DR. FINDLAY'S VISIT.

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1911, Page 5

DR. FINDLAY'S VISIT.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT HIKURANGI. In introducing Dr. Findlay to a packed audience in the Hikurangi HaL last evening, Mr W. Carter, who occupied the chair, apologised for the absence of the chairman of the Town Board, the reason for which he felt sure, would evoke the sympathy oC all his hearers. His speech war short and to the point, merely pointing cut that Dr. Findlay's would be first Ministerial speech ever delivered in Hikurangi, snd that, thereroi'3, it would b3 good to get such views of the Government policy as the visitor could give them.

Dr. Findlay was received with ? round of applause, and by way of introduction he said that when he had j .'.formed his old friend '"Roddy McKenzie" that he was going to the North, he had been urged to give Hikurangi a "turn." As a "turn" either meant a blessing or punishment he haC asked his friend how he was treated there. The reply—"They treated me darned well" —had given the speaker confidence and he was consequently enabled to speak to them at the present meeting.

Dr. Findlay's interesting and logical speech was listened to attentively throughout, and the silence of the audience was only broken by constant expressions of approval, and rounds tf enthusiastic applause at the end of each sub-section of what he termed the Charter of Liberalism—Freedom of Opportunity to all.

Dr. Findlay spoke o f . tbe same seven subdivisions of the charter as he had previously expounded to the Whangarei audience. His contention that (he one great thing which would keep I'-ny politician out of power was a lack of hnmanilarianism, was received with acclamation. Man was a brother, and below the rough surface of labor was a man—a man whose interests had to be looked after. Liberalism had been called Socialism, and if it was Socialism, then it would remain so, as it would be the cognomen under which all the existing reforms were being carried out (Loud applause).

The Minister referred at one stage of his address to the necessity for State control over certain steamer lines, more especially the ferry services. Particularly was this necessary if it was found that a monopoly existed. Government would some day control the Wellington-Lyttelton ferry service, and others would probably fellow.

Dr. Findlay concluded his most mit resting address by urging his hearers not to fear the future, to stand, shoulder to shoulder, and by courage and faith they would then make tho Dominion a greater country than ii Avas at present.

Loud and prolonged applause fol 7 lowed the conclusion of the speech.

Mr T. H. Marshall, in a short crisp discourse, proposed a vote of thanks to the speaker for the intellectual treat, as well as the political enlightenment which'he had given them, and supplemented it by a vote of confidence in the Ward administration.

Mr G. Coutts seconded the motion

Mr Carter put it to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously, not one dissentient voice being heard.

Dr. Findlay expressed his satisfaction with the sympathetic reception which he had had, and he promised that,, if they would permit him, he vould return and address them again at a future date.

A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting to a close.