POLITICAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144360, 26 March 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL.

MR. FISHER AT MASTERTON. A BIG MEETING., PEE PEEKS ASSOCIATION. MASTERTON, Man* 25. Tho Hon. V- M. B. Fisher addressed an overflowing meeting in the Town Hall to-night,- hundreds being unable to gain admission. The Mayor presided. Tho meeting was the most lively ever held in Masterton, a small body of men. persistently counting the Minister out and creating an uproar. Mr. Fisher stuck to his gnns, and delivered a speech of an hour and a-half, during which he explained the work performed by the Government and dealt with a speech previously given by Mr. Wilferd, M.P. At the conclusion of the speech, a resolution of thanks was passed; with appreciation of tho manner in which the affairs of the country are being conducted. This was carried amidst vociferous cheering, mixed with groans. SIR JOSEPH WARD AT AUCKLAND AUCKLAND, March 25. What he described as one of the •largest audiences he had addressed in the Dominion met Sir Joseph Ward in tho Town Hall to-night, and accorded an attentive hearing while tho Leader of tho Opposition replied at length to recent Ministerial utterances. Sir Joseph suggested no policy measures, saying ho would be at this stage an infernal ass to give tho Reformers policy measures to steal. He said that influential newspapers were passing into the hands of wealthy landholders, and tho prose was not as fair as it used to be. Ho contended that the recent actions of the Government proved that the Minister now admitted his (Sir Joseph Ward’s) financial policy was tho right one, and he referred at length to the various progressive, liberal and humanitarian measures of the liberal Government. He condemned tho local naval policy, as too expensive. Tho local navy was already costing Australia ten millions per annum, and Australia wanted New Zealand to help her to bear the burden. Internal defence was costing New Zealand already half a million yearly. With the cost of naval defence, the total came to £BOO,OOO. It would be a million next year, and a million and ahalf after that. He said that he could have settled the strike in two days, and alleged that the Government had been anything but impartial in its handling of the strike situation. The Arbitration Act Amendment Bill of last session was proposed by the Liberal Ministers, but had then been strongly opposed by the present Reform Ministers. He alleged, that he had been bitterly and unfairly attacked in connection with the Opposition stonewall of the Second Ballot Repeat Bilk The Reform organisation had not repudiated the objectionable circular sent out in connection with that stonewall by. one of its officials. This Government, which had promised to decrease borrowing and taxation, had already borrowed twelve millions and increased our annual taxation by £309,600. LIBERAL-LABOUR PROGRAMME. CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. The Canterbury Progressive Liberal and Labour Association issued a manifesto to-night, setting out the objects of the association, to unite the progressive political forces for the purpose of returning to power a party, pledged to retain the privileges already won, and to initiate other progressive reforms for the uplifting and benefit of Hie masses of the people. Twentyeight detailed reforms are set out, these covering matters affecting land. State enterprise, humanitarian affairs, Customs and income-tax revision and other matters. The manifesto was submitted to Mr. Massey to-night. The Prime Minister said; “I don’t know the persons or party responsible for tho production, but it seems to mo like an effort to outbid the Bed Feds, in a desperate attempt to buy votes at any price, irrespective of principle or political honesty. Personally, lam certain that the intelligence of the people of this country will easily sea through this precious manifesto, and that they will deem it more worthy of contempt than serious consideration.”