POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 293, 14 May 1914, Page 7

POLITICAL.

MR J. B. lIINE, M.P., AT STKATI'ORI). A LIVELY MEETING. Tho Town Hall was well filled oil Tuesday evening when Mr .T. 13. [line, the member for the district, gave a prcsessional address to his constituents. His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. P. Kirkwood, presided, and formally introduced the speaker. Mr Hine, who was cordially received, said lie was pleased to address such a large gathering, and according to his usual custom, he would give an account of his stewardship during the last session. Ho pointed out that as his party had only been a short time in office they had not had time yet to carry out their programme, the good work o£ which would take, some years to develop. THE FLYING SQUADRON.

It was necessary, he said, to touch

on the flippancies and antics o! the speakers representing the Opposition, who had recently been addressing TarnInaki audiences. What he would tell •was the truth—the whole truth. (Ironical cheers.) No policy was mentioned by those speakers, who had confined themselves' to criticising the errors of the Government. He admitted that errors had been made. Referring to their comments on the James letter, the speaker said he dissociated himself from the tactics adopted by James, but lie pointed out that Mr Wilford had fallen into the same error when at Stratford by asking for three cheers for the Liberal party, in order that it might be telegraphed to Wellington. The truth about the fisli story was tha;t the lakes at Rotorua and Taupo "were teeming with trout, and it was desirable to make the fish healthy by providing them with their natural food. Mr Wilford, who was an ardent angler, had advocated something being done to improve the fish, either by getting rid of a large number or providing food for them. Shrimps were natural food for trout, and Mr Wilford must have guaged the intelligence of the people of Stratford at a very low degree if lie thought they would swallow the sort of story he told. In 1907 Sir Joseph Ward had done a similar thing, but it was not cavilled at by the then Opposltion, for he sent Mr Heysman to Can-

Ada to obtain a supply of herring ova. Unfortunately the shipment was a failure, 80 per cent of the ova being dead on arrival, and the remainder failing to hatch out, thus the expense was a dead loss to the country. The Reformers, however, regarded matters of that kind in a sensible way.. Sir Joseph Ward had been guided by the advice of the head of the department, and Mr Wilford should have known better than to bring such a fishy tale to Stratford. Then, said the speaker, as to Royd Garlick. (A voice: That's the man we want.) "In all probability lie will come to Stratford in connection with physical culture, and he is well worth looking at." Continuing, Mr Hine said the Commission to enquire into Garliek's appointment was composed of four Opposition members, six Government, and one independent, Mr Millar, who was chairman. The report found' that Mr Wilford's statements had not 'been supported by evidence; that the salary was not excessive, but they considered, without. reflecting on the Government, that applications for the position should have been invited in the usual way. That was the. unanimous opinion. lie admitted that he was not at all taken with the physical education scheme anil its cost. Tt was good for the towns but not for the country districts, where football and other recreations were far better for young people. These, said the speaker, were the onlv three things (hat Mr Wilford hail brought forward to warrant a change of Government. (A voice: What about the State Fire Insurance?) Mr Wilfonl said he had always voted for State securities for borrowed money being insured in the State Fire office. The point was that the Ward Government had provided a loophole of escape by means of a regulation over-riding the 1 Act, and the Reform Government merely reverted to the Act. That was the last charge brought by Mr Wilford. INCOME TAX REMISSION. Mr Hine claimed that lie was >;ot held to his party, but was free to vote according to his convictions. He had opposed Mr Allen's income tax concession on incomes of .t'4oo in cases where ' a man had four children, on the ground that it was the man earning £2 a week who wanted the careful consideration of the State far before the men earning £3OO a year. (Applause.) Mr Forbes had held up this income tax measure as iniquitous, yet had voted for the Bill. (A voice: Good on him!) Mr Isitt had also held up the concession as iniquitous as it was not a concession to the poor man, yet he also voted for the Bill. lie (the speaker) had'called for a division, but only six members followed him into the lobby. The point was this: If there was to be a remission of any sort the whole population should receive the benelit —the rich and poor alike. (A voice: Up to what limit?) Mr Hine: That all depends on what they eat and wear. He favored cheapening' the necessaries of life. Those Oppositionists who had been touring roiiwl called themselves the "Flying Squadron," but lie .suggested that one of the hitters should be left out. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY.

Referring to -the Government's iiolicy, Mr ITine said a vital change had beei\ made liy the Government in the land laws of New Zealand, lint nothing had been said aliont that by the Flying Squadron. They had heard all about the graduated land tax, but nothing almut the gift of the freehold. Year in and year out he had heard it saiil (hat the Maswv Government was run by the large landholders. "Am I a largo landholder?'' enquired the speaker. (A voice: You belong' to the wrong party!) It was asserted that land aggregation, especially in Maori lands, was going on. -Iml, said the speaker, under whose policy? (A voice: Ward's!) Of course, replied Mr lline, for Mr Masley's land policy did not come into force until 31st March la-f. Land aggregation was, he contended, the result of the policy of Sir Joseph Ward's party. For 21 years that party had the op|x>r(unity to block aggregation and failed, they now cried out against the aggregation which they said was now going on, but Mr Massey's legislation would stop aggregation. The Guvemnient had increased the graduated land tax. It had been said that the income on a £40,001) estate -was only £l2 A vear. That might be a pallrv amount vet it was .CI2 more than the Ward Government had imposed. Tile process was what is known as steps and stairs, and the Massey Government had brought in a more equitable system, whereby the ratio increased as Hie valuation increased, and if the valuation was only £1 above the £-10.(1(10 the lux was increased by 25 per cent. Tlie maximum had been reduced from .110,000 to £30.000. It was true that

in some cases Hit; change was scarcely perceptible, but the total increase of the tax last year amounted to £46,000, though Mr Wilford <li(l not mention this fact. Mr Isitt had Said in the House that he was compelled to vote for the "wretched measure," though he detested it as being a Tory Bill, iMr Wilford had said that every member on his side should vote for it because it increased the graduated land tax; Mr Forbes also voted for it. It was evidence that the only objection the Liberals had to the measure was that it emanated from the Massey Government, and therefore detested it. He claimed that there were more advanced men on the Reform 3ide than 011 the other side. (Cries of dissoiit.) "At all events," he added, "we have the reins of office, and the public are behind the Government, and if they do what is not approved they can be turned out." ■Replying to Mr. Massey's Land Act, tkc speaker said it was only an amending Act to improve the land laws, and he claimed that since the Government.

had been in office 3938 persons had been settk'tl on the land. Mr. Massey's land laws did not stand by themselves, and it was absurd to expect that they would. Nearly half a million ha<l 'been spent by the Government in buying estates, and that was a record the Liberals could not claim. After the present Government had been in office for 21 years it would be fair to make a comparison between their record and that of their predecessors -for a similar period. Mr. Hine then quoted fronj a recent speech of Mr. Massey's giving the number of acres opened up for settlement, and contended that the whole policy of the Government was "settlement, more settlement, and still more settlement." NOTHING TO HIDE.

Referring to Mr. Forbes' statement at Toko relative to the secret valuation roll, the speaker said that the inference was that there was something to hide. As a .matter of fact, that roll was insti-

tuted by the Ward or Seddon Government for, the purpose of giving the Government the opportunity . of buying large estates on the basis of the owner's valuation plus ten per cent, but Mr. Forbes implied, that Mr. Massey was doing something unfair. It was a very good measure, and the Reform party had never complained of it. He contended that it was quite right for tlie information contained in that roll not to be made public. THE FREEHOLDER. Referring to the Act of last session giving the freehold to the holders of lands for settlement. Mr. Hine twitted the Liberals with never having suggested or even thought oi 1 giving those lessees the opportunity of acquiring the freehold. (A voice: "What about Cheviot?") The Cheviotl cases were under an entirely different Act—the Lands for Acquisition Act. Mr. Isitt bad said that everyone could get the freehold except the people in Mr. Forbes' electorate. He (the speaker) wanted the people; of Taranaki ! to know that they could obtain the freehold of Land for Settlement holdings. BORROWED MONEY.

In touching on matters connected with finance, Mr. Hine pointed out that the Liberals before leaving office had been making roads, bridges and other works with th c result that Mr. Massey had been left with an empty treasury* when he took office. When Sir Joseph Ward was returned into power with a minority after the general election, instead of borrowing, as he admitted he could, sufficient for the necessities of the country, he was advised by his friends either to resign or take advantage of, the English money market, the result being that he and Mr. Myers borrowed on short dated debentures a total of £2,785,000, which had to be repaid out of the. 4% million loan raised by Mr. Allen. In connection with the query relative to thc "pigeon holes. ' Mr. Mine said the public would never have known about these transactions if the Massey Government had not come into power. '• Pigeon holes" merely meant information that the public ought to know, but could not get. All that was left for the Government to use out of Mr. Allen's loan was £477,000, and that also would never have been known if there had not not been a chan of Government. lie found no- fault with Mr. .Myers, who was rather to lie pitied. When .Mr. Allen took olFiee he had a table prepared showing the financial portion of the country. There was on'v £7S 000 in the Public Works fund wherewith to meet the requirements for nine months, the only other money avail able being the. £477,000 left over out of the loan, making a little over half a million in all, while the liabilities amounted to £1,(194,000, or deducting a liability that was written oil', a little over a million waß available—not enough for three months, yet the surplus was supposed to be £807,000. The speaker, then referred to the position of the various State funds, remarking that there was only £ till,ooo available for advances to workers (A voice: "The Stratford workers haven't got much of it.") "What they did get," said Mr. Hine, "they obtained since 1 have been your member." Continuing, Mr. Hine said that the present position was that this year's surplus amounted to £400,000. It wa 3 not so large as formerly, but the expenditure consequent on the smallpox epidemic had accounted for £20,000. The Advances to Settlers fund had a balance at 31st of March last of £1:10,000 to carry on with. The Advances to Settlers Board had last month authorised loans amounting to £2t10.000. The Ward Government hud limited the amount borrowed to £SOO, and that had never been reduced by the -Massey Government. Owing to th e * maladministration of the Liberal Government, the Prime Minister had not been in a position to increase the amount unt'l "°w, but to-day it stood at £IOOO. (A voice. "They couldn't get live bob last year. ) "Of course they could not " said the speaker, "We've just been clea'rmg up the mess the Liberal Government loft."

With regard to loans, to local bodies, the speaker pointed out that they could now obtain £IO,OOO as against. £ISOOO under the late Government, lie did not disguise the faet that the Government had to reduce the grants, for they had t» take things as they found them.'Thev had 'been unable to get the money (A voice: "You've got it HOW.") "Yes', and we hope to get for some years to come." THE "YOUNG PARTY." It had been said, remarked Mr lline, that when the Ueform party got into power, the Old Age Pensions would go. the Advances to Settlers would go. (A voice: "Thev voted against it.") ''We're a young party," said the speaker. (A voice: "Mr. Massey voted against it.") "lies only one man," replied Mr. nine. I Hi" Young Party would see that the I Government of the country progressive principles. Had ' the Old Ago Pensions Act been repealed? [lad it been improved? (A voiae: "Y'es.") Will anyone say "No.") On more than one occasion lie had advocated the reduction of the pension age for women to tit). (A voice: "You voted against it.") ■Mr. lline (emphatically) We, don't deal m the past, but in the present. In the lufure the invalids and the blind will be getting a pension, and from the Alassev Government that will before lon- come. (Applause). The Old Age Pensions ; \ct was in no danger of being repealed. He had always advocated the grant of military pensions. Another improvement they <leSired ini Old lAgc Pensions .-elicme nas that which encouraged thrift

by allowing no deduction of the pension to be made on account of the holder possessing a home. THE NAVAL QUESTION.

Mr. Hine dealt fully with the naval question, asserting tliat he stood for one navy and one control by the Umpire, lie pointed out that owing to the agreement made with the Ilome Government having been terminated by that Government, there were only three :imall warships in New Zealand waters, one of which was used as a training vessel, Wluit was wanted were cruisers that would stop marauding, as New Zealand's exports, now valued at 2*2 millions a year, must be protected. It had been deemed advisable, in face of the non-supply of British cruisers by the Imperial Government, that Ntw Zealand should build a cruiser and retain the subsidy of £IOO,OOO now paid to the Admiralty. It wa3 possible that in two ycalV'timc another Admiralty would be in office, who would be willing to supply protective cruisers to New Zealand. THE STRIKE. They must, ill', lline thought, all deplore the recent strike, but they must recognise that there could be only one Government in New Zealand, but an attempt had been made to have two governments. He detailed the history of [the watersidcrs' strike, which he said was no credit to the men concerned. It [had cost the farmers f120,000 for loss caused by the congestion of produce, but the loss in wages was the deepest. He did not think that after tlje lesson learnt from the Massey Government there would be another strike for some years. Mr. Massey was on the side of fair play, lint the strikers woul(| not listen to him Iliad Mr. Massey been arbitrator the [strike would have been quickly settled. As. far as he (Mr. lline) could, he would uphold the dignity of Parliament, and uphold the law of the land, nnd he was quite sure the Government would do likewise. (A voice: "So would Ward.") Then, said the speaker, iSir Joseph Ward made a great mistake in making that speech. He claimed that the Government had improved labor legislation, especially in providing for a secret ballot before a tirike. The idea was that the workers were led by agitators (No.) Well, said Mr. lline, we find Professor Mills is shaking the dust from his feet, Mr. Nenrple is in Australia, so that they evidently think the game is up. The Government was not against the workers (A voice: "Every time.") No, the (lovermacnt was up against the intimidator:;. It was the labor leaders who got £■{ and £4 a week that the Government wanted to get at. The fa! ire would tell whether or not there was in alliance between the Liberal:; and the Red Feds. When lV re):; .1 of ;'.!•> Second Ballot Dill came up, the Government found eut the swre point of 1 the Liberals and Red I'eils. "Wc knew what chicanery was "What about Payne?") Mr. Hine: going on," said the speaker. (A voice: "That was a case in point." The men who opposed tile second ballot repeal were those who wanted to make an alliance behind the scenes. He did not claim that Mr. Massey was in office by. the will of tile people, but the Government was doing its best to fulfil its promises.

A voice: Do you always keep your promise 1

Mr. Hine: Show me a promise I have not kept. A voice: How about the Opunake railnay ? .Mr. ] liue: r made no promise, and I did lliv best. Mr. lline also toudied on Upper House reform, and to the increase by a quarter per cent, by the 00-vernment of the rate of interest on post office Havings bank deposits, lie denied the correctness of Air. Wilford's figures as, to the boilermakers' allowances being rcduc d from (is to -Is, and quoted information obtained from the Department to the effect thai besides the 4s they got 2s for night allowance and 2s for work done (These figures were contradicted by a member of the audience, causing ifr. Iline to say that if they were wrong he had been misled, and would apologise!) Mr. Hine said he 'hoped to me»t thcin

"gain, and that they would trust him to do bin best, so that when he once piore sought re-ele<t>on thev would recognise his past services. (Applause.) A number of questions were asked and answered, the proceedings at this stage being very lively. llr. W. IT. 11. Young movad a vote of thanks to Mr 3line for his address, confidence in him a* their member, and confidence in the Reform party. The ayes and noes were; about equal in strength, and the meeting ended in mixed cheers for .Mr. Hine and Sir Joseph Ward. The usual compliment was accorded the chairman.