THE ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6652, 28 October 1908, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS

ADDRESSES TO-NIGHT. Mr Fisher Willis street. Mr McLaren Victoria Hall. Mr Young Kaiwarra. Mr Luke Ohoriu, Mr Field Faekakariki. Mr Brown Tokomaru.

NOTES ON THE CAMPAIGN

The Opposition candidate for Wellington North says ho deems it his duty to come to the assistance of Mr Massey, that Socialism is threatening, that tho difference between Government and Opposition is as a gulf and as wide as liauraki; the Opposition candidate for Wellington East objects to being called a "Masseyito” and "is not afraid of Socialism” ; tho Opposition candidate for tho suburbs says, "i am a"Liberal.” Things are getting more mixed than over. Tho appointment of that ■ stage manager can't bf much longer delayed, surely.

Mr McLaren describes the Govern, inent as auti-Sooialist, anti-Labour, and anti-Yorker every time. He ought to know. Mr Massey describes the Government as Socialists, Labour logislatioiiists, and people who pander to tho workers for their yotes. , lie ought to know, too.

Really this corruption of the public conscience by expenditure on railways is going too far. The merchants of Wellington have been so "debauched” by ••doles” that they are going to entertain Ministers at luncheon on November sth in order to express their appreciation at the completion of tiro Alain Trunk lino.. Infamous I This railway was really not wanted, and its completion only goes to provo the lengths the Government will go to debauch the constituencies of Smith’s Curse, Dry Dog Creek and Mopoke Gully.

Not at all surprising to distracted observers of the political whirl, and swirl are the extraordinary antics of tho “Post” in running with the hare and hunting with tho hounds and trying not to he found in the company of either. Day by day it spreads its sheets to shield the ‘lndependent" against all harm and to give the Opposition a feeling of miserable wretchedness. Tho intention of the wriggler must be assumed to bo good but the methods givo the Tory section of tho community cold shudders and it now and then breaks out and upbraids tho “Post.” Then the “Post” perfonw a somersault and remains recumbeni until it somersaults back again.

A down-trodden Canterbury victim of tho Graduated Land Tax is so disgusted with tho insecurity of tenure that he has just purchased an estate for his son in the North Mend and sent a considerable quantity of capital out of’the country. Ho felt that this capital was so unsafe in Now Zealand owing to the Socialistic legislation foreshadowed by Mr Massey’s “policy” that it would be safer in England—so to England it has gone in charge of a stud groom with instructionsto at once exchange it for pedigree stock to place on tho North Island station for tho purpose of further depleting our flocks and herds.

At Wanton on Monday night the Prime Minister was challenging Mr James Allen to repeat his slander that there had been a serious division of opinion in the CKbinet over the I>ana Settlement Finance Bill and was charging Mr Allen with deliberate invention. Tho “Post” last night alleged that there was “a most unexpected harmony” over this Bill and ’’the strife of tongues was hushed.” ...

Plank 12, Massey platform, 19Q8— “Encouragement of private enterprise and industry.” The author of the plank at Feilding “objected to duty being placed on material used in mining and agricultural industries.” He did’nt say that tho only duties imr posed last year are on such things as boilers, imposed to encourage industry and private entorjiriscr-to' give labour to men in foundries and workshops. Not he, nor did ho refer to fact that dairying machinery and mining and gold-saving machinery is free.

Tho “Post” says on page 6 -that Mr Massey wants “the restoration oI Parliamentary control of public finances,” and says that this is a “broad and bold” proposal. On page 4 the “Post’s” Feilding special reports that Mr Massey “wants local governing bodies to bo given charge of details.” Will the “Post” explain what tho issue really is? Also it might find out how Mr Massey wants those local governing bodies to he elected P It might further let us have_ some comment upon the innovation in order to have a loop-hole for contradicting itself next week. There is nothing like a loop-hole these days whoa copy is short and platforms meagre.

Yes-No in a particularly intimate frame of mind last night. Thus the “Post”

"We axe at hopeless variance with Ml Maaney on the land question" . . . "The land question Is the great stumbling block in the way of Mr Massey's programme" . . , "The Opposition still stands for re action” . . . “His attitude on labour and social questions is far removed from oui own."

And also in the same article:— -Wo congratulate Mr Massey upon th( excellence of his programme.

Mr John Hunter, tho “Independent Liberal” candidate for Mastorton, speaking at Kuripuni on Monday night, said “he had been likened by his opponent to an acrobat. He should have thought that Mr Hogg would bo the last man to liken anyone to a political acrobat. Tho member was found taking an acrobatic icap and dropping into tho free tiado camp, and then taking another tumble and falling into tho Protectionist stronghold.” Now, if John Hunter knew anything of politics, he would know that there is no it ore honest politician jn the New Zealand Parliament than A. W. Hogg, of Mastorton. He is a man of the people. He has no ase to grind. His political record shows a life-long devotion to the cause of the democracy. Often ho has stood alone on the floor of the House in championing the common cause. There is no more faithful Liberal, nor one who as a private member has fought the poo-

plo’s battles more sturdily than Mr Horn- Ife is too lato in the day for a non' ohurn in the field of polities to •ittompl to throw Wicks at him.

■Mr T. ‘Wake, “tho commcK-Ecnsc candidate” for Waitornata, is strong in dof’onoo. Ho advocates t-lio importation of garno by the Oovcrrrrent, so that the people may become great rifleshots. He favours the cstaohshniont of coastguards in Nov/ Zealand, so that an onerny could bo seen and easily shot by t)io persons who had been shooting imported game. Assortments of lions, tigers and other targets will probably be included in Mr Wake's defence scheme. Wo would suggest a sprinkling of bandicoots and kandydates.

A candidate for a Northern scat •illeg-s licit he does not know much about politics hub “claims to have some common-sense.” This reminds us of the applicant for the position of manager of a Hav.ko’.s Bay sheep run who wrote: “I have never laid anything to do with sheep in my life, bub was considered bo be tlio Lost drapery salesman in Swan-u a.”

