CANDIDATES' SPEECHES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14227, 15 December 1911, Page 8

CANDIDATES' SPEECHES.

FROM "THE PRESS" BALCONY. On appearing at "The Press" bakony 1 Dr. Thacker was greeted with applause. He said that he appeared before them still as on Independent Liberal; the resuit of tho poll had not altered his opinion one iota. Ho was out, in politics, to act as a new broom or a vacuum cleaner. (Hear, hear). His experience that day told him that j there were a lot of things that needed a vacuum cleaner on them: If there i was ono thing that required to be | abolished it was the tables and touters [outs.de the booths. (Applause). They ' j also wanted the names and addresses cf the men who wrote the articles in the newspapers and those who wrote letters to the newspapers at election times. (Applause). Ho was not a : j little bit depressed. (Voices: "Buck ' up!") He found that his friends had j been as solid as poss.ble to him, and he thanked them. He asked them to j look at the other s de. Mr Hunter's supporters voted for hira (Mr Hunter.) j Ito put out the Ward Administration, ! that day they had turned a complete • i .-vcmcrsault and had voted to Keep j ! that administration in (A voice: J i"Wrong"; hooting nnd cheers). He desired to compliment Mr Davey, who \ was a personal f rend of his. Mr [Davey was much older, and he feltj that ho had been beaten by a good man. (Heir, hear, and applause). Ho did not have the power of the Press behind him, and ho wanted to toll them that if he were alive and well, ho guaranteed that there would be a third newspaper in Christchurch in two year's time, and it would be called — (A voice: "The Labour Party's paper. ""I"—'"The Chrstchurch Indepcnd.nt."' The next fight ho intended fighting was for Mayor ot Christchurch. (Arralausc*-. Mr G. W. Russell, the successful candidate for tho Avon electorate in returning thanks, said he wished to express his gratitude tc his committee nnd all thoee electors who had assisted in his 'return. The contest h© had just gone through was the most bitter nnd heated he had ever been called upon to undertake. Tho feeling in the campaign had hot been caused in any way whatever by the Opposition, but by tho organisation which desired to restrict the liberty cf this country. The peoplo of Avon had twice voted their confidence in him, and he desired to express his deep, thanks to them. In regard to the change that had taken place in politics, he hoped that uj reactionary measures would result, but that there would be a movement towards enlightenment and progress. Ho had received the support of a number of voters, who realised that although he was a party man ho would vote for public measures from a non-party standpoint. (Loud applause). It had been. spread abroad that tho electorate had been filled with motor-cars working in tho interests of a certain party, but ho might state that whatever cars were runmno* in his interests had carried many people to tlio booth who had voted against him. (Loud and prolonged applause). He hoped that now. the election waa over, all party feeling would bo abolished, and the candidates who had been returned would do their best for the interests of the beautiful city which they had the honour of representing. . (Loud applause). Mir J. McCombs met with a mixed reception. Ho ascribed his defeat to' the many motor-cars that* , had been used by "the trade" to convey peoplo to the poll to vote against him. (A Voice: "You're a liar.") He did not blame his opponent for taking all the support he could but the figures" led him, to believe. that he (Mr -'McCombs) would before long get a majority in" Avon. (Applause and boo hoos.) ' . Mr C.H. Elisor's reception was of h most enthusiastio description. He said he was very glad that the public applauded the defeated candidate. (Applause.) With liis right hand, which was tho stronger, he wished to upho'd the worker, and with his left hand, which was the weaker, he wished to uphold the rights of the employer With his both hands (interlocking his fingers) ho would have studied their combined interests. (Cheers.) As soon as Mr J. D. Hall appeared on "Tlio Press" balcony .to address tho enormous crowd assembled to watch,the results, he was accorded an ovation, the cheering being so vociferous that it was some time, before he could make himself heard. "Whatever happens now," said Mr Hall, as soon as thero was a lull, ''the tide* has turned. (Cheers.) Whatever ar© the results of the second ballots to come the Governmontis down." (Loud cheers and hurrahs.) A Voice: "You're down, tool" Mr Hall: "I'm down, but I will go down every tim© if I can see the Government down. (Loud applause and cheers.) I never fought for any other purpose than to put the Government down. (Loud cheers;) I am very grateful to the committees who have worked so hard for mc. (Cheers.) It has not been politics in Christchurch North that-;! had to fight, but. whatever the result, it is quite possible that there will be another election within a eighteen months. I wish to thank very deeply all those who have exercised their votes for mc at this election, and hope that the candidates for Christchurch who have been returned will battle for local government reform and will do their best to forward tbo interests of this prosperous city. I thank all those who have voted for mc very much indeed." (Loud cheers.) A As soon as Mi* Hall had finished : speaking three rousing cheers were given for him, followed by cheers for I Mrs Hall.