THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14236, 10 December 1919, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

TAURANGA SEAT.

MR HERRIES AT WALTON

Hon. W.'H. Merries addressed a meeting of electors on'Thursday. There' was a good attendance. Mr W. McLean presided. Mr Hemes said the National Government had done good work, but it must not be judged from the standpoint of local progress, nor from ihe standpoint of legislation that heavily on the individual. It had a great task to perform to win the war and for the time all other questions had to be put cm one side. The whole question before the National Government was that as many trained nu-n &.nd as much material as possible be transferred to the seat of war iu as short a lime as possible, and in his opinion they had quite justified their trust, as over 100,000 men had liflen shipped to the various ports of disembarkation without a single mishap. This was a great feat in the fac3 i»f sc much danger. There was great need of a strong Government, and whichever of the great parties prevailed at the election it would be a pity it they were so close in number that the balance of luwer would fall into the aand.> of the extreme party. Mr Masse/ was tno r.ost able statesman in New Holland at ;bc present time. He was n man that could and did say "No" when it was necessary without fear or favour. With ihe experience which Mr Massoy r.ad gained througli being in personal touch with the greatest statesmen of the world during his visits to the older world, his ideas and deliberations had broadened, so that not only did he work for the welfare of the Dominion but also for the British Umpire. Sir Joseph Ward had also helped considerably, especially in finance during the term of the National Government, but it was unfair for him and his party to withdraw without giving reasonable i notice at such a difficult time. The 1 Reform Party had tried to bring about j a union of the two parties in order to do away with party bickering, but so far without result. There was a i lot of talk about the amount placed on the estimates during the session, but would it have been less if Sir Joseph's programme had been carried out? Mr Herries explained recent legislation in connection with the repatriation of soldiers, new land settlement proposals, and electric power. He said everything was being done to give the soldier a fair and square deal and he thought that although then- had been a lot of talk about the amount of gratuity the soldiers were quite satisfied the Government had made the gratuity a flat rate of Is 6d per day. Sir Joseph wanted to make it 2s. If they had made It 2s Sir Jasepb. would] fcaye

gone one better again. Mr Herriosj spoke for two hours to a very atten- J tive audience, and in conclusion he said that if they did him the honour to return him he would fulfil his duties in an honourable and honest manner and he would do his very best for his own electorate. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried without demur. OHiNEMURI ELECTORATE. MR POLAND'S CAMPAIGN. Mr Hugh Poland, sitting member and Liberal candidate for Ohinemuri, has , during the past week been addressing meetings in the farming centres of the electorate. At Mangateparu on Thursday evening there was a large attendance of the soldier settlers at the meeting held in the Mr A. Maxwell presided. Mr Poland's address, which was very well received , was punctuated with frequent bursts of applause. The candidate defined his position as one of opposition to the present Government on account of, its non-progressive policy, and the weak administration of most'of its members. At the same time he would not be bound hand and foot to any party, as he believed that candid criticism was for the good of the country in dealing with any Government. In regard to soldiers' settlements he advocated giving the land rent free for the first two years to enable the men to get a sound footing; and in the case of Crown lands the first four years should be rent free, as under the provisions of the old Bush and Swamp Lands Act. He also advocated more adequate pensions for disabled soldiers, and for the defendants of the dead; and cited his own efforts to force Sir Jas. Allen and tho Government to give sufferers more Just treatment. . Dealing with the urgent need for increased production he pointed out the value of hydro-electric power, not only to the secondary, but also to the primary' producers of the Dominion. A vigorous policy for railways and roads wa3 essential to open up the country; and it was equally important to push on the opening up of new country for intending settlers, with stringent and effective provisions against aggregation. He also advocated a State shipping service to counteract the operations ot the shipping combine, and carry the country's produce at the lowest payable rates to the world's markets. He was a firm supporter of free, secular, and compulsory education from primary school to university, with better treatment of country districts than is at present given. With regard to profiteering he would make the penalties much more severe for offenders. As to the Farmers' Union political platform, he was in accord with all the planks, except those dealing with the Upper House and with local industries. He would abolish the Upper House entirely, and would substitute a small board to revise the legis-

lation passed by Parliament, so that it should be in such form as to express the will of that body and of the people represented. He believed protective duties were more efficient for assisting the development of local industries suitable to the country than any systeir of bonuses. He had always advocated Government assistance for maternity homes and the establishment of a State nursing system, which was a crying need ol the back country especially, and lv would continue that advocacy until i was successful. After answering a number of questions dealing chiefly with local requirements, Mr Marshall proposed ; vote of thanks and confidence, whicr was carried by acclamation.