WELLINGTON SUBURBS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1284, 13 November 1911, Page 6

WELLINGTON SUBURBS.

MR. W. H. D. BELL AT JUDGEFORD. A meeting of about 50 electors of Wellington Suburbs was addressed by Mr. W/H. D. Bell at the Schoolroom, Judgeford, on Saturday evening. Mr. J. Poarce presided.. On the land question, Mr. BsU pointed out that while the Government wero without a policy the Kclnvm party had declared its policy;-that poiicy bein» to give to Crown tenants tho option of purchasing the freehold if they so desired. How could, tho Government contend that they were pushing forward land settlement, when at every land ballot there wero many more applicants than there were sections available? Ihe Government had endeavoured to excuse itself on the ground that the'prices demanded by the large landowners w«re too hi"h, but this excuse could not bo supported when ono remembered the many thousands of acres of Native lands which conld be made available for settlement. The Reform party recognised that New fiealand was a small man's country, and the aggregation of large estates must be prevented. At the conclusion of the address, Mr. J. W. Jones proposed, and Mr.. George Galloway seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr.- Bell, and of no-confidence in tho present Administration. The yoto was carried j unanimously.

MR. J. P. LUKE AT NORMANDALE. A meeting of Normandale electors was addressed on Friday night by Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., who is contesting the budnrbs seat, Mr. R. B. Bell presiding. Tho time of last session, said Mr. Luke, was largely taken up in mflkinsr provision for better social conditions. He declared he would not brook any denominational interference regarding education. He was in favour of setting up a number of bursaries to provide for specially fit students to continue at 'universities, although their own finances wonld not permit it. More encouragement should be given to secondary industries. In connection with licensing, his opinion was that the matter should bo kept out of. the political arena. The question was purely a domestic one. He was m favour of local option by a 55 per cent, majority, and Dominion prohibition bi bare majority. Mr. Luke was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.