THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 329, 16 October 1908, Page 8

THE ELECTIONS.

, | ' NEWS AND NOTES.

CANDIDATES AND THEIR SPEECHES. . Although the date of, the general election is not yet announced, it! is extremely probable that it will clash with tho sitting of the New Zealand Presbyterian Genoral Assembly (states the "Outlook"). In tho event of polling day .falling on Wednosday, November 11 or 18 —two very likely dates, —it will be I well for delegates to the Assembly to obtain absent voters'permits before leaving for Dunedin;' ." The Latest Candidate. A. correspondent who is usually well informed on political, matters writes discrediting the idea that Mr. Laurenson is likely to secure the portfolio to be rendered vacant by tho retirement ;of Mr. Hall-Jones. " Neither Mr. Laurenson nor any other Canterbury member," ho writes, " will succeed Mr. Hall-Jones, but' should Mr. T. Mackenzie bo elected.th.e portfolio will be given to him. Mr. Mackenzie is undoubtedly the best man for the' position in the ranks of the Liberal party—ho is a sound, practical man, of much experience, and a good spqaker—a man in marked, contrast, in every respect to a number -of the theoretical political squibs who aspire to'.'the'position'." Our correspondent does not'appear to regard the fact that already. three' members of the Cabinet —Sir Joseph Ward and Messrs. Millar and M'Nab -hail-from the'far south as. a serious handicap to Mr. Mackenzie. Possibly a greater handicap, however, is the fact that his connection with the Government party has been of such brief duration.

Speeches Supplied from Wellington.

' In the course of liis address at Pukekohe last night, Mr. Massey (says the Press Association report), in dealing with the speech of the'Government'candidate for Eden, said all the new candidates had been supplied from Wellington 1 with speeches, and he produced a copy which .had been secured by. nim. This same speech had been delivered by a number of the, candidates already.

Mr. Bollard's Opponent. The Government candidate for Eden, Mr. J. W. Shackelford, addressed the electors on Tuesday night. Tho chairman read the following telegram,. addressed to Mr. Shackelford, by Sir Joseph Ward:—"You are the selected candidate for Eden electorate, and I shall ,be very pleased if our friends will assist you to contest the eloction." In the course' of his speech Mr. Shackelford ' said if there was to be progress, they must have liberal land laws. What was-the old state of affairs? (A voice: "Better than it is now." Another:, "Freehold.") The gentleman who interrupted did not know vory much. He should think'. of the, state of affairs_ 17 years ago. What was it then? (A voice: "We got value, for a sovereign then.") So they did now./ (A voice : "How about house rent?") Seventeen years ago the land was in the.handß of..the. few;, and, those who wanted it. could 'not "get it. (A. voice: "Wrong 1") What was the reason? There was depression on every hand, but when the Conservative party'went out there was a change. (A voice: "The Maoris were not landlords ■ then.") ; The Maoris were landlords then," and'they were to-day. In conclusion Mr.- Shackelford said this was not a battle of sentiment.' A man was wanted to look after their, interest properly. (A 'voice: "We have one!") . . i ■ ' - Mr. J. Bollard is the sitting member for Ederi, and he is not likely to be replaced by Mr. Shackelford. . Mr. Bollard has,proved himself" a. true, .friend of tho worker, being one of the earliest, and most persistent advocates of the workers'; homes scheme. His practical . knowledgealso enables him to speak ' with' " authority when agricultural questions are before tho House.

'.Tha; Mr. Moss, an-Independent candidate'for Parnell, in, giving- his views on the liquor question, said:—"l am a no license man'. • (Applause.)''"lr-Toted-for no license ever since there was a ehance 'given in 1893 of bashing the top line. (Applause.) I am not a Prohibitionist/ I Wish'l were, but 1 am m t prepared; 'to give;',up, the pleasure I derive from alcohol for the benefit of those weaker than myself. I vote no license for two reasons. '~ Firstly,- that 'tied-house' liqilor is not good enough for me, and secondly ! that the. concentration of the -liquor . trade in the hands of two or three is a menace to the community. (Applause.) It enablos them to interfere in the courts of justice too much. Free house or no house is the issue I put to myseif. Prohibition is a moral movement, and has nothing to do with'no . license. , 'No one will prevent you from taking bad'meat if you want to, but you won't be 'allowed to'sell it. Efforts have been made time after time to have the bribery' and . .corruption clause applied ,to the local option, polls as well as the Parliamentary I tried to get it several'tintes. 'T eVeii succeeded in getting it in 7 thte'.;";BillVfihce, but the then Prime Minister recommitted the Bill, and had the clause struck out. , the law against bribery should be applicable 'to the local option poll as well' as'the.' Parliamentary elections. A friend of a candidate cannot even hire a vehicle without the • risk of there being a charge of bribery, but the.'trade' can get (ivory vehicle in town for the election day, and you could not hire a cab now for next election diy. v 'L 'tried to make it illegal for ': any man .connected with a brewery to own an hotel. The clause I proposed was thrown out like, a, disorderly man is thrown out of a bar.""' The Walrarapa Seat. ' Thq "contest for' the' Wairarapa seat is exciting much -interest. Both candidates are working strenuously,''and,neither is likely to lose any 'chance 6f",scoring a win. Mr. Buchanan has an advantago, inasmuch as ■Mr. Hornsby has-just como through a session as a supporter'of a Government which has shown itself to bo quite out of touch with-the 1 farming community and its re-i-quirements. : Tho refusal of the Government to consider the interests of tho district in tho matter'of establishing- an experiment farm is also keenly resented, and must have an effect on the; result of the election. Mr. •Hornsby possesses, the gift of "tickling the ears", of the,'electors, but this gift, useful enough whqn things are going smoothly, is not so effective when thero are signs of trouble ahead, and.tho need for sound common sonso and practical business judgment is greater than- the need for a glib tongue and pleasing platitudes. Too Much Legislation. If the time spent by Ministers in preparing their Bills, bringing them before the House, arid then touring the country for electioneering purposes, were taken into account, it could bo seen that they had little time to attend to their real, duties. What is wanted is less legislation and moro work. The country would then' bo_ the hotter for it. (Applause.) Last session was a short one, still one hundred Acts were passed and thirtyseven dropped. ■ If such a stato of things continued for many more years, every second man in the street would bo an inspector of something or' tho other. (Laughter.)— Mr. J. Hunter at Mastqrton. The Borrowing Policy. The farmers are not a class which require spoon-feeding: it is better to produco a sovereign than to borrow ono: if tho borrowing policy were continued the population would find that no matter how early they got up, the mortgage would'bo-up beforo thom. And no mattor what pace tho population sot, the mortgago would travel faster. —Mr. J. Huntor at Masterton. Seven Candidates for Tlmaru. From present indications (states tho Timaru " Post"), the number of candidates in tho field for parliamentary honours will bo larger than for some years past. At tho elections both of 1899 and 1902 there were i thrco candidates for the Timaru seat, and in i 1905. thoro. wero.fivo. This year there is a probability that thero will bo as many as seven candidates. They aro as follow:—Mr.

