THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2316, 8 October 1908, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

BAY OF PLENTY ELECTORATE

mr. w. d. s. Macdonald at ORMOND.

Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, who is contesting the Bay of Plenty electorate in the Government interests, addressed a meeting of constituents at Ormond last evening. Despite the unfavorable weather there was a fair gathering of ladies and gentlemen to hear the candidate’s views upon the political questions of the day. Mr. A. Parsons was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate. Mr. MacDonald, who was well received, said that ho was not an aspirant for political honors oil his own account, or from any personal ambition, and neither did he have any private axo to grind. Ho had for some time represented the people among whom ho lived oil various local bodies .including the Cook County Council, and they had urged him to stand in their interests and now that lie had entered the contest lie would use every effort to win the seat if possible. Ho was not standing against any Tried candidate, for the Bay of Plenty electorate was a new one, carved out of portions of the old Waiapu and Bay of Plenty electorates. Up to the present there were only two candidates "in the field, Mr. J. W. Gow, who was offering himself as a supporter of the Opposition, and himself, who was standing as a Liberal and a supporter of the Ward Administration. He had received a letter from the Hon. James Carroll expressing regret that Ormond had been cut out of his electorate, and assuring him {the speaker) of his support and confidence, and wishing him every success. He did not intend to refer in any way to the Opposition candidate, but would confine his remarks to the records of the Liberal Party from the time Mr. Ballance was Premier to the present day. The first point he would touch upon would be

THE-LAND QUESTION, which was of great importance to the people in the agricultural and pastoral industries. Last year the exports from New Zealand totalled £20,000,000, of which £16,500,000 came -from the land, and for that reason he would lay particular stress upon the necessity for thoroughly reviewing the land question. Up to last session the principal systems of land tenure were the cash, lease in perpetuity, and occupation with the right of purchase. The Land Act of last session abolished the L.I.P. system and instituted the 66 years’ renewable lease. This system of tenure had its supporters, and like other new ideas had its opponents. The Government had recognised, and he was sure those present would recognise, that land within the Dominion was getting scarcer, and that very soon there would be but little unimproved land left. He considered it was wise for the Government to reserve some of the Crown lands for future generations. The lands were therefore let out on lease at a rental of 4 per cent, upon their unimproved value. It was generally agreed by both the Minister for Lands and the settlers that the Crown lands now being thrown open were not so good and were more inaccessible than those opened in the past, and power had been given to exempt such lands from rent for a period of ten years so as to allow tenants to develop their holdings. This provision brought land ivithin the reach of every working man in the Dominion, and was a great improvement upon . the old 989 years’ lease. In the parly days of New Zealand the Government was anxious ,to attract settlers and consequently those colonists bought the pick of the lands and held them in large areas. In 1592 a great clamour arose for lands for farming purposes, and farmers wanted land for their sons. Sir John McKenzie, a far-seeing man, saw the evils of large holdings, and brought forward a Bill to burst up the large estates and the Lands for Settlement Act was passed. People now looked upon this Act as a just one. It had helped the pastoral and agricultural industries, brought dairying to a state of perfection, and allowed butter and cheese factories to be established, and made accessible to all. Under the 33 years renewable lease the occupier had the right of renewal on re-valuation, or to receive full compensation for his improvements. He had also the right to pay up to 90 per cent, of the capital value of the land to the Government, and so have the rent reduced by a corresponding amount, and all restrictions except the residential clause put aside. The money "so paid was a good: investment, for the rent allowed was eq'ual to 4 per cent, ink terest, so that the Government acted as a savings bank. The large areas of ■ ■