Mr Massey does not believe in compulsory training, hut ho “would require evory youth under 21 years of age to bo drilled, d.scipliaed and taught to use a rifle." V'es-Xo.

Mr It. B. Williams, tho Opposition ■candidate for Wellington suburbs, baa issued a circular to tho electors:

■ r l am a Liberal," ho explains. Certainly! Of couj-so ho is. That’s why Dr Newman stood down in his favour and also why ho is standing as tho nominee of tho Yes-No Party.

Oh, by tho way! Where is that unlovely Rump which once upon a time was so busy in tho interests Joi 5 tho Wellington electors? Whero aro those brave, strong men who used to biro tho Opera House and tell tho people that the country was going to bankruptcy ami ruin, and sinking into the bottomless pit of Tammanyism ? Have they nil been snowed under in the financial depression or did they take their capital out of tho Dominion before it was too late?

Mr L, It. Phillips, the Opposition candidate for tho Waitemata seat, is using a politician who has lost touch with tho present Government as a lay figure on which to hang the coat of argument, so to speak. King Solomon is tho politician referred to, and Mr L. It. X’hillips said one of the things this celebrity couldn’t understand was the serpent on tho rock. If Solomon had survived, continued Mr Phillips, one of tho other things he wouldn’t bo able to understand was how tho present New Zealand Ministry continued to hold office. If Mr Phillips has any information not possessed by Solomon on tho subject of tho New Zealand Government ho is exceedingly unfair not to give it to tho people. One never knows but that Julius Oaesar and John Bright, Bismarck, and other politicians may have passed away, without making any derogatory remarks about Sir Joseph Ward and his party. Tho time is evidently ripe for Mr Phillips to tell us tho things Solomon and those other parties failed to disclose.

Hr IJuick has promised Palmerston that ho will try to shift the Government, and try to get bettor men in their place.. Ho is also in favour of hooping Chinamen out of Now Zealand with a, £3OOO poll-tax or a rifle.

A Palmerston elector asked Mr Buiok if ho was in favour of employing horses to pull • tho cows out of tho mud in some of tho local farm yards after milking was over. He didn’t offer to lend Rangipapa for tho job.

Mr Buick informed his Palmerston audience that there was no duty on motor cars, but 20 per cent, on tho working man’s bicycle. The motor people will be glad to hear this news.

’ (Mr Buick made a serious charge against tho Ward Administration at Palmerston North. Referring to tho -terrorism to which unfortunate railway men were subjected by the Government, ho said: “A man couldn’t blow his nose in the station yard without Mr Wood’s committee knowing tho colour of tho handkerchief Terrible, isn’t itP

A Taranaki settler writes to the editor of our “On the Land” column a ■chatty letter which contains the following sentences:—“Wo have some large, or fairly largo holders round here, and can toll you they are the boys to keep a place back. Wo would have one ot tho best factories in Taranaki if wo could only get one block of 3000 acres out up—it is held by —— and they employ two men. I think if sheep keep down they will have to come in or sell. Tho Government had a look at tho place but wanted too much, and no sale took place, greatly to our regret. . . .’’ No wonder capital is being driven out of tho country! ,

Oh dear, hero wo aro again. “Evening Post,” October 27th; —

It is not too much to say that of the two programmes before tho country that of tho Opposition la DECIDEDLY THE MOEb compbbhbnsiyb and attbactive. A comparison of Mr Massey's speech with those delivered at Palmeratou North and Folding by Sir Joseph Ward last week will, we think, prove this statement to tho aatiafaction of any impartial mind. But what did our venerable contemporary say on October 17th (just ton brief days a-go)? This: — Tho clock of legislative progress in Now Zealand cannot bo set back; and tho difference between Government and Opposilion is only a difference of fast time or *\ovf. How then is it sensible for an elector to give the Opposition a party roto. regardless of tho candidate offered, iml looking only to the party profit? . . Hut tho Opposition, as a partv. represents the principle ot reaction, not J.ily against the errors of tho Government. hut against tho merits of tho earlier Liberal policy. Inevitably it has moved and must remain with tho times, hut its face is still turned longinglv back to the undemocratic past. It has no ACTIvr HAS THB DEFECT Ycs-No. Well, No-no-yes I

WELLINGTON EAST

MR W. MoLEAN’S ADDRESS.

Mr William McLean had n very good audience in the Victoria Hall. Adelaide road, Newtown, last night. Mr C. 0. Mackintosh presided. The candidate considered Sir Joseph Ward had directed tho affairs of tho

country in such a satisfactory manner fur the past two and a half years that lu- was quite prepared fo give him nd the support ho possibly could, beta in and out of tho House, so long—and so long only—as Ins administration was beneficial for tho whole of the people, and not for a few only. (Applause.)

FINANCE. VVJien tho Bnllancc Government took office in If.ftl tin* debt of the country was if’.UMKW.SSO. Since then the Liberal Administration* hod increased the liabilities by no less a sum than ,£27,G23,5L. A voice: That’s the Government you like. Another voice: Certainly! Why not? This, said Air McLenn, was undoubtedly a very largo sum. but ho would point out Hint of it no less than AJ s,-ltr',j)sl wns directly interest bearing. The loans ■which made up this sum were as follow: Purchase native lends, ,£715,075; land settlement, ..£5,840,(M0: local bodies, ,£2,tins. 100 ; land improvement, ,£500,000; advances to settlers. ,£4.110,000; advances tr workers, .£205,0(10; additions to open lines. ,£2.050,000; advances to dairy coinpanics. ,£1781; .State coal mines, ,£100.000; lire insurance. ,C2 n ('ll; reserve fund securities. ,£800.000; Bank of Now Zealand shares ,£SOO 000; New Zealand consols, .£178.14!). It was to the interests of tho country that those sums had been borrowed and that New Zealand had a Government in newer which could see a little further than its nose, and whoso chief Minister was aide to linage accurately t'n needs of the Dominion as a whole. The financial position really was ns sound as over it was. There were hardly any arrears in any of these departments and to that extent the Government 'had done well and was entitled to tin hearty thanks and the support of the country. (Applause.) From year to year the Government hud saved .££>,150,0110, which sum had been transferred to the Public Works fund, and used to carry out various necessary public works. It this had not been done they would have had to borrow the money required. INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

