THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 258, 4 December 1914, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. THE GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE. A large and enthusiastic meeting in JBt: Matthew's Schoolroom was addressed: last; evening by.Mr 11. F. Toogood, Standing room only .was available for quite a number of; the/audience. The «diair Avas occupied by Mr E. 11. Andrews.

Mr Toogood gave a bright and vigorous speech, and was in efitire sympathy with his audience throughout. Dealing:. With the cost of living, he contended that the report of the : Cdst of Living Commission, which sat=in 1912, since the last elections, showed, conclusively that while the values; oljwhat New Zealand had to purchase liad risen by 4 or & per cent., the values of what they had to sell had risen by 40 per.cent. Thle increase in the. cost -of-living.had aiekint an increase in the prosperity; of the; nation. The question as to how it 3iad affected the individual was one •which required serious consideration, as even in a time of national prosperity individuals might be seriously hit. Mi* Toogood pointed out that one item of expenditure, that of footwear had increased enormously within recent years. He contended that the boot bill of a large family was even greater than the bread bill. '

This statement was challenged, but it ■was applauded by others as being correct. ■ ■ ■"- -]■■• •'■■

Mr Toogood advocated that duties should be removed •from children *s footi -srtjar—boots worn up to the age of 14. Manufacturers in New Zealand could devote their attention to men's arid •wdmen's footwear, which would give in|l employment to all those engaged in the boot trade. ' '

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by a large majority. Mr Toogood said that he would rather not have. Totes of confidence --carried/ but that electors should express their confidence at"the ballot box. Ho realised that jttiany people had rio desire to violate the secrecy of the ballot box. ~ -..- , ~ The meeting concluded : ;'with', for the, candidate. ~r;~";vs""' AT DURHAM-STREET.., . Mr- Li , M.' I sit t ; -Opposition, candidate fofe G'hrfetcjinrch.' Nortjii, ; . addressed *i Crowded meeting inj the Durham Street Jtfethodist schoolroom last evening. Mr C?.H.>Gilby presided/ MrrLsitt said that a.-.statement, had "beenVeirculated that Sir Joseph v Ward Was taking advantage of the -national crisis;to set up a corner in wheat. He Iliad coinmiinicated with the manager of Sir Joseph, .Ward's firm in the matter, and had received the following" reply: ..*■*Report absolutely incorrect. We have not -purchased one parcel ■ of the new «easonis crop, neither have we.a single •tack in, stock.' The candidate said it was higlljfSine the Conservative Party stopped ngliting political opponentfehi this Vay ? and confined their critici's'jhs to political" actions. "He. dealt with finance on the same lines as in previous addresses, and said that Mr Allen had not been fairfrr lri?"statements. v -■■

AiYoice: answer td-tMt? ■ '''■'■■■r±- > }:j».-i..'' Mr;lsitt: You eari' questions, *t- the conclusion of the meefcirig. -■. ThV Voice: Do you want an answer jwmt You askejl. a. question. (pointing to the Jiitei'jeet6fj > : Are #ou Mr —?' ..■■;,;,-, ,-./ ■ ,>.-■. A Yes. M*:lsitt (ivlth emphasis) :"- JSx'± f ~..,.' «. Yoii'es: Yes, that's hini.

*Mi** ; 1 sitt: If I have ; any more • interruption froni you I will ask one of those-'policemen to remove you. You disgraced yourself at the last meeting in Rragby "Street by making an. absolutely! false statement and t you disgraeeil a family to whom you htrye, since; abjectly:. apologised.-'"' You promised*' :, td apologise here. The Tnterjcetor: It's a lie. Voices: Chuck him' out; ehu%kff3tfni' out. , . .

Another Voice: He's not fit>£W ide-, ccnt society. ■':■ ;v .•••,. a . Mr Isitt (to the interjeetor): ;.„Ypu„ have disgraced yourself, and you ■pro--, raised that you would apologise he/e. : The Interjeetor: . I did not." : All. eyes by this time had been turned to the subject of Mr Isitt's admonition, and the meeting was in a'mild ferment, a demand to ''chuck-him,out' '.coming from .various parts of the -hall. In the hubbub a man near'the front excitedly charged the interjeetor with some_matfcer not at all associated with politics. Mr Isitt (to the inter jectof-): You promised to apologise. The Interjeetor: I did not. Mr Isitt: Very well.' I believe them (referring to the family mentioned), and I do not believe you. Here the incident closed, and Mr Isitt returned again to politics. lie «aid the Government had not kept its pro: misesand condemned its land policy. The Government, he said, was in Parliament to serve the interests of the privileged few and not the interests of the unprivileged many. At the conclusion of the address Mr Ifiitt was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of a lady, aiid the meeting concluded with cheers for the candidate. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. MR H. HUNTER. Mr Hiram Hunter, Labour candidate for Christehurch East,' addressed a very large and enthusiastic gathering of electors at Waltham last night, Mr E. Xjangley presiding.' The candidate thanked the Waltham people for the generous support which they had alwava extended to him at every election, and especially in regard to the last general election, when they had done him the honour of polling almost two to one iri his favour against either of bis opponents. He made a special appeal to the supporters of Mr T. IIPavey, because when'-Mr Davey ha;d beaten the speaker for entry into the second ballot he had done his best to secure the return of the Liberal candidate against Dr Tbacker, who was considered a Conservative on that occasion, with the result that the Liberal candidate received the support of threequarters of the Labour vote, which enabled him to win b.y over 1000 votes. Such being the case, the Progressive Liberals should support the Labour candidate on this occasion.

