SIR JOSEPH WARD

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 114, 11 November 1919, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD

A' PACKED MEETING AT CHRIST-

CHURCH.

AN OUTLINE OP THE LIBERAL

POLICY

(BT TBLEGRAPH.—F«BS9 ASSOCIATION.)

OHRISTCHUROH 10th November.

Sir' Joseph Ward opened the Liberal Party's campaign to-night, when head-' dressed a gathering which packed the Choral Hall. The chairman. (Dr Thaeker, M.P.) was subjected to many interruptions in his introductory re-1 marks, and it was evident that a strong element of extremists was among ■ the audience. ■ •' . ■• -.■■•■■•

Sir Joseph Ward, in opening his address, said he. proposed to give an outline ci£ some of the public matters of the country, without indulging -in ' personal attack. -Hie agreement he mod's in joining the National. Government was detailed by Si. Joseph, who said the National Government ceased to exist when the Peace Treaty was signed, and with the concurrence of members of the Liberal Government he resigned. He had helped in carrying the Government through the biggest crisis in the history of the country Even a-fter the Reform Government had been disintegrated by the last election he-had, taken no active part in party politics. Since the day ho ha-d entered the National Government he and his party had played the gams all through, and all the return they got for it was a cry from the poor Keformers, that they had been badly treated. Speaking of finance, Sir Joseph Ward said that during the time he had been in office as Finance Minister the only taxation he had put on working people was 3d per 1b on tea. (A voice : "What about the cost of living V) Sir Joseph Ward replied that taxation on foodstuffs had Jiot been noticeably increased, and the taxation on them altogether only amountod to £180,000. fie explained why he believed in nationalisation of the coal mines. He did not believe in the "goslow" policy. It was, abominable and offensive. He would not blame the men for it, but it was due to their mistaken leaders. (Interruptions and voices : "We want Labour!"). "Labour is entitled to representation," replied • Sir Joseph Ward.

The Chairman said that if the interruptions did not stop he would take extreme measures.

STATE OWNERSHIPS OF MINES.

Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said that tho best remedy for the troubles in the coal mines was to have proper housing conditions for the miners, and the best way to bring this about was State ownership. The " go-slow" policy was dis-. astrous; it could not be defended. Ho wanted the country to get the profits of State bank, coal mines, and hydroelectric systems, providing in all about xi 2,600,000, and providing about £200,----000 annually for sinking fund. The country required it, and every man must agree with that, and the position of the country to-day required careful handling. It was known that soldiers who, in going to the war, had sold out farms wore now asked to pay highly-advanced prices for' farms. He believed the ■Government should take over the farms sold by soldiers at the price •at which the soldiers disposed of them, apd sell those farms back to the soldiers. Farmers and others were speculating in buy-' ing land against the soldiers' demand, and that was wrong. Large estates should be cut up for the settlement of soldiers.

Sir Joseph Ward spoke briefly on his proposed establishment of State flourmills and bonuses for development of industries.. An active policy,of railway construction was absolutely necessary. With the present rate of progress it would take about 70 years to complete the Ofciro tunnel, while the work should have been finished inside of two years. He believed the party he led would be much the stronger party in th© next Parliament. , . '

Voices: "Never." Sir Joseph Ward: "Well, you wait and see, and I will not take office with those whose views I do not beheve an.

READJUSTMENT OF TAXATION.

■■ Continuing, Sir Joseph Ward said he had been against profiteering all through but he believed in fair trade. He did not require to tell them that he had some strong fights against people carryinn on businesses against the interests of the people of this country, lie strongly recommended the readjustment ot taxation, but this could not bo adjusted until till the costs' of the war were Unowji. It would be a. tnonst-rous thing to keep war taxation an in peace times.

The present incidence of taxation was unfair. Taxation must necessarily be higher than before the war, but it could be reduced. There should be a readjustment, especially in land taxation, and there should be no''transaction of land unless endorsed by a tribunal. Land aggregation was quite phenomenal. They did not indulge in criticism against the holders of land, but criticised the enactments allowing them to aggregate. This country must be a country of small holdings. _ A policy should be brought down to bring about a readjustment of taxation, putting the burden on the shoulders of those best able to bear it.

He had criticised the rate of pay of men in the Second. Division of the Railway service, because he was convinced their pay was not sufficient to meet the cost of living. He had also urged a larger gratuity to soldiers, because he believed it was right. Dealing with housing, he had suggested spending £6,759,000 at 3£ per cent, for houses, at 3£ per cent, rental. He thought houses should be built ot concrete, and he considered . a suitable State house for a working man and his family could be let for 10s 6d per week.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOP

MENT

Sir Joseph Ward briefly dealt with hydro-electric development, on which he proposed to 'spend £1,400,000, and' outlined the advantages to industries, as well as conveniences in the homes, by establishing extensive electric power. In dealing with the question of indentured labour to Samoa, Sir Joseph Ward was subjected to frequent interruptions. In answer to a question why he left the House when the vote was being taken, he explained that he was strongly against indentured labour, but in face of the mandate from the Imperial authorities he was put in the position, not being in favour of indentured labour, of having to refrain from voting.

In conclusion, he said he looked forward to seeing a moderate representation of Labour from the elections, but not to seeing any extreme section getting the reins of Government to smash the country. He did not want extremists either from the Tory or the Labour side. He wanted the people to realise the position of the country now, in that reconstruction was necessary, and that a sane progressive party should be placed in power-to steer the country through existing difficulties.

A demand was made for questions, and on the chairman refusing to accept any there was loud dissent, and Mr H. Holland (ex-Mayor of Christchurch, who is standing for Christchurch South) stood up to move a vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward and of confidence in the Liberal Party, but his remarks could not be heard in the uproar. The motion was declared carried by the chairman, and the meeting concluded with .cheers for Sir Joseph Ward and counter-cheers for Labour.