Political meetings June 22, 1895.

*THE WORKER*

BRISBANE JUNE 22, 1895.

Labour Member Turley at South Brisbane.

Labour member Turley addressed another meeting of his constituents in the Oddfellows' Hall Merton street, South Brisbane, last week. In the course of his remarks he pointed out the unfairness of the Government's policy of retrenchment and the excuses put forward by its supporters in defence of the more highly paid Civil servants, whilst the lower paid employ'es were made to bear the brunt of the retrenchment. Referring to the statement of the president of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, that the commercial interests were not sufficiently represented in Parliament, Mr. Turley said not only has the commercial interests a big voice in the Assembly, but it owns the Upper Chamber altogether – a fact which is a continual menace to reforms. He scathingly criticised the Colonial Secretary's unemployed statistics; and as for subsidising industries in the hands of private enterprise, he declared his opposition to it, believing that it was dangerous to allow the people's credit to be used in immoral trade. It would be much safer for Government itself to undertake the sole control and management of many things that were now subsidised. Labour members Jackson also spoke, both members meeting with an excellent reception.

____________________

Labour Member Reid at Toowong.

Mr. M. Reid, M.L.A. Addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents at the Foresters' Hall, Paddington, on Tuesday last, Mr. George Wright occupied the chair. Among others on the platform were Messrs. Fisher, Hardacre, Daniels, Rawlings and Kerr, M.L.A.

After dealing with certain false rumours regarding himself, with Mr. Barlow's administration of the lands Department, the Treasurer's surplus, and the Premier's position as president of the Queensland Political Association, Mr. Reid had a few words to say about the position of the Labour Party and Opposition. Speaking as the member for the district, he thought it was very important that there should be an advanced party in politics. Mr. Charles Powers, the present leader of the Opposition, made a speech at Maryborough a few weeks ago, and he felt that he must compliment Mr. Powers upon it. (Cheers) He held that there was a necessity for an advanced party in politics, apart from what was known as the Opposition and the Government. He thought it would be to the great advantage of the country if what was known as the Opposition was returned to the House strong enough to oust the present Government and establish in its place a Democratic Government. He did not know but that the labour party would help them. As to the present Opposition, outside Mr. Powers and Mr. Drake, he did not know one man in it whom he would trust out of his sight in politics. (Cheers) If the Opposition got stronger, as he trusted it would, it would attract to it, as all powerful parties did, all sorts of rag tag and bob-tail politicians. They would hang on to it, and, as they always did when a criss came, would desert it for the other side. Some people said that the Labour Party ought to join the Opposition, go to the country, and come back strong enough to oust the Government and form a new one. What would it mean if the Labour Party coalesced with the country? It would mean that the Labour party, who were the most advanced of any party, who were more earnest because younger, and who were more pure at present because they had not been long enough in politics to be corrupted – (cheers) – he hoped as long as they stopped there they would not be – would be merged in and become mere voting machines of the party that would be in power. (Cheers) They would cease to be the advanced party; they would cease to represent the aspirations of the people for progress, and another party would spring up to take the place and advocate the policy which had been theirs. For that reason he objected to any coalition with the Opposition. (Cheers) For the Labour Party to coalesce with the Opposition would be a deathblow to their hopes for a long time to come. As the advanced party in politics they would always be willing to give any Government independent support to measures of which they approved. On these grounds, he must object to any coalition of any sort - ( hear, hear!) - but he was strongly in favour of supporting any party which would bring forward measures that would benefit the whole of the people of the colony. (Cheers)

Mr. Reid concluded an excellent address with a criticism of the disadvantages of Party or Cabinet Government, and appealed to those present at his meeting to see that their names were put on the roll. The speech was well applauded. Mr. J. Doyle and Mr. J. Beck moved a resolution protesting against the unwarrantable interference of the Government with the names of persons qualified to be on the electoral roll. This was carried unanimously, and the meeting terminated.