MR MASSEY'S CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16703, 11 December 1919, Page 11

MR MASSEY'S CAMPAIGN.

BIG MEETING AT OBEY LYNN. 'mess association telegram.) AUCKLAND, December 10. The Prime Ministej delivered a politi- « 11 addre-s in <"»rcy Lynn to-night in support of .Miss Ellen Melville, tno Go- > eminent candidate for the scat. The hall Has crowded to the doors, and Mr M:;v-«y received an oration oti arrival. j\|i v < Al"i\ii!e s;ioko first., and towards i; |( . ,-io.e o| her address there was tome mi.'rruption. Whou Mr Massey rose r i sneak, howevvr. all interruption rmscd, and his address was listened to with marked attention, and with but l"rw iutei j 'Ctions. Mr Mas-.-y -aid he congratulated Miss Melville on her -peech. which, from a practical and progressive point of view, was tie best nc had heard during the campaign. TTe proceeded on the lines of hi> recent. speeches, dealing with the (•••-; .it living, comparing Xcw Zetland's po-ition with that of other countries, and outlining the legislation passed last He condemned ti:e extreme Labour Party, and ssid tho Parliamentary Lab.iiir i'arty did r:ot represent Lnboiir. He challenged Sir Joseph Ward, Mi Myn-. or any other Li'>ornl. with the exception of Mr Isitt. to say they would not accept extreme Labour's help to hold office. He believed the arrangement made by the Government with ihc Colonial Sugar Company had snvcil tho Dominion -C300.0C0 or £-100.000 a year. f Applause.) Ho hoped the (iovcrnment would bo able to continue the arrangement for another t'rni. A vote of thanks and evfidence, cirried i,y an overwhelming majority, close.l a highly successful meeting. EOWDY MEETING AT • NGAEUAWAHIA.

frRESS association telegram.) HAMILTON", December 10. ,'dr Massey spoko at Xgaruawahia rip!i. which was densely pacKed, while hundreds could not get in. Trouble wis scented from the beginniug. A

s|wcial train with a load of miners bad como to attend the meeting, and occupied the whole of the. rear part of the hall. Tho Premier was received with 'olid applause, hissing, and hooting. There was a tremendous hubbub for a iitae, cheers being called for Mr Jordan, the Labour candidate. When he was allowed to procced Mr Masscy bowed his acknowledgment, and said, "Thank you!" This was the signal for a further outburst, but the Premier only smiled.

A Voire: Keep smiling. Bill. Mr Massey: "\e.s. Til smile, and continue to smilo when some of those booh-iug will bo weeping. That will Iw the night of the election. Mr Mnssev said that it was tho first time he had spoken at Ngaruawahia. A Voice: But it will bo tho last. Tho Premier commenced to refer to the. war, when a voice interrupted: "Give ijs politics, not that stoiff.'' Inferjcctions continued, and Mr Massoy said: "I am not going to stand this sort of thing, and there are certain ways of stopping it. I have never resorted to such ways -et, but T will not hesitate to do so to-night.' l Mr Mn*sey endeavonrod to procced. niat further interruptions caused him to instruct constable to take some names. "Simply take tho names; that s all J want you to do. I will do the rest, for at present I am head of the police." (Laughter and prolonged hooting.)

Mr Masscy : I think tht* tactics of tho intcrruptionists in this campaign ", r ,° most .rownrdly and contempt ibio it is possible to imagine. Do thev think there is anvthing manly in interrupting a meeting? I4iter Mr Mawov said he was goinp to <|o something to iraprovo tho road frorj Tuakott.

