The Palmerston Seat.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8141, 15 November 1905, Page 6

The Palmerston Seat.

Mr W. T. Wood at the Zea-

laiidia Hall.

The Zealandta Hall was crowded last night, when Mr W. T. Wood, Government candidate for the Palinerston seat, delivered his first address in Palmerston, Tho chair was occupied by Mr M. Cohen, who briefly and appropriately introduced the candidate.

Mr Wood, as at Bunnythiorpe, prefaced his address with denials of the statement which he alleged had been made that he had been seen " beastly intoxicated " in Wellington, also that he had " imported" Mr Pirani's son to Palmerston to assist in the campaign ■ against the latter's father, who is also a candidate for the Palmevston seat. Mr Wood also took occasion to deny alleged rumours that he held sha'es in breweries and hotels, also in a land syndicate that has purchased land at Hoko■whitu. Mr Wood said he held no shares in either hotels or breweries, and, though he had assisted in a project to put a bridge across the river at the Hokowhitu, he had no interest in any land over the river. The only interest he had was in his wife and business, and while he lived his interest was centred in them, and for whom he would do his best, not only for them, but also the people of the colony. The candidate • reiterated his intention of not making • any personal remarks with regard to his opponent and again referred to the ■ statement he indicated Mr Pirani had made some years ago that he (Mr Pirani) would himself havtj ho greater pleasure than in seeing Mr Wood in Parliament. The candidate repeated the list of works and votes that •he claimed to have obtained for the district during the time he had been in Parliament, full details of- which • were published in the report of Mr Wood's initial speech at Bunnythorpe. Alluding to a statement that had been made that although the post office had been erected during his term of offi'e • still he had nothing to do with it, Mr "Wood said that he, with the Mayor, Mr "Cohen, and a number of private citizens ■had waited upon Sir Joseph Ward ■during Mr Seddon's absence in England. Mr Wood said he pointed out to ' Sir Joseph that the office was badly needed and the latter readily agreed to place £1000 upon the estimates, which was done, though the money was not spent till he (Mr Wood) went into the House. He understood that at an early date, probably the end of the month, Sir Joseph Ward would open the Post Office. Alluding to what had been done at the Eailway station, for which he also claimed credit, he said that he was not satisfied with the conveniences there and he intended, if returned, to see that they jsvere made such as befitted a centre where probably no greater amount of business was done in the colony. Referring to past administration he explained his action in connection with the question of the freehold, stating that- he wa3 in favor of the freehold for the pioneers of civilisation. His remarks and expressions o£ opinion on this subject were identical with those previously expressed by him at Bunnythorpe. He claimed that though he had six years ago nailed his colors to the Government mast he had not sold himself, but had voted scores of times against the Government, though he too remained true on questions of • policy. If returned he would follow the same course of action. Alluding to the Land for Settlement Act he stated that the land had been taken up on the le isehold tenure and no one had a right, Government had no tight to. ask that those Crown lands should" be thrown open. The people took them up on the leasehold and under that syatem they should remain. He denied that giving people the freehold would atop the acquisition of large estates. Nothing he said would stop it and he repeated his arguments against the possibility of the aggregation of estates being prevented by stopping a man who had advanced money upon, property taking possession of it if necessity arose. He added that ho understood the Premier had made arrangements for opening up half a million acres of native land in a short time. **He trusted the Premier would go on with the matter and open up the land, the nocessity for which retarded settlement in the North Island for many years. If this was done and tho Main Trunk Line opened, which ho hoped would be In about two or two-and-a-half jears, the prosperity of this island would then shine up like a bright star the same as it had done in the South island. The candidate said 4 he|had voted in favor of the Commission to inquire into the land question. He referred to the numerous questions that had cropped up in connection with land settlement, and said that with a view of elucidating them the Premier had suggested a commission should bo set np. He had voted for it, and considered the right thing had been done. Mr Wood referred to the fact that he had had the pleasure .of nominating Mr J. M. Johnston.for a seat on the Commission and he had been appointed. Mr Wood added that he had always and always- would do his bast to elevate the people of the district itself. He expressed himself against elective land boards and thought members should be appointed from those who had an interest in the lanfl. He was also in favour of the ballot system as against the name system which, he thought, paved the way for corruption. At.the same time he reiterated his views against the gambling element of the ballot system. The candidate justified, as previously, the action of the Government in instituting Slate Fn-e Insurance, which he claimed had resulted in great benefit to kundreds in the colony. He also defended the action of Government in increasing the old age pension amount. He said he had voted for the increase and always would do what he could for the old people. He eulogised the workmen's homes proposals of the Government and said that workmen would be immensely benefited by the • Lomes when carried out, despite the fact that the Opposition ■ and Mr Pirani had twitted the proposals, and said the inmates would bear tho Government brand. He said he had got Government to secure 40 acres in Palmers-1 ton for homes here, and, consequently, when they were necessary the land was available. (Applause). He repeated his approval of the Teachecs' Superannuation Bill, and also the increased pay to school teachers.- He claimed that under Mr Seddon, as vMimater for Education, education had done remarkably well, aud reiterated the hope thai ere long education from primary to secondary schools would be free. He justified "the action taken in counection with the State coal mines, and \again aluded to ""the fact that

