TOPICS OF THE DAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9222, 26 May 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY

It has frequently been pointed, but that a town or dis-Co-operative trict to progress must Freezing have industries, and Works. realising the importance of this fact the public should be keenly interested in an advertisement in to-day's issue in reference to the establishment of cooperative freezing works on this side of the range. A similar movement was inaugurated in the Wairarapa gome time ago, and it was so largely supported that the works are about to be erected. The settlers in the Manawatu and Rangitikei should be just as capable of running their own freezing works as the Wairarapa people, and it remains for them to prove their ability in this direction. Notices have boon sent to the various branches of the Farmers' Union throughout the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts inviting them to send delegates to a mooting that is to be held in Palmoiviton North at 1 o'clock on June Ist, at the office of the local branch of tho Farmer*;' Union. All farmers interested in the movement are invited to attend the meeting. Should no finality be arrived at, the discussion will V; profitable in many ways, therefore a large attendance is very tUmtiihlv.. ■

Oujum; hie speech at Milton on Monday night Mr Jae. Opposition Allen took occasion to Criticism, refer to the numerous

occasions events have justified many of the criticisms of the Opposition upon the Premier's policy, a detail, by the way, that Ministers am not anxious to be reminded of. Mr AI km made his particular point in connection with Government expenditure. It will be remembered that during the speeches of both Messrs MasKey and Allen at Palmerston and other places during last election campaign pointed reference was made by each speaker to what was referred to as wasteful and extravagant expenditure, instances being quoted by each, in support of their contention. The Government, of course, denied the soft impeachment as often as it was made, and yet in the face of the denial there was the Premier's announcement last year that a quarter of a million could be saved by retrenchment in the Civil Service without affecting its efficiency. A clearer proof of the truth of the Opposition statements could barely be asked for. The head of the Government admitted that the cost of the Civil Service was £250,000 more than it should be, and the "Opposition never said more than that. Mr Allen further pointed out in support of the Reform Pary's condemnation of the several superannuation schemes of the Government that taxpayers had had to find altogether £57*,000, and even now it was doubtful whether the amount provided by the State would be sufficient for the purposes for which it was required. Throughout the length of his very excellent speech Mr Allen roundly criticised the financial propositions of the Government and their results, his conclusions and remarks thereon meeting with the full approval of the large audience present at the meeting.