laid up, as the Union Company was not in that dispute. I went to the wharf to try and get labour to load my drays, as there were hundreds of men riot working. -I offered 2s an hour to the men, the rate being then Is 10d an hour. They aJI refused to come and work for me, .though they were idle.,; I then went to my: yardman, who has been with me for over two years, and asked him-if he could get me some labour. He got me eight Hindoos,', who were working in the town as bottlegatherers. • They loaded my drays, and 1 paid, them Is lOd an hour, a» my books will show. The watersiders unloaded my drays' and loaded' the boat, and every drayman was a, member of the Drivers' Union. ■ Of course, at that time I was not a .candidate for Parliament.' .-'.• '• ; , ' '-yiSiT FROM .WATERSIDE'■ ■, ;, v 1,-OFFICIALS-,".;; ' -.-;: '':..■: : "TJiree days-after,-1 had ,a visit from Messrs., Bruce and Glover, on behalf of rthe Waterside \ Workers' Union, who interviewed me in reference to'these men,' the latter;saying jthat the men wanted to join the Waterside Workers' Union; and he asked me if I could ;giye him information as to how many were in Wellington/ and.as to what occupation they were ■fol- 1 lowing. T asked Mr:' Glover what-'his object was, and he said that .these men might become a menace to Labour. I told .him that I would.find out the num-, ber for him, arid I called in my yardman, whb said' there were . twenty-three in Wellington, and he also told Mr. Glover and Mr. Bruce that eight of them were working in a brick-yard in Wellington;

that-five'-were' in various hotels as porters; and that the balance were collecting bottles. I told my yardman that Mr.-, Glover and .Mr. Brace had said that they were afraid that the Hindoos might interfere with labour. My yardman then left. I then asked Mr. Glover this straight and direct question : ' What do you think I should have done in the circumstances, especially considering that the country, needed the bar-iron?' Mr.. Glover re-, plied, 'You could have done \nothing else, Mr. Hildreth.' I naturally thought the incident was closed. My only other connection with the Hindoos is that I, like others, buy bottles from them in the ordinary course of business. I believe that there are no white men collecting bottles in this city." -. ■. • PUBLIC DISAVOWAL ASKED ■ ' . FOR. - Mr: Hildreth further said that he was certainly surprised at the rumours now being circulated against him, as Mr. Bruce and Mr. Glover must admit that while he (Mr. Hildreth) was on the Har-, bour Board, the members of the Waterside Workers' Union constantly waited upon him (and the late Mr. Fletcher) to; help them" in any troubles they had with the board.' "I ask Messrs. Glover and Bruce," saidiMr. Hildreth," "to publicly disavow this rumour, and to say that they have no sympathy with it, and I also ask-Mr. Glover to bear me out in my statement of the.case." Mr. Hildreth concluded his remarks'on the. Labour- question by stating that in this .world-war hundreds of Hindoos were fighting with us against the common foe, and were helping us to win the war.: He was sorry that he could not say the same of everybody. And he would remind the watersiders that a large' quantity of the; tea and coffee drunk by them in this country was won by the Hindoos in India; that the sacks ■which covered' the produce exported from this country were made by Hindoos, and without these sacks labour on the waterfront would be in a parlous state. He also said that he had understood up to this contest that the Socialists stood' for the, brotherhood of man. He then read the cablegram from Wednesday's paper,' which stated : SUPERB BEHAVIOUR OF ■ ■ /'\ •-•■ ■ -INDIANS.:;; ■' '■;'' ■ ■ "One of the features of this battle has been the magnificent dash of the Indian troops.; The veteran soldiers,of ' India were expected to do well; and they have lived up to their high reputation. ,• The young battalions who re-. placed 'the white troops sent for service on tjie Western front were an unknown quantity; but these young Indian battalions came.through the ordeal magnificently. They fought like seasoned -warriors, ;. and; cheerfully answered any call. Divisional commanders tell me they are delighted with the valour, of the Indians under all conditions. Forty-seven hours _of .' continuous fighting and marching ' tested them to the utmost, but they behaved superbly, their only fault bek ing too great eagerness to push on. In Thursday's tremendous attack against the coastal defences the officers had to restrain the men from rushing into our artillery barrage." PROPORTIONAL REPRESEN- '.. ■■' - TATION. ■ ■./,■■■■ ■ "I, believe in proportional representation,' 1 continued the candidate, " and I consider that it is the only'fair method of election. . In considering .proportional representation we must not confusei representation and rule. '.'