MR BERRIES AT GREYMOUTH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8734, 16 May 1914, Page 6

MR BERRIES AT GREYMOUTH

GOVERNMENT STAKES EXISTENCE ON STRIKE ACTION. Ereks Association. GREYMOUTH, May 15. The Hon. W. H. Herries arrived at Greymoutli this afternoon. He received a deputation of the County Council regarding a grant for county works, and subsequently visited the line to Renvanui and the terminus of the line to the Liverpool mine. He addressed a meeting in the Town Hall to-night, but owing to the wot weather the attendance was not large. The Mayor the chair, Mr Henries had an excellent reception, and devoted his main attention to replying to the attacks of the “Flying Squadron” on the Government as an alleged pledge-breaking Government. He showed that' it was incorrect to say the. Government represented a minority vote, and pointed out how the largo majority' held by Mr Seddou had dwindled rapidly under Sir Joseph “Ward’s leadership, showing that Sir Joseph Ward had not the confidence of the people. Sir Joseph had recognised that fact and had resigned the Premiership.. The speaker took the platform issued by the Reform party prior to the last election, and dealt with the litoms. He dseanonstrated that the promises then, made had either been carried or would be during the coming session. Ho defended the appointment of Mr Hiley as general manager of railways. Air Biloy, when familiar with the conditions, would make the ablest manager there Lad. ever been, not only in the Dominion, but in Australia. JMr Herries defended the Minister for Finance from the attacks made on him, and allowed 'that the Minister wlas burdened with a legacy left by h it predecessors. He showed the evils of the short-dated debentures, referred to attacks made on the Government's naval policy, and showed that the policy was forced on the Government by the Admiralty failing to keep the 1909 agreement. He hoped the Admiralty would yet agree to send the Bristol cruisers. The Government had offered to increase the subsidy to £150,000. Dealing with the native lands question,'Air Herries said the object of the present legislation was to allow na tires to sell land if they chose to do go. Natives were not compelled, as asserted by the Opposition. The aim of the legislation was to place the natives on an equality with the pakeha. and to weld tho two races into one.

Referring to the strike, the Minister said any Government worthy of the name would act as the present Government had. done. The Reform Government was prepared to stand or fall hy its attitude on the strike, confident of the approval of the majority of the people of the Dominion. Tie Minister was heartily applauded at the conclusion of Ids speech, and was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. A vote of confidence in the Government was declared carried by a large -