THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, 12 March 1914, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

DESPERATE STRUGGLE FORE-

CASTED.

MR HERDMAN AT WYNDHAM.

' SPIRITED HEPLY TOi STR JOSEPH

WARD

[PfiZSS ASSOCIATION 1 TELECRAUrI Hon a WYNDHAM, Marqli 11.' 1 E. Herdman addressed a nPdit d entllUslastlc meeting t-o----forecasted a desperate political at ., tile elections and said the so-called Liberals would fight with the s*‘5 lty of do °med men. The Reform paity was commanding general eonfidence because it governed in the inter5. classes, not of any one section. Sir Joseph Ward could not hope ? ma i orit y in the House a ter the elections unless he formed an alliance with either the Reds Feds or the united Labor Party. •¥ r Herdmlan recounted the finanial and other difficulties the present 'meinment. had to face on, assuming office. He said they had weathered the storm and things were now taking a. pleasanter aspect and he prev-ct-ed another era of prosperity. His survey of tile Government’s ac--1011 in dealing with the strike was loudly applauded’. He condemned Sir •Joseph Ward’s speech in the House in regard to the Post Office Square incipient. and said the Government had no assistance whatever from the Opposition m settling the strike. Sir Joseph u arc! s statement that he was accuse eel or being the head and front of the strike was without foundation. He thought the Trades Disputes Act would prove of great benefit in preventing strikes. The Government had been twitted with not fulfilling its promises. In two sessions they had redeemed many of their promises and all would be fulfilled by the end or next, session.

Air Herdman voiced the Government’s determination to settle the land, and said that during the 2d montlis of Mr Massey’s administration •1393 people had been put on the land, the total area being 1,092,891 acres. Dealing with the Civil Service, Mr Herdman showed how vastly the conditions of pay and promotion had been improved.

On the naval question ho said he could _ not understand Sir Joseph Ward’s speeches. The Government had to conform to the wishes of those who had to safeguard the British Empire. A few ships in the Pacific would be of no use if the Home fleet was in peril. The Government had done more than accept all the Home authorities could give it. They were providing a Bristol cruiser and so doing their best to protect the commerce of the country as well as doing their paramount duty to the Home'Countrv. - v

Forecasting measures to,be introduced next session, he said another effort would be made to reform the Legislative Council. Mr Allen would also introduce a measure wihch, he thought, would vastly improve the education system. A Bill would also be brought forward dealing with the system of Parliamentary grants. He had absolute faith in the future of New Zealand. which could well be left in the hands of a progressive Government bent on the settlement of the lapd and the quick marketing of its produce. -Hr Herdman was loudly applauded on concluding and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.