THE CHALMERS SEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16121, 9 July 1914, Page 4

THE CHALMERS SEAT

MR J. T. JOHNvSOX'S CANDIDATURE

Mr J. T. Johnson, a candidate for tho Chalmers scat, addressed :i meeting in tho •Coronation Hall at Mosgiel lust night. There was a good attendance, and the Mayor (Mr A. F. <3uclch) presided. Tho inciting was orderly throughout, tho interjections being low. - Mr Johnson said that in the past ho had contested tho Taiori and Chalmers electorates, of which Mosgiel formed a part. In those contests, although ho had been a Liberal candidate, there had always been another Liberal candidate, put up against him. He 'had always belonged more to the Labour wing of the Liberal Party than to the. Liberals themselves. His reason for coming out on former occasions had been that he considered that the then Liberal policy were not fulfilling the hopes raised under tho regime of Mr Bullanco, Mr Soddon, and all tho giants of the Liberal Party of earlier days. The Liberal policy of those earlier men was merely tho commencement of a Liberal policy, and not a Liberal policy in itself. The politicians of the present day -were only living on the past. During the office of the Liberal Governments on each occasion a little more of philanthropy and a little more of progressive measures were, put, on the. Statute Book. But that was all. Tho shaker had stressed his points, with the result that a great many of the phuiks of his political platform liarl been adopted and put into law. For instance, at the time the speaker advocated enforced military training, Sir Joseph Ward was speaking against it. Now he had put a measure providing for it on the Statute Book. The speaker had pointed out that, in importing immigrants, it should bo ascertained first if tJiero were room for them,' ond the best men should be brought out. People should not. be brought out to flood tho liabour markets and keep down wages. This had come to be more and more the policy of both parties to-day. Tho opinion of the speaker, as expressed before, these reforms came into operation, had had an influence, and for I hat reason ho felt justified in coming forward again to contest the Chalmers seat. Throughout the latter part of tho Liberal Party's existence on the Treasury benches, many opportunities came to them for progressive Liberal legislation. When the Bank of New Zealand was almost on the point of failure it was a great opportunity for the establishment of a Wtate bank. ' But the bank was practically re-established as a private bank, and tho opportunity was lost. The speaker dealt with the subject of State banking, and claimed that the system of advances to settlers, workers, and local bodies, if operated in connection with a State bank, would have saved Governments from being, as they bad been, really agents for outside money lenders. He spoke briefly on tho taxation of land, and advocated a disruptive tax, as distinct from the graduated, which was merely a revenue tax. He had considered the position as between tho Liberal and the Keform Parties. It seemed that the Liberal Party had not advanced ae rapidlv as it should have done. The policy they wore supporting had been really a Conservative, and not a Liberal policy at all. Throughout their political campaign they had always pointed to £0 years back, and made statements as to what the Conservative Party would have done on certain occasions then if they were in power. But in order to get an actual gauge of the position there was only one way, and that was to eeo tho present Liberal Party get out and the Conservatives get in. The Conservative Party to-day was "as Liberal in many respects as the Liberal Party. Therefore, in order to justify themselves, the Liberals must go forward with a far mora progressive policy than they had advocated in tho immediate past. The Liberal Party and the Labour Party (to which tho speaker belonged) would have to advance, very much indoed.

Dealing with naval matters, the speaker said that this question should be non-party. There was something like £2,000,000,000 in British investments abroad. Tho result was a huge stream of wealth into Britain. British trade was also vast. The cost of the British navy mas something like 3 per cent, on that vast value of wealth, and rcially amounted to an insurance fund, Tho navy was not maintained by Britain, but by a small percentage of a trade that laid the whole world under tribute. Now Zealand could never reach a corresponding position. But she could devote a certain proportion to naval defence as her trade inoreased. Abo, sho could attend to her coast defences and 6eo that a force of torpedo boats, submarines, etc., was maintained, so as to make it difficult for any second-class Power to take her, in the event of the British fleet being engaged elsewhere. Speaking on industrial matters, Mr Johneon said that tho Arbitration Court should have jurisdiction over all strikes, whether of employees or employers. If a company, to meet a rise in wages, which meant an extra cost of id per lb in the cost of production, put Id per lb on to the articles produced, and so added id a lb on to their profits, their action should be regarded in the light of a strike, and the court should have, jurisdiction over them.

Dealing with his candidature. Mr Johnson said that ho eime there, not for a political speech primarily, but to form committees and take preparatory steps in liis campaign. Ho had always hitherto stood as an Independent. Ho did not think he had ever asked anyone to vote for him. As this election had approached, ono of tho Liberal members oama to his house and, after a conversation, pointed out that it would be to his advantage and to the advantage of the Liberal Party if he wore to fight the Chalmers seat as a Liberal candidate. 'Thero mas no qaieetion -as to whether he should como in and contest it with other candidates. That side of the matter was never raised at o.l]. " It was put to me," said Mr Johnson. " that tho party desired my presence, and that, if I camo forward as a Liberal oandidato it would bo fetter for me, and would save the splitting of votes. I said that I would always 6ooncr have fouirht within tho party's lines than outside. This timo I was approached, and urged to run for Chialmerß in tho Liberal interests. As soon as I consented another Liberal candidate camo on tho field. In connection with that, this member told me ho worn Id interview Sir Josopih Ward, and ho did so. I aisked him after tho interview. ' Am I the accepted Liberal Ho said 'Certainly !' I went on tho train and spoke to Sir Joseph Ward. I did not, after what I had heard, ask him if I were the accepted Liberal candidate. I answered I was, and epoke to him on that assumption. Sir Joseph Ward introduced me to his supporters. Some said they would support me, others said nothing. I went to a meeting at Dunedin, where Mr Russell was on the platform, in the Garrison Hall. I was invited on to the platform. Mr Russell said to mo: 'I read your speech at Mosgiel, and 1 said that we must have you with us; and 1 was pleased to see, at the last caucus meeting, that your name was down as the accepted candidate for Chalmers.' That is what Mr Russell said. Now 1 am told that it lies between Mr Moller and myself. Sir Joseph Ward said that as two candidates were out he would leavo it to the electors. It is a matter of indifference to me. I didn't ask it in the first instance. I never asked for anything, and anything that is given to me is given without asking. If they want it they can keep it. There may be a misunderstanding, and if so it won't injure Mr Moller, and if it injures me it will injure others to a far greater extent. I don't think it wise to make a speech over it, with the parties as they are at present. Tho beet thing is for Mr Moller and mo each to organiso tho?e who consider each the best candidate of the two. Amongst us we will find a way out of tho difficulty without fighting the election—a course which would bo useless to us and to we Liberal Party. The main thing is to be sound on a Liberal policy and adopt that procedure that will assure that the best measures will reach the Statute Book. We want to find out which is the best oandidato to choose and which is the best, way out of tho difficulty. I have known Mr Moller personally for a large number of years, and I know him to be a thorough gentleman. He is a man, every inch of him. What he is as a politician I don't know. But ho is a straightforward, honourably-dealing man, and whichever candidate is chosen you will be well represented. I understand that Mr Moller offered his services to Mr Massey as a Reform candidate for Chalmers." A Voice : Never ! Mr Johnson : I understand that Mr Clark was to get up tc the unveiling of the Scott memorial at Port Chalmers and decide f ho wore to be tho Reform candidate for Chalmers or not. If Mr Clark had not been the Reform candidate, another candidate would have been selected, and I believe that Mr Moller would have been that candidate. On tliat day Mr Clark accepted the position as Reform candidate, on the stipulation that ho should not bo announced in that capacity till Parliament was over. That is rumour, of course. On Mr Clark becoming the Reform candidate, I understand that Mr Moller's committee waited on Sir Joseph Ward and told him that tho committee would not support me at any price, and that : f I were chosen as the Liberal candidate they would vote Reform. Sir Joseph's way out was to leavo it entirely to tho electors to decide, who .was to be tho candidate. I might bo wrong, bocanse in these things you can't always get the matter as it is. Sometimes peoplo will go out of their way to mislead you. But, as

fur as I know, that is the position. If it is wrong wo can correct it, later on. M>' .MoUcr and liis friends luivo plenty uf time to answer it Ix'furv the election, and if it h wrong 1 have jio doubt that they will coirwt if.

This concluded. Mr Johnson's address, and questions wore called for.

Mr J. Wright, in the audience, on lieing granted his request to explain the matter, declared that, Sir Joseph Ward had explained on the railway station at Dunedin, that he had not given his word to support anyone 1 . It was tho business of no one else. It wius Sir Joseph W«rd who was supposed to give his word direct as lo who should, bo the candidate.

Another member cf the audience, who said, that he had been a member of a committee to which Mr Johnson had said he had been introduced as a candidate by Sir Joseph Ward, denied the statement. Mr Johnson, in turn, denied having made, it. He had been introduced, he *aid, to tho Liberal supporters, and ho li-ad token that, introduction to mean that be was selected as the Liberal candidate. Two of tho more prominent members of the committee told him that, ho was selected as a candidate, and lie then believed that he was. lie understood that he was selected from the remarks of a member of Parliament, who was one of Sir Joseph Ward's strongest supporters. Wlhu the speaker asked, ihis gentleman directly, the latter replied, "Yes, certainly." A Voice: Mr Slidey ! Mr Johnson: I will mention no names. Another member of tho audience: Thcro was a rumour at the time, that Mr Johnson was to Im; the candidate, but Sir Joseph Ward announced that it was not settled,. Mr Johnson: Then why all this introduction? Why these negotiations if I am not to lie a, nominee? Anyone cm stand as an ordinary, unaccepted Liberal candidate! In reply to questions, M'r Johnson said that lie woidd favour the second ballot unless some better wav could be arranged for sorting out the candidates for the final run. He had. always opposed the Bible in the schools. Where there could be a system of moral teaching from the Bible, that ■would not offend the susceptibilities of sectarian people, he would adopt it. But he had not'vet seen such a system, and. till ho did,, lie must be an opponent of tho Bible in the schools.

At the conclusion, Mr A. Wickland moved, and Mr J. Wright seooi)de«i—" That this mooting accords a vote of thanks to Mr Johnson, and will allow any vote of confidence to wait over till it has heard other candidates.

Mr E. Currio moved as an amendment, and Mr T. Mitchell seconded —"That this meeting accords a vote of thanks to and, confidence in Mr Johnson."

The amendment was carried on a show of hands, very few voting.