A POLITICAL GOOD-BYE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10522, 25 February 1920, Page 10

A POLITICAL GOOD-BYE

WINTON, February 24. > Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were tendered a banquet at Winton to-night. A special train from Invercargill conveyed to -tho township 200 passengers, some of whom had come from the Bluff. On arrival at Winton Sir Joseph was met at tho railway station by a largo number of settlers and received three hearty cheers. The band played a selection and Lady Ward was tho recipient of a handsome bouquet. • “A HEARTY WELCOME.” Tho Mayor tendered a hearty welcome to b-ir Joseph and Lady W aid and ‘said that during the tune Sir Joseph had represented Awarua ho had done his best for Now Zealand and the Empire. Now ho was out of politics (ho hoped only temporarily), lor New Zealand could ill spare the services of ono of such outstanding ability as Sir Joseph. Ho had staunch friends in Awarua, and throughout the Dominion nvho had loyally stuck to him in private life tho same as if ho was in the arena of politics and would show tho same spirit in defeat as they did when Sir Joseph was at the top of tho political tree. Sir Joseph had frequently gone to tho centre of the Em■piro to take a share in the great affairs that received attention there and the part he had played was known tho world over. It had been- sheer ability that had enabled ’ him to do what ho had done, and no doubt Now Zealand had had in Sir Joseph a statesman who had done great things for this young country. Ho hoped tho heartiness of tho welcome to some extent would compensate him for tho fact that his visit on that occasion was as a private member, though, gs he had said before, ho hoped Sir Joseph would soon again enter tho political life and give tho Dominion again of his best. Sir Joseph, who was again cnthusicially received, thanked tho Mayor for hia kind remarks and tho people of Winton and elsewhere for being present in such large numbers to accord a welcome to Lady Ward and himself. He was there that night as a private citizen, not their Parliamentary representative. Tlie warmth of their reception was equal to that of any that had been given him. Whatever walk, of life he might follow in tho years to come would always have the fondest recollection of his association with that district,-the prosperity of which and Us inhabitants he would always hear about with great satisfaction. He had come to iWinton by invitation to receive once more the hospitality which on previous occasions had been extended to him and he lodkedhipon the present occasion as more endearing than any of the ,others and ho had no feeling of vindictiveness because of the result of the election, recognising that the people a perfect right to vote as they liked. Howcertain tactics had been adopted that should not bo allowed to pass unnoticed, and it was his intention that night to have something to say on the subject which would throw quite a different light on it. He had been asked to come to AYniton, and in fact a number of districts had asked him to visit ' them, but he could not make it convenient to db 50, while it was advisable that a period should elapse before ho accepted these invitations. E© and liady Ward vrero going to Australia in the course of a month or so, having got invitations to do so which ho received two days .after tho election. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward then proceeded to the Drill Hall, where 650 people sat down to dinner, many travelling long distances to bo present, and all classes of tho community being represented. The gathering was the most enthusiastic ever held in town, and included a considerable proportion of ladies. ~ Tho Mayor (Mr Walker) presided, and read a number of apologies from leading members of tho Liberal party, all of whom wrote highly of tho ser- ’ vice Sir Joseph had rendered tho Dominion and the Empire.

818 JOSEPH’S WORK EULOGISED. Mr William Baird, in proposing the toast of Sir Joseph, said it .was ono oi tho greatest honours of his life to be chosen for that duty. Sir Joseph was beyond doubt ono of the greatest statesmen south of tho lino. The speaker referred to what the guest had done for the farmer, and pointed to tho time when fanners had a difficulty in getting space-in the Southland Frozen Meat Company’s works, and though a director of that company his influence was not sufficient to secure a fair deal, and he started works of bis own, grading dairy produce—another improvement in tho agricultural world of New Zealand Sir Joseph had been instrumental in bringing about, end ho had also greatly assisted with the shipping interests of Bluff. Mr Beid, of Knapdale, aaid it was p, long way to Kuapdale, but ho would have come ’twice tbo distance to be present. He referred to the Liberal land laws and the equitable system of taxation passed by the Liberal party, and spoke of Sir Joseph’s great financial ability, which had been reflected on tho prosperity of -Now Zealand, and hoped Sir Joseph would return to politics, and help to make Now Zealand ono of the brightest stars in tho British Empire. "A STATESMAN.” Mi- TV. B. Taylor, manager of tho National Mortgage and Agency pany, said it had been an honour to be associated with Sir Joseph and tho Liberal party throughout a long career. No ono deserved more tho grateful thanks of tho Dominion than Sir Joseph, and the most regrettable incident of the election had been his defeat. Ho had legislated not for ono section of the community, but for all, regardless of creed or class, And Sir Joseph’s services had been invaluable to New Zealand, and all right-thinking people wished that his absence from politico would he of short duration. ■Balianco and Seddon had done great things, and been followed by Sir

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT WINTON AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION MANLY ACCEPTANCE OF HIS DEFEAT F.P.A. METHODS STRONGLY DENOUNCED (By Telegraph—Special to tho "New Zealand Times.”)

Joseph, whose service had been none tile loss conspicuous. Mr John Stead (Mayor of Invercargill) said it was one of the most important functions, he had attended. Ho complimented Sir Joseph "bn the way be had accepted defeat. He had acted as a man in' adversity as ho had done when successful. Sir Joseph had introduced tho penny post as well as having initiated either radical reforms referred -to by previous speakers. The system of cheap money to farmers went to his credit, and he felt sure if another election were held next day, and Sir Joseph stood, ho would have an easy victory. Mr J. C. Thomson said Sir Joseph had indelibly stamped his name on the statute-book of New Zealand. He had accomplished great work, not only in New Zealand, but in Great Britain, and having been associated with him in Parliament, he (Mr Thomson) would say .he, .had always done all he could for Southland and for any other district that might be in need of attention. For a number of years Liberalism had been lacking in enthusiasm, and had they had one of tho characteristics of the lato Mr T. E. Taylor, ho was sure the position of affairs would be' different from what they now' were. ’ / ' PRESENTATIONS. Messrs D. McDougall (Mayor ot Bluff) had the eamo remarks to make in appreciation of Sir Joseph as a man and politician, and Mr W. Henchcy said the duly evolved upon him to present an address to iSir Joseph, The address was not yet ready, but he would read the text, and the address would bo illuminated and signed by leading supporters and forwarded to Sir Joseph in duo course. The address referred in glowing terms to the legislation passed, and in which Sir Joseph had played an important part, if not actually by him. After Mr Honchey had read the address there was .loud applause.

Mrs J. P. MoWilliam then made a presentation . of a travelling rug to Lady Ward. She said Lady Ward had always accompanied Sir Joseph on his political campaign in Awarua, and all those who know her were aware of her sympathetic nature, and that she was an idea? wife and mother. Lady Ward, who was received with enthusiasm, briefly returned thanks. SIR JOSEPH^ WARD IN REPLY RECEIVES AN OVATION. THE GENERAL ELECTION. DISHONOURABLE TACTICS ADOPTED.

Sir Joseph Ward, who was given quite an ovation, thanked the speakers who had proposed the motion. He said he hardly deserved all tho eulogium expressed, but it was no doubt out of goodness of'heart they had said such kind things. Three Mayors had spoken that night, and he took it they represented the people ot their respective towns. Ho also referred to others who tad spoken, and paid a compliment to Mrs MoWilliam for the pleasing remarks made by her regarding Lady Ward. They were true, and no one could have occupied the forefront of politics in New Zealand so long but for a good wife and mother. He had not come there to deliver a political speech, but because, he felt it necessary to deal with some of-the tactics adopted here and elsewhere-during the general election. He was not doing it simply lor persona? reasons, "But in the interests of the Tutuib of this country. (Loud applause.) NOT TALKING POLITICS.

Continuing, Sir Joseph Ward spoko as follows: —I do not propose to discuss tho general politics of tho country. I am not here for that purpose. I.wish, however, to show you the course that was followed _ and tho wretched tactics adopted both in Awarua and elsewhere to bring about my own and my party’s defeat at the polls.- It was, I regret to say, largely by the bringing into the political arena sectarianism of the most bitter and, in this country, unprecedented kind. Since tho election an effort has been made in, certain quarters to make out that sectarianism was not a real factor in bringing about the result. I wish I could say this was so. I will give -you a few- incontrovertible facts upon which decent and fair-mind-ed people must judge for themselves. I have received (from electors ninetyseven. separate documents that were circulated in various districts from Auckland to Awarua. Frequent meetings were held in various electorates representative of the Loyal Orang.) Institutions and of the Protestant Political Association, of which, it is said, there are some 230 separata organisations throughout the country. I am neither questioning their right to attend nor finding fault with their doing do. X am stating the fact as against the-assertion now being made that sectarianism had nothing or little to do with the election results. Let anv fair-minded person look at "The Official Organ of the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand and the Protestant Political Association, of which several issues were made, and ho will find its columns teeming with appeals to prejudice , and passion and full of tho grossest and wildest misrepresentations. They declared I was a disloyalist and a Bolshevist. ‘■DELIBERATE MISSTATEMENTS.” Mr Elliott is reported in tho Press to have said at a meeting addressed by him at’the Bluff‘on December 12th that my influence in the had of learning and the legislature of Now Zealai.u iir.d resulted in the predominance of Catholicism. I was ono member rut of eighty. His statement is certainly a compliment to the alleged influence exercised by me. I agree that in every position I have occupied privately and publicly it has been my privilege to /nave considerable' influence that bps been largely due to hard work and industry, and X hope and believe new that X have freedom I will continue to have more influence than ever, and wild and untruthful attacks on mo will not deter mo from doing so; but there is not a member of cither branch of the legislature who can say that at any time X ever discussed with him tho question of

religion or spoke to him in tho interests of tno Catholic Church or any other, or attempted to exercise my influence in regard to religious matters. Mr Elliott publicly stated at the Bluff that I had boaster. 1 was a true eon of the Churcu. That is a deliberate until, tu, as I Lave ne\t-r made any such statement in my lite. It 1 had done so I would have regarded myself as an unmitigated braggart. ite also said a'c tlio Bluff it had cost between .1115,000 and -£16,000 to carry Catliolic children past State schools. As a matter of fact it costs nothing; bat he allowed it to bo .believed—and I am informed that many of those who heura his address did believe—that I was responsible for the expenditure of this amount.

What are the facts? In May, 4886, before I was a member of Parliament, tho principle of issuing free school tickets to enable children up to 15 years of ago to attend private schools for primary education was affirmed in tho House of Representatives on. the motion of the Hon. Major Atkinson, and it was resolved that “in the opinion of the House the same right to free passes along the railways should bo given to children attending private schools as is given to children attending Government schools.” In 1889 tho Railway Commissioners amended tho regulation and provided that "free secojid-class quarterly tickets should bo issued to school children not over 15 years of age attending (a) Government primary schools, and (hi private schools for'primary education.” That regulation has remained in operation ever since. Anyone referring to ilansa.nl, "Vol. 133, pages 515-6-7 of August 19th. 1905, will find a statement over the signature of Mr Buston, for the general manager ot railways, that during that year there were earned on tho railways 4562 children attending Government schools for primary education. 4449 attending Government schools for secondary education, 1100 attending classes for manual and technical instruction, 100 attending private scbools other than Catholic for primary education, and 2055 attending Catholic scbools for primary education. The report slaved that tho facilities granted to tho children of Catholic parents in respect to primary education were governed by regulations which were applied impartially to tho children of all members of the community. There never has been anything secret and confidential in regard to this matter. The regulations of the Railway Department all have been duly published in tho “Gazette” and submitted from time to time to Parliament. It is worthy of note that those matters in which it has been implied I, when Minister for Railways gave favours to Catholic children, are not under the administration of the Minister for Railways, hut under the administration of the Minister for Educaton. The cost, between 4115,000 and .£16,000, referred to by Mr Elliott, is a book entry by which tho Railway Department gets credit from the Education Department for tho carriage of children of all denominations under the regulations. But tho fact' that it was established before I was in Parliament, and upon the motion of a Protestant Prime Minister, is not mentioned by the section of people who, not only in Awarua, but also in a number of other electorates throughout New Zealand, have been indulging in deliberate misrepresentations in order to gain votes. Tho only other alteration of the Act bearing upon this matter was made by the Massey 'Reform Government in 1914, under which they broadened and extended it. “STUFFING THE PUBLIC SERVICE WITH CATHOLICS.” • In various electorates throughout the country the statement was made that—“in the year 1911. when I was Prime Minister, 6000 civil servants were appointed, and out of that number 4000 of them were Roman Catholics.” Mr Elliott is publicly reported in the Press to have made that statement at the Bluff on the night of December 12th. How untrue it is may be realised from the fact that in the year 1911 the number of appointments made to the Railway Department was 730 and to the Postal Department 189. I cannot ascertain definitely how many were made to all of the other branches of the public service. but at the outside they would not exceed 250. The total number was under 1200. The utter untruthfulness of the assertion widely distributed in the majority of electorates throughout the country that I appointed 4000 Roman Catholics will bo at once seen. Tha Railways and the Postal and Telegraph Departments are tho largest employers in the Dominion. Messengers m the latter department have always been selected by the local postmaster or officer-in-charge. These are not included in the above because no such selections are made by the Minister or head office.

1 was Minister for Railways from 1900 to 1906 and over tho whole of that period 4176 appointments were made. These included the filling of 1937 vacancies caused by resignations and retirements, but the gross total was, as I say, 4176. an average of 623 per annum. XJie excess of appointees over the whole period, was 2239, the average of tho now appointments per year being 448. Sir William Herries was Minister for ■“Railways from. 1913 to 1919—a similar period to mine. The appointments made were 7298. These included 6182 vacancies largely duo to men going to tho war. The average appointments per year were 1459. Exactly tho samo system of appointment applied to Sir William Herries’a time and that of mine. No person’s religion is stated upon tho application forms. Tho appointments do not go from the Minister to the department, but they come from tho General Manager to the Minister. Tho Railway Act makes it compulsory for tho General Manager to certify that there is a vacancy, that the regulations have been complied with and that the appointment io necessary. It is impossible for a Minister of tho Crown carrying out his multifarious duties in Wellington to stop his ordinary work for tho purpose of investigating tho religion of any applicant. Ho seldom or ever secs an applicant personally, and it is past my comprehension that anyone of ordinary intelligence can conjure up such extraordinary ideas in con.nec’fcion with these appointments such as had been circulated for political purposes throughout this country. The alleged statement of 4000 Catholics being appointed in 1911 is untrue, just as the statement that the departments have been stuffed with Roman Catholics is also absolutely untrue. I am out of public life, and what X am stating here can be proved up to the hilt. The heads of all tho departments are fortunately available to give evidence upon this matter, and I affirm that there is not one of them can declare that appointments or promotions have been made upon the question of any one’s religion in any branch of the service. It is quite evident to,me that whet those general accusations mean ts, that the people who are making them, if they had their way'would not allow any Catholic to bo appointed to the Civ;l, Service in any circumstances. l»ey would of course allow them to pay taxation and heln to support tho country m every way, but would deny them; what are their undoubted rights as well as are those of any other denomination in the country. MR. ISITT. The Orange Society and the P.PA. have in their organ accused me of getting Mr Isit.t, M.l ~ t° attack the P.T.A. in tho House . fins ia another of the statement;) that is absolutely untrue. I have not at any time made such a request to Mr Xsitt, audit fdiows how deliberately, without justification. n false statement is purposely made by that section of ihe community who profess that their desire is to have the public life of the country elevated. In tho same .issue, they nuuif? a cuarge indirectly, but at the same time, cmphatically. that the letter* of 1 rolcstants passing through the Post Unio<* woro not safo with m© os Postmastcr-Goncrol.

This again is a deliberate untruth. No letters passing through the Post Office corao under (h» notice in any way of tho Postmaster-General of the day executing where there is a broach of the Act, and such a case would be reported. But in tho particular instance that they cite to base this unwarrantable and indefensible charge whore the eases had been reported to the Postmaster-Gene-ral. T was not in New Zealand and had nothing to do directly ,or indirectly with tho administration of tho law in the ease that they quote ; while they use this in the most barefaced and untruthful wav for casting doubt upon my impar. tiality in tho administration ot that department. I may add that there has never been a. caso during tho twenty-six years I was Postmaster-General, or even any suggestion in any instance, of interference by mo in this respect in my official capacity. THE MARIST BROTHERS.

I was accused all over tho country of moving a motion to exempt tho Marist Brothers. My motion was as follows; “Who is a teacher in a public school within tho meaning of tho Education Act, 1911, or a teacher, lecturer, or professor in any secondary school, technical school, technical high 'school, college or university established under tho Act, or any other Act, or a teacher in any private school which is not conducted for pecuniary profit.” That is. it exempted all teachers, including university professors, and there ha<i been strong jrepdesentations that this, in the interests pf the youth of the country, owing to tho depletion of men killed in tho war. should bo done. My motion was carried by a majority of four. The then Minister for Education, Mr Ha nan, voted for it. There wore some thirty odd Marist Brothers in tho whole country, and because of that I am represented as moving for the exemption of them onlv. How unfair uot to state the facts! Other countries had made similar provision for tho exemption of all teachers. ALLEGED PROFITEERING. It was widely circulated by innuendo all over tho country that 1 had benefited during tho war through my business by profiteering. It was absolutely untrue, and was not possible, for the simple reason that wo did not deal m any article for local sale, and wero not in a position to profiteer. Our business for export was in the export of the products of the country, all of which vere commandeered by the Imperial Government, and left no chance of profiteering. Not a single client left vs on the grounds of excessive charging. The profits of my business were not greater in any year than the average over tho prewar five years. .£1 NOTES. The desperate nature of the sectarian methods adopted may be gleaned trom the following _ , ,- T If anyone will look at a Bank of New Zealand one pound note they will find in the centre what appears to be a coat of arms. These notes were shown iji various constituencies to electors ana this emblem was declared to be ono ot mv nefarious concessions to the mtluence of Rome. The coat-of-arms was said to be that of the Pope, who was alleged to have stipulated with me that this was to remain on them until «62,000,000 which I had got from the Pope when the Government came to the rescue of tho Bank of New Zealand ;had been paid. First I was never consulted about the design on these or any other notes of the bank. Second, the Government did not lend the Bank of Eew Zeaffind .£2,000,000 or any other sum. The Goveminent guaranteed tho bank a loan of ,£3 000,000. It was floated on the London money market in the ordinary way by the bank itself. Third, the cont-of-arms” is a copy of the seal on. the ireaty of Woitangi. Yet the above concoction was not only widely circulated, but was deliberately ‘used in order to gain votes. It is truly a sad commentary that prejustice on the basis of untruths should be used in such a-way for the sake of gaining votes. THE ASSISTANCE TO ROME.

I have not at a nv time had any communication with anyoifb in Koine either direct or through anybody else. It was widely stated in different parts that as Finance Minister I gave financial assistance to the Pope. No such thing at any time has occurred, nor couid I oven, if I were disposed to do so, make any such payment without the authority and knowledge of Parliament. One can scarcely believe that the circulators of these nefarious statements, fanatics though they be, are so bereft of reason as to believe that any such thing is possible. Tho country has at no timo either given or received financial assistance from any on© in Eomc. WHAT ARE THE FACTS? Xdt me ask you to look at tho facta. 1 have throughout my .political career 'been a strong and persistent advocate of Imperial unity; a strenuous supporter of the Empire; a constant worker ror a powerful Empire -Navy, X was responsible for tho battleship New Zealand ' being given as a tree gut from New Zealand to the Motherland; I was responsible for, and introduced and carried through Parliament, an Act providing for universal military training under a territorial system. I hold a letter from General Godloy, sent unsolicited to mo while I was out of office at tho timo tho Now Zealand Expeditionary Force was sent to Samoa, stating that but for what I had done when X was Minister for Defence, tho New Zealand force could not have been sent there for a considerable period alter it went. I provided, a few years before the war, for the full equipment of the New Zealand forces on a war basis, without which they could not have been sent, excepting at the greatest peril of the mens lives and of complete uselessness as an effective landing and defensive force.

Two of ray own sons went to tho war. I have helped to the utmost of my power, and at great personal inconvenience, each of tho war Joans, and have given away privately each year of the war more than I ought to have. I did so because I felt there was nothing greater in tho interests of humanity and civilisation than that the British Empire should triumph, no matter at what sacrifice or cost, as wore it not to do so wa would, under the domination of tho enemy, bo worse than slaves. I sank all party differences (though I knew it wag, from a personal standpoint, to the disadvantage of myself and party), and joined in forming a National Government, to help, by unity and common action! to win tho war. I worked loyally in every respect to bring this about, and victory, thank Providence, after a long struggle, came to our side. They falsely accused mo of disloyalty to my King and of being a Bolshevist, and declare the safety of the national school system is at stake. All these statements were uncxuestionably made for political purposes. Their chief paid organiser, the day after tho election, publicly said so. I will quote tho Press Association report of his remarks: “Invercargill, December IBth.—Tho Itov. Howard Elliott, interviewed, said the P.P.A. was delighted with tho results. The extent of Protestant influence on the polling was a revelation, and demonstrated tho strength and discipline of the organisation. The groat triumph of Protestantism in Awama provided a result ns startling as in Southland and throughout tho Dominion. Thu poll had shown that the Protestants stand together ami vole solidly to maintain their traditions, privileges, institutions and liberty. The majority of tho present House mould carry tho confidence of Protestants.” Was tho safety of tho National Education system at stake? It could only bo at stake by tho authority of Parliament. There was no attempt made, to my knowledge, to change tho Act detrimentally to tho National system. Tho Ministers of Education under Liberal Governments since 1891 wore Hooves. Walker, Seddon and Powlds. . Does anyone suggest that any or all of those gentlemen did not loyallv administer the Acl ? They improved it by broadening and expanding it,

