OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 61

OPPOSITION CA MPAIGN.

MR HERRIES AT HOKITIKA. „ HOKITIKA, May 12. Mr W. H. Hemes, M.P., delivered'* I political address in the Princess Theatre I to-night to a fair attendance. The Mayor 1 presided. In the course of his speech MV I Hemes compared the personnel of the I present Government with the original I members of the Liberal Government, and I showed how a deterioration had taken I place in personnel and policy. He com* mented on the vacillations of the policy, '* of the present Government, showing they had no fixed ideas. He dwelt atfl some length on the financial aspect,; pointing out that though borrowing was I necessary, a great waste was taking place-" I in connection with the expenditure of ■ public money. He commented adversely, I on the. flotation of the five million loan, I and criticised the financial operations of I Sir J. G. Ward generally. Referring td I the policy of the Opposition, he described I the land policy which they would adoptf * on the same lines as Mr Massey and othetf I Opposition speakers. He dealt with thtf I proposed Native land policy of the Op* I position party, the essence of which was •'■■' the individualisation of the titles of each* Native by area- He next dwelt upon the I necessity of a change in the appointments I to the Upper House, which he contendeoj should be elected on the same franchise as - the Lower House. He pointed out the danger to the democracy of the power at" I present exercised by the leader of the, I Upper House, who did not represent the) - people at all. Dealing with local govern? ment, he said the Government was afraid to bring down a Local Government I Bill giving the local bodies an assured I finance, and doing away with the sent pernicious system of grants on Public Works Estimates. He severely- g commented on the mining policy of the present Government, showing that though I the House was Liberal in its votes, espegw ally in regard to prospecting, the Mitt*' ister would not expend to any extend what the House voted. He compared the. action of the various-State Governments in Australia in mining expenditure witty that of New Zealand, showing how much more was done ' over there in comparison with the Dominion. He briefly dealt with the labour and other social questions, de-: daring himself to be in favour of the Arbitration Court, and against any inter-: ference by Parliament with its work, and condemning the pin-pricking policy which was adopted by the department in bring-' ing petty prosecutions against employers".: I Mr Herries spoke for two hours, and was accorded a vote of thanks, which wag. carried by acclamation.