A x the present time there was a party all over the country which, was trying to bring about a change in matters industrial. •

A voice: Quito right. . tt **X am going to prove ite’s quite wrong said the candidate, who th.cn stated Ids conviction that the recently-passed Arbitration Act wo-s nn honest, intellectual and fair attempt to stop strikes and lookouts, and to ensure that both parties -hr,old be fairly dealt with. To that extent- the workers should be satisfied. It had been declared that tho Government had done nothing for the workers of the cc untry. Why, -ince 1891, the # Liberal Government had passed Acts of Parliament for the benefit-of industrialism. Truly the Government had done exceedingly well for the workers of the Dominion. Were the workers ,prepared to have any one of those Acts repealed? Were thov prepared to have a return to the conditions obtaining when tho Opposition party was in power, and when married men were getting 3s 6d per day? What w-is probably the best Act over passed in the interests of the workers was the Compensation for Accidents Act of last session. It was the best, be. enus© it was nn Act iu itself and went right emteido the common law. LAND LAWS. The Land Bill recently introduced was nn honest attempt to deal with this question, though over it the Government was mot by solid opposition, so that it had to climb down. Under that Act. however, nine million acres of land had been withdrawn from public auction, 70 per cent, of it being reserved for oil age pensions and the balance of 30 per cent, for educational purPOS ° S ' A STATE SOCIALIST. Hj was a State Socialist. That was, he held* that the State -should have its hand on anything in the nature of a monopoly—but not (Applause.) He certainly did not hold with interference with tii-i individual liberties of tho people. As an example of legitimate State enterprise he instanced the Stateowned coalmines, on which the; profit during tho whole period of their working had been .£78,000. This sum was made in of £40,000 which had been paid off liabilities, and £38.000 which was in hand. The operation gf the State collieries had brought about a reduction in th*j price of coal and had given employment at good wages to some 400 men. Ho favoured the nationalisation of the note issue of tho whote of the banks, and he thought that the time had c-omc when the Government should consider whether it would not be right to enter upon a largo banking business. Further than this, he thought the municipalities should be given power to buy up properties—whole streets, if need be—in order to check tho continual rises in rente. The natural wealth of the country should certainly bo kept for the benefit of the whole of the people, and not permitted to pass into tho hands of any monopoly. (Applause.) In conclusion, he referred to the narrow margin of votes between himself and Mr Aitken at the last election, and asked if the electors were now going to desert him in favour of his opponents. (Cries of “No!” and prolonged applause.) Asked what right ho had to claim to be tho Government nominee seeing that Mr Winder had been asked to stand by the Liberal and Labour Federation, he said that in the first place Cabinet had nc minuted him, and in the second the Federation had never asked Mr Winder te stand at all. He believed in a land tax pure and simple without any exemption whatsoever. 1 vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously amid applause. mb d. McLaren. A meeting of ladies is to he held in, tho New Century Hall to-morrow afternoon in connection with Mr David Mcfgreat's candidature for Wellington East. Mr McLaren announces that be will deliver his main speech in the New Century Hall next Monday evening. Miss McLean invites ladies favourable to Mr McLean’s candidature for Wellington East to meet her at 21, Homo street, at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Mr Georg© Winder invites members of his Adelaide road committee to meet him at the Victoria Hall at 8 o’clock this evening. WELLINGTON NORTH. MR HERDMAN’S CAMPAIGN. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. The Opposition candidate for Wellington North, Mr A. L. Herdman. addressed a well-attended meeting iu Sydney street schoolroom last night, Captain J. T. King presiding. Mr Herdman declared It a lamentable fact that so few capable business men of wido experience wore coming forward to contest the elections in the interests of ean© and good government. They preferred to stay at home, contemplating their household gods and putting obstacles in the way of men who were trying to secure an improvement. He deemed it his duty to come to the assistance of Mr Massey, who hud in a manly and hold way been struggling against great odds. It was said that there was no difference between tho policy of the Government and Opposition, but there was a difference, a gulf just as wide as over. It was further suggested by bodies such as tho Employers’ Association that the two parties ought to combine against that pest called Socialism ; but who inoculated this country with the first germs of Socialism ? Why, the party the employers wished the Opposition to join. (Applause.) Three Ministers of the Crown had supported a motion in Parliament bv an avowed Socialist, favouring the State production of bread. Ho did not fear the candid Socialist; tho danger was from tho Government, which said it favoured evolutionary Socialism, and might trick tho people at any tim«. Labour, once