NATIVE LANDS that were lying idle caused great discontent. The residents of Ormond were not perhaps greatly interested in the Native land question, but a large proportion of the people of the Dominion were. Up to the year 1900 the Native Land Acts were almost prohibitive of any dealing in Native lands, and of those who did deal many lived to rue the day. The Maoris often repudiated the sales and went to law in the Supreme and Validation Courts, and caused many settlers to lose all they had invested. In 1900 the Hon. James Carroll had given the question much thought, but after the legislation of the old days, when the Maoris were robbed of their lands, the Natives were still sceptical of any laws that might be passed. The sessions of 1900, 1902, and 1905 saw great improvements in tlie Maori land question and large blocks of unsettled land were thrown open for occupation and large areas in the Poverty Bay district had been successfully dealt with in the past eight years. A report of the transactions in Native lands during the past eight years had been placed beforo Parliament, and showed that during the past eight years 1,404,543 acres had been brought into occupation. The- Government still desired to push the occupation of Native lands forward, and two years ago a Royal Commission consisting of Sir Robert Stout and Mr. Ngata, M.P., was appointed to enquire into what Native lands were required by tlie Maoris and what would he available for European settlement. A report was laid upon the table last session and the Native Lands Settlement Bill was passed to give effect to the recommendations of the ■Commission. Native Land Boards were appointed in various districts, and the land not required by the Natives was placed at the disposal of Europeans, half of which was offered on lease by auction, or tender, and the other half was sold by auction, or tender, on the same freehold tenure as Crown lands. By this means all persons requiring land were allowed to compete in the open market. A further amendment had been made to the law, and the Natives are now allowed to sell the whole of tlieir block of land if they desired to do so. Another question of importance was that of

ROADS AND BRIDGES. The whole of the roids in the back country were in a bad condition, and the Waiapu and Cook County Councils had found great difficulty in making the roads oven passable for summer traffic. Ho had always urged upon the Government the necessity for- giving increased borrowing powers to county councils, so that money could be raised to road the back blocks. Sir Joseph Ward had seen the need for good roads in the back country and had proposed that the Government help the local bodies to raise money to make roads.. It was probable that the borrowing limit would be increased, and for every £1 the local bodies raised towards the oinking fund the Government would find 10s a s subsidy. Under the present law county councils could only borrow £6OOO under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, and as the Cook County Council was one of the largest in the Dominion that amount was totally, inadequate. The Government proposed to spend £650,000 in the construction of roads and bridges and another £250,000 in reading the back blocks, and as many of the roads in the Cook County were

regarded as hack-block roads grants hud boon provided for them. Another beneficial work under construction was the Gisborne-Rotorua

■RAILWAY. which was started in 1900. The railway at that time did not have many supporters. It was looked upon as a political. move, and doubts were held that it would never roach Ormond. The lino was now 23J miles / in length, and at present nearly 300 men wore working on the construction in the Waihuka Valley. The Ministers who had visited the district agreed that the future of the line was assured, and that when the Molu was reached great resources in timber and pastoral land would ho tapped. A vote of £60,000 had been placed on the Estimates for the work, and when the Main Trunk line was completed the work would be pushed on with still greater speed. The Government had last session reserved nine million acres under the Lands Endowment Act, the land to bo leased on the renewable lease, 70 per cent, of tlie income to be applied for educational purposes and 30 per cent, for old ago pensions. Last year £850,000 had been required for educational purposes, and the . educational system of the Dominion now allowed the child of the poorest to go" through the primary schools and graduate at the university. The Advances to Settlers Act had been of great benefit to farmers and had been a lever to keep down abnormal rate's of interest and thus help the small settler. In the same way tlie Advances io Workers Act had been of great benefit to workers' in the cities, and could bo looked upon as a wise measure. The Government had also come to the help of settlers by placing them m telegraphic communication with the larger towns. At the last general election the people had shown their confidence in the present Administration, and out- of a House of 80 members only 13 members were Oppositionists.

CONCLUSION. In conclusion, - Mr. MacDonald assured the electors that if he was returned he would do all in his power to further the interests of tlie distuct, and do his best for the settlers and the country a s a whole. (Applause.) QUESTIONS. In reply-to questions, Mr. MacDonald said he was not a prohibit! mist, but favored the no-1 ice rise Jaw wifch the three-fifths majority as the most satisfactory. He could not cry that the Government had paid tro high a price for land for settlement, but knew of many instances where full value was got, and that witnesses gave evidence that the land was' worth £5 and £6 an acre more than the price paid. VOTE OF THANKS. 'Mr. Mollamby proposed, and Air. Mortenson seconded, a vote of thanks to, and confidence ill, the candidate. Mr. Asher (Mr. MacDonald’s sec- . rotary) rose to support the motion, and proceeded to point out- what a curse free trade and landlordism had been in England and other countries. The speaker was interrupted with cries of “Are you another candidate?” Mr. Asher asked if any one wished to mount the platform and speak. Gries of “One fool at a time.” The speaker (with some heat): It seems to me it is the desire of the Opposition to stifle speech. They are afraid of the truth.

