PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION.

THE WAITEMATA SEAT. 1 lIBEKAL CANDIDATE CHOSEN. MR. C. E. BICKFORD TO STAND. ' •Mr. W. J. Napier headed a representative deputation of 'Waitemata Liberals which waited upon -Mr. C. F. Bickford this morning -with the request that he should allow himself to he nominated as candidate for the Waitemata Beat in the Liberal interest, in opposition to the sitting member, -Mr. A. Harris, M.P. Mr. Napier remarked that the deputation consisted of electors residing in different parts of the constituency and representing the Progressive Liberal element, which desired him to become a Parliamentary candidate as an Independent and. Progressive Liberal. The constituencies felt that at this time the country required men of wide experience. Mr.- Napier emphasised the need of men, who, while not wedded to old shibboleths, would represent a real progressive Liberalism, and he went on to refer to Mr. Bickford's splendid record in relation to the raising of funds for the Red Cross and 'in connection with last year's influenza epidemic. Mr. Bickford had -been responsible for the raising of over a quarter of a million for the Red Crose fund, and his record was unique in the Dominion. Mr. Napier added that both Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. A. M. Myers, who had been consulted in regard to the selection of the candidate, had heartily approved of Mr. Bickford. Mr. W. J. Jaggs supported the request, and Mr. Bickford in reply said that he believed that nothing but a strong progressive policy would meet the needs of the Dominion, and to secure that policy he • thought the principles of Liberalism were essential. He 'would be prepared to stand as an Independent Liberal, but would insist on a good deal of pergonal freedom, both as regards leadership and ©pecific measures. Alluding to his attitude towards Labour, he said that the great labour unrest was not going to be cured by the application of rosewater. We must be just and sympathetic with the claims of Labour and at the same time firm with all manner of revolutionists. Mr. Bickford touched upon other points of policy, including housing, road and railway works, development of hydro-electric forces, education, and, in conclusion, promised to strive to >put into the work the same energy and enthusiasm -which he had devoted to Red Cross and other patriotic work. A deputation of electors waited on Mr. W. Blomfield, Mayor of Takapuna, yesterday, to ask him to stand for the Waitemata seat at the forthcoming election in the Liberal interest. Mr. Blomfield said he would only consent to stand on condition that he was the official candidate of the Liberal party. THE MANUKAU SEAT. LABOUR CANDIDATE'S ADDRESS. The first political address at Onehunga in the present campaign was delivered last night by Mr. 11. G. R. Mason, the official Labour candidate for Manukau, in the Lyceum Theatre. Mr. T. Botterell presided over a large assembly of electors. Mr. Mason's address was probably the shortest that has ever been delivered by a candidate for Parliamentary honours at Onehunga. To many of his hearers, he s-aid, the Labour party was a new party, and they might wonder why it was required. He replied that new conditions had arisen, which, in his judgment, could only be adequately dealt with b3' the Labour party. He proceeded to justify this claim by showing how the Labour party proposed to deal with such questions a3 a State bank, shipping, State insurance, taxation, and pensions. He comparod Sir Joseph Ward's proposals and those of the Labour party. The latter, he said", was for the purpose of supplying cheap capital, keeping the rate of interest down, and doing away with large dividends. Dealing with the shipping question he alluded to the great increase in freights, and to the fact that most of the large companies were amalgamating. The Labour Party advocated a State service to-supply the needs of the people, and to obviate excessive profit making by the large combines. State monopoly in fire insurance was believed in by the Labour party with * view to securing low rates, ix regard to liquor the party stood for the right of the people 'to say exactly what they wanted, and therefore favoured preferential voting. He advocated increased taxation on the unearned increment, monopolies, and land values, an increased graduated income tax, with a corresponding reduction of indirect taxation for the purpose of removing the present burdens on families. The Pensions Act. he held, should, be extended to cover all incapacitated citizens and widows, with an increased rate of pensions, all Stat« pensions, to be universally obtainable an a right of citizenship, and to be based on payments guaranteeing the prevailing 'standard of Jiving. Mt. O. Mdßrine, the official Labour candidate for Eden, also spoke. He dealt chiefly with the method- adopted by the different .political parties in selecting their candidates. Liberal and Reform candidates, he said, were first approved by the party leader. The Labour candidates were selected at a conference, held at Wellington, of representatives of all the societies (including two women's societies) affiliated with the Labour movement in the Dominion. <Mr. M. J. Savage, the official Labour candidate for City West, was the third speaker. He urged upon all .present to volunteer to canvass their neighbours and friends on behalf of Mr. Mason to secure his return for Manukau. Only one question was asked, and that was of an irrelevant nature. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman and the speakers. RETURNED SOLDIER CANDIDATE. Mr. Ralph E. Taylor nas publicly announced his intention of contesting the Manukau seat as an Independent. He will open his campaign with addresses at Onehunga on the "29th October, and Otahuhu on the 6th November. ROSKILL ELECTORATE. There was a representative gathering of electors at the Methodist Schoolroom, Gordon Road, Mount Eden, last evening, to further the candidature of Mr. Vivian H. Potter for the Roskill seat. Mr. G. Macdonald was voted to the chair. Mr. Spinley, representing the Reform party, introduced Mr. Potter, who briefly explained his views on the political situation, and satisfactorily answered several questions. Those in the room formed themselves into a committee, and further meetings will at once be arranged throughout the electorate.