A Voico: Put tho Labour Party or

3lr Masser: The Labour Party! Hum! The "go Mow!" I can jusl imagine what a lot of road-mnking tho Labour Party would clo. (Laughter Jiud groans.) Premier went on to speak of finance, but lie was scarcolv audible. The interruptions continued for some tinm. A miner finally arose at the hack of tho hall and began to address tho Premier excitedly, and threatened to fight those laughing at him. A great hubbub ensued. •

Mr Massey spoko about shipping ,and said that tho time had como when tho Govrtrument had to own chips, but it trouWl be utter folly to purcnase ships now. There *ere more interjections, and voice asked: When arc you going to bo Baron Bill? Another A r oice, Ho is barren now.

Mr Maesey: That is not a thing I take pleasure in, for I have been offered high honours. My pleasnre is in doing what I can for tho people. Questions ponrcd in, amid many interruptions. Mr Massey read a telegram h« had received quoting a speech by Mr Holland that ho was going to assist Sir Josopjh Ward to oust Mr Massey and thou dictate, tho terms to Sir Joseph tvaird. "Lot me sny this," said Mr Matb&y. "They arc not going to got mo. I would sooner leave the Treasury benches and Parliament altogether and go hack to tho -plough than be kept in i»ower by theso Democrats. (Further hubbub.) A roto of thanks was carried amid apphtuse, the Premier thanking the audiimce for the enjoyable evening thoy had j liven him. Tho mooting broke up with passes, hoot?, applause, and cheers for Mir Jordan, the Labour candidate. qHIUSTCHURCH NORTH. The Winton street Hall, St. Albans, was wej! filled last night, when Mr L. M. Tsitjt. the Liberal candidate for Christcß urch North, addressed tho electors. (jr. A. "Williams presided. Tho candidal to was accorded an at tentive and api >rociative hearing, tho interruption.i being confined almost cxclu-sivi-lv to an individual who seemed anxious'to emulate the "polite idiot" in "The Brllo of Nrtw York.*' Tlie candidate sp<j ko on the lines of his previous addressee 1 and, after answering a number of cj uestions, he was accorded, by aoclnmatjion, a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr H, T. Armstrong, Labour candidate for Christchnrch North, addressed a woll-afl tended meeting nf. tho corner of Browir'fl road nnH lnnes road last night. Sir A. J. Day Tho candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of til anks and coq^dcnce. OEP.RISTCHURCH EAST. Mr Hint m Hunter, Labour candidate for Chrisl church East, addressed a largo nutH ber of electors at Bonney's stores, Sc. Martin'?, last night. Mr A. L. Mot mtfort presided. The candidate received a very attentive hearing and a uni niinous vote of thanks and confidence, on tho motion of Mr C. HBntterfieliS. l>r. Thicker addressed an overcrowded ro< *tinc in tho Hibernian Hall last eveniq z- Tho candidate was given iin excellent/hearing, and was .applauded frequently. Th° ohair was taken By a returned s<l Idier. Mr P. O. Amodeo. It was ntoved by Mr N. Sturroek : "That a very heart} • vote of thanks bo accorded j the" candidate for his address, and confidence in him for tho forthcoming election." Th.il i was seconded by Mr Newten and ra<| Tied by an overwhelming majority, -»j th three cheers. CHRII rrCHUROH SOUTH. Mr H. BliUand, Independent Liberal candidate fl'r Christchurch South, addressed a *fi iriy well attended meeting in St. Mary's schoolroom, Addington, last night, nnd answered a number or questions. j>lrs W. C. Bean presided. The candidaitc was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr E. J.. Howard addressed a largo audience in. street last night, and receiv«tq a very attentive hearing. a

