WELLINGTON CENTRAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1293, 23 November 1911, Page 6

WELLINGTON CENTRAL.

MB, FISHER AT MOUNT COOK.

' Mr. I'. M. B. Fisher, candidate for Wellington Central, addressed 'electors in tho Mount Cook Schoolroom last night. Tho building was crowded, and many people heard the address rather mu'er difficulties, having to listen from an adjoining room or from the entrance hall. Mr. Fisher said that at every meeting he had held so far ho had refrained from personalities. _ It was not his intention to uavo the election turn upon personal issues, but after the references made to him he felt called upon to reply to them. And when lie said ho was going to reply he meant that ho was going to do so in very definite terms. It was said last night on the subject' of tho iron industry A voice: "No names were mentioned." Mr. Fisher: "No names?" Voices: "No! No!" Mr. Fisher: "Very well. I don't care two straws whether names wero mentioned or not. I was indicated." Electors: "Rear,'hear!" Mr. Fisher: "And I can play these chaps at their own game every time (Applause:)

The candidate said that his platform was open bo both of his opponents, and they could go on to'thnt platform if thev Wished to say anything in his disfavour. Ho was not going to be rotorrecl to by aTionynous writers in obse.uro, journals like the 'Evening Wob■ln,,the report of the speech last <1v ~TT' T° a former interiector: ion will notice I am not mentioning any names. (laughter.) You will not forget that. (More laughter.) Yon will notice that he would wipe all the Customs duties out, and make tho land pay all the taxation." Mr. Fisher said that that would amomit to single tax. a policy which Mr. I'owlds had found it expedient to cease pressing. Any man who said that he would wipe away all the Customs duties was telling the people that their markets were going to be thrown open to the products of the sweating countries oil the other side of the world. "So," he said. ''let us have a clear lino drawn between that person and myself." The candidate went on to advocate that the country should be made self-supporting. "Another dear line of demarcation is this," he said. "Tho particular gentleman to whom I refer—no names, you will notice— (laughter)—is out to support the Ward Administration, a.-jd I am out to put the Ward Government out." (I.oud applause.) Mr. Fisher said that ho did not - come along and ray that ho didn't believe in party, and stand, as the candidate of n party. Ho was not guilty of various other contradictory things, and lie did not say that, whilst ho did not believe fn party, lie believed it was essential that he should do what ho didn't believe in, and, therefore,' submit himself as tho Government candidate. (Much laughter.) Tho candidate referred to many other live political matters in his address. Mr. James O'Pea moved a voto of thanks ivnd confidence- (Cheering and clapping.) Mr. Fisher, he said, had been raised from boyhood among the electors. His record in Parliament was clean, honest. and patriotic. The motion was carried amidst great enthusiasm. An amendment was called for, but none, was forthcoming.