The Wanganui Herald. (Published Daily.) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1919. MR. VEITCH’S ADDRESS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15971, 13 November 1919, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. (Published Daily.) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1919. MR. VEITCH’S ADDRESS.

Mb W. A. Ykitch, the sitting member for IVangauui, had no reason to complain of the reception accorded him when opening his campaign in the Opera House last evening, nor of the effect produced on those who heard his speech. The meeting was entirely with Mr Veitch throughout, and the rousing cheers at the conclusion of the meeting demonstrated the continued strength of his hold on the goodwill of his constituents. His address was characteristic of the man. Mr Veitch attempts no tricks of oratory. He has not the volubility of his Reform opponent, nor the eloquence of the Labour candidate-. But in the quiet, manly style which characterises him, he gave a plain, unvarnished and straightforward account of his doings during the last session of Parliament, a record which showed, not oply that he is a good local member, but that he looks at and deals with big national questions with that breadth of vision which every member of Parliament ought to have. So far as the first-named characteristic is concerned, the recital of the benefits he had been able to,secure for Wanganui demonstrated not only his appreciation of his duty to his constituency bnt that he has the by no means common gift of securing the goodwill of his fellow members and of Ministers. Some of these concessions—which will be found set out in our report of his speech—are of great importance, and will have farreaching results on,the well-being and prosperity of the town and district, a fact which all who have its welfare, at heart will not he slow to recognise. On wider questions, Mr Veitch’s attitude was in every respect creditable to him. With commendable frankness, he gave every credit to the Government for good work done, even though he condemned it for work of the other kind, and with complete freedom from narrowness or bias, was ready to testify to toe excellence of at least some of the measures it had passed. He refused to consider any matter from the standpoint of selfish consideration, whether national or individual, and while mindful of the

claims of the humanitarian standpoint, his attitude is, at the same time, marked by sound commonsense.

. On the question of Samoa, for instance, he refused to consider the islanders as something to be exploited for the commercial interest of anybody, and strenuously maintained that no commercial advantage should bo sought by means of that thinly disguised form of serfdom, if not slavery, known as indentured labour. On the contrary, ho vigorously advocated the adoption of the plan pursued in American Samoa, which is run purely in the interests of the natives themselves, and that without cost to the American exchequer. He exhibited sound sense, too, on the housing question, showing that a national scheme undertaken by the Government would result in cheaper houses than could be expected from the contract system. There is a provision in the Government's housing scheme enabling employers to borrow money to erect houses for their workmen. The mere mention of the word “employer” is, of course, bound to set the extremist on edge, and make him oppose such a proposal. But Mr Teitch showed, in the case of the coal miners in particular, that it was far better for the employer to Iruild the houses than the individual worker. If a miner owns his own house it becomes useless to him in case of his dismissal, and if he is paying for it by instalments he stands the chance of losing the lot should be get the “sack.” This gives the employer an effective weapon against the miner, and induces the latter to put up with far worse treatment than he would endure if lie were a freer agent. Per contra, if the "miner rents a house, he is free to leave his employment at any time without loss, should he have reason for dissatisfaction.

In regard to hia attitude towards existing parties, Mr Yeitch made it clear that, if lie has to chocee between the Liberals and the “Reformers,” he will not bo led astray by the bombastic claims of Mr Massey to be regarded as the only troo leader of Democracy, but prefers the Liberals as a paiiy from which more is to be hoped. At the same time he continues to stand as a Labour member, snd one wbo, while regarding the interests of all sections of his constituents as his care, will, nevertheless, support and maintain in particular those of the toiler’s. But ho will have none of the extremist, and for that reason refuses to place himself under the leadership of Mr Holland. Such an attitude is one that cannot but be acceptable to the bulk'of the Wanganui electors, who, ever since they first sent a member to Parliament, have been marked by a strong democratic and progressive spirit, without any liking for tbe reactionary on the one hand, or the extremist on the other. As Mr Yeitch put it last evening, before a change is made, the need for such a change must be shown to exist. He showed himself a good local member and a good national member,' one whose democratic spirit is as strong as ever, and one who is-as likely to continue in the future the good work he has done during the last eight years. Wo think tbe electors will endorse our view that no necessity for a change has been shown, that Mr Yeitch has made good, and that his past and present record demonstrate that his constituents’ continued confidence in him will not bo misplaced.