POLITICAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15987, 2 December 1919, Page 5

POLITICAL.

BANGITIKEI ELECTORATE ME MELDEUM AT DUEIE HILL. Mr W. Meldrum, the Liberal candidate for the Eangitikei seat, addressed a good meeting of electors at Dnrie Hill last night. Mr J. N. Speed presided. LIBEEAL AND EEPOEM. The candidate, in opening his address, said that if elected he would do his best for New Zealand, for he placed his country above party. As it was necessary to choose 2, party he would be a supporter of the Liberal Party. The Reform Party had paid a very strong unconscious tribute to the Liberals. In 1911 the Eefonn Party was calling out for reform, and condemning the Liberal Government and its administration, alleging wasteful and extravagant expenditure and excessive borrowings. When the Eeform Party got into office, it did not reduce borrowing, but raised ten millions more; its expenditure did not decrease, but in two years increased by about one and a half millions, while, so far as the Liberal legislation was concerned, the Eeformers, with the exception of the Second Ballot Act, did not repeal any of the measures they had so roundly abused when in Opposition. EXTEENAL AFFAIRS. Dealing with New Zealand’s relations with other nations, the speaker said that were New Zealand not a part of the British Empire, it could not hold its own for a single day against a strong nation. There was one nation which was likely to be a menace to New Zealand and Australia, and that was Japan, which had been rapidly strengthening its naval and military forces. The Japanese had demanded equal rights. This had been refused by the Allies at the instance of Australia, therefore Japan had a grievance against Australia. It was essential that the British Empire should have a navy in the Pacific equal to the Japanese. He contended that it was New Zealand’s duty to pay its share of the cost of adequate naval defence without cavil or carping. He advocated the continuance of the Territorial scheme, which, he said, had proved excellent in pre-war and in the early days of the war. PRODUCE AND SHIPPING. It was of the utmost importance to New Zealand that its produce should be placed as cheaply as' possible on tbe Home markets, and he advocated, if necessary, that the country should provide the necessary shipping. He suggested, first of all, a State line, in order to stabalise the freights. A State line would be the means of the saving of the mail subsidies, which now amounted to .£IOO,OOO per annum. There would be, in addition to the freights, and he was sure a State line would be a profit-bearing one. If necessary, the State could go further, and establish its own markets and distributing agencies in the older countries. Such a course, he considered, would be profitable and a source of benefit to the producers of this country. LAND QUESTION. Dealing with the eternal land question, the candidate said that the Liberal measure, Land for Settlement Act, had been of exceeding value to tbe country in breaking up estates, but of late years this Act had not been made use of. Aggregation, instead of closer settlement, had been going on. The land was there ready, and ought to be taken, the Act and machinery was ready, there was only lacking the will to put the Act into operation. Another Act which required better administration was the Graduated Land Tax. Land valuations had not been carried out regularly in some instances, no valuation had taken place for three years. If these two measures were properly used, a large number of estates would be broken up. LAND FOR SOLDIERS. In reference to land for soldiers, Mr Meldrum said he did not think the Government had done its best for the soldiers. It had not provided adequate land for those who wanted it. If the administration had only looked ahead a little, and used a little determination, sufficient land could have. been provided for all who wanted to go on the land. Proceeding, he said that the experimental schools should be used for a better purpose in imparting instruction, and in this respect the country could, with advantage, emulate the lesson of Denmark, where there was a large number of agricultural colleges and schools. The result was that although New Zealand had distinct natural advantages over Denmark, the farming qualities of the latter were far ahead of that of New Zealand. Colleges should be established in New Zealand in different districts, where there was a distinct change of soil. Agriculture could be taught in the primary and secondary schools with advantage to the fanning industry, and such teaching would counteract the drift citywards. LABOUR. Mr Meldrum, in dealing with Labour questions, spoke against strikes, and expressed the opinion that disputes over wages and conditions should be settled by conciliation and arbitration instead of by direct action. Men who incited others to Strike were not playing the game and should bo deported. The candidate said that similar action should be taken with those who incited men to “go slow,” for this was no good to the nation.

COOT OP LIVING. The rise on the cost of living was, in a measure, due to profiteering, and legal means should be taken to take the, unfair profit away from those men. The increase in wages was not a cause of the rise, for the chief reason was the diminished production of goods, which put into operation the old law of supply and demand. It would not bo until production was quickened and increased that the cost of living would decrease. Another important factor, but not so great in this country, was the change in currency from gold to paper; there was now a superabundance of paper money, which had depreciated the currency. Until the gold standard of exchange was restored no great decrease could be expected in the cost of living. STATE BANE. The State at present owned practically half of the Bank of New Zealand, and the Liberal Party proposed to purchase the remaining shares of the shareholders who were willing to sell. The advantage of this was that the Bank was already a going concern with a large connection, and would be afc once profitable. If the State had to establish its own bank and work up a connection it would be many years before the State

bank became payable. Iy was estimated that the profit on the pank would be half a million per annjtim. Then, in addition, tire State woajfd gain by the transaction of, its own [business affairs. A State- bank would standardise rates on overdraft, and alsy upon fixed deposits, and might als<j> pay interest on current accounts. , ■' ROADS AND (RAILWAYS. The roads of New/ Zealand were nothing to boast about/ for such a prosperous country they were an absolute disgrace. Before moj/or transport could bo made full use of the roads would have to be put into first-class order. The time had come, the Liberal Party declared, when the Government should take over and maintain the arterial roads, imposing a tax on motor veliddos for the purpose of providing the extra money. The candidate advocated that the Government should select and complete the railway lines in the order of profitbearing. To give a sop here and a sop there, as indicated in the last proposals, especially before an election, looked as if they -were granted, not so much for sound Government, but for obtaining sound votes. ELECTRICITY AND COAL. The candidate advocated increased development of hydro-electric power. This was a strong point in the Liberal Party’s platform, which proposed a vigorous Dominion-wide development. The Liberals proposed to nationalise the leading coalmines of the Dominion, for it was the key industry of the country. It was the most important industry, and it was also the most dangerous one; it was, therefore, only right and proper that every safeguard should be made use of, and this could be don© only by the State. The State! only could provide adequate housing and living conditions, and were the irnprovements he advocated effected it would mean better conditions for the' miners, happier and peaceful workers, and an adequate supply of coal. The candidate, who received an' excellent hearing, was at the conclusion of his address accorded a hearty vote of thanks. MR GLENN AT OKOIA. Mr W. S. Glenn, the Reform candidate for the Rangitikei, addressed the electors at Okoia last evening, Mr S. Strachan presiding. Mr Glenn advocated improvement of the existing roads and railways. He mentioned that the Government would soon be in possession of a million acres, and it was proposed to have this area developed at once. Proceeding, the candidate advocated State sjiips rather than to be at the mercy of shipping combines; he also spoke in favour of development of hydro-electric power. Mr Glenn spoke on repatriation on the same lines as in his previous addresses. He said that the Minister for Lands was out to help the returned soldiers, and would assist any small community of them to buy any land on which they had decided to settle. The speaker advocated reforms in the education system in the direction of improved salaries and conditions for teachers, also the teaching of first-aid to boys and nursing to girls. The speaker dealt with the cost of living and the labour question as on former lines. In dealing with the land question, the candidate contended that those farmers who neglected their laud should lose it. Mr Massey, he declared, was the first to tackle land aggregation; that his Bill of 1919 would stop all aggregation. He would like to see all available and unused land taken, placed under the Bush and Swamp Act rent free for four years. Nationalisation of mines and public health was dealt with as bn former lines, and at the conclusion of his address Mr Glenn whs accorded a vote of thanks.

TO-NIGHT’S MEETINGS. rangittkei, Mr Meldrum speaks at Fordell this evening. Mr Glenn will apeak this evening- at Durie Hill. WANGANUI. Mr W. A. Veitch speaks this evening in the Presbyterian Schoolroom, corner of Glasgow and Campbell Streets. Mr W. Cuttle speaks to-night at St. John’s Hill, POINTS FOR EtLECTOES. CHANGES OF ADDRESS. Im reply to a request by Mr W. A. Yeitch, M.P., that he explain the position of an elector removing from one 'part of an electorate to another, the Chief Electoral Officer advises: “Ejectors who have changed their addresses since the roll was printed will not be disqualified from voting if they are still residing in the Wanganui Electorate.” In connection with the above it should be noted that the above applies where the change of address is “since the roll was printed,” and of course it only affects changes within the electorate itself, and not from one electorate to another. Similar provisions, of course, apply in the case of all other electorates. QUESTIONS BY SCRUTINEER-S. There seems to be some misunderstanding as to the rights of scrutineers in challenging any voters of whom they may entertain a doubt. Section 128 of the Act provides that scrutineers cannot put any question directly to a voter, but can only do so through the Returning Officer or his deputy. Moreover, they are only entitled to have ■two questions put, which are as follows: (a) Are you the person whose name appears as on the electoral roll now in force for the electoral district of (b) Have you already voted at the present election in this or any electoral district? If such questions are put to the voter he must answer distinctly in the affirmative or negative, THE WAITOMO SEAT. OHURA, December 1. The contest for the Waitomo seat is proceeding briskly and Messrs Jennings, Wilson and ElUott, the candidates, are working hard. The sitting member has had a lot of ground covered since Parliament rose, and has addressed thirty meetings, which have been well attended and good receptions have been accorded to the member. To-day, Mr Jennings unveils a roll! of honour to the Ohura fallen soldiers, and settlers from all parts of the country have assembled for the occasion.