THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 8

THE ELECTIONS.

NEWS AND NOTES.

CANDIDATES AND THEIR SPEECHES.

Following- his- practice of former years, the - Rev. F. W. Isitt will bo nominated as a candidate . for " several seats which might , otherwise bo uncontested. The object is, of i courso, to ensure that tliero shall be a valid local option poll.. Under the law as it stands, there can bo no. local option poll if there is 1 no parliamentary poll, and it is tho policy of the New Zealand Alliance to. give tho electors'everywhere a chance of " striking. out tho top line.".' Hcnco Mr. Isitt stands as tile official representative of the Alliance, and does not go near tho electorates which he is nominally contesting. He points out that as the No-License party mil always take care that there, is a licensing poll, some expense . would be ■ saved to the country if the -law I were amended so as to make the one poll no longer contingent upon the other. Mr. Isitt expects to be" nominated for threo or four electorates, one .'of his opponents being tho Hon. J. M'Gowan at tho Thames. Some Opinions on the Land Question. Of the new men who are out for the election in. this district (writes our Dunedin correspondent),' Mr. R. R. Douglas, a young tailor, who opposes Mr. Sideyy has made the best impression so far. _ He is a very clear and precise speaker, with uncommon platform ability. In his speech on Tuesday night ho defined the Upper House as "a storeroom for political rejects of tho right colour,- and for, pugnacious opponents _ who are weak enough to accept nomination.' Speaking:'on the land question, lie said that he had no personal objection to the residential freehold. At the same time ho thought that if they really understood the position they would not want even the residential freehold." If they studied out tho subject,- they:-would see that the _ freehold was practically- a- loasehold for an indefinite period, whilst the leasehold was a freehold for a definite : period; The freeholder was losing: the - interest on the capital value of his land, whilst the leaseholder could use his capital on improvements.. electoral,. Boundaries. '(Anxioiis to Vote" writes as follows:— "The boundaries; of the new electorates twisi in and out so surprisingly, and aro so different from the old boundaries, that I fear many would-be voters are resting on "a false feeling of security. I am led to ask you to give publicity to this because of my experience. Until a day or so ago!>l believed that I was in the Wellington South electorate. I looked iip the roll, and my name was there, sure enough. Greatly to < my surprise, however, I found that Tyliile Wellington South runs as far north as Webb ; Street, some houses at the north end of. Coromandel.Street are in Wellington East. Tho boundary, as a matter of tactj runs up Mein Streeti In corners such as this out-of-the-way- part of Wellington East, separated as it is from tho main part of. the electorate by--Hospital and College reserves and Town-.'BelS I feel certain that there aro many- others .wlio will find themselves disfranchised qn- polling day - unless they look into the matter before it is too late." Not Taken Seriously. Mr. William Fleming, a candidate for Dunedin South, declared himself at a meeting last night- as a" supported of the present Government'- 1 (states our correspondent). The meeting did not take him seriously, and the candidate did not ask for a vote. Dear Old Westland. ' It would seem that Westland is the same dear old unconventional place that it used to be—a -place l where things . happen, without causing much remark, which in any other community, would -blast the-public with astonishment. lii a speech-the other day, ac-' cording to the '-"Hokitika 1 Guardian," Mr. H. L. Michol, who is contesting the seat against Mr.