THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 275, 17 November 1905, Page 3

THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

i. m. BAUME AT ST. DAVID'S.

J. E. Baume iddressed a large "tiflcr'last night in S_. David's SunZ v school, Dr. Shaniifin presiding. The "aididate received a good hearing, and was frequently applauded. After referring to the progress in educational matters which bad taken place, Mr £_m- er-tici»ed the attitude of the Wer of the Opposition and other pronrinent members of his party with resnect to the Advances to Settler-; Act, Land for Settlements Act, and the graduated land tax. Personally, be was closed to giving lease-in-perpetuity Jttlers the right to acquire the freehold at the original valuation. One of the greatest achievements which the nresent" Government could place to its Ja-edit was the passing of the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, a measure which had been taken as a model by all countries professing true iiberaUsm. With regard to the accu-a-tion so often made that the State accounts were not audited, there was not a word of truth in it. He believed in the referendum for such matters as tbe pible-in-schools, the licensing question, and the totalisator, but only on a threefifths majority. Speaking oil the matter of public expenditure in Auckland, Mr Baume said that the combination of Northern member-; during the last session had done much to get justice for Auckland in this respect, though he did not say that the North even yet received its fair share. At the conclusion of the address a motion of thanks and confidence was unanimously carried on the motion of Mr McVeagh.

, MR \V- RICHARDSO-S

The Foresters' Hall, Kurangahaperoad, was crowded last evening when T_r W. Richardson delivered an address to the electors of Auckland East. Mr S. C. Brown presided.

Mr Richardson was received with applause. He said they had known him mostly as a street orator, but if a man could arrest attention in the street and keep the people interested he must have a message for the people. He had been told that if he knew as much ol general politics as he did of prohibition he would make a good member of the House. He had always been a strong advocate of protection to local industries—.Massey wanted to make a political machine out of party, and Seddon had made one, but he wished all present to understand they would not. make a political machine out of him. He knew all about New Zealand polities before lie came over to this colony. He recognised they were in the forefront of the colonies in New Zealand in tbe matter of licensing legislation, and that decided him to come 'over. He brought with him recommendations from Sir George Dibbs and many other prominent men. He heid prohibition to be the biggest question iv the world. He came here to help to make the people sober. As to politics, he had done a good deal to fry and kill Mr Seddon's political dodges'. He believed in electoral reform, and one measure required was self-registration. Anyone who would not trouble to register themselves should be off the roll. He also believed in electoral rights. Like the Chartists, he believed in annual Parliaments. I'eople might object to the cost, but there need not be any cost if the elections were properly managed. He wanted genuine Liberalism, and favoured an elective seeoad House to check the Lower one. He had 17 to 18 defeats, but he was going on and getting more reckless than ever. They would find they could not drive him. They should also have substantial bonds from registrars' deputies, and returning officers for the proper fulfillment oi their duties. He exhorted the unionists to return as members intelligent \vorking men to look after their interests. He believed in payment of members, and absolute secrecy of the ballot. It was not secret now when the ballot papers were numbered. With electoral rights, the 'Tight" was numbered, and not the ballot paper.

Tlie speaker then referred to Mr Seddon, but was interrupted with c'-'-es of '_vo abuse," "Leave the beer alone," "Give us politics."

Mr Richardson said be was opposed to Parliamentarians rai_ing thrir salaries. He was opposed to bribing the people by promising to reduce duty on tobacco when the public ch-bt was piling up year by year. We ais i believe_i in all men appointed to t.;e .Magistracy and the Upper House- being m.-n. He objected to Mr Seddon preparing a fat bil.et for himself at Home. (Cri._ of "Abuse!" ''Abuse!" "(live us politics.") He objected to the talk about free breakfast table, which meant some of their fellows losing the protection on their industry, (A Voice: "Now that is polities.") He objected to Royal Commissions being appointed to do the work of the Cabinet. Tlie sc'iool teachers had their little dole, and next it was to be the Civil servants. What he Wanted to know v.as where was the gain to the workers in having to cany all these people on their baric... (Ap plause.) He did not objecr to .Mr tied don importing prize stock to assist the dairy industry. If Mr Send.mi loved the women of the colony he would ba in tho van of the Prohibition movement. The two biggest questions lo his mind were protection to local industries and prohibition of the liquor t runic. Mr Mas-ey Was a freetrader; fie did nol know what Mr* Seddon was, excepting the boss opportunist. Cheapness was something stolen from a brother toiler. Over £4,000,000 more was b.-ing sent out each year to import goods that could be produced and made in the colon-.-. (Applause.)

