Untitled

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17625, 30 November 1922, Page 10

Ho received a good hearing. In spite of some heckling, the meeting was gooci-iiuinoured. •ur jxaboey congratulated tli© Coast on tiio i-eiuuvui oi its isolation by tlio completion oi tii© utaa tuiiuei, iuiu predicted. a. good luturo ior tne uunying ana siocii-raisiim industries, He t>aia tu© country cotiia not work with proportional representation except ny electorates. Ihe system. wnuld not give a sufficiently strong Government. .tie objected to the criticism that his Government was a minority one. The Bank of New Zealand functioned as a State bank. Ihe revenue from it v/as £OOO,OOO last year. The Government left no penny idle. There was a strong demand from farmers for money, and the Government hoped to pay three millions to the Advance® Department next financial year for advances on chattel security. No returned soldier "triers" had boon turned off th? '«nd. Heavy taxation was forced on the Government, which hoped to reduce it next year. In Australia taxes were higher. There would be no wage cut in January unless the cost of livinc allowod it. Economy had been the alternative to the country revolting. The only extravagance alleged was the High Commissioner's London house. The exports last year were and a higher ngift-o sliould oe aimed at. -tL'-J defended the immigration policy. The railways had lost money, but less than those of other countries. The import of coal was duo to insufficient production. Welsh coal was calorifically as good as Now Zealand. Exhibitions showed the progress of our industries. The cost of living was slowly decreasing, and the Government was re'lnoing the price of butter, wheat, and flour. He trusted the people would return tho Government with -en independent balance of power. Questions were not answered. A vote of confidence was carried by acclamation.

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON. A LIVELY MEETING. (special to "the rEEsa.") WELLINGTON, November 29. Mr R. A. Wright, Reform candidate for the Suburbs, had a very lively meeting at Miramar last night, a meeting that lasted for three hours. Lal>our intorjectors thought they would liavo some fun with Mr Wright, but the latter, with his powerful voice, both argued and talked them down. The socialisation of land proposals of the Labour Party was tho main theme of argument, and it wa9 Mr Wright who scored. Wellington Woman Candidate. Mrs MoViokor, Independent Ileform candidate for Wellington East., is not improving her chances of election to Parliament a 6 6he proceeds with her campaign, but she is determinedly sticking to her guns. Mrs McVicnr said them had been whisperings fqr some time of endeavours to get Tier to withdraw, but elie had been advised to stick to her guns and to show that a woman oouldi lieep her word on matters of this nature. (Applause.) She had told her telephonic interviewer that she would' be unworthy of her womanhood if she retired from the contest at that staj?e. "I have been subjected to_ quite a lot of worry lately on this subject by. a lot of cackling men—(laughter)—and X feel very hurt about it all," she said. "If I had consented to st ;nd down it would have had a bad effect on the movement among women to take an active and practical part in politics. I can tell you I don't feel very kindly just now towards the gentleman I have referred to." (Applause.)' Liberals and Labour. There was a lively interval at a recent meeting of Mr Veitch in Wanganui. A local paper gives the following questions and answers:— Question: How many Liberals of the party believe in proportional representation? Mr Veitoh: They nearly all believe in it except one or two. How is it that' the Liberals when they had' 21 years in offioe did not introduoe proportional representation?—l cannot say why the Liberals did not do it, but they were not pledged to do it. Would you tako a Cabinet seat in a Holland Ministry P —No, I would not. The enquirer: I have been told you were asked that privately, and you said you would dot 60. Mr Veitch: I w«s never asked the question.

Suppose the two Opposition parties wore in a majority, hotw would you vote on a no-confidence motion ?—I would not support Mr Hollands. I would go into the lobby with the Liberal-Labour Party. But what would you do if Mr Ho'land supported Mr Wilford?—That is nothing to do with me. If a majority of the House was against the Government it would go out. Are you aware Mr Wilford approached Mr Holland with a view to collaboration ? —That is absolutely untrue.

MR BUDDO'S POSITION.

TO THE BDITOB OF "THE PBESS."

Sir,—-Mr Meredith Wilson has evidently misunderstood my remarks on no-confidence motions, as I made no 6Uch statement as supporting Mr Holland on a no-confidence motion to turn Mr Massey out. On the contrary, I have repeatedly stated I was pledged to Mr Wilford to vote on a no-conii-dence motion against Mr Massey, and would support no similar motion moved by any other member.—Yours, etc., D. BUDDO.

