POLITICAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15975, 18 November 1919, Page 2

POLITICAL.

THE LIBERAL LEiDER.

REPLY TO MB MASSEY. (Per United Frees Association.) INVERCARGILL, November 17. Sir Joseph Ward, at Waikiwi to-night, replied to Mr Massey and. Sir James Allen’s criticism of his Winton speech regarding the Supplementary Estimates. He stated that his figures were quite correct, and included extra amounts in tho Appropriation Bril and other Bills, not stated in the Supplementary Estimates or the Budget proposals for the current year. He concluded the Budget up to March 31, 1919, and left a surplus of <£3,670,737. In reply to the Premier’s Papakura speech. Sir 'Joseph "Ward said that in. one item alone he urged in the House a reduction of seven millions. He had never in his experience known anything approaching the enormous liabilities now submitted by' way of loan proposalsRegarding the use of the surplus of 15 millions. Sir Joseph Ward declared it was madness to think of raising even half the necessary loans in the country, and if that surplus was kept as a sinking fund three times its amount could be raised in Britain or America at muoh smaller discount than if there was no sinking fund. Dealing with the charge of electioneering in regard to the gratuity, Sir Joseph Ward said the Premier got authority for ,£60,000,000, and now declared that only a quarter of tire £30,262,000 outside ordinary expenditure was required. Why was it necessary to ask Parliament for such a huge sum if only a quarter could be spent? Replying to Hon. Coato’s report on the Post and Telegraph war bonus, he said the decision to appoint someone to inquire what was promised by him as Postmaster-General was unique in the history of the country. He agreed that if the bonus was paid to the Post and Telegraph officers it should also be paid to officers of other State Departments, giving equal treatment to all the lowerpaid men of the Public Service. ADDRESS BY MR NOSWORTHY, ASHBURTON. November 17. The Hon. Mr Nosworthy addressed a large meeting at Ashburton this evening. Hie Hon. Nosworthy, who was well received, spoke of the unanimity of tha Reform Party. He, with a dozen Reform members, opposed the formation of a National Government, but loyally supported it. as a war Government only. Before the Peace Conference the olive branch was held out to the Liberal Party who rejected the offer, preferring party government. The Liberals left the Reformers to do all the washing-up. The. Liberals hoped for the soldiers’ support by the gratuity amendment, but the soldiers were satisfied with the present provision. 'Tire Reform Party were for strong Government administration. The Minister .stressed increased direct or land income taxes during the war, this being conscription of wealth. Tax incidence was unjust, especially the land tax, which was heavy on mortgages. Tho gratuity was paid by conscription of wealth. Reform was determined to revise the unjust system, of taxing farmers on their debts. Inland and overseas transportation development ■ was favoured. Speaking of the butter equalisation fund, he favoured the present scheme by payment from the Consolidated Fund. The wheat question was very complicated, but tie speaker’s policy was to help farmers over a period. If elected, ho intended, to consult the farmers re wheat to make a definite arrangement. As Minister of Agriculture, he was making an arrangement for the grading of Island fruit, so supplying plenty of cheap fruit while free from blight. Eucouragement was to be given immigration from Britain. Cabinet was opposed to militarism, but elements in the Pacific gave cause for watchfulness. Some reasonable form of training was necessary, both military and naval. Regarding land monopoly, the Reformers passed legislation to abolish re-aggregation. The party was fighting meat and commercial monopolies. The speaker was out against the brewing monopoly. It was not the man on the land who bled the people, hut the middleman. There was an outcry about putting soldiers on the land, but many soldiers’ wanted to go into business and commence where close monopoly held them out. He favoured taxing the mercantile community, burdening the farmers less. Sir Joseph Ward favoured nationalisation, which showed sympathy for extreme Labour, which Sir Joseph Ward carefully denied. Libera! and Labour members would combine to form a Government if in the majority, but the Reformers would have no dealings with extreme Labour nor accept their support in tho Government. He referred to Sir Joseph Ward as a political opportunist of the first water. The country would be better with the decks cleared of Ward, Myers, Milford, and Company. He appealed finally for a strong Government. A vote of thanks was passed to the speaker by acclamation. DUNEDIN SEAT. DUNEDIN, November 17. fhe Hon. J. T. Paul. Labour candidate for Dunedin South, addressed a large meeting of electors this evening. He explained many of the planks of the

Labour Party’s platform, and asked for a trial for a Labour Government as Reform and Liberals had both failed to give satisfaction to the people. In reply to an interjection, he said Hie Labour Party might iiot get into power this time; but it would need to be returned in such numbers as to show it was a constructive party which understood the people’s requirements. He also expressed tho belief that next election would not take place three years hence, but perhaps one year hence. He was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence. WELLINGTON SUBURBS. WELLINGTON, November' 17. Mr R. A. Wright, Reform candidate for Wellington Suburbs, opened hie campaign to-night at Karori. He said he stood for stable government, sober finance, and steady progress. The war had left a great burden of debt, and Ministers who had charge of national finance must be cautious, firm, and progressive. The Government had been generous in provision for soldiers by way of pay, repatriation, and gratuity, but he thought the pension paid to totally disabled men would have to be increased.