■■ I believe I that if we consider the constitution of the House of Commons, that under the J majority*, representation of the pepple it -was ,not< majority rule, bot rule by a, /majority of a; majority, wliich s might easily be a'minority of the whole. The bedrock principle of democratic government demands the placing on the Statute Book of a Proportional Representation Bill.. We call our: House'of Representatives a representative chamber, but, believing as: I do that' the majority has a, right to rule, I do not think any democrat can claim that the minority, has to have no voice, • but, on the contrary, has to_ be gagged when it comes ;to representation; It appears,to me that the Tasmanian scheme, though weak in certain details, 13 a-good scheme, but I cannot help saying that I think the Legislative Council Act which came before Parliament, in .1916, was a, more perfect measure even than the Tasmanian one. /Any other method'of election of the people than by way of, proportional representation seems to me to cancel ordinary rights and restrict liberty of selection. ■ I believe also that in proportional representation 'you can lessen the possibility of informal votes, ■ and everyone is ' quite able' to put the figure '1' opposite the name of the candidate- he wants. I support proportional representation because it secures to eyery political party in the country that proportion of representation which the numbers in the constituency entitle him to." LABOUR DISPUTES. Dealing with industrial matters, Mr." Hildretb said:—"l am in favour of the repeal • of tho present Arbitration Act, for I believe it to be founded on a fallacy. I believe • that the permanent appointment of representative* of the em-' ployers and employees to sit with a Judge is bound to 1 fail, because the two menl appointed by the employers and employees cannot possibly be capable of knowing the details of the trade* they treat.with. I- would repeal the Arbitration Act, ;and provide instead that where a dispute arises in any branch of work, a Conciliation Commissioner should with two experts from that very trade first of all try and arriv« at a settlement, and, falling any agreement, then I would require the Conciliation Commissioner to stand on one side and place a- permanently appointed arbitrator -or a Judge in his stead to sit with the two -experts in the trade in which the dispute, has: arisen. Ido not believe that', any man, no matter how able, should be permanently appointed te deal with: awards in every branch of industry; they are, incapable of. being jacks of every trade. I would also .appoint Commissioners, who would act.in certain branches of dispute only sp; that they might perfect themselves in such branch. Fpr instance, I would appoint a- Conciliation Commissioner- to act- in all disputes •affecting timber. Such a man would act' when disputes'arise among millhands,- timber'cutters, timber carters, carpenters, builders, etc.', etc.;"■ and again I would-appoint another Conciliation/ Commissioner; to look after shearers', : disputes, wool, workers, woollen companies,, •: woollen , factories, tailors, tailoresses, etc.; By this, method we would get Dominion ;■ experts and probably more general awards." ... : THE LIQUOR QUESTION. Turning to the liquor question, the candidate stated: "I am firmly of opinion that thypublic of Now Zealand are entitled to have an opportunity of expressing their, opinion on the liquor question by way of referendum. This is a democratic principle which I unhesitatingly, agree to. There has been'no opportunity of ascertaining public opinion on this

question wnce 1914: While my personal and individual opinion in regard to the question .represents merely one vote, I hold that the public are entitled, to be given their chance of expressing their opinion as to whether Prohibition by a bare majority, with compensation, should be the law of the land, or whether they desire to have State control, with compensation, under a bare majority vote. I cannot see that a man who calls himself a democrat can deny to the people the right'to settle these two great questions on a bare majority vote. GENERAL ELECTION. "I think a general election should b» held at once," declared Mr. Hildreth,, "and, though I may be told that a war is on,, I believe that such an election, would clear the air and, thongh it might not bring many changes, except perhaps in a few city electorates, it would do good. Of course, I realise that if a general election takes places, under the National Government compact no Masseyite can be put up against a Wardite when the election comes, and no Wardite can be put up against any Masseyite when the election comes, and that the fight in the eighty electorates will have to be a National Government candidate against any other candidate who' comes forward. I, am sure not many electorates would change their representatives, and I am, certain very few 1 country electorates would do so. .At any rate, I .would not like to fight, say, Mander for 1 North Auckland, Mac Donald for Bay of Plenty, or,- say, Thompson for Tuapeka," j .■' :'■■■■■' \.■ -. ':■ ■ .' . . ••■ ■ • '' ; '■ ■ ' COST OF LIVING. [ The, " Cost of Living " question was, in Mr. Hildreth's opinion, difficult but not impossible to deal with. "It is fair in considering the cost of living in New Zealand," he said, " to. remember that in Austria it has gone up 173 per cent.; in Germany, 109 per cent.;.in Great Britain, 108 per cent.; in Norway, 195 per cent.; in Sweden, 147 per cent.; in Italy, 88 per cent, j in France,, 91 per cent.; in Switzerland, 96 per cent.l; in Holland, 81 per cent.; in United States, 50 per cent; in Canada, 72 per cent, jin Australia, 31 per cent.; and in New Zealand, 39 per cent. ■'. .'■ ■'.• .■. '^ '; ■ ; "In considering the increase of itfae cost; of living and the position of the people tinder it, I refer the electors to the figures of Mr. Malcolm Fraser, the Government Statistician,, made up to September, 1918, and published in The Post this week. From this it will be jseen that bakers have received an' increase in wages-^-which must be considered in the increased price vof bread. Butchers, general hands, and shearers have received incre:ises. These two items must ■ be taken into consideration when discussing the price of■ meat. ■ Then look, at the grocery business: Grocers':assistants received increase of wages of 35.4 per cent. , This must not be forgotten; while waterside workers h*ve received increases, and woollen employees (males) have also had their wages raised. These last two items affect the price of dothing. ■' ' : ; y': "■.';• ■■ ''■■ "'' GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN - -■■ 1 QUOTED. . "In calculating these increases set out in the table, Mr. Malcolm Fraser says war bonuses are included. He also points out that ' occupations' which ,were previously low paid have also shown greater; increase than those which, were before the war paid reasonably high; rates. He also says:' 'There appears to be little doubt that the scarcity of labour (and particularly skilled labour) has tended, to bring about* the payment of rates' above the minimum laid down by awards. 1 In other words, the award's rates \ have, uiider war conditions, generally tended to become true minimum rates rather than^ standard rates', as they.were in preyions years.' He further'says : 'There is evidence that actual earnings have increased in.'greater proportions than have the rates themselves; This is no doubt brought about by more constant employment, increased overtime, increased overtime rates, and concessions granted in regard to general working conditions.' "Mr. Malcolm Fraser tells us that the war increase to March, 1918, in inin'ers' actual earnings (as shown by the figures by the Mines Department) has been : .37.19 per cent, in Point Elizabeth Mine; and 30.76 per cent, in the Liverpool Mine. ■ I also wish to: draw attention to his statement of the rates of earnings of unskilled labour ais shown by .the rates of local: governing bodies • for ~ the years ended 31st March, 1915-16-17-18. The average earnings of permanent employees of local.governing bodies have increased by 15.3 per cent. ;'while the average annual earnings of casual employees in local governing bodies have increased by' 31.3 per cent. .. -: .■■..• ■ '■'-:.' .'. ■ ■ y ' ■-■■■■■'■'■ : plea for fair-minded conSIDERATION. :; "This table is instructive, and must be considered by fair-minded men when weighing and balancing the present position. 'Everyone must recollect that freight rates, insurance; rates,-and war risk rates and commissions;on imported foodstuffs cannot be controlled; by: Now Zealand,, and it is merely fdoling the public to say so. With regard to the price of bread, the price of wheat must be considered, and tho price of increased wages to the employers.. In America 9s a bushel is being paid for wheat to^ay, and black bread has to be eaten. ■ The National Government has guarded against such a state of, things here. The price of meat has been fixed by the National Government, and had the farmers been allowed to sell in the open market, and not barred by the Government, they would have received nine million pounds extra; for their produce. If that had been permitted the price of meat would have been far higher still. The action of the Government in allowing butchers to buy meat,from freezing companies at the price .paid for that meat by the Imperial Government in New Zealand has enabled the public of New Zealand to get that meat at a rate free of enormous shijuping charges,l insurance; rates, and war risk rates. The fixing of the price of. butter by the National Government has been of immense benefit to "the people, while the control of operations of the Sugar Trust-has enabled New Zealand to have sugar during the war at a cheaper rate than any of the warring nations of the world. -Is any man too narrow to refuse to give the Government credit for this? ..-:..: ' ••■■.''. -;. .; ;■', '■ ■'. '.- : '. ■ SUGAR CHEAPEST IN NEW :;•.'■.■'_, ..''ziEALANb.... ■,-,' •...■■".■' "In some tables I have before' me I ■findthat. in. 1917 • the price of sugar in countries named was as follows: . • |

.•'.-' Should wo not give the Government, our praise for. this. work?. .... In regard.-to bacon, a combination attempted to- ship our bacon, to America and, leave us short. That was stopped »nd ended promptly and.effectually.:

PERCENTAGE INCREASES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. "Mr. Malcolm Fraser states ■ that he has considered the question of the increase and decrease in house rents from February, 1914, to I'ebruary, 1918, in the Dominion, and that the Dominion weighted average for house rent has fallen 1.51. per cent. The following table relating to the cost of living, showing the percentage increase.in the cost of living since the outbreak of war in various countries, as revealed by official publications, should be read and carefully considered by everyone. I reproduce the table here-, and will content myself with putting it in as it has already appeared in the public press :—

TO PREVENT EXPLOITATION IN -"-7 HOUSE RENTS. "The price~*of house rents in Wellington in many,.cases is scandalous,, and rents have risen, in my: opinion out of all reason, because the demand exceeds the supply. In Auckland house rents have fallen.. The presence of the camps at Trentham and Tauherenikau largely-'1 accounts for the over-demand here, and I consider the Government should immediately appoint a committee consisting of two representatives of Labour and two representatives of . the Jandowning class (with a permanent chairman) to sit all the year round, with, power to hear and determine any applications for reduction of rent, and where they find ' that■; exploitation has taken place, that six months' gaor without the option should be given to the exploiter. : I will do everything in, my power to have this court set up and make it oneof the chief planks of my political programme. . . "The committee