Hunter dealt- With • the questions of proportional representation, initiareferendum and recall, country quota, the fostering'iof bogus unionism byi; Itlie Massey Government, taxation an(t;imance, laud settlement, trusts and combines, State shipping and banking, education and the nationalisation of monopolies, . The candidate received a very 'attentive hearing and was frequently applauded. At the conclusion of his ad-

Mlress ho stated, in reply to questions,] |*4hat he was in favour of the mainten-1 >1 ance of the present system of education, and would rather stop out of Parliament than agree to anything that was likely to wreck it. ITe was against the proposed referendum of the Bible-in-State-Sehools League. Ho was in favour of the extension of the State Sick and Accident Insurance, and advocated that when workers met with an accident they should receive full pay, and full cost.of medical attention, during the period of such incapacity. j A vote of thanks to and confidence i in the candidate was carried by an overwhelming majority. Throe cheers were given for the candidate, and at Mr Hunter's invitation three cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward and three; for the Social-Democratic Party. j DR. THACKER. j Dr Thacker, Liberal candidate for j Christcliurch East, addressed a meeting at the City Corporation yards to-day. He warned his hearers to vote properly on election day, and not to cast informal votes. He considered that all people who cast informal votes should be told afterwards how they had erred. He advocated an export duty on hides, in order that the leather industry might be kept in New Zealand. He characterised the appointment of Mr 11 Hey (General Manager of Railways) as a bad piece of business. "On Monday,'" said Dr Thacker, ''''Sir Joseph Ward is going to declare Dr Thacker his official candidate in Christcliurch East. There is no doubt on that point. He gave me his word before he went.away last.time."' The candidate said there shotild be a standardisation of school books, and education should be secular and compulsory. He favoured the abolition of j the Upper House and State control of the liquor traffic. Dr Thacker was accorded a vote of thanks and Confidence, and the meeting terminated with cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. ■■'''■■" CHRISTCHURCH SOuTH: . MR HUGHES AT WEST • CHRISTCHURCH. * j Mr • F. B. Hughes; Government candidate for South, addressed a meeting in the "West Christchurch School last evening. .There' was . a fair attendance. A noticeable feature i of'the n\eetingwas the presence at the I .i.lQor of; two-stallwart constables. The , candid|iie explained that they were ■to proteiit the public from disturbance: The measures he had taken i since the opening of the campaign to j preserve order" and put down rowdiness j ; had resulted in his having quiet meet-J ings, and the-previous evening he had had,at A'ddiiigton the most orderly and intelligent "audience he had ever addressed.- (Laughter and applause.) Mr Hughes declared himself an out-and-out supporter of the present Ad - ■ministration. From the top of his head to the soles of his feet he believed in the honesty, justice* and integrity of ; the Massey Party. He therefore felt; it his duty, when the opportunity.-pre-.] seated itself, to offer his services to the] people as one of their in Parliament, in order to help; on the good wdrk being done by Mr Massey and'his party. It had been said'that lie was a stranger to Christcliurch, but this was not so. ; He had not previously' : taken a prominent part in political or municipal affairs, because he had been too busy getting his living. Things had altered of, kite, and he was now able to do his duty to the State and put himself forward' as a candidate for Parliament.

.Mr JLughes spoke at length in criticism of the Liberal polioy an (1 methods. He conanended the GovejLunient for removing the Public Service beyond the reach of political patronage. ' Dealing with the financial question, he said that when Sir Joseph Ward went out of office on March-3], 19J 2, the end of the financial year, the-commitments totalled £1,53&,0.°»2, and the funds available were £684,259. How, on earth could a million and a half of debts be paid with less than £700,000?

'■■-$ A,-., Voice: Put-..lain back and he'll do it. (Loud . , Mr Hughes: I have told you 'he wa€ ! <a ;'?wizard of finance," and the business of a wizariLis to deceive. Qn March 31, 1914, under the Massey Administration, the commitments were £565.271 and the available funds £1*624,000. Why don't you applaud that? Won't you give the Government credit for sound'and honest finances?

