ELLESMERE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17631, 7 December 1922, Page 7

ELLESMERE.

SIR HEATON RHODES AT TAI TAPU. AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. "When the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Defence, the Reform candidate for Ellesmere, entered the T;\i Tapu Public Hall Inst night to giro his final iiddres?, the audience, which tilled the building, TOse and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Follow." This spontaneous and enthusiastic reception took the candidate completely by surprise. and when he toko to speak, it wns with some difficulty that he could overcome his feelings. The chairman was Mr K. A. Forbes, who acted in a similar capacity when Sir Heaton Rhodes addressed his first political meeting in Tai Tapu twentythroe years ago. Sir Ileaton Rhodes, who was in splendid form despite u month's strenuous campaigning, spoke on the lines of his recent addresses, and received a most, attentive hearing. At the conclusion of his remarks the candidate satisfactorily answered tho few questions that were" asked. Mr T. O. Morgan, in moving "that the candidate be accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and that this meeting expresses its unbounded confidence in him as the future representative of Ellesmere," said that Sir Ileaton Rhodes's political career, during the twenty-three years ho had been member for tho district, had won tho admiration of all. Mr H. E. Peryman seconded tho motion, which was carried by acclamation. Sir Ileaton Rhodes addressed a wellattended meetiug at Ladbrooks at 0.30 p.m. yesterday, Mr Ycatman presiding. Tho candidate's address was followed with tho closest attention, and at its conclusion ho was. accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation. MR KYLE AT RICCARTON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC , MEETING. "We are still fighting to see who will get into power for the next throo years," said Mr H. S. S. Kyle, Heform candidate for Ricoarton, in his Bpoech before a largely attended meeting in the Riccarton Town Hall last night. Mr Massey has been respected throughout New Zealand for tho last three years—and more than tho last three years—and he h«s been equally respected throughout the Empire. (Ai>plause.) You have in the fight also the Wilfordites, who hope, by co-oporntioti with the Reds, to win some of the Government seats " "They have told us the Massey party is- not liberal, but, as a matter of fact, the Massey Government has liberalised many of the Acts on the Statute Book. The Liberals said, at last election, that Mr Massey had stolen their platform—now they say it is a rotten p'atfonnl" (Laughter.) The candidate went on to show now tho Government had liberalised tine widows' pension and miners' pension, and improved tho pay and conditions of tho police force. When the electors compared tho records of the two parties they must recognise that the Massey Government had been as liberal, or, more liberal, than any other Government. 'Applause.) ( "Fortunately, the candidates have not taken up tho cudgels Against each other iu this electorate. It has been a clean fight right through—there have been no writs issued"' (Laughter.) The Opposition paper (which the candidate classed with "Truth" and the "Maoriland Worker" in «. "glorious trinity") had attempted to boost the Sitting member and decry the speaker, referring to him as a "horse doctor." "Now, I don't mind being called a horse doctor," said Mr Kyle, "but, an tho Liberal paper recommended the sitting member as being a man actively ongaged la farming, I might sny that I h"iive owned and worked a. farm in this , electorate for 15 years. I have imported stud horses and cattle; I liavo been a member .of the Agricultural Oounoil for nine years, and I think I can say, without undue egotism, that I am,recognised as a judge of stock. ■\V'h«n a friend wroto to tho paper showing tho inaccuracy of the e.u>t«meiit made About me it refused to publish tliu letter, and we had to write to "Tha Press to have tho facts fairly placed before the electors. If tho Opposition paper had published that letter I would not have referred to tho matter tonight. "I know that some of my Reform, friends wifih to hear what I think of the position in this electorate," said the candidate in conclusion, "and I can give them tho straight tip that Reform was never stronger in Riccarton tha.n at present. (Applause.) I forecast! that I'll be at.the top of the poll to-morrow night, th© sitting meml>or will be second, and the Labour candidate third." The candidate was accorded a splendid hearing, and at the conclusion ol' his speech he was accorded a vote ofj thanks and confidence. Cheers for Mr Kyle concluded the meeting. Mr J. A. McCullough. Labour candidate for Riccarton, addressed a large meeting in th* Town Mall, Riccarton on Tuesday evening. Mr R. Hampton presided. On' the motion of Mr C Ifyfe, seconded by Mr H. R. Eagleton, a hearty vote of thanks was carried. THE SOUTHLAND SEATS. (SPECIAL 10 " THE PRESS.") INVERCARGILL, December 6. The contests in Southland Jiavo been vigorous and particularly so in Invercargill, where there has \>eou a gieat change in opinion as a result of Mr Armstead (Reform) dragging to light the campaign of slander and publishing apologies from members of the Hon. J. A. Hanan's ladies' committee. The result now is in doubt because it is impossible to tell what tho ovident reaction against Mr Hanan actually means in votes. Mr Armstead has improved in his platform work and should poll well and so must Mr Fairant who, though subscribing to the Labour platform, is not an extremist rnd repudiated Mr Holland's Near East utterances. He han the advantage of a solid , vote, the anti-Labour forces bein;? split. It i 3 impossible to tell how the beat will go. In Awarua, Mr de la Perrelle lias lost a lot of ground during the last_ week and even his friends are without hope. It is Konerally felt that Mr J. It. j Hamilton will go back. In Wallace tho voting will be close. Mr Adam Ha mi'ton does not .".peak: much in tho House, but ha? a fine record of work and has made good on the platform. Mr J. C. Thomson, however, is an old campaigner, and is more vigorous than he was three years ago. Opinions in Mataura are divided, but the leaning is toward the Hon. G. J. Anderson though Mr McDougall U ver,v popular.