James Craigie .(Liberal), Mr. F. J. Rolleston (Oppositionist), Hon. J. Anstcy (Liberal), Mr. G. Roller,!( Labourite), Mr. J. Mahoncy (Independent Liboral), Mr. A. Beck (Independent Liberal), and Mr. F. H. Smith (Oppositionist).' Tho first meeting held to furthor Mr. C'raigie's candidaturo included soveral influential members, among them tho chairman :of Mr. Hall-Jones's committee. A number' of members of that committee have telegraphed-to tho ,Government, asking that tho Hon.. J. Anstoy'should bo selected as tho Government candidate for the Timaru seat. Mr. Mahonoy; announces that ho will go to tho poll as an Independent in the Liberal and Labour interests. Mr. Roller is tho chosen of tho Political Labour League, and Mr. Beck, who states that he will "probably" ■ como forward, expresses a desire to sco a young man returned as representative of Timaru. The younger generation will have to bear the burden of tho country's debt, and ho considers that it is only fair that they should be represented by one of themselves. • The Walrau Seat. It is reported that Mr. John Duncan, after reconsideration, ..has decidedto _contest the Wairau seait in the Opposition interest. A Curiosity. There is a Mr. Dickie contesting the Selwyn scat, and if- boldness of fancy is appreciated in the. district, Mr. 0. A. C. Hardy is as good as defeated already. "Mr. Dickio submitted," so runs a report of a meeting last Monday, "that-the state of the finances constituted one of the strongest claims of the Liberal party to the confidence not only of the people of this Dominion, but also that of the whole commercial world" II Another Curiosity. A good second to Mr. Dickie would appear to be Mr. Frankland, one of tho candidates for tho Manawatu seat. Speaking on Monday, lie dealt with labour matters, and declared that- "unbridled competition must be checked." Moreover, "regulations for a fair wage must be upheld, supplemented by other modes of State interference with the anarchic forces of supply and demand." Mr. Frankland omitted' to say whether he favours legislation that will' interfere ! with the brutal force of gravity that makes people fall down and sprain their'ankles. The Loan Burden. The gross public' debt on March 31 last was £66j453,897, an increase for the year of good load, he considered, for a million people to have to carry. This year it was proposed to add to this amount'a further two arid'a quarter millions. The net indebtedness per head was £69. The increase in the interest; bill last year was £82,512, which brought the total interest charges up to £3,175,'443'per annum. Could the country go on at" .this' rate ? The interest bill of the country' for- every man, woman, and: child was £2'Bs.'"-2d., which meant for a family of four, roughly, £12 per year in interest.—Mr. J. Hunter/ at Masterton. Walt a Few Weeks; Mr. J. Hunter, a candidate for the Masterton seat, drew attention on Wednesday evening'to an interesting paragraph in a Masterton paper.ia's^follows:—"Mr. Hogg,M.P., has been making .inquiires as to tho suitability of lea Estate for closer settlement, but he is informed, that' matters must remain in abeyance'for, a few, weeks. It is understood that Ica. and Kohiwai, which adjoin each other on 'the Wliareama, can bo cut up very conveniently into thirty sections. Should lea be acquired,.'it- is'.proposed -.to subdivido it into homestead? varying from ono hundred to eighteen hundred acres. The total'area of the two-.estates is about 22,000 acres." .To the speaker; it seemed strange that Mr. Hogg did not fiiid-out all this boforo. Why was it that the member for Masterton did not, some six or eight months ago, when an agiation was 1 afoot' in Masterton to acquire lea, assist ill' carrying oh the project. Tho member for. Masterton on that occasion did, not lift a finger to -assist the project, and -yet the public: were treated to a paragraph of tho description read. Ono feature of tho paragraph,' which, to tho speaker at least, was vory-disappointing,' was that "matters must remain in ab'eyanco for a few weoks." Mr. Hunter asked for how long. The answer obviously was; until after tho election. Below the Belt." Some indignation has been' caused in tho Wairarapa by a somewhat scurrilous attack, which has been made upon Mr. Buchanan, a candidate for the Wairarapa seat, by an anonymous correspondent through tho columns of the Masterton "Daily Times," a journal which' has ju'st_ announced itself as a supporter of the Ministerial candidate. In his letter the anonymous writer takes full advantage of his anonymity, and endeavours as much as possible to spitefully belittlo tho Opposition candidate with innuendo and suggestion'.''"- The ' nastiness of personal prejudice is' so_ apparent, however, that tho bitter attack is likely to recoil upon tho heads of the author and those associated with him. Roads-and-Bridges Member. The tendency in .the party system of Go•verninent: was' for: men to be chosen- to a groat extent because' they wore merely loyal supporters of "'tho party, and tho individual who was; most, likely to be loyal in that sense, wa's one who; was least likely to have opinions worth Sacrificing. And, thereforo, although ithey'might be good road-and-bridgo members,'; the'great questions were left to one or two thinkers of the. House, so that, the tendency was to get a minimum amount of brains instead of a maximum amount in Parliament. EVen'as roads-and-bridge members, a member's' occupation was being4aken away from him-because whenever an important local* question came before Government, it was now customary for a deputation, consisting of men who had made a special study of the question, , to go down to Wellington and pub the case before Government, and the member for tho district simply became tho mouthpiece of tho deputation.—Mr. Gardner at Marton. "Seven Specific Planks." Mr. F. W. Frankland, a Government candidate for the Manawatu seat, announced at his 'meeting 'at Foxton that ho relied on seven specific planks, as follows:—Firstly, freehold,' with restriction of area, in order to prevent the' growth of a landed aristocracy. (2.) lir support, of tho Seddon administration, but reserving to himself the right to criticise /where ho considered them mistaken. (3.) - Supported No-License, but with tenderness and justice towards tho licensees, whose public permit would be cancelled. (4.) Favoured the referendum and initiative as' safeguards against plutocratic tendencies which are happily not yet much in' evidence hero, but which with his .American expericnco no had learnt to dread as a great world-movement, much moro than most of his fellow-colonists do. (5.) He far voured- making' the' Bible-in-schools question ono for' decision by Referendum. (6.) He supported preferential trade and an Imperial Council. (7.) He urged redressing the unfairness of Government, and in this he included all governments, Conservative as well as Liberal, in not spending our legitimate share of the public money on tho Manawatu district. He then referred to the glaring example in tho Government's refusal to employ tho wharfage dues at Foxton to the improvement of the harbour. Jottings.. The Governmont is gradually coming round to tho freehold tenure. —Mr. Huntor at Masterton. Mr. John P. Luke, candidate for tho Suburbs scat, will address the electors at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, to-night. Mr. 'j.-.-E. Fitzgerald, who is standing for tho Suburbs sqat, will speak in Kilminstor's Hall, off Tinakori Road, to-night, at 8 o'clock. Mr. Byron Brown will address tho Otaki electors "as under:—Oliau, in Institute, tonight; Jackeytown, Monday; Motu Rimu, Tuesday ;• and' Moutoa, Wednesday. WELLINGTON SUBURBS. Mr. J. P. Luke addressed a _ largely-at-tended meeting of the electors.a't Miramar last ovening, Mr. H. Lang presiding., The candidate, who spoke on similar lines to his previous addrosses, received an attentive hearing. At tho conclusion a vote of thanks and confidence was,, on tho motion of Mr. W. Barr, sccondcd by Mr. Browning, carried unanimously.

