Page 16 Advertisements Column 2

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 124, 15 November 1902, Page 16

MR. W. BARBER'S POLITICAL PLATFORM.

TO THE ELECTORS OF NEWTOWN.

Ladies and Gentlemen, — As very many of you may find it inconvenient to attend my meetings and I cannot hope to meet you all face to face I take this means of placing my political platform clearly and briefly before you.

I am a supporter of the piesent Government. I support it — 1. Because it is the exponent and advocate of Liberal Principles. 2. Because its Legislation has kept New Zealand in the van of progress in Liberalism. 3. Because it has advanced the well-being of the industrial community by replacing strikes with compulsory arbitration. 4. Because it has elevated and improved the material condition of the workers. 5. Because, by bringing down the rates of inteiest and procuring cheap money for the settlers, it has furthered the cause of land settlement. 6. Because it has developed the trade and commerce of the Colony and stimulated its exports by finding fresh markets and fostering its industries. 7. Because during the regime of this Government New Zealand has enjoyed eleven years of unexampled prosperity and is still in a condition of solid content and holding its way on a course of steady progress. I Strongly Support the speedy settlement of the waste lands of the Colony and bringing the settlers into close touch with their markets by a spuited policy of roading. The Nokth Island Trunk Railway must be pushed on to completion with the least possible delay. The present Te Aro Railway Terminus should be extended to Island Bay with a view to a rapid feriy service between that place and the Terminus of the South Island Trunk Railway at Picton. The Suburban Train services radiating from Wellington and other large centres must be improved and cheapened so as to cope with the high rent evil and enable the city workers to live in wholesome surroundings within easy reach of their employment. To this reform I attach the utmost importance. I support the immediate straightening of the Hutt Line. I am in favour of a State Fire Insurance without compulsion, and State Coal Mines, just as I have always been in favour of similar State enterprises and Municipal services. J believe in the continuance of the present Free, Secular, and Compulsory System of National Education ; but I think it might be improved by a largely increased number of scholarships, in order to give the boys and girls of all classes of the community the opportunity of fitting themselves for the highest positions in the land. Technical education should also receive more attention, otherwise our youth will be placed at a great disadvantage compared with those of other countries. I would retain the control of the Liquor Traffic in the hands of the people, but would not vote for the question of Prohibition being decided by a bare majority. I stronglt advocate Reduction of Duties on the Necessaries of Life, being of opinion that we can have a Free Breakfast Table without injury to the colony's finance. In conclusion, I should make it my special care to assist every wise and enlightened scheme for advancing the interests of Wellington, which has been my home since boyhood, and in whose local government I have for many years been privileged to take an active and, I hope, an intelligent part. Ladies and Gentlemen, these are my views, and if honoured with your support at the Poll I assure you nothing shall be lacking on my part to give the fullest effect to them. I am, Yours faithfully, W. BARBER.

TO THE HUTT ELECTOES. IN response to the requisition from Hatt Electors, I shall have pleasure in Contesting the Election for the Hutt seat. F. PIRANI.