THE ELECTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13738, 31 October 1908, Page 6

THE ELECTION.

PREMIER AT TEMUKA. THANKS AND CONFIDENCE. True to his promise made last week tlie RiebtHon-tbe Premier followed close upon t!» heels of Mr Alawey at Temuka, where hwt night be addressed, a gathering -vfcidit completely filled every foot of standing antL sitting ro<an in the spacious Drill Hall. " There was an unusually large numlxr of ladies among the audience. The ' »Ure was lavishly adorned with flowers. The meeting wae> a little behind time in *tartmgv the Premier having only arrived m Temuka by the 7.30 train from Inver- . csxgQL . Ua entering the hall Sir Joseph Ward, : actompanied by Lady Ward, -was given a great -reception. ' "" Vf' a: Frew, Acting-Mayor of Temuka, occupied the chair and in introducing Sir 3. <j.> Ward asked the audience to extend a hearty welcome to the Prime Minister, " this brag tbe signal for hearty applause. The chaSman asked tbe audience to be tdow to speak bat swift to hear and promised that they would hear something interesting on affairs of the State. (Hear, hear.) Th® Premier, who on rising was again heartily - applauded, began by" expressing ' bis pleasure at seeing such a large audience and then went on to,criticise the sj»ech made by Mr Maeeey on Thursday night, at the same time saying that it was deeirable that they should not be aQ of the same opinion and hat both sides should state their opinions fairly and impartially. * Speaking first of the Second Ballot Act and of Mr Massey*# adverse criticism of it, the Premier quoted from a speech of Mr Masiey delivered in February last in Auckland at a garden party to show that • JUr Massey had himself said that no mem- " - - ber of the Home ehould be elected unit®* he was returned by a majority of the ' . electors. (Applause.) Sir Joseph defend- ' 'cd the second ballot and regarding the "pg™ clause he said the sole object of this was to prevent attacks being made on candidates' between the first and the eecond election, as there would not be time for the persons attacked to go round tbeir , electorates replying to such attacks. The . -second ballot was going to be given a trial and if it> turned out a failure could amend it. He believed and always , had done so, that no candidate *bould_ be elected who did not represent a majority. * (Applause-) Sir Mauey said tbe Government .was weak-kneed and devoid of a n policvy but all tbe time if they looked up -—■'.* ibo 'records they would find that the trouble of the Opposition was that the : —i.Government haS been too strong. As to the securing of votes complained of, he said that the Opposition or some members of it bad figuratively slept upon tbe door atep of Ministers in a desire to secure voles - for tbsr district*. He did not blame them for trying to do their best. (Laughter.) Sir Joseph said he did not know until last week that the Opposition had a policy "when it was enunciated by ilr Jeffries in .his speech at Temuka. One of tbe planks ti this platform wan the restoration of the ontrol of the public finance to Parliament. He (Sir Joseph) never knew that Parliament had ever parted with tbe control of tbe public finance. He knew they ■ had not done so. The next plank in the Opposition platform was the setting up of a Civil Service Board. This would mean handing over tbe control of the public services to a board of autocrats over whom they would have no control through their representatives. The Opposition theory was simply propounded with the object of tickling the ear* of tbe electors. ' • The Opposition would giro Crown tenants the freehold, but the opiional tenore was already largely in operation, and he would ask, would it be an honest thing to hand over at the original value all the lease-in-perpetuity land, much of which had been bought years ago when land wan much cheaper than now, and for which there would be keen competition if it were thrown opfn to public auction. He *aid it would not be an honest thing to w» give away the national estate. (Applause.) Tb« Government wcrv btanxd as land national**!*, but they would not find a. single law by the Government, whereby they had ever gone in for a land nationalising policy. It wa* onr of tho—wild statements by the Opprjrvition which would not bear looking in to. Reference was next made to the native land question. th* Premier explaining •" what the Native- Lands Commission had done, ami he contended that tbe Government had been unnecessarily hampered by the Opposition in their dealings with native land*. To »t that the Government had been idle in this matter was rid'<-at»<i* in the cjctreme. Coming next to the reduction on tin* nec«s»*ar»e* of life, 'he »jv-ak>r -aid that last year alono the (fovernnv-nt had gn . n n>ni>fßi f >Db under this If ad amounting to £405.000. What wax ilk> use of th<- Op)»nition cominc along n««v and that thev would d«» what th>- nt Government had already 'ion- * <Ap A* to railways. he Mid that th«*T mmU, . for many wars to com<\ still tenmr.- t" push on with the construction of new railwavs, otherwise they m'gbt as w-!I onL the people who had no Mich f-Tvi.e on an island w.thout a boat. IV v would * have to borrow for such works, and it "•<•> nowtee - for tho Opposition 1«* »*k railwars. on the one hand, and on tlx" other'condemn the Government for borrowing money for providing facilities to

