POLITICAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 29 May 1914, Page 5

POLITICAL

PREMIER AT INVERCARGILL.

A NO-LICENSE DEPUTATION

(United Press Association.)

INVFRCARGILL, May 23.

The Hon. W. F. Massey received several deputations this morning oil local matter, and left before noon by a- <-petial train for Balclutho. One deputation from the No-License Tarty urged upon the Premier the nves-;ity oi raving the promised Licensing B:ll introduced early in the :.issoi, and : suggested.. in the event of mcioml prohibition being carried, the t'me ol;[nbefore it came into operation be reduced from four to one year. 'l.he deputation also pointed out the Magistrate s decision in the. recent liquor case, the Police v. V. Coleman pr jpr-.'tor of the Club Hotel. There- had been a good deal of indignation i:i Ne-nce.i-e 'i:nes in connection with the matte I here was likely to be an afpta' an 3 <-h xiki the Supreme Court uphold the judgment delivered ii: the Dower Court it was suggested the law be amended. The Prime "Minister said the Licensing Bill would be introduced' earlv, so that every member may have an opportunity of ex pressing an opn'.i m on it. Every mcii;■ber was pledsied to a certain course of action, and the Bill "would have a fair and strong run. Referring to the question of the la jse t.f ttioc. he stated that if No Urense ir National Piolnbit:on were carried there wr.ld be n very important change in the finance of the country.. Mr Massov re f er'ed to tKreduction that would follow in the revenue. Four year.-: be too Ion;:, but anything less '.'.an t.vo yens vould not be reasonable. As to the recent judgment referred to. the Government could not w:th it but after the appeal had cone through the Supreme Court, the r.-iiki. i f noi'-s----sary. introduce legislation with reference to the Act.

PREMIER TO SPEAK AT DUNEDIN TO-NIGHT. DUNEDIX. This Day. The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Hon. James Allen, returned from tile South this morning. Mr Missev speaks here to-night. Naval del<?nce. electoral laws. Upper House reform, and local irnveniment. it is understood, will be dealt with. SPEECH AT BALCLUTHA. BALCLUTHA. May 28. Tlie Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. FMassev) addressed a crowded meeting at Balclutha to-night, and was accorded a very cordial welcome. At the conclusion of his address a- vote of thanks for his* speech and confidence in the Government. was curried with slight dissent. MR ALLEN AT LAWRENCE. LA WHENCE. May 28. The Hon. James Allen addressed a meeting of his constnuonts here this evening. He pointed out that the surplus for the year, amounting to £426.905, did not include the cash derived from sales, and' from deferred payment sales. All the cash from the sale« of land had been credited to the Land for Settlements Account, the gain be:ng over £135.000. The public would thus see how much stronger this account was than it had ever before. There had been an all-round increase of pensions of £32,000. As for those people who cried out about the Defence expenditure, he was cure that they would be*, pleased to know there had been a decrease in the expenditure of £16,698The Government had done several things to make the burden of liv.ng easier for those who found themselves in difficulties. For instance, provision had been made to give the Land Tax ■Commissioner power to grant remissions from the Land Tax to widows with children. Provision had also heen made in regard to the income tax for an additional exemption of £25 for each child dependent on the parent. The taxation of flax lands wa<* amended. Loans for depreciation on machinery and plants had been increased; from 2g to 5 per cent., thus removing the legitimate grievance. These reforms should tend to reduce the cost of living, to some people, at any rate. The public should not place too much importance on the reduction of Customs duty as a means of reducing the cost of living. This was very largely an electioneering cry. On the question of defence, the Minister said the Government's policy wa? to train men for the British Navy and nothing else at the present time. Mr Massey had said he proposed to ask Parliament to saipplv one cruiser a a- cost of from £400.000 to £500,000. but he had no doubt Mr Massev would not press that question this session. as a conference was to be called in London next year. A vote of thanks to the speaker and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. MR, ATMORE AT C'HRISTCHURCH. CHRIST CHURCH, May 28. Mr . Atmore. member for Nelson, addressed a largely attended meeting in the Choral al? to-night, in support of the Liberal campaign. He received a good hearing, and at the close of the meeting lie was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence in the Liberal Party. An amendment of thanks only, proposed by a Social Democrat, was rejected. DUNEDIN CENTRAL SEAT. DUNEDIX. May 28. Mr John McDonald, an ex-Mayor of the city, has decided to contest the Dunedin Central seat at the General election.