POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2064, 6 December 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Giving his ideas of the future political stale of the country, Dr. Newman said (hat the Liberal Party was 'W^fisLulograling. It was not the party that it was in Mr Scddon’s time. Later it would break up, and some members would join the Reform ‘side. Then there would be two parties —the Reform Parly ami a move moderate, bigger, stronger —(a voice, “Saner”) —yes, I thought you wanted (hat —a saner Labour Parly, let! by Mr Paul and Mr Veilcb, and Mr Smith. Answering some interjections, Dr. Newman said Unit the Labour Parly had not got a dog’s chance of gelling a majority. The party had to get a wider outlook, “more courage and vision” —a phrase Mr Semple had been fond of using in Parliament —before it could hope to succeed.

Mr Evelyn Macdonald, speaking at Te Hero, said he had asked the official Labour candidate for an cx-,-planation of the particular reasons for, or-the particular advantages of, State ownership of mines. The answer was, “Belter housing,” “better conditions.” Years ago, said the speaker, we hud passed a Factories Act to compel factory owners to provide better conditions. We compelled farmers to provide better housing and conditions for oven temporary workers and shearers. Why not, then, compel mine-owners to provide better housing and conditions —as they should? State ownership was not necessary for that. Tins disposed of the only reasons given for State ownership of mines.

“I will never vole for women police as long as I live,” said Mr T, M. Milford, emphatically, at Lower Halt, in answer to a-question. “In my opinion the only women who would he (it to he women police are women who would not lake the job,”

Mr I*j. Newman spoke at BumiyIhorpe to an appreciative audience, on AVednesday night, ami was proposed a liearly vole of thanks and confidence by Mr J, W. AVoods, seconded by Mr Stafford, which was carried by acclaniatioii. Mr Newman was asked several questions, which were all replied 1o satisfactorily. Mr W. 0. Dul bic was in Ihe chair.

The elect ion-time humorist was in evidence at the meeting addressed by Mr ('lullm Mackenzie at Grafton .lioad, Auckland. A written question submit led \va.-: “In view of the great scarcity of domestics, is the candidate prepared lo support a proposal lo allow a man to have a second or third wife?” After bis first wife is dead'?'” asked Air Mackenzie, and was answered by a stentorian “No!” from the back of the hall. The candidate then said jocularly the idea had something to commend it. There might he.one wife for the drawing-room, ami another for the kitchen, and so forth. However, he concluded that New Zealand had hardly reached the stage of considering such schemes.

Mr Newman addressed the electors at Kairangu on Tuesday, and received a warm welcome from (hose present. His speech followed the lines of his past addresses, hut he referred especially to the land settlement question and the imperative necessity of the immediate development of the hydro-electric scheme. He said he proposed to visit the McKenzie and .Biiick soldier settlements next day. The candidate received a good hearing, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr J. W. Deale, and seconded by Mr D. Collis, and carried unanimously by acclamation.

Speaking at Kairanga, Mr Newman referred to the efforts made by the present Government to the settlement of second and third-class lands. He stated that under the 1919 Act areas up to 1,500 acres of third-class land could be taken up under a license to occupy for a term of 10 years, no rent or other charge being made by the Government, and the Government would make advances by way of loan for the development and improvement of the land. After seven years, the land became the freehold property of the licensee. No local rates are charged for the first four years. Mr Newman stated that he was convinced from personal observation that a large amount of the waste land of the North Island, if properly managed by the Government, will become a natural asset to the Dominion, and add enormously to the exports of the country.

Despite Mr Fred, Plrani’s threat to call down the law upon disturbers of his political meeting, he got an even worse reception at his meeting at Wellington on Thursday night. On several occasions he left the platform and walked among the audience, warning interjeetors, amidst jeers and outbursts. Here are a, few of the interjectionsMr Pirani : “The first point I am going to touch A voice: “Is Hie spot on the sun.” (Laughter and uproar.) ‘Mr Pirani: “There is a lady down there I will name next, I don’t care which sex the interrupter belongs to. Oh, we will have a nice gang'of eases on Saturday next. Make no mistake, I am going through with this to .the hitter end.” (Laughter.) Voice: “If you know of a bettor ’ole, go (o it.” (Great laughter,) . . . “That is the second person I will caution. (Further noise.) Duck your head. He’s just behind the lady with the white hat.” Interrupter: “Call him ‘Pat/ not ‘Paddy.' No slang Irish here. We won’t have it, or you will go out on your pat. ’

(Loud'laughter and disturbance.). The questioner; Can you explain to us, Mr Pirani, why you stood as' u Tory at the last election, and now nland as a Liberal? (Laughter and jeers). “One question tliat interests the people—” said Mr Pirani. “Quack, quack, quack,” interjected a voice. (Laughter.) “ is that we have to pay so much for coal,” continued the candidate. ' .

