THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 247, 21 November 1914, Page 12

THE ELECTIONS.

DATE DEFINITELY FIXED.

Pres» Association

WELLINGTON, November 21

It is officially announced that the general elctions will be held on Thursday, December 10. The elections in the four Maori constituencies will be held on the following day. THE PRIME MINISTER. INVERCAEGILL, November 20. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey addressed a huge audience in the Municipal Theatre to-night, the rising of the screen being the signal for an enthusiastic scene. The Mayor (Mr D. McFarlane) presided. On rising to speak, Mr Massey was continuously cheered. His speech followed very closely on the lines of his Temuka and Dunedin addresses. He said he did not know what the war would cost New Zealand, but it would be much more than was at first thought. In regard to a Avar tax, he thought that it would have a bad effect, and more so on the workers. The Government could raise money and keep the country going. In reply to an interjection, Mr Massey said that trouble in regard to wheat supplies would have arisen, war or no war. There was not enough wheat in the country to last till next crop. (Cries of "What rot!" and "They won't let it out!") He had the figures and knew that at present over 20 mills in New Zealand were short of wheat. Australia had discovered itself also short, and his order for 250,000 bushels had not been filled. All he had *been able to secure was 45,000 bushels. In addition, he had taken oft" the duty and had approached the Canadian and Indian Governments. Unfortunately, Indian wheat was not suitable to this country on account of their Abrahamic system of threshing, but the Canadian Government was to load 6ne ship which would bring 250,000 bushels to this country, and lie was doing his best to deal with the extraordinary position which had arisen. (Applause.) The Food Commission could hardly recommend what should be done. It was just as well to face the position, and If agriculturists did not raise sufficient wheat for our own requirements, flour was going to be much dearer than it had been for twenty years. (Applause.) The farmers had responded to the appeal, but the dry season had largely spoiled their efforts. Europe was 150,000,000 bushels short. Australia had Onlv one-quarter of its usual crop, and no 'Government could help the price of wheat rising. (Applause.) Mr Massey referred with pride to the prosperous condition of the Dominion in spite of the war. In 1910, when there was a drop in the price of wool, 1914 Public Servants were turned on to the streets; to-day not one Public .Servant had been dismissed, and no one had been turned off public works; indeed, the Government saw its way to largely increase the number of men on public works. In his closing remarks, the Prune Minister said the Government had done everything to protect the weakest members of the community right through the piece. The people had now to choose between the present Government and a party that, if returned to power, would be dragged at the heels of the Red Feds., A motion of thanks and confidence in the Ministry, moved by Mr Gilkinson, and seconded in several places, was carried. The meeting was a lively one, but good-natured and friendly throughout, and Mr Massey received a cordial reception and an excellent hearing. The meeting closed with cheers and countercheers',:. . ,

ELLESMERE ELECTORATE.

HON. R. H. RHODES. The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes addressed the electors in the Springston Hall last evening. There was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen. Mr Isaac Anderson presided, and, in introducing Mr Rhodes, said that his attainment of Cabinet rank had fully •justified the confidence the electors of

Ellesmere had placed in him during th'J last fifteen years. The district had' been honoured by the selection of their member as a Cabinet Minister. Though larger matters of State now demanded his attention, he was as attentive as ever to their interests, and, as they all knew, no one took a keener interest in defence matters than their member did. Mr Rhodes, who was most cordially received, thanked the chairman for his kindly references. As the object of defence had been mentioned, he would like to ask the meeting whether they agreed with the statement credited to his opponent that as soon as the war was over the present system of military training "should be dropped like hot potatoes." Ho felt sure that such sentiments would not meet with much sympathy in the Ellesmere electorate. After dealing with charges that had for party purposes been levelled against the Government ho outlined their principal legislative enactments and administrative reform. As Post-master-General he had been able to make a good many important concessions to the public, with the view of extending the usefulness of the important services he controlled. They would probably remember the difficulty that was experienced in many places in getting provisions, even the necessaries of life, particularly on the West Coast during the industrial troubles of last year. To meet that difficulty he temporarily raised the limit of weight of parcels from 111b to 211b, and he was glad to be able to announce for the first time that on December 1 an important amendment of the parcel post regulations would come into force, in time for the Christinas traffic, providing for the extonsion of the limit of weight of parcels from 111b to 281b, for places served by rail or steamer, the rates to be 3d for the first lib, l£d for each additional lib up to 131b, and Id for each lib from 131b up to 281b. This amendment of the regulation also provided for the giving to the sender, witho\it charge, of an acknowledgment of posting, and the taking of a receipt from addressee for each parcel delivered, instead of certain classes of parcels only, and the institution of an express service ensuring a specially rapid dispatch of all parcels on which a special fee was paid. A good deal had been said by the Opposition, no doubt for party purposes, about the system adopted by the Government in connection with the preparation of the electoral rolls, but a return he had just received showed that in nearly every electorate where the services of the letter-carriers had been enlisted the numbers on the rolls were largely in excess of those on the old rolls. He found that whereas the Canterbury rolls, as purged according

to law after the 1911 elections, showed 74,203 electors, the present rolls, up to the 18th inat., showed 87,H28, an increase of over 17 per cent. In his concluding remarks, Mr Rhodes asked the electors to compare carefully the manifesto of the Leader of the Opposition and that of the Prime Minister, and to form their own opinions as to which was the more likely to further the best interests of the Dominion as a whole. Though he himself had been accused by Oppositionists of giving expression to reactionary sentiments, his supporters knew full well that he had never done so. He had always supported progressive measures, and if the electors of Ellesmcre again honoured him by returning him, for the sixth time, he would continue to support such measures. (Applause.) Mr H. Neale moved that Mr Rhodes be accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and of confidence in him and the Government. In seconding this Mr T. T. Blackmore said that the Massey Government had kept their pledges and had earned the continued confidence of the people. At a serious time like the present there should be no swopping of horses. The motion was carried unanimously. NEWS AND NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. The supporters of Mr G. D. Macfarlane, Government candidate for East Christchurch, met in His Majesty's buildings last evening, Mr W. 11. Cooper presiding. Mr Macfarlane briefly outlined his attitude in regard to the leading political questions of the day, and a motion adopting his candidature was carried. An election committee was appointed to work in his interest.

The Social-Democratic Party candidate, Mr Hiram Hunter, addressed a meeting from the Sydenham Park Rotunda last evening, Mr J. W. Smith presiding. At the conclusion of his address Mr Hunter was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Messrs O. Barber and W. Flood. In regard to the candidates for the electorate, Mr Hunter said it was difficult to explain why a Liberal candidate for Christchurch East had been introduced by the local Liberal League, seeing that the speaker had given a pledge to support Sir Joseph Ward on a vote of no confidence and to support him also along progressive lines. Surely, he said, that should be satisfactory to the progressive Liberals in the electorate, assuming that they were siueere in their desire to oust the present from office. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. Mr G. B. Whiting, Labour candidate for Christchurch South, addressed a meeting at the corner of Gladstone Street and Colombo Street last evening, Mr C. J. Richards presiding. After answering questions the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr .7. T. Forrester, seconded by Mr W.Britten. Mr H. G. Ell, candidate for Christchurch South, addressed a meeting of Christchurch South electors in the Barrington Street Schoolroom last evening, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr J. O'Rorke, seconded by Mr C. Goodsall. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. Mr 11. F. Toogood, Government candidate for Christchurch North, addressed a meeting of electors at the Durham Street Schoolroom last evening, Mr W. H. Morton presiding. The candidate quoted statistics to support his contention that Sir Joseph Ward, who was supposed to be a man for the masses, had allowed Customs taxation to go up, while land taxation had gone down. On the other hand, he said, the Massey Government, which was supposed to be the friend of the landed proprietor, had reduced Customs taxation and increased land taxation. The income tax had greatly increased since the present Administration took office. It was true Sir Joseph Ward had increased the death duties in his last year of office, but why, considering his party was in power for 20 years, did he not, if he were sincere, increase them long before he did, tion and increased land taxation. The Massey Government, said Mr Toogood, had set an example to private employers in its treatment of its own employees, Which, he asked, would the people prefer I—a Government that talked or a Government that was in earnest and performed a lot? The candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. This afternoon Mr Toogood will deliver an address at Mr Bowker's gardens, at the corner of Durham and Salisbury Streets. On Monday Mr Toogood will address a meeting at Garden Avenue at 7.30 p.m., and at the corner of Hawkesbury Avenue and Browns Road at 8.30 p.m. On Wednesday he will speak at the corner of Edgeware Road and Caledonian Road at 8 p.m., and on Thursday at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Fitzgerald Street, at 7.30 p.m., and at the corner of Bealey Street and Edgeware Road at 8.30 p.m.

St. Luke's Schoolroom was crowded to hear Mr Isitt, on Friday night, the audience extending to and filling the porch. For an hour and a half Mr Isitt dealt with finance, land, defence, the Huntly disaster, and the legislation and administration of the Reform Party, to a keenly attentive audience, who seemed to greatly enjoy the give and take between the speaker and one or two intcrjectors. At the close of his address one of the interjectors moved a vote of no confidence, but failed to find a seconder, and a vote of thanks and confidence was carried with acclamation. Hi the afternoon Mr Isitt addressed a well-attended meeting in the Rugby Street Schoolroom. Mrs T. E. Taylor occupied the chair. The candidate dealt with the Bible in schools, and at the close of his address was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. AVON. Mr G. W. Russell, Liberal candidate for Avon, addressed u meeting of the fellmongery employees at Robson'a wool work's, Avonside, yesterday. Mr D. Folia presided. Mr Russell answered a number of questions, and was cheered at the conclusion of the meeting. In the evening Mr Russell addressed a combined meeting of electors of Kaiapqi and Avon at Burwood Hall, and in the course of his speech eulogised the services of the Hon. D. Buddo, who was prevented by illness from canvassing the Kaiapoi electorate. At the conclusion of the address the meeting carried unanimous votes of thanks and of confidence in Mr Russell and the Hon. D. Buddo as representatives of the Avon and Kaiapoi electorates respectively.

Mr H. H. Acland, Government candidate for Avon, addressed a large meeting of electors at Stanmore Bridge last evening. Mr Nutt presided. Mr Acland spoke on the lines of his previous addresses, and at the conclusion was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

To-night Mr Acland will speak at the corner of Cashel Street and Stanmore Road, at the corner of Carlyle Street and River Road at 7 p.m. on Monday, at Geddis 's corner at 8.15 p.m. on Monday, at Breeze's Road on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and Brighton Band Rotunda on Wednesday at 8.15 p.m.; at corner of Tuam Street and Fitzgerald Avenue on

Thursday; at corner of Travers and Armagh Streets on Friday (7 p.m.), at Jones's store, Mile Eoad, on Friday (8.15 p.m.); at corner of Eolleston and Gloucester Streets on Saturday (7 p.m.), and at the corner of Perth and London Street on Saturday (8.15 p.m.) RICCARTON. Mr B. Bunn, Government candidate for Riccarton, addressed a meeting at Darfleld on Thursday night. Mr R. Reid was in the chair. The candidate dealt at length with the policy of the Government, and criticised Sir Joseph Ward's recent speeches. The speaker received a very good hearing and was accorded a vote of thanks. On Thursday evening, Mr Geo. Witty, the Liberal candidate for Riccarton, addressed a largely-attended meeting in the Burnham Industrial School. Mr Parker presided, and the proceedings were very enthusiastic, the candidate being frequently applauded. A motion thanking Mr Witty for his address was carried by acclamation, after an amendment/had lapsed for want of a seconder. LYTTELTON. Mr J, McCombs, Labour candidate for Lyttelton, addressed a meeting on Thursday night at the Oddfellows' Hall, Woolston. The following resolution was carried: —"That this meeting of Woolston citizens recognises the valuable work rendered by Mr McCombs during the past session, and he has the continued confidence of the Woolston electors." Last evening Mr McCombs addressed a meeting in the Club Hall, Heathcote. Mr McMillan presided over a good attendance. Mr McCombs spoke on the lines of his previous addresses. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to him. Mr M. J. Miller, Reform candidate for Lyttelton, addressed a meeting of electors at the Opawa Methodist schoolroom on Thursday night, Mr GeoSeott presiding. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. " KAIAPOI. Mr David Jones addressed a well-at-. tended meeting at West Eyreton on Friady evening. Mr F. G. Horrell occupied the chair, and the speaker was given a good reception throughout. Mr M. J. Dixon proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Jones, and said the electorate was being flooded with Liberal speakers, which was the greatest compliment the Liberal Party could pay to Mr Jones's ability. The motion was seconded by Mr C. Macintosh. Mill]. C. Philpott moved an amendment, that a vote of thanks only be accorded to the speaker. The amendment was lost and the motion carried by an overwhelming majority. ELLESMERE SEAT. On Thursday evening, Mr J. C. Free, Liberal candidate for Ellesmere, addressed a meeting of electors at the Southbridge Town Hall. Mr E. G. Hubbard, chairman of the Southbridge Town Board, presided, and= there was a large attendance. At the conclusion of his address the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Last night the Opposition candidate for Ellesmere, Mr J. C. Free, addressed the electors at the Greenpark School. Mr F. Hubbard, chairman of the school committee, presided. The room was crowded. The ■■..candidate announced himself as an out'and out supporter of Sir Joseph Ward, and strongly criticised the Government. He received a patient hearing, and after' answering a few questions, a hearty, vote of thanks was carried. A similar compliment was* passed to the chairman. ASHBURTON. S Mr W. S. Maslin, Liberal candidate for Ashburton, addressed a large gathering in the Hinds, Hall on Thursday. jMr J. M. Hamptoif presided. The canj didate received a vote of thanks. THE LIBERAL LEADER. The Leader of the Opposition, Sir Joseph Ward, left for Little River and Akaroa to-day. He speaks at Little River in the afternoon, and at Akaroa in the evening. On Monday, Sir Joseph speaks at Ashburton. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Mr, Hiram Hunter (Christchurch East), at Victoria Square band rotunda. Mr B. Bunn (Riccarton), at Harewood Road School. Mr H. D. Acland (Avon), at corner; CaShel Street and Stanmore Road. Mr G. W. Russell (Avon), at North Brighton, Bowhill Road. Mr M. J. Miller (Lyttelton), at Sumner. Mr David Jones (Kaiapoi), at Clarkville. Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes (Ellesmere), at Springston South School. Mr Joseph Hamlet (Selwyn), at Methven. Sir Joseph Ward, at Akaroa (8 p.m.

