THE H.B. TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1911. MR. CAMPBELL’S ADDRESS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 245, 3 October 1911, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1911. MR. CAMPBELL’S ADDRESS.

Anyone doubting the interest being (.-•ken in the Hawke's Bay election must have been amply convinced by last night’s meeting when Mr. H. M. Campbell, the Reform Party candidate, addressed the electors. The Princess Theatre was simply packed in every section, men stood in the aisles and doorways, and a large number were unable to gain admittance. If numbers stand for anything Mr. Campbell should feel highly gratified with the result of his meeting. Hastings paid him a high compliment by turning out in full force to listen to him. He had an excellent chance of making a good impression and we believe he did it. Mr. Campbell, unfortunately for himself, is by no means an orator. He knows none of the tricks of the experienced platform speaker and many a point was lost by the absence of rhetorical effect. It is well to remember, however, that all men are not born orators —it is a good thing for the ertuntry they are not- and although Mr. Campbell is not among the most eloquent candidates wooing the electors there is about him that clean, straightforward honesty of purpose which speaks louder and rings truer than llov.-ery passages from the lips of practised orators. Time and opportunity will give liny man a command .of language but nature alone can endow a man with honor and integrity. A point in Mr. Campbell’s favour last night which the audience keenly appreciated was his careful I avoidance of all personalities. His expressed Appreciation of Mr. Dillon was also graceful and his tribute to Mr. Seddon was received with warm applause. Mr. Campbell declared last night that he believed Mr. Seddon had done his best for tie- country, "but could they say the same for Sir Joseph Ward.' Mr. Campbell might have pointed out also that Mr. Massey opposed Mr. Seddon all through whether tie was "trying to do bis best for the country” or not. But the speaker last night very properly said that lie did not care what Mr. Massey or anyone else did "lie was going to do what lie considered right.” What Mr. ('ampbell considers right is by no means on a par with the ideals of the old Conservative Party. Last night he enunciated sound Liberal views which must appeal strongly to the great majority of the moderate people ill the constituency. He seeks to place no brake on the wheel of progress : he is opposed to none of the democratic institutions of the country except in the wish io make them more democratic still —for example by reform of the Legislative Council by making it an elective body. We hardly follow Mr. Camp-| bell in his proposal to elect the i

('ounei] upon Hie uarnc fr.'iii'bise ;j: the Lower House, or rather l>.v the same methods, because it appears likely to create an i<|ejltify of opinion between Hie Iwo Chambers which is not desirable. At present, however, the Council is. as he says, representative of one man and not of the country as a whole, and tins should be rectified without delay. His declaration in favour of the graduated land tax showed he was by no means guided by class prejudices. On the Land question his ideas are and liberal. He i- a Km-lari i IT--. holder, but at flic lim ■ a;A.

cates the adoption of ti.e possible methods of ■>'?,. m men upon the soil. A m i. its “:s ao dress which appealed us s’ tong!/' was the reference to Native land. There is no question of doubt that the time has arrived to stop wet nursing the Native. Thousands of acres of Native land are lying idle. If the Maoris are prepared to work this land let them do so by all means, but if they are too lazy or indifferent it should be thrown open for occupation by the European. The reduction of the pension age for women to 60 years appealed to his audience, and it is certainly a popular proposal with the people. The candidate expressed himself in favour of a scheme of insurance against sickness and unemployment, though he wisely remarked that he would like to learn more of the possibilities of the latter before committing himself. Insurance against unemployment is bv no means impossible, but we could well await lessons from Brita:n before [dunging into an immature scheme. The proposal to exchange the Arbitration Court for the Victorian Wages Board is a doubtful benefit. Indeed, it may be said with truth that in the present state of industrial unrest it would be very difficult to say what system could be adopted to meet requirements. It is difficult to see that the Wages Board offers any distinctive advantage over the Court. \V c are, however, heartily in accord w’th Mr. Campbell when he declares for a system which allows tor the payment of good wages to a good man so.that lie can "get along and earn his independence as soon as possible. YV e have no right to force the competent to clog his progress with the load of the incompetent. M e can also endorse tlie candidate’s view that no alteration should be made ; n our education system unless it be m the matter of ad minist rat'on. In later issues we may be able to deal more Fully with some of the questions raised in Mr. Campbell’s address. The purpose of this article is G> present a general review of his platform. It. is not to be supposed that the candate’s views will meet with acceptallc< - from all sides. Other gentlemen who are offering then- services will rightly clahii their share of public appreciation. But Mr. Campbell is popular. His first big meeting was distinctlv cordial, and he should gain ground between now and the poll. He has a clean record and who know hmi have unshaken r.mli.lcnce hi his integrity. He is not a professional platform speaker, but he possesses ability and the grit ;lll d bmmur which ( nables a man to n ,n straight. The good naim- of the constituency would be safe n bis hands.