petted, was now jilted by the Government, nnd it had actually evolved a Bill t'j .strike Labour at the heart—the Second Ballot Bill. TRIPLE PLANK PLATFORM. Throe things he intended making the biggest planks in his platform :-p(l) Administration of the public service, the Government Savings Bank, Advances to Settlers office, and Railway Department t:i be taken out of the hands of Ministers; (2) that a Public Works Board should be established to do away with tho roads and bridges evil; (3) that a weak, insincere and altogether unreliable Administration be turned out of office. A tenth of the total population of tne Dominion wa.s dependent entirely upon the salaries paid by the State. His proposition was that the civil service should Ik- cut entirely away from control of Ministers. The country would be better served and civil servants would have more justice. A commissioner and inspectors .should be appointed upon a tenure similar to that of Supremo Court judges, with absolute control over the service. Our railways were run at a loss, but in Now South Wales, under commissioners, they returned a handsome profit. He had absolute faith in the country’s future; the only thing ho feared was the bad administration. Me had a good climate and a hardy, industrious people . A voice- And a good Government, (laughter.) , , . • Hardman dissented, and went on to declare that any policy which, instead of allowing the country to grow as the (lower of the field, forced it ns an oxotic inevitably ended in some sort or misfortune. Nearly the whole of the money wo now borrowed was absorbed m paying interest and sinking funds. In years while wo had borrowed Jl;j 3,487,000* we paid .£12,000.000 in interest and sinking funds, and in the next four year* the. Colonial Treasurer would have to make arrangements for renewin'' loans totalling T,4,7T6,557. Hq urged the electors to support sane administration and wise laws by putting a Government into power with a great sense ot responsibility, recognising that the fundamental principles of good government wore justice, honour and truth. (Applause.) , An invitation for questions drew no 10>r Mr°’H. F. Von Haast, who described the candidate as a man of backbone, moved a vote of thanks and confidence. This, seconded by Mr Hadfield, was adopted with acclamation.

WELLINGTON CENTRAL.

JIB HISLOP AT DRUIDS*' HALT,.

The Hon. T. W. Hislop addressed a crowded meeting at the Druids Hall last evening. -Many persons had to s f and, as all the .availablo chairs ueio occupied. Mr W. K.-Dickinson pr^idei Hr Hislop’s speech was on th® lines as his opening address, delivered the previous eveniug. , . Jlr Hislop said he would attempt iio„ to appeal to tho passions but W L'ume tho reasoning powers ot his audiohce. Ho referred to a statement telegraphed from, tho South Island, and attributed to a Liberal candidate, who was reported to have said that tho State might lust as well give tree breakfasts, ore., as give such a concession as free sciiooi books. He reminded his hearere that free education wnS ridiculed fifty or sixty years ago in the same maimei as the free school books had been ridiculed ait the present time. ihe Dominion was better equipped to-day to overcome a depression than ifc had ever been iu the past. The drop in- tho price of wool was only temporary, being due to the industrial derangement ’ n the Old Country, America and other places. Directly those troubles were overcome—as they must be—-the price of wool would go up. In dealing - with the financial position, he said if a sum of money could bo obtained from London it would “help na over tho stile," and tiie present stringency would disappear. Immigration was a good thing for the country if it wii,s prepared for, the absorption of the people being brought in. The country had not only a duty to perform to persons in the Dominion, but also to those who we.ro induced to come here. He hoped that when Mr Hall-Jones went Home ho would bring his practical knowledge to bear upon the question, and that the present system would be somewhat altered. QUESTIONS. I

The candidate was asked to answer a large number of questions. Many ctf these were written. There was a deal of uproar and noise during question time, a certain section at the back of tho audience being hostile in their attitude towards the candidate. The crowd would uot tolerate questions regarding Mr Hislop's previous connection with the House, there being cries of ‘‘Ancient history," "Forty years ago," etc., when such queries were put. In regard to Civil servants, Mr Hislop said that with certain reservations they should have the saino rights as anybody else.

A man in the body of tho hall started to make a speech concerning education and the Bdble-in-echools. ‘‘lf you ask a dog to lie down it will lie down," said this person in demonstration of his argument. The crowd saw to it that the speaker should be in the same position as tho dog. Mr Hislop said he was in favour of tho Government arranging with municipalities ffor the • erection of workers' homes. The Government should borrow tho money, as they could raise it cheaper than the municipalities. Are you in favour of municipal bakeries? .was another query. Mr Hislop said ho believed in the functions of municipalities being enlarged, in order that they could do practically tho same as Parliament within their own bounds. - There was great disorder when Mr Noot moved a vote of thanks and confidence. It was seconded by Mr Jones and declared carried, three hearty cheers being given amid a little dissent from a certain section. Mr Hislop said a little intelligent opposition was good, but if there was not intelligent opposition any opposisition was good. (Applause.) A large meeting of Mr Fisher’s committee met last evening at the central committee rooms, Thomson and Brown, Customhouse quay, when business connected with tire campaign ( was transaotMr -Fisher speaks to-night at the Willis street State School. WELLINGTON SOUTH MR BARBER AT BROOKLYN. Mr W. H. P. Barber continued his campaign for the Wellington South scat at Brooklyn last evening, Mr H. J. Willis occupying tho chair. Mr Barber declared himself a supporter of the .Government just the same as he had been a supporter of the Seddon Government. Discontent had, been expressed by some workers at the action of the Government with respect to that section of the community. Mr Barber went to considerable length in outlining the measures passed by the Government, all of which had for their obicct the benefiting and assisting of tho workers. With respect to school cadets he thought some midway grade should he created to which school cadets could ho drafted until such time as they were physically canable of taking their places in the volunteer corps of the Dominion. On the motion of Mr W. Thew, seconded by Mr H. Snell, a rote of thanks and confidence was passed. THE SUBURBS SEAT. Mr J. E. Fitzgerald addressed a largely

attended meeting at Kilbirnie last evening, Mr R. J. Kells presided. Mr Fitzgerald dealt exhaustively with the statistics of tho Dominion, showing lac position or New Zealand at the time tho Opposition held office, and its position to-day. Ho showed the increased number of holdings to prove that the Government "was opposed to the aggregation or large estates. He claimed that tho pi csent Government was tho friend of the worker, instancing the Factories Act, t.ic Protection of Young Persons, souring sanitary conditions, a weekly hali-noJi-dnv. Workmen's Mages Act, Shop Assistants Act. and labour laws generally, which had been passed to better the working condition, of the people. Dealing with local matters, tho candidate outlined an original scheme for a branch railway from To Aro to Kilbirnie, Miramar, and Island Bay,, Mr Fitzgerald received a vote of thanks and confidence.