A Voice:-Get, off figures'. " Mr Hughes: You've got to have figures. This is my meeting, and 1 'll run it in my own way. •

His opponent,, Mr Whiting, was always attacking the "land"monopoly, "* but the Massey Government' had done more to break up the big estates than the Liberal Administration had ever done. The Social-Democrats were now supporting the Liberals, although last election they were crying, "Down with Ward.!" (Loud cries of'"No!" and a. Voice, "It's the best of two evils.") If they were really "afraid- of the "land monopoly,'' they should support the Reform Party*". (Ironical laughter.) Sir Joseph Ward had certainly promised to. break up the big holdings, but he had not done so. After .18 years of Liberal rule there were more big areas held by fewer persons than ever before. The candidate next went on' to the Labour problem. "What,"- he asked, "has Mr Massey done for the worker?" A Voice: Hit him• with a baton! Mr Hughes: It doesn't seem to have hurt you. You must hkye been one of the lucky ones, (Laughter.) Who are the workers? Do you call the railway men workers? . . A Voice: They work points. (Loud laughter.) The candidate did not seem to see the joke, as he explained at some length that the railwaynicn were accused of being loafers because they had refused to stand by the firebrands of labour in their strike proposals. An interjecter at one of his recent meetings had characterised the railwaymen as loafers, and the rumour had. gone round that he had made the statement, and he wanted to nail the lie down. He appealed to the jaudience,not to allow it to go out that he had said the railwaynienf f' worked I points." There were people who were only, too eager to get hold of a little bit of mud to fling, and many mean, contemptible, little lies were in circulation about him. It was said that he was afraid to answer questions, but the man 'did not live whom he was afraid to answer on the platform. At this stage there was some disorder, and several persons called out questions. ■"As a Christian," one man asked, "do j you believe in attacking the workers i Willi batons'?" MrHughes saitl'fhat he Kvould stand no nonsense, and if flic injterrupt.crs could not keep quiet they fwould be put out.

Many mean and contemptible things were being said by the Opposition', which had gone on a campaign of '' mare 's-uesting extraordinary.'' The most contemptibio action of all was to

lay the blame of the Huntly disaster on Mr Massey. They might as well blame Sir Joseph Ward for the wreck of the Penguin. (Cries of disapproval.) The Liberals had refused for years to put a light on Tongue Point, although petition after petition was presented in favour of it. It remained for the Massey Government to make Cook Strait safe. The" Liberals had also refused to have anything to do with Mr Davey's proposal to make tramcars safe for conductors, and Mr Massey had to do it. Surely the workers should see that the best possible thing for the workers would be to return Mr Masse}' to power. (Loud Of course he could not expect the audienee to agree with him, as they would not give any credit to the Government for anything. (Laughter.) In. reply, to questions, tho candidatesaid that*he was not in favour of the formation of "bogus unions." If the questioner meant the unions formed after the recent strikes, he was satisfied that what had been done then was in the best interests of the community. (Dissent.) A Voice: Would you belong to them? Another Voice: Of course he would. Answering another question, Mr Hughes said that he was satisfied that the Government had done the only sane thing when it enrolled special police to deal with the watersiders on strike. He denied that taxation per head had been increased under the Reform Administration, although his questioner asserted that the figures were those of the Government Statistician. A vote of thanks was carried. Mr Hughes explained that he did not ask for votes of confidence, or "business of the kind." Polling day was the time to express confidence. (A Voice: "We'll do it, "and ironical laughter.) The meeting concluded with cheers for Sir Joseph War-!. THE LABOUR CANDIDATE. The Labour candidate for Clirist-. church South (Mr G. R.''Whiting) addressed three -open-air meetings last night, meeting with a favourable reception oir each occasion. Speaking at the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Montreal Street, Mr Whiting said that he had to correct a few wrong impressions. "It is being said that at last election- I stated that I would support;' Mr :' Massey in preference to Sir 1 Joseph Ward,'' he said. "I have denied that ever since, and I deny it again. On a vote of no-confid-ence moved by Sir Joseph Ward I will support Sir Joseph Ward." Mr Whiting said that he had criticised Sir Joseph Ward in the past, but the actions and policy of any public man were open to legitimate criticism. He criticised Sir Joseph for the Second Ballot Act, contending that the proper method of electoral reform was to adopt proportional representation, with large electorates. Sir Joseph Ward had now come round to that view. Mr Ell's idea of proportional representation with small electorates was an impossible one. Mr Whiting criticised the Government, in connection with the cost of 'wheatand flour. He stated that millers were inow refusing, to sell flour at £l3, the price fixed, and were holding on until they could get £lB or £l9 from the Government. -The Government should seize the wheat at a fair price,.and if necessary acquire or build a flour '.mill to grind it into flour. The flourmillers had given something to the Patriotic. Fund, but was their present attempt at exploitation the action of true patriots? • The candidate dealt at considerable length with land monopoly, contending 'that the estates should be burst up by means of the graduated land'tax.' As i'or absentee landlords, he would tax them out of business, if not out of existence.