SENSATIONAL STATEMENT. ALLEGATION AND REPLY. 081 TELEGKAra—PHES3 ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, Octobcr 15. Mr. Moss, Independent candidate for Parnell, created a sensation while addressing a mooting last night, by producing a declaration signed by an ex-hotelkeeper alleging that money had been paid to a licensing committee to sccuro tho transfer of a license. Tho hotelkoopor asserted that eight years ago he had an hotel in a country district, and desired to transfer tho license to another centro in that district. Ho had financial dealing with a firm of browors (named), who rendered him an' account, including threo items of £200 each, and one of £100. He alleged he was informed that this £700 had been paid to secure the approval of the licensing committee to transfer tho licciiso, and, being helpless, he had to consent. Tho head of the browing firm was a man of standing, and the speaker hoped the rumour would be proved to bo without foundation. If it could be he (Mr. Moss) would bo so pleased that ho 'would give; £20 to any charity the chairman chose to mention. He was sending the ox-hotelkeeper's declaration to the head of tho brewing firm for a denial. The firm referred to, replying to Mr. Moss's statement, assert that they assisted tho hotelkeeper in question to acquire a portion of land and erect a new building, but tho company had no interest in the hotel beyond, as mortgagees, holding security for tho moneys actually advanced. Tho hotelkeeper did receive the sums of money mentioned by Mr. Moss, in the course of business, but these were actual cash loans to himself. The company did not foreclose on the mortgage, but, as the hotelkeeper intimated he was unable to make tho business pay, tho company released him of_ the indebtedness by taking over tho securities and paying him £1000, and releasing collateral assets worth about £SOO. The company was now agreeablo to sell the property at less than tho actual cost. The company's business transactions with tho hotelkeeper closed in July, 1906. Two or three months ago the hotelkeeper made a threat that unless lie was paid a considerable sum, he would accuse the company, as ho had done through Mr. Moss, but tho company declines to be drawn into a public discussion through Mr. Moss,.who, it alleges, is probably acting as the hotelkeeper's solicitor to obtain evidence to substantiate a threatened action. TARANAKI. SPEECH BY MR. BELLRL\ T GER. (BV TELEGItArn—I'RESS ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, October 15. Mr. C. E. Bellringer, tho selected Government candidate for tho Taranaki seat, addressed tho electors at New Plymouth tonight. He reviewed the history of tho Liberal Government, giving strong adherence to tho policy of Sir Joseph Ward. He claimed that the dairy regulations as amended by the Stock Committee were in the best interests of the dairy industry. He urged that tho defence policy should be continuous from school cadets to at least the age of 21, and rifle clubs should receive' greater encouragement. He defended the railway policy of construction and finishing tho main lines, and urged Taranaki to' cease clamouring for many lines, iii order that all energy should bo .directed to tho Stratford Main Trunk connection. Ho defended the right of labour to combine, instancing the success of the cooperative system of dairying amongst farmers, particularly Taranaki; as an example that labour had a perfect right to follow. While a believer in the optional tenure ho claimed that the _ Government by its suggested means of disposing of ,Native lands, and also its land settlement proposals scheme would meet tho demand for the freehold. Ho claimed that the operation of the Advances to Sottlers' Act in New Zealand had prevented a rjso of from one to two per cent, in money during the past year. The speaker was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. The other candiuates in tho lield are tho sitting members, Mr. H. Okey« and Mr. W. G. Mal.one, who is standing as a Liberal. ELLESMERE. TWO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS. ' (bit telegraph—rrcuss ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, October 15. Mr. F. Rowell, a candidate for -tho Ellesmero seat/ opened his campaign at Springston last night. .Ho declared himself a straight-out Liberal, and supported the various measures of tho present Government. Ho was in favour of tho freehold, and urged that the Government should push on settlement moro rapidly. Ho advocated tho purchase of land in tho vicinity of country towns for tho purpose of settling farm labourers on small areas. Oh the . licensing question, Mr. R-owell -announced himself 1 as a supporter of tho three-fifths majority. Ho contended that the South Island Trunk Railway should bo pushed on, and that the Little River lino should bo extended 'to Akaroa. He supjjorted a reduction of. duty/on tobacco and ammunition, and said the Government. should provide free school books to children up to tlio sixth standard. At the conclusion of his address Mr. Rowell was accorded a hearty voto of thanks. Mr. Geo. Rennie, a candidate, for the Ellesmere- seat, addressed a well-attended meeting at' Leeston on Tuesday night. ■- The 'candidate announced himself as a supporter of the present Government, and was accorded a vote of thanks.

TIiYIARU. (BT IEI.EGRAni —IM'FSN ASSOCIATION.) Timaru, October 15. ■ In response to requisition from 1200 electro's the Mayor, Mr.' James Craigie, has agreed to becomo a candidate for Timaru in the Government interest. □UNEDIN NORTH, |[BY TELKGItiI'D—rHESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, October 15. Mr. H. D. Bedford has been pressed during the last few days to enter the lists for Dunedin North at the general election, but has definitely decidcd not to stand. AVON., (BY TELEGRAM—MESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchuroh, October' 15. Mr. 6. W. Russell, a candidate, for the Avon seat, addressed a meeting of electors at Linwood to-night. Ho stated ho was a supported of the present Government, but would retain the right of freedom of action in necessary cases. He favoured elective oxccutive and reform of the Upper House. At tho close of the address he was accorded a vote of thanks. THE AUCKLAND SEATS. SOME KEEN CONTESTS. Referring to the election campaign in the province of Auckland, the "Herald" states: — Tho indications are that the most keenlycontested electorates in this province will be Kaipar.i, Grey Lynn, Waitemata, Tauranga, and Waikato, with tho possibility of the Bay of Islands contest proving exciting, and of close polling in Taumarunui. The Grey Lynn seat is expected to provido the greatest fight in the Dominion, and feeling thero is already running high. Mr. Fowkls has tho prestige of his position as a Minister of the Crown, but, nevertheless, Mr. Olivor Nicholson, standing as an Independent Liberal, is working strenuously, and is backed by very strong committees. Tho licensing question is being imported into the election, although members of Parliament, have really little to do with that mattor now, tho power boing in the hands of peoplo througli tho local option polls. Mr. J. Ulysses Browne (Independent Labour) has announced himself as a candidate for tho Grey Lynn seat, but, as far as tho public feeling can bo gauged at present, the real fight will be between tho Hon. George Fowlds and Mr. Nicholson. Both aro able men and keen debaters, so that their nicotinic aro likoly to arouso tho keenest interest. In Waitemata tho interest seems to be centring in tho triangular contest between Mr. L. R. Phillipps (Opposition) and Mr. Wilding and Mr. Napier, both Government but Mr. Wake's supporters nro also working hard. Waitemata is generally regarded aa nn Opposition constituency, aim, as the organisation of tbo Opposition i* now

