MR G. J. ANDERSON’S SPEECH

Otago Witness, Issue 3167, 25 November 1914, Page 5

MR G. J. ANDERSON’S SPEECH

THE MATALT'vA SEAT. Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P., a candidate for Mataura, addressed a largo audience m the Princess Theatre at Gore on Tuesday, 17th inst. The Mayor (Mr Duncan M arlane) presided, and the speaker was given a good hearing throughout, being irequently applauded. ... 1 Mr Anderson, who. on rising to spea-c, was greeted with applause, said that he was there for the third time to ask the people for their suffrages. Six years ago he had been elected to Parliament. I he had, m that time, pleased' his constituents, no doubt they would return him. If not, he expected to ho sent to the right-about Having referred to the war and spoken feelingly of the death of Lord Roberts, Mr Anderson proceeded to speak of the naval policy, which, he said, had been exercising the minds of the people # of the countiy. A considerable amount of interest had been taken in the last few years in the Imperial Navy and New Zealand’s connect,on with it. There had been the gift of the Dreadnought, and then there had been an agreement made bv the then Minister of Defence (Sir Joseph Ward), that the Admiralty should place on our coasts two Bristol cruisers, three submarines, and two destroyers. That agreement was not carried out, and for various reasons, which were explained to the Hon. J. Allen when he was at Home in 1913. On that occasion Mr Allen urged the Imperial authorities to carry out the agreement! but Mr Church’ll would not do so. Mr Allen offered another £50,001 a year if it were carried out, but without avail, the authorities stating that they could not spare the ships Mr Al.en was advised to do as Australia, and allow New Zealand to protect herself to the best of her ability. He proposed to take the £150,000 for a bearinning, to build a Bristol cruiser for £400,000. man it with our own mem as t*hey bocamo qualified, and uee it on our coast for our own defence. In time of war it would go over automatically, and become a unit of the Imperial Navy. Mr Allen’s proposal was still before the country, and the speaker, if returned, would support it, for the reason that Mr Alien had been informed by the Home Government that the British taxpayer was willing to defend the shores of the Homeland, and was prepared to pay for all the' warships necessary for the purpose, and anything New Zealand added by way of subsidy added nothing to the number of warships put into the British Navy. But if New Zealand added only one Britsol cruiser to the fighting force, she would add one unit to the Imeprial Navy. It could be done without taxing thg people any more; and without spending nearly so much as was proposed by Sir Joseph Ward when lie proposed that every person in the British Empire should be taxed 10s a head. . Complaints had been made of the holding of the elections while the country was at war. The reason was plain. The party in power was not a party that desired to hang on to office by tooth and claw, as other parties had done. They were willing to go before the people and say—“Do you think we are worthy of continued confidence, or do you not.” The Leader of the Opposition made a suggestion that the elections should be postponed, and the Government Party took it seriously, as they thought ho meant it. After consideration they decided that it might be better if the elections were put off for 12 months; if not, they wanted them held now. But when the Prime Minister and two colleagues met the Leader of the Opposition and two colleagues, the latter said that they wanted the elections postponed till March, and, if at that time there were not a lull in the war, they must be postponed for another three months. The Government Party maintained that this was absurd, and that, while prepared to hold the elections now, they wore willing to hold them over for 12 months, to see if the war would then bo over. Their course was the proper one, for no Government had any right to extend its political life unless it consulted the people. The Government bad not justly entailed the criticism that it had not carried out its policy. There were only two important questions of its platform that had not been passed into law. The Government had put on the Statute Book its legislation regarding the land—the freehold, leases in perpetuity, and lands for settlement. It had amended the industrial and the defence legislation, and had made the Legislative Council a democratic institution, whereas before it was conservative, and was largely in the hands of the leader of the Lower House. The Government had placed the civil service on a bettor footing, amended the Education Act, put Native affairs on a better footing, grappled with the finance (and the present condition of New Zealand showed that they had been successful), improved the workers’ homes system, amended and extended the pensions system, and amended and improved the graduated land tax and the income tax. The Government had done all it said it would do, except providing for insurance against unemployment and local government. No Government in New Zealand had ever done so much for the working man as the Massey Government bad in such a short space of time. The provision for workers’ homes was put on the Statute Book by Mr Seddon in 1905. It lingered on for six years after his death, and 205 homos were built. Since the present Government came in over 300 homes had been built. So that in this direction the present Government had done as much in two years and a-quartor as its opponents did in six years. The Workers’ Compensation Act had also been very much improved. The Post Office Savings Bank interest had been put up, though the speaker took no notice of this, as it had to bo done owing to the stringency of the money market. The salaries of railway employees had been increased, and the first division had had justice done it for the first time, while the second division also had a large sum added to the salaries. True, much of this was promised by Mr Myers, but it was carried out by the Masscv Government, and additions were made where necessary. The police had had their wages raised and their conditions improved, and the post and telegraph employees had also increased salaries. The public service had been put under a board and completely freed from political influence, and all children, of whatever parentage, who passed the examinations had equal chances in the service. For the first time in many years men who were not supporters of the party in power wore appointed to minor positions in the public service. The employees in the Government Printing Office were now working under more rational conditions than heretofore.

