HON. F. M. B. FISHER

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12750, 24 March 1914, Page 8

HON. F. M. B. FISHER

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT PONGAROA. Press Association. —By Telegraph. PONGAROA, March 23. The Hon. Fisher who has been touring Akitio coastal district, addressed a large gathering at Pongaroa tonight. Mr Robinson, County chairman, presided. Mr Fisher received an enthusiastic reception. lie pointed out that the prophesy made by the Opposition when the Reform Party came into otfice had not been proved true. The Government had increased the salaries in the various Departments. He also instanced what had been done regarding pensions. Messrs Ballance and Seddon and others of the old Liberal Party did magnificent work but there were no Seddons or Ballances in the present Opposition. Members of the latter all wanted to be Ministers.—(Laughter and applause.) Sir Joseph Ward made appointments outside his own instancing Sir John Findlay and Hon. Tom Mackenzie and members of Sir Joseph Ward's Party resented it. Mr Fisher claimed that the Reform Party was progressive. Referring to statements that it represented the land monopolists he remarked that the landowners produced something useful to the country. He condemned the brewery monopoly which had the bulk of wealth behind it. The brewers

supported the Opposition, not the Reform Party. Referring to the late strike he said the people would decide next election who was going to run the country, the Red Feds or Government. The Red Feds and the Opposition were allied. The Opposition prolonged the strike. He also explainedv the naval policy and ridiculed the Opposition assertions that Government was going to establish expensive dockyards, etc. The Bristol cruiser would be built in England and manned by New Zealanders and would cost little more than the present subsidy. He instanced the great success of naval recruiting in Australia and said the Reform Government's policy would inspire national pride. For the present annual subsidy of a quarter of a million the Dominion had three obsolete ships. As the British Government was unable to carry out its promise to the Dominion it was decided to have a ship of its own. Mr Fisher also touched on land settlement and increases in advances to settlers. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and was cheered.