BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15721, 23 September 1914, Page 7

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

MR. WILKINSON'S PLATFORM.

[BY TKLEOKAI'H.—own correspondent.]

Waihopo, Tuesday. An address was delivered at Houhora on Monday evening by Mr. Wilkinson, a candidate, for the Bay of Islands seat. The speaker said that though prepared to support the Government on ail want-of-confidence motions, he would support all progressive legislation, independent of party. The Government had been charged with, neglect of pre-electional promises, but lie contended that such charges were baseless. Speaking on finance, he. maintained that the Government was justified in borrowing in order to develop reproductive works. Mr. Massey had done his best for the small settlers by breaking up large estates and helping men to acquire the freehold of their farms by the optional tienure. while over 1.000.000 acres of native land had been opened. Local bodies should not he dependent on Government grants, hut should have an assured finance. The Government should maintain the main arterial roads, and leave smaller matters to county councils and road boards. He favoured the 55 per cent, majority on the liquor question, and would not support the bare majority, owing to the amount of capital involved in a change. He considered the lot of the gumdigger open to much improvement, and urged diggers to put some definite proposals before the House, which would give them earnest consideration. A hearty vote of thanks to the speaker was carried by acclamation.