The Government had been accused of having had more strikes during its life than there had been before. But any strikes during its term occurred under the legislation of the previous Government, and under conditions that existed when they came into office. Now there was the Labour Disputes Investigation Bill, whicli provided that a secret ballot should be taken before a strike took place. This form of ballot had been described by Mr J. A. Millar as “the missing link in our labour legislation.” This legislation had done good to the country, for there had been a remarkable freedom from strikes since it was put on the Statute Book. The minimum wage for married Government workers had been raised to £l4O, and that was just and proper. A veterans’ pension of £36 a year had been granted. When the Government came into office tho widows’ pension was limited to £3O a year. This had been altered, and £6 a year was paid for every child a widow had, with the minimum that existed under the old Act. A woman with a large family had a right to be kept and assisted in every possibleway, and tho Government had seen to this. Certain concessions had also been made to widows in respect to taxation on the property left them. Crown defence in cfio courts of justice for the poor had been provided. By the Aged and Infirm Persons’ Protection Act provision was made that enabled any old, infirm, or incapable person to be protected, and have trustees to look after his estate. Means had been provided by which the day of rest was secured to hotel waiters, cooks, etc., in the cities. This was a fine record for two yearn and a-half of office. With regard to the action of the Government on the outbreak of war, the first thing they did was to pass through the House a Bill protecting those who had mortgages, so that they could not be called up without some sort of appeal. Indeed, in legislation passed in tho early part of the session, and before war was thought of, a clause was put into tho Banking Bill enabling the Govcrnor-in-Council, whenever ha thought fit, to make bank notes legal tender. The Government set up a Foods Commission, about which much had been said that was unjust. It was found that the usual practice of taking the agricultural statistics of the country had been dropped, and it was difficult to find how much cereal there was in the country. The only thing to do was to take evidence, and the Government took the precaution of prohibiting tho export of cereals, but it was found that there was plenty of oats in the country, and that was removed. The commission found that there was not sufficient wheat in the country to carry us through tiil tho next harvest. Before that Mr Massey had cabled to Australia and given an order for 250,000 bushels of wheat. Unfortunately, before it could be put on the ships the Federal Government forbade the export of tho wheat, and Mr Massey got only 45,000 bushels. But by cabling to India and Canada he had £ot 500,000 bushels, which would see the country through. Tho fact of there not being enough wheat to see us through till next harvest would have raised tho prices of flour and bread anyway, war or no war. Criticism had been levelled at tho State Fire Insurance Department, but in 1913 the profits showed a large increase, and for the two years in which the Government was in office tho profits amounted to £38,331. The Public Trust Office was also criticised, but during the term of the Government the business had gone up greatly, a fact which did not show want of confidence on the part of the public in the institution oi the Government. The profits of the institution had gone up from £25,000 in 1912 to £29,000 at the end of the last financial year. Tho Government had been accused of not having carried out its pledge to reduce borrowing. But, after examining the matter, the speaker had come to the conclusion that it was utterly impossible to do so. Instead of a reduction in borrowing there would be an increase, and it did not matter whether the present Government or any other were in power; as long as money could bo got to develop tho country, the increase would go on. Again, as long as we demanded all tho privileges we did, it would be impossible to reduce the expenditure of departments. During the currency of tho Government it had borrowed £9.496,000, up till March last. Of that sum Mr Myera had borrowed a considerable amount. On March 31 tho gross debt of the country was £99,000,000. but with that were sinking funds and a redemption loan. The loans falling due next month had been guaranteed by the Home Government. Authorities had been obtained for loans of £12,750,000, but the whole amount was not to bo borrowed during the coming year. Tho Government was pledged to borrow £3,200,000 to