I propose to deal with exploitation should hold its meetings in public;' should; be open to the press, so that every complaint arid every defence could be read by the public, and understood by them just as the/Board of Trade makes its inquiries in.camera; so I would : torn the searchlight of public opinion on to every trade transaction which was questioned, and, with a committee formed of two businesA men and two working | men and a permanent chairman, to investigate complaints, I feel certain a step in the right direction will have been taken. ' This should have been done long ago. It will be my special effort-to see that no further delay takes place. , „ COST OF LIVING CAMOUFLAGE, "A man wrote to the New Zealand Times on Tuesday last, evidently on behalf of Mr.i P. Fraser, giving' a schedule of prices of groceries in 1914 and 1918, and claimed from those prices that the cost.of living had gone up 82.6 per cent. He also s«d -in tie letter which he sent with the schedule that "as regards meat, beef, etc.,. I do not profeas to know anything. " Clearly he cannot calculate the rise in the cost of living if ho leaves out rent, meat,, bread; and butter. But let us. examine his. letter and his table, and, before'we take, the items out. of the schedule,. let every reader of this recollect that te says his list of groceries 'in use every week.: in the aver- ■ age house..-; :Don't)forget in reading this that lie'aays/eyeryiweek.'-■-/!; • ■'■ ■■•'•'■ ■MARVELLOUS RESULTS pDISSEOTED . "The first item we will discuss is: pepper. Ha claims in,his schedule that the average householder buys every week a pound of pepper, and'claims that, the rise of nearly 100 per cent, in .pepper helps his result. Why, an Indian Rajah or an Indian Colonel, who took curry for breakfast ;eyery. morning, could not use a pound of pepper .in his house. But that is his argument! He: also deals with curry powder and pretends that the average, householder uses a bottle of curry/ powder ■'■ every -week in his house. He then claims that ammonia, which has risen 50 per cent., i« used by .the average ;househplder U> the extent of .52 bottles in. the. year., Alum, which has, risen 50 per cent., in his table, is used, on the assumption that the average householder uses 501b a year. Then take Eno'e fruit salt and castor, oil/ from which he gets a tremendous help in his marvellous result. He! actually asks the .public to believe, that, the average Householder uses ,52' bottles of castor oil a year and 52 bottles of Eno's fruit salt.'..' It would take some swallowing, like the deduction be draws. And then the next asset in his marvellous table is boracic acid, which has risen, so he tells us, 100 per cent, in price. Does he ask the public to believe that the householder uses 52 bottles of boracic acid in a year? They won't believe that yarn. Further, again, in the list, w« see he has dragged in acetic acid. This is a grand asset for him, for it Has risen from Is 9d a bottlg to 83 6d a,bottle-^-mora than 200 per cent.; and here again he states, that" the average householder every week uses a bottle of acetic acid or 52 bottles a .year. We wonder whether he thinks the electors of Wellington Central are fools, or whether he is himself''incapable of seeing the nonsense he is publishing. Again, 52 ■ bottles a year of Jeyes Fluid are pro-' vided; 52 tins of kerosene which he uses for his wonderful result; two dozen boxes of matches a' week all the year round; a dozen pegs every -week of the year; and Hudson's Extract—a dozen packets a week all the year round as well. . . • -..'■.'. ■'„■'■'■' "Need we go any further in dissecting this marvellous table dealing with the cost of living? .' "We ( will windvup our criticism of this pseudo-political economist, who writes under, the name of 'Grocer,' by'poihting out; that one of the ifouhdations for his average increase in the cost of living of 82.6 per cent, is the fact that mustard has risen .in price: more than 100^ per cent, during the war, and in order to get his annual,average ht actually asks tho Wellington Central. electors to believe that the average householder uses 261b; of mustard a year. 1 ' Hot' stuff. : . "In conclusion., we think this analysis of the published tables of "'Grocer' will open the eyes of the Wellington Central electors to.'. the fact. that camouflage.: is practised even in New Zealand. ; : I ■. ■ ■''.'•■'■ • ■'• ' •'■■■ ,- •' '^! GOVERNMENT NOT ACQUITTED OP ALL BLAME. / "I cannot acquit the Government of all I blame in connection with, the cost of living,", Mr; Hildreth continued. "I cannot see' why much assistance could not have been given in many directions, but/I am not prepared to vote to turn out the present Government while the war is on, for after the war is over it will dissolve of itself into—nobody knows what. ;', There are some things, however; which/should be placed before the electors that have been accomplished by the Natipnal Government, and, before enumerating these, I want to say. that the food cdrnmodities used throughout the: Dominion come broadly under two classes:-Hi) Food produced in-the Dominion itself; (2) imported, articles. . . '':'.'.,■ ' ■:-. •. -. '"'f.'' "Whenever the source of supply cannob be controlled by tha Government,

