THE THREE COMMISSIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 June 1912, Page 3

THE THREE COMMISSIONS

THEIR EXISTENCE JUSTIFIED. ABLE ADDRESS BY HON. G. W. , RUSSELL. ("BT TELEGRAPH. —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, June 17. Hon. G. W. Russell addressed a public meeting of about 150 persons at. Port Chalmers this evening. He dealt, with the political history of the past twenty-five years and referred to the Liberal' Party" as having during the past twenty-one years developed a steady policy that could be seen in its legislation. At the last election the parties had become nearly balanced, which he attributed to bad organisation, bad management and attacks made upon Sir Joseph Ward by the Conservative press.

Referring to ■ accusations made against Mr Payne and Mr Robertson of having broken their pledges, he said Mr Payne and Mr Robertson had been returned pledged to support the Liberal Party , and had since pledged themselves to abide by the decision of the caucus and follow whoever was selected as leader.

Now Mr Massey was hoping that these men would go over to his side -and so break two solemn pledges that they had made. There was no one going to do it. The speaker replied at some length to the press criticism and justified the setting up of the three Royal Commissions. It was possible the Civil Service Commission would save the Dominion £50,000 or £IOO,OOO a year besides providing the Government with suggestions for the better working of the service in future. The Cost of Living Commission would ascertain where the remissions of customs duties, granted for the benefit of the people some years ago, had gone, and if it was ascertained that the trusts had kept these from the people the duties could bo re-imposed and some other means found to give the benefit to the people. As a result of the enquiry the Government might send to gaol, if necessary, the men who had created these unholy trusts.

'['he Education Commission would, no doubt, produce an illuminating report. It might not reduce expenditure, but that did not matter U the education of the people could‘be improved. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence w’as carried.