Mr Whiting said that he- was opposed* to the present defence system, which, lie contended, was not a success.' He favoured a A-olunteer force, liberally .'supported, with full pay while on. duty. He denied having advised passive registers to resist the Act and decline to attend drills. What he did tell them was to submit to the Act and endeavour to get it amended or repealed, so that no violence'would be done to the conscience of objectors. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, only one feminine voice being raised against it. MR H. G. ELL. Mr 11. G. Ell addressed a largely attended meeting at the Addington Workshops at noon yesterday, Mr W. S. McLean presiding. Three cheers Avere given for the candidate on leaving. Last evening Mr Ell addressed three open-air meetings—at the comer of Battersea and Durham Streets, at the corner of Strickland Street and Redruth Avenue, and ft Somerfield Schoolroom. At each meeting the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. THE AVON CONTEST. MR D. G. SULLIVAN, Last evening Mr D. G. Sullivan addressed three open-air meetings, the first at.the Bromley. School, the second at Harris's Store, and the third at the corner of Gloucester and Surrey Streets. He was timed to commence his third meeting at 8.1.5 p.m., but did not arrive himself till 9 o'clock. Three SocialDemocrat friends held the fort till he arrived, however, in the persons of Messrs W: Taylor, E. M. Speirs, and J. McCullough.

The second of the trio was allowed to speak for some time by the patient audience, until one, who thought he had been waiting long enough, said he wanted the Democrat, lie was assured that Mr Sullivan was coming, but evidently he didn't feel altogether satisiied, as he asked the speaker if he was I'rofessor Mills. The same interjector continued his dialogue for a time on general topics, and was then told that lie was not a Avhite man, as he wouldn't give the man a "hearing. ; The crowd said, "HcaT,; hear.'J Meanwhile Mr J. McCullough had commenced to speak. Among other tilings he said that: as a Socia|-I>emocrat he was out for the betterment:of the country. He was told by [■% lady, th&t ','h.e was the one."

Mr Sullivan here arriving, Mr E. M; Speirs .retained; the chair, and the candidate ccftuxnienced liis address; He;said lie wouldfffjst refer to a ; statement mkde by Mr -Russell.- ' / /! ; j A Voice: There you go! Another: Voice: Go on! • - ;

Mr Sullivan: I am not going to;.: be shut up by, any of'the friends".of" Mr Russell, and as* long as he continues to attack me T a in going to reply to him. He lias referred to me as a poliiii-al amateur, and lias been pleading with tin; people not to return an amateur. Very often it was the amateur in sport and politics who was better than the professional. (Applause.) lie had been referred to by his opponent as a, political infant, but he was content to be that, believing that a,

political infant .was better than a hardened political sinner. A Voice: What are you going to say to thatf A Lady Interjector: You're a bad man, Mr Sullivan. (Laughter.) Still Another Voice: That's your opinion, and you don't know much. A Fourth Voice: Mr Russell at last election said that one of his opponents was a mongrel. Mr Sullivan: You've had a go, and now I'm going to continue. The candidate continued to point out that he was not such an amateur as Mr Russell would have 'the' electors believe. During the last fifteen years he had taken an active interest in the political life of Christchurch, and the Dominion generally, and during the last ten years lie had taken a large interest in the Labour movement. He thought he had been able to accomplish on behalf of Labour a great deal more, a hundred times more, than had ever been accomplished, or ever would be accomplished, by either of his political opponents. The time for questions having arrived, a female voice asked why Mr Sullivan had said a few years back that it didn't matter what party got iu as long as the Ward Party didn't? Another Female Voice: You've asked that at every meeting. (Loud laughter.) Mr Sullivan: I'd like to make it quite clear that never in my life have I made that statement.

The Original Voice: Oh, yes you did, Mr Sullivan. I heard it with my own lips. (Great hilarit}'.) Mr Sullivan explained the matter satisfactorily, and presently when the chairman asked for more questions, a voice volunteered that nobody else had "got their lips open." The Original Lady: You're very "iggerant," and it shows how you've been brought up. No more questions being forthcoming, Mr Sullivan was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, accompanied by cheers, and the meeting broke up. MBH.D. ACLAND. Mr H. D. Acland, Reform candidate for Avon, addressed "a' meeting of ladies in the Methodist Schoolroom, Richmond, yesterday afternoon, Mrs Brittan presiding. On the motion of Mrs Page, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. In the evening Mr Acland addressed a meeting at Banks Avenue, Mr Johnston presiding. After answering a number of questions, Mr Acland was accorded a vote of thanks amid cheers. Later, Mr Acland addressed a meeting at Gale's Store, New Brighton, Mr Aldridge presiding. On the motion of Mr Ashley, seconded by Mr McClelland, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. MR G. W. RUSSELL. Mr G. W. Russell, Liberal candidate for Avon, addressed two open-air meetings last evening. The first was at the corner of Buckley's Road and Canal Reserve, Mr Buroess presiding over an attendance of between 200 and 250. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. The second meeting was at the corner ot Gloucester and Rolleston Streets. Mr W. J. Ballinger presided, and there was a large attendance. The Liberal Party, said Mr Russell, had not been defeated.by the people, but by certain members of Parliament, who, for reasons no other than personal, had deserted the party. The Reform Government was now on its trial, and, judging by its performances, it stood condemned. Mr Russell said he would fight, to the best of his ability, to maintain intact the present education system. Provision had been made for religious teaching outside of school hours, if the school committees approved, and that gave the clergymen ah opportunity to show their desire to impart religious and moral teaching. The one great issue before the people was not Bible-in-schools or the licensing question, but -whether or not the Reform Government would remain in office. He stood as a Liberal, ready to support progressive measures, and could confidently leave the issue to the electors of Avon. The candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and the meeting concluded with cheers for Mr Russell and Sir Joseph Ward. LYTTELTON. MR MILLER'S MEETING. One of the largest meetings in Lyttelton for some time was held last evening, when Mr M. J. Miller, Reform candidate, delivered an address. The Oddfellows' Hall was crammed. The candidate was given a fairly good hearing, and though interruptions were rather frequent, they were confined to one section and were mostly of a bantering nature. "Mr Miller took them cheerfully. The meeting was presided over by the Mayor (Mr J. R. Webb). Prefacing his remarks, Mr Miller said he stood in favour of the Massey Administration, an administration which had always been above class interests, had been progressive, liberal, and impartial. He upheld the action of the Government in deciding to go on with the elections. The naval policy was touched on, and in this the speaker held that events had plainly shown the forethought of the present Government. Australia had got her own Dreadnoughts, Bristol cruisers, and destroyers, and we owed a debt to her for protecting our sea-borne trade from depredations and our ports from bombardment. We were all anxious to pay our share of naval defence, but we must have modern, not obsolete ships, and also pay our men colonial rates. What the future naval policy would be he could not say, as doubtless it would be determined by the issue of the present war.

