SIR JOSEPH WARD AT MARTIN. BOROUGH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17736, 9 December 1919, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT MARTIN. BOROUGH.

(Per Press Association.)

MARTINBOROUGH, Dec. 8. Sir Joseph Ward had an enthusiastic reception at Martinborough to-night. In opening his address he stated that ,he was here to explain the policy he had placed before the public of the Dominion, and as a supporter of Mr Hornsby, tho sitting member for Wairarapa. There certainly- had been a difference of opinion between Mr Hornsby and himself and other members, not in a personal way> but in connection with acts of the National Government. At one time it looked as if Mr Hornsby would stand as an Independent. This had forced him (Sir Joseph Ward) to look for another, but the .differences had been happily righted and made up, and Mr Hornsby liad written him that he was ipropared to loyally stand for the party. That Ibeing so, he (Sir Joseph Ward) asked all supporters of the loriginal party to support Mr Hornsby and stand together. Whatever their differences had been, there could be no doubt that Mr Hornsby had loyally supported tho National Government, and never had been afraid to stand up loyally for tho Empire. Sir Josephl touched upon -^he enormous public debt, statins; that in order to liquidate it it would be necessary to increase taxation or increase revenue. He denied that he was out for general nationalisation of all industries, but he -urged that coalmines and hydro-electric power should 'be nationalised. He urged as important the establishment of a great State bank on the lines of the French State bank, and the German State bank. He wanted to sec. the revenue now going into the hands of the owners of the banks going into the general funds of the people themselves. He urged the speeding up of all railway construction, and the finishing of all authorised railways in this country within three years. The railways were earning 4| per cent., and new construction would cost the taxpayers nothing. Main .roads should be administered i>y local bodies with funds supplied by the Government. He urged that the Government should import 500 motor chassis and put them on the road to carry men and women to and from railways in the baakbloc*.ks. The Government should hold all petrol stocks which came to New Zealand unless the present holders allowed the people to have it at a reasonable price. It was 3 s 6d per gal'on in America, and 3s to 3s fid heref This was not to be borne with. He strongly advocated closer land settlement and urged an increase in graduated land tax to forte large holdings to be out up. Referrin? to housing, the Government should build all houses within four years, and these should h* available for the purchase of town or rmintry residents nt 10s 6dner week. Tho money could come from +.he £2 200.<}00 "snrplns in the Port Office Banners "Bank, taken at the* rnto of one mJTHon per year, and lent to the people ac 3J per cent. He condemned profiteer-