Wanganui

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12584, 3 October 1908, Page 7

Wanganui

The meeting called last evening of those favourable to Mr. C. E. Mackay's candidature was attended by over 50, and was very enthusiastic. Mr. Mackay addressed those present, giving them his views on political matters before he asked them to join his committee. He was a supporter of the present Government, and would continue to support them so long as they followed the progressive policy laid down by the late Mr. Seddon. If they departed from that 'policy and progressive measures generally he would be the first to cease supporting them. With regard to the land question, he thoroughly believed in the scheme for national endowments. Strict measures should be taken to break up larfte estates and settle people on them, both by means of direct purchase r>y the Government and by graduated taxation. The settlement of native lands should be proceeded with more vigorously. As they all knew, he believed is/ the State taking into its own hands some of the more important industries, such as flax-milling, the timber supply, the supply of meat and milk. The Government should also take in hand shipping as it had done railways, including the river steamship service. Id educational matters more facilities should be given, especially as an extension of the system of free places. In this connection he thought the time had arrived when more tree places should be available at the Collegiate School for local boys. The Arbitration Act had not proved altogether a success, and he did not know whether the new amendments would help it much. The true solution of the labour difficulty lay in extending the principles of co-operation and profit-sharing. The supply of cheap money by the Government had proved a great success, and he thought that the Government should go further and establish a State Bank and take over the issue of notes. A proper Court of Criminal Appeal had become a necessity, and he also advocated a public defender for | prisoners without means. He was a firm believer in preferential trade with the Old Country, and he also believed in universal military training for the youths of the colony. In local matters the franchise should be made wider, and Harbour Boards should be altogether elective. He thought the time had come to establish a universal superannuation fund for all public employees. Mr. Allan Robinson Was elected chairman of the Committee.

It was decided to hold the next meeting of the committee on Friday next at 8 'p.m. at the Druids' Hall. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting-.