GENERAL ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 3 November 1914, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION

itJUITBD PllßSi ASSOCIATIOM.) Nov. 2. The Temuka committee of the Reform League has selected Mr Charles E. Kerr, farmer, of Cave, /who is a xnexrbe?' of the Levels Count Council, and second son of the late Mr. El G. Kerr as the' reform candidate for Temuka. SPEECH BY SIiFjOSEPH WATtD. WELLINGTON, This Day. ' Sunday's storm played havoc with the telegraphic communication in the South Island. In two .places poles were smashed by the wind. , ! Sir Joseph" Ward delivered' a : policy ■• speech, but'the Telegraph. Department was unable to transmit a full report last night! Referring to the war tax, Sir, Joseph Ward thought it would be mature at, this junction, to talk of. imposing one.?" He .complained of the present state ffi the Electoral rolls,, and. declared tha,t; many persons - would find fchemselveaSdeprived of the right to vote.' He pledged' the. Liberal party, if. re? turned to ; power, to establish a system of proportional representation, and would provide genuine land settlement by ocxupying owners paying special attention v,o assisting men with large" families but I small capital.' It would increase >graduat- -• [ed taxation on large estates. He proposed aij extension of the cheap money system • on. several lines controlled by a bank ofsagriculture. Injurious monopolis-■■;',' ers, in with food supplies j should %e dealt with promptly and effectively. It. would take power to prevent tirade unions being overridden by their humanitarian legislation would be undertaken whore left off by the. Liberal party. Referring, to railhe advocated the making of proper yard-Extensions and duplication of lines, and tunnels where necessary. A For 4.his purpose he would spend in the 1 vicinity of £500,000,.a year. .He advocated public borrowing for railway construction, and that public works should be limited.to £3,000,000 a -year. The present progress 6f railways under construction was too slow. Referring to the naval policy; Sir Joseph Ward advocated the continuation of a contribution to the Imperial Navy. , The ■■ establishment of, a locally-owned navy would mean, he contended, an imposition of considerable increase in taxation, which, in the'course of a '.few years, would assume proportions which would make it practically unbearable. The completion of fhe Main Trunk lines on both Islands must call for an alteration in • the system of the • steam service between the A fast State-owned steamer service between Wellington and Pictoit should be established. The vote • for buildings from, loan money should be reduced at,' least *' one-half. The difference should be devoted to Toads and bridges^.particularly . in regard to the backblocks.' Expenditure on internal defence should be limited to £450,000 annually. The Liberals would amend the Public Service Act, restoring Parliamentary, but not political control. . On birth every child should have a deposit of £5 to its credit in the Savings Bank to remain at 3 per cent.', for 14 years. They would extend and perfect the system of primary education; mining would be encouraged, also agricultural education ana afforestation. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers. ,',"