ABSENT VOTERS' PERMITS.

HOW TO OBTAIN THEM. "

Electors who anticipate being absent from Chjistchurch on polling day should lose no. time in applying to the Registrar of Electors of the electoral district on the roll of which their names appear for an absent voter's permit. This -will enable them to record their vote for any of the candidates standing for the district on the roll of which the appiicants' names appear at any polling booth in the Dominion. $ In respect of electors who are enrolled in districts outside of Christchurch, and who will be in Christchurch on polling day, and who cannot therefore vote in their own district, and who desire to obtain an absent voter's permit, they are advised to make personal application immediately for the issue of an absent voter's permit at the Central Electoral Bureau, New Government Departmental Buildings, Worcester street. Prompt action is necessary in view of the proximity of polling day, and ia view of the fact that it,may be necessary for the Officer in Charge of the Central Electoral Bureau to communicate by telegram with the Registrar of Electors of the district in which the applicant is enroiled in order that the permit may reach Christchurch, and may be got by the uppiicaut in time to exercise hi 3 vote on rolling day, this d*y week.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH.

ME ISITT AT ELMWOOD SCHOOL. Mr L. M. Isitt, the Liberal candidate for Christchurch North, who represented the electorate in the last Parliament, addressed a well-attended meeting in the Eimwcod School last night. Mr It. S. MoKenzie presided. The Candidate received a sympathetic henring. The chairman 6aid that he was in tho chair because the chairman of the •.School Committee was busy getting ready for the school picnic. He brieily introduced the candidate.

Mr Isitt, who was received with applause, said that thero had been much talk about his position on this occasion and ho could not understand why there should bo any such talk. It should havo taken placo at last election. He quoted his statement in his manifesto, published in 1919, to the effect that if Sir Joseph Ward's majority was given him by tho extreme Labour Party, he would'do his utmost to aid in the defeat of tlie extreme Labour device. He was just as strong a Liberal as over ho h d been, but his love for Liberalism would prevent him doing anything to elevate that party into power to bo at the mercy of "an extreme labour majority. Ho would never associate himself with extreme Labour, a party _ that ho regarded as absolutely anti-British and disloyal. Ho would lika to see the Liberal Party in power, but ho was not goiUjg to purchase victory at a cost like that. He regarded Liberalism as tho via media between extreme Toryism 011 tho one hand and extreme Labour on the other. It did not stand to servo anv particular section, but stood to servo each section of society. It lent a ready ear tt> sane Labour, but recognised that capital had n part to plav. Ho occupied - the same position that ho held twelve years ago when ho first stood and had just as kcon an interest in sane Labour as he ever had. Ho still lovecl British ideals and could not pump up any onthusiasm fot Lenin and Trotskv or join with the "Maoriland Worker" in decrying and defaming British statesmen. He stood for tho British Empire: England, with all her faults, stood miles ahead of tho nations of the world in her ideals and commercial honour. He dealt at some length with tho methods and objective of tli'e extreme Labour Party and said that the 0110 desiro of the leaders of that Party was the formation of One Big Unon* When tho Post" and Telegraph men found that their bonus was to sustain a "cut" they said in their journal, "The Katipo"—which, by tho way, was printed by tho "Maoriland Worker" —that they would have to look for assistance in somo other direction. That meant that they intended to join tho Alliance of Labour for one reason —so that in tho event of a strike they would be ablo to hold the moro powerful position. Once tho'Alliance, got all the workers into Ono Big Union, thoy would be able to exercise a stranglehold on society and h<fld up food, light, heat and transport; and if they got tho P. and T. men in, they would do ablo to prevent any Government in power from communicating with any centre. He stood for constitutional government because directly they left constitutional government and attempted to secure their ends by other means it meant tho breaking down of all restrictions and let in a flood of anarcny. He would not in any way associate himself with men who held such opinions. Ho would fight for Liberalism on Liberal lines, but he _ would _ not weaken his position and'his conscience by lifting Liberalism into power oy joining with the Red Fed 6. (Applause.) According to extreme Labour the only good Liberals were dead Liberals — Seddon, Ballance, Bedford, Laurenson and Taylor—and they assumed that if they were alive now they would bo with the Red Feds. But the late Mr Taylor had declined to subscribe to tho Labour platform and refused to put his head in the halter that Mr Archer had shown such willingness to put his head into. If he (the candidate) signsd such a pledge as the Labour Party demanded from its candidates, he would have to sacrifice his manliness and selfrespect, and ho was not prepared to do that. It was part and parcel of Ins religion that the best way to servo God waa to serve man and he believed with the Soviet, the Bolsheviks, and the Red Feds that it was hot intended that the fulness of life should belong to the few and that the many should have th© poor end of the stick. Thoy had to try, little by little, and by constitutional methods, to raise the position, economically and otherwise, of the many so that- there would not be extreme poverty at one end, and extreme riches at the other. During the tweU o years he had been in Parliament hi 6 speeches and votes had been guided by that de3ire. He was asked what his constructive policy was. Its first plank, to use an Irishism, was to prevent the destruction of what they possessed. They knew from history that a few fools and fanatics could destroy in a. very short period what it had taken centuries to build up. The extreme Labourites thought that there was a store of wealth that only required legislation to release it for everyone Jo participate in. The total private wealth of the Dominion w*as £700,000,000, and if that were divided it would not mean £6O per head of the population. It was also said that by legislation they could compel employers to give such and such wages. If they collared every shilling of profit they could not raise wages more than £1 p e r week to every worker. In meeting tftes© points, the politicians had been disgracefully lazy. They had allowed the Labour leaders to go through the country and propagate these extraordinary opinions—that there was a 6tore of wealth to be drawn on, and that it was an easy thing to do, and that profiteering was still going on. As politicians they should save the workers from such falacies. The first duty of Mr Massey and of Mr Wilford, as soon as the new Parliament met, should be to rouse their followers to prevent the workers from being deluded: they would have to meet "soap box'' with ''soap box, except that, instead of talking nonsense, they should talk sense. A positive plank in his programme was the reduction of overhead charges; they should save wherever saving was possible, and go in for increased production. They should establish their own ocean line of steamers. The scheme he would detail had been propounded by one of the shrewdest business men of Christchurch. That business man said that such an ocean 'line must not be a Government institution, but a dually controlled institution. He would like to see the Government say: We are prepared to find whatever money was required; and impose a small import and export duty on all goods brought into the Dominion or sent out of it. That duty would not bo taken out of the possession of the men who contributed it—it would be returned to them in the form of shares in the concern. The Government would not manage it; his opinion was that everything the Government managed was not managed as well as outsiders managed things. He wanted the Government to control the rates of freight and passenger fares. The concern would be managed by shipping experts. If fhat were done they would prevent the tremendous spoliation that the producers of the country had been subjected to' at the hands of the shipping companies. In a few years they would possess a national line of their own. As to those who would 'not patronise the line, they would pay the import or export duty, but would receive no shares in the line. He believed that such a line would do an immense deal to help tho Dominion's commerce. He wanted the men employed on these ships to be permanent employees, paid a rattling cood wage, and members of a Euoeran-

nuation scheme, and enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve. Assooiated with the scheme he wanted to see adopted Mr J. A. Frostick's scheme in respect of waterside labour. The present system generated Bolshevism. He wanted to so 9 the Government say to those controlling the principle ports that they must employ permanent men and find xhem work in connexion -with the havbours when work on tho wharves was not available; these men should be under a superannuation scheme. It was such a scheme that held the railway men together. He would not allow strikes to be decided upon in the manner in which they were decided at present. As soon as Parliament assembled legislation should bo passed making even- ballot taken on the question 01 a strike or no strike a secret ballet taken under Government control. They would then get the real opinion of the men, and not their terrori-sed opinion. He was inclined to say that tho wives of the workers should havo a vote when such a ballot was taken.

Dealing further with his constructive policy ; tho candidate spoko of the pos- | fiibilities of beetroot sugar manufacturing in Canterbury. Ho urged that more effective methods should be taken to prevent the aggregation of land. Ho admitted that Mr Massey and Mr Guthrie had mado honest atteniDts to stop land aggregation, but lie thought | that they took too sanguine a. view of i this legislation. He stronclv favoured ; an immigration policy, and said that i such a policy was a dire offence to exi tiemo Labour. Ho did not, however want a mad scheme of immigration. ' Mr Isitt then wont through tho Liberal policy, and commented on each plank. As to tho estab'ishment of a State Bank, ho said that ho did not know that ho was very strong on that: it would bo better if the Government increased its interest and control of tho B:nik of New Zealand. Referring to tho education plank, ho said lie would watch very carefully and zealously the determination, not so much on tho part of tho Minister as on tho parti of the officials, to centralise everything in Wellington. He was opposed to any lessening of tho powers of tho committees or of tho boards. Expenditure on defence should be got down to the lowest possible point. He was dead against the voluntary system—it was tho most unfair and vicious thing one could havo. In concluding, Mr Isitt impressed on his hearers that the ballot was a secret one. If thoy did not approve of his ideas, and if they did not favour Mr Archer's, they could veto against them both. Mr Andrews, he remarked, was in no sense a representative of the Reform Party; that party had definitely refused to recognise him. Mr Andrew's had been dragged into tine position he now was in by the Rev. Howard El iott, by tho Rev Mr Dickson, and mindVy members of the P.P.A.; Mr Andrews was only in the field because of the P.P.A., and those who voted for Mr Andi'ews would let Mr Archer in. He urged them to vote for tho man whose return would bo in the best interests of the country. (Applause.) Replying to questions, Mr Isitt said that it was difficult to devise legislation that would be absolutely effective against land aggregation; the only way to deal with .the matter was by drastio legislation clearly defining the area that any ono person could hold'. Tn tho event of men being wanted to go outride tho Dominion to fight, ho would not fot a moment submit the question of conscription to a referendum: ho would not let any immigrant into the country who would not pledge himself to figl.it for it if called upon to do so; tho preservation of their liberties was tho first consideration.

A hearty vote of thanks and an expression of confidence in Mr Isitt as the past and future member for the electorate was carried by a. show of hands, ~only one hand being held up against the. motion.

A vote of thanks to tho chairman oonoludted tho meeting.

Mr J. K. Archer, Labour candidate for Christchurch North, addressed a well-attended meeting in Kjiox Schoolroom last evening. Mr Hiram Hunter presided. On tho notion of Mr Jas. McOnllough a vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. Mr E. H. Andrews, Independent Reform candidate for Christchurch North, addressed a largely attended meeting at the corner of Westminster and Forfar streets on Tuesday evening. He was accorded an attentive hearing, and received a hearty vote of thanks. WESTLAND. (fbhss association telboram.) HOKITIKA, November 29. Mr H. E. Holland, leader of the Labour Party, addressed a large gathering at the Opera House last night, in support of Mr James O'Brien, the Labour candidate for Westland. Mr "William Jeffries, chairman of the county, presided. Mr Holland spoke for two hours, making a strong appeal for-sup-port of Labour. He criticised the actions of both the Reform and Liberal Parties." He was accorded an attentive hearing, with a vote of thanks at tho conclusion. KICCABTON.

Mr H. S. S. Kyle, the Reform candidate for Riccarton, addressed two well attended and enthusiastic meetings at naiKett and West Melton on Tuesday night. The candidate was accorded a splendid hearing. His speech was on much the same lines as his previous addresses. Mr Kyle speaks at JtJurnham and ltolleston on Saturday night, instead of to-night as was previously advertised. Mr J. A. McCullougli, Labour candidate for Riccarton, addressed a meeting of lady electors in the Church schoolroom, Papanui, on Monday afternoon. Mrs S. Page presided. The candidate dealt with the social side of the Labour Party's platform, and showed the intimate connexion between it and the questions submitted to candidates by the National Council of Women. He explained as a reason for this similarity that there were some 20 to i'o thousand women workers in New Zealand, who were associated with the Labour-movement, and who insisted on the claims of women and children being attended to The candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr McCullough addressed a well attended meeting of lady electors in the supper room, Town Hall, Riccarton, on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs L. M. Milne presiding. On the motion of Mrs L. F. Emmerson seconded by Mrs C. R. Pulton, a vote of thanks was aifcorded the candidate by acclamation. Mr McCullough addressed an open-air meeting at Hornby on Tuesday evening, Mr W. Cole presiding over an attendance of about 50 electors. Tho speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A second meeting was held outside the store at Halswell, Mr R. W. Woods presiding. This was also well attended. A hearty vote of thanks was given to the candidate.

Mr Witty had a pood reception at the Riccarton Town Hall on Tuesday night. The Mayor (Mr H. D. Ford) presided. Mr Witty said he had been criticised because no had sometimes voted with Labour. He claimed the riglit to use his own judgment in any matter that came forward which he considered was for the' general good. Explaining his attitude towards Labour, he said he had nothing against straight, honest Labour, but the extreme Labour Party was more inclined to pull down than to lift up. A vote of thanks to Sir Witty was carried by acclamation. Mr H). S. S. Kyle, Reform candidate for th-3 Riccarton seat, addressed a largely attended! meeting at TempLeton last night, Mr B. Mackie presiding. At tbe conclusion of his address the candidate was accorded a rote of

AVON. LEBUT.-COLdNEL A. £. LOACH'S addbess. r,t Col \ E Loach, the Gorernment dressed a meeting of electors in the Shirley road school last evening. 'Mr V. H. Millar presided over a good attendcandidate, in opening his address, stated that the consideration of tho welfare of this country was a man's first duty and ho had considered it his duty to stand for tho Avon constituency. This world of ours, he continued, had been well knocked about both physically and economically during tli© war. We hud, however, derived some benefit from it. Thousands of our younger men had boon afforded, thorsby, an opportunity to \ isifc ad parts of the world. In connexion with tho party for which "lie was the candidate said ha felt assured that it held the confidence of the people. When tho Massey Government had como into power it wa=» faced with the unfilled promises of the Liberal Party in tho matter of increase in salaries to public servants. The Reform Government had set itself to fulfil these promises and had rectified many of the previous Government's blunders. Ho briefly traced the history of tho Reform Party up to tho timo of the recent war and said tho party had betm very well tried and had"not'been found wanting. Mr Massey had certainly mado mistakes, but what man had not mado them? he asked. The position as it presented itself to-day was that there wero three parties in the house. Dealing with the Liberal Party, tho speaker stated that tliero were many who held differences of opinion who comprised this political body. Taken as a whole, however, there was very lufclo difference between Liberalism and tho legislative action of the present Reform Government. Tho Liberal Party had prepared a platform and when compared with Mr Massev's manifesto 0110 could discover very * little difference. Of course thero wero the Liberal Party's planks of proportional representation and tho State Bank. Referring to proportional representation, ho said that it' this were a good thing it should bo first explained to the public who should then bo able to judge for themselves. It was a difficult thing to understand, and if it wero not properly used it was moro than probable that the voter would invalidate his voting paper. Ho instanced a case in Australia, where one well-known paper had ca.led attention to the shortcomings of tho scheme and the anomalies which had arisen through its operation. Tho speaker then went on to deal with tho matter of tho proposed State bank. He said that this might be a good; 6cheme, but until it had been proved to be a success it would foe better to "let well alone." In other countries where a State bank was in operation it had proved something of a failure. The Bank of New Zealand -was a State bank in a certain sense of tho word, and what was more, we derived a certain amount of revenU6 therefrom.

Spoaking of the Labour Pa.rtv, Lieut.Colonel Loach mentioned the" declaration which Labour candidates were forced to sign, and which bound them hand and! foo-t prior to their taking their place in Parliament. He sairl "ho did not believe in this, and thought that every candidate should hp trusted to represent ewerv section of thf, constituents whom he represented. He did not favour the State control of industries, and outlined the shortcomings of audi a schame. The Labour Party's lamd policy was nest dealt with, and he outlined various clauses of this scheme. Most people round St. Albans, continued the speaker, had thpir own little themes, and should they wish to sell them, would like to get a little recom-jx-nse for the time and labour they had spent on them. Under the Labour Party's policy thesa homes could not be sold to anyone but the State, and the State would not grant any recompense. Who was the man who would eell,his home and know he could not purchase another? he asked. The Labour Party, he said, stated that it stood for full political rights for women, but it had selected S3 candidates to contest Parliamentary honours, and not on© of these was of the gentler sex. The Government's repatriation policy was touched on. The speaker instanced the case of men who had returned from the 'Sbutli African war, and showed how badly they had twn treated as comparer! with the soldiers who had returned from the recent war. Some ocTrmlainfq had bpen made that +be price of the land comprising some of the soldiers 1 settlements was too high, and this certainly should be rectified. With this object in view, the Government had set up Boards ?J1 over the country to enquire into the subject. Most of the returned men, he said, hadi, however, been hard' hit by the slu*- bu the silver lining was now showing through, and pricas were rapidly reaching stability. Mr Massey, he stated, was a very humane man, and would do everything possible for returned soldiers. Something, however, h.e continued would have to bo done for ! those who still suffered fro™ war disabilities. The matter of the railways was a sore point with many, but the geographical condition of the country militated against their paying. As the population grow and the svstem was extended, the railways would certainly pay. Then, he said, must be considered! the competition of motor traffic, which was proving so strong a factor in the losses on the various lines. The exceptionally heavy construction costs also* militated against their paying. With regard to education, the speaker felt sure that the present Minister of Education was the right man for the position. Of course, the slump had called for economy and had necessitated a reduction in the educational grant, but even considering tfhs fact, the expenditure on this necossary service had increased greatly since the advent of the lteform Government, but what was even more important, was vhe fact that the service had also improved considerably. Tho speaker expressed himself to be in favour of the [ establishment of kindergartens. The I housing problem had rc"e:vcd the attention of the Qof"rnment and th? statistics dealing with the matter spoke • for themselves. Much remained to bo done, and the speaker stressed the desirability of every worker owning his own little home. Instead of having a set scheme, such as was in operation at Pppanui, the candidate was of tho opinion that the worker should bo allowed to select the Jocalitv for his homo himself and this would give him a feeling of some independence. He thought the Government should raise a loan which would enable a comprehensive scheme, to combat tho housing problem, being adopted. "In the first- place." stated the candidate, "I would advocate the reduction of administration costs. I do not . mean that I would be in favour of dras- | tic cuts in wages, etc., but would cm- j ploy the beet brains in the country to run the different departments and would i favour a scheme wherein these depart- . ments should l>e called upon to produce • a balance-sheet." He also expressed ; himself to be in favour of proceeding with tho various proposed hydro-e.eo- j trio schemes in Canterbury and the- < betterment of means of communiraton , with Lvttelton as well as tho establish- I ment of a port in Christchurch. Tho ; possibilties oft he afforestation of Canterbury should bo considered and he would certainly favour its furtheran r e. ; In renly to a questioner, tho candidate stated that he was in favour of farther borrowing, if favourable oondi-

I ticns could be secured, and th© object ! of tho loan was a reproductive one. j A vote of thanks and confidents to I the speaker closed tho meeting.

Mr G. W. Russell, Liberal candidate for Avon, addressed an open-air meeting in Matheson's road last evening. At first tho speaker was subjected to somo lively h'JckiinK, but his hearers afterwards settled clown, and at the conclusion of his address he was accorded a voto of thanks and confidenoe. Subsequently Mr Russell addressed a meeting in North Avon road, where he. was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