FUTURE MEETINGS,

Mr H. F. Toogood, Government candidate for Christchurch North, will address the electors as follows: —Monday, November 23, Gordon Avenue, at 7.30 p.m., also at corner of Hawkesbury avenue and Brown's Road at 8.30 p.m.; Wednesday, November 25, corner of Caledonian and Edgeware Roads, at 8 p.m.; Thursday, November 26, corner of Bealey Avenue and Fitzgerald Street, at 7.30 p.m., also at corner of Bealey Street and Edgeware Road at 8.30. Mr H. G. Ell, candidate for Christchurch South, will address the electors in the public school, Addington, on Monday, November 23, at 8 p.m.; Beckenham Hall, Tuesday, November 24, at 8 p.m.; Sydenham Football Clubroom, Wednesday, November 25, at 8 p.m.; Methodist Schoolroom, corner of Harman and Selwyn Streets, Thursday, November 26, at 8 p.m. Mr David Jones, .., the Government candidate for feaiap'oi, swill: address the electors as under■:—Saturday, November 21, Clarkeville Schoolroom, 8 p.m.; Monday, November 23, Papanui Schoolroom; Tuesday, November 24, Waikuku. Mr W. A. Banks, Government candidate for Hurunui, will address the electors on Monday at Mr E. Rutherford's wool store, Parnassus;'on Tuesday at Spotswood; on Wednesday at Port Robinson; on November 26 at Domett; aud on November 27 at Mackenzie. Mr F. B. Hughes, Government candidate for Christchurch South, will address the electors on Monday in St. Michael's Schoolroom, Durham Street, and on Thursday in the Methodist Schoolroom, corner of South Crescent Road and Selwyn Street. The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Post-master-General, candidate for Ellesmere, will address the electors on Monday afternoon in the Wainui Library, and in the evening in the DuVauchelles Public Hall. On Tuesday night he will speak at Greenpark. Mr Bertram Bunn, Government candidate for Riccarton, will address the electors on Monday at Waddington School, and on Tuesday at Islington Hall. Mr M. J. Miller, Government candidate for Lyttelton, will address the electors on Tuesday night in the Redcliffs School. Mr Joseph Hamlet will speak on Monday at Coalgate; on Tuesday at Glentunnel; on Wednesday at Glenroy; on Thursday at Winchmore; on November 27 at Lismore; and on November 28 at Highbank. ■'.,''* Mr H. D. Acland, Government candidate

for Avon, will speak/ on Monday night at the corner of Carlyle Street and River Road, at 7 p.m., and at Geddia's Corner at 8.15 p.m.; On Wednesday at Breeze's Road at 7 p.m., and at Brighton band rotunda at 8 p.m.; on Thursday at the corner of Tuam Street and Fitzgerald Avenue; on Friday at the corner of Travers and Armagh Streets at 7 p.m. at Jones 'a store, Mile Road, at 8.15 p.m.; and on Saturday next at the corner of Rolleston and Gloucester Streets at 7 p.m.)* and at the corner of Perth and London Streets at 8.15 p.m.