improve tho railways, at the rate of not more than £750,000 a year. Authority had been taken to borrow £2,000.000 for public works and one m'llion for back-block roads, at tho rate of £260,000 a year. The war loan had been guaranteed by tho Mother Country. There were the usual statutory loans for advances to settlers, and authority had been taken because it was considered right that a Government should always see ways and moans for the works it had to undertake. It was true that the increase in tho revenue last year was not so groat as in some former years. But there were the ‘■trike, and the smallpox, an addition made to tho Superannuation Fund to be considered, and the result was that the receipts fell. Tho Government had boon accused of not having helped tho settlor. But in 1912-13 the Government authorised £749,000, and paid out £850.000; in the same year in the workers’ branch they authorised £397.000, and paid £449,000. In 1913-14. £932,000 was authorised in tho settlers’ branch, and £973,000 was paid out. In 1912-13, £415.000 was authorised for local authorities and £639,000 was paid out. Generally, the Government had so far improved the finances that it could sec daylight till March 31 next. The Government had boon accused of putting up tho taxation, and it was said that the” Customs taxes had increased. That was not correct. In 1911-12 the taxation through the Customs was £3 6s 7d pelhead ; last year it was £3 6s Id. It was true that the taxes on large estates had increased, and the graduated tax, especially over £30,000, had gone up. The income tax had also increased. For tho first time cognisance was taken of the fact that the taxpayer had children, and he was allowed un to a limited amount on that account. The Public Works Fund was in a sound position. The Government had been accused of not spending the whole of the money granted for public works in one year. But it hud been tho custom from time immemorial for tho whole of the money not to be spent, and, if the Liberals returned to power, they

would not spend it all. Yet, the Leader of the Opposition had accused the Government of this at Winton. He was simply throwing dust in the eyes of the public. In 191213 the Government spent £468,000 for roads, and in 1913-14 £493,000, a total of somewhere in the vicinity of £950,000. In the two years before the Government came into office their predecessors spent £874,000. The Government had spent £419,000 for opening up new country and back-blocks. It was said that those for whom the freehold clauses of the land legislation were intended for had not taken advantage of it. But the purchasers for cash under the freehold clauses were 977, from the commencement of the Act till September 30, 1914, and it had only been in force about a year and nine months. On deferred payments 308 had purchased, and there were other applications being considered. The graduated land tax was having a marked effect on large estates. Again, during the term of six years prior to the coming into office of the Massey Government, the Ward Government hud £2,500,000 to buy estates with, and had left over a sum of £676,000. During its two years the present Government had had £1,000,000, and had expended all but £II,OOO. Outlining the policy which ho intended to follow, Mr Anderson said he agreed with the Government’s programme, but there were some things he wished to have a free hand upon. He wished to bo largely free on these matters, and he did not wish to be accused of breaking a pledge in connection with them. He believed it impossible to reduce the volume of taxation in the country. As long as there was a, demand for comforts and all sorts of conveniences, these must be paid for. But there could be a readjustment of many of the items carrying duty. There were certain things used by everyone, and these should be free. Corrugated iron, linoleum, children’s boots—these were cases in point. But a tax must be put on something else to get back the money. He would like a reduction in the tax on tobacco. He thought it was reasonable to get back money lost in these remissions by a tax on motor cars and accessories. For every £1 value of a motor cycle, 10s came into the country free, and with ordinary bicycles 40s came in free for every £1 value. But with motor cai-s 95s came in free for every £1 dutiable. This was inequitable. There was 30 per cent, charged on perambulators, and this should be lowered. It would be a fair thing to increase the duty on the brewers. There should be such taxation on the brewers as would be equivalent to an extra 3d on beer, and that would give £122,000 a year; but he did not want the extra tax to reach the publicans and the public. On this item enough could be raised to cover a lot of losses on other