Auckland East By-Election.

Northland Age, Volume VI, Issue 40, 30 May 1910, Page 5

Auckland East ByElection.

In connection with the above Mr. Arthur M. Myers addressed a meeting of his friends and supporters at St. David’s Schoolroom, Khyber Pass, on Tuesday evening. Mr. R. Salmon presided and the attendance was so large that there was not seating accommodation for many of those present. Mr. Myers was loudly applauded on rising to speak. He paid a high tribute to the memory of the late Mr. F. E. Baume, and then went on to say that it was not his intention at this juncture to deliver a political address. The meeting was one of his friends and supporters and he simply desired to make it clear to them in the first instance what his beliefs were on the fundamental principles of the various political problems which have engaged, and are likely to engage, the attention of this country. He would not ask anyone to support him who did not hold the views he held, and in fairness to them proposed to enunciate broadly the position he took up, and to as clearly as possible define his position. He would go before the electors as a Liberal. He was a Liberal by conviction and could not go back on his principles and on the beliefs he had held when Liberalism was not so popular as it is at the present time. The principle of the greatest good for the greatest number was sound, and the world was not made for a privileged few. (Applause.) Every person should be given the opportunity of climbing to the topmost rung of the ladder according to his ability to do so. The Liberal party had placed laws on the “ Statute Book” which had helped materially in the development of the country. By the passing of such measures as the Land for ►Settlement Act and the Advances to Settlers Act it had enabled people to acquire land under conditions enabling them to achieve buccoss. He thoroughly

believed in the Old Age Pensions and Conciliation and Arbitration Acts. Those who had watched the progress of Liberal legislation during the last 15 or 16 years had to admit that the fundamental principles underlying the Acts passed by the Liberal Goveri * bad been in the best interests of N« Jand as a whole. (Applause.) Mr. Myers went on to say that he was thoroughly alive to the necessity for a liberal land policy, and if returned he would keep this prominently before any Government that was in power. He believed in the subdivision of big estates, and the settlement of the native land problem was one of the most important questions of the day. He was of opinion that pioneers who were doing such great work in the backhlocks should be rewarded by the granting of the freehold, lie did not believe, however, that the freehold should be granted in all cases. Where improved laud was acquired for settlement, under the Lands for Settlement Act, the unearned inerement should continue to belong to the State. The candidate then outlined his political attitude. He was a Liberal and would ask the confidence of the electors as an Independent Liberal. (Applause.) He was entirely unfettered to any party, and believed that the time had arrived whon one should put patriotism before party. At the same time, he was not ' going to sit on any fence. He did not like being a rail-sitter and did not intend to be one. While the line of demarcation between the present parties in the House was very narrow, there was no doubt that the present Government were the representatives of the Liberal party, and he could assure them that the present Government would have his support so long as they advanced Liberal principles. But the best of Governments went astray at times, and he would act therefore according to his own judgment. He would vote against the Government where ho considered it introduced measures against his convictions, his city and his country. He thought it was hett9r that they should send a representative down who was free to act. He did not want the Opposition to understand, however, that he was going to join their party, because he was not. His political platform they would get from the public platform. He was going to support the party that stood for true Liberalism. Mr. Myers concluded by saying he would be a strong advocate of securing justice for Auckland. He spoke strongly against the action of the Government in trying to do away with Government House, and pointed out that we wanted University buildings here badly. To get these they were asked to sacrifice Government House. If thoy returned men to Parliament who would not follow the Government blindly in everything they would find that the Government would not treat Auckland with the contempt it had been showing in the past. The growing requirements of the city demanded better treatment. He believed that the people of the South had not recognised the potentialities of the North, but with the opening of the Main Trunk line this ignoranoe was beginning to disappear. While demanding justice for Auckland he was not going to be a parochial politician. Where demands were made by Southern constituencies, he thought the pros and cons of each case should be carefully weighed, and that a decision should be given on the merits. In conclusion he announced that he intended to go to the poll against all-comers. (Applause.) In reply to a question Mr. Myers said he favoured compulsory military training, believing that the Stato had a call on all citizens.