THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 319, 5 October 1908, Page 8

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

> ' THE 'WAIKATO SEAT, ' ; {BY .TEtEaEAPH—FBK3 ASSOCIATION.) Hamiltoni Octobcr 3. Mr. Allen Bell, Opposition candidate for the Waikato seat, opened his campaign at Hamilton last might. There was a very large attendance!.; ;Mr. Bell" expressed himself strongly" in favour of the freehold,- the substitution of one man in place of the Defence Council, the universal military training of all youths under 21 years of age, increased salaries for teachers, immigration of English farm labourers, abolition of tlie co-operative system in favour of private enterprise, extension of old age pensions, and advances to settlers, establishment or children's homes .as against the present system of .'charitable aid, a bare majority vote for local or colonial option, bettor conditions for railway servants, better educational .and transport facilities for back-block settlers, and the abolition of the totalisator and the bookmaker. The speech created a most favourable impression.

Mr. Allen Bell, of Hamilton, who'J.is wntesting the Waikato seat in the Opposition interest is probably the most busy in the district from a public,point of holding a great'number of public positions. He has yet found time during the last few months" to do a lot of travelling throughout the electorate, meeting generally with ;a favourable reception, largely due to his out-, spokenness. During the time lie has been' in "Waikato, Mr. Bell has filled with credit practically every public position of importance in his district, and that. he possesses _ the confidence of the community is shown m a very marked degree by the multiplicity' ■ of public positions \vhich he holds at present. He holds office as a .member of the AVaipa County Council, the' Hamilton Borough Council, and Waikato Hospital Board. He is also Auckland- Provincial President of the New Zealand Farmers' Union,- a_ member of the Dominion Executive and President of the Hamilton branch of the same body ; chairman of. the Te.Rapa Drainago Board and chairman of the Te Rapa School Committee.. He is also president of the Waikato Winter Show Association, and serves on the committee of the Waikato Agricultural and Pas.toral Association and tho Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. He alsp commands . the Waikato Regiment, of Mounted' Rifles, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Mr. Bell is a native of ;New Zealand, • but _ spent several years-on the frontier-of 1 civilisation in Central Africa, engaging in a : number of .the Kaffir wars which accompanied the-advance of civilisation. He afterwards i( took part in. the South African war, and wears the British South African Company's medal and the Queen's medal with three clasps. A man of many-sided activities -and : .broad-minded views, he is described as a strong, supporter of every movement. calculated to promote the happiness and prosperity of his fellows. If report! speaks truly, the sitting member,, Mr. Greenslade, willjhave difficulty in retaining 'his"seat again'st such-an active . and versatile opponent. - , ... EASTERN MAORI. ' (81 TELEGRAPH —FRESS . ASSOCIATION.) .' Wanganui, October 4. Mr. R. 0. Park (Tiki Paaka), Native interpreter, of Wanganui, is announced as a candidate' for tho Eastern Maori electorate, at the general election. It is stated that, he does not support the Government.

" THE CHRISTCHURCH ROLLS. . ' Christchurch, October ,3. Inquiries, made at the offices of tlie different registrars of. electors go to show that the residents of. the city are enrolling very freely in view of. the approaching general elections. The main roll'for Christchurch North con- '.. tains about 6637 names, and the first supplementary roll will contain about 2000 names. The Christchurch. East main roll contains about 5967 names, and the first 'supplementary Toll contains 1905 names. The Christchurch South main roll'contains about 5613 names, and'there are 1615 on the first; supplementary . roll. V Since the last-mentioned roll was closed, to date 500 applications have been received for'inclusion in the second supplementary roll. The .Avon main roll con- " tains 5530 names,. and'. up to the end of ■ September 2000 new claims had been received. ■■■ \ % A noteworthy fact in connection with the Christchurch South roll is that- objections ' have been lodged in respect to 400 naiv.s which appear on the roll. It is alleged that these persons have left the district. These objections will be dealt with by a magistrate. MR. WILFORD AT UPPER HTJTT. 'A meeting was held at the .Town Hall, Upper Hutt, on' Saturday, night to further Mr. T. M. Wilford's candidature. There was a crowded attendance, '■ and the proceedings > were enthusiastic. After Mr. Wilford ; had given a short address, a committee of 52 men was formed, with Councillor T. Edwards as chairman, and Messrs. P. Davies, J.P., 6. Benge,.. and J.' Cudby as vice-chairmen, and 'Mr. F. Wilkie' as secretary. Mr. Wilford' stated that this was the'largest and most re- ' presentative committee he had had in' the district during any ■ candidature. ' Mr. J. P. Luke, standing for the Suburbs seat, will address the electors as follows: — Maranui, tormorrow, at 8 p.m.; Kkaiidallah, on Wednesday, at 8 p.m.; Kaiwarra, on Friday, at 8 p.m. . Mr. J. W. Braithwaite, candidate for the Suburbs Seat, will speak 'on Wednesday ■ night at Wadestown, on Thursday at Ohariu Valley, and Friday art' Johnsonville.' Mr. W. M'Lean, candidate for Wellington East, will speak in the Victoria Hall, Adelaide Road, at <8 p.m. to-morrow. Mr. D. M'Laren, who is standing for Wellington East, will give an address < in' the . Clyde Quay Schoolroom to-niglit at 8 o'clock.