Air J. P Luke spoke to a large meeting at' Ngafiauranga raec evening. Mr \V. L. Wells presided. Air Luko said til o (jovuriiuicini should prosecute with tho greatest vigour the opening up ot native and Crown lands, as the increased eettleniLMit would not only bring about greater prosperity to the farming class, but ■would also prove an incentive Lo tho trade and commerce of the Dominion. U itli ixv lercnce to immigration, if tae young people of tue Dominion would not eettic on the unproductive land, people oi tav right stamp should bo Drought out fioni Home. He was in favour ot the Goveminent giving greater facilities and cheaper rates in connection with the telephone system in regard to the sub-' urban districts. He considered the threefifths majority system in reference to tho liquor trade should be continued. the hutt seat. JIK WILFORD AT PETONE. SCORES OFF THE OPPOSITION. The Oddfellows’ Hall, Petone. was packed last evening when Mr T. M. WiAord opened Ms public campaign for the Butt electorate. The chair was occupied by Mr J. W. McEwau, Mayor ol lecone. POLITICAL EYE-TEETH. Mr Wiliord, who received a very warm reception, expressed satisfaction at seeing around hrm many who were supportin' 1 ' him in 1893, wiicu he was cutting iiiS political eye-teeth. He would eudoavour to give solid reasons why they should support him in. the ensuing contest. It was only with experience taat a member could fathom tho requirements and become a useful part of the Government of tho country. He claimed that during the last three years he had been of more use to the Dominion as a politician than in the preceding six years m which he had represented the Hutt. lie had been, told during the last three years that he was going a strange road bv butting up against the party m power. When they saw a House constituted as it was, the responsibility of a Government supporter was twice as great as it otherwise would be, and it was his duty to point out any defects he saw. On a motion of no-confidence he would vote with the Government, but he declined to have his hands tied, he declined to be a dumb dog or an amiable inefficient. He declined to he returned to Parliament except he had a free hand on all but motions involving confidence in the Government. He would rather bo relegated .to the limbo of political obscurity than bo a mere voting machine. (Applause). A NECESSARY EVIL. A Government was a necessary evil— Like go-carts or crutches. Hut it should not be a fossil, but a plant, which should be nurtured. A principle had grown up lately of reckoning the work of Parliament by the amount of legislation passed. This was a mistake. He. believed in the Liberal Administration and was of tho same opinion as he was in 1893. In spite of imperfections he thought they were leading on to better things. The Government had done a lot of good work, which the Opposition would not dare to stand on the platform and suggest the repeal of. The parrot cry of the Opposition had been that the Government had bought constituencies by roads and bridges. Mr Hardy, the Opposition whip, had recently admitted that this criticism had been passed merely for the sake of orticism and not because the Opposition believed it. He wondered what Mr Massey thought when he read that! The confession was one of the most eloquent give-aways of the position of the Opposition he ever had the pleasure of reading. (Applause.) When he read the speech he had thought that Mr Hardy stood alone in such utterances. No, he turned up “Hansard” and found that in 1894 Mr James Allen had said on the Government Advances to Settlers Bill that every honourable member should see that a portion of the loan should be ear-marked. “We all want our share of this plunder; I want some,” he had declared. Sir Joseph Ward had asked him if he would support tho Bill. Mr Allen had replied: ,r i will not say—but, give me my share of the loan.” (Laughter). - THE OPPOSITION DISLIKED.

Why he did not like the Opposition was because thev had neither judgment nor foresight. Iffiat was his opinion gained during the last nine years. Their principle was that of the Conservative Opposition in 1832, when Sir Robert Peel had introduced his Reform Bill. Sir Robert Peel had then said of the Conservative Opposition that they .fought all new proposals, but did not seek to repeal the reforms that had been passed. Such remarks applied to the Opposition of to-day, who dared not advocate the repeal of ; the reforms that had , been effected. The reason ho said that the Opposition had no foresight was on account of their adverse criticism to the Advances to Settlors Act when it was introduced by Sir Joseph Ward in 1894. The Opposition had then strongly condemned the measure, and prophesied its dismal failure. But what was the position? [He quoted the results of the operations of the Act, his statements being received with hearty applause.]

"THESE ARE THY GODS.” Mr John Duthie had suggested/'that the Bill should be placed in the pigeon hole along with the pcoiny postage scheme and loft .to lie tnerfe as monuments to the honourable gentleman.” “These are thy gods, oh Israel,” declared Mr Wiiford, “who ask you to place them on a pedestal and worship them/’ (Loud laughter.) Though the Opposition did not soo the benefit that would accrue, others did. Those wore the men who should bo given the credit. (Applause.) He read the name© of the members of the Opposition who had voted against the measure. Referring to Mr Massey’s platform, as outlined at Feilding on Monday, in which ho had promised to ameliorate the conditions of the working class, he asked the audience to iudsre them by their actions in the past. He reminded his ' hearers of what the* Opposition had done for the unemployed in 1887, when they had a great opportunity, and failed. This was why he said that men who deserted the Government side for the Opposition- were not men of foresight and judgment. (Applause.)

