THE LIBERAL BANNER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3244, 14 June 1911, Page 3

THE LIBERAL BANNER.

MR, CARROLL AT CAFSTERTOM.

NATIVE POLICY DEFENDED. CHALLENGE TO MB. MASSEY. . [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.J CARTERTON, Jutae 13. The Acting-Premier, accompanied by the Hon. Mr Ngata, was present at a Liberal social at Carterton last night, and received a hearty reception. He delivered a, short address, .principally dealing with the Opposition criticisms. Mr Carroll claimed .that the Liberal policy had been consistently progressive far the twenty years they had been in power. The Opposition bad gone through many phases. First, it was the great Conservative party, then “the National Ass.,” then the Reform Party and now the Only True Liberal Party. Til© Opposition had termed Mr. John I Ballance and his party the Seven Devils of Socialism. They now said Mr Ballanee was a noble,' self-reliant statesman., who did great good. The Opposition said Mr Seddon, was galloping to a. deficit, and ruining tne country; now they said Mr Seddon was a. great, strong mail, whose work benefited New Zealand. The Opposition said the Ward Government was hypocritical and dishonest. A future Opposition probably would refer to them as the noble men ol':;1911. The Opposition had opposed all? Liberal measures, and new claimed credit for initiating some and improving some others. They would not repeal any. Mr Massey liad said the Native Minister was doing no goed, and should be removed as an impediment to progress. Mr. Carroll claimed to have consolidated the Native land laws, introduced the Board system,, put Native lands on the footing of Crown lands, secured proper valuations, and settled 1,700,000 acres cf Native land in five on six years. He had settled last year 344,000 acres, 174,000 by sale and 170,000 by lease, yet Mr Massey said he was doing nothing. He referred to Taumaranui and Te Kuiti, on the Main Trunk, as once Native lands , now municipalities, and lately a pastoral show was hold with hundreds presnt where only ton persons lived three years ago. Was that not progress? Mr Massev knew nothing about Native lands, and only indulged in vague generalities. He challenged Mr Massey to say where tlm six millions of waste Native lands were that hei was so fond of talking about. The statement was absolutely untrue. The Government was not a class Government; it legislated for all, small farmers, workers, and the whole people. There was no need to pull down the Liberal banner now. All should strengthen it and do their share to help in the progress of the country they all loved. (Much applause.) The Hen. Mr Ngata gave a. short address. He urged young electors to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. 'Hie Opposition were putting on Liberal clothes and begging to be put in power. They would not repeal any legislation, and onlv wanted to administer it. Hie Liberals had not changed. Let them beware of the wolves. The social was a great success, a large niunber of people being present.