DUNEDIN WEST.

Mataura Ensign, 4 November 1911, Page 6

DUNEDIN WEST.

DUNEDIN, Nov. 3. Mr H. D. Bedford, candidate for Dunedin West, addressed a large meeting of electors in the Garrison Hall tonight. He referred to the enormous growth of the public debt under the Ward Admimisti -tion and contended that extravagai; was shown in many Departments, mentioning the payment to Sir Robert Stout of £4OOO and the expenditure of £7O on the reception banquet to Mr Fowlds. The money expended on the Coronation memorial halls was availed of in some districts where the money was practically thi own [away. He deplored the lack of consideration of the Supplementary Estimates, in connection with which many little scandals slipped through, members not being prepared to scrutinise the items while the steamer was waitI ing. at the wharf for them. He criticised a number of members, referring to Sir James Carroll as the most expensive luxury this country had to maintain, and regretting the Minister's inaction in properly dealing with native lands. Speaking of the Colonial Sugar Company, he said it was a g.gantic trust, and added that a Bill was prepared jast session by the Government to cut its talons but for some reason was not proceeded with. The Go/eminent, he held, was stricken with years; infirmity had come upon it; it had all the weaknesses of old age, and they must get rid of it. An almost unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate.