ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 30 October 1925, Page 11

ELECTIONS.

A BREEZY MEETING. 3IR LEADLEY AT PHILLIPSTOWN. liu-rc were some lively periods in Mr E. Leadley "s meeting at Phillipstown last evening. There was assembled at the bade of the hall a knot of people who were out to make the meeting as breezy as possible. The chairman, Mr A. R. Ragg, was told to "hurry up'' before lie had properly introduced the speaker. Mr Lcadley began: "The people of Avon are waking up to the fact that the eleetiou fight, in this constituency lull not be the walk-over that was at first- anticipated. I prophesy that it will be one of the closest polls ever held here. A good race is not won in the first Jap, but in the straight. "Watch the result closely, and vou will be surprised."' After a noisy interlude. Mr Lcadley said: "I may be accused as a turn-coat, but I l'ecl no twinge of conscience for being the lietorm candidate. J realise that this is the time for every candidate to get into one camp or the other, to support either the Socialist or the antiSocialist Party. 1 had to decide whether I would follow Mr Coates. a man with a splendid war record and a line political career, or Mr Holland, who has declared that he is willing to carry the brand of the Revolutionary Socialist. It did not take me long to decide which camp I would enter, and it will not take the moderate voters long.. "I am a linn believer in the fusion between Liberal and Reform Parties, and I think it is a great pity that tho conferences have broken down. It is a most regrettable thing that Liberal and Reform should fight in three-corner-ed contests, for they are members of the same family, au ([ the only benefit will be received by the Labour Party. (Cheers, and cries of "So tlicy should!") Nothing is more certain than fusion after the election. "Regarding the question of 7s 6d which it is said the worker will lose if the Government, is returned, all I want to say is that I am surprised that my opponent, wJio is one of the originators of the story, has so little regard for the intelligence of the electors of Avon to think that they would believe such a cock-and-bull tale. Besides that, I think the spreading of the story is not playing the game." A vote of thanks to Mr Leadley was moved by Mr 11. M. Bannehr. Somebody else moved a vote of thanks to Mr Leadley and confidence in the sitting member. The chairman was at a loss to dec-ido whic-h resolution was carried. Cheers were given at the close for both' Messrs Leadley and Sullivan. ADDRESS TO WOMEN. Mr "W. E. Leadley, the Reform candidate for Avon, addressed a wellattended meeting of ladies at the liolleston street Hall yesterday afternoon. Mrs Cole occupied the chair, and, in tho course of a short address, stated that she felt she must support tho Reform candidate on the present occasion, as it was evident that the Labour Party was becoming more and inor-a dominated by Socialists and Communists. Mrs A. E. Herbert gavo a short address, and stated that Mr W. E. Leadley had always supported measures which were for the benefit and uplifting, of the people. After Mr Leadley had addressed the meeting, he was accorded a unanimous .vote of thanks and confidence on tho motion of Mesdames Jackson and Gillespie, the motion being carried by acclamation. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. Mr H. G. Ell had a good reception, and hearing at both of his meetings last night. Tho second was very well attended. The first meeting was at 7, at tho corner of Rokcr street and Selwrn street, and the second at tho corner of Blctsoc- avenue and fcpring Grove street. MR E. J. HOWARD. Ml: K. J. Howard addressed a very large and enthusiastic meeting at the •Addijigton Workshops at mid3ay yesterday. At the conclusion votes of thanks and confidence wore carried and cheers for Labour were given. In the evening, Mr Howard addressed .two big meetings, at the corners of Leitch and Selwyn streets and Bu.rko and Seluyn streets. At both meetings votes of confidence were carried unanimously. RICCARTON. REFORM CANDIDATE. Meetings were held by Mr H. S. S. Kyle oil Wednesday at Aylesbury at 7 p.m., and at Kirwee at 8.15 p.m. Both were well attended, and the meeting at Kirwee was particularly enthusiastic. Tho candidate was given an excellent hearing, ' and was accorded hearty votes of thanks at botli places. KAIAPOI. -AIR C. MORGAN WILLIAMS. Mr C. Morgan Williams addressed an open-air meeting in the Northcote settlement on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance of the residents, and Mr Williams received a unanimous v'ote of thanks and confidence. Mr Williams afterwards spoke at the Papanui school, and answered a large number of questions. On the motion of Air C. L. Keecii. seconded by Mr A. Conll, he was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. THE REFORM CANDIDATE. Mr W. Brock. Reform candidate, spoke tu a well-attended meeting, on luesdav night in the Swannanoa Hall. .Mr Kelly was in the chair. The candidate at tho close of his address was accorded a vote of thanks. On the same evening at Ohoka Mr Brock had a large gathering of electors. Mr A. Daizell was in the chair. The candidate had a splendid reception, and was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr W. Brock addressed a meeting electors in the Kiri Kir' school on Wednesday night. Mr Cedcnuan was in tho chair. At the close of the address the candidate received a vote of thanks and confidence. The same evening Mr Brock had ai large attendance in the Warren school. Mr Vincent was chairman. The candidate was well received, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confide uce.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH

MR HOLLAND'S GOOD RECEPTION. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, Mr H. Holland, the Reform candidate- for Christchurch North, was acct.rded a splendid hearing at a meeting which lie addressed last night in Knox Church schoolroom. Mr A. Williams presided. The chairman said that the candidate had a record of seven years' servico on the City Council, and ho was one of the best Mayors Christchurch had ever bad. During his term of office the Great War "broke out, and immediately lie set to work to give assistance to the soldiers, one of his efforts, being the inauguration of the Patriotic Fund. Mrs Holland had also done good work, and in this connexion, he need: only mention her work on behalf of the Lady Liverpool Fund. The chairman thought that he knew tho people of North Christchurch well enough to express tho opinion that Mr Holland would have liu absolute majority on Wednesday next. Mr Holland, who was given a very ctrdial reception on rising to speak, said that if his friends rallied round hint as they had promised to do, victory was assured, but he asked them not to take things for granted. At the outset, lie continued, he desired to make it clear that he was in favour of fusion, and that, he had previously stood as an Independent, not an uncompromising, Liberal, as had been stated in one of the evening newspapers. Not Tied Hand and Toot. It had been stated, said Mr Holland, that if lie was elected as a Reformer, he would have to follow Mr Coates on all questions, bub such was quite contrary to fact. He had asked Mr Coates if such would be tho ease, and the Prime Minister had said that he was free to act as he thought best, and this was wffat he intended to do, but ho would always vote for the Government on a non-conlidence motion. It was claimed that tho Government was run by tho big squatters. As a matter of fact there were only SCO such people in the Dominion, and they had only 500 vetes among them, a number insufficient to put one member of Parliament in the House. 1 Splitting Votes. Dealing with the present situation in the electorate, Mr Holland said that despite what was said to the contrary, the fight was between two parties---Reform and Labour. He did not think that the Liberal Partv had a chance of getting a candidate in. What, therefore, was the use of putting up a man at all, unless it was to split tho votes and have an unstable Government ieturnedi? He urged the electors not to waste their votes by voting for the National candidate, but to give them in his favour, and so assist to put a. Government in power with a-good working majority. . It was significant, Mr Holland continued, that tu a speech at 1 aver car gill Sir Joseph Ward had stated that lie would support tho Reform Government against Labour, and another significant statement made by him was to the effect that he would do nothing to deprive Mr Coates of his position. The candidate claimed that the Reform Party had been the best friend the poor and needy had ever known. In 1912 a widow was only allowed £l2 a yeatl' and her child £(i. To-day a widow was allowed £52 a year herself while for a child sho was allowed £s3 a year. The Government had also increased other pensions, and added the pension for civilian blind,, which had never been done before. ■ Questions. In reply to a question as to why, when he * contested the Christchurch South seat, he supported the Liberals and opposed the Reformers, he stated that ho was sorry he had done so. At that time he had been subscribing to a certain newspaper, which had educated him into thinking that tne Reform Party was all that was bad, hut he had since given the matter serious consideration and had conic to the conclusion that ho had made a mistake. With regard to the Bible-in-schools question, ho stated that ho was iti favour of Bible reading with a conscience clause, allowing those pupils whose patents wished them to do so, to remain outside the room in which the reading was being hold, if such was devised. . • . Asked if he thought it right that British shipowners should plate orders for steamers in Gcfmany. Mr Holland, replied 'that there was a great difference in the wages paid in Germany and in Britain, yet in the face of tbis, the Blue Funnel Line had placed an order for steamers in Britain, which was costing it £300,000 more than the same vessels could be obtained for in Germany. , In answer to another question no said that lie considered the tax on motor-lorries and traction-engines was iniquitous and ought to be reducedMr A. D. Ha<ssall moved, and Mrs Koane seconded, a motion expressing thanks to the candidate for his address, and confidence in the Reform Party. . \n amendment was moved accortiinj, Mr Holland a vote of thanks anrl^ expressing no-confidence in the Re»>" m Government, but on being the meeting the chairman declared t-hc amendment lost and the motion carried by an overwhelming majonty.

MB F. R. COOKE. Mr F. K. Cooke, Labour candidate, addressed a meeting last evening at the comer of May's road and Brett's road, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr Cooke also addressed a mooting later ;it the corner of Brown's road and limes' road, and was accorded a vote oi-' tbanks for his address. Mr P. C. Webb presided at both meetings. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. MR D. F. DENN'EHY. Mr D. ]■'.■ Dennehv. Nationalist candidate, addressed a"meeting at tho 15 ail ways goods shed at 12.30 p- m - yesterday "and received a vote or thanks at the termination of his across. Mr Keech presided. At S ]).3i). tiie candidate addressed a lari-'o meeting- in the Hibernian Hall, Hurbndons street, over which Mr J. j;. Harvard presided. Tho candidate spoke for an hour and a half, and, atfer answering questions, a vote cf thanks terminated the meeting. MR H. T. ARMSTRONG. Mr H. T. Armstrong eddrassed n crowded meeting in tho Waltliam School last evening. Mr E. E. Langley presided. The audience gave Mr Armstrong a very attentive hearing, inul unanimously carried a vote of thanks and eoupden^

MR CONNOLLY'S POLITICS.

TO THE ZBITOB OF "THF. FBESS." Sir.—Contrary Il> your advice. Mr Connolly still continues to inflict on the electors what lie calls a political address, but which is really a lies ted tirade or abuse of the lleform Government and its supporters, qualified by eulogistio references to his own inrportancs and wealth. Will you £ivo hiui the opportunity j to reply in his calmer momenta to a I few questions, seeing that ho cannot j do so at his meetings without becoming heated and offensive, almost, to j the point ot insult? Ho say 3 squatters in tho Xortii Island have divided their land and j their flocks of sheep -with their families to evade taxation. Is any part of The ■ ir.tid occupied l\v himself in tho names of any of his family, and, if so, is it j for the same reason? \ He says he started -i years with j £IOOO, which 1-1 started fjhe>ep-:ieaiutt; i frn. In IS years lie paid A'SO.OOO iwii for liis homestead farm. Ye jiods! What- per cent, is this on his capital ? Can ho continuo to criticise tho banks and their rates of interest ? Mr Connolly says ho pa d income-tax ] last y<-v,r on 'nearly £B(XkJ localise ho is classed as a Scaler and not a farmer. Has he, in his dealing, >aved : those poor returned soldiers about whom ho sobs continuously from buying dear sheep? Why does he carefully avoid suiy I rtfeienco to the shipping strike? Who is ho afraid of offending? Would ho advise electors to voto Labour or Tlefonn in a district represented by those two parties only?— Yours, etc., CONSISTENCY. THE DUEL IN LYTTELTON. TO THE EDITOR Or "THE PRESS." Sir,—l was glad to sco your very forcible leader of tho 2Sth regarding the Avon and Lyttelton electorates. It certainly is time the true position iu these electorates, particularly tho Lyttelton, was shown up. Standing; for Lyttelton we liavo on tho ono side a cafrablo business man, forcible and upright, emiuently 6ane, and himself a worker. One also wlto did his bit during tho war and yroved himself a true patriot by risking his life for his country. On tho other slide a talker, not a doer: an agitator who, during tho war, did not assist) the national cause. Is there any room for hesitation at all for patriotic citizens ? This time—thank Cod ! —thero is no red hewing of Prohibition to bo dragged across the scent. For Lyons is as sound on that, subject as the most ardent Prohibitionist could desire. It is simply a olear-cnt issue—Patriotism r. Bolshevism —and none of Jimmy's mournful figures can minimise this. —• Y'ours, etc., CLIFTON". ! " r "*■ QUESTION FOR MR SULLIVAN ? to tbs Editor or .'