assist the development of the country. As to immigration, he claimed that thW was being done under a steady and suitable system. "The country could absorb all the immigrants who had come ®o far, and if it was found at any time that they could not absorb tbe assisted immigrant they could very eoon send to the High Commissioner to stop the assisted passages. New Zealand required population, and he claimed that tho exiting system of immigration had nothing about (t that could be found fault with. Reference was made to the latest enactments relating to labour, the 6peaker expressing his confident belief that the law now on the statute book was a good one, and he hoped and believed that it would work welL No law had ever been put on the statute book to interfere with private enterprise, nor had they any intention of doing bo. Concerning Socialism, Sir Joseph said the Opposition accused the Governnieut of being Socialistic, but as a matter of fact the Government were between the revolutionary reactionaries of the extreme Conservative party and tbe extreme party at the other end, which wanted to play "Old Harry.'" In short, the Government occupied the sensible position favoured by the great majority of tbe people of New Zealand. (Applause.) He denied all folntely that any of the Socialirtic act)" of the present Government, sncli as running the railwavs, telegraph and pcet Offices, fire insurance, etc., were not in the best interests of the people. They were all Socialists to a certain extent, but when it came to nationalising all the land, be said, "No, it would be impotable." In any caso they had not the necessary money for one thing, and no one would lend it to them. Jt would be injurious to the country to attemptt'» do such a thing. He had upon the floor of the House time after i me declared that the Government were opposed to the single tax, to land nationalisation, and to revolutionary socialism, and in view of this it was idle for the Leader of tbe Opposition to go about the country saying that the present Ministry weie tingle taxera and land national oers.

The Opposition. cliarged the Government with corruption, and in reply to this all he would ask was that his accusers should name one single act of maladministration for which the Government were rtcpoDoible. They could not do it. (Applause.) The Premier expressed himself in favour of local government reform. Ho hail a Bill c : rculated with this end in view, but although it had been in circulation for two years, only two practical suggestions had been sent in from local bodies. There were so many difficulties in the way. As to tho auditing of account* of the Donvin'on, tho Premier 6aid there were among the officials of the Treasury many of the most capable accountants in any part of the world, and the fact that no "tags" were attached to the accounts by the Auditor-General was a sufficient answer to complaints concerning the accounts. Tl»e Auditor-General had Absolutely a free hand, and could not be removed, from office, so that ho had nothing to fear if he' had any exceptions to take. Speaking of appointments to Government departments, the Premier denied that class distinctions were made in these, and said that, the system in making them was absolntclv fair.

He ridiculed the idea that the Dominiou was being hurt by «n exodus of seulert> to Queensland. lhey did not take tinland with them, nor were tin? lands they left behind left unoccupied. People who went to Queensland with its drought, disease, and disaster were rery ill-advised, to use no stroDger tetm. it was folly to ruppose the .-kicx were going to fall becau»e a few j>eoplv had gone to Queensland.

'Jhe Premier gav e figures to .-how the great advances that had taken place during ihe pa.-t five years in tho Geraldine, Wail mate, Mackcti/.k- and Temuka dfctricts in the matter of j.ovulation and value of production?. The figures for Timaru for the hut five years showed an increase of 1058 in population, of £887,000 in capital value and of £657.000 in unimproved value. The Op|x>-ition sugoted that they .-hould repeal t lie mortgage tax, but ho said they would do nothing of the kind. If they did they would not get a penny piece in graduate I land tax. What, the Government 'lid intend to do, however, was to continue i - , laud i—ttlement polirv—<"ap-pl.in-c --which had proved so Mice*wful. The legislation tlicy had ]>a*-c<i with the. ohj. et of cutting up large estates had had a Itcneticial ctft-ct and as time went on its benefit* would continue to be felt. (App la ure.) 'Hie Premier si*>ko strongly again.-t thox; who in jiessimintic spceclics had trieil to injure the country by decrying in financial position and he denied thar tbe Government financ-* «.-r>' in other than i strong |<o-ition. .Mr Af.utsey liad said the previon* night that tbo Government »a« Iwirroning at the rato of £2,500,000 a _\.ar. tin- infer, if.- I> ing that it « all for public work-. That statement was a!> solutely inrorrceV. Tliey had born>«ed £1.2-V).CO") iiii- year. £250,000 for mad* in tli-- !>a.-k bl>«-k«. and tho Manawatu war ha.l lie-n punhased at a c>»«t of fiOI.S.OC I . all of which had been borr»«..l '.tit--,lr tli- >o|..nr and without- any fu--or l-itlfr He . iahned that they wcro l<«.king after th«* financyia prud«itly and e<-onomirally, and quoted figures to jhonthat a «aving of «ome thousands had been . tfe- ted in int' i«—t through the conveiMon - i 1...'-, in.l I> it.r terms they had lw. n all!.' Tf. r.l.tain :n Ixmdon. He gave a rigor..in d.-niil to the insertion that th'advaiiif* Vi -ettl'-ts hsd bniken down and • aid 'li.it for th<- twrlve month* this d' pirtmint and th; advintc- to woiLtj-

would lend £1,800,000. Mr Mansey claimed credit for advances to workers, but hij claim had no foundation 111 fact. When it was proposed to extend th«s advances to urban and suburban lands. Mr Matsey voted against it, and lie proposed to limit the extent of the advances to £250. Speaking of the Teform of the Lpper House. Sir Joseph said be did not believe in the abolition of this House, and until Mr Ma*;sey stated on what bast; he would have this body elected, it was useless for the speaker to criticise Mr Maficey s proposal on this head. The Premier contended that the Gaming Act had done an immense amount of good, and denied Mr Mascey's assertion that the Government could transfer votes for public works to suit tla-ir own ends. The votes could not be transferred out of their own class. It was impossible to transfer a. vote from one district to another. (Applause.) The £145,000 spent on the Agricultural Department was money which gave splendid results. L;i>t year daily product exports totalled £1,970,000 in value. The new dairy regulations were not to come into operation until September of next vear.

The Premier mentioned that they had placed 100,000 souls on the land within a limited number of years. He defended the • proposals of the Government in connection with the re building of Parliament House, and said that, the - site they would' have to let would' bring in more in rent than would pay interest and sinking fund on the total cost of the new building. They proposed to spend £225,000, and the rents would bring in £18,400 a yeaj. The National Annuities Bill was explained and the Premier said he was confident t hat it could be put upon the statute book. He propo.-ed next session .to reduce from 10 to 5 the number of men, who under the Special Land Settlement Act could combine to purchase a block of land, the Government acting as guarantors for the purchasers. Jn conclusion the Premier said, that the Government had in view the happiness and prosperity of the people and they would continue "to work along progressive lines. The Premier resumed Lis seat amid greatapplause. On the motion of Mr J. Talbot, seconded by Mr A. • Russell, a vote of thanks to the Premi-r for his able address and of confidence ill his Government- was carried with great enthusiasm, the meeting concluding with cheers at 11 p.m. Mr George Roller's commute" will meet in the Oddfellows' Hall at 7.30 th.s evening. Mr Alafscv pointed out last night that the te;um«"s and commercial travellers' votes by post could hardly be used in the second ballot. The mention of the name of the late Hon, \V. Kolleston by Mr Massey luut night elicited a burnt of applausi-. Mr F. H. Smith, Opposition candidate for W aitali, commences his campaign at Kurow this evening. He intends to visit the central south of the Waitaki before speaking on this side of the river.

In reference to tin; 102 names struck off tire Waitaki elect-oral roll by Mr Hutchison, S.M., as reported in our columns previously, it appears that Mr Hutchison was in a batter position to deal with theso cares than was Air Wray,, as the Waitaki Registrar had taken the precaution to register all the first notices ;u-> well as the oUinnioiiMs and, as was said by Mr Wray, very plight additional evidence was necessary to enable the accomplishment of the work.

