POLITICAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11029, 18 March 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

11 RDSSHIJH THE SOUTH. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT BALCLUTHA. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN LIBERALS. (By Telegraph-Special to " Star.") BALCLUTHA, March IT. Mr G. W\ Ivussoll addressed tbo largest political gathering that- ever assembled here in the Oddfellows' Hall to-night. Mr P. Stewart (Mayor) provided, and' in introducing the speaker eulogised his work, when Minister of Internal Affairs, at tho Local ''Government Conference in '.1912. Mr Russell received a splendid hearing, his speech being applauded all through. Ho severely attacked Mr Malcolm, who was present, for his action as Chairman of Committees, in introducing the guillotine, which the House itself had refused to establish. He mikl Mr Seymour, who introduced it in 1881. was rejected by his constituents when ho appeared before them. Mr Russell said that he would 1 not make any suggestion except, to say that in the interests of I'rea speech in Parliament New Zealand expected Clnilia to do its duty. Amid loud applause be declared his intention of devoting special attention to the Mataura, Clutha and Pruce electorates.

Mr Russell ,s speech was on tho same lines ns that at Goro, and when he resumed his seat tho audience broke into lour! r."d cheers.

Mr E. Ford proposed a resolution thanking- Mr .Russell for his able and lucid' speech, expressing entire confi-dfnca-ui th« Liberal Party as led by Sir Joseph Ward, and trusting it would be returned to power at the general elections.

Tit is -was seconded by -Mr .T. Moselv (chairman of the J arnier -'. Union) and carried almost unaniniouslv. Cheers for. Mr Russell and Sir .Joseph M'nrcl closed a most -enthusiastic meeting.

MR RUSSELL'S GORE SPEECH. PRAISE FROM TNVERCAROI'LL. (By Telegraph— Special to " Star.") I X VERCARGILL, March, 1-7. Mr' RiisselFs. meeting at Gore is described in the "Southland News. 3 ' as follovfs:— The tone which prevailed throughout Mr Russell's meeting was one of enthusiasm and earnestness. It was a remarkable fact that a meeting i Ol such a character in" the on season foT politics in a centre which \vas regarded as a stronghold of the iuassay party. Seldom has a political spanker in Southland , been followed with such rapt attention as Was Mr Russell during every second of the three hours lie was bit his feet. He was in splendid -form,, and created a remarkable impression. His , vindication of Liberalism, his sweeping de■minciations and emphatic• denials;, his outspoken and straightforward exposure of tho 'pretences and insincerities of the so-called • Reformers his frankness and the cleverness with which ho pointed his phrases .and rounded his periods drew forth round 'after round of hearty applause.. There was nothing stinted about this applause. Anyone who is familiar with the conduct" of public meetings knows that applause is often prompted and led by a handful, of interested persons. The applause at Mr Russell's meeting wag.not that. sort. It was the honest, genuine .variety which tells of enthusiasm and so spontaneously and so emphatically denotes sympathy and acquiescence. In every way it was a remarkable meeting, and it. established once and for all tho fact that the Liberal Party and Liberal politicians are a strongr, living, eloquent force in spito .of the attempts which are being: so assiduously made to discount their influence and to underrate the 'ability of men liko Mr Russell."

SPEECH BY MR' FISHER. THE GOYEE NMENT,' THE STRIKERS AND THE FARMERS. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") AUCKLAND, March 17. The attitude of the Government towards the Social Democrats or Federationists was n subject 'briefly touched iiporyby the Hon F. M. B. Fisher (Minister of and Marine) at the opening of the Ngaruawahia electrical works. " "While the present Government is in power," said Mr Fisher, '' it is determined that no small section of the people of this country is going to rule the rest. The Government is not going to allow New Zealand to be dominated or terrorised hymen who look upon it as their right to dominate and terrorise it. According to the tenets of such people, the rights of free speech are to be denied. This .was demonstrated to me a few nights ago. If a man on strike is to have rights which ho would not have if lie was not on strike, then it is time we put our backs to the wall and resisted. I made it clear to my opponents at the meeting in "Wellington the other night that if there was anything in the threats of the men who said they would distribute seeds of noxious weeds amongst the farms of the country and smash the packages of the farmers on the wharves of our >:-orts. it was time all right-minded New Zsalanders got together and determined to stamp such practices out. The Government recognises that the farmer is the country's principal producer, and that, as such, lie should have the best means of access to the markets of the world. New Zealand's prosperity is determined by tho prices her farmers get for their products in markets over which this country has no control. This country is not to be regenerated by a class which has not the thinking capacity to enable it to guide the affairs of state. However, they havo been made aware of the policy .of the Government, and I hone that this will be the keynote of the coining general elections, whether the country is to be governed by constitutional methods or whether anarchy and revolution are to rule."

MR HERRIES AT HAWEKA. [Per Prfss Abbooiation.l HAWERA, March 17. The Hon W. H. Herries, who is visiting the district, replying to a deputation with reference to the Opunake railway, said that tho- intention was that the £lf>,ooo voted ..lionld be spent at once. The route would be decided the Premier, the Minister of Public Works and the Engineer-in-Chief. Mr Pearce, M.P., waited upon the Minister this morning with reference to a complaint as to the shortage of trucks. Tho Minister replied that the present, trouble was caused through want of haulage.power. A number of locomotives were ordered, or were being built in workshops. When orders we're fulfilled the position would no doubt be relieved.

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