POLITICAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15979, 22 November 1919, Page 2

POLITICAL.

SIR JAMES ALLEN AT MILTON. (Per United Press Association.) MILTON, Nov- 21'. Sir James Allen, Minister of Finance, opened his election campaign in the Bruce electorate with a speech at Milton to-night. After appropriate reference to the war and New Zealand’s share in the conflict, he touched on finance bn the lines of remarks already published in the Press. He pointed out that under the Defence Department the number of individual patients in and out, of hospital undergoing vocational training .during October, 1919, w a s 1367, and as some men attended more than one class the total attendances were 17,840. He referred to the fact that the Repatriation Act was prepared and put through the House by him on October 20th. Training had been arranged for 2664 men, and 2236 were receiving training. In coal strikes 1 between 1916 and 1919, there were 427 days lost, in addition to the loss occasioned by the “go slow” policy. During the settlement of the strike of September, 1918, the miners' .delegates suggested setting up a disputes committee to settle differences and avoid strikes. This proposal was agreed to, but, nevertheless no fewer than 150 strikes had since taken place. In regard to the cost of living. Sir Janies quoted figures to show the increase in cost of living in Australia, Canada, United States and other countries between 1914 and 1919. The Board of Trade had dealt with many grocery items, and had fixed the prices of bacon, wheat, flour, bread, etc., and in order to make better provision for control of prices and to stop profiteering the Reform Government had this year passed the Board of Trade Act, which included special provision to prevent profiteering. Mr Massey had always been an earnest advocate for the housing of the wage-earners, and in 1905 he urged the insertion of a clause in the Advances to Settlers’ Bill io provide for advances to wage earners who wished to become their own landlords. In 1906 the Government, no doubt influenced by Mr Massey’s action, brought down a |3ill for advances to workers. The amount authorised on loan between April and November, 1919, was £535,000 to. 1312 settlers and workers. In addition, commitments under the Housing Act had already been made for 67 houses, at a cost of £25,000, and land had been purchased in various places for housing to the extent of £16*086. The question of the position of Samoa would be considered by Parliament next session, and before that date members of the House would pay a visit to the Island. He referred to the satisfactory arrangements made by the Prime Minister with regard to the supply to New Zealand of valuable phosphate deposits of Nauru Island. He pointed out that when the National Government wafi formed, a seat m Cabinet was offered to a Labour member. The offer was not accepted. The speaker touched on a number of other matters, and answered a number of questions, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

A NOISY MEETING., NAPIER, Nov. 21. Mr J. Vigor Brown, M.P., Liberal candidate for Napier seat, addressed a largely attended meeting in the Municipal Theatre to-night. The candidate criticised the policy of the Reform Party and what he considered the Government’s failure to carry out promises. a very big section of the audience—supporters of the Labour Party—continually interrupted the speaker, who frequently had to pause for some minutes to get a hearing. A motion to the effect that Mr no longer enjoyed the confidnece of the electors was declared lost amidst uproar, the ayes apparently overwhelming the noes ANOTHER ROWDY MEETING. DUNEDIN, Nor. 22. Mr T. K. Sidey, speaking in the Liberal interest for South Dunedin, had to contend with frequent interruptions from a section of the audience. Uproar followed. Cr. Bradley’s statement that he would vote for Mr Sidey rather than the Labour Party, which would sell the country to the Huns. The candidate received a vote of confidence.