THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1281, 9 November 1911, Page 6

THE ELECTIONS.

NEWS AND NOTES. SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Mr. E. A. Wrighft (Opposition, Wellington South) at FullfonPs Hall, Brooklyn, * Mr. P c!'A. Mnnckton (Opposition, Otaki, electorate), at Century Hall, Levin, at S P M.'r. W. H. Field (Government, Otaki electorate), nt Coronation Hall, Foxtou, * Mr.'w! H. D. Bell (Opposition, Wellington Suburbs), at Ngaio Methodist Churchroom, at 8 p.m. -~_ ■ , Mr W H. P. Barber (Government, Wellington South), nt Masonic Hall, Beriarapore, at 8 p.m. ' . . m , Mir. E. M. B. Fisher (Opposition, Wellington Central), at Concert Chamber, Town Hall, at 8 k.m. Mr. D. M'Larcn (Labour, Wellington East), at bowling green pavilion 'Hatnitai, at 8 p.m. ~. ,„ , Dr. A. E. Couzens (Opposition. Wellington South), at Ncwtown Public Library, at S p.m.

TO-MORROW NIGHT. Mr A. L. Hcrdman (Opposition, Wellington North), at Kolburne Churehrcora, Upland Road, at 8 p.m. . Mr W. H. D. Bell .(Opposition. Wellington Suburbs), at Seatoun Tea Rooms. 8 Mr P John Brodie (Independent Liberal, Wellington East), at Newtown Library, at 8 p.m. ,_ Mr J. E. Fitzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at South Karoii, ait 8 Dr. A. K. Nowman (Opposition, Wellington East), at Seaview. Private Hotel, South Kilbirnie, at 8 p.m. FUTURE MEETINGS. Mr. l>. Bnick (Opposition, Palmerston North), at Opwa House, Palmorsrton North, on Monday, November 13, at !■ Mr D; H. Guthrio (Opposition, Oroua electorate), at Schoolhouso, Torere, on Monday, November 13, at 8 p.m. CAMPAIGN JOTTINGS.

A new form of voting paper is to be nsed at the coming election. The corner of tho paper will not be sealed as heretofore, but a number will be inferted on the form to correspond with a number on a duplicate slip.

Mr. Fisher To-night. In tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall to-night, Mr. F. M.B. Fishor will formally open his platform campaign. He will deal chiefly with tho Government s policy and administration, taking as. his •text the voluminous apologia of the Prime Minister at Winton. He will also discuss the problem of the cost of living that has been produced by twenty years ot "liberal" Government. . . Alas! Poor Tennyson! The Hon. T. Mackenzie, it is noted by a contemporary, has carried his policy of "soft-soaping the electors to the point ot "tellin' the people what Tennyson would have said about, Mount Egmont. "A Mare's Nest"! The Mokau land transaction, the Christchurch "Evening News" observes, was one of the most discreditable chapters in the history of tho administration ot the Department of Native Afiairs and yet the public is asked to beueye that when Mr. ilassey exposed it, all he discovered was a "mare's nest." The Prime Minister at Winton. Sir Joseph Ward had an enthusiastic reception at Winton. The audience numbered afteen hundred, the largest that has ever assembled at Winton. A vote ot thanks to Sir Joseph Ward for his statesmanlike address and of unabated confidence in him', and the government was declared carried unanimously. Cheers l-.v a small section at the back of the hall were given for the Opposition candidate, but were drowned by cheers for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward.-Press Association.