the men were working under the award of the Arbitration Court. Eeferenco was made to the increased cost of education since 1890-1 up to the present time, the figures, he said, at the former period being £412,000, as against £693,000, an increase of £251,000, in round numbers. The increase was still going on, and the money was'well spent. Returns were also quoted of the increase of teachers during the same period, and allusion was also made to the great increase of primary, district high schools and technical schools. Proceeding Ml- Wood repeated his remarks with regard to the rates of interest paid by the Post Office Savings .Bank, the Meilde case, the railway men and their hours and rates of pay, tho money borrowed by the Government, and the Bank of New Zealand, which have already been reported in these columns. The candidate next made 'a personpl reference. He said: -" I have done what I have tried to do in the best interests of all concerned. 1 have done my best in politics and when I speak hero I speak as Plain Bill. You all know that. I don't come before you as an opportunist to get into the House. I am not dodging frcm one part of the colony to another for £300 a year. I have lived among you. You all know ins. If you put me back you will put me back, and if you put me out you will put me out, and-the only unfortunate thing about it is that you will find me working in tho blacksmith's shop." Mr Wood tuen proceeded to enumerato the different positions he had held in town, including that of Mayor for seven years, constituting a record. He was thankful for these positions and continuing he said "I have endeavoured, to live as I did before you put me in these positions, and nothing in this world will alter me from being plain Bill Wood, it doesn't matter what position I occupy." He eulogised the personnel of the Ministry saying that his opponent was always at daggers drawn with the Ministec for Public Works (Mr Hall Jones) because he (Mr Hall-Jones) got the position he (Mr Pirani) wanted. He referred to the increase in the number of factories and factory hands from 4109 and 22,879 respectively in 1893 to 9023 and 67,713 in 1905 as showing the prosperity of the colony. He came to the question of Prohibition. He was against Prohibition, but he had every respect for those people who supported Prohibition. He believed in temperance and not Prohibition. He was in favour of temperance in everything besides drinking. He thought the^ Prohibitionists had every right to believe that way and he had a right to believe another way. But if Prohibition was carried and he was returned as their member it would be his duty to see that their wishes were carried out. He was against Bible reading in the State Schools, believing that it would breakup the State system of education. He had voted for the referendum for submitting the question to the people, and it was carried in the Lower House. If returned he would vote again for a referendum. Mr Wood enumerated the things he was in favour of, which have already been published. He understood he was to be asked a question as to why he had not voted on certain motions last session. He had been in tho doctor's hands for three months, and said that in three years he had voted 600 times, had answered 1666 letters and 300 telegrams, and had to go through 3000 pages of printed matter There were times when lie was home in Palmerstoa s,nd when he was away visiting. The statement about him not voting was made for one object—that object that he had told them—the rumour was that he was supposed to be in a beastly state of intoxication inWellington. But he had told them his position truthfully. Concluding Mr Wood said: — " If I should be returned I should be very thankful for it. I will do all I can to cement the good fellowship that has existed between myself and the people of Palmerston. I have stood by you and will stand by you, and I ask you to stand by those who have stood by you. Igo off this stage knowing that I have won the confidence of those in the building. I feeralso that we will remain friends even if I am not returned oh. the 6th of December." (Applause). Replying to a question by Mr Parkes, Mr Wood said he had voted for the Preferential Tariff Bill. In reply to Mr Goldfinch, the candidate said he had voted to do away with the 999 years' lease under the Land for Settlements Act, because he thought the term should be 90 years. Under the long term there could be no extra taxation for 999 years. The lease-in-perpetuity was one of the greatest mistakes of the McKenzie Bill. Mr Dixon asked whether Mr Wood, if returned, would be in favour of retaining all tho present no-license laws. —Mr Wood answered in the affirmative. Rev. J. J. Mather asked whether Mr Wood favoured a three-fifths majority in respect of the no-license poll.—The candidate said he was because it prevented too frequent ckanges. Further replying to Mr Mather he said he did not see why he hould decline election as a member unless he got a threefifths majority. No doubt he would get a three-fifths majority, but the two cases were not on all fours. Au elector •. Are you in favour of the bona fide traveller business ? We go into the country and can't get a taste on Sundays. Mr Wood -. " That bona fide traveller is the greatest curse to the colony of New Zealand." • .. The elector: " That's right enougli when you hare got a supply at home." (1/aughter.) Mr Wood said tlie licensee often wanted to rest on Sunday and could not because of the bona fide traveller, who also brought his friends who lived tour or five yards away. If anyone was so hard up as to want a drink on bunday he should fortify himself with a shilling's worth or sixpenny- worth, on' (Saturday night. The elector disagreed, expressing the opinion that " Mr Wood renegged on the whole question." (Laughter.) He was against juvenile cigarette smoking. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed to the candidate on Mr J. M. Johnston's motion, seconded by Mr T." Harriman, and the meeting closed with threo cheers for the candidate aud avote j of thanks to the chairman.