better than evor before, it is safe to anticipate that tho candidate who succeeds will havo to bo one ,who is "solid" on land tonuro, the Nativo lands question, and roads and bridges, and prepared to vote against tho Administration, if need bo, on theso questions. Mr. Phillipps, it is generally concoded, will havo a. strong "pull" amongst tho supporters of Mr. E. W. Alison, who has rendered yeoman service during his Parliamentary career. Kaipara promisos a warm contest between the sitting member, Mr. John Stallworthy (Government), and Mr. A. E. Harding (Opposition). Mr. Stallworthy beat Mr. Harding three years ago by a very narrow majority. The Kaipara electorate will bo pretty thoroughly " stumped " from ond to end this time; in fact, the population promises to be quito divided into two sections, tho Hardingites and the Stallworthyites, and, as a good many electors in Kaipara neglected to record their votes last time, they will be mustered pretty thoroughly on this occasion. The City Central seat is not to be allowed to go by default to the sitting member, Mr. A. Kidd (Government), for Mr. A. E. Glovor (Government), Mr. A. Rosser (Labour), and Mr. A. J. Black (Independent) are out. No Opposition candidates are in the field for any of'the city seats. It cannot be said that there is a very great deal of interest being taken so far in the City Central election. Thore is some talk of the Rev. Joseph Clark, better known as Pastor Clark, standing for tho seat. In City West there will be a fairly good contest between Mr C. H. Poole, the sitting member, and Mr. Thompson. It is doubtful, however, if the polling will be very heavy, and some of those who worked energetically in the interest of Mr. Poole at last election are not taking an active part this time, although, no doubt, their places are taken by others. City East has not, so far, developed any hysterical signs. Its pulse is strictly normal, and, on tho present offering, Mr. Baumo's supporters are confidently predicting his return. Mention of his name in connection with tho Ministry has also hardened his chances. In Parnell there is going to be some excitement. It will be remembered'that Mr Lawry, the sitting member, was returned on a 1 minority vote last election owing to the splitting of votes between Mr. Murdoch McLean. and Mr. J. M. Shera, both Oppositionists. There will be a good triangular contest between Mr. Moss (Independent), Mr Lawry (Government), and Mr. Dickson (Government).

The Eden seat is coveted this time by Mr. Shackelford (Government), who seeks to wrest the honours from Mr. John Bollard (Opposition), who has held the seat for many years without in any way forfeiting the confidence of the electors. His supporters, therefore, are not showing eigsis of any serious alarm. Manukau is generally regarded as likely to prove a walk-over for Mr. F. W. Lang (Opposition), as there is little organisation against him, owing to the other party playing at cross purposes over the selection of a candidate. • ' Interesting contests are expected between Mr. Herries (Opposition) and Mr. Young (Government) for Tauranga, and between Mr. Greenslade (Government) and Mr. Allen Bell (Opposition) for Waikato.