THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1299, 30 November 1911, Page 8

THE ELECTIONS.

NEWS AND NOTES. SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. Mr. R. W. Short (Opposition, Hutt electorate);; