POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16569, 5 June 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

SIR JOSEPH WARD. VISIT TO KAIPARA DISTRICT. SPEECH AT HKLENSVILLE. [From Our Correspiindent.] HELENSVILLE, June 4. The wet and stormy weather experienced in all parts of tbo North Island during tho last few weeks lias not deterred tho people from turning out night- alter night to hear political addresses by Sir Joseph Ward. The weather to-day was the most boisterous and the wettest and coldest that Helonsvillo bus experienced for a considerable time, and despite this the Star Theatre was crowded to-night, when tho leader of the Opposition delivered a speech. On arrival at Helcnsvillo Sir Joseph Ward was welcomed by a largo number of residents of the district, and he was entertained at afternoon tea at the mineral springs. Subsequently Ho was banqueted at tlio Terminus Hotel. When Sir Joseph took his seat on the platform of the Star Theatre ho was greeted with loud applause, lhe chairman of tbo lown Board, Mr J. M’Lood, presided. In opening, Sir Joseph Ward drew attention to the state of affairs that existed before the Liberal Government came into office in 1891. The farmers and traders were oonalised to an enormous extent hy the property-tax introduced years before by a Conservative Government. While the, largo landowners escaped taxation on their land, the scttleis and traders were taxed on everything, the old tax was unjust, inequitable and unfair. Tho Liberal Governmentchanged this. They taxed the land a.nd burst, up the largo estates and inado it possiblo ror the land to bo settled in small areas, while cheap money was provided to enable tho farmers to make nnprovonionts. The present Governmcn was opposed in deadly spirit to the Land for Settlements Act, the graduated land tax and the cheap money scheme of the Liberal Government when they were being placed on the Statute Book, and now they had their arms around those Acts and were lingering them to their bosoms with a colossal and marvellous assumption that the world at large did not know that they had opposed those measures. (Applause.) In dealing with the Massey Government's toy navy scheme, Sir Joseph Ward ridiculed the idea of having one Bristol cruiser to protect commcrco azid trade routes and 'British interests in the Pacific. What rubbish it was! Tho contribution of £200.000 towards the British Navy had been abolished and thereby the direct connection with tho old British Navy had been obliterated. He stood now, as lie had always stood, for one concrete British Navy, and did not believe in sectional navies. (Applause.) At tho conclusion of his address, which lasted for two hours and a half, Dir D. Donovan moved a vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward for his address, and confidence in him as the leader of flio Liberal Party. This was carried unanimously and with great enthusiasm. There'was not one dissenter. DIR RUSSELL’S TOUR. SPEECH AT WYNDHADI. [From Our Correspondent.] BALCLUTHA, June 4. _ Despite a fearful storm, Dir G. W. Russell addressed eighty electors at DVvndham last night. Dir Shaw, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and the meeting was most enthusiastic throughout. At tho conclusion, a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried. Subsequently a strong Liberal Association was formed. A strong Liberal candidate is in sight for Dfataura, and, if be consents, there will be little doubt of the result. Dir Russell is returning to Christchurch by the second express to-day, and will resume his southern tour at (lore on Monday, when lie will reply to Dir Massey. NAVAL DEFENCE. SPEECH BY DIR FISHER. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 4. The Hon F. M. B. Fisher addressed a mooting at Eastbourne to-night. Dealing with naval defence the Minister said there was an impression abroad that the Government was going to establish a local navy This was untrue, absurdly wrong. Such a story was a straw man set up by tho Opposition to which they set a light and then danced around gleefully. Hie Government did not want New Zealand to be cut off from Great Britain at any price, and to this end had inserted a clause in last year’s Nava! Bill which said that in the event of the declaration oi : wav between Britain and another Power men or vessels m New Zealand waters should pass automatically to the control of the Admiralty.' In 1909 the Imperial Goveminent agreed to send out two B'istol cruisers and two destroyers to Aeu Zealand, H.M.S. Now Zealand remaniincr in Homo waters. . Alter some de lav the British Government found it inadvisable to send out the Bristol and New Zealand would have to he content with the Psyche, lyramus nd Philomel, which were obsolete and use ful only as training ships. It• he better for the dominion to tune one good ship than three useless ones. OADIAHU SEAT. [Per Press Association.] O AMARU. June 4. Dir J A. Macnhcrson has consented to*contest the Gnmr.ru seat as a nominee of the Liberal Association.