ilr W. H. Williams addressed a good meeting of the Geraldine electors at Milford on Monday evening, about 75 being present. Mr Armitage occupied the chair, and the candidate was well received ;ind answered a number of questions. Messrs WreathaJl junr. and Brown junr. proposed the vote of thanks. On Tuesday lie spoke at Hazelburn at 6 p.m. and at. Totara. Valley lal r. At tins fins>t inching there were a dozen present, Mr, M. O'Connor presided, and Messrs Blacklfr and Wangh moved the vote of thanks. At Totara, Mr A. i'. Campbell was chairman, and Messrs Black and Cleland moved the usual vote. On Wednesday evening ilr J. Goldic preceded ov.r a meeting of about thirty at Opibi. H-.-re no questions. were Messrs Caitwright and Mitchell moved the vote of t-hanks. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, October 50. This morning's i»ue of tho Uisbomc •"linß-s" contained an open letter to the Hon. R. McNab, signed by Mr G. J. Bliick, a local station owm-r, who makes a, trenchant attack upon the Minister of I.and& in connection with the Government's aliunde towards tho liuldeiri of graziug run leases. Mr Black declares liv> intention of having the facts fully circulated throughout the Dominion, and will in all probability take the platform. FEILDING, October 50. At a meeting of delegates of various brunches ol Uw Farmers' L'nion held hew to-day, to consider answers to questions su.iuitU-U to three uindidales lor the Uiouu seat, Mj.ctm-s l'lea«mt« (Government, 1 , Guthrio (Opposition), and Hornblow (1 "dependent), all tlio candidates answered ail the questions ill the aflhnative. Mr l'leasanta adding a reference to CiMonis duties that they should bo for revenue purposes and not inimical to existing " local industries. Tho meeting decided not to choose between the candidates but to keep the questions as a check on the candidates.' WELLINGTON, October 30. Mr K G. Bolton, a candidate for Wellington North made bis first, speech tonight,. He said- he was a general supporter of the Government, but would keep a free liand on minor questions and particularly affecting the city and the electorate. He w.(s given a vote of tlianks and confidence. WKSTI'OKT, Odol.er 50. Mr F. F. Monro, a candidate for tlic ItuHer seat in the Liberal inteivs-ts, addicted the largest political meeting held in W<.-stport> to-night. The candidate dealt very fully with K-gi-lation und- r time heads and reecived a vote of thank.i and confidence. ASHBl'in'ON, ft.-tol.cr V). Mr Dan ll'Connnr Brick lias retired ftom tli - rontcst. for tho Jvdwyn r»-at. Th.< i> now In-twc-n Mr/'. A. <Hardy, Op|*iMt ioniM. and Mr .1, lve»,< Liberal. Mr David .Inn.-, one of tL.- time Op|.o»itioii candidates for the A>lil>urt..n nl, ii. i« i.-.-eiMvl an '.tli.id letter fiom Mr Martin, Opp<»«iti<>n oiy.-imrvi. naniing him on Mi Masscv's behalf as the (tjijM»uion iiulniiice. DI'NKDIX. October 30. Mr .1. F. Arnold addressed a latge me-1-inu of electors of Dtintdiii Central to Touching on old age )»-n.-«ions he "aid he uoiil.i favour tli - .iniomit b-.ing ni-.d to (hl. lie did not s.,- «l,y youth- i-h-uld not 'w eoiii|>elltd to do a .-eil.i:n .ilii'.uiit of citill :.f"er >eho<i| age, n|. !•. 21 yenige. but If .opp«>»cd anything iike ioin-jiul-oiy niilitari-m. When a person i-a. li • <1 til' ag.- of fvS h v ,'hould utiri. j.i..vide.l hi- -in«-iaiiini.i! ion «".i-- -ufli. lent to mainlain him and -o give, young, r iik n jii op. jortuiry of proinoiion. Mr Arnold » >* .-oi-.1.-'! m una in in* Vol.- o: i11.m1., .ni-i | ■'••ulideir •-. in\'l-:iu"afu;ii.i.. <t't. In I- j.!v 1., a i|ii.-tion ~i ) (! » \v liai.'U ! meeting t'i..- lion. 11. M. N ib -aid !li.it {li- < ■ i nin. Nt wtild no' n ini; ...in. lii.pfi ! !.. .• .1 J. MeikT.. £.vy>? In i i-n of t!ir k.-n int in. m of miriiiinKn ♦al.uic. ;;ndi-r 'lf n.-w -ral'- ar.--j>;'.ue:i!l% noi to me int.. f■ ■ r..c n-.it

year, the Te;.eh<-rs Institute inlervitwed Mr Hanan, M. P.. who expressed surprise at the Minister"j interpretation of the Act. Throughout the taking of o'-id.—'ce by he Kducation Committee, the asmimDtion had been that the increases would be immediate. and that,, he believed, ivas the prevailing impression among members. He admitted that the Minister's interpretation was quite tenable, but it would involve injustice not contemplated. He prnnvV'ed to discuss the matter with the Premier.