MR WILFORD AT ELTHAM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13987, 25 November 1919, Page 5

MR WILFORD AT ELTHAM.

ELTHAM, Monday.

Mr T. M. Wilford had a splendid meeting at Eltham to-night, the audience being a large and enthusiastic one. The speaker criticised the Reform Government's lack of policy, which he declared was in keeping with the failure to carry out the promises of 19X1. Ho defended the Liberal secession, which, he said, was justified by clauses in the agreement. He ridiculed the Government's attempt to prevent land'aggregation, suggesting that increased income tax and increased laud tax on large estates and a refusal to register transfers was the only remedy. He deprecated the Parliamentary Labour Party's promise to vote with the Liberals on a no-confidence motion, and declared that the Liberal Party would not hold office if it were impossible to do so without the assistance of the Labour Party. The Reform Government claimed credit for having prevented profiteering by means of the Industries Bill, but this was drawn by the lion W. D. S. Mac Donald. Mr Massey promised an alteration in the incidence of taxation, but gave no indication how improvement would be effected. The Loborals proposed an increase in the graduated income tax, increased laud tax on large estates, and increased death duties. He opposed encouragement of the military spirit by four months' annual training for youths, declared a local navy to be ineffective except at an expenditure "of 20 millions sterling, supported an increased contribution to the Imperial Navy, suggested an improvement in the arbitration laws to prevent industrial disputes criticised Mr Massey's failure to amend the electoral laws beyond abolishing the second ballot, advocated nationalisation of the coal mines where payable, and claimed credit for the Liberal Party for many State institutions, which he described as anathema to the Eeform Party. He ridiculed the Prime Minister's promises on the occasion of the lecent visit to Eltham, and emphasised the lack of

policy as exhibited in the speech delivered there. He defended Sir Joseph Ward, who was sometimes described by opponents as an impossible financier. Pointing to the surplus of 15 millions sterling, he asked if Sir Joseph Ward was such an impossible man, why did the -Reformers wail over losing him 1 / The National Government only lived on the strength and initiative of the Liberal members of the Cabinet. The future promised to hold great industrial disturbances, which could only be solved by co-operation between the.State and Capital and Labour. He stressed thp necessity for constructive statesmanship.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks in the speaker and confidence in the Liberal Party, and hearty cheers as an expression of hope for the Party's sucfor-s at the coming poll.