POLITICAL ITEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 274, 16 November 1905, Page 5

POLITICAL ITEMS.

[Continued from Page 3.] AUCKLAND EAST. Mr. F. E. Baume will address the electors of Auckland East at St. David's Hall, Kyber Pass, this evening at eight p.m. The following letters have been received by Mr. F. E. Baume, M.H.R., with reference to the work done during the past session. To Fredk. Baume, Esq., M.H.R., chairman of the Education Committee: Sir,— On behalf of the Mistresses' Association I deem it but courteous to express to you their sincere appreciation of the work which the Edueati_n Committee have accomplished under your leadership. Not only 'or the boon of a superannuation scheme are they grateful, but for measures that in many directions have faei'itated the work of educators, and greatly increased its possibilities. I am. Sir, yours faithfu'ly, M. Slingsby Newman, bon. sec. Auckland Mistresses' Association."

Another letter from Port Albert says: "Dear sir,—l must express my gratification at the way you have attended to the interest of settlement in North Auckland dnring your term of Parlia--Tientnry work. Our country members have but littV to honst of in this direction, and T t'n'nk the progTes* of public works in the North has received an impetus from our town members' ?nod efrorts. hopirg you pgfin be returned —I am. yours respectfully, L. P. Becroft »

FARNELL ELECTORATE.

Mr J. M. ?hera addressed a well-at-tended nn?"t ! ng last evening in the Fairy Bower, St. Hewer's Bay. Mr Waite was voted to the chair. Mr Shera complimented the sitting member on the work which he claimed he had accomplished during the 15 years he had represented Parnell, and recommended the electors to now return, a man with fresh ideas. Mr Shera explained at length his suggested amendment of the Workmen's Homes Act by which the freehold of a cottage costing £350 would be obtained in 18 years by paying 9/6 pet week. He advocated an amendment of the Land and Income Tax Act to exempr growing timber from taxation, as the policy of the colony should be to preserve onr fcrests and not to use the lever of taxation to hasten their destruction. On the motion of Mr Goldsbro' the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

MR. HAPJ3ING AT TE KOPURU.

CONFIDENCE MOTION DEFEATED.

Uy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

TE KOPURTJ, this day Mr Harding urged cheap telephones for back settlers. He referred to the voucher incident, and said that the inquiry now set up-was not a proper inquiry, as the reference was limited. The result would he an overhaul of the Audit Department. He criticised the Premier over the African war expenditure and audit matters. . The teachers' superannuation scheme wa« unsound, like the bid age pensions.. Replying to questions, he said he was absolutely a freetrader;; he would allow colon:al artisans to eon-pete with Chinese an' 3 and it would do them good. (Oraans.) He oooosed women occupying

I seats in the House. Was not in favour jof buying big- estates till the Crown an J (native lands were settled. The graduated land tax woulJ burst up estates. He had a seven years' restriction clause in his iiiingawhare freehold deeds, anl he defended It as a business prin ciple, consistent with a freeholder and a freetrader. A vote of confidence wa> defeated by a good majority, and an amendment of thanks o"ly was" carried. Mr Harding said he did not want to go to Wellington if he had not the confidence of the electors.

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

INVERCARGILL, this day Sir Joseph Ward will have no seri opposition for Awaraa. The no-lice party nominate Mr .Henry Woodno: brickmaker, for the purpose of seeuri a valid option poll, but they will nc. contest the Parliamentary election.

;, ABSENT VOTERS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Some doubt appears to exist as to whether absent voters hare a right to vote on the licensing question. Mr Mansfield, chief electoral officer for the I colony, pchtts ou that under section 7, subsection G, of the Licensing Act, 1895. Lan absent voter will receive a voting paper for the local option poll, and his vote counts for the district for which he holds a voting permit. Seamen are provided for in the same way under section 82, subsection X, of the Electoral I Act. ISOo. Mr. W. Richardson will address the electors in the Foresters' Ha:!, Karan-1 gahape-road, this evening. Mr Murdoch McLean speaks to the electors in the Oddfellows* Hall, Manu-kau-road, Panrell, to-night. Mr M. M Kirkbride, M.H.R., addresses the tors of Mannkau at the Onehunga Public Hall to-night. Mr C. J. Parr will address the electors of City West in the Church of Christ, Ponsonby-road, on Friday evening. The attention of electors who may be about to leave the colony or change their addresses temporarily is directed to an advertisement them and their privileges in our columns to-day. They are entitled to certain privileges in respect of recording their votes and the method of exerting them i≤ there stated. As the writs will be issued about the 22nd inst., it is imperative that all elet-' tors not yet on the rolls shou'd register without delay, as once the writs are issued enrolling closes. Mr John Bollard, M.HJR., w#3 unable to speak at Point- Chevalier last night owing to a severe cold having practical Iy taken away his voice for the present. Sir Bollard's meeting at Mount Albert to-night has been" postponed for the same reason.