Hon. G. Fowlds.

Thames Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 10566, 12 June 1907, Page 4

Hon. G. Fowlds.

ADDRESS TO CONSTITUENTS

(Per United Press Association-)

AUCKLAND, June 11. Addressing his constituents at Grey Lynn to-night, the Hon. jG. Fowlds said the people ought to be proud of the way Sir Joseph Ward had represented them at the Imperial Conference. He had had occasion recently to criticise other delegates, and he bad nothing to regret and nothing to take back. He wanted to see; the British Empire consolidated, for it was the greatest force in the world to-day making for peace and justice, liberty and progress. He had to see that we maintained unimpaired our own independence in these colonies, and in doing that we must grant some freedom of action to the people of the; Old Country. (Applause.) He referred to the regrettable illness of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones.

The Hon. Mr Fowlds said that among the reforms carried out was provision for a sinking fund for some of the old and unproductive loans, and last y6ar out of ordinary revenue £39,950 was provided. There was an ifem that had stood for years before i th« present party came into power— £700,000 on debentures and £150,000 was paid off that. The Leader of the Opposition claimed credit for a lot of reforms the_Ck>T«rnment had carried out, (but Mr Etowlfls' opinion was that if thei 4evil himself was' Leader of the Opposition he would be found preaching righteousness. Referring to education, he said great BtridißNi had been made. He was very pleased the House bad agreed to free education from primary- schools to university schools; were no longer preserve^ <&f the wealthy. The technical eddeatibn system and vote had also enormously extended. The number of students holding free places in technical schools last year was 15,051. Expenditure in education amounted to £63,186. The Government expected a great advantage,, to accrue to the colony from the visitof its general inspector to other countries. He defended the School Journal, considering I it would be accompanied by extensive benefits. Referring to the outbreak of plague in Ancklaud, he said the manner in which the Health Department set about combating it justified the existence of that department. As to the Land Bill he denied Mr Massey's assertion that he, (Mr jFowlds) was the real author! of it. Mr Masaey had called him a Socialist among other names. He was mot a Socialist, but would rather be one than uphold the present system. Mr Massey threatened that the Land Bill would apt be passed unless hie was first carried put of the House. - That >as the* threat of an anarchist. Parliament and Government would'do J their duty ;theri'to the extent of carrying MriMaaeey out on a stretcher. .(Laughter). There was a good deal '•'pi genuine Opposition in Auckland to the Bill but much of that was due to misrepresentation. There was not thei, slightest justification for the assertion: that the Bill was an attack on the freehold already existing.