-.T.Y. Seddonpreferred to the interference of public servants holding high, positions in Kumara ..and.; Hokitika, and ho said these gentlemen, were openly canvassing and otherwise behaving in a manner which was both discreditable to them and to their Departments'." Hei said that he would probably be compelled to communicate with the Prime Minister on'the';matter, in order to put a stop to' such tactics. Canvassing or any interference!' by 'civil servants in an election was distinctly opposed to the Government/regulation's. Government roadmen, overseers, and inspectors wore wrongly using -their influence, - and bad enough to have to fight them without having to con-, tend with the heads of Departments who occupied'positions, which should cause them to desist from-.their indiscreet and unfair" practice. ' The candidate said his remark did not apply to-all : the civil servants in Westland. Many were discreet enough not 'to allow anyone to know which candidate they were supporting. Duty on Boots. "What about the.duty on boots?" Mr. W. W. Tanner, M.P., was asked on , Tuesday evening ': , at/' his ■-(states a'' Chrfstchurch Press Association telegram): vc "Tho 'boot duty has practically^wiped put tho importation of American boots i®to,,this country,"-he replied. "It has saved a prominent New Zealand industry. It was intended: as a protective duty, and it has served its purpose," A New Candidate for Hutt. Mr. M.. Welch, of Taita, speaking to a representative of : this journal, declares his willingness to contest the Hutt seat as an Opposition candidate. "Should I'go-to the poll," said Mr. Welch, "the number of votes I'll receive will'be a surprise to the friends of the' present representative, with whom I am exceedingly friendly, as with tho Government, on' mostly all topics save that of inflated land, values' 1 and consequent excessive taxation, of: the. farming community. As a farmer.'l don't consider tho present trend of land legislation tends to improve the.conditions of; those on tho land. The present value of land is a paper value only, and not the real value. It induces speculation in place of settlement; and causes unrest , and uneasiness to'the boiia fide settler, who fears the next move to bo more fatal than tho last." Then you will,go.to'the poll against all odds? "I will: .that,"-:said Mr.' Welch, who is"a nativo; of the Taita. The. Housing Problem. Mr. D; M'Laren scored a pint against the Government on Tuesday night when'he said that;' though the Workers' Dwellings Act- was passed in 1905, it had acquired only ono acre - ; in -AVellington for workers' in the ■ three' years which had elapsed 'sinco :then.. One acre in Wellington to solve the housing problem I If tho Government went on at such a rate as that it would run itself out of breath. They would have to say'to-it "Haiti" or it would hurt itself. At Lower Hutt and Petone, where tho housing was not nearly so much required, 431 acres had been acquired. Ghristchurch North. ' Neither Mr. Gray nor Mr.- T. E. Taylor has anything to fear from tho prescnco of Mr. R. J. Ecroyd, tho Socialist candidate for Christchurch North, in tho field. It may', however, render a second ballot necessary. ' It is probable that his candidature may assist Mr. Taylor, for Mr. Ecroyd announces that ho would vote against tho Government on a want of confidence motion. His supporters therefore may bo assumed to bo "against tho Government," and their •vote at tho second ballot will in all probability ■' b(i given to Mr. Taylor, who is at least a candid critic of tho Government, whereas Mr. Gray's criticism,' as everyone knows, resembles.Miss Ophelia's whippings, as described by Topsy, "Doy wouldirt hurt a skeeter." Mr. Ecroyd's Socialism seems to be tho militant brand—at least after saying that he favoured a citizen army, as every man should be a soldier for defonce purposes, lie added that he also considered , that if every man had a riflo there would be ho more exploitation of labour by capi- . talists. His speech was one long loud shout of denunciation of the capitalistic system^

under which apparently ho includes everyone i who is not living from hand to mouth or s actually in receipt of charitable aid. ] i The Government and Labour. j Mr. D. M'Laren, who is contesting tho '• Wellington East seat, spoke to workers on 1 tho wharves from the Queen's Statue at j midday on Tuesday. Ho said the Government ' had used the labouring classes at every turn, j and now left them alone, finding that it ] could obtain support elsewhere. Labour ; should permit none of this, but should set up a party of its own. Tho movement, as 1 far as conciliation and arbitration were con- I corned, was likely to be retrogressive. As for tho speech 'of the Hon. Dr. Eindlay, it had been tho intention of tho Government to print it in pamphlet form, but tho Government found that there were nen in the Labour ranks who could deal effectively with tho arguments adduced by Dr. Fiudlay, and tho speech had not been circulated.. Nominal wages had increased 17 per cent., but the important item was that the. cost of living had gone up 18 per cent. If .the union of labour wished to do anything for the workers, it must get beyond the matter of nominal wages merely, and look at the questions of rent, rating, ets. The Government continued to bring in more _ and more farm labourers to compete with the present workers. This flooding of the labour market was bound to bring down wages, and the idea was simply to supply the squatter with cheap labour. This was an emphatic declaration of war against labour. Then the Government had never attempted to enforce the Agricultural Workers' Accommodation. Act of November last, and the land of the Dominion was not being opened up properly for the settlement of the present population. The' land open for selection in the Wellington district for tho next, few months would not be sufficient for more than about fifty sottlers. State Meat. Wo have become used to the idea of the State as a coal dealer, and are gradually accustoming ourselves to the State acting as an oyster seller. Mr. Tanner, the Government candidate for Avon, evidently thinks it time we had a further instalment of State enterprise and ownership, and said on Tilesday night that there is no reason why the Government should not do with meat as it had done'with coal. If the idea were adopted some positions would no doubt ho found for some candidates for which they are better adopted than for political life. School Books. Mr. Tanner, the member for Avon, told his audience-on Tuesday night, that he had urged the advisableness of uniform school books right through his political career, and he liad at various times protested against the system und<sr which the parents were put to constant trouble and expense in providing new school books. There were in uso in New Zealand no fewer than 153 sets of school books, and every child was called upon to secure a number of expensive books. During the past session he-had assisted for tho third time to,defeat the Government on the question of uniform school books, and though the Minister had' succeeded later- in reversing the vote, the lesson had not : been forgotten. Earth Hunger. •Mr. George Sheat, the Opposition candi--date for Riccarton. camo originally from Nelson, and on Tuesday night no told his first public audience that the earth hunger in the Dominion was enormous, but the Government had tied up its capital for 999 years in many instances. Nations rose and fell in half that time; languages had been altered, and the whole social system of a nation had been altered perhaps three times in a thousand years, yet Jimmy Jones drew a section and no one could shift him for a thousand years, and he would get a fresh renewal if he applied in person. He (tho speaker) would guarantee that. It was true that the tenure in recent .years had been shortened to ' 33 years, but loaded with revaluation. ' "Lot the tenants buy the freehold," the speaker tirged, "and let 1 each block be earmarked so as to prevent reaggregation, and -prevent -it being held again as large estates, and • thus get the country out of one of tho worst bargains ;over made by a Government for a people. - An Exporlment in Socialism.' Regarding Socialism, Mr. Sheat, the Opposition candidate for Riccarton, said, at his meeting on Tuesday, that the early disciples tried Socialism under conditions that, if ever it would have been. a success, it would have succeeded, for they were all of one mind, and resolved to have one common fund out of which their necessities were to be met, but Ananias and Sappbira upset the whole affair; and ho did not think that their disciples were dead yet. The mover of the vote of thinks to Mr. Sheat said he had known the candidate for a long timej and though ho did not believe in his politics he knew him as-a fine honest work:man, as a splendid citizen, and one who was-no fool.,- • The seconder of; the-motion said that, recognising the candidatels political'honesty of purpose, lie'did not think ho had a hope of being elected. Jottings. Tho Hon. T. W. Hislop has engaged both the Town Hall and Concert Chamber for the evening of November 16—the night before the general election. . -.- The'second supplementary roll for Wellington Suburbs, containing nearly 2000 names, will be ready for perusal at tho office of . tho registrar (Mr. J. W. Salmon) at the Newtown Post Office this morning. ' Mr. R. Atkinson, who contests .the Wellington East electoral seat, announces that lie will open his campaign by addressing the electors in the New Century Hall,' Kent Terrace, to-morrow evening, and at Roseneath School-on Thursday, October 29. THE OTAKI SEAT. Mr. Byron Brown's campaign for the Otaki' seat has beon very successful, every meeting being enthusiastic/ and well attended, and there is every evidence of a close contest. Mr. Brown, is now in the northern end of his electorate, speaking in a different place every night. Hi's meetings at Shannon, Jackeytown, and Motu Rimu hayo been well attended, and votes of confidence' have been accorded ; the speaker, amid much enthusiasm. ... MASTERTON 1 . ADDRESS BY MR. HOGG. (bt teleguath.—special correspondent.) Masterton, October 21. Mr. A. W. Hogg opened his general election campaign' to-night. There was a fairly large attendance, and the speaker ' received a very sympathetic-hearing. Mr. Hogg began by stating that he had just completed his sixth Parliament and eighteenth year.as Masterton's representative. He asked • to bo weighed in the balance by his past efforts, and claimed therefore a renewal of tho confidence of the constituency; Dealing with the financial position of the-Dominion, Mr. Hogg said that there was no doubt that tho Government , had borrowed heavily, but he quoted figures showing that out of £27,000,000 borrowed sinco tho Liberal Government had come into power, nearly 20 years ago, £18,000,000 was reproductive. The remainder had been spent in building up the colony. Tho calamity howlers, who_ were trying to discredit tho financial position of ' tho Dominion, had really nothing to howl ahout. (Applauso.) Ho claimed pride in 1 tho fact that New Zealand had renewed ' 0110 of its million and a half, loans, and ■ saved £4417 per annum. Referring to im--1 port duties on articles which aro consumed • within tho colony," Mr. Hogg declared that 1 last season tho butter merchants had ex- - ploited tho farmers and got tho best of the i consumers, who only saved themsolves by ' falling back upon dripping and treacle. • (Laughter.) Ho thought that the flour- > millers wore being treated as if they wero i old ago ponsioners. Ho was against an ) increase of import duty on timber, in the . interests of tho community in general and ; the working classes in particular. Rents ; wero too high to allow tliem to be further • raised through an increase of the timber i duty. Ho declared that it was on account j of high rents that instead of decreasing I slum life was increasing in Wellington. The i situation tliero in numberless instances was - deplorable, and a disgrace to everybody cont cerned. Regarding the Advances to Setl tier? Act, ho .quoted from Haneard to show

that tho measure was opposed by Mr. Massey in 1896, and also by Dr. Newman and Mr. J. Duthie... Mr. Masscy had declared that he believed tho Act would prove a failure. Later tho Leader of tho Opposition spoko against tho Act being extended to urban settlers. The offico was now making a profit of £60,000 a year. On the land question Mr. Hogg said he was not particular about the tenure so long as land was brought into the market for the welfare of the workers.- Mr. Hogg said he had years ago urged the nationalisation of our coal mines. The Government had now gone into the business. Ho firmly believed also that he would be as successful with his motion for tho abolition of the flour. duty as ho 'had been over coal. (Applause.) Touching upon labour legislation, lie thought that we had been going a bit too fast. He was glad that they had done away with imprisonment for strikers. He thought that the Conciliation Board had proved itself a perambulating nuisance. - Langdale, which he had helped to open up, was making a much bettor roturn than all the Government settlements in the Wairarapa put together, except Dyer. The Tawha settlement was living simply on roads and the remission of a year's rent and he understood that the Carrington Estate would in the end prove a much better bargain for the Booth family than for tho Government. He would never ask tho i Government to purchase estates at high prices, which would mean that tenants would bo ground down by excessive rents. (Applause.) The candidate answered a number of questions.