Though they had experienced extraordinary circumstances, the Government had gone 'through on lines calculated for the best good for the greatest number. They had brought down what he termed humane legislation. The improvements to the Old Age Pensions Act were an example. The age for female pensioners was now reduced from 65 to 60. The pension was not affected by any increase in the value of the home subsequent to the granting of the pension. '', Compulsory forfeiture of the pension through conviction was done away with, as was also investigation of claim in open court. Instalments falling due in January could be paid before Christmas, and pensions were now available for the wife of an inmate of a mental hospital. The first real interruption came when Mr Miller began to speak of the Consolidated Fund. When the Massey Government took office that fund had a surplus of £IBB,OOO, and now it stood at £426,905. Mr , Miller was proceeding to say he wished to be as lenient as possible, to the Liberal Government, when lie was interrupted by a section of the audience singing- lustily, "It's a Long Way to Tipperary." When the " choris--tors," as he termed them, had concluded,

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the speaker said that under the Liberal Government there was a surplus to the Public Works Fund of £82,850, with a lot of commitments. Now the surplus was over a million pounds. Large sums had been raised by loans, but previous shortdated loans and commitments made these necessary. Practically two-thirds of the public debt, which he admitted was a large one, was spent in revenue-producing work. He taxed the previous Government, when dealing with loans, .with not providing substantial sinking funds, a fault not committed by the Massey Government. The amount raised by loans compared very favourably with that raised by previous administrations, and he held in this that the Government had carried out the promise to reduce borrowing, '' Tipperary'' was again well in evidence at the mention of the proposed reform of the fiscal system, in which unfortunately little had been done through lack of opportunity. Mr Miller dealt at length with the reform of the land system. This, he stated, was one of the largest undertake ings of the Government, and in his opinion it had been managed very satisfactorily indeed. In fact, the land question was now practically settled. That was proved by the fact that when the first Bill was before the House, after a long discussion and debate, it was carried by a substantial majority, and when the last Bill was passed practically every member of the previous Ministry, including Sir Joseph Ward himself, had voted for it. The benefits of the legislation were perceived by hundreds all over the Dominion. The Reform Party had carried out to the very letter all its pledges on native land legislation. In the North Island, more esjtecially the King County, the position of the Maoris had been most unsatisfactory. Numbers were living in a kind of crude socialism, and thoiigh many were anxious to become farmers on the same lines as Europeans, they could not do so under the system of tribal-owned land. The Government was .remedying this by individualising the land. What Mr Miller intended to say further about this subject was here lost in a regular salvo of Maori hakas, and he turned his attention to the reform of the Legislative Council. The had 'been made law, though to administer it would take years. The Government had done right in deciding to make the Council elective.

The Civil Service had been reformed by the appointment of Commissioners. Even that step, which had'been characterised by its opponents as an extravagant luxury, was now approved. The appointment had resulted in an annual saving of £60,000 to £70,000. ' Speaking of the graduated land tax, Mr Miller said that the Ward Government in increasing- the tax on land above £40,000 in value had put on as much weight as they dared, yet the present Government, though spoken of as friends of the capitalists and landowners, had made the value £30,000. That had had a good effect. In the last two years 31 estates had been sub "divided, 10 had been acquired under the Land for Settlement Act, while 83,800 acres vested in the Maori Land Board had/been opened for closer settlement. The great proportion of our increasing exports were from the land, and the increase had been materially aided by the subdivision. Reverting back to the Civil Service, Mr Miller said that for the first time in the history of New Zealand a minimum wage had been fixed; the minimum now for a married man was £l4O. In this the pres-