A voice: “IPs a very easy question, isn’t it?”,. (Laughter.) Another voice: Don't go down in the mine, Daddy, There’s plenty of work in Wellington Centra). (Loud laughter.) “Let your whiskers grow,” said another, “and then you’ll catch them for whitebait.” (Loud laughter.) The candidate: You were put out once. Is not that enough for you The first interrupter: You will be put out once for ever. (Laughter and disturbance.)

Mr Pirani went down to have the interrupter put out, but could not find him in the crowd. (Laughter, booing, and disturbance.) On his returning to tiie platform, one of the previous interrupters called out: Oh, no; give him a fair go for about ten minutes! (Laughter and booing.)

Another voice: I move that the new member be heard. (Laughter and applause.) “Have you got a political past, Mr Pirani?” asked a member of the audience, adding, “unfortunately, wo all know you.” (Laughter and applause.) Mr Pirani (continuing) : “I am going to speak now of the coal shortage.” A loud voice: What won the cup? Mr Pirani; You will find that the solution of .the coal shortage will be A voice: Have you ever read Darwin’s Missing Link ? (Laughter.)

The candidate was unable to make himself heard, and again threatened to have a persistent interrupter arrested. A high falsetto voice I hen kept up an accompaniment to an endeavour by the candidal c In speak on Ihe cost of living.

Mr I’irani; Xbal is not a lady, it is a tool of a man behind one. (Laughter.) The high voice: Oh, I am waiting lo hear your policy, Freddy.

Mr I’irani calmly waited with his arms folded while several other falsetto voices joined with (be firs! voice, keeping up a running lire of

comment. “You will gel tired before i will,” .-aid Mr I’irani, at length. The piping voice': J think we will hold a meeting in Maggie’s room. (Shrieks of laughter.) > Mr I’irani; I have got that man now r . The same voice: That’s right, point him out, Air Pi rani. (Groat laughter.) Air I’irani continued standing silent with his arms folded for a space of two or throe minutes, while various inlerjecdors amused (he meeting, At,length someone stood up in the centre of the hall and recited the lirst verse of “The Burial of Sir -John Alooro.” The candidate remained standing unmoved. The piping voice: Mr I’irani will now lead us in prayer. (Laughter.) Another voice: Do something, Freddy; sing “Why Did They Sell Kilhirncv?” •

Another felsetto voice; My word, he must have been a hard child to rear. (Further shrieks of laughter.)

Mr Pirani wore the interrupters down to a reasonable degree, and continued that he wished to make it clear that he would not support any party I hat would have to rely on any revolutionary members.

A voice: Oh, go back to your organ and monkey.

Here there were cheers outside the hall, giving renewed life to the noisy ones inside. Mr Pirani continued amidst in(ermitieut noise that Labour supporters were really blinded by their leaders. Labour leaders were at present concealing iheiv real feelings so that they might capture the votes of returned soldiers. If the soldiers only knew the attitude of those leaders while they were away their eyes would bo opened. Mr Pirani has decided to have his views printed and circulated among the electors, as he finds it impossible to get a hearing in public.

A few excerpts from Mr Hillier’s political address at Bulls, culled from the Rangitikei Advocate; — “There was a press campaign against three men —Holland, Semple and Fraser. He held no brief for them. Kach had held a seal in .Parliament, These men were extremists, hat they could only gel their seals by receiving a majority of voles. If people wished to return extremists to Parliament, who were going to say them ‘Nay.’ The moment they deprived them of that right they denied them the rigid to send men to Parliament. He would not be bound to these people, neither would he be responsible to them. He would he responsible to the people, if elected. If he failed, it was the duty of the people to call him to task. He would tell Semple and the others to mind their own business. He would allow no one to dictate to him The Labour Party desired to make land laws so as to make land for use, and not for profit. They should cut out the speculators. He quoted a speculator who in five or six years fiad made over four figures, which- he haul invested in war bonds, and who had referred to the public as ‘My working bullocks/ .... He had been asked if he would support the ‘go-slow* policy, and had said No! Neither would he support the condi-

lions which compelled the ‘go-Mmv

policy. . . . . He advocated new and better roads. They were parsing from one stage to another, the iron tyre to the rubber, and we must improve our roads to meet the conditions. He favoured re.-afloresta-lion, and the better equipment of small harbours. Large numours could look after themselves. . . .

He did not believe in Prohibition. Fundamentally it was wrong. Liquor was a contributing cause to poverty, but was not the cause of it. He was afraid Prohibition would introduce the drug habit, which was worse. He was inclined to believe in a scheme of State control, which would gradually reduce the strength of liquor until it became non-alco-holic.

Mr Massey had to abandon his Christchurch speech this week, owing to the overcrowded state of the building and a hostile demonstration on the part of a section of the crowd.

Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at Timaru, said he would not remain in office if he had to depend upon the support of extremists like Messrs Holland and Fraser.