THE LIBERAL CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 15514, 9 June 1914, Page 4

THE LIBERAL CAMPAIGN

THE FIRST WEUTBNANT AT GORE,

[Per United Press Association.]

GORE, June 9. Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., delivered a political address at the Princess Theatre last evening before a large audience. He trenchantly criticised the Government's finance, navy taxation, and other pronoeals on similar line** as elsewhere. The speaker was awarded a vote of thanks amid some dissent,' and confidence was expressed in Sir Joseph Ward as leader of the party.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WHANGAREI

[Special to the Stab.]

WHANGAREI, June 8

Sir Joseph Ward was accorded another splendid reception to-day. This time it was at Whangarei, where he arrived at 6.30 a.m. from Auckland, and, despite the early hour, both the Mayor of the borough (Mr Jack) and the chairman of the County Council (Mr M'Kenzie) were at the wharf to tender a civic welcome to Sir Joseph. During the day he was motored round the district, banqueted at Kamo in the evening, and after his address was entertained at a smoke social. These are strenuous times for the head of the Opposition. The Whangarei Town Hall was crowded at 8 p.m., that being the time announced for his political address. Every seat was occupied, and many stood all the evening, there being some 1,500 persons, present. The flavor (Mr D. W. Jack) presided, and Mr F. Mander, M.P., occupied a eeat on the platform. Sir Joseph was cheered when he arrived at the hall, and the demonstration was repeated when he took his seat on the platform. He received a splendid hearirg, his remarks frequently being punctuated with applause. _ln opening Sir Joseph announced that Mr Mander had asked him to say that he (Mr Mander) would reply to the speech on Thursday night dn the same hall. Dealing with Mr Massey's Chnstchurch statement in regard to the Dreadnought—"that if the. statements made by the Leader'of the. Opposition as to how the cost was provided were correct, then a contemptible trick was played upon the people of the Dominion," and " that air Joseph Ward's statements were making New Zealand ridiculous "—tire speaker said that if anything was making New Zealand ridiculous in the eyes of the world it was the attempt to establish a toy navy m New Zealand for the protection of sea routes, guarding the coast line, and protecting all British interests in the Pacific. One Bristol cruiser, which it was proposed *o purchase, could only be the nucleus of what was destined to be" an unbearable business burden which a ycung country could not afford. (Applause.), Mr Massey's "coutemptible trick" statement was sheer nonsense. Provision for the full payment of the Dreadnought was made properly and corstitutionally. The term used by the Prime Minister was extraordinary, to say the least. Turning to Mr Massey's statement "that it might be true that there was a considerable sum of money in hand of the Consolidated Account on March 31, 1912, Sir Joseph said there was no " might" about it, and he referred to page 3 o? the Budget presented by the Finance Minister in 1913 to show that on April 1, 1912, the amount of ensh in the Revenue Account was £807,276. Mr Massey's attempt to discovnt this by referring to the pavment of interest would not stand examination. He quoted figures to show that the revenue for Mr Allen's year (1913), including the balance left by him (Sir Joseph), £>moiMited after payment of the whole of the interest for Mr Allen's year to £1,516,784. Even after a transfer by Mr Allen of £75,000 to the Public Works Fund there still remained a cash balance on March 31, 1913. of £79,708. After a splendid heaving a vote of thanks and confidence in Sir Joseph Ward, and expressing the hope that he would

eoon again have the destiny of New Zea-ls-ad in ilia power, was earned ty a ll ovftrwhelming majority on the motion of Or Ghadwin. CTwers were given for Sir Jcseph and Lady Ward.