.'tbt. r&Bss." Sir, —Mr Sullivan, candidate for Avon, has on different occasionb attacked the. Government for neglecting to give what lie considered sufficient support' to tho development of .tho Dominion's secondary industries. Will lie be good en"ough > to explain how he reconciles his solicitude for these industries with the fact that he is a prominent member of a Party which is responsible for the "Go Slow'' movement now so much in evidence iu tho land; and which militates so strongly against enterprise in all its branches P A straight-out reply will bo appreciated bv a curious public.—Y'ours, etc.," ELECTO". | HURUNUI. KAIKOURA YOTES..CONFIDENCE IN MR ARMSTRONG. (SrECUL TO "THIS PHESS.") KAIKOURA, October 29. Mr J. G. Armstrong delivered an address at Kaikoura Suburban on. Tuesday night. Hie meeting was presided over by Mr John Law son, and the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. At tho Drill Hall, Kaikoura, last night, Mr James Koyd presided over an attendance of sixty. Mr Armstrong explained that ho had. been misrepresented concerning the East Coast railway, claiming that- he had beeu a worker for its completion for the last twenty-four years. However, he considered the work should be held in abeyance Vintil the completion of important works in the North Island. On the motion of Mr James Davidson, the following motion was carried: "That this meeting affirms tho desirability of returning Mr Armstrong us representative for Hurunui; also that those present have faith in the Governnjent presided over by Mr Coates." - The candidate expressed the hope that the confidence wo.uld be shown at the poll.

AVON. MR D. G. SULLIVAN. Mr D. 0. Sullivan, Labour candidate l'or the Avon electorate, addressed a meeting of over 500 people .'it the corner ot' St. Asaph street; and Fitzgerald avenue last evening. Mr Ueorgo Hunter presided. At the conclusion of the address a motion of thanks and confidence. was earned with cheers. MR J. M'COMBS. Mr J, McCombs addressed a largelyattended and enthusiastic meeting in the Opawa Public School last night. Mr George Scott presided. .At the conclusion of a two-hours' address, Mr MeCombs was accorded a vole of thanks and confidence. TO-DAY'S MEETINGS. CIIKISTCHL'RCH r AST—Mr H. V. I*n- • r.shr. 7 p.m., comer )ssrb«iJoe! niir] Kilmers itrectt. Mr If. T. Armitroiif. Central ('ouimiirca, at Committee Room», Colombo utreet. RICCAItTON'—Jfr A. JO. l/aindaJe-Jliint, Ya!dhur»t, 7 p.m.; Hornby, p.m. Mr H. S. S. Kyle, liurnham, '< p.m.; Jleiieaton, 5.15 p.m. Mr V.'. Colt, St. liarnabas's J-cbool, I'cn('s'lon. S p.m. CIIRISTCUUnCH SOI'TII—Mr K. J. Howard, corner n! Stewart «treel anil Moorhouse avenue, 7 p.m.; nt.M- ,»'jiiritualist Church, Vorreeitcr flroet. 8 p.m. Mr li. (J. K!l, corner iioiitrogo nnd .Snntli. amnion streele. 7 p.in.; l'airfisM aver.ae and Brada'cn slreei, * p.m. CHKISTCHyiICH NOHTJI— Mr il. Ui. Durhaci fctrcet Mftthodis: &c!i«olroor.r, 8 ;i.m. Mr I'. JI. Cooke, corner Mtdr«a «treet and Aberdeen utreet, 7 p.m.. corner of J'itigarald and JJean atrefts, H p.m. JCAIAI'OI—Mr "\V. Brori, Oranjo Hall, Kirv.ce, 7.15 p.m. lion. 1). B&ddo, corner Prai'.on'a and (irlmacy'a road, 7.1 a p.m.; ficiioo!, 8.30 p.m. Mr C. Morgan Wiiliams, Gracd Theatre, Kdiapoi, t) p.m. KLLK&UEAK—Mr Wavirl Jones, CbcrUey, 6.45 p.m.: Derle, fiA'i p.m. Mr J. Connolly, K»ltuna, 7 p.m.; Moluisrara, 8.80 p.tn. LTTTEWOX—Mr 21, E. Lyons, Pert Levy, 8 p.m. Mr J. McCsiabi, committee aeetlnc tonljht, VToollton Public School. AVON —Mr \V. K. Lead ley, E»»t Belt Church Schoolroom, S \ni. Mr 1). G. Sullivan, N'ortli l!ri;htnn, Peace Memorial Hall. Hl'Rl'.Wf—Mr J, li, Arwstronc. Omlhl u»u 6 fi.nu.