On the motion of Mr. J. Creelman, sec- ' onded by Mr. John Smith, the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence without the motion being put to the meeting. In returning thanks, Mr. Hogg stated that if lie ever retired from. public life he hoped his mantle would fall upon the shoulders of a worthy man like the chairman, Mr. P. L. Hollings. In. his published address to the electors of the Masterton electorate, Mr. John Hunter says:—"l offer my services as Parliamentary representative of this constituency. All I have is invested in this electorate, and I would therefore participate in any increased general prosperity. I regard closer settlement as the great need of this important electorate, and I am pledged to the .task of securing -land for settlement. Will you help me by your vote? The result of closer settlement would be to reduce the cost of living by increasing the productive power • of the Dominion. I look upon farmors as men who ought not to be.hampered by labour agitation. Their task as tho producers of tho wealth of the country is hard enough under oxisting conditions. , The cost of administration is a problem which must be. faced. The Government is too extravagant,' and taxes and valuations. are too high. If elected, I shall endeavour to bring about better conditions of living in town and country." WAIRARAPA. ADDRESS BY MR. BUCHANAN. (BT TXLEQttAPU.-SriCUL COBKESPOKDKNT.) Masterton, October 21. ■■ In the course of his address at Gladstone last night, where he had an enthusiastic meeting, Mr. W. C. Buchanan, *the Opposition candidate, ridiculed the idea of Mr. M'Nab, Minister for Lands, coming to'Carterton to educate dairy farmers, who had had over twenty years' experience at the industry. The act of Mr. M'Nab .'seemed to be like that .'of the boy who tried to teach his grandmother to suck eggs. It was not tho first time, declared Mr.- Buchanan,. that Mr. M'Nab had started on a doughty'pilgrimage to educate the farmers and eventually become a convert himself. He did-so in 1907; when he carried round the Auckland district the Land Bill which he had sworn to love and cherish in the preceding session, and which he' had so basely deserted. It was stated that Mr. M'Nab intended to instruct Auckland farmers on" this particular Land Bill, but what was the result? The farmers educated Mr. M'Nab, as was evidenced by the reformed measure which he brought down last session, and, no doubt, the same thing would happen again at Carterton. Mr.- M'Nab appeared to be singularly unfortunate in his pet measures. Why did he not get the' practical advice"'first from' the" farmers before he brought ,d6wn this proposed legislation, which was of such vital importance to men on the land, instead of having to accept its humiliating rejection because it was plainly unworkable ? , The speaker blamed the Government for its unbusinesslike attitude in having the-election threo week's earlier than was intended. The country candidates in scattered districts suffered greatly by the change, because there was not time to address:the electors in all places. The electors'themselves also suffered through not being able to hear'the views of. several candidates.Mr. Buchanan was accorded a hearty.vote of thanks. On the previous evening, at Longbush, lie declined, to accept a vote of confidence. • • ;

SPEECH .BY MR. HORNSBY.. (from our special correspondent.) . Featherston; October 20. ' Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.P.,-the Liberal candidate for the Wairarapa seat, addressed the electors here on' Monday evening, wheu_ there was a representative gathering. Mr. J. W. Card, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and the. candidate spoke on similar lines: to his previous addresses. ' Referring to the Martinborough railway, he said "he hoped that it would go beyoud Martinborough, and tap some of the which would be acquired, for closer settlement. 'In reply, to a question, ■Mr, Hoflhsby explained the position he had taken up over the Meikle* grant, and his remarks met with applause. -He/was also asked if .he'favoured better postal accommodation for Kaiwaiwai, and he stated if the people supplied. him with a. requisition he would do nis best to get better postal facilities: On the. motion 'of Mr. Bicknell, Mr. Hornsby was accorded a vote of thanks, and a similar compliment was accorded'the chairman. • 1

OROUA. {BI TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT 5 Feilding, October 21. Mr. Guthrie, the Opposition candidate for Oroua, held a large and most enthusiastic meeting last night. Mr. Micliie was: in the chair.' Mr. Guthrie was in fine form, and had the meeting with him from start to the finish. • At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Guthrio was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. ■/ Mr. Lethbridge, M.P., was also present, and took the opportunity of thanking ' the electors for their support, and also " to say farewell. Mr. Lethbridge was greeted with loud applause. ./ Apitl, October 21. Mr. Hornblow (Independent Liberal) addressed a very large arid enthusiastic, meeting of electors in'the Public Hall last night. The address' was much on the lines of those delivered in other centres. The candidate reviewed the dairying, land, and labour legislation of the Government, which he contended, was leaning too much towards revolutionary Socialism. Speaking of the Arbitration Act, he said that whilst it may be workable in largo centres ho did not believe in applying it to the country farmer. He was a strong advocate of the freehold, and was opposed to the wasteful expenditure of public money in - providing public buildings, whilst back-blocks settlers wore practically isolated from tho chief centres by want of roads. After answering soveral questions, the candidate was given an enthusiastia vote of approval of his candidature. PAHIATUA. i SPEECH BY MR. ROSS. (BT TELKGItAPH.—SrECIAL CORRESPONDENT.^ Coonoor, October 20. Mr. Ross, M.P. for Pahiatua, opened his political campaign last ' night at Coonoor. There was a large attendance. Mr.'Ross reviewed the legislation of last Parliament, paid a tribute to the Government for reducing the rate of interest on loans granted under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, also for old age pensions, back-block reading policy, amendment of Education Act, lublic Bodies Leasing Bill, Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment, Wellinpton-Manawatu Railway purchase, and other legislation. Mr. Itoss dealt with the fall in tho price of wool

and flax, the American crisis, aild its effcct, on tho colonies' finance. ; He.-, paid a high tribute to those, who initiated the advances to settlers, and contended' that the Department had during the past six months saved thousands of settlers from financial ;-ruin. He considered it the keystone ,ofi the edifice of agrarian legislation Which had been built up by the Liberal Government. , ■ Heasserted that the Hon. J. A. Millar's Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment of. last session had :gained him tho confidence of both sides of tho House, and convinced the country that he was capable of holding the balance fairly between employers and employees, and showed conclusively that there was no truth or reality in the cry attributing to him or the Government socialistic or class leanings. _ "he Liberal Government was keeping'.Socialism in check. Mr. Ross referred to- land legislation, detailed his efforts on behalf of the freehold, and contended that the spirited action of certain country members had caused the Government to abandon the Leasehold' Bill. He ridiculed the cr.v about strengthening the Opposition, and said there were in the ranks of the Liberal party men of progressive principles representing the country constituencies who could be depended on absolutely to safeguard the interests of their constituents regardless of party considerations. Mr. Ross was well received, and got a unanimous vote of confidence.

MANAWATU. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS association.) Foxton, October 20. Mr. Newman (Opposition) addressed a wellattended meeting of electors, last night, and was accorded a splendid hearing. The Mayor (Mr. Gower) presided. At .the conclusion, Mr. G. W. Morgan moved, and Mr. S. Messena seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence, -which was carried unanimously. HAWERA. . MR. MAJOR EXPECTING CABINET RANK. . .•. (by telegraph—press: association.) Hawera, October 21. Mr. Major, the Government candidate, spoke at Hawera last nightj strongly supporting the Government, and declaring tho financial position of the Dominion thoroughly sound. He replied-at length; to Mr. Pearce, the Opposition candidate, 'aiid defended the dairy regulations. He. asked the people to support him' again, because—and ho would say . this openly—he might hold' a portfolio. He would not think of Parliament-if.lie was going to remain there in ■ position of private member for many; years. Ho explained that the reason he • was put off the HoUse Committee. . .was. because he voted against the late -Mr. Seddon when on' tlie Education Committee;.; Mr. Allen wanted a substantial amount taken for superannuation from the Consolidated-Fund, but Mr. Seddon objected to that_ because it would reduce the surplus. Mr. Major thought Mr. Allen's proposal sound /in 'principle, and supported it, and by voting, that way a lot of trouble was caused. A vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried.. ' SCHOOLMASTER AND CANDIDATE. APPLICATION FOR' LEAVE OF ; ABSENCE. . (BY TELEGRAM—rEESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, October 21. • Mr. A. W. Tyndall, headmaster of the Bluespur School, applied to'the Education Board this morning for leave: of absence for one month after -the inspectorial visit' of October 30. He was standing for the Bruce Electorate, and was debarred'from speaking to many gatherings of electors because he could not get back from his .