POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14451, 25 May 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

MR, HERDMAN CRITICISES THE iWARD ADMINISTRATION. Per Press Association. LEVIN, May 21. Mr Hordman, M.P., addressed a largo public meeting here this evening. He- contended that the Ward Administrutiou during tho last five years had not been exerting the tamo power of control as tho tSeddon Adniinistra/tion. '.There, was general publio distrust now. and it would bo anowu aoon in an unmistakable manner. He reiterned *yo Mr) 'EodSarick McKenzio/a Opunake speech, and said tiie statement that the' "Clovernmaut is to help people who help the Government" was one of the most pernicious doctrines that ever passed tno lips of a Minister of tho Crown in any British community. .In referring to the public service he asked how it canio about that the Cnristohureh I'olice Comrnissioner, after being dismissed as tho result of an enquiry into his conduct, was speedily tnlteu back into tho public service ;s in employee in.the Native Laud Leparfment in tho North Island. L'o also stated that a convicted Australian u'jief who got into tho New Zealand police force and was dismissed on iho discovery whom ho" was, again was received into the public service, this .time as a member of the railway service. Ho twitted'the Governnment on the negative nature, of its landl policy, Onco it was straight out for leasehold, now it was afraid.-to say what it favoured. He advocated putting the publio service and railways under tlw ct l-trol- of .Oornmissionera. Mr Millar liad striven hard and fairly tn etrry out his trust, but his task was too great. Since 1893 the public d'.bt had been increased by 42 millions, an 1 since Sir Joseph Ward took office it had inorea. Ed by nineteen millions,.. or foiir millions a year. He asked how long would the British money-lender tolerate that rate of harrowing. Heavy borrowing meant heavy taxation and this restated in less money being available for investment i'i intJustrie3. More eelf-relianoe, acre independence, and less harrassing laws were neoessary. A hearty vote of thanks was acoordod Mr Herdman.