MR. WILFORD AT ELTHAM.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15238, 27 November 1919, Page 3

MR. WILFORD AT ELTHAM.

REPLY TO PI&ME MINISTER

> United Press Association.]

Eltiiam, Nov.* 24. Mr. T. M. Wilford had a splendid meeting at Eltham to-night, the audience being large and enthusiastic. The speaker criticised the Reform Government's lack of policy, which he declared »vas in keeping with its failure to carry out its promises of 1911. Ho defended the Liberal secession, which was justified by clauses in the agreement between the parties to the coalition, which could be dissolved at the will of the ;jii: ties. He ridiculed the Government s attempt to prevent land aggregation, suggesting increased income tax, and refusal to register transfers, as the only remedy. He deprecated tlie Pai»liamcntary 'Labour Party's promise to vote with the Liberals on, a no-confi-dence motion, and declared that the Liberal Party would not hold office if it was impossible to do so without the assistance of the Labour Party. The Reform Government claimed credit for having prevented profiteering by means of the Industries Bill, but this was drawn up by the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald. Mr. Massey promised alterations in the incidence of taxation, but gave no indication how an improvement was to be effected. The Liberals proposed an increase in the graduated income tax, increased land tax on large estates, and increased death duties. lie opposed the encouragement of the military spirit by four months' training for youths. He declared that a local navy would be ineffective except at the expenditure ot £'20.000,000 sterling. He supported an increased contribution to the Imperial Navy, and suggested improvements in the arbitration laws to prevent industrial disputes. He criticised Mr. Massoy's failure to amend the electoral laws beyond abolishing the second ballot He advocated the nationalisation of coalmines where payable, and claimed credit for the Liberal Party for any State institutions, which he described as anathema to the Reform Party. He ridiculed the Premier's promise on the occasion of his recent visit to Eltham and emphasised the lack ot policy as exhibited in the speech delivered there. He defended Sir Joseph Ward, sometimes described by his op-

ponents as an impossible financier, pointing to the surplus of £15,000,000 sterling. If Sir Joseph was such an impossible man, why did the Reformers wail on losing him? The National Government only lived on the strength and initiative of the Liberal members of the Cabinet. The future promised to hold great industrial disturbances, and they could only be solved by co-operation between the State, Capital, and Labour. Ho j stressed the necessity .for constructive statesmanship. The meeting concluded wtih a vote of thanks to the speaker and confidence in the Liberal Party, and hearty cheers as an expression of hope for the party s success at the coming poll.