as in the case of imported goods, great difficulties arise in controlling prices. If all countries become competitors for the various articles, and if the importers in New Zealand are not prepared to pay as much as the importers in other countries, it is easy to understand supplies are not forthcoming.. Many imported articles axe controlled by the Board of Trade, and no increases are now allowed in those articles so controlled' without it being proved to the Board of Trade that increased charges, such' as freights, etc., have caused the rise. . . / "In regard to local .manufactures of such articles as soap, candles, pickles, etc., where these articles are dependent on the price of imported articles, such as caustic soda, glass bottles, etc., arrangements - have been made , that all rises must, be explained and justified before they are put on to the manufactured commodities. - . "As regards food production in New Zealand, the price to, local consumers has been less than 1 the export price arranged in many instances by purchases between the New ..Zealand Government, and the Imperial authorities. .'■; ■" '■■■'. ' ; MEAT.- '■ . ; ."■' "The export., price of meat ha* been agreed upon with the Imperial Government at a considerably lower price than the world's market would indicate as obtainable, and as by arrangement' with the" butchers throughout New Zealand wherever freezing works are situated the butchers could obtain supplies at Imperial prices, the retail prices chargeilare controlled and,fixed from time to time by, the Board of Trade. BUTTER. ".. ; ■The price for, home' consumption of., butter has been kept throughout the .war considerably lower than the price for export, and m regard to products of butter-fat. generally the prices as arranged between the New Zealand Government and the Imperial authorities have been considerably lower than in any other part of the world. / ';".'"- -% : BACON. ■'■. ■■'.'■ ' "The export of this commodity has been prohibited. Producers were intending to catch the high market in America, and leave, this country 6hort, but the Government stepped in, prohibited the export, 1 and fixed the limit' after taking into, consideration the extra cost of production which had been added since the war,' and after taking into consideration, the prices paid for the imported articles used in the curing of the same. _Tlie increased wages allowed were also taken | into consideration. , '.' . WHEAT, FLOUR, AND BREAD. ' "The growing'of wheat Has been en-. couraged as far as possible, and has been supplemented by the cheap purchase of' .wheat from Australia.. Much cheaper wheat could have been bought in j4us: tralia, . which was mousey, and full of weevils, but our representative watched New Zealand's interest and guarded the Government. New Zealand obtained her supplies from the Commonwealth at a lower rate than any country, except England, and got the beat quality of wheat grown.' In America to-day 9b per bushel is being paid; for wheat.: :The standard price' hag been fixed for, flour, arid, all byproducts of wheat, and the price of bread hag-been'fixed throughout New Zealand. > The price of wheat,.of course, mustjcontrol the price of bread.: ■ -„ ; ' V STANDARDFOOTWEAR. ' 1 "I am.yinformedy^ft'''it'.;will- l npt..:l)e long before standard footwear will be obtainable in- New Zealand at;a.reasonable price. Full particulars have -been -obtained from England ■regarding the regulations and. the working, of the same for', adaptation'in New, Zealand: ' ' '■I place these few ■' facts before;' the* electors because I consider that they should know them, and, though I an> dissatisfied with the actions of the National Government in: many respects, and though I feel that they might have done better, I have to remember that this is the first time: the New Zealand Government has been, called upon to carry on lie • part in a great world war, and, though faults can be found, I do hot' think we could have in Parliament today a body of men who could do much better; and certainly it Vouid be suicidal, while the war is on to etart-with a dozen new ■ apprentices, V remembering when: they were appointed they would have to be excused a/year or two hence for;the mistakes which they would neces-. sarily make, and which the National Government has made in the past. V^ EDUCATION^ '■■' '^.\: "Coming to the subject of Education, I am: pleased to find that, since the outbreak of war there has been a marked increase of interest in. this work in New Zealand as elsewhere. In this' country ' we have,a State system of education, and, judging by the results; we have every: reason to be proud of it. I am j a firm believer in maintaining the policy of State education, free, secular, '. and compulsory^ As in all spheres of human .activity there is in our educational work scope for improvement,l and in' this connection I am pleased to find that the Minister is exercising a stimulating and beneficial influence, and his efforts have resulted -in- the accomplishment of much useful educational work. I am anxious to see our educational system made more efficient. I , believe that it' is on the efficiency of the teachers that the future of our schools largely depends, and I will therefore support measures: for improving the status and conditions of the .teaching service. It: is absolutely necessary to maintain and improve the personnel of the teaching force. . To do this we'must offer and pay higher salaries' with a view of attracting the best brains for the important'work of teaching.. ...-,.." :.' '" •■'.-' ■■ ■ .' '"■' . .'. • MORE MONEY SHOULD BBPRO- ■/■;'■■ ■..-■ ■ ?vided.; '. •' ■ . :. : ; "There is need for; more moneys ■ being provided for education in'order to secure this reform and other improvements, such as good buildings, larger playgrounds, and better equipment. I highly value the splendid, work that is being carried out by the school medical service with'its staff of doctors and nurses, and. I would favour an increased expenditure with a view of extending, the scope,of .this service by the appointment of additional doctors and nurses. Every effort,-1 believe,' should be made to'promote those agencies which tend to secure a healthy and virile manhood and womanhood.; In the interests. of our children and of the State our aim should be to develop health and vigour of body as well as intellectual habits and sound character. While on: this subject I think there is special need to promote a scheme under., which the children not belonging to the wealthy classes may be able to have their teeth and physical ailments or weaknesses attended, to —defects, ailments, and weaknesses which, if not relieved, may handicap them through life. While I recognise that much has been done in the direction of democratising education and providing "opportunities for the children of the poorer classes, to obtain the :benefits of higher education .by. means of free places and . tchokmhip*—«nd let me lieie jaj. .that

!;a very large number of „ boys and girla belonging to wage-earners have been given a chance to become successful and useful citizens—l would like to see the number of scholarships tenable at high schools, and universities increased. , ' TEXT, BOOKS AND UNIFORMITY. "In order to reduce the expense that is falling upon parents for school books, etc., for their children, I think. the_ State should do'something in the direction of printing text books and bringing about [uniformity of school books. While -I am gratified to find that an increase was made last year in the allowances to school committees, I am of opinion that under presnt conditions a furtfier increase is warranted. Speaking generally, I will heartily support all improve-, msnts which have for their object educational advancement and which are in accord, with : the progressive '• spirit of the times. The reforms that I have been advocating will certainly mean, a considerable increase in the Education vote, but having regard to the nature of the investment, the country cannot afford to withhold such a reproductive expenditure. We must .realise weare the trustees .for. posterity, and we must guards the lines of communication between the present and the future. Referring to local educational 1 requirements, T would, strongly support votes for the establishment of a new technical college and also a girls' high school. A number of;the primary'schools are in a, bad condition and overcrowded, and in. some instances^ the playgrounds are very^ limited: Votes for these purposes should,' I think, be increased so that the rights of tlie children here and elsewhere maj be recognised." ." ... , . STATE-OWNED STEAMERS. '"The time has come when New Zea-: land, should throw tiff the shipping octopus, whose tentacles.reach everywhere," declared Mr. Hildreth. ' "Mixed up as the shipping companies are ■"!& the banking inetitntions ,of the .world, their ramifications i extend into every industry and every Public concern. To-day the impossibility of obtaining shipping, and' the price which would have to be. paid were shipping available, precludes the .immediate possibility of this -scheme, 1 but, when the war is over, hundreds of thousands, of tons of cargo-carrying vessels will' be available, and the necessity for the use of thousands of cargo steamers carrying foodstuffs from America to England will be greatly lessened, and I look forward to the time when a, State-owned line of eteamera carrying New 'Zealand produce overseas will be an accomplished fact." ' ... ■,' :'• '„-(. "•••'. • ' ■ : :' - .-■,. ; .■ ;' NATIONALISATION OF COAL ; MINES. "New Zealand is already in the- coalmine' business,, and the figures I have given of the increase of wages to miners working for the Government prove, .to my mind, that New Zealand is a generous employer. I wish to see all,methods of. transport and all coal products Stateowned and State-controlled. I wonder what the freights on the railway would be to-day if.a private company owned it. Over thirty-five million pounds are invested in our, railways, and, though' the freights for the carrying of produce fi"Om the home of the producer to the seaports has had a mild increase, I won-; der what the' increase would have been had all this produce been carried by foreign-owned ships on water or by a private company controlling the, railways to-day.; ..'■;. y"'—;> >-;~-~^ <?•' "I am also a'firm believer in superannuation. .The -■ elimination 61 shareholders' profits in the sale of coal,beyond a reasonable amount, and a superannuation scheme so that the miners in New Zealand/ could look forward- to something when they had laid down their tools of trade, would do much to banish the feeling which causes friction and unrest year after year ia'the Dominion." STATE COLLIERS. ; "In connection with the nationalisation of the mines of the Dominion, and in conformity with my belief in 'the State ownership of those mines, I see the necessity , for the transport of coal; from those mines to the centres being carried on State colliers. -The initial cost of these State colliers after the war would be nothing in comparison with the benefits to be derived fronithe purchase, and surely in. winning such' a product, which all have to use and none can do without,' private gain should not .play a part par private enterprise be given the. opportunity of exploitation, which at- present is possible. ; I know that I shall be told that tEese huge profits are not made, but I have sufficient knowledge of commercial matters: to understand the meaning of watering of stock and the building up of huge reserve funds by book entries which are not apparent to, the casual observer." REPATRIATION OF RETURNED \ SOLDIERS. ; " While congratulating Mr. Samson, of the Returned Soldiers' Bureau,: and those who work with him on the wholesouled; effort they are making, and making successfully', I believe that a definite policy .under a responsible Minister should be formulated at once. It is quite wrong to'let this great question, drift: Every man does not want to go on the land. Many of those;who were formerly ,on the land cannot return to the land j while thousands of young fellows who left the cities for the; war, and who, will return entitled to employment, will not seek farms for homes. .1 object ■ to the returned soldiers being expected to : carve areas for themselves on bush districts in the backblocks. They are' entitled to the best we have, and, if the Government, wishes to settle some of the men on the land,.they should be given immediately reproductive blocks. ,on a main line of railway and assisted in ev«ry possible manner. Bawkes Bay, on each side of the railway line from' Dannevirke to Hastings,'would, make an ideal place for returned men, and they deserve it. ., I congratulate the Government on the big move they are: making tyo deal with orthopedic ' cases. Unfortunately, quite 50 per cent, of the men that return are suffering more or less fromi nerves, and I they must be. helped back . to ,' normal with the State backing them every time. No policy of repatriation will be of value unless bureaux of employment, collecting information, are established, in. every town of the Dominion, with, local committees furnishing weekly reports to a centre, so that all avenues of, employment in New Zealand are known and ready for filling. PAYMENT OF FEES TO JURORS. '.'The rate of payment to a juror in » civil or a criminal case is ridiculous. A man,who has to give up his week's work to sit on.a jury at the rate of pay at present provided, 8s a day,'cannot pay his '.rent and keep his home going. The same remark applies to-witnesses who are called away.from their employment to hang about a Court all'day for, a,remuneration which means a debit balance at the end of 'the-week." : :V : : ;'.^,.<--- "

WAGES OF PRISON WARDER "I notice ..that . eubetantial increases have been made:.in.tiie.wages.;of— non^ commissioned officers" and constables" by tho National Government." ■ ■ This' step admits the • necessity- for a rise to these, moil, and X oongratulate the Government: 00 the step it has taken.. I am pleased to see in the 'public press an announcement that. Cabinet is to consider an increase of wages to the warders;in'.the prisons of. the. Dominion. They, have' been forgotten. in- these strenuous ; times r and 1 hope that their -wages'will'be increased by an addition of ls*6d a day; like the police, for I. feel they deserve it. -.'•■■'.■'■ .. .„, . ... : . ;;;•;-;■ ;;-j;■;;; •'.•;...;■' "V •:""■, NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME; \ "Tb& timo has come, in my opinion,, when a national pension scheme of wider application |Uian the National Provident scheme should ,be introduced by the Government. This- schem«\should b© so framed as pot to imperil any of the: existing pension schemes,.but, on .'■ the cbri-; trary, to safeguard them.;; It 'should not bel left to harbour boards and local authorities '. to ' inaugurate' speciar '. local schemes of their own, but; there should be one grand comprehensive measure by which : all ;could the benefitsrin fhieir 1- old age from such a proposal. * My opinion on this matter ia well known, for the;. : workers",theinsely.es',";,haye.".;con; gratulated ;on many; occasions the late Mr. Fletcher, and myself Yon *-*£he ".work" done by Us in .that direction on tile Wellington Harbour Bqard^ and I< any not afraid,;'notwitfetand-iri^ „the: Labour, candidate who isropposing;me, but'that I shall ", receive a large measure of 6upr; port from those- men-:'.working on: the wharves of .Wellington" whose 'councillor. and friend 1!- have been-for.niany years.:"ASSISTANCE Tp^FRIENbUY:; ,•' ;- :■■',;.;.;:SO'cieties.;w.;!;:.'"-,^ "The^ drain, .upon the funds of friendly societies-through haying to keep goodon.their.books members who have gone. to the war has, become too weighiy-for them to bear A At the beginning of the war, when .only if few. meii-had leftjvth6 fina>ncial- stability of these "societies was | a guarantee that the levies of those who' had gone, away could "be kept up;: but the increaeed .calls.on,'ithe.-'manhood of the country ;ha ve'j resulted; ;in ■':&& burden becoming so severe as to create alarm. I shall. advocated :as : ,did 'the. late; .Mr. ■ Fletcher,' that Governmeiit"assistanco be. given to these: Bpcieties, and from my conversation with'other members on this, point I '-am; .assurecL;of - genexoTis and ! /halpful assistance: in this- directipri."- .' CUTTING UP, ESTATES. "I can see in j a tmf' years' time that no properties will ,W'held in laTge. areas in this Dominion; ■;. . Th'e^^^ mentality of the people hereand; abroadhaschanged with' war conditions,.:and .'with: ,a real; live policy- of cutting up estates and settle^-,' ment of the lands,:we^will see in day« &' come a atate of things, when none are rich andi none are poor.-, Close < settlement, settlement, ■with generous. State, :assistance.of.the wide areas,of tie Dominion will soon bV"a fact, and when we talk of settlement of our soldiers on the land it is far better to' take;large areas close to the: railway and cut ■ them V : iu|> .; so - that twenty. settlers may. have their: homes where formerly one leaded. I So wemust .be careful in settling, our"soldier* that the purcEiseof Vprbperty-for, those sol..diers- does not■' rest;with the' purchase 'of ■small' holdings, -for-then:;it KyfSL be seen : tJiat we are merely changing the .producer -apd act'increasing the,production."