Perhaps! During his speech at Pahiataa (says the "Herald"), Mr. W. H. Hawkins said there was a rumour in Woodville that someone had a reversionary interest in the Rail \vay portfolio Who was that person? It was (dropping hia voice) Mr. Itoss. (Laughter.) It reminded him,pi. en incident of last election, when a laranaki, candidate told his constituents that ho would be a Minister of the Crown if they would only put him back—but they didn't put him back. (Laughter.) Colours that Went Down. The "West Coast Times" has been giving the member for AVcstlano. (Mr; I. k>. Y Seddon) a particularly lively time of late. On Monday it referred to a remark by, Mr. Seddon that "Mr. M'Nab was defeated by some Opposition trickery." "Iβ this," asks the "Times, the M'Nab who' was Minister for Lands when tho Cabinet, overcome with the excitement of the first sweets of office, yelled to tho world that they had evolved a land policy and intended nailing their colours to tho mast,' and if uocftfsary goj=s down j-ith- them? The colours went down all" ri;ht, and so did Mr. M Nab owing to his somersault on the land question. Tho other members of the Cabinet scrambled off, and they have had no land policy since.. Mr. Seddon says, the West' Coast paper continues, that the 'Opposition trickery defeated Mr. M'Nab, but .Mr. M'Nab will have revenge- and gjt into tho House again. Quite so. That is a matter for, tho electors to decide, and not an honour which the hand of Mr. Seddon, or even Mr. MT\ab, can bestow, lint Mr. Seddon omitted one important piece of information. Mr. M'Nab is like Sit John Findlay, ho does not lons for his old love, and is not going to defeat the 'Opposition trickery on the old ground!! Mr. M'Nab was defeated by a comparatively unknown man, who landed a victory by only 356 vote*-! If Mr. M'N.ib ;.; so valiant and his causo M righteous, why docs ho not go down to JJnrß.u ra and fight his vanquisher and the trickery Mr. Seddon speaks of? Mr. M'Xab' knows too much for that!!"

Too Long in Office, "Thorp is. a want of confidence in the Government," said Mr. Brodio at Kent Terrace la?: night, "ami it is due to th(. Ministry having been too long in office. , ' Jfo won't nu '.u explain that his remedy for til'* f-tatc of affairs was the application of the Elective Executive principle. Rangitikei and Oroua. An innovation in political organisation has boon mado by the Opposition supporters in the Awiihuri-Sandon centre (writes onr Feilding oorrcspondont). Soino time ago a committee was sot up to support the candidature of. Mr. Edward Newman, but afterwards tho new boundaries were declared cutting a slice from Mr. NewmarPs electorate, and putting it into the Oroua. This made a problem for Mr, Newman's supporters, who had been cut oat, and a general meeting was held. The result of n discussion was tho formation of a joint committee to farther the interests of Mr. Newman for the Rangitikei seat, and of Mr. Guthrio for the Oroua seat, with Mr. J. M'Lean as chairman and necretary. Those present at the meeting took the opportunity of entering a strong protest against the action of tho Electoral Boundaries Commissioners in changing the namo ol the electorate from Manawatu, to Eangitikei. The Half-holiday. Mr. Brodio (Wellington East) answered at his meeting last night a question wnt him by tho Saturday Half-holiday •Hioci.ition. He thought Saturday was a much better day for the half-holiday than, Wednesday, and he had strongly supported the Saturday proposal at the last conference of delegates of local bodies. U that time he was in favour of a. universal Saturday lialf-holidny, but he now thought that small shopkeepers who did not employ assistants should bo allowed to trade on Saturdays if they so desired. Noisy Youths. Mr. Brodio's meeting in tho Centurv Hall. Kent Terrace, hfco others at the same place, was disturbed by a group of noisy youths at tho back of the hail.

Their Tcmarks were pointless, and they scorned to care nothing about politics, but wero apparently out to an;use themselves in a rather unintelligent way.. The chairman (Mr. E. V. Meredith) intervened at length; and said that one could hardly expect too hoys at the back to take an intelligent interest in too subjects dealt with by the speaker, but as they had como to a hall which was paid for by another man, they might at least try to behave themselves.' After this tho meeting was quieter—until question time. Noise' then broke out afresh, and nearly every question was tho occasion for senseless uproar, directed sometimes at tho candidate and sometimes at questioners.