He was accordcd a hearty voto of thanks and confidence. At the. corner of Strickland and Antigua streets ha addressed about electors. One elector wrus persistent in intorjectiou gave tho meeting a spirited tone, with good results to Mr Howard. On a vote of thanks and confidence being put there was oniy the cue dissentient. A VOX. Mr G. W. flussell two openair meetings fast night. The first place outside the Salv.-.tiVn Army Birivuks in J'iizgrrald avenue. 3lr I". Cart wright presided over a large attendance, and Mr Rus-seli. tlwugh ho was subjected to some In-ckling and interjection, received on tho whole ;i good hearing, and was accorded a licartv veto of thanks and confidence. The scrond meeting was held at the corner of Borde.-icy and Harrmv streets, and was also largely attended. Mr Cam* right again presiding. Mr R-.is.soll was very evidently lacing a ho-tiie croud, an J had to put up with a continuous flow ot intc-.jection rinht throng® iiis ;»d----drcis, winch was mi the line* of th">se hr* lias i'onneriy given. At the com-l'.:-sion of his «*pe«ch Mr JJiiiscll answered a great number of questions. A motion was suucnt!_v, parted : "That -Mr R'isseil !>? thanked lor his addtos but that thi.s meeting has absolutely no confidence whatever in hjjj; member lor Avon."' Mr D. (i. SulUvr.n last night addressed a l:irj;o meeting of the Avon electors at the corner of Armagh and Travers street?, nn-1 .-mother 01 ti;)D persons at the corner of Tuani and Phillips streets. At both meetings the candidate was well received, and the .-nstomary voto wiu carried amidst loud cheering. ItiCCARTOX.

Dcvcrcux, the Government candidate, found at Aylesbury on J uc»day night that a reverend gentleman was giving a lantern lecture iu the school. Tiie cajididatc remarked that tho affairs of Jieav<>n must have preedcuco over the affairs of Stair, and enjoyed the pictures, after which lie gave a very short, address, tho hour being Tho chairman ot tlie school comrnitteo proposed a very Jieam vote of thanks to the candidate, which was .arried by acclamation. Mr G. Witty addros.-u.sl the Iticcarton electors iu ihc schoolroom, Annat. on Monday evening. .Mr .John Watson' in tho chair. Duspite the heavy i-.iin and tho two inches of snow there wore over thirty people present, including several ladies. The candidate received a. good hearing and answered several questions. Among tho questions were tho Canterbury OJhamber or Commerce questions to candidates. Mr Witty'* answer was in tho affirmative on all five. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for hid interesting address. Mr Witty addressed a meeting iu the Kimlierlcy school on Tuesday night. There was a Rood attendance and Mr S. Narby presided. Tho candidate answered several questions, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. Mr J. Robertson, Labour candidate, addressed tho electors at the railway crossing, Ricnarton. on Tuesday evening. about 150 people being present. A hearty voto of thanks was accordcd tho "andidato. KAIAPOI. Mr David Jones, the Government -andidato for the Kaianoi electornto, •»ddrr*sed a large nn f ] entVinsia'd-'c moot"ng Inst night in the Coronation TTall. ISfr A MeTntcsh presiding. The candidate de.olt wit-b the beneficial '"gislnfion passed by the Government 'a«t session." he said, was in the 'nturest* r-f all fln«ses. At the concluof the meeting .Tones was ac-•..-,-rrled n hearty veto of thanks and con.l c<>. C. Aforrrnn Williams, the labour vindidi+e, addressed a meeting of about -no' hundred electors in the Institute Rr'f'iora. Inst evening. ybn Mr C. I. Jennings, ]>residcd. TTic candidate irn* ci^( , n pood bear'■ig. and on the motion of W. J. Honso. wn«s accordcd a unanimous voto ">f e/>nfirlpTlCe. Mr Williams addressed a meeting of electors iu the Marshland 11 all on i'uosday evening. Mr A. 1L L. Smith occupied tho cliair. Tho candidate was aocorded a voto of thar.ks and contidenee, on tho motion of Mr J. Iliackburn, seconded by Mr 11. Myers. lA'TTEUrON. ilr H. G. Ell held a meeting at Casliinero Hills last night. Mr E. F. Owen presnded. Tho speaker received a good Hearing, and a voto of thanks and coniidoncc on the motion of Mr A. C. Andrews, seconded by Mr S. Androws, was earned unanimously. Mr J. McCorabs addressod a wellattended meeting in tho Sumner Town Hall last night. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr T. W. Whitfield, presided. At tho conclusion of tho address a number of questions wcro answered by the candidate. A voto of thanks was proposed, and Cr. H. Yates moved as an amendment a vote of thanks and continued confidcnco, which was declared carried by a large majoritv. Mr McCombs will address au open-air meeting of Akaroa electors on Saturday. HT7RUMJI. Mr George Gardner, Independent candidate for Humnui, addressed a well-attended meeting in tho ball, Hanraer Springs, on Monday night. Mr J. Douds presided. Mr Gardner spoke for two hours, and had a most attentive audicnce. Ho classified politics into three parties: (1) Tho Monopolists, (2) tho Moderate and Liberalminded, and (3) Labour. Ho belonged to the Moderato and Liberal-minded, which wa» an Independent party, and not plodgcd to voto for either Mr Massey or Sir Joseph Ward on a no-con-fidencfi motion. He would support whichever Bide, in his opinion, would do tho best for New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks was accordcd Mr Gardnor for his address. ASHBUHTON". The* Hon. W. Nosrrorthy delivered an address at Seafield on Tuesday evening. There was only a fajr attendance, owing to the inclcmency of tho weather. The chair was occupied by Mr James Bruce. At tho conclusion of the address a vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr McCormick, seconded by Mr flight, was carried by acclamation. JOTTINGS.

A man with a voice "like, a coach foinpc orer stones," as Thomas Hughes as it in "Tom Browne's Schooldays. ' was a persistent interrupter at Mr G. \V. Russell's meeting in Linwood last evening. Mr Russell stood it. for .1 long time, but at last liis patience gave out. "For God's sake kocp quiet,'' ho said. "These people have come to hear me and not you. Your voice is not that of a Caruso, or a Melba, or anyone else. It is like tearing a piece of linoleum." Mr L. M. Tsitt., at the "Winton street Hall last nifeht, when speaking of indentured labour in Samoa, started a senteneo: "There's a weed—l forgot the name of it —tho 'go quick'—" "'So 'go slow,' interjected one of the audicnce. '\N~o. that's tho NonZealand weed." promptly replied the candidate, ''and it wo could only get rkl of it we would get rid of all our difficulties.'' (Lnugliter and applause,.) Mr G. "\V. Bussell was "counted out'' a great many times during tbo course of his address at the corner of Bordesley and Harrow streets last evening, end bib whole meeting terminated with a very decisive vote of no-confidence. In reply to a question of "How do you like that?" Mr Russell replied, '1 like it very well indeed. I'll go homo and sleep, and think how this crowd will feel when the resiilts come out next Wednesday." Mr Russell went on to

• c :iy that h.«« was- quite aware that the meeting was packed, and that- a certain ''molv' had made it up that neither Mr Ma.ssev, nor Sir Josenh Ward, nor be. htm.selt. should be allowed to speak, but he could jafetv say that that "mob bad not yet prevented iiim from saying "no single thing tlint, be wished to say. He knew that many ot hi-; interrupters had followed him round all meeting?, 'ind bad cpni-.; from Spreydon, from North, from Christchurrh Fast, from all over the place, and bo :;!-o know that n-.t 10 per ccnt. of those nn.'sent were Avon electors. However, n)i the >'i!!iv.iT!itrlfow.nrdites. Hnnterite-. et"„ world not disturb him. He wa« 1.-'.uei.inn: at them all. The oniv tb.inc they would not do was to pav a twopennv rar faro to follow liiin to Burwood. where be bad bad a tine meeting. All he could say was that fhev were a very brave lot to go alone "■■■> ho-kle a man old enough to be their f.ither.bat w;;s «oing to keen them at 't every n":ht. for er.cn nitiht be went away cert.M'n that thee bad craired bitn ar.otJier v»te c . Mr Russell drove awav to rh« of "We'll ban - e.Tf 1 TJIr-kotty on a s<-i«r-apt>le tree " md lusty ,groans, minp'.ed with a lew dicers.

i h.« xne.<:iijg m me Winton street ball. •-'T. ,iu«re.v-i\i ny Mr 1-. -W. fsitt- last nigiit, was yruecd witii tlie presence r,f an uho bids fair to bear off tii\: palui ai the polite interjector at [/oliiieal meetings in these parts. When told, early in tho meeting, that he would have an opportunity to ask questions later, he solemnly remarked that he did nor. want to ask questions but wanted to interrupt! At later juncture the chairman, seeing the polite one on liis feet again while the candidate was told him: "No more int.criec-,ions!" "Interjections are the liii« of political meetings.' lie responded with jierfcet imperturbability—a slab of wisdom that was n - f.eivod with an outburst of Laughte: To a lady wlm was endoavouring to get hi 111 to keen c|uiet, ho remarked: "Don't, smile at me like that, or I'll tell my wde!" He was ajjparentlv obsessed with (he idea tlint the candidate bad given him "four bnlv' that tnomnig to attend the meeting nnd interior t, lor }u» t-old ihose in his vicinity t'nt alle:r<yl fact tnore than once. When Question time came bo started one question by saying: "'What about, tho four bnb yen gave 1110 to pome here and intrriTt/.' Tim candi'/'te, liowef/er. paid no attention to tlii.«s t;ortion of question. The most imnolite remark made by this weuliar elector was to refer to L-itt as a "r.rohibi ti»nist Holsbevist. ' but remark appeared to leave tho candidnto quite unimpressed.

TO-DAY'S MEETINGS,

Hon. J). Buddo—Kiri Kiri School, 7.10 p.m.: West Oxford Hall, 8.30 p.m. Mr L. 31. Isitt—Si. Luke's Schoolroom, ii p.m. llou. R. H. Rhodes—Arthurs Pass, on arrival of train, about 1. p.m. : Kowai Hu.sh, 8 p.m. Mr Geo. Barclay—Springfield Hall, 8 p.m. Mr I>. Jones —Ashley Gorge, 7 p.m.. Carlton Hall, S.T> p.m. Mr Mirgnn Willi mix-Oddfellows' Hall, Rangiora, L'.iSO n.m. (ladies' meeting}; Ohoka, 8 p.m. Mr W. R. Dcvbreux—Rolleston Hall, 8 p.m. Mr Georgo Witty—Grceudale Ha] I, 8 p.m. Mr J. M^Combs—Hcathcote Club Hall, to-night. Mr Robert Macartncy—Okain's Bav, 8 p.m.

Mr (J. Armstrong—Hawarden Saleyavils Hull, 8 p.in. Mr Gen. Forbes—Waiau Hall, 8 p.m. Hon. (!. "VY. Russell—Corner St. Asaph street and Nursery road 7.15 p.m.; Baptist Church, Linwood avenue. 8 p.m. Mr W. T. Jester—Dnvaucholle, 8 p.m. Mr Henry Holland—T\ hiteloigh avenue, 8 p.m. Mr E. J. Howard—Sydenham Park, 3 p.m. (women's meeting). Mr Hiram Hunter—Corner Grafton and Charles streets, Limvood, S p.m. Mr J. Rol>ortson—Corner Fendalton and Clyde roads, 7 p.m.: St. Paul's Schoolroom, Papanui, 8.15 p.m. Dr. H. T. J. Thacker —Beckenham School, Sandwich road, 8 p.m. Hon. "W. Noswortby—Anama School, 8 p.m.

Mr H. G. TCll—Governor's Rny, ] .30 n.m.: Tcddington School 2.30 p.m.: Charters Bay .School, 3.30 p.m. ; Purrui County Office. 6.30 p.m.: Port Levy School. 8 T>.m. Mr H. T. Armstrong— Ihirham street Schoolroom.

SER JAMES ALLEN

TO SPEAK AT SOUTHBRIDGE

Sir James Allen will delirer an address in the Southbridgo Hall on Saturday night. Tho meeting will commcnco at 8.

WAITAKI SEAT. (special xo "the rsEss.") TIMABiU, Dccembcr 10. Tho triangular contest. for tho "\Saitaki ecat is arousing not a littlo interest. In Waitaki. as elsewhere, .Mr Alassey ha/» many friends, and the Reform candidate (Mr John Bitchener) enjoys a wide measure of popularity, both for his personal qiialitit- and his fine record of public service, a nd at last election the Reform candidal* only lost by 15G votes, and there was thru a otraicht-r>it contest between Liberal and Reform. This time a Labour candidate is also .standing, and as ho run bo depended upon to jot the full strength of the Labour voro, it looks as thouehMr Bitchener ehould Fcoro comfortably over Mr Anstcy. Throughout tho widely-scattored electorate tho Reform candidate is being well received, and ici having most encouraging meeting®.

TEMUKA' SEAT.

(SPTCIALi TO "THE rnESS.") TI3IART T j Decern 10

Interest in tho contest for th« ;eat is very keen, though not qnito so keen a& it was, by reason of tho withdrawal of two of the candidates —Mr F. H. Buckley and Mr T. Guzinion, Mayor of Temuka., But with the eittiug member (.Mr C. J. Talbot> and Air T. D, Burnett. tho Reform candidate, ttill in tho held, interest ;s not likelv to wane. Jt is doubtful whether the contest in any electorate in the Dominion will be "more closely watched, for Mr Burnett is an unusual typo of man who neither speaks nor acts in the orthodox way. and every phaso of bus character rccommctids liim as .a law-maier. Ho has many l'rionds among both Liberals ;uid lloforrners, and all are agreed that his presence in tho Hous£> would add weight and dignity to tho d;;-ussion«j and cause •'Hansard'' to bo lookc-d forward to its a volume possessing a special interest. Kad the Independent candidate and the Liberal-Labour candidate to the poll, Air Burnett's election would have been assured. Had only one of them withdrawn it would still have been considered almost a certainty, for at last election the Beform candidate (Mr C. E. Kerr), in a straight-onit- contest with Air Talbot, only lost by a very small margiu. Even as things aro tl'.H contest will bo a vory close one. for thore i.s a pretty general desiro to see Mr Burnett in tho Houso. it being considered that his presence there would bo a benefit nop only to tho Trmuka electorate, but to tho Dominion as a whole. His supporters are. looking forworn confidently t-o a victory for him.

the taranaki SEATS. I

(SPECIAL TO "TZE TT.ZSS.'') XEW PLYMOUTH. Dccembor 10. Though thorn is littlo outward sign <>r kt'en in t -lo;iions in N»'\v I'iynioutli. a: uo oi th»> ill the lar;m;<ki j>r<ivini-o j>rt>Tiii.*e to provide mtcronij;- coutf.-t-. ith o.rviiuii ol itio Into I\lr H. 1 y i vutirr. yi-ai - u:zo. the laranuki ,-fai a ivruuiiiy ior Mr >1 ;in-o,v. ;inti ;.il t liort;, to tii.-pinco Mr i.-iil.-.i, liut, at u on Mr v year. Mr (i. ."•mitii va,< .Smitli i< ;iil JndopeiiUint who will jollow Sir Joseph V\ ard in tj; v . tai< . 0 f ;l jjo-ct>ntidwiw inotixn ami iio ii.-vs ai.io tho support, nf tlio Labour Party. J?ut hynomtans cxtronin in liu, viou.-.. Ho i- a live uiombc.r, and Miould retain :iic >»\it. by a lair.v <onnortalile majority. Mr (•. H. liu wlo Ims boon 11toijr1 1 liom j-laa-er.i ?t a some'vJmt iiitr hen:, t-o cany thi- iu r<ir:.i batuior, will su. :or train t tlie ta: - t tha. iio i» n<it> alt< jii't.lui- oiii' <n til.» jioopie iu tho (ii • •.! i i.

