MINISTERIAL PROMISES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 617, 21 September 1909, Page 6

MINISTERIAL PROMISES.

'■;-.;- v7ADyEESE COMMENT! ;■ ■ '■}_ . .:. The action of the Government in attempting by means of promises to induce electors to sup- ■ port"Mr.'-.Smith has- occasioned a great deal of adverse comment, and' is certain to havo:the opposite effect to that intended.' It, will be remembered that -Mr. Smith told his hearers at Utiku on Friday evefiing that' he had received what he 'described as/'satisfactory com; muhicatiohs" from tho Acting T Prime /Minister (the Hon.'J.7 Carroll) with referehco to the long-standing griovanco in regard to the tenure of-the Native lands in the township,' and also with -respect-'to the proposal'that Awarua IB Block should be opened for selection. Eeferring to the matter at Utiku on' Saturday evening, Mr. Massoy, Leader of the Eeform ■ party; de-' ; clared .that the. township, was ono of the worst instances' of- the Native land, . and therefore no need not enlarge on- the question in that centre. "I feel' confident," he added/ "that no section of the Eangitikei electors will allow .themselves to be bribed, on. the eve. of ah: election in 'the 7 wholesale and barefaced way7which ,is how being attempted by the .Government.'- (Loud applause).;