AUCKLAND EAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15769, 18 November 1914, Page 4

AUCKLAND EAST.

SPEECH BY MR. HOLMES.

PRAISE TOR GOVERNMENT.

CANDIDATE WELL RECEIVED.

The Government candidate for the Auckland East seat, Mr. Arthur S. Holmes, addressed a large gathering of the electors at St. Sepulchre's Parish Hall last evening. Dr. occupied the chair. A number of ladies and gentlemen had seats on the platform. The candidate, who was received with cheers, explained that he came forward in response to the request of a .representative deputation in the Reform and Bible-in-Schools and No-License interests. He was pleased that his opponent had declared there; would be no '"hitting below the belt." In his opinion the election should b9 deprived of all bitterness, as they were under the shadows of the death of Earl Roberts and the great war. He was not opposing Mr. Myers on the ground of personal fitness, but on behalf of reforms, which Mr. Myers would not be likely to advance.

Circulars had been put round by his opponents, and lie repeated his hope that there would be no " hitting below the belt." He did not wish any member or supporter of his to distribute any literature without his authority, although it might be against his opponent. He did not want anything said about Mr. Myers.; unless authorised by him. (Cheers.) The postcard said lie had had no public service. His reply to that was that he had been in New Zealand for 36 years, and Had been engaged in public affairs, though he was i.ever in the limelight. He had been a woiker and not a shirker. His view was thai a, man should not be chosen to represent the people in Parliament for social reasons, but on an apprenticeship in some way related to public life. His first public appointment was one by the Government on a Licensing Bench, and this had brought him in contact with the licensing laws. Other services included membership of a road board, a borough council, a county council, Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and in commercial life j ho had been connected with all sorts of con mittees. So far as public life was concerned, he believed he was fitted for the service of the public. He had been in contact with the spade and shovel work of public life. He had been fairly intimately connected with polities for the past 14 years, and had been chairman of Mr. F. W. Lang's committee in Manukau ever since ho went there.

Mr. Holmes announced himself as an out and out Reformer and supporter of the present Government, as the members of that party, he considered, were straightforward men. (Hear, hear.) The individuals were among the ablest in the House and it would be a great- loss to the country if they were put out of office. The Claims of Auckland. It was a .matter of common knowledge, be continued, that the present Government had had to take over a depleted treasury arid had to deal with unexpected difficulties.

Tho reason the Mining Bill had not been passed was the obstruction of the Opposition. If it would have prevented the Huntlv disaster—which was not certain—the blame did not rest on the shoulders of the Government.

Undoubtedly the Government had been fair to Auckland. Mr. Hiley brought down a most valuable report, yet the Opposition was against his proposals regarding Auckland. Had the Opposition done the right thing by Auckland in the past? Yoic?s: No.

" And would they be likely to do it in the future?" he proceeded. He dealt with the details of the recommendations regarding new works in Auckland and expressed his hearty approval. The newfacilities would enable Auckland people to handle their *a;oods in a more convenient manner. The present facilities constituted a disgrace even if the city were only half its present size.

Without doubt the Govsjrtnment had don© the best thing under the circumstances in relation to the recent strikes. If employer and employee were to get along satisfactorilv, it must be by the. law. (Cheers.) Men must abide by an agreement when they had made it and the law should be strong enough to bind both parties.

The candidate supported the referendum proposal on the Bible in schools question. In fact. a referendum should be taken on any question if the Government desired a lead. The prohibition issue should bo decided by a bare majority, but in regard to local no-license he was prepared to support the 55 per cent, majority.

Equality of Opportunity. Some ."-aid the Government, did not care for the worker and existed merely for the wealthy. The Prime Minister was not a wealthy man. A voice: But he upholds them. Mr. Holmes: No more than he should. Ho believes in equal opportunity for all. (Hear, hear.) If he did not believe that, he would not support the Government. The worker need not think that in him the worker had an enemy, for he had been through the mill and had as much sympathy with the working man as anybody else They could rest assured that he would support any measure benefiting the worker that was not prejudicial to til© rest of the community. It was said that the Government, did not care for the worker, but there was no doubt that the Government had looked after its own employees. (Hear, hear.) Party Government. Mr. Holmes said he was not altogether a believer in party, but at present he could not see how party could be done without. The present system was barbarous. One expected to hear good debates in Parliament, but such a hope was a vain one. There should be something better than mere squabbling- across the floor of the House. A man should be prepared to sink his personality for the benefit of tho whole people, but the party system prevented all that. If there were a more dignified attitude on the part of members much more good would be done. Proportional representation would have a beneficial effect. The present Government was in sympathy with it, and had already brought in legislation which made it effectual in regard to local bodies. In duo lime, he thought, 4 they might see the system in operation as well as a better method of party government. A high ti" mite to Mr. Massey was paid toy the candidate in connection with his activity in preventing a wheat shortage. An interiector said something about bread at 44d a loaf. Mr. Holmes : If it had not been for Mr. Massey's action you might have had to pay 6d a loaf. (Cheers.) The Naval Question. Coming 1o the navy question, the candidate denied that there would be a "toy'' navy. He thought the Government wanted a warship here, and if the British Government had carried out the 1909 agreement a great deal of discussion would hare been saved The Australians had shown their wisdom, but he did not think they would go on eactly the same lines. The matter would have to be settled b/ a consultation with the Admiralty and the other. Dominions New Zealand could not stand alone altogether. For the present they must do all possible to get the war over as speedily as possible. (Hear, hear.) Tho candidate answered a number of questions. He strongly repudiated the expensive and useless second ballot. The Huntly miners, or their dependants, would be compensated under tho law, and they should receive every possible consideration. There was no doubt that more caro should have been taken. A vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was proposed by Mr. G. A. Jones, and carried by acclamation. Hearty cheers were given for Mr. Massey and Mr. Holmes. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland Central) corner Hardinge and Victoria Streets, tonight.