The Civil Service. Tho wholo statement of tho grievances of members of tho Civil Service- shows that a number of anomalies exist at the present time which aro really Hie outcomo in large measure of tho system under which tho Service remains directly within tho sphere of Government influence. It is undesirable that tho Government of any country should be given, such a power of patronage as the continuance of such a system places at its disposal, nnd wo havo little doubt that one ol tho best means of securing a removal of the anomalies, which aro causing dissatistaction among Civil Servants would be tho establishment of a non-political Cmrbervice Board which would be untrammelled by considerations of the kind that affect frail politicians.—"Otafro Daily Times. Opposition Rally. In reply to a request of the committco of .Mr. J. H. Moore, Opposition candidate, Mr. Massey hns promised to givo an address at Timaru on November 18. An opportunity is i'o be taken to make a big Opposition rally.—Press Association.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS

MB. W. H. D. BELL AT MIRAMAR. A well-attended meeting of electors of Wellington Suburbs was addressed by Mr. W. fi. D. Bell at Nugent's Hail, Miramar, last night. " Mr. J. Patterson wao in the chair. Mr. Bell argued that the merits of the 20 years' administration of the Continuous Goremment could be tested by a consideration of tho quaetion as to whether the working man ww satisfied with his lot, since he did not consider that any class could bo thoroughly satisfied with its lot unless all classes irero satisfied. Going on to deal with the position of the worker to-day, Mr. Bell contended that' though wages had increased the worker iras, owine to the high cost of living, worse off to-day than he wae ten or nftten years ago. Was it reasonable to support a Government which after £h« unparalleled opportunity of 20 years and' a large majority had allowed , this state of affairs to como about? Mr. Bell showed how the Reform party, by practising economy, and at the same time pushing ahead land settlement, would be starting upon a ' road which must lead to decreased taxation, and, consequentlv, to decreased cost of living. Tho Reform party, he repeated, was opposed to the aggregation of large estates. The candidates explained that on the licensing question he was in favour of a 55 per cent, majority, as this was, he thought, the smallest majority consistent with a reasonable amount of stability. The time had como to wipe out a Government which remained in office purely by reason of its power to improperly favour its friends. This system of favouritism stood in tho way of reform, whatever shape such reform ought to take. At the close of his address Mr. Bell answered several questions to the satisfaction of his audience, and was accordod a vote o£ thanks and confidence, on the motion, of Mr. A'. M- Stuart, seconded by Mr. H. F. Devcrell.

' MR. LUKE AT KAIWABBA. Mr. J. P..Luke addressed the.electors of Kaiwarra in tho Methodist Schoolroom last night.' Mr. M. liilliken occupied the chair.' Mr. Luko stat*d that the increase of the National Debt was to be considered on the lines of what services th« money had been expended on. Was it on a reproductive charactor, or was it a deadweight? Out of the total indebtedness JMS.OOO.OOO was earning interest. A portion of the doad-wcixht was the Dominion's contribution to the British Navy, which was 3s. 9d. per head of our population, against 18s. id. cost per head to '.the British people.' Surely, the speaker said, with the greater average of the Dominion's wealth, and an equal new with the Britisher for protection against an enemy, our contribution conld not be deemed excessive. Mr. Luke dealt with soveral political questions, and emphasised tho necessity to keep for all time tho endowment lands for education and social services. The Civil Service Classification Act should be brought up to date and made to apply in an equitable manner between the. State and its public servants. With increasing State functions and responsibility we must see that the relations between the Civil Service and the nublic should bs on the principle of mntual confidence and esteem. Taxation, licensing, railway services, and tariff reform woro also dealt with, and at tho close a largo number of questions were. answered. A voto of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate, on the motion of Mr.J.Joseph, eeconded by Mr. G. M'Arthur.

MR. MOORE AT ISLAND BAY.

Mr; F. T. Moore, Labour candidate for the Suburbs seat, • addressed tho electors of Island Bay last night. Mr. Bodell presided. Mr. Moore said that the unequal conditions under which the people of New Zealand lived to-day could not be equalised until steps'wero taken tu place the control and management of the country's primary wealth-producing sources in the hands of the State. The land and the products that were won from tho laud were exploited by speculators to the great' detriment of the peoplo as a. whole. Tho results of this exploitation'moant that .£15,000,000 wero annually taken by mercantile and financial rings from the peoplo who created, all this wealth. The objective'- of the Labuur party was to nationalise tho land and industries that handled the products of tho land, including the banking and shipping institutions, so that the nation and not a favoured band of people should reap tho wealth annually produced by New Zealand. Until this had been accomplished, there would be no rest from industrial strife in the Dominion. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, on the motion c-f Mr. Gates, seconded by Mr. Wilson.

WELLINGTON EAST.

