THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 273, 11 August 1908, Page 6

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

0 THE PALMERSTON SEAT. OPPOSITION CANDIDATE SELECTED. (ur TELEGRAnr.—SPECIAL COHEESPONDENT.) ■ Palmerston North, August 10. A meeting of Opposition supporters was held this evening in the Opera House, Sir. W. Bennett presiding, and Mr. Martin also being in attendance. Tho meeting was thoroughly representative.

Mr. Bennett explained tile object of the mooting.

Mr. Martin addressed tho meeting, and advised tlioso present to rally round a straigh-out Opposition candidate. Ho 'contended that tho Government had been introducing legislation for which the Opposition was to a certain extent responsible. Ho referred to tho officers of tho Public Works Department being paid year after year out of borrowed money. Tho amount spent on public buildings was all borrowed money, and lie objected to the principle of beautifying public buildings becauso the outside was not quite handsome enough. Ho-did not object to tho borrowed money going into roads and bridges to provide facilities for the backblock settlers. Tho wasto of borrowed money on defence was also referred to. Tho speaker also mentioned tho fact that ovor £10U0 had been voted to the All Black football team to tako a trip to the Old Country. Ho criticised tho Arbitration Act, and referred to the Bs. per day paid to the men working in tlio Midland Railway tunnel The men were all to a level with no distinction between the_ skilled and tho unskilled, and a man swinging the pick to-day would bo uo better in years to come under the same Act. There had been too much blundering in the past, and tho Government had made a, rod for its own back, Was it just for the Opposition members, who had stood to their guns for years, to be thrown over now they had suffered considerably in order to guard tlioso who had vested interests? In the selection of a candidate, tho Opposition party did not work on the same lines as the Government inasmuch as they allowed tho electors to select their own candidate, and did not go to a town and say they had selected So-and-so as their candidate Ho advised the . meeting to select a man whom they could'rely upon and feel proud of. ' , . . Mr. Bennett then read several apologies 'from supporters, who were prepared to abide bv the decision of tho meeting, and also a letter from Captain Preece,. stating : ,tliat ho had been approached to contest the election, and had promised to do so provided a more suitable candidate was not selected, but ho preferred Mr. D. Buick, and would stand out on his account. ' Mr. Buick, one of the candidates, said he contested tho seat some twelve ycais. ago. He considered that coalition between the Opposition and the Government was impossible. 'Before anything could bo dono a coiisidcrablo alteration was necessary. Ho objected to every man being put on a level, winch did not enconrago a man to use his . abilities. There was no encouragement for a man to do his best. Ho advised the selection of a good sound candidate, and urged upon the Opposition supporters to stand by him. They had a strong force here to oppose, and if they were fjoing to work they had better start .immediately. Mr. Buchanan said that for tho last 20 years ho had voted with the Opposition. He opposed tho reaggregation of estates, as settlement and freehold wero necessary, and ho was an out-and-out- supporter of the latter. Regarding Native, lands, he believed m their being surveyed and sold by auction', and an arrangement. could bo made whereby the Natives could have the right of purchase. Ho believed in tho Opposition paying more attention to the temperance vote, as they would thereby enlist more sympathy. Mr. Buchanan intimated that he was not willing to stand down unless the selected candidate would support the temperance cause. Sir. Buick said if tho candidate was an out-and-out Oppositionist lie .should bq prepared to stand down and support him.' _ _ Mr. Martin said that the Opposition politics did not in any way touch the Prohibition party. Tho question should not be introduced "to split tho consolidated Opposition vote. They had tile-matter in their own hands at tho poll to wipe out or leave in tho liquor traffic. ~. „ - , Mr. Buick, asked if ho was in favour of any alteration in tho Licensing Act, said he heid tho opinion that the Act gave every satisfaction, and provided better hotel accommodation. Mr. '.Buchanan, in answer to tho same question, favoured the present three-fifths majority, but supported a bare majority for a Dominion vote. On a vote being taken, Mr. D. Buick was selected as tho candidate. ' The Chairban intimated that another meeting would be held at an early date to elect committees. . It was decided to invite Mr. Massoy to delive an address there on September 7.

THE WESTLAND SEAT. CBI TEt.EGRArH —FRESS .ASSOCIATION.) Hokitika, August 10. Mr. Michel, who is a candidate for the Westland seat, has returned from South Westland, where lie held a scries of political meetings. The various meetings were all numerously attended, and votes of .thanks were accorded Mr. Michel, who is standing as a supporter of the present Government.