FEW CHANGES.

AUCKLAND PROSPECTS. NATIONALISTS LOSE GROUND, iSfECIAu 10 "TEX rSEiJ.'" 1 AUCKLAND, October -'?• Indications aro that there will bo lew changes as far as the. election the Auckland district is coneernoi. Although Mr W. K. Parry is not » certainty for Auckland Centra), hn prospects are still bright, by reason ol the fact that he has two strong candidates against him. Mr C'. A. Wilson (Governments and Mr V. S. Morton (Nationalist*, who aro bound t--» split, the anti-Labour vote. In Auckland East, the Labour candilate, Mr J. A. 1.00, will be run close, if not defeated, by Ifr J. •Stewart (Government t. Tho odds, however, are on Mr Lee. Mr Oakley H row no (Liberal) has no chanc«. Mr M. J. Savage is safe tor Anvkiaiul "West, ivith a strong block ro:>> but Mr fc>. Oidlield (Government) will poll well. Parnell is sale for the senior Government whip, Mr .1. »>. Dickson, wh« is opposed by a rather weak Labour aspirant, Mr 11. F. Way. In Grey Lynn, Mr K. X. Bartram (Labour* should defeat' Miss EHcti Melville (Governments in & straight-en: contest. Mr Bttmam's majority over Mr .J. Holdsworth last- year was I'xO. This is a big handicap* for Melvi! io to make up. although it is not an altogether impossible task. Mr Y. 11. Potter < Government' should retain Koskill. His strongest opponent will prove to bo Mr. J. W. \arnall (Laltour). Tho Liberal canst i« date, Mr Hall Skelton, who polled fairly well last time, is making burlittle impression this year. There is a large number of additional electors in Eden, and their rote* ar® an unknown quantitv. Sir James Parr (Government) has "boon conducting a Tery rigorous and effective campaign, and should defeat Mr H. G. II Mason (Labour), whom he boat by votes in 1933. It> will be a close contest, however. Mr Grigg (Nationalist . is retiring; Jie had no clianco in atir case. In tho Country. In Mauukau it is impossible to forecast how Mr John MasseT, brother ot the late Prim© Minister, will poll. Mr W. J.Jordan (Labour) has got himself somewhat tangled orer Labours land policy, and this may curtail his quota of Totes. Last time he only got iu by tho small margin of 209 Votes. Waitemata looks quite itsfe tor Mr A. Harris (Goveromect), -who, is opposed by Mr H. Lament (Nationalist), and Mr A. V. Cteborna (Labaur). At last election Mr Harris vas 1271 vot«-> ahead of bis nearest opponent. Five candidates are standing for tho Bay of Islands, and this seat shoo hi bo retained by Mr Alhsi Belt, who has notv adopted Mr Coates as his leader, and has joined the Government Party. In Kaipara the Prime Minister should liave a record majority. His i* the safest seat in the Dominion to-day.

Tlio Government may win Marsden with Mr W. Jones, who is again contesting the scat against Mr A. J. Murdoch (Nationalist). At the last elation Mr Murdoch won by only 13"» votes. Mr Ilichards (Labour) should not poll heavily. There seems little likelihood oE, a ohcngp in Franklin, which is hold by Mr B. 1). McLennan (Government), and in Hamilton, hel<l by Mr J. A. Young (Government). Tho Nationalists may lose AVaikat«>, :is Mr I>. S. Iteid (Government) swnts to stand an excellent chance Mr F. Lyo (Nationalist). MrF. C'.S. J.aw&on (Country Party) will poll few votes; his chances aro negligible. Tlio Hon. 11. F. Bollard is wife in Raglnn. and Mr T. W. Rhodes should win a hard fight in Thames. Mr 11. Poland (Independent) is i hard man to defeat in Ohinemuri, which he has represented for 20 re«r>. Mr A. M. Samuel (Government) will, however, poll very well. Mr C. K. Macmillan (Gorernment* shouid i(Haiti Tauranga in a fairlv c-ven contest, whilo Mr F. F. Hockly is safe in Jtotorua. There will be a hard fight in tomo between Mr J. C. eminent) and Mr )V. J. Bro»i!c6i (Nationalist), but Mr Rolleston ehoull win. ASKED TO WITHDRAW. COUNTRY PARTY CANDIDATE • * (SFBCXAI* TO "TEX" TWSS-^ AUCKLAND, October 20. Mr F. Colbeck, Country Party candidate for Rotorua, got what is rolgarly called "the bird*' at a lar** meeting of electors in VhakataEe is-t night. At the conclusion of the meetingMr 11. L. Lees moved "That this wjw*aentative meeting of "Whakatace latniers and residents thanks the candidate for his address, but is strong* «*' the opinion that the candtdato by standing for election is not acting the best interests of the fanners, Both of this electorate and of New Zealand "as a whole, and passes an eißpfcsU*--vote of no-confidence in the candidate and his Party, and requests him Vwithdraw from tho campaign." The mover said there was no personal feeling against Mr Col beck himself. Mr P. Earle, in seconding the motion, said the district could not ?«»- sibly get a better man to represent i* thaii Mr Hocklv, who had serred the district well for the past six years. (Applause.) The chairman asked if there was an?" amendment, but nono bfting forthcaosing, he put the motion. _ Tlwre *l» * largo chorus of "Ayes" in fa roar bb>l a much smaller Yoiume of 4 'Noes.' l T&e motion was declared carried. The candidate said he tho light, 'irresolution Tcry insulting. "Xycain* here as a duty to address yoa,' l® said. i! and think that at least you should thank me for coming. Don't think that I am going to retire I*; cauie vou- have packed the meeting, lit- went on to say that he had not asked for votes, but had come to give the electors a chance of hearing hi? views. He had nothing to do with Jfr Hocklv. Why did they not p**3 similar resolutions with regard to Slessr 1 Clinkard and Sumner? Why sho«! * they be impertinent to him and say fcs* should withdraw. 4 He could tliaiik them for the resolution. bt«: ssked them to pa?i a rote or thank* to the chairman.

A vote of thanks to th<i ibatnaa'-i terminated the proceeding?. LYTTELTON". CONFIDENCE IN REFORM. Lust evening ilr M. K. Lyon*. R-> form car.tLdato tor Lytteltou. addrcs*K two pjten-nir meetings jr. th<* C»*iV iiiere district. A: tin- crnu-r ct Wswr-e-ead and Thorrinßton rca<l* Mr l.jmit rpoke icr cu hour, and was acroiwi a unanimous vote of tliaak* and couiidentv. Vollmring on at Bowearale, lie was fjrorncu a vcta of thanki *iv4 uoniidertt". with <mf dissentient. V»'. S--aro. chairman ot th» Htukwc C'ouiuv I'l'tincii. >»rc»u!ed at t!» sawt* ing;.