INDUSTRIAL STRIFE. The solution of industrial strife was a world problem. If they could not solve it they should endeavour to minimise the difficulty as much as possible. Parliament had tried to do this, and, though he was not sanguine of the success of the new Act, they should try and amend and improve it as they went along. The old Act had bwn a failure. Arbitration had been stalking through the land on glass stilts—which was not a sure foundation for carrying anything. Tho whole business had been a failure. But in endeavouring to make improvements they had to bo careful. It was no use killing nettles to grow docks. He thought tho Act had been improved in some respects, but not all. The failure of the Arbitration Court had been due to its constitution. Ho believed that the solution of

the difficulty was to abolish the Court and when a dispute occurred, set up board© composed of persons connected with the trade in dispute —an employer on the ona side, an employee on the other, and an umpire—and then they would have a far iDetter chance of arriving at a settlement than under existing conditions. They would then never have the men or employers saying, as thev had said to him; "We never understood the drift of what they were after.” (Applause.) xle did not believe that any harder work had been done in Parliament during the last nine years than had been done in the attempt to improve the Act. Tne beet thing a person could do who did not want to see a solution of the Labour problem was to emigrate to the Philippines--where there was plenty of hemp, but no Constitution. (Applause and laughter.) Parliament had done its best, and should, if tho occasion arose, endeavour to still further improve tho Act. (Applause.) ME MASSEY’S CONSISTENCY. Dealing with Post Office Saving Bunk funds and Mr Massey, ana quoting from volume 109 of Hansard, page 97, when the Aid to Public Works and Laud Settlement Bill was under consideration, Mr Wiiford remarked that Mr Massey had said i “There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that if wo are going in for further borrowing—l think myself that we will have to go on for a long time for the purpose* of public works-—{and they are cursing us now for doing it, interpolated , Mr Wilfot’d) —what we should do, 1 think, is this: We should utilise the lending departments of the State, the Post Office, tho Public Trust Office, and the Government Insurance Department for the purpose of assisting lands for settlement and advances to settlers.” A • voice: Did he curse you in his last Feilding speech for borrowing? Mr Wiiford : He did not curse me. He cursed the Government. On July 28th of this year Mr Massey—shaking his fist in the face of the Premier across tho table —had said: “Sir, you are borrowing from the x*xst office/ The Premier had said : ""Well, what of it?” Mr Massey replied: ‘T know you are borrowing from the post office.” The Premier asked Mr Massey whether ho had not advocated that he should do «> some years ago. Mr Massey challenged him to bring proof, and, when it was brought, had said that "the Premier was wrong, as usual.” . ""What do vou call that for consistency?” said Mr Wiiford. "What are the young men to do who are learning tho political game? Do you expect us to make those tho men (the Opposition) w© are to look up to for guidance? All»I want to say is, I cannot.” (Loud applause.) OTHER MATTERS. He defended the financial position of the Dominion. The recent trouble had been brbugut about by oouahb who had gone about tho country crying out: “Wo aro going along—well, goodness knows where.” in defence of tho position he showed that in 1891 the depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank were 126,886, while in 19U708 there were 364,422, an increase of 237,536. The balance of deposits over [ withdrawals in 1891 was <£3,406,949, while in 1908 it was £12,825,063—an increase of £9,418,114. The Government, however, took those funds for lending purposes at 4 per cent. They should pay depositors the same rate of interest. He believed that tho depression which had occurred was a passing wrinkle on the brow, and would bo smoothed out. Ho believed they would not help to relieve the depression if they kept telling the people of the Dominion that whatever they did they must hold on to what they had and not lend it. (Applause.) He spoke at length on the fight he had made on the Education Bill, when he had attempted to get uniformity of school booke. He had done.his best to obtain uniform books, and would never rest until he had got a concession, in the matter of school books for the people of tho Dominion. This, he believed, was a right movement, a progressive and liberal movement, and one which the Government should undertake. (Applause.) Mr Wiiford also outlined the antagonistic attitude ho had adopted on the Second Ballot Bill, every clause of which, but one, he had opposed. He took considerable credit for having got through tho Bill which permits reclamation _ at Evans Bay, and the provisions of which would be a grand thing for Petone. Though the Act was on the statute book, the Board was not committed to one foot of reclamation. He denied that he had neglected the' interests of Petone. (Applause.) He advocated a Government employment bureau for all sections of the community. Mr Wiiford was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. THE PRIME MINISTER. BUSY TIME IN AWARUA. INVERCARGILL. October 27. Since his arrival on Saturday Sir Joseph Ward has addressed thirteen meetings in his constituency. He has travelled over the district by motorcar, and h‘as been received with marked enthusiasm during the progress of his tour. To-morrow he visits Stewart Island. On Thursday h© speaks at three more centres in Southland, and •on Friday proceeds by express to Tomuka, where ho delivers a political address that evening. MR ALLEN ON THE! LAND LAWS. WRONG AGAIN. . MR McNAB EXPLAINS THE POSITION. (Special to the “N.E. Timos,”) CHRISTCHURCH, October 37. Mr James Allen’s criticism at Stirling last week of the Government’s land policy was dealj: with by the Hon. ii. McNab in an interview to-day. He said Mr Allen was replying, to the Prime Minister, and said that the only occasion upon which the lease-in-pernetuitv holder could purchase was when the present value of his land had fallen below tho value at which lie had taken it up. "If he then bought/’ Mr Allen added, "it would bo a loss to the State, and I do not think that can be commended.” The Minister’s comment on this statement was that it was made bv a person who did not know* what he was passing remarks about. A number of those transactions had been made, and not one of them corresponded with Mr Allen's statement. Up to the present time sixteen transactions had been completed, and in one or two cases—to be correct, there were four of them—the prices paid were as low as the original capital value. In tho remaining twelve cases the prices were in excess of the original value; In some cases they were os much as 50 per cent, in excess. Mr Allen’s statement was entirely and absolutely wrong. There was not one case in which the price was less than the original value. Members of the Opposition had also made erroneous statements in regard to the purchase of the lenso-in-peroetuitv on. terms which, at present values, it was stated, would never he adopted. In dealing with those matters, however, it had to he remembered that there had been a stringency in the money market lately, and men had not been able to make financial arrangements to pur. ehapo. That, in conjunction with th® j lifvsHHty fo the proposal, shewed that the Government was ouite ria'ht in contending that th« 'P'dienm it hod drawn im was a practicable one. and would bn tak*n advantage of. In some rases which were being considered now the tenant was prepared to give two or three tiwop ss pinch as the original valne, Thn portion of the scheme that nermit+od the conversion of info renewable leases was also being teken advantage of to a slight extent. Probnblv Mr Allen had that in his mind when 1m mad* his remarkable statement at Stirling. , The conversion took place