j iio Avon Reform Committee held a meeting last evening in the committee's rooms, llolloston street, to receive progress reports from the district committees. Every district committee in the electorate was well represented, and the reports submitted wore most satisfactory. Tho committee expressed confidence in the success of its candidate Lieut.-Col. A. E. Loach. ' Mrs A. E. Herbert, Independent candidate for Avon, addressed a largelyattended meeting of ladies in the l'ier J ,Rall, Now .Brighton, yesterday after-, A. M. Hall presiding. Tho! candidate was accorded a vote of thanks i and confidence. In tho evening Mrs Herbert addressed another meeting in the South New Brighton Hall, whero she was nlso accorded a voto of thanlrc S and confidence. j Mr I). G. Sullivan addressed a large open-air meeting last night at the corner of Armagh and Travers streets Mr T. C. Tyson presiding. The candidate received a unanimous voto of thanks and confidence, coupled with cheers. ; CHKISTCHUKCH EAST. 1 Mr IJ. Dovoreux, Reform candidate i'or Christehureh East, addressed a wellattended meeting in the Oddfellows' Ila!!, liastings street, on Tuesday evening. The candidate spoko on several matters cf interest to the constituency and after a number of questions had been asked and answered, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was acj corded him. Mr H. T. Armstrong, Labour Candida,to for Christchuroh East, continued his campaign by addressing a largo meeting in St. Luke's Schoolroom last evening. Mr H. McCaw was in th© chair. The candidate was accorded a voto of thanks and confidence. liYTTELTOST. i Mr Jas. McCombs, Labour candi--1 date for Lyttelton, addressed a largely attended meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall, Akaroa, on Tucsdny night. Tho Mayor (Mr F. E. Davis) occupied the chair. Mr MeOombs, wlilo spoke generally on the lines of liis previous speeches, received an excellent nearing, and at tho conclusion answered' ft number of questions. On tfc® motion of Mr A. J. Faitiifull, seconded by Mr C. L. Glynan, he was accorded a voto of thanks and confidence. ELLESMERE. The Hon. Sir Hcaton Rhodes addressed an exceptionally well-attended meeting of electors at Dunsandel, Mr I|. T. Wright presiding. The candidate received an excellent hearing, and upon the motion of Messrß G. Sheat and D. W. Westenra, he was accorded a very hearty voto of thanks. On Tuesday . evening Sir Hcaton Rhodes spoke at Irwell and Doylcston, and at each place he was received very cordially, and heartily thanked for his addresses. . A meeting of supporters of Sir Heaton Rhodes is to be held at Southbridge this evening to form a committee to further his candidature. The Hon. Sir 11. Heaton Rhodes, Reform candidate for Ellesmere, spoke at liakaia last night. There was a' large attendance, over which Mr A. J. Magson presided. After answering severaJ questions th© candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. KAIAPOI. Mr David Jones addressed/the electors at East Eyreton'on Tuesday evening, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Jones also spoke at Ohoka on Tuesday. There was a large attendance. Mr Morgan "Williams occupied the chair. The speaker particularly emphasised the fact that .public expenditure and taxation were rapidly decreasing, and prosperity returning. Mr C. Dalziel moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mt Jones, which was seconded by Mr F. Kimber and carried unanimously. A special vote of thanks to Mr Jones for his valuable work in connexion with the Waimakariri River Trust Bill was moved by Mr R. 0. Dixon and carried unanimously. ASHBT7RTON. The Hon. W. Nosworthy addressed an enthusiastic and appreciative audience of about 200 electors at Hinds Hall on Tuesday evening. Mr J. M. Hampton occupied the chair. The speaker dealt exhaustively with the various political problems of the day, and criticised the two important planks in the Opposition platform—State bank and proportional representation. After describing in detail the aims of the extreme Labour Party, he sat down amidst prolonged applause. He answered several questions to the satisfaction and amusement of the audience. On the motion of Mr A. Moore he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr Fred. R. Cooke, Labour candidate. addressed a big meeting at Dromon? on Tuesday evening, Mr J. Crum presiding. The candidate 6poke of the financial state of the Dominion and or a. policy for overcoming the difficulties. Questions concerning the progress or tho district and country were discussed, and on tho motion of Mr F. Harhenran, seconded by Mr Bishell, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Cooke.

TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Mr D. Jones, corner Barber and Travis street, 7 p.m.: Shirley Hall, o p.m. -Mr L. M. Isitt, Guild Hall, Winton street. Mr H. S. S. Kyle, Burnham Industrial School, 7.15 p.m.; Rolleston Hall, 7.15 p.m. Mr G. W. Russell, Gale's Buildings, Estuary road, 7 p.m.; Brighton Central, Joyland, 8 p.m. Mr 11. M. Thomson, Somerfield School. Mr G. W. Forbes, Sheffield Hall, 8 p.m. Mr S. Andrew, Ashley Batik School, S p.m. Mr G. Witty. Arlesbury School, 7.30 p.m.; Kirwee, 8.30" p.m. Mr D. Buddo, SpencerviUo School, t p.m.; Ouruhia School, 8.15 p.m. Mr R. Macartney, Le Bon's Bay, 8 p.m. J. C. Free ; Lauriston, 8 p.m. -,' r J- McCombs, Okain's Bay. H. T. Armstrong, comer Wickens and Opawa roads, 7.15 p.m.; Waltham School, 8.10 p.m. Mr E. J. Howard, Church Square, 7 p.m.; corner Stewart street and South Belt, 8 p.m. Mr J. a. McCullough, Social Hall, Islington, 8 p.m. ■ Mr D. G. Sullivan. Linwood School, c n.m. r £"• J- Cooke, Wakanui. *?. . "• -k- Archer, corner Victoria and .Salisbury streets, 7 p.m.; Durham street Schoolroom, 8 p.m. ilrs A. E. Herbert, Avon Rowing to-day, 2.20 p.m. (ladies' mcctr p m rce .- Highbank, to-day, 3 ? ow "artl, Aulsebrook's fao tor ?> lunch, iirar.