cut Government wero model employers. Public servants had been dealt with on their merits, and where an increase in salary was deserved it was granted. Overtime rates were also being made. Previous Governments had compelled employers to pay overtime, and had not paid it themselves. .- Praise was due to the Government for introducing the Poor Man's. Defensive Law, by which a man, if too poor to procure the services of a lawyer, could obtain a counsel to plead his defence by applying to a magistrate. That the Government was assisting in the matter of workers' homes was shown by the fact that whereas Sir Joseph Ward, in six and a-half years, had built 209, Mr Massey, in two and aquarter, had built 305. Mr Miller dealt finally with unemployment, which the Government had done everything possible to alleviate, and he concluded by saying that the! Massey Government was in favour of 'reasonable taxation and practical, humane legislation. He asked them to use their cpmmUn sense on 'election day! • In reply to questions, a great many of which, both oral and written, were asked, Mr Miller said lie was in .'favour of a bare majority on both the Bible-iri-Schools and the prohibition, questions. The only motion moved was: '' That this meeting thanks Mr Miller for his interesting and entertaining evening's amusement, but has no use for the Massey Government." The motion was not seconded, and the chairman did not put it. The meeting concluded with cheers for tSir Joseph Ward and Mr McCombs. MR J. McCOMBS. ', Mr J. MeCombs, Social-Democratic candidate for Ly tteltoni has received the following. letter from the secretary of thejron and Brass Moulders' Union: f/'I have been instructed by the Christchurch Iron and Brass Moulders' Union to thank you for the services, you have rendered to the; workers during : your period as representative for the. Lyttelton electorate, and wish you success at the eoming -ejection, ■ when we hope to see you returned to further the interests of the workers, t not! only in your electorate, but the working people ; of the Dominion as a whole.e-W. J^-Frenehj secretary." • , : - • RICCARTO& MR G. WITT"^ ? . . ■On "Wednesday evening Mr George Witty, Liberal candidate for Eiccarton, addresseda crowded meeting in the LOwer Eiccarton Town HalL The ! MayOr (Mr J: Brown) presided. After answering ,a number of questions, Mr' Witty was accorded a vote : of aniid applause. Yesterday inorning Mr Witty'addressed a large meeting at the Racecourse, Upper Eiccarton, where he was accorded a vote of thanks. KAIAPOL MR D.JONES. Mr David Jones, Reform candidate for "K&iapoi, addressed the ladies of Rangiora yesterday afternoon, in the • Northern Agricultural and Pastoral 'Association's rooms, Mrs Josling presiding.. The candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

ELLESMERE. HON. R. H. RHODES. (Sitn Special.) LEESTON, December 4. There was a large gathering of electors in the Brookside School last night when the Hon. R. Heatbn Rhodes delivered a political address. Mr J, Cunningham, chairman of the Ellesmere County Council, presided. At the close of his address, which was well received, Mr Rhodes answered a number of questions similar to those al : ready dealt.with at former meetings. Those of local interest had reference to railway and postal matters. He would submit the question of the appointment of a stationmaster at Lake Road to the Minister of Railways, wiiom he would ask, when he again officially inspected the Southbridge branch with the general manager, to go into this and other matters that had been, mentioned. In reply to questions regarding the mail service* of the district, Mr Rhodes said that he had already instructed one of the post office.inspectors.to visit the district as soon as possible, and he hoped that a more convenient service would result. Wherever possible the Postal Department was establishing rural deliveries by letter carriers, mounted, on motor cycles. Since he took office he had already established thirty-seven such services throughout the Dominion. Mr J. Boag, jun., moved that Mr Rhodes be accorded a hearty, vote of thanks for his able and lucid address, which they all had listened to with great pleasure. Mr Frank Rowell seconded the motion. The motion was enthusiastically ear-, ried. MR J. C. FREE. Mr J. C. Free, Liberal candidate for Ellesmere, addressed a well-attended meeting at Prebbletbn on Tuesday evening, and at the conclusion cheers" wertf given for the candidate - anoV- for Sii Joseph Ward. Mr Free spoke at Broadfields on Wednesday, and was accorded" a ;vo.te of thanks. : ' ■'""■' l' ; ; SELWYN. ■ '■■:% MR a. SHEAT. Mr G. Sheat, Government candidate for Selwyn, addressed, the electors at the Anhat Orange Hall on Tuesday night, Mr J. Gamble presiding. He, was accorded. a unanimous ytite of thanks* WESTLAND SEAT. Mr A. A. Paape, Reform candidate for Westland, opened his campaign on Tuesday evening at Otira, Mr" "A.-O, Warwick presiding. After explaining the Reform Party's policy and answering a number o€ questions, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. ! HURUNUL : (Sun Special;) KAIKOURA, December 4. Mr Geo. Forbes addressed a meeting of roadmen at Puhu Puhu oh Wednesday evening, Mr D. Barry presidihg, He : was accorded a hearty vote ci thanks. At night he addressed tt*

