POLITICAL SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15824, 22 January 1915, Page 6

POLITICAL SITUATION.

OUNEOIN CENTRAL SEAT.

APPROACHING ELECTION.

SPEECH BY MR. MUNRO

[BX TSI.I."B.U , PRESS ASSOCIATION".]

DtrsxDix, Thursday. A pormcAi. address -was delivered to a large meeting of electors of Dunedin Central to-night by Mr. J. W. Monro, the Labour candidate, who is again standing for election for that seat, against Mr. C. E. Statham, the Reform candidate.

Mr. Monro, in referring to the event* following the general election, said that victory had been snatched from him, but that it would have the effect of arousing all the forces of Labour and democracy to activity. As to his being described as a " Red Fed.," when he received a definition of the title he would be prepared to meet the statement*. He emphatically denied that he had ever said that if he had his way he would pull down the Union Jack and hoist "the red flag of socialism." He also denied that he was an atheist, and stated that his politics were taken from the Bible. The present Government supported vested interests, and it was prepared to stand by the forces that were exploiting the people- The war had not increased the productive cost of wheat or sugar, or meat, but the people who controlled markets bad seen their chance, and raised the price, knowing that they had a Government in power who would protect them. Parliament had banded over the power to the Government to prote< t the people in a crisis, but the Government had not the backbone to carry out th3t power. The Government was weak, and there were people who were taking toll from the people to their heart's content.

The speaker revived the question of the Huntly strike, and said that Mr. ilassey had not punished those who were responsible for the recent disaster. The Labour men were prepared at present to stand by the Liberals, in order to secure a stable Government. He recognised that daring the war they could not look for much advanced legislation. The workers had accepted a suspension of the Arbitration Act, and farmers should also make a sacrifice, instead of exploiting the people. As to the legal technicality by which he had lost the seat, he contended that the Government had the power to rectify that technicality. If clause 237 of the Legislature Act did not give the Government power, through an Order-in-Council, to rectify that matter, then he did not know why it was there. It might be said that the speaker could not expect his political opponents to give him the seat if tbey could help it, but did not his opponents claim to be "sports" and "square dealers?" Had the speaker been in Mr. Massey's place he would have taken the responsibility of acting on clause 237. and then the people would have acclaimed him an honourable politician.

After a number of questions tad been answered the following motion was carried :—"That this meeting extends its sincere sympathy to Mr. Munro in being deprived of his position as member for the constituency, and pledges itself to do its utmost to secure his return for the second time."