THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 249, 17 October 1908, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

BAY OF ISLANDS. Mr John Carton, the Independent Oppositionist candidate for the Bay of Islands scat, addressed the electors in ISryer's Omapere Hall on Monday evenins last. There were about 14 persons present, and Mr C. G. Newton was voted tithe chair. In the course of an address which lasted for an hour, the candidate expressed his satisfaction with the optional system of land tenure, except the fKW years' lease, which he -thought should be convertible into O.R.P. lease. He did not favour breaking up large estates when so much Crown land •was lying idle. He was in favour of allowing tho natives to sell their surplus lands, and the proceeds to be placed in a bank for their benefit. He was in favour of a sum of one million pounds being set aside by the Government for metalling roads in the back blocks. He did not think that the back blocks schools had an adequate share of the education votes. Compensation to workers as at present with regard to casual labourers was unfair, and casual labourers should insnre themselves. He believed in an elective executive. He also advocated No.-license. After an attentive hearing votes of thanks were passed to the candidate and the chairman. No questions were asked. PRB?ENTATION TO MR STALLWORTHY. (By Telegraph.—Own. Correspondeat.) this day. 3lr Stallworthy, member for Kaipara, returned home on Thursday evening, and was given a splendid reception. Over 300 persons attended a welcome social, organised by the ladies, which was a great success. Mr T. Nield, Mr Webb, Mr May, and Mrs T. S. Webb, sen., made complimentary references to the splendid work done by Mr Stallworthy as member for Kaipara, and wished him reelection. These sentiments were taken •up enthusiastically. Mrs Webb presented Mr Stallworthy wth a handsome gold cross souvenir, with the following address: "Dear Mr Stalworthy,—On behalf of the ladies of Aratapu, I beg of you to accept this cross on the occasion of your return from the third session of Parliament, and, as a token of the high esteem in which we all hold you; further, we wish you every success in the coming campaign, and we assure you, we will do all in our power to help in your return." Mrs Stallworthy was presented with a bouquet. , Mr Stallworthy, in replying, was received with cheers. On Friday evening a meeting of over forty representatives from Mr Stallwortny's committees in various centres was held at Dargaville. The candidate was asked to address the electors at Dargaville the evening before the election, and he consented. A resolution was carried unanimously, expressing satisfaction with Mr Stall-worthy's ■work and the large increase of grants received by the district. THE OHLNEMURI SEAT. WAIHI, this day. Mr. F. H. Haselden, who is contesting the Ohinemuri seat in the Opposition interests, gave his initial address at the Miners" L'nion Hall last night. There was a fair attendance, and the Mayor, Mr. J. Newth, presided. The candidate prefaced bis remarks by justifying his notion in coming out for Ohinemuri, aiter which he discussed the financial a.-pocf. He considered that the Government was borrowing and squandering. The address in the main was one of adverse criticism of the Government's policy, and he argued that the present Opposition should be given a trial. If returned to Parliament he promised to do his best for all and for all creeds, and his watchword would be "right and justiCe for every man and woman in New .Zraland." The speaker wa-s accorded a ;vote of thanks for his address. TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Mr C. E. Bellringer, the Government candidate for the Taranaki seat, addressed the electors at New Plymouth last night, giving strong adherence to the policy of Sir Joseph Ward. He claimed that the dairy regulations, as amended- by the Stock Committee, were in the best interests of the'dairy industry, and urged that the defence policy should be continuous from school cadets to at least the age of 21, and rifle clubs should receive greater encouragement. The speaker was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. Other candidates in the field are the sitting member, Mr H. Okey, and Mr W. .Or. iiilone, standing as a Liberal. TUAPEKA. NASEBY, Friday. ■Jlr Robt. Scott, Opposition candidate for Tuapeka, addressed a large meeting of electors at Naseby to-night. He criticised the land legislation of the Government, declaring himself to be a supporter of the freehold tenure, and said he opposed the Government because of the methods it adopted to keep itself in power, because of its leaning towards Socialism, and because of its want of a clearly expressed and well-defined policy. Sir Scott was accorded a vote of thanks. TIMARU. TIMARU, Friday. sn response to a requisition from 1200 electors, the Mayor, Mr James Craigie, las agreed to become a candidate for Tima.ru, in the Government interest. ELLESMERE. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Mr F. Rowell, a candidate for the EUaamere scat, has opened his campaign at. Sprinq-ston. He declared himself a straight-out Liberal, and supported the various measures of the present Government. He was in favour of the freehold, and urged that the Government should push on settlement more rapidly. Ho advocated the purchase of land in tlie vicinity of country towns for the purpose of settling farm labourers on srra!! orcas. On the licensing question Mr Rcwell announced himself as a sup-pr.ru-r of the three-fiths majority. He Eupywrtcd n -eduction oi duty on tobacco and ammunition. Mr Geo. Rennie, also a candidate for F.lesmere, addressed a meeting at Leesirn. announcing himself as a supporter o:' Cie present Government.