THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1279, 7 November 1911, Page 6

THE ELECTIONS.

NEWS AND NOTES. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Dr. A. E. C'ouzcns (Opposition, Wei-ling-ton South), afc FulHord's Jlall, Brooklvn, at 8 p.m. Mr. J, I'. l.uke (Government, Wellington Suburbs and Country Electorate), State School, Tawa Flat, at 8 p.m. Dr. A. W. Izard /Government, Wellington Xort.li), at Sydney Street Schoolroom, at, 8 p.m. Jlr. J. E. Fitzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs and Country Electorate), nt Belmont, at 8 p.m. Ml. \Y. 1!. Field (Government, Qtaki Electorate), at Town Hall, Otaki, at 8 P.m. 31 r. W. 11. D. Bell (Opposition, Wellington Suburbs), at IChandailah, a.t 8 p.ni. Mr. C. A. Mouckton (Opposition, Otaki Electorate), at Coronation Hall, Paraparaumu, at 8 p.m. Mr. F. G. Bolton (Government, Wellington East), at Victoria Hall, Adelaide Road, at 8 p.m. TO-MORROW NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Mr. \V. 11. Field (Government, Otaki Electorate), at Druids' Hall, Shannon, at 8 p.m. ... , Mr. W. TI. D. Bell (Opposition, We - linglon Suburbs), at Nugent's Hall, Miramar, at S run. Mr. C. A. Moncklon (Opposition, Otaki , Electorate), at schoolhouse, Waihoaugn* j at 8 p.m. _ Mr. Johu Brcxlie (Independent Liberal, Wellington East), at New Century Hall, Kent Terrace, at 8 p.m. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at the hall, Makara, at 8 p.m. FUTURE MEETINGS. Mr. A. L. nerdman (Opposition, Wellington North), at Kelburno Cliurchronm, Upland Road, on Friday, November 10, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. A. Wright (Opposition, Wellington South), at Fullford's Hall, Brooklyn, on Thursday, November 0, at 8 p.m. Mr. C. A. Monckton (Opposition, Otaki Electorate), nt Centuiy Hull, Levin, on Thursday, November 9, at 8 p.m. Mr. YV. 11. Field (Government, Otaki Electorate), at Coronation Hall, Foxton, on Tlmrsdav, November 9, at 8 p.m. Mr. W. fl. D. Bell (Opposition, Wellington Suburbs), at Ngaio Methodist Churchroom, oil Thursday, November 9, at 8 n.m. Mr. W. 11. D. Bell (Opposition, Wellington Suburbs), at Seatoiin Tearooms, on Friday, November 10, at 8 p.m. Mr. I\'. B. Rosk, M.P., who had intended addressing the electors at Woodville yesterday, and at I'ahiatua to-day, has been compelled through throat troublo to cancol liis engagements. Ho hopes to bo able to address a few small meetings in the country next week, and on the following week to havo his campaign in full swing. The health of Mr. A.'W. Hogg, M.P., is reported to bo steadily improving, and he can get out for ail occasional drive. Mr. Hogg has booked the Masterton Town Hall for November 13, and it is hoped that his health will bo sufficiently restored to enable him to open his campaign on that evening. The Government havo dono their worst. Roads, bridges, public buildings, and big increases in the screws of the Civil Servants arc promised. They've gono round the country saying: "Please give ns your vote, sir.'' Tho only people who havo not received attention are the general public. They havo tho privilege of footing tho hk bills that aro coming due every month.—'"West Coast Times. "By 'insinuendoes' tlioy cast ri'flccbo.ns on tho Govem!i.enl."—A little slip bj Mr. Barber at Newtown. "The Administration is Another Matter." I am trying to avoid Ijoing a political ticold, and wore I dictator of New Zealand to-morrow, there is very littio of tho legislation that would be repealed, but tho Administration is another matter. It is administration that has corrupted our' politics, disgusted honest men, and filled the half-full of professional politicians. Even o bad Act honestly administered might be tolerated, but tho best Act on the Statute Book dishonestly administered, is a menace to the wellbeing of a democracy, and should not bo tolerated by a people who have one spark of regard tor honour.—Mr. Byron Brown nt Gibb's Mill. "Methods of Barberism." A member of Parliament is not fulfilling his duty to the electors, according to Mr. Barber, unless he has a telephone in his house. Speaking in Newtown last evening he mentioned that the house of tho sitting member for Wellington South (Mr. Wright) was not fitted with a telephone. This, said Mr. Barber, showed that Mr. Wright did not appreciate the telephone as he ought to do. It was the duty of a member to give his constituents an opportunity of communicating with him by telephone, instead of having to run aft»r him all over the place. When the applause died d wn a mild-mannered mail in the audience interjected: "Supnosing they don't require it?" Mr. Barber was adamant. "They ought to have an opportunity," ho declared, "in case they do." Question Time. "Questions" aro the breath of life to an election audience, and any curtailment ol these privileges is certain to be resented. Mr. Barber's address at Newtown last evening was prolonged, and only half at. hour was allotted to electors who desired to ask about things. The mover of the customary vote was interrupted by noisy protests from tho back of tho hail that plenty of questions yet remained to bo asked and answered. There was a further demonstration, noisy but goodhumoured, wlicn the chairman ruled that no more questions could bo taken. Olio would-be questiuner walked up to tho platform and complained politely that oniy one man had been allowed to address inquiries to the candidate. This was not quite correct, though one individual had certainly monopolised the greater part of the question time. . WELLINGTON SOUTH. MR. WRIGHT AT BERHAMPORE. Mr. E. A. Wright, sitting member for Wellington Soutt, addressed a well-attend-ed meeting of electors in the Masonic Hall, Berhatnpore, last night. Mr. 1). Campbell presided. Mr. Wright stated unequivocally that ho was an opponent of the present Administration, and that he ■ would vote against tho Government on a lio-couli-donee motion, or on any motion which the Prime Minister chosc to treat as a nocoiifidence motion. He proceeded to justify his opposition, to the Government, contending that it was vacillating and incompetent, and that it had outlived its usefulness. He referred at some length to the reconstruction of tho Cabinet carried out since Sir Joseph Ward succceded Mr. Scddon. Principally he spoke oi Mr. T. Mackenzie's incli.v'on in the Ministry, and of Mr. Fowlds's retirement from it. Mr. Mackenzie had been an opponent of the Government, and a freeholder. MrMackenzie had never retracted his freehold views, but the last tinio tho Government had declared a land policy, Mr. M'Nnb had gone round tho country with his leasehold colours nailed lo (ho The colours had gone, and tho m.isi luid gone, and there was no policy of any kind left. And did anyone know the real reason why Mr. Fowlds had resigned? no (Mr. Wright) was surprised only that Mr. Fowlds should have remained ti long a. member oi the Ward Government. He condensed the Government borrowing policy, and the system of doling out votes for public works. He was opposed lo tho Legislative Council being appointed under a nominative system. At' preMiit a Councillor was chosen by I ho Government virtually by tho I rimo Minister, who in this country was tlio Government-ami this appointee was sent, to the Upper House for seven years. 11 lie behaved himself ami was a good boy, and did what ho was told, he would be reappointed, but if ho showed an) syinpioms of independence, ho would not get back for a second term. There woio very many men in New Zealand who vero prepared to put up with all this, and to be appointed to the Legislative Council. The billet, comfortable ami easy, was worth, .fail) a year, and there were no election expenses, and no toqueets from all round for contributions.

Ho believed that tho Upper JTou?o should bo elected, but possibly not b,v the same small constituencies as wore members of tho Lower House. If it were not to be elcctcd by tho people, then ht> would prefer to see it elected by the Lower,llou;c rather (li.-in that the Government "'should retain their power of nomination. In- answer to a question, Mr. Wright said that, ho was in favour of equal lasvs relating to land taxes as against Maoris and Europeans. He was opposed to Maoris being permitted to leave their lands lying idle until the public money spent out of the Europeans' taxes increased their value enormously. At tho Nine time, bo thought that it would be unwif-o to buy the Maoris' land\and give the Natives tlie cash for it at once. Tho Natives would soon go through it, and then, being destitute, would become a charge on the State. He thought the land should be acquired and sold to whites, and the proceeds funded for the benefit of the Maoris interested. At the conclusion of the meeting, a vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. J. Priest, and seconded by Mr. K. T. Benge, was carried, with henrtjaeclamation. MB. BARBER AT NEWTOWN. Mr. W. It. P. Barber, Independent Liberal candidato for the .Wellington South seat, addressed a gathering of about 203 peoplo in tho Newtown Library last evening. Mr. T. Wallace presided. Introducing Mr. Barber, he alluded to his service on the City Council, and declared that no Labour representative would moro sympathetically represent the working people. Mr. Barber said lie was a Liberal, and stood as a supporter of Liberal and progressive legislation. On a no-eonfulenco motion be would vote with t.ie Government, but he reserved tho right to vole for n reconstruction of tho Ministry or for a new party. What this country wanted was vigorous development, and this would not be secured by placing in power tho party of stagnation. Tho electors woro asked to choose between tho party which was responsible for most of the progress made during tho past twenty years and a party which asked to lie placed in power so that it might administer Acts with which it had no sympathy, and which it had resisted in their passage. What was advocated bv tho Opposition press was class legislation in tho interests of large landholders and similar people. Tho Liberal party had expended JCG,OOO,OOO in promoting land settlement, and had provided largo sums to assist settlers in working and developing the land. The advances to workers' scheme would go far to solve the rent problem in cities like Wellington. The Government had also done a great deal to make educational advantages accessible to tho sons and daughters of working men. Incidentally, this had done a groat d«il to break down class distinctions. Mr. Barber commended the Widows' Pensions Act and the National Provident Fund Act. Industrial legislation and many other humanitarian measures h.vl been placed on the Statute Book during the past 20 years. The Liberal parly had a record unrivalled in any country. All classes had benefited from babies in the cradles to farmers and miners at their labour. (Applause.) Even if tho Opposition wore returned to power, and did not repeal any of these Acts, they would not administer them with the same sympathy as did the present Government. The proposals of the Opposition in regard to the leases-in-perpetuit.v, if given effect to, would mean that something like five millions of money, now a Dominion asset, would be divided amongst tho tenants. There was still much good work to be done. Customs tariff anomalies should bo rectified. All duties on food and on the necessaries of life should be removed. Ho would go further than tho Government had done. There should lyj a reciprocity treaty with Australia, so that articles like potatoes and flour could ba imported cheaply when tho price rose locally. The land question was anothel which would havo to be settled in the near future. If 't were not dealt with soon there would ba no land left in the hands of the State to deal with. He strongly opposed any further sale of endowments, and advocated an increase in the graduated land tax. To compensate for revenue lost by Uking Customs duties oft tho necessaries of life, ho would increase Uixatioii on unimproved values. He strongly favoured tho leasehold tenure. Something would havo to be done to allay tlio prevailing industrial unrest. Ho could not suggest any solution of the industrial problem, but was prepared to give tho matter his close attention. Tho defcnco training now in vogue would cost tho country more than it was prepared to pay. He believed that the Government should have started with the State School Cadets. There wore 30,000 boys now in tlio schools, and their numbers increased by 10,000 every year. By training tiiese boys al! tho dc"fenco preparation necessary in this country would havo been carried ont without the dissatisfaction which the present compulsory system had aroused. (Applause.) On tho licensing question he stood for stability, and, oil that account, opposed the bare majority. Ho was prepared to support a proposal that NoLieenso should be carried on a basis of 55 voles to 45. (Applause.) Slato medical assistance should bo rendered to poor people. Tho iron and oil industries and the development of water-power should bo fos-tcred by the Government. Criticising a speech made by Mr. Wright, M.P., in the same place during the previous week, Mr. Barber denied that the resignation of Mr Towlds meant that there was something wrong with the Ministry. Previously tho Opposition had attacked the Government, and called it a Single-Tax Ministry, because it included .Mr. Fowlds. (Applause.) Sir. Wright 'condemned borrowing, ■ but there wero many dcsirablo works waiting to ljo done which would havo to wait a very long timo if tho money were to be got from tho Consolidated Fund. It was only fair that some loan responsibilities should bo handed down to future generations along with public improvements. New Zealand was naturally a borrowing country. Loan money was essential to its development. Mr. Wright had made a very feeble attempt to explain his failure to push his proposal that tke honorarium of members of Parliament should be reduced from XIOO to ,E2ot). Ho had certainly failed to carry out his promise with energy and | perseverance. Mr. Wright had also made only a feeblo attempt to secure a telephone exchango for Newtown. Answering questions, Mr. Barber said ho did not favour tho Davcy clause. Ho thought that new cars should bo fitted with a central passage, but the expense entailed in allering existing cars would not bo justified, lie would support a Bill giving one day's vest in seven, not only to cooks and waiter's, but to everybody. The Wellington Woollen Company paid better wages than any other mill in the country. (Applause.) A voto of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate, on the motion of Mr. T. Bland, Mr. Dickson seconding.