when tho original value was enormously high. It was Intended to be a means of relief in cases where tenants were paving exorbitant rentals. The tenan sacrificed his long tenure, the Cro»-n sacrificed an excess of rent, hut that scheme had nothing to do witn the conversion of the lease-in-perpetuity into freehold. “The irony of the ynoli? thing,” Mr McNab added, “is that the so-called freeholders of the House voted almost in a mass against the scheme under which these Crown tenants are now getting the freehold.” BACK-BLOCKS ELECTIONEERING. TE AWAMUTU, October 27. Tho Taumarunui electorate is a trying one on candidates for Parliamentary honours. There are over 100 polling places, and most of the travelling is difficult owing to the condition, of the roads. Mr Jennings, one of tho candidates for the seat, since addressing his first meeting at Waitara on October 15th, has addressed twenty-three meetings, including Otorohanga lost evening. He has travelled 400 miles by train, fifty by trap, and thirty-six by horseback. The electorate touches the four land districts of Auckland,' Taranaki. Wellington, and Hawke's Bay. The worst portion to travel by candidates is tho hinterland of North Taranaki, where the roads aro very bad owing to the continuous rams of late. Parliamentary honour under such conditions .as obtain in tho Taumarunui electorate and OHO or two others is an equivocal one, as the physical and mental strain involved in. contesting such seats is very great. ANOTHER LIBERAL AT PALMERSTON. PALMERSTON, October 27. Mr William Milverton, of the firm of Milverton and Sons, threshing mill proprietors, has announced himself as a candidate for tho Palmerston seat. He will stand as a Liberal. Mr Milverton is a very old settler in this district. Ho has made himself prominent at all public meetings, asking questions, and generally captivating the gods by his Napoleonic attitudes. His candidature is hardly to be taken seriously, ME W. T. WOOD. PALMERSTON, October 27. - Mr W. T. Wood addressed a meeting of electors at Stoney Creek to-night. ln spite of rough weather there was a representative attendance. A rumour had Peon circulated that the meeting was postponed, and the advertising bills were tern down. The candidate spoke for an. hour and a half, and was accorded a good hearing. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed. THE PRIME MINISTER. VISITING HIS ELECTORATE. PUEBB ASSOCIATION. INVERCARGILL, October 27. The Prime Minister spent another day busily. Mo motored through from W inton and met electors at different places, at all of which ho was cordially welcomed. , \ In the evening he addressed a large audience at Waikiwi. He dealt with Mr Massey’s statements at the previous night’s meeting at Fielding. Mr Massey had again stated that the Government proposed to expend a large sum—al out ,£SO,O(XM-upon a Governor’s residence in Wellington. Ho gave that emphatic, unqualified and absolute denial. The cost of the whole undertaking would be only about half of the amount stated by his opponents. The Ministry knew that, every member of Parliament knew it, and it appeared somewhat extraordinary that this should come again irom those who should know that these statements were not true. New Zealand had suffered only omo serious hardship—the drop in wool but it was no longer dependent for too total income oh this one product. In the north where dairying was carried on tho.settlers wore having the finest butter season they had ever had, with prospects of very good prices. 1 Men wno owned laige numbers of ©beep were in better heart than thev had been for years, because ot tho magnificent lambing season which they had. Why should we cry out about hard times” amidst all these evidences of prosneritv The public finance'also was in hound’ condition, lie proceeded to elaborate this point and state facts ana figures showing that the statements and criticisms made by certain sections ot the people concerning Government finance were not juMiiimL Ho did not heheie the public service could be bettor controlled by a Public Service Board as members of the Opposition maintained. Elsewhere these boards had grown to assume the powere of autocracy, probably because that they were beyond the control of public opinion. The people of tho country had made up their minds that they were going to he their own rulers, and t-hey find made up their minds not to transfer privileges to any board. He urged the people of the Dominion to takc a widor View of their export trade, and get steam services with consuming countries. Java, a big consuming country, was near at hand, yet tho direct exports there did n °A Tote 8 ttiants and confidence was unanimous. The meeting was a cordial one. THE NEW HOUSE. FORECAST BY MR McNAB. CHRISTCHURCH. October 27. The Hon R. McNab told a reporter to-dav that he thought a Government majority in the North Island was assured, but it would not be eo substantial as the South Island would provide. He did not think that from New Plymouth to Hawke’s Bay there would be much change in the position of parties. Tho new constituency in Taranaki had four candidates, two on each side, and it was very hard, to say who would win. With that exception there should be no change in the area referred to. So far qb Auckland was concerned, he could only go on hearsay, but a desperate effort was being made to unseat the Hon. G. Fowlds for Grey Lynn. Mr McNab said h© had no- opposition for Mataura, nor had tho Premier for Awarua, while the opposition to the Hon. J. A. Millar could only b© called such by courtesy. “There will be a tremendous change in the personnel of the House,” Mr Me- 1 Nab added. “Ten members are retiring voluntarily, and as two sitting members are contesting Tnapeka one must go out. Of the other sixty-nine members, eight or nine practically have no opposition. Four are unopposed in South Otago alone. That loaves sixty men fighting contested elections. If we add the usual proportion of defeats to the eleven certain newcomers we shall probably have twenty-two new members —more than one quarter of the entire House. Changes are most likely to occur where two strong Ministerialists are standing for the same seat.” ANOTHER BUBBLE BURST. ME MASSEY'AND THE DAIRY REGULATIONS. . HON. R. McNAB IN REPLY. CHRISTCHURCH, October 27. : The Hon. R. McNab, in an interview with a newspaper representative today, said Mr Massey in his Feilding speech had charged him with backing down* on the new dairy regulations. It was never