largest political meeting yet addressed at the Hapuku Hall. The meeting was very enthusiastic, and concluded on the motion of Mr E. Boyd and Mr D. Scott with a vote of thanks and confidence. THE PRIME MINISTER. A ROWDY MEETING. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 3. A large hostile element was present at the Columbia Hall, Grey Lynn, tonight, when the Prime Minister delivered a political address. Hundreds of people were unable, to gain admittance. Several rowdy scenes occurred prior to the commencement of the meeting, a number of those outside occasionally endeavouring to force an entrance, and frequent anti-Massey and counter-de-monstrations 'were made. During the opening remarks by the chairman (Mr W. H. Murray), the rowdy section, assisted by those outside the building, from time to time indulged in cheers for Sir Joseph Ward and Mr John Payne, and hoots for Mr Massey and the Government. These outbursts, however, were drowned in counter-cheer-ing and applause Commenting on the demonstration of his opponents when he rose to speak, Mr .Massey said he had always noticed that the weaker party made the most! noise. .

At this "stage someone outside smashed a pane of a window, the glass falling amongst the audience, to the alarm of several women. Then a man tried to force his way through another window, creating further disturbance. On resuming his address, Mr Massey said the party which adopted such tactics as those they were witnessing was the party which was going to lose the election. (Cheers.) Men who had an excellent chance in the beginning weue going to lose many votes owing to the cowardly tactics of his political opponents. (Cheers and boohs.) This election ' campaign beat anything ho had ever known in the direction of misrepresentation.

A Voice: What about the ostrich farm?

Mr Massey: There are some bad eggs at the ostrich farm, and there's one outside. (Laughter.) Mr Massey was proceeding to explain the steps taken by the Government to ensure a supply of wheat for New Zealand, when he was interrupted by a noise, as of persons sliding down the roof, and another disturbance outside. Ho remarked: "That is the noise of the people who want to govern this country," Reverting to the question of wheat, Mr Massey said lie had had a wheat census taken, and the report just received showed that there was a million bushels at present held in the Dominion by and by certain Otago farmers. None .was held by northern farmers, 'despite statements to the contrary. . New Zealand required for'her own consumption half a million bushels per month, so that there w r ere two months' supplies in sight. The new crop, however,would not be in in two months, so it was necessary to provide about four and a half weeks' supplies from abroad. That was why supplies from Canada had been ordered. No Government had ev/' been called upon to face a difficulty such as this. (Applause.) There need be no trouble, no paiijc. no uneasiness. He had notified th el-millers ami-farmers referred-to that they .would not ,be allowed to store wheat for a rising market. He would have the names of these holders soon, and-if any of them showed a disposition to keep back wheat against the interests! of the bulk of the population, they would not be permitted to do it. (Applause.) The Government would face this; difficulty. A Voice: You won't be here.

Mr Massey: Yes I will; don't you worry about that. (Cheers and laughter.) The tactics of the noisy supporters of his Opposition friends, he added, had made it absolutely certain that the Government"- would .* be returned to power. (Cheers and counter-cheers.)

When the Prime Minister resumed his seat, after a . speech lasting two hours, cheering was renewed by the majority of the- 800 people in the hall, the minority and the hundreds outside making a counter-demonstration, and cheering for Sir Joseph Ward and-Mr Payne alternately-.

A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Massey, the Reform Government, arid Mr Murdoch McLean, the Government candidate for Grey Lynn, was declared carried amidst loud cheering, and a weaker outburst of countercheering and boohing. A large hood4um element made another hostile demonstration around Mr Massey's, motor car as he drove away, but two or three mounted constables kept the noisy ones under control. THE LIBEBAL LEADER, Prea~ Association. ■■ ' Tfi KUITT, December ?,. Sir Joseph Ward addressed an audience of about eight hundred people in the' Empress Theatre to-night. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers for Sir Joseph Ward arid Mr ;W. T. Jennings, and counter cheers and: hoots for. Mr Massey. Sir Joseph Ward was afterwards entertained at a banquet. CLUTHA. ': Press Association. DUNEDIN, December ?,. Mr A. S. Malcolm, Government candidate for Clutha, addressed tlio electors at Balclufha on Wednesday night. He spoke generally in support of the Government legislation, and a local unit of the Imperial Navy, making particular .mention of the admirable services of the Australian squadron. He also referred to the good work done by the Government in appointing the Food Commission. If it had not been for the action of the Government in that matter,! the 41b loaf would be selling to-day at one shilling. After answering a munber of questions regarding shortage of wheat in Otago, Mr Malcolm was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence by a large majority. MODERATE LEAGUE. APOLOGY DEMANDED. Pres-- Association. WELLINGTON, December 3. Mr A. Gray, K.C., presided at a large meeting held'in the Town Hall to-night. The meeting was convened by the New Zealand Moderate League to combat statements made at the prohibitionists' meeting last week. The chairman said the League had proposed to give the prohibitionists an opportunity to justify the charges made against the Moderate League, and the offer had been declined. " Messrs Armstrong (Dominion secretary) and Slipper (Wanganui) then detailed the objects of the Moderate League, after which a motion

