POLITICAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20039, 24 March 1914, Page 5

POLITICAL

MR. FISHER AT PONGAROA

(Per Press Association.)

PONGAROA, Mar. 23

The Hon. Fisher, who has been touring the Akitio coastal district, addressed large gatherings at Pongaroa to-night. Mr R. B. Robinson, the county chairman, presided.

Mr Fisher received an enthusiastic reception. He pointed out that the prophecy made by the Opposition when thd Reform party came into office had not proved true. Mr Fisher claimed that the Reform party was progressive. Referring to statements that it represented' land monopolists, he remarked that the landowners produced something useful to the country. He condemned the brewery •monopoly, which he declared had the bulk of the wealth behind it. .*,The brewers supported the Opposition, not the Reform Government. Referring to the recent strike, he said the people would decide at the next election who was going to run the country—the Red) Federation or the Government. ~Th€& "Red Feds" and the Opposition were allied. The Opposition prolonged the strike. Mr Fisher explained the naval policy. He ridiculed the Oppositon's assertions that tho Government was going to establish an expensive dockyard, etc. The Bristol cruiser would be built in England. It would be manned by New Zealander.s. and the cost would be little more than the present subsidy. He instanced, the great success of naval recruiting in Australia, and said the Reform Oovonvrnpnt'e nilicy would inspire national pride. For the present annual subsidy of a quarter of a million, the Dominion had three obsolete ships. As the British Government were unable to carry out their promise, the Dominion decided to have a ship of its own. Mr Fisher was accorded hearty thanks and cheered.

"YOU CAN'T JUDGE A itUiiSl by its harness!" Nor <■»* you judge ihe quality of MarteiPs by other 0.-ia^-s