contmplated to enforce these inside of In.'lv montljo. Lid February ho (Air il«N<)) hail explained that lt> a deputation c Jlutt dairymen. In the draft retfuiat;>nis which came down to the House the <J,to of tlieir coming into force w.-s purpsoiy loft blank. Ha denied that their operation nad boon postponed. Thor had been a tremendous amount 1)1' tilt about the new r< and the wcessity for a gnater amount of clcaiUn ss in the handling of milk had been brought to the foreground in a Iruk rcnu.rk.iblo umnmv. Thu speaker fnipd on inquiry among the- piuduce gnilers that dairy produce was now coming in in better condition than ever ho(ou. Thin they attributed solely to the dint el a thorough “spring cleaning." J'lblio attention had h. an drawn to the iiruortanco of clciiulincss, and that had bone splendid fruit. The financial benefit; to the country of the dirty man's btt-o being kept clean would be in dairy produce ulonn diSCI.OUO per annum on the pesant output. I There was also a reduction in the per-' TOltagfi of second grade- produce. With tin present (Dialled manufacture 1 the j ■S),(y reason for second grade produce j uis dirty milk. There should bo no ( uximi grade in the present marking, i Jiven with the first grade produce the minting could bo made appreciably higher ■ if olcaii milk were supplied to the (actor les. ADDRESSES AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN. October 27. Air T. K. Sidey, a candidate for Dunedifn South, opened lii.s campaign to-' niglit. lie Bup/jortod Dio Government policy, and urged that Eubour and Lite eral representatives should work together, and avoid tlio threo-party system. Ilu was accorded a vote ot thanks and confidence. _ Mr ,!. .McDonald, speaking to-night ns n candidate for Dunedin Central, announoed iiimself u supporter of tiro Oovci'iimeut, but retained independence with regard :o niciDun-s lie conceived not for the god of tbo people. Ho would siqu port tho VVarct Government to aliout 9.) per cent Ho advocated tho speedy completion Cf the Otago Centra: railway, and said an immigration policy was no uao unless Ho railway was completed at tho Fame Urdu W provide facilities of carriage of increased produce. Tile Government should make a stipulation with regard to immigrants that they should bo farm btbeurers, and be matin to work a certain number of years on farms before migrating to tho towns. Ho was an enthusiastic advocate of greater encouragement of volunteering, and a firm believer in. tho system of leasehold. He ii-reed genornllv with the Government 3 land policy, but said the administration was .sometimes bad. The cost of living should bo reduced, so as to give wageeurnern an opportunity of providing for contingencies. He received a unanimous voto of thanks and Confidence. THE WAIT Aid SEAT. ATAIMATE, October 27. Sir 'William Steward opened hie campaign in Waitnki to-night largo audience. He pointed, out that the groat prosperity ot tho Dominion was largely duo lo the Government’s liberal policy. Mo claimed that the farmers and settlors generally had greatly benefited by that policy. Ho spoke confidently ot ms being returned again for tho Bent. Ho was accorded a. unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. . Air Frank Smith, ot Albury, is announced as an Opposition candidate for Wailaki, and opens his campaign on Saturday at the south end of the electorate. TWO FRESH CANDIDATES. ASHBURTON. October 27. Mr .Tosoeph Tvoss and Mr Daniel O’Connor Brick, who have announced tiiemKidves as liberal candidates for Solwyu, owing to Air J. Dickie’s retirement, addressed meetings at Me Given and Chert vy respectively to-night, RETIRED. ASHBURTON, October 27. Mr Henry Davis has retired from the jontest f*r Ashburton. If we rut a Conservative in now, says n correspondent in ’ the “Wairarapa Nows " tho work of the present member cornea to a full stop, os tho old stager will have to use all his energies at Ins party’s call to oppose every mortal thing the Government wants to do. Is it good enough to again put in the survivor of the Stone Age, good cld stager as he is? The Opposition organiser, Air Martin, passed through Wellington last night, bound for, the South Island in an endeavour to stir up flagging Opposition allergy. At a largely attended meeting of the Wellington brand of tho Amalgamated Society Of Engineers on Tuesday evening it was decided to call upon all engineers to support the candidature of Labour men at tho Parliamentary elections. . Tho leader of the Opposition, Mr W. 11. Massey, visited Kimholton, near Fcildm'g yesterday morning, being driven out to tho settlement in a motor with Mr Lethbridge. M.P.. and other leading Opposition supporters. They were entertained to lunch by the residents, who drank tbo toast of the Opposition. The leader cf the Opposition has definitely decided to speak in Palmerston North on Monday, and Carterton next Tuesday. Now Zealand is going to learn some salutary lessons during the next twelve months, the chief one being that men must depend more on themselves and less on tho State. Tho State did not cause the hard times to come, any more than if brought about the recent prosperityfaud the sooner the myth of State Socialism, as applied to labour, is discardol, the better.—“Wairarapa Daily Times.", Electoral rolls for the Wellington and subirban seats may be permed on application at the front counter at tho "Now Zealand Times" office. Enrolling continues bnak. The Registrar of Wellington suburbs received nbout I/O claims on Saturday, and 220 on Monday. Many are sent in incomplete or witnessed by persons not on the roll. Greater care should betaken, as it mav moan disfranchisement. Absent voters permits should also be applied for before the rolls close, and the full name! address, and occupation is necessary upon the application forms, which require to be witnessed by a J.P. or Government officer) A meeting was held last night of tho committee which has been formed to further tho candidature of Mr G. H. Chapman, who seeks election for the Wellington South seat. Satisfactory progress was reported, and arraugeriicnle were made for the organisation of Mr Chap- • min’s forces in outlying portions of the electorate. The Hon. .Ins. Carroll wants a rest—from legislation. ISSUE OF WRITS. Cabinet has not yet .fixed the date of tho issue of the writs for' the general elections. The writs Timet be issued before Sattuylay. An official announcement on tho milter will be made to-day. '