MR. BRODIE AT KENT TERRACE. Mr. John Brodio, who is contesting Wellington East as an Independent Liberal, addressed a meeting ot nearly 100 persons in the New Century Hall last night, Mr. V. R. Meredith presided. The candidate said tho policy of the present-Government was excellent, but their administration was quite tho reverie. -Tariff reform was necessary to give the industrial life of the Dominion a fillip and to provide employment. Hβ also advocated a more vigorous land settlement polity, the abolition of the land ballot system, and more effective agricultural education. Ho was against undue Governmental interference with local bodies. He approved of tho Dreadnought gift, but thought Parliament should havebeen first consulted. He desired constitutional reform, and he believed that there would be a strong Radical party in the new Parliament. In reply to questions, Mr. Brodio said be was in favour of the three-fifths majority in licensing polls. Wherever a monopoly affected tho people the State should take it under control. His vote on a no-confidence motion, if tho present Government wero returned to power, would depend very much upon the particular question before the House. He favoured the Nfiiv South Wales conciliation system as between capital and labour Ho was not in favour of the second ballot. J ... Mr. M'Cale moved, amidst tiproar: "That Mr. Brodie is not a fit and proper person to represent this eloctoroj'e. This was duly seconded. Someone else moved as an amendment: "That Mr. Brodie is a fit and proper person to represent the electorate." Tho amendment was greeted with a chorus of "Ayes," and a louder chorus of "iYoes." but the chairman considered the "Ayes" more numerous, and accordingly declared tho amendment carried.

PALMERSTON NORTH

SPEECH BY ME. M'NAB. !By ToleeraDh.—Prese Association.) Palmerston North, November S. Mr. Eebert M'Nab addressed a crowded meeting at tho Opera House this evening in connection with his candidature for the Palmerston seat. He began by inviting the sitting member (Mr. Buck), who was

in tho hall, up on to the platform with himself and Senior Councillor Armstrong, who was chairman, in order to show there was no animosity in tho contest. The invitation was received with a roar of applause, but Mr. IMick, who was in tho front orchestral stall seat, roso and declined the invitation, on the ground that he wanted to hear tho candidate from in front and not behind him, but reciprocated tho speaker's desire that there should bo no animosity in tlio contest. Mr. M'Nnb said he had been called a southern reject, but ho had also been a southern success five times, and represented Mataura for 131 years. If nil n : ho had once .been rejected were put out of the House there would be a great clearance at Wellington. He showed how ho had come to reside here on account of his business interest, and met statements that he was standing as an Independent by declaring that he was there as a supporter of the great Liberal party; which on January 23 next would have administered tho affairs of this country for twenty-one- years. Uo held that the long period in opposition had demoralised the methods of tho Opposition, so that during the present Parliament they had heard of nothing but alleged scandals, which disappeared on investigation. Inferring to the Dreadnought matter, ho said that the gift of the Dreadnought had produced a profonnd impression in the Old Country and through tho civilised world, and when he was speaking through the South of Scotland at the general election, the chairman always asked leave to introduce him as having tho distinction of being formerly a member of the Ministry which had offered the Dreadnought to the Motherland. Mr. Fisher had been turned out of office in Australia for refusing to do what Sir Joseph Ward did here, and only got back after a genera election on other issues. He dealt at length, and humorously, with Moknu, stating that Mr. Massnv abandoned his Auckland charges. He offered to let any member of the Opposition, including Mr. Massey, havo his tenth interest in the Mokau Company for the amount he had paid ami 5 per cent, interest, and stated that Mr. Massey himself had been compelled to admit that there was nothing wrong in his position. Dealing at length with the land question, he said that he would not on any account givo tho freehold of endowment lands, but had ever since his first election for Mataura been willing to give the freehold of other lands at their present-day value, and not at their original value. Tho candidate received ti vote of thanks and confidence.

THE PRIME MINISTER,

(By Telcgraoh.—Press Association.) Invercargill, November 8. Sir Joseph-Ward went to Wpodend tonight and addressed ono of the largest: audiences of electors erer gathered there. He spoke on the lines ot the -Winton speech and received a cordial reception with much applause. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. Timaru, November 8. The Prime Minister speaks at Waiinato on returning norlh.