but none of them weakened it. Tho question of the maintenance of the National system of education was not raised in the House during last Parliament, and it was not an issue at the last general election. What was raised as an issue was done by the Loyal Orango Society and the P.P.A. They denied the right of any section of the community of any denomination to pay for the education of their children at any private school, even though such private schools complied in every respect with tho standards sot for the National schools. It was true their chief tirade and attack was directed against, tho Catholic schools, though none of these received any financial subsidies from tho State. TRIBUTE TO MY INFLUENCE. I was one man in eighty—Parliament; one man in twelve—the National Government; ono man in nine in the prewar Liberal Government. What a disparagement to all the others to suggest that I, single-handed, had I so dfsircd, could have in some Machiavellian- sort, of wav, controlled such overwhelming odds ripon a matter of which as every ordinary student of politics in this country knows, tho people years ago by uumistakablo majorities proclaimed tor the national system, and that Parliament by Act (the only way in which it could be done) alone could alter it. It is an undeserved compliment to my power, and. influence one would not expect to find amongst, any section of the community. COWARDLY STATEMENTS.'

“Those candidates who supported Ward are supporting thoss who proved disloyal during the war. Bo loyal to your King amt country and oppose disloyalty in every shape and .form.” "The sons and daughters or this grand Dominion have fougnt and died in the great fight for liberty, and there remains n solemn duty resting upon the electors to keep New Zealand clean and to show to those who have been disloyal during tho war and alter that their presence is not wanted in the Government of this country.” The above two quotations are taken from two separate circulars that were distributed from house-to-house in two electorates in tho North Island, and I could givo scores of similar statements circulated in other electorates throughout the Dominion. The fact that these are beaded P.P.A. and in each case are signed by the local president; the fact that the statements are untrue and unjustifiable and in direct opposition to all my acts as a public man, is a matter of no consequence to the desperadoes who forget all sense of truthlujicss in circulating matter of the kind. I could give further innumerable cases of a similar kind, but it is not necessary that I should do so. I mention these only for the purpose of allowing the public to know what has transpired, and I only - express my regret that 1 feel it necessary that I should have to do so. The chairman of one of the country State school committees in Otago personally informed me that during .the last two or three years he had had sent to him a quantity of the P.P.A. propaganda for distribution by the children, and he declined to do so for the reason that children of various religions were attending the school and he thought it wrong that the schools should bo used for such a purpose. In this decision most unprejudiced and fair-minded people will agree that he was right and {tolerant. As a youth I was taught to bo tolerant to tho religious convictions of others. I have never asked anyone throughout my long public service what church they belonged to or what their religion was. I have lived for thirtyseven years with one who is near and dear to me and who is a Protestant and have never had a single unpleasant word on the question of religion. As a member of Parliament I always felt that X did. not represent anyone on account of their religious opinions, but represented all irrespective of .what their convictions were regarding spiritual matters. Thank goodness I have never- been a bigot and I have no sympathy with bigotry of any kind. Look at the P.P.A advertisement which appeared in the “Southland Times” on the day of the election. It was a direct appeal to soctArianisjn, passion, and hate. It contained statements regarding me that wtero absolutely untrue. Apart from that no candidate for Parliament is allowed on, the day of a general election' to have anything published in connection with the election for the good and fair reason that it does not give his’opponent a chance to answer or criticise it. Such a course as was followed by the P.P.A. here was an outrage against ordinary de-' ceucy and fair play, and if such, tactics Were adopted to any of you I think, you would be entitled as I am doing to let the world realise to what depths of deliberate and cowardly unfairness my opponents descended. • OFFENSIVE CARTOONS. .

A cartoon linking me with Romanism and Bolshevism was issued , by the -official organ of tho Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand and P.P.A., rnd circulated in various' electorates at the recent election. From the same office at the 1911 elections, a cartoon was sent alt over New Zealand condemning me over the gift of ii.Al.tS. New Zealand to tho Motherland; in the issue of their paper on September 10th, tho following statement appears“No sooner- is tho war drum silenced than our shores are visited by tho famous warship bearing our Dominion's ' name. Whatever criticism may have been in days gone by to tho methods of our giving. New Zealand with one united voice prepared to give their representative battle scarred ship and its crew a most royal welcome. Tho record of tho part nobly played by her on tho high seas in.tho time of our turmoil and conflict was felt by all to be a fitting counterpart to the work of our men in the sister service of the Army.” What a contrast to tho 1911 cartoon. Out of their own mouths thev condemn former unjustifiable action. Tho cartoon issued by the same organisation at the recent general election and circulated all over the Dominion was as low down and contemptible as it was untrue and ■libellous. FOE. KING AND COUNTRY. 1 have served in tho public life of this country under three Sovereigns and six Governors, and there has never been occasion for even a suspicion of my loyalty to their interests or those of the Empire. I have tho great satisfaction of being able to put this as an irrefutable off-sot against tho vile insinuations that for political purposes have boon used from one end of this country to the other for the purpose of bringing me down politically. METHOD OF ATTACK. I am quite aware, as most people throughout New Zealand are, ’ that for the last three years the attacks on Catholics have been promoted by the Orange Societies and members of the P.P.A. to an extent hitherto unknown. They have done so in Awarua regularly for over three years. The fact that the war in which tho Empire's future was at stake did not matter. Thoir hos. tility towards Catholics blinded them to a degree that was devoid of all reason, n degree that was devoid of ail reason. It was bitter, virulent, uncharitable, persistent, and they got

