POLITICS ON THE WEST COAST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 842, 14 June 1910, Page 5

POLITICS ON THE WEST COAST.

i MR. JAMES ALLEN'S VISIT. SOME INTERESTING IMPRESSIONS. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Christchurch, June 13. Mr. James Allen, M.P. for Bruce,' who returned this evening from the West Coast after haying delivered a political address, at Hokitika last Friday evening, speaks highly of tho reception accorded him, and of the hospitality extended to him. On Saturday Mr. Allen was in Greymouth, and in the afternoon he visited the State coal-mine at Runansa. He reached Otira the same evening, and went to tho face of the Arthur's Pass tunnel, and saw the tunnel works. Seen by a representative of the "Press" shortly after his arrival here to-night, Mr. Allen gave some impressions of his visit to the Coast. "The weather in Hokitika on Friday night," Mr. Allen said, "was extremely bad, and the rain made things wretched. Notwithstanding this, the theatre was practically full, and I was quite astonished to see so largo a crowd. It indicated to me the existence of au active political life in the community. Some of those present, including several ladies, came sixteen miles to attend'tho meeting. The audience gave me a very handsome reception, as did also the people on tho Coast generally, who were very hospitable to me right through. The attitude of the people of Hokitika and district is an eridenco of what is taking place in other parts of the Dominion. It denotes a very satisfactory state of affairs. As far as I could judge, the West Coasters are real politicians, who read and study politics. Until recently, however, they have not heard Opposition members, and have not seen them, and I think that the real value of the recent Opposition addresses is that the people not only heard Opposition members on the platform, but also had an opportunity of seeing what manner of men they arc. I hope and believe that the' result has been satisfactory to them. 1 am sure that it has been so' to us. It is quite a mistake, to my mind, to suppose that the West Coasters are bound hand and foot to the Government in matters political. I am quite sure they are not. They aro quite an independent, free people, and are not a bit afraid to lot their politics bo known. I found amongst them generally a very healthy political feeling. They showed a willingness to hear both sides, and I havo no hesitation in saying that now that they havo heard both sides they will judge properly."