The motion was then put and carried. - ... :

Mr. MacDonald briefly.- returned thanks, and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.

[Press Association.]

«A FEILDING CANDIDATE

-FEILDING, Oct. 7. Air. Q. C. Pleasants, the selected! Government candidate, addressed a large nieeting here last-night. He eulogised the Government’s measures in the direction of aid to settlers by the Advances to Settlers Act and by resuming largo estates, a.nd showed many benefits received by small farmers. Industrial legislation was also referred to as haring been of great benefit. He favored leasehold with the option of the freehold, supported the Arbitration Act with amendments, and favored absolute exclusion of Asiatics. The candidate received a vote of cofidenee.

THE WAIR-AU SEAT. BLENHEIM, Oct. 7. The election for Wairau has assumed some peculiarities. Two Liberal candidates aud an old-time Oppositionist (Mr. J. Duncan), who on this occasion announces himself as an Independent Liberal, are dn the field. The two Liberals consented to the Prime -Minister making a choice between them, with the result that Mr. R. McArtney was chosen as Government candidate. It was stated definitely to-day that Air. Duncan had retired from the contest, and this would give Air. McArtney a walk-over and obviate a licensing poll if Mr. G. Turner, ail outside candidate with exceedingly slender chances, stood down, but in consequence of the new development an Opposition candidate is certain, either Lieutenant-Colonel Darcy Cliaytor or Air. A. AlcKav, and tlie arrangements about an Opposition candidate will probably be known in a day or two.

GERALDINE ELECTORATE. TIMARU, Oct. 7. The political campaign opened in South Canterbury last night, when Mr. W. H. Williams, one of the five candidates, lor the Geraldine elector-

ate, addressed a largely-attended' meeting at Tcmuka. Mr.' AYilliains announced himself as a supporter of the Government in general, but considered there was room for economy in administration. Too much was spent oil the Tourist Department, to the detriment of roads for backblocks settlers. The speech dealt chiefly with land and I 'labor questions. He advocated a continuance of tho present 1land settlement policy,'strongly defending the leasehold. More amicable relations .would require to be established between capital and labor. Each should learn to recognise that it depended on the other, and while employers should "nay a fair living wage, employees should aim at deserving good treatment. He believed in taxing -all luxuries, including motor cars, and taking taxation off the necessaries of life. He was given an attentive hearing, and was accorded a vote of thanks.

DUNEDIN SEATS. DUNEDIN, Oct. 7. Mr. W. Downie Stewarc, who was expected to be a candidate for one of the Dunedin seats at the general election, will not contest any seat. A RICCARTON CANDIDATE. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct, 7. Mr. George Sheat, one of the eniplovers’ representatives on the Canterbury Conciliation Board, is stand- > ing for Riccarfon as an Oppositionist. . THE MATAURA SEAT. GORE, October 7. A deputation of Oppositionists waited on Dr. Rogers, of Gore, asking him to contest the Mataura -seat, lmt he declined. In all probability Hon. Mr. McNab will have practically a walk-over with only the nominal opposition of Mr. Bull put up to secure a local option poll. THE ASHBURTON SEAT. ASHBURTON, October 7. Mr. ,W. Noswortliy, a candidate for the Ashburton'Sdat in tbo Opposition interests, addressed his initial meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening. During the course of his address, the candidate stated that he would favor the ■abolition, of the Arbitration Act if, on its trial, it showed itself unworkable, and would favor tile establishment of a Wages Board. He roundly condemned the Government’s land policy, declaring himself a straight-out freeholder. He objected to State control of the liquor traffic, and while not a prohibitionist, thought no-license should he given a further trial, the voting to be as at present. He advocated a Civil Service Board, but was not in favor of compulsory religious teaching in State schools.' He condemned the Second Ballot Bill.