'1 ni! »Str;i"K>nl .-oat i»roiniv? a elof and exciting - onust. *Tiic lion. J. U Is <'l>j>')-ii| ;,y Mi- J{. .MastOi. 1 - U»ibnral). .Mr .Ma>iei.- is (hairman o. ibis Taranaki F. iucat-ioii J}r>ard. and lia ■ a very .'•'.10111; Mr Hino h;. ,1 ;iik: t •• i.-'.ot t)i;.; bo is a roturned .-(.iKiii-r. aiui morn in. [•oitaiit ; s:i!I, ti;at bo a Cabinet Mia i.;t?r. wil; carry liini a v.-.iy. ! ,;i feeling ia tliL-" Ji-tri-.t indioau -, ii>;.' Mr Master.-, will !ia'e :.n «i|iially :>ii loliowing. Whatever the ro.-uh, the voting is liko.y 10 be jjarti' ulai :>• i-losv. Mr has los: an absolute ce;uninty in the retirement ei Mr V. A. \\ ill;:n>o T i from the seat, and t!io;i- T ii the Hofoni; I'artv i•ere, their c;aididate. Mr O. iianken, o liavri" a very close coiitesl with Mi' Astbuiv (LiberaH. For tho Pa lea scat the Reform Party !ias two eandidat^i—Mr G. \\ Peano, the member, :ind ."\ir W. J). Powdrell. The Liberal Party is represented by Mr Morrison, and Labour by Mr P. B. Fitzherbert. Mr Fc:wc lia>: lost t<in:o ;;roir d, but Mr 1 Ynvdrel! i.~ a strong man, nnd it ho was left alone >o tight tor Ifeforni he would win. Howover, a split in the Reform voto i«_ inevitable. In the s;:nie way Mr Fitzherbert is in Mr Morrison's way, though Mr Fitzlti-rhert is not io bo regarded as more than a candidate who will s[»oil vote.-, for another man. The .votk -rs are divided. At a meeting of the PaU'a Vro;-v.i Works and Waterside "Workers' Union to '-day, a resolution was passed jrsenti'.tg the nomination of Mr Fitzberbert. and pledging support- for Mr Morrison. Everything ixiints io a very elo-e contest between Mr Powdrelj and Mr Morrison.

NORTH ISLAND SEATS.

