INDEPENDENT STAND.

MR. H. POLAND OPENS. OPPOSED TO GOVERNMENT. WILL NOT SUPPORT "USEHOLD." [Br TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT." PAEROA. Wednesday. Mr. H. Poland, Independent candidate for Ohinemuri, gave his first, address ir the present campaign at Paeroa last, even ing. Mr. W. Marshall, Mayor, presided Mr. Poland was well received by a large audience. The candidate opened by stating thai he faced his constituents with confidence after representing them for over 20 years He explained his position as an Independ ent, stating that the country requirec men of independent thought. He praisec the Government fpr their pension policy in making all-round increases, but statec that they failed because they had noi made large enough increases in both the old age. and miners' pensions. Mr. Poland stated his reasons for vot.inj; with the Labour Party. He said thai the party always voted against the Gov eminent on no-confidence motions, anc he agreed with them on that questioi because he considered the Government hac not the confidence of the country. He would not support the Labour "usehold" policy. He. would support freehold agaiusi the "usehold." He considered that Crown lands shouk be opened up, and if necessary giver to New Zealanders who desired to farn them. The valuations of soldier settlemen I areas would have, to be further reduced, a: they were too highly valued. He advo cated a policy of Government insurance against sickness and accident, stating tha instead of feducing taxation on large con corns like the Auckland Racing Club the Government should pay a pension for sick n ess. The candidate advocated'that all acciden insurance business in the country shouk be controlled by the State, and highci benefits given to injured workmen. Hi was opposed to any increase in rate o interest on State Advances loans, con tending that the increase was for the benefit of large money-lending institutions The candidate answered one or twr questions and was accorded a vote o: thanks and confidence. ASPIRANT FOR TAURANGA OPPONENT OF FUSION. WOULD VOTE REFORM OUT. [BY TELEGRAPH.-- -OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Wednesday. Mr. R. Coulter, National candidate foi Tanranga, addressed a well-attended meeting of electors in the Town Hall last night. The Mayor, Mr. B. Dive, presided. Mr. Coulter said he was standing in the interests of the National Party becausf he was convinced that the party stood for progressive, liberal and humanitarian legislation. He was opposed: to the Reform Party because he thought it was dominated by big financial institution? and combines, and could not carry out flu wishes of those institutions and at tht same time serve the interests of the people. Dealing with the land question, f.hf candidate said he believed in the freM> hold and the leasehold as a steppingstone to the freehold. The twe> greal evils which were to be dealt with it connection with the freehold were aggre gation and professional speculation. Regarding the question of fusion, he said his attitude was that he, had nc time for a fusion of parties for the pur pose of keeping one party in office anr another out. He was satisfied the Re form Party was in for a very bad time on November 4, but if they found, aftei the elections, that they could carry oi without assistance then fusion would be of no use to them. If elected, he wouk support, any no-confidence motion rnovce against the Reform Party. A motion was proposed and seconder that Mr. Coulter be accorded a heart) vote of thanks and confidence. At amendment of thanks only was negativec and the motion was then put and carrier by acclamation. "There seems little donbt now that the contest for the Tauranga electorate wil be confined to Mr. C. E. Macmillan a; Government nominee, and Mr. Coulter a; the National candidate. Both candidate: are now actively campaigning, Mr. Mac millan on the Te Aroha side of the range and Mr. Coulter in the Tauranga area With the election only three weeks off .* third candidate would be severely handi capped in his endeavour to cover sue! a large electorate in so limited a time. CANDIDATES' MEETINGS. FIXTURES FOR TO-NIGHT. Candidates will address meetings thi: evening as follows:Mr. H. Oakley Browne; (Ancklanc East), St. Sepulchre's, Khyber Pass, ? p.m. Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East), New market Municipal Theatre, 8 p.m. Mr. S. Oldfie.ld (Auckland West), St Stephen's Church Hall, Ponsonby, 8 p.m Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) Heme Bay <Lurch Hall, 0 p.m. Mr. W. E, Parry (Auckland Central) Primitive Methodist Church Hall, Kder Terrace, 8 p.m. Mr. R. F. Way (Parnell), St. Aidan'f Hall, Remucra, 8 p.m. Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Eden), Avondah Town Hall, 8 p.m Mr. F. N. Bartram (Grey Lynn), Grej Lvnn Library, 7.45 p.m. "Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill), Capito Theatre, Dominion Road terminus, 8 p.m Mr. Hall Skelton (Roskill), Gordor Road Sunday School, Mount Eden, 7.4£ p.m. Mr. John Massey (Manukau), Penrose Picture Theatre, 8 p.m. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata), Masonie Hall, Devonport, 8 p.m. Mr. A. G. Osborne (Waitemata), Be! Mont School, 8 p.m. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Manukau), Man gere Central Hall, 8 p.m. Mr. E. I). McLennan (Franklin) Public Hall, Ramarama,-2 p.m.; Public Hall, Manurewa, 8 p.m. Mr. J. Rea (Franklin), Clevedon Hal! 8 p.m. Mr. W. L. Martin (Hamilton), .New stead Schoolroom, 8 p.m. Mr. C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua), Tirati 8 p.m. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua), Mamaku. Mr. R. I). Duxfielel (.Raglan), Kariotaln, J p.m. ; Otaua, 8 p.m. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri), Kere peeLi Hall, 8 p.m. Mr. W. J. Jordan's meeting, announced for Mount. Roskill Public Hall on Saturday. has been postponed. Mr. Jorelan will address the electors at Coppins' Hall, Panama Estate, on that day. CANDIDATES WITH DRAW. SAVING WELLINGTON VOTES. Following an arrangement come to between the Government and Nationalist Parties, Mr. H. P. Mourant, Government, has withdrawn his candidature for Wellington South. A deputation strongly urged Colonel T. W. McDonald, Independent, to retire from the Wellington North contest to avoid splitting votes, and he has acceded to the wish. Owing to the indifferent health of his wife, Mr. J. N. Harle, Labour candidate for Ashburtom has decided to retire from the contest.