- .-'■',"." INCREASED WAR PENSION OF WIDOWED MOTHERS,- - • "ix-my opinion the time has arrived when th« Government should"reconsider the amount allowed to widowed mothers. I know, that until schemes are tried 3>: is 4mpossiWß ' to^ .tell^whether^^ tiiey -areworkable- or unworkable,' and -I:am sane. enougltf'totoideretand; that hew difficulties crop,np,whichiare nnforseen ,when, laws are . passed which have', to be , pro-' vided.for"when- ttwy- are' undersUiod. If all legislation was -perfect when; it was passed no law would be amended and no progress-would be made; It is-'only t3>o experience of working an Act of P»rKar: meht, just as it .is tlip "Biperienee „of working - a bit' of new- machinery,: which shbws'the manager the difficulties in-that working! Here is ,'ii case which the Go-, .vernment in: my .opinion, should meetI have brought/it.before 'thei JMLnisier, of the Crown,- and .it is being submittedl, to Cabinet at once. ;,A widowed mother' has a son who has gone to'the front who has-provided for. her; and, she :has.been getting;along quite ■ well ■ until aometihing happens which,the Parliament ..never, con; templated,-"namely," the marriage of the; son jin England,. and' Mib creation: of a. new responsibility;.for,"..that, soru' .'After:the soldier son has married in England ho stops his,allotment to his,mother because' he; has; to 1, keep- his "wife,;; and,.', though-the mother-has a small allowance; of her own, :.sbjaCsuddenlyl"findslherself'. deprived of ;the regular 'payments whicK; she has been- receiving.- ■ Here is an ex.- - ample of •„ *hat" must"ie'.lattended' to by: virtue of the increased responsibility of the soldier, „I-have,-thought of another case , that. ; might ;happen:, ,;Supposing,; a. man and his wife have, one soldier son, at, the front','and''he^has. Jeft"iik'.allbtnient not to.'them, forrthey. were'.npt^in need: when i& left, but to eonieotlier person, and, STip^)bm.S''afte'r':'}tet.l!a^','gbpe''to''tho.' front his ; father'dies-leaving;his mother fof:"m. my "opinion" tEe" allots ment should automatically -become.-pay\ able tp the moth ear, -she being- in needt ~.-T think gfln'erally'theTwhole'pdisltipn.of "the! widowed mother should;be, reconsidered j! and also the^position. of all depend ents of soldiers. We: must n<?yer forgetthat.; we owe everything'to..them and ;tiiat all' we-have we should fo'prepared to pledge for their dependents'/support; and maintenance." - • ■;/ ■;-:>■ ';■■;■ •.■; .-• ;';-:•;;.'-•; ;;. ■y\".\\ 7 O.N ;jLP,YALTY;r;p:;:;;;;, ;V The candidiate: stated that his., fight was" only -with -Mr.' P. 'OBViaser,-«wnose( policy he £termed as destructive. The speaker remarfeed that he was known as "old yard' facts, "and lie would speak plainly. If Mr. Fraser's: doctrines -came into force in New /Zealand 'this coimtry would have: the same ..state ■ of, affairs ■as Russia. ."Mi-. JHildreth that his.appeal was ;to sane; Labour." . The leada-B of the so-called Labour Party did.not reflect the opinions of tJie rank and file, of the workers; in their statements of policy/.Labour-in this city was^loyal, but .the- so^-called leaders ofthe Labour "Party were not - loyal. ■ 'An'interjecfor, remarked-:;"As a soldier, andVa leader,, of. v t<abour ; .here'-..I 1 challenge that.";,;. ; !'.;.'.■-■.".'" ■ .'■ ■'.-•'".-"'" .'.- . Mr. -Hildreth said: tl^.'the u dbcia>ines' preached by those persons t to- whom he had Teferred wore not those that people' loyal to King^aiad! country.'; could; sm>, port. 'He.felt thatlthe;people wouldl Hotplace confidence-Jin 1 ■such '; individuals. •■ Hitherto the coontiry. had'; been-; kept, clear 'of such pei'songrin^ PMh^iroen.tj'in: the case'- of i Grey•'•'•it■ -was'-an exchange' of one for,laudther.;','.'lThe-: .Wellingion Central-electorate:was a.very, important I one. He ■ asked' -every,;Jtrae.-.man ■ and evcrj' true-worn an' who "were-loyal, to the : :.counlrT;:;to;;suppcrt:\h^;~y..;;';,...-';" 1.-'.:.~~.£ Replying^ to a.- previous interjecter, the candidate remaTked!!'thai :TLabbur leaders^ b*d opposed conscription, and ■ had' ad-

vocated;;-'dc«trinejß '-yrfrieh -\-<»pM';.n<Jt.;i.bV>;.;v,;; 5 described:'as ■ loyal.;'; When " 1^ 'tad "been .'pnt^to. Mr. iTraser^onKthifl.^ > ; :;i matter of ■ anti-ocTOcriptionisra^ in ■• the-, state Viol 5 ;-. • ,' , affalrsTthat''©xiste3;ito^y," was-Jdisloyil/.;^' > >■• A:; voice : .''Would; you,.-. describe;: l«k^:,- ;; disloyal^the majority;,,of Aus^ian : .'»ol-;^:; diers... 'in; the""' trench es^_ who.:: hid' Mvotei. :•;;".' . against', conscription I"'---; "i ■;'.,?■ -■ :/-: -:w':^-i • Mr.?Hildreth repliedthat he "had' yet v 1; . to'learn "thafsuch 'a'.statem^^.was^trui:;^',;! :;After;;the candidate had 'answered.*ai i;;;'; wide variety. of .-.of '■>:■ ;■; ' thanks."wSs" "pass&J. "..".'.".-'." "^'MlCJ^j'i- -

£ s. d. New South Wales ....;..... 29 5 0 Victoria 29 7 6 South Au5tra1ia...........;. 29 17, 6 Western Australia ;........ 31 0 0 =America (f.o.b. New York) .33 15- 0 ; Great Britain ..:............. 41. 12 6 , New Zealand ..: 22 0 0

Prom ■■■':■ Pear; July, 1914 cent. to' . Country ■'-. increase MaTch, 1918 Norway 195 August, 1917 Austria, 173 April, 1918 Sweden 147 October, 1916 Germany 109 June, 1918 United Kingdom 108 March, 1918 Switzerland 96 January, 1918 France (Paris) 91 September, 1917 Italy 88 July, 1917 Netherlands 81 June, 1918 Canada 72 July, 1917 Japan 66 April, 1918 United States 50 July, 1918 New Zealand 39 'July, 1918 Australia . . 31