AVON.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 253, 28 November 1914, Page 12

AVON.

MP. G. W. RUSSELL. Last evening Mr G. W. Russell, Libcm! candidate for Avon, addressed a meeting of about sixty electors at Retreat Roa<l, Avonside, Mr McHut.ee, sen., presiding. . At the conclusion of' the meeting the candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

MR H. D. ACLAND'S CANDIDATURE

Mr 11. D. Aclaiwf, Reform candidate f.or Avon, addressed a meeting at Mile Road last evening. Mr Hopkins presided. Mr Acland said he had come before the constituency as a supporter of the Massey Government because he , considered it was a better Government than we had had in New Zealand for very many years, and it warranted another term of office. The aim in New Zealand should be the even distribution of wealth with an equality of opportunity for all. He praised the land policy of the Government, and said its record in regard tp land settlement was very creditable. He compared the amount of land settled by the Massey Government in the past two years with the amount settled by the Liberals in two years, and said the comparison showed that the record of the Massey Government compared more than favourably with the Liberal record. He considered there was a great deal to be done in New Zealand in regard to the settlement of land near the towns and cities. The cutting up of land in the country districts was a matter which required careful attention. He would support any scheme which would allow of the practical difficulties being got over. The Government's legislation in respect to land was of a very liberal character. The Government had amended the Workers' Compensation Act and had extended its scope. Previously the employees of the Crown were excluded from the benefits allowed under the Act. ' Greater benefits had also been given to apprentices. Mr Acland said he would favour extending the scojie of the Act to apply to any diseases peculiar to any particular industry. A man who contracted a disease arising out of his employment was, he con sidered, entitled to compensation. The Government had also impi-oved the Pensions Act in the matter of the age at which people could claim the pension, and in regard to the restrictions appertaining to property. Mr Acland expressed himself in favour of extending the Act to permit of pensioners earning more by working than was the case at present. He explained the improvements that had been made in the Widows' Pensions Act and said the measure met with his hearty approval. Respecting education, Mr Acland said the ideal system was free education from the primary school to the university. Unfortunately financial difficulties interfered with that, but the education system should be as liberal as possible. They wanted the best brains

in the country to run matters, ami that was why he favoured equality of opportunity to all in the matter of education. Tu regard to the Navy, he declared that Mr Allen's policy was the right policy. New Zealand had much to thank Australia for in regard to the defence of the Pacific. On the Bible-in-schools question Mr Ac land said he would favour the referendum. If the principle wore adopted, piovision should be made that no child should be compelled to attend the Bible-reading lessons against the will of its parents. In regard to the licensing question, he favoured the 55 per cent, majority. After answering several questions, the candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks.