MR RUSSELL AT PORT CHALMERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 18 June 1912, Page 5

MR RUSSELL AT PORT CHALMERS

DUNEDIN, June 17. Mr 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 25 years, and referred to the Liberal Party as having during the past 21 years developed a steady policy that could be seen in its legislation. At last election the parties had become nearly balanced, which he attributed to ba-d organisation, bad management, and the attacks made upon Sir Joseoh Ward by the Conservative Press. Referring to the accusations made against Mr Payne and Mr Robertson of having broken their pledges, he said that 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 leader. Now Mr Massey was honing 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 Press criticism, and justified the sotting up of thre-3 Royal Commissions. It was possible that the Civil Service Commission would save the dominion £50.000 or ■f:100,OG1 0 a year, besides providing the Governmoit 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 ,vas ascertained that trusts had kept these from the people, the duties could be re-imposed, and some other means round to give the benefit to t*>e people. As a result of the enquiiv the Government would send to gaol, if necessary, the men who had created these unholy trusts. The Education Commission would, no doubt, produce an illuminating report. It misrht reduce the expenditure, but that did not matter if the education of the people could be nnnroverl. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried.