THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 322, 8 October 1908, Page 8

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

THE SUBURBS. Mr. J. P. Luke, a candidate for the Suburbs electorate, addressed a well-attended meeting of the electors of Kbandallah, at the local school-house-last evening. Mr. J. 6. Harkness presided. l - Mr. Luke, in the course of his remarks, referred to the financial condition of the country. The present state of affairs,-ho said, demanded a settlement" of the industrial unrast, and a more prosperous 1 condition of trade. He was of opinion that the Government should appoint an officer -to develop .some system for tho oncouragement of industries, and make investigations concerning those branches of industry which had not yet been oxpoited in New Zealand. A. progressive policy with regard to the Customs would also encourago trade.' ' Dealing 'with social problems, the candidate' considered''that the Government should legislate'in'the direction of assisting the mentally arid physically weak to advance themselves a little. A vote of thanks to the candidate was, on tho motion of Mr. R. W. Rounthwaite, seconded by Captain D. Watson, carried unanimously. Mr. J. P; Luke-will address the electors at Kaiwarra in the ' churchroom to-morrow (Friday) evening, at' 8 o'clock. j\lr. J; W. Braithwaite, candidate for the Suburbs seat, addressed a considerable number of electors in the schoolbouse, Wade-' stown, last evening, on the lines of his previous address. Mr. Larkin presided. The oandidato, who was accorded a very good hearing, received : a-vote of thanks. Mr. Braithwaito does not wish to form any committees untill tho candidates have addressed the electors. THE WAIRARAPA ELECTION. The race round the Wairarapa electorate by tho candidates, Messrs. Hornsby and Buchanan, promises to be particularly stren'uous (writes' our Wairarapa correspondent). Tho greater portion' of the electorate is untouched by a railway line, and is 150 milos in length, and practically tho whole of tho campaign will have to be conducted by either motor car, buggy, or on horseback. Each candidate will speak at thirty-six different parts of the distr.ict, and, as each place will have to bo visited twice, this means seventy-two regular speeches, without counting thoso of a casual naturo, which will crop up as the fight gets thicker. Mr. Buchanan, who commenced his campaign on Mondayi at' 'Mikimiki, near Masterton, has since spoken at Kaituna and Fernridge, where he has had large meetings and favourable > receptions.: His opponent, Mr. Hornsby, will go over tho same ground, commencihg on Monday next. OROUA. (B1 TELEGRAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION.) ' Foilding, October 7. Mr. 0. C. Pleasants, the selected Government; candidate,-addressed a largo meeting here last night. He eulogised the Government's measures in tho direction of aid to settlers "by-.the Advances to Settlers Act, and by. resuming large estates, and stated that ; many benefits 'were received by small farmers. Industrial legislation was also referred to as having been of great benefit. He favoured the 1 leasehold with tho option of tho freehold,;" supported tho Arbitration Act .with' and ..favoured the absolute exclusion of . Asiatics. The 'candidate received a; voto of confidence. ' THE OPPOSITION PARTY. (BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORHESPOMDENT.) " ' Christchurch, October 7. The "Press" .regards the retirement of five members of the-Opposition party as regrettable, but ias making it air tho moro necessary that others should take their places. "The present Opposition," it says, "have served, the country-we'l. They have a leader who, as.Mr.'Alison said, is 'actuated by the-highest spit-it'of patriotism/ for' nothing less would' enable him to carry out so steadfastly his arduous-and often thankless duties. But big battalions are as useful in Parliament as in othertfields of warfare, and Mr. Massey's usefulness to the country would be vastly increased if the. constituencies gave him a larger fighting force We trust that not only will the retiring members of the Opposition \be replaced by .others, but that supporters'of Mr. Massey's policy in other constituencies will • come forward and help him to fight for sound administration iand sound, finance.' Mr., Byron; Brown,; a candidate for tho Otaki seat, ; will speak in the Town Hall, Manukau, to-night, in the Town Hall, Pahautanui, to-morrow night, the Schoolhouse, Waikanae, on Saturday, at Paekakariki Monday;'Te Horo Tuesday, Levin Wednesday, Shannon Thursday,' and Ohau Friday., ; .. : ,