' In answer to question*, Mr Richardson said he was not iv favour of taking the duty off potatoes or any other colo*hal product; be objected to the Premier travelling t1... . mntry at tile peoples expense for electioneering purposes. They had no right to demand cheap food Unless they were prepared to woik eh-ap themselves. He was in favour of the Utter eradication of every form cf gamb"hg. including raffles at church bazaars. §< Barrac lougli moved a vote of 'hanks and conlidence, which was seconded by Mr John Shirtcliffe, and carlle d unanimously..

ME. MeLEAN AT PARNELL. - LADIES' MEETING. Mr Murdoch McLean, tho Opposition ean-idfitc contesting the Parnell seat, a large meeting of ladies and Em uiale escorts in the Oddfellows' ■*V"Ui Parnell, last evening. The chair by Mr Totten, who brief- *.' intnSliced ihe candidate. M l ' McLean said he believed the U-o----jWnnient did "not care a twopenny-bit r «ie country- BU _ o ng as they were

in power. He accused the __e__er of ! travelling through tbe Northern district endeavouring to intimidate the j electors. He did not think, however, I that the Auckland, including the Parnell, electors were going to be intimi- I dated; they would vote for whom they ' considered the Attest to represent them. The candidate -contended that the great prosperity of the colony was not owing to the Government, but in spite of it. As long as there was a demand for the staple products of the colony so long would the country prosper. The Government required was a clean one, and they did not want so much law-making as pure administration. With regard to tbe nativo land question, the speaker said the present Government had not done fairly by the Maoris. I__nd had been bought from the natives by the Government for 5/ and G/ per acre and afterwards sold for from £5 to £8 per acre. Tbe Maoris should be treat!ed as fairly as the Europeans. Reserves should be set aside sufficient to I support all the natives hi the country, [and the rest of their land be allowed to be disposed of by tbe native owners. He considered the present system of perpetuating the communal life among the natives to be a blot upon tbe administration. He did not altogether believe in no-license as a cure for drunkeness. Those who desired no-license, however, had the opportunity of voting for it at the local option poll. A Government could never be good without a strong Opposition, and he hoped that tbe country at tbe coming elecMons would realise this, and would make the Opposition if not strong enough to oust the present Administration, at least strong enough to make it much better than it has been heretofore. At the conclusion of the speech, which was applauded at frequent intervals, the candidate was accorded an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, Mrs Tattley proposing and Mrs J. Beale seconding the motion.

MR. McGOWAN AT COROMANDEL. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent. COROMANDEL, Thursday. The Hon. Mr MeGowan held a very successful meeting at Coromandel tonight, the Caledonian Hall being filled to the doors, and the speaker, who was received with applause, wa-* listened to with close attention throughout. Dealing with the question of the wages received by the worker. Mr MeGowan quoted figures to show the increases that, had taken place since the advent of the present Government, and gave it ad his opinion that the general increase of pay granted to tbe lower-paid men iv the railway service would have a tendency to cause a corresponding increase in the wages of those working for private employers. The present Government were dealing fairly by their employees on railway and road formation by carrying out the work on the co-operative system, so that each man was paid according to the amount of labour he was capable of performing. Speaking with regard to the Hauraki pastoral leases. Mr McGowau said that the conditions under which the : goldfields land could be taken up re- | quired some alteration, as the term of lease was too short. The payments of survey fees, etc., should- be spread over a longer period. Tbe provisions of Ihe Mining Act Amendment Act of last session, dealing with better protection for discoverers of new quartz lodes, alluvial leads to other mineral deposits, the alteration with regard to the limitation of tbe percentage to be paid by tributers, and other points affecting the working miners, were explained, and were received with considerable appreciation by tbe miners present. Reference was also made to tbe deadlock that existed between the mining companies at Coromandel with regard to drainage, and Mr MeGowan stated that the same course should be followed as at Thames, where a drainage board had been formed. If the companies would come to some agreement in this direction he would do his best to put a bill through the House to place them on the same footing as tbe mine-owners at Thames in this respect. Speaking of the depression that existed in this district, be said that if a feasible scheme for developing the field were brought before him he was prepared to do his best to give adequate assistance towards it, if, upon inquiry and after obtaining a report from his responsible onicers, it appeared that the scheme was likely to prove suceess!ul. A number of questions were asked at the conclusion of the meeting, and he answers given appeared to -meet with the approbation of the midi- ! ence. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr .MeGowan and in the Govern- ! ment of which he is a member was proposed by Mr T. W. Rhodes, seconded by Mr J. B. RockliiT, and carried unanimously.

OHINEMURI. (By Telegraph -Own Correspondent.) PAEROA, this day. Mr Moss addressed a meeting of electors in the Criterion Theatre last night. Mr F. Cock presided. Mr Moss traversed statements made by the Premier when he addressed the electors here last week, and challenged anyone to prove that the Premier's statement that be had voted against the second reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill was correct. Mr Mos.s offered to give ._i3o to any charity if that statement could be proved from '-Hansard." lie complained of the Government refusing to answer questions in the House when requested to explain certain votes on the Estimates, citing an instance of £800 for Ministers' 13 secretaries, information concerning which was flatly refused. * He reviewed the work of last session. Mr Moss was -loudly applaud- j ed at many points of., his address. A I vote of thanks and confidence was car-, ried by acclamation on the motion of Mr Edwin Edwards. CANTERBURY ELECTION FORECAST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspoiiaeat.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

Now that carnival week is over, Canterbury has entered upon tbe election campaign in real earnest. Tbe light for the city seats is daily becoming more interesting. I fancy that Mr Taylor's position in Christchurch South is strengthening in spite of his attitude over the voucher case. There are still many Conservatives who will support him as an opponent of Mr Seddon. Mr v.. W. Collins has only to poll as _eavilv in Christchurch East as he did in that particular district three years ago to carry the seat. I understand that Mr Collins' friends are very confident, and that they fear Mr Towgood, the New Liberal candidate, more than Mr Davey. The past few days has witnessed the advent of another Conservative candidate for Christchurch South in the

person of Mr C, H. Winney, Mayor oT New Brighton. The party is making great efforts to persuade the Chxistchureh Conservative candidate, Mr Allison, to retire, so far without success. Mr Winney will poll heavier than Mr Allison, but neither of them will stand much chance of defeating.Mr Ell, who in Christchurch South is as it -were "in his native heather." Nor do I favour the prospects of either Mr Hadfield, the New Liberal candidate, or Mr Thorn, the Labour representative. As regards the Avon contest, Mr Brunt seems to be receding in popularity, and present indications point to tbe contest resolving itself into a struggle between Messrs. Tanner and Clarkson. The latter will probably get most of the nolieense vote in spite of the fact that Mr Brunt is a member of tbe Avon NoLicense League. Both Messrs. Witty and Russell appear to be making headway in Itiecarton. but the more votes that each polls the greater will be the Liberal split, and the easier will Mr Caverhill's task become. At the same time I cannot believe that such a pronounced Liberal constituency as Ricearton will return a Conservative. Mr Rutherford has now two opponents for Hurunui, Mr Pulley (who has contradicted a report that he intends to retire), and Mr Clothier (an Opposition No-License candidate). Neither is likely to unseat the sitting member. A similar remark applies to Mr Buddo and bis two opponents, though in his ease Mr Moore may run him dose. The Government in Ellesmere will be divided between Messrs. Rer_iie and Shaw, in which case Mr Rennie might be trusted to trouble Mr Rhodes. The personal popularity of the sitting member will, however, ensure his return. Mr Laurenson may encounter most opposition for Lyttelton from Mr Radcliffe, but it will not be sufficient to unseat him. Mr Lewis and Mr Meßride are fighting a "willing battle" for Courtenay, and so are Messrs. Harding and Ivess in Selwyn. In Ashburton the Liberal vote will be split between Messrs. McLachlan and Seely, and Air Studkohne may slip in, but Mr Flatman is pretty safe for G'eraldine. At Timarn Mr HallJones will beat his much boomed opponent, and Sir William Steward should have no difficulty in heading tbe poll for Waimate.

SOUTHERN SP__CCH_S. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Mr McLean, a candidate for Wellington East, addressed the electors last night. He gave entire support to the Government, favoured leasehold land tenure and opposed Bible-reading in schools. DUNEDIN, this day. Mr H. D. Bedford, a candidate for Dunedin North, addressed a crowded meeting last night. He strongly attacked the administration of tbe Government, especially in regard to public works expenditure. On the subject of the voucher inquiry he admitted unreservedly that the Premier and Captain Seddon bad been completely exonerated. A motion to the effect that the candidate was a fit and proper person to represent the electorate was carried by a large majority. Mr Bedford was subjected to considerable opposition and banter during tbe course of his remarks.

DU>TEDIN, this day. Mr Donald Reid, who is seeking reelection for Taieri, addressed a large meeting at Mosgiel last night. He supports the Opposition, but commended several of the Government ineasu.es. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, only a few voting against the motion.

Mr E. W. Alison wiU address tbe electors of Waitemata to-night in tbe Foresters' Hall, Devonport. Mr C. J. Parr speaks to-night in the Church of Christ meeting-house at the corner of Pollenstreet, Ponsonby-road. Mr M. M. Kirkbride will address the electors of Manukau at Papakura Valley to-night. Mr R. D. Stewart addressed a meeting of ladies in the Onehunga Public Hall at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Mr R. French speaks at Epsom Hall tonight. Mr C. H. Poole will address the electors of City West in the open air, if the weather permits, at the corner of Summer and Oliphant streets this evening.