Mr J. C. Free, Opposition candidate for Ellesmere, speaks at Halswell on Monday, and Ladbrooks on Tuesday. Mr L. M. Isitt will give a political address on behalf of Mi* D. Buddo at Wooden d Public Hall on Monday. Dr Thacker, Opposition candidate for Christchurch East, will address the electors at St. Saviour's Schoolroom on Wednesday next, at 8 p.m. Mr George Witty, Liberal candidate for Riccarton, speaks to-night at Weedons, on Monday at Teffipleton Hall, on Tuesday at Darfleld Schoolroom, on Wednesday at Islington Hall, and on Thursday at Belfast Hall.

Mr G. D. Maefarlane, Government candidate for Christchurch East, will speak at the. Caledonian Hall on Monday, Forr esters' Hall (Oxford Terrace) on Wednesday, and St. Saviour's Schoolroom, Sydenham, on Thursday. Mr J. McCombs will speak at the Town Hall, Sumner, on Monday. IN AUCKLAND. Press Aasoct&titin. AUCKLAND. November 21. Mr T. Gresham announces that, Sir Joseph Ward having chosen Mr C. H. Poole as the Liberal candidate for Auckland East, he will retire. This leaves a straight-out contest between Messrs Poole and Bradney. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. CHRISTOHURCH NORTH. To the Editor of THE SU». is no doubt perfectly true that Mr Isitt was correct in saying at the St. Albans Protestant Hall that he is a Prohibitionist. His additional statement, however, that he is as enthusiastic in the cause of Prohibition as he was 25 years ago must be taken with a grain of salt. From the time he entered Parliament there has been a noticeable change, and now that he has thrown on one side any pretensions to boing an Independent and become a close associate of the G. W. Russell type Of candidate, we don't know what is going to happen. More in sorrow than in anger, scores of old fellow Workers regret that he has succumbed to the seductive wooing of the party machine.—Yours, etc., A DISAPPOINTED PROHIBITIONIST CHRISTCHURCH NORTH AND ELMWOOD SCHOOL. To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —I wish to correct an inaccuracy appearing in your report of Mr Toogood 's meeting at the Elmwood Schoolroom on Thursday. Your report reads: '' The Chairman: The present Administration is fair and square, and has done more for education than any other Government." I made no such statement, although I think Mr Toogood used those words. My point is that I adopted, as chairman, an entirely impartial and non-partisan attitude, and I think Mr McKeuzie will agree that I did so and that ho was given as much license as he could expect in moving his amendment. —I am, etc..

DENYS HOARE

MR G. W. RUSSELL'S BELIEFS. To the Editor of THE STJN.

Sir, —When setting out his creed, given on the last page of the address recently issued to his constituents, Mr Russell has —unintentionally, no ffbubt—omitted the following '' I-believc-ins": —

1. The right of the Liberal Party (or what remains of it) to perpetual occupancy of the Treasury benches. 2. The freehold, the leasehold, or any hold by which one can secure a tight hold on a trifle of 00,000 acres of land.

;>. " The opening up of the lands of the country," with the exception of that portion thereof purchased by me. 4. The absurdity of consistency when such consistency jeopardises one's chance of being re-elected. 5. Sitting on the fence pending the jumping of the cat. C. '' The consolidation of the Progressive Forces" when such consolidation means that the other man must withdraw from the contest in my favour. 7. Reading the '' Lyttelton Times'' for political romances and The Sun for facts.

Other items will readily Suggest themselves to the student of pdlitkd.—Yours,

etc., ARGUS.

CHRISTCHUIfcCH SOUTH ELECTION. To tB« Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —'The! contest in Christchurch South is sure to create a growing interest as the election Comes nearer. The action of Mr Davey coming forward in Christchurch East as ail Independent pointing unerringly to the Cleavage existing in the ranks of the Opposition. When sturdy Liberals such as Mr i)avey and Mr Craigie, of Timaru (to mention only two instances), are found cutting themselves adrift from the party to which they so long owned allegiance, the; flterage elector has much cause to sitidy nis own position ere deciding how he'. wfli/,'lfoteV, Everyone knows that had the Liberal. remained true to its first principles ",it ; would not present the bedraggled appearance it does ,to-day. The fact that it is in opposition matters little, but the damaging point is that the members of the party are in opposition to each other in several cases. A party so constituted -can not be expected, to do good work, as it possesses all the elements of impotence and could only remain -in power by |fne toleration of its Bed Fed allies. •: ChHstchurch South has a splendid opportixtiiiy of declaring her distrust of such combinations.—l am, etc., CAREFUL.