was adopted calling upon the prohibition leaders to apologise for statements made concerning the Moderate League, A motion was also carried affirming that the carrying of prohibition would be a national calamity, and asking the electors to study the Moderate League's platform before voting. WORKERS' EDUCATION. A DOMINION MOVEMENT. WELLINGTON, December 3. Mr Meredith Atkinson will visit Wellington next month in connection with the formation of local branches of the Workers' Education Association throughout the Dominion. This association was formed in England in 1903, and aims to work in conjunction with the universities in the direction of the education of trade unionists and other workers. Courses of lectures are to be arranged, and a strong Wellington executive is being set up. To-night the Trades and Labour Council held a special meeting to consider the scheme, and resolved to support it. Professor Hunter addressed the council in favour of the project. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. : The following candidates have signiI fied their intention to support, if elect-i-ed, in all its stages the Referendum jßill asked for by the Bible-in-State-Schools' League, and which has passed its first reading:—■ Avon —H. D. Acland. Ashburton —W. N osworthy. Christchurch North—H. F. Toogood. Christclmrch South—F. B. Hughes. Christchurch East—G. D. Macfarlane. Ellesmere—Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes. Grey—H. Michel. Hurnnui—W. A. Banks. Kaiapoi—D. Jones. » Lyttelton—W. Miller. Riccarton—B. Bunn. Selwyu—G. Sheat. Timaru—J. Craigie. Waitaki —N. Francis. POLITICAL NOTES. The Labour candidate for Christchurch South (Mr G. R. Whiting) has evidently a "way with him" with the fair sex. When the vote of thanks and confidence was passed last night, the only dissentient voice was a feminine one. "I am sorry," said "Mr Whiting, "that the only one against me is a lady. However, I have never met a lady yet whom I could not convince in half'an hour that she should vote for me."

"If you ask me if the old Liberal Party was perfect, I would say no. You see, I was not there. " —Mr Isitt at Durham Street last evening.

Mr Fisher etilogised himself in connection with his actions in regard to pensions.

A Voice: The great I am. Mr Fisher: ~A A r oice says: "How many times did Massey vote against old age pensidns? " A Voice: You'll say he didn't, so it doesn't matter. Mr Fisher then went into the question of pensions. A Voice: What about the rainbow?

Mr Fisher: Well, I'm very glad to be called the rainbow. It's a pretty thing to look 'at. It V an emblem of Lope. (Laughter-.)

Mr Bradney (Reform), at an Auckland meeting, said there was no sympathy between Sir Joseph Ward and his supporters. A Voice: He doesn't have to issue tickets for a meeting in the Town Hull, Mr Bradnev.

An excited Government supporter: Because the respectable people are against him. Mr Bradney: The question has been ably answered.

Mr L. M. Isitt, speaking at Durham Street last night, condemned the action of the Government in respect to the settlement of gum lands. "A very careful, farmer," he said, '■' might continue to keep upon those 20 acres two cats and a billy goat."

"I want to be fair," said Mr L. M. Tsitt, referring last night to the Hon. W. Fraser. "I say this of Mr Fraser: lie is one of the real old Tories, and he and I fight in good style. But he is as straight as a gun barrel. He is a'man that ev'ery inan in the House, whether Conservatiyet-'or' Liberal; loves and admires,'' • t... ; , , :

One of the questioners at Mr Bradney 's Bayfield meeting wanted to know why the Government was claiming credit for having increased the pay of men in its employ while a large number of dismissals were being made. When asked by the chairman whether he was a Government employee who had lost his position, the questioner indignantly replied that he had left voluntarily to into business on his own account. But- he would "lay a tenner" that what he said was correct. (Laughter.) Someone .reminded him that the police were present. A few. minutes later he again rose to ask why the Railway Department was sending work out of the country when they had a reduced staff and empty benches at the Newmarket shops. ''And," he added, amidst roars of laughter, "I'll put a tenner up to that, too." Mr Bradney was observing that the gentleman should not talk of something which he knew nothing about, when the subject of his reference again came to light with the remark: "Mr Chairman, I rise to a point of order." (Laughter.) The Chairman: "Perhaps you will substantiate your point of order by putting down that tenner." (More laughter.)

In his opening remarks at a recent address, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said he wanted to express one hope—that whatever the result of the political battle the party returned would be loyal to the Empire. (Applause.) A Voice: You'll be missing, Fisher.

"I'll be as hard to find as you were when the specials were about,'' was the retort. Mr Fisher said one of the planks of his platform was "Turn your coat." (Laughter.)

"I believe," said Mr Isitt last night, "that very few people are going to perdition. I do not .even believe the editors of the Tory newspapers are going."

• Mr F. B. Hughes, Government candidate for Christ-church South, is nothing if not confident of his chances. "As sure as the sun will shine to-morrow," he declared at the close of his meeting last evening, "I will be at the top of the poll on December 10." A section of the audience did not seem to share the candidate's enthusiasm, and laughed loudly.

"I hate Toryism," said Mr Isitt last evening. "I do not believe it is a malign hate —I believe it is a Godgiven hato."