THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 254, 24 October 1905, Page 3

THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

THE FRANKTJX ELECTORATE*

W. W. MeCARDLE AT BUCKLAND.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Mr McCardle, the Liberal candidate for Franklin, addressed the electors in the Buckland Public Hall on Saturday night Mr E. Allan occupied the chair. Mr McCardle, who was received with cheers, said that after a 43 years' residence in New Zealand, during which he had worked hard to establish a home for himself and family, he thought that as a farmer he had a claim on their sympathy and eonfidenea. As a member of the Wellington Land and Education Boards, he. had been brought in touch with all classes, and he defied anyone to say that he had not done his duty to the people in the capacities he had occupied. After referring to the Opposition Leader (Mr Maasey), he said if the state of the roads in his constituency was any indication of Mr Ma_sey*s political ability—more especially around Buckland —then it was time they had a change. In opposing Mr Massey he did so, not on personal grounds, but as a supporter of the great Liberal policy which had done so much for the farmers and workers of New Zealand. He referred to the measures passed by the Liberal Administration, particularly to the assistance given to the dairying industry by the appointment of dairy experts. He also instanced the reduction of railway rates and fares since the appointment of Sir Joseph Ward as Minister for Railways, and said it was a good tiling for the country that the Railway' Commissioners had been abolished. The Advances to Settlers Act had cheapened money, and was strenuously opposed by the Conservative Party, of which Mr Massey was now the head. Fire insurance had been cheapo ened more than one : half in some cases by the Government Office, and the farmer had materially benefited by this important measure. He was opposed to the alteration of the incidence of taxation, as the taxation through the Customs and other departments was sufficient. He then- referred to the surplus, remarking that nearly all the public works in the colony had been made out of revenue, and, although the debt of the colony had increased by £ 18,000,000 during the present Administration, over £20,000,000 had been spent in reproductive works, also in providing money for the purchase of large estates. The Advances to Settlers Act and the extension of the railways and roada of the colony hau been important factors in absorbing the borrowed money. These were reproductive works. Nearly £2,000.000 had been taken from the accumulated surpluses in past years and spent in reproductive works. As regards the education question, he said that he was in favour of the equality of opportunity to every child. £500,000 was nothing if the youth of the colony received proper justice. He was in favour o-f a reformation of the Upper House, but this was a question which had agitated the public mind for some time. H e thought that one Legislative Councillor to every three of the people's representatives was a fair average. As regarded prohibition, he said he was fighting the election on the temperance ticket as far as he was individually concerned, but he believed in liberty of opinion and action. As regards the administration of Maori lands, he said past legislation had been a failure. He had been a member of the Maori Council, but had resigned. He wanted to see the land opened up, but the question of individualising titles had been a serious drawback. Why should the aged Maori draw the old age pension and be the owner of plenty of land, the title of which had not been individualised ? He wished to see the Auckland province go ahead, and he thought that the new Act as brought down by the Government would materially hasten this progress. He would do all he could to hasten the progress of the Auckland province. In concluding, he referred to the attack made upon him by the "Pahiatua Herald," which had been copied into a local paper, headed "A Political Reject." Mr Hawkins, the present member for Pahiatua, was the proprietor of that paper, and was violently opposed to him, because he (Mr McCardle) had almost received the vote of the Liberal Federation League at the by-election on the death of Mr O'Meara. He said that the statement that he did not receive a single vote in his own district was untrue, as he received a block vote there. Referring to Egmont constituency, and his candidature there, he said that, not having received the support of the Liberal Party as the Government candidate, he had friOt come out oh the occasion referred to. However, Mr Seddon had intimated to him approval of his candidature for Franklin, and wiahed him success. He was going to live in the district, and he considered he had a perfect right to stand against Mr Massey or any other man, and was not afraid of that gentleman nor the Conservative policy of which he was the principal exponent—the policy of the strong against the weak. Replying to questions, he said he was in favour of more encouragement being given to the volunteers. Referring to the ballot for the Kawhia lands he said that one of his sons had drawn a 709-acre block, another a block of 278 acres, which were mile 9 apart. He himself had drawn one, but in his ease he was the only Applicant. Mr Jones proposed, and Mr Jas. Smith, sen., seconded, a vote of thanks to the candidate. Mr Scofield proposed an amendment of thanks and confidence in Mr McCardle as future member for Franklin, which was carried by a large majority. Three cheers were given for Mr Seddon, Mr McCardle and Mr Massey. The candidate's remarks were frequently applauded. THE MAR&DEN SEAT. (By Telegraph. —Pre>ss Association.) WHANGAREI, this day. A fourth candidate, Mr. Hugh Shortland, is announced for Marsden. (By Telegraph.-Press Association.* GREYMOUTH, this day. Mr Joseph Petrie, candidate for Grey, who, during the past month ha 3 been speaking in country districts and beea receiving votes of thanks and confidence, addressed a 1 large meeting here to-night. He announced himself a staunch supporter of the Seddon Administration, and a firm believer in leasehold land tenure. He was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.