items. He wanted a free hand in connection with The graduated land tax. The proper way to subdivide large estates was not, he thought, to purchase them, but to put on such a tax as would subdivide them. The land should bo classified, and this tax should be put on first-class land, which could be occupied in close areas. He wanted the first-class land subdivided, and kept subdivided. Owing to the high prices of land in parts, the graduated tax should start at a higher level than £SOOO, since some comparatively small areas in certain parts had a higher value than that sum. As long as there were endowment lands, and they were leased, the tenant should bo made secure in all his improvements. The clearing of land should be regarded as a permanent improvement. He wished to give the leaseholders of endowment and pastoral lands of all kinds full value for improvements. Settlers should be induced to improve their leaseholds. Something should be done for farm hands wishing to become owners of land. Special provision should be made for them in the ballots, and they should be looked after when they had their lands. In land being valued for taxation the owner should get full value for improvements. As for local government, the speaker did not approve altogether of the board of works suggested by the present Government. He believed the better system was to subsidise local bodies. They knew where to spend money better than anyone else. He would subsidise rates according to the size of the rate levied and the condition of development of the local body. Ho favoured) co-operative and agricultural banks He advocated small holdings in the vicinity of towns, and the present Government had established in the country workers’ homes on areas of from five to 20 acres. He favoured the establishment of a board of commerce, to see that the savings through the Customs went in the right direction, and he also favoured the regulation of prices and the keeping of a check on large corporations. With regard to educational matters, an endeavour should be made to increase the number of experts to deal with agriculture. During the last few months the Empire had captured several islands in the Pacific where phosphates were to be found, and the Government should obtain one of these in the interests of the farmers of the Dominion. In the cities and larger towns the same state of affairs was commencing as existed in the older civilisations —an adequate wage was not paid to the women and girls in the factories and shops. He wanted to see those girls obtain an adequate wage, and he thought it could be done through the Arbitration Court, but, if not, it should be seen to by another body. People might call it merely a fad, but he would say that he had no time for party government. It was a curse and meant waste of time and energy. The speaker was only one of several, on both sides of the House, who, if returned, would try to impress on the people that it was time a different state of affairs existed. First, proportional representation was wanted, and then, when all phases of thought wore represented, that might bo brought about. The speaker would work for both ends. He was in favour of military training, and would support the proposals of the Government in regard to the navy. He favoured the referendum, and the Nelson system of Bible-in-schools. In conclusion, the speaker said that the great question was: Who should govern the country? Failing the elective executive, it was necessary to elect one sot of men. The Government, in its period of two years and three months, had done remarkably well, and was entitled to another term. To-day there was practically no unemployment. The speaker was asked and answered a very large number of questions, in the course of which in answer to queries from the Dunedin Land Values League, ho said that ho did not think the present high cost of living could bo reduced as modern civilisation demanded as necessities what formerly wore considered luxuries. Ho would not confine a war tax solely to land and incomes, if it should be necessary to raise

one. On being asked if he were aware that the Prime Minister and certain of his colleagues held 2000 shares in the Huntly mine, he replied that he know nothing about it. In reply to a question as to whether ho was in favour of national prohibition, Government control, or the Gothenburg system, he said: ‘‘l think we are getting on very well under the present system.” Mr T. Green moved, and Mr T. Sim seconded, the following motion: —“That this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Anderson for his very able address, and has perfect confidence in him as member for Mataura, and also in the Government which he represents.” The motion was carried on the voices.