-.meetings -to do school work. Unless' the;, board would' grari't ( him leave of absence he would be disabled,' from exercising one of his political rights. He could make 'arrangements for carrying on tho work- of the' scnool during his absence. Mrs. Tyndall, -though she held no teaching certificate, could capably supervise the work of his room, with _the assistance of his eldest daughter,-'who was a candidate lor a certificate of proficiency at the forthcoming inspection;--'; ' ; The Rev. P." B.' Fraser asked, the board to view this .request in a general way. Under certain conditions it seemed to him the board ought not to create a precedent that teachers should-never have an opportunity of standing for Parliament. They did not' want to make disabilities against men of - ability entering that profession. The-board were quite right in guarding the interests of children, and were under no obligation to give a man a holiday at their expense for. electioneering purposes. If Mr. Tyndall found a suitable substitute, and paid him, the board :should' not -absolutely prevent-, him .from standing. He moved that the application be granted, provided the board approved of tho substitute obtained to carry on the school work, and of the provision made for-the sub-stitute's-payment. , Mr; Israel seconded. " The Hon.' T. Fergus entirely opposed any of-the board's servants'being] granted permission to enter into political' contests.' It was not done in any Government Department, and should not be done here. r A great deal of' feeling was engendered'by; sucli things, and a -man was likely to -mako'-'enemies and 'hurt tho business in which he'was engaged. The motion was lost by seven votes to two. • ; WAKATIPU. ; . MR FRASER OPENS HIS. 'CAMPAIGN. [BI TELEGRAPH —rEESS ASSOCIATION.) . . Core, .-October 20. . : Mr. W. Fraser opened his campaign for the Wakatipu seat at Waikaka last night, and was well received. He dealt . the. work of the past session, particularly - with arbitration. He disapproved of; enforcing penalties for breaches, as it would be ridiculous coerce 1 men to .work under conditions they-did not approve of.' He said.he had aliways supported the principle of old age pensions, and agreed to increasing the amount of-property that could be held by pensioners to £630, as that would be an encouragement to tho thrifty. He trenchantly criticised his opponent's figures, claimed that he had secured the authorisation of the Waikaka railway, and congratulated the - settlers on its completion, and referred to a State-made Dominion, saying that the■ couutry was thoroughly sound, and had coine through a time of depression stronger tlia'n it'was before. He had paired agaiiist- the Meikle grant. A vote of thanks and confidence was given tho candidate.

AUCKLAND BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS. (HY TELEOBArH—I'KESS : ASSOCIATION.) . Auckland; October 21. Speaking at Remuera, Mr. Moss, candidate for Parnell, read a letter from the ex-hotel-keeper who had made certain ■allegations of bribery in regard to .the-transfer-of the hotel license, stating that acting-on .his solicitor's advice he requested; Mr. Moss to discontinue the action on his: behalf publicly and privately, and asking for'a return of all his papers and documents.'. Mr.-Moss added: "There it is; you can draw your own conclusions." . ELLESMERE. Chrlstchurch, October 21. Mr. R. Heaton Rhodes, the sitting member and Opposition candidate for Ellesmore, addressed a largely attended, meeting at Leeston last night, and was accorded a favourable hearing. Ho supported land settlement, post audit, annuities, and the freehold. A hearty vote of thanks was passed. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINCS. meetings announced for this evening- arc as follow: — , Wellington Central.—Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, Axo Street Hall) 8 o'clock, ; Wellington Suburbs.—Mr. W. T. Young, Methodist Schoolroom, Northland, 8 o'clock. Wellington Suburbs. —Mr. F. T. Moore, the Hall, Ohariu Valley, 8 o'clock. Wellington South—Mr. R. A. Wright, St. Thomas's Hall, Riddiford Street 8 o'clock. Wellington South. —Mr. Robert Hogg, Fullfoni's Hall, Brooklyn, 8 o'clock. Wellington East.—Mr. George Winder, Victoria, Hall, Adelaide Road, 8 o'clock. Otaki Electorate. —Mr. Field, the Hall, Woraroa, 8 o'clock. —' Otaki Electorate. —Mr. Byron Brown, Tiritea Schoolhouse, Fitzlierbert East, 8 o'clock.