WEST COAST ELECTORATES. (SrKCIM, TO '-TOn PRESS.") FEILDING, December 10. In the electorates in tins part of the island, the limits are only in small patches, with most of them as foregone conclusions. These electorates are Otaki, Manawatu, Palmerston, Rangitikei, Oroua and Pahiatua. for which sixteen candidates have been nominated. Five of tlio seats woro held in the late Parliament by Government supporters, while the sixth, Manawatu, being n new electorate, was not previously represented. Mr W. 11. Field succeeded his late brother in the Otaki seat fourteon years ago, and has never known defeat. He will in all probably win his fifth contest next week. In the new Manawatu electorate, which comprises a considerable portion of his old constituency, Mr Edward Newman has become a veteran. Ho is opposed by Mr Hillier, » Labourite, who has elected to take his instructions from the Federation. Ho lias made a poor showing during the caninni'jn, and will go clown badlv on the 17th. ' At first it looked as if the Mayor of Palmerston, Mr .T. A. Nash, was to have a strong and bitter fight with Mr Moses Avrton, the ex-Cornish miner and Methodist clergyman, but tho latter alienated the church people in Palmerston hv following the Rod policy of holding his political meetings on Sunday nights. That put an end to Mr Ayrton's chanco of winning the seat-. Even if a very strong Liberal had been put up against Mr Guthrie for the Oroua seat, the mana of a Cabinet Minister, plus his genial personality, would have made a certainty of the scat. But he has against him ono of the weakest of the Labour Federation's nominees—Mr Tunnidifio —who was a hitter anti-conscriptiomst. Mr Tunnicliffo is one of the worst speakers that made -i ]>olitical gathering dull, and the question is not how many votes will Mr Guthrie get, but how few will his o»>ponent score. For RangTfikei, the position is obscured bv the fact that three candidates are contesting the seat, two returned soldiers standing in onposing interests against a third candidate nominated by the Labour Party. Brigadier-Gc-neral Meldru.ni is 'for Sir .Josooh Ward, and Major W. S. Glenn, 3>.5.0., for the Massoy Government. If the Labourite was out of the way the Genoral would win. l>ut as it is tho odds arc in favour nf the young major, who is a stranger in the electorate. In Pahiatua there is another triangular contest between Mr A MrNicol (Reform). Mr R. B. Ross (the former Liberal M.P., who held tho seat from lftO-5 to lfiflSt, and Mr R. "Ricc (Labourite). It looked a win all over for the experienced politician, hut whilst th? younrr Reformer is full of energy and is making the pace, Mr Ross is irritation his friends '»v his apathy. Even Mr Charles Hall, the veteran politician, who lias come our. of his retirement in Auckland, to render first aid to the Liberal cause, cannot put the necessary ''pen" into Mr I'oss. A triangular duel is on in Wanganui, where Mr VLalio'ir) scarcely counts. Mr Cuttle (Reform ), an a bio platform man. is nutting m some splendid work. but. the veteran Mr W. A. •Veitch will prf, there again, although his margin will probably be very narrow.

LABOUR PARTY.

CAMPAIGN IN WELLINGTON PROVINCE.

(srrrt-M. ro "inr ntsss.") "\VIvLL. rXCHTIX. December 1 \ The Labour candidates are still v»ry confident r>f success, hotii in Wellington and in some of the country district?. ;ind Mr P. Fiawr, who representedi Wellington Central, and is apain a candidate for that constituency :ig:iinst Mr Pirani, hasjust, made what he has reason V> believe is :i :-ij; tour through the district. H- states that ho has had c U'-erssf;il an 1 enthusiastic a'trii*" , nces :u all the country towns he visited. Tils I-Vilding meeting, he said, was wonderful—enthusiastic, exhilar;itiutr. and helpful. At Palmerston North, an Sunday night. thr theatre was crowded long betor<- S o'clock, and hundreds of per>pi<* waited oiitsidn until fhey Tvere addressed :iu nVl<>'-k by Mr Moses Ayrton. rho nffif ial Labour cinuldite. At Wangnnui. on Monday night, he spoke on behalf of ike <-facial candidate there (Mr M: I!vride>. and it w.is <-.f the finest hehad. ever attended oiM-'de Wellington Central. At V.'anganu:—suid it is a, ccriiinontary tipen the charge, that Jaibour was not sympathetic with returned soldiers—the chairman was a returned soldier with manv years' experience in the trenclus. The jenspe'-t* of the party were excellent. Mr Frasr-r said that there were quite as iu->uy returned ,

soldiers standing in tho ot' Labour as for any otlicr party, and" ho believed all tho Labour men were common "diggers." DUNIiDIX SOUTH. (srZCIAL TO "the press.") DUNEDIN, December 10. Tho Dnncdin South election continues to create great interest. Mr JT. Paul is sure of a majoritv in Green: Island, where, tho miners will support him to a man, but Mr T. K. Sidev is certain to score in tho Caversham and South J>nnedin parts of the electorate. He is still going to be hard to beat. SECTARIAN ISSUE. (press association tei.bgrav.) ELTHAM, December 10. feeling is entering info the. con tost for the Hgmont seat. As tho result of a P.P.A. circular, last night three plate-glass windows were smashed in tho shop of Ira J. Bridgor, president of liie Egmont branch of the P.P.A. It is understood that the poiice knorw tlie offender.