HON. A. L. HERDMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8679, 12 March 1914, Page 6

HON. A. L. HERDMAN

.. SPEECH AT WYNDHAM ACCOUNT OB’ REFORM STEWARDSHIP. Press Association. WYNDHAM, March 11. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister '“for Justice, addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting at Wyndham tonight, Mr Felix Shaw, chairman of the Town Board, presiding. Referring to the coming elections Mr Herdman foreshadowed a desperate battle. The so-called Liberals would light with the ferocity of doomed men. There would also bo a plethora of Social-Democratic and Labour candidates. Sir Joseph Ward could not hope to control a majority in the House without combining with one of "the other parties. Thousands of la‘"bourors supported the Reformers he- ‘ cause they made-no class distinctions and did not govern the Dominion in the interests of any one section of the community. Mr Massey came into power after a party had dominated -the-country for . twenty years. That party had lost the confidence of the Seople because they were transparont- ' insincere and without stability. '**■ EARLY TRIBULATIONS. * ’ The now Cabinet' was comprised of men who had never previously held office. They had to face heavy loans .maturing, labour troubles, and other .difficulties. The Waihi strike then fell upon them; then the small-pox .epidemic , spread through the north ; and then, to cap' all, came the gigantic strike of 1913. If over a Government lived in the storm this one did. The storm had raged, but they had -weathered it. Now things were takxfi’g a pleasanter aspect, and he believed they were entering on another period of prosperity. (Applause.) Mr Herdman traversed the history of the (trike, during which he said the Govwnment’s actions were misrepresented. He paid a great tribute to the men from the country who were the cause of ' the strike being broken. Nothing finer had ever been done in the history of the country.' (Loud applause.) He - strongly condemned Sir Joseph Ward’s speech in the House concerning. the Post Office square (Wellington)' inoidieut. It was a most critical and serious moment, and a very thin line separated constitutional. governinent from a< state of revolution. The action—of-the special police at that moment was a determining factor in securing the ultimate settlement. There was no justification for the strike, and the men had to ho brought to their senses. Mr Massey never worried in endeavouring to bring about a settlement, and no assistance whatever was received from Sir Joseph Ward’s party. KEEPING'THE BED FLAG FLYING “ On the contrary, every speech by the Opposition leaders helped to keep the “red flag” flying. Sir Joseph Ward’s complaint that he was accused of being the head and front of the strike was without foundation. Sir ..Joseph Ward had also said he could „have settled the strike. He • would have settled the strike just as he had settled himself and his party—-by giving in. The strike was not a contest between Labour and capital, but between order and disorder. The Minister felt Certain the recent Trades Dis-.-putes. Act would be found a big ad--vanco- on previous legislation in preventing strikes. PLEDGES AND PERFORMANCES. The Government were twitted with not -redeeming promises. They had only boon, in power two sessions, and considering the obstruction they had mot with in the House last year he ..thought they had done very well in, -.carrying out their policy. By the end «bf next session the Government would have fulfilled practically every promise they had made. (Applause.) Mr. Herdman outlined what the Government had done towards land settlement, with which the future of New Zealand was wrapped up. The Government recognised that the land must be settled, And**if the* present means wefe “iiof qfliclt other means would ' have 'to’ f be devised. He agreed with Sir Joseph Ward that too much land should not be thrown on the market-at one time. During the twenty months of Mr Massey’s admin„the land, the total area concerned being 1,092,891 acres. THE PUBLIC SERVICE. Mr Herdman referred to the success of the new administration of the Public Service,,which had done away with ■political interference and favouritism. The Opposition had endeavoured to stir up strife among the public servants. The public service now appeared reasonable. He said the first requirements would be efficiency and loyalty 'to the State, and, given those requirements, the service should bo liberally treated. Mr Herdman recounted what the Government had done to increase the pay and conditions Afid,.possibilities of promotion. A new ■provision would probably be made ■whereby widows of officers would receive first consideration in appointments ns postmistresses. DEFENCE. Coming to the naval' question be could not understand the speeches of Sir Joseph Ward and other Opposition leaders. The Government’s first duty was to consider the wishes of Great Britain. There would be no use having a portion of tho fleet in the Pacific if the Homo fleet was in danger. Our safety depended on the security of Britain. The conditions had altered since New Zealand first contributed to the navy, and the Government had no other course but to fall in with tho wishes of those who bad to safeguard the British Empire. (Applause.) In addition, the' Government wore defraying the cost of a Bristol cruiser, and so were doing their best for the protection of our commerce ns well’ as their paramount duty to tho Mother Country. (Applause.) THINGS DONE—AND TO DO. Since they had 'been in office tho Government had put the finances on a sounder basis, improved the condition of the Civil Service, given the freehold, made' the graduated land tax more equable, improved the old age pensions scheme, raised the advances to settlers’ limit from £SOO to £IOOO, improved the native land legislation, put naval defence on a permanent and sound footing, appointed a railways expert who promised to put. tho railways on a much-improved footing. By pursuing a steady, sober policy, and not depending on limelight, tinsel, and paint, a feeling of confidence had been created. (Applause.) One of their promises still to bo fulfilled was tho reform of the Legislative Council, and another effort would be made next session. The edu-