HON. R. McKENZIE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 302, 16 May 1911, Page 8

HON. R. McKENZIE.

EEPLY TO CRITICS. Ohakune, May 13. The Hon. R. Mckenzie, accompanied by Air. \V. T. Jennings, M.l'., arrived at Taiiniarumii on Thursday night, after travelling from Taranaki via the Whangamomona and Ohu'ra districts. In the evening the Minister and Mr. Jennings addressed a large public meeting in the theatre. The Mayor occupied the chair, and in introducing the .Minister and the member, stated that Taumarunui and district were among the strongest* supporters of the Liberal Government. Less than five years ago Taumarunui had a population of about two hundred. Now there were twelve hundred Europeans in the town. Mr. Jennings congratulated the Mayor and residents on the splendid progress made by the town and district, which was an effective answer to statements made by representative members of the Opposition as to the non-progressive character of the Government so far as land settlement was concerned. The advance of settlement in the Ohura district, where there are now sixteen hundred people, whereas at the election eight years ago there were only twelve votes recorded in the district, was anI other instance of what was going on. Mr. Jennings dealt with the subjects of native lands and native township legislation, and also the prosecution of road and bridge construction works m 1 newly-settled districts. He instanced the roading of the Tangitu and Arawata settlements, where over one hundred settlers and their families were located, i which had all been done within fifteen months. Mr. Jennings' remarks about the Stratford-Ongarue railway were received with great enthusiasm.

The Hon. Mr. McKenzie was cordially received. He described the recent address delivered by Mr. J. Allen, M.P., at a tirade of misrepresentation and abuse. The whole political stock-in-trade of the Opposition consisted of misrepresentation and distortion. They had recently been working overtime manufacturing deceptions with which to hoodwink the electors. He dealt at considerable length with the necessity for moderate borrowing for constructing urgently required works to develop the latent resources of a young country. The Opposition had accused the Government of excessive borrowing and reckless expenditure, and at the same time clamoring for unreasonable expenditure in their own electorates. What railway, he asked, did they want to stop? What district did they want to leave without roads t The Liberal party had Vorlsed strenucisly to provi le urgently required roads, tracks, bridgs and other facilities to-- settlers. Mr. Allen had said the Go crnment was at its wits' end for mcv'i'y and could not carrv on its lands f' r settlement policy. The Minister an wered this statement by calling attenti>-i to the fact that the Government hi three millions in the bank at the end of this financial year. The Opposition asserted that the Government had increased taxation, but the speaker quoted the great reductions made in Customs taxation. What the Opposition objected to, and fought strongly against, was the alteration in the incidence of taxation such as the graduated land and income tax, under which the wealth of the country contributed its fair share of taxation and gave relief to the poorer classes. Mr. Allen had characterised the Land Settlement Finance Act as a temporary palliative which might do well until the Opposition got into power, in which case, the

Minister *nid. the country was safe, as this excellent measure would continue. The Minister dealt at length with public works, land values, and several other matters, and concluded amid applause. At the conclusion of his address a hearty vote of thanks to the Minister and the member for the district, and continued confidence in the Government, moved by Mr. Loane, and seconded bv the Rev. Mr. Ward, was carried unanimously with acclamation.