a. good opportunity of centreing it on me, and they had no hesitation in making it on the basis of untruth. I do not for a moment believe that the bulk of the Protestants in this country approve or are an sympathy with such methods., The voting at the elections proves this; 336,208 votes out of 542,667 wore recorded for the opponents of the P.P.A. The fanaticism that characterises their onslaught to show the horrible menace of myself and my co-religionists to King, country and war ignores all facts and substitutes the wildest statements. They say these things in face of the fact that, Pooh, the head of. th« whole of the armies was a Catholic, and thousands of other officers were also; that over 10,600,000 Catholics fought on our side against the enemy, that 61 per cent, of the United States navy and over 50 per, cent, of their army were of the same faith; that 5000 Catholic nurses left the shore* of America and attended their soldiers quite irrespective of whether they were Protestant or Catholic; that a considerable number of New Zealand Catholics founght on our side; that numbers of Catholic clergy from all .parts of the Empire and the United States of America went to the front and did their duty, many of them making the supreme sacrifice with their; lives. And yet notwithstanding this, they are subjected to the vilest abuse and their loyalty doubted and their names attempted to be fouled because of their particular faith. It is done in;the most impudent and barefaced manner and done by men who call themselves Christians. Let mo give a contrast. . "When • I was recently in Paris, I met a number of clergymen of all denominations. I found none of this bigotry amongst them. All the English speaking clergy met every second Monday at a dinner, a representative of each denomination taking .the chair in turn —Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic, Wesleyan, Methodist, Baptist, and other clergymen. They met for the common purpose of conferring to see what good they could do. and, 1 was assured that much good resulted from these meetings. The clergy of all denominations from the overseas Dominions wore to be found at mess together—they helped each other. I was one who hoped that the sacrifices these clergy and the soldiers of all creeds were making, fighting together and hundreds of thousands of them dying on the battlefields, that when the war was over it would have established a never-to-be severed bond of, brotherly love, instead of which one is saddened to find that at least in New Zealand, it has engendered a feeling of hate as bitter as it can' ever have been in any country. The liberty of the subject is of the highest importance to tho future of this country, and it seems to mo we are approaching a time when people of all shades of opinion will have to stand together to fight for their freedom or else submit to the domination of those who would by any method rob them of their liberties. Those who believe that the end justifies the means do not care whether the rest of tho people are made worse than slaves. RESULT OP ELECTIONS. There is one other subject—a more pleasant one —on which X would like to say a few words. Wo have been reading in the newspapers and hearing in tho streets of the sweeping victory of tho Reformers and of the crushing defeat of the Liberals. I have no wish, to throw cold water upon the jubilation of Mr Massey ana ms friends, or to belittle the majority they command in the new House of Representatives; but it wall be just as well, in the interests of all parties, to look at the facts disclosed by the polling at the recent election. The figures I' am about to quote were not compiled by myself, but were taken out by an expert from returns obtained direct from the electoral office. Pirst of all let us look at the election cf 4914, the one that ultimately resulted in the formation of tho National Cabinet. On that occasion 515,907 votes were recorded. Of these 213,176 were cast for lieform candidates and 272,431 for Liberal and Labour candidates, but though the Reformers wore in a minority of 28,055 in the votes polled they secured a majority of two iu tlie House. At the recent election 543,667 votes wore recorded, and of these 206.46 1 were cast for Keform candidates, 196,837 for Liberal and Liberal-Labour candidates, 127,021 for official Labour candidates, and 12,315 for Independent candidates. In other words tbo votes cast for supporters of tbo Reform party- showed a decline of 37,015 compared with the figures of 1914, while the votes cast for opponents of the Deform party, not counting the votes cast for Independent candidates with Liberal leanings, showed an increase of 51,130. The majority of Liberal and Labour electors over Reform was 117,400. It need

not bo contended that the Reform vote has shrunk to the extent these figure-s suggest, because we all know it. was part of the tactics of the Reformers when they thought they had no chance of winning to refrain from putting up a candidate of their own and vote for the official Labour candidates they had been denouncing from one end of the country to the other as perils to law and order n"d disloyal to the Empire. I am not finding fault with these tactics, though they do not seem to fulfil the highest ideals of party warfare, but merely mentioning them to explain where part of tho Iteform vote had gone. ITooably the decliailo in tho number of Reform electors was no more than 20,000, the 17,000 odd having used their votes in supporting the “lied Feds” against Liberals. THE PROMISE® ELECTORAL REFORM. ' But be this as it may, with only 266,461 votes available for their own candidates, the Reformers managed to win 44 seats, while, with 136,637’ votes tho Liberals and Lubour-Liberals secured only 22, and with 127,621 votes the official Labourites only eight seats. I am not referring to this matter to remind you of Mr Massey’s unfulfilled promise to give us sometning better than the secoud ballot, which he abolished on coming into office, or to complain of Labour’s action in dividing the progressive forces, which, if united, would have carried, all before them, but simpiy to make it plain to you that the sweeping victory of the Reform party was, if the will of the electors counts ior anything, a very sorry affair indeed, and that the crushing defeat of the Liberals was a very fine popular endorsement of the principles for which they stand. 1 am not going to talk to you about electoral reform just now, but you will see the need for it yourselves, as every fairminded man in 'the country does, no matter, what his party colour may be, and I should think that after the shocking illustration of tho inequity of tho “first past tho ■ post” system we have just had, the Reformers will hesitate to call it to their aid again. In any case, the figures should give progressive people in this country much encouragement. They prove that the great 'majority of the -people in the Dominion are with us in a desire for a resumption of the policy .inspired by Sir George Grey, Mr Ballance, and Mr Seddon, and that on the first opportunity they get to exercise their votes under an equitable system of election they will put in office ft Government pledged to continue the work those great statesmen and humanitarians began. .THIRTY-TWO YBiES' SERVICE.

It was on the twenty-sixth, day of September, 1887, that 1 was first elected your representative in Parliament, and during the period of over 'thirty-two years that have elapsed since that distant date I served tire interests of this electorate faithfully and fairly, and as actively as 1 could. I always have esteemed it'a high honour to represent I Awarua, and the efforts I hpve made to I promote the welfare of . the constituency j and its people have been truly a lauour lof love. This part of* New Zealand, though not my actual birthplace, lias boon the scene of my childhood, n.y youth, my manhood, and my middle age. All the most treasured memories of my life as boy ■ and man, husband end father, are associated with scenes ana places within the limits of this electorate. I 'havo been here a witness, in large measure, of one generation passing lo its rest, and another generation arising and moving forward through vhe years to take its place. It is but natural, therefore, that the length and intimacy of my association with the people of Awarua have produced between myself and them something closer than a political or a merely commercial relationship—something rather of a personal kinship. Over the long period of years during which I have been your member I- have witnessed, with growing pride the progress and development of this district, the dauntless courage and energy with whicli its people met, endured and mastered bad times and built up by the sterling work of their manhood and womanhood the magnificent prosperity the district now enjoys. Not less has mV pride been stirred by the splendid response the flower of tlie young manhood of the electorate made to 'the Empire’s call in its recent titanic struggle for honour, freedom, and existence. A POLITICAL GOOD-BYE. Now I have come among you to wish you a political good-bye. No man with all these dear and crowded memories behind him could go through, such a leavetaking without mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, and I confess that while my heart is filled with pride and thankfulness for the past, I am saddened by the reflection that I am to be your member no longer. It would not be fitting on an occasion of this kind to give any account of my stewardship and I. have no wish to do so. But I should like to say if I have failed to obtain for this electorate ail it deemed its due, it has never been for - want of loyalty to my constituents or for lack of vigilance, eagerness, and effort on their behalf i make no claim to have been an ideal representative, but I feel that even those who cast their votes against me will acknowledge I have consistently striven to do my best. Politically I have achieved success and I havp suffered failures. These I have always felt Awarua shared with me, and it was through the loyalty of you and of those who have gone before you that I was permitted to obtain such place and honours in public life as my record discloses. I have always regarded these distinctions as much Awarua's as my own. As your member, I was some twenty-six years a Minister of tb© Crown, and as the representative of this electorate six years Prime Minister of New Zealand. This leave-taking marks the termination of my political connection with this constituency, which has been so rich to me in undying friendship and affectionate association. How time and mortality have thinned the ranks of that brave band of Liberals I was .privileged to join on my first being returned as your member in 1837. X recall with a pathetic pride my early comradeship with Grey, Ballance Seddon, McKenzie, Cadman, Pitt, and others of that band of strong progressive men who h&v© passed into the- eternal silence, but .whose names will long live honoured in the hearts and memories of the people of this country. I recall scenes, struggles, successes, and failures in which I was associated in years long gone by, and since, with men I was privileged to count not merely as political allies but as close personal friends, and I feel that if public life had brought me no other reward than the memories I have amassed, I should have been richly recompensed for aU my labours in tbo field of ;■ „ T j l ® se memories no reverse in an election contest can take from mo, nor lesson their value and tbeir charm, but they do not lessen, the sense of sadness a man must feel on leaving an arena in which ho has spent the best years of his life ond played ,his part to the very best of his ability. PRECAMOTJSNBSS OP POLITICAL LIFE. Political life in all forms of popular government is of precarious term and nature. Uncertainty is its only constant characteristic, and ho is a poor soldier in that field who, having done hia best and fought honourably, does’ not accept defeat with a manly and uncomplaining submission. So far then as my defeat was due to the fair and recognised chances, changes and rujos of the fight X make no complaint. The struggle itself implies that one sidemust be beaten. But if roy defeat was secured by methods and by misrepresentations that wore the reverse of fairplay, that basclessly aspersed my character as ft public man, then I owe it to myself and to my friends on leaving the field to place my protest on record, dt is the unquestioned right of every doctorate to reject any candidate, whether a political leader dr a .private member, whose policy or political creeds it dis-

likes, whoso qualifications it deems inadequate or whoso industry and it thinks insufficient. It is fair ngn. - ing to get or attempt to get a constituency to. reject a man on any or fUi ° l these grounds. That is strictly a - cordance with the rulos of the game. But it was not in this way that 1 'vias defeated. I was defeated by a sectarian crusade us hitter, active and ganised as it was unscrupulous. As Ir - tish freedom has broadened down Irom ago to ago a maiT.i religion has been 11creasingly regarded' as a matter oi ll * a own private conscience, an intimate alfair of the individual lire- with wnicn the State has no right to interfere. J-i took centuries to produce that spirit 01 religious toleration which- permits a man in England to-day to enter iarluuucnt whatever his' faith may he, and any reversion to the old domination ot 10ligious bigutry in our social and especially in our public lift* would be tho sauciest calamity that .could befall our tree Democracy. . . .. , Wo in New Zealand claim that oul people aro in the van of progress and enlightenment, and that her©,, at leab , no bitter and aggressive religious intolerance poisons our social life or acts as a bar 10 that unity and., harmony between all classes and sects which is tne first essential of true and permanent liberty and iirogress. CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN PERIL. No man in public life is indispensable and rejection, taken by itself, does not, count tor much to the public weal, nut tno influences to which my deteat was due have the profouudest and most poinicious .significance. It means that true civil and ■ religions liberty, guaranteed to tho people py the Constitution give to New Zealand, is in peril, that tho days have returned wnen a man may no punished and banished from the service of the Stale because of ins f alt *V,. fa that a precedent has been ©stablisneo. for bigoted and unscrupulous people to follow. Toleration is the essence ot true liberty, and once that vital principle is impaired or destroyed, tuo i rue civic freedom and liberty must witliei and decay. As I have said, my disappearance from public life is in itself matter of small importance, but that there has arisen and prevails in tint, young country, such a widespread and organised spirit of sectarian intolerance as may drive a man from its service, is a fact which must give to every true lover of freedom and social progress tne gravest and. most anxious concern. I regret it is necessary that I should have 1 to 'tell you of tho bitter and systematic crusade which has been carried on against me not only in this electorate but in every electorate in New Zealand in which my supporters have stood lor election. That crusade has been flagrant notorious, and unashamed, it nas been directed with something akin to fury, even against men of a faith wlucli is not mine. I have here a large bundle of circulars, special newspapers, and. leaflets of which copies were circulated broadcast, both in Awarua and m other parts of New Zealand. If you have perused or care to'poruse them,, you have found or will find that no mean, contemptible, and deliberate falsehood was too base to employ as a means of bringing about my defeat. Mv private character has not been assailed, my capacity as a public man has not been attacked in these publications. It was my faith, and what it was alleged I had done for it, that were urged as reasons for dining me from public life. My loyalty lo mv King and country has in these communications been impugned ; I have been charged with being a traitor to the people X represented in Parliament, and to the land in which all my domestic, social and commercial interests lie! I Have been Reused of spending public moneys in conferring privileges on those'ot my own denomination; of using the public service for religious nepotism; ofentei:n<r into an unlioly and nefarious aliiance with what is called Romanism and Bolshevism, and for these reasons, so falsely ■ and maliciously urged against me, I 3 must be banished from the arena nf Tw^litics 1 Money flowed like water tor tL promotion ol this nefarious campaign and when it had achieved its purpose a gentleman professing to bo ** of our common Christian faith claimed my defeat , as'a victory for such methods. ® PARTING WORDS. But I do not want to make this a. personal matter for myself or against m> detractors. lam content to le»ve riiem to tho judgment of my Jellovy. countymen and to the awakening of their own conscience. It is for tho country lam concerned, for our children and ou: children’s children. In the land of our forefathers men of my persuasion have held some of the highest offices of the State and* their religion, has not been regarded a bar to their elevation; but in Now Zealand, where our ideals have been declared to be the Brotherhood of Man, the harmonious co-operation ot all for the good of the State, we have the condition of affairs I have attempted to depict in the most moderate language 1 can command. I have not spoken in anger, and I trust vvithi no uncharitablenoss, but I would beg you all, not for mv sake, but for the sake of the country, for its credit and well-being, and for its place among the progressive nations to set your faces resolutely against the introduction of religious bigotry into our public life and to strive increasingly to free our political differences from the bitterness and personal rancour that can make only for dissension, inefficiency and failure. I have long enjoyed the hearty conflaenco of the Liberals of this Dominion. They have in the past supported us with an allegiance 1 have greatly prized and warmly reciprocated. To them, and to both those loyal Liberals who have beenelected, and those who have been defeated, I want to offer my most affectionate thanks and sympathy. Though out .oi Parliament I will always retain in my heart for them personally the warmest feelings of sincere regard. I leave public life without bitterness without the least abatement in the love of my country, and with a resolve as firm and willing to serve it as a private citizen as I over had as a member of its councils. In this spirit I ,speak my parting word, and after a long and strenuous life spent in the public service of my country look -with cheerful resignation to a well-earned rest. I thank from my heart all in Awarua who in thopast have given me their support, and I shall, so long as life lasts, have the most .happy remembrances of the trust and confluence that for over thirty-two years they reposed in me. May Awarua. and the beautiful country of which we are all so proud, prosper in every way. Farewell, and may God be with you all! (Loud applause.)