POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11935, 24 March 1914, Page 6

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

ME FISHER AT PONGAEOA.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.]

PONGAROA, Monday

Tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, who has been touring the Akitio coastal diatrict, addressed a large' gathering at Pougaroa to-night. Mr R. B. Robertson (County chairman) presided.

The Minister, who was accorded on enthusiastic reception, pointed out that the prophecy made by tho Opposition vlien tho Reform Government came into office had not proved true. The Government had increased the salaries in various departments. Ho instanced what had been done regarding pensons by the lions. Ballance and Seddon, and others of the old Liberal party. They had done magnificent work. But, he said, there were no Seddons or Ballances in the present Opposition. The members of the latter all Avanted to be Ministers. (Laughter and applause). Sir Joseph Ward had made appointments to the Ministry outside his own following, and lie instanced Sir John Findlay and the I lon. T. Mackenzie. The members of Sir Joseph Ward's party had resented this Mr Fisher claimed that the Reform Party was progressive Referring to .statements that it represented the land monopolists, he remarked that the Jand-ownjra produced something useful to tho country. He 'condemned the brewery monopoly, which, he declared, had the bulk of the wealth behind them. The brewers supported tho Opposition, and not the Keform Government. Referring to the late strike, he said the people would decide at the next election who was going to run the country —the Red Feds

or the Government The Red Feds and tho Opposition were allied. The Opposition had prolonged the strike. Mr Fisher also explained the naval policy. He ridiculed the Opposition's assertions that the Government was going to establish expensive dockyards, etc. The Bristol cruiser would be built in England, and manned by New Zealanders. The cost would be but little more than tho present subsidy. Jl.e instanced the great success of naval recruiting in Australia. He said the Reform Government's policy was to inspire a national pride. For the present nnnuf<l subsidy of a quarter of a million, the Dominion had three obsolete ships. As the British Government was unable to tarry out its promise, the Dominion had decided to have a ship of its ow.i. Mr Fisher also touched on the question of laud settlement and the increase m the number of setlers.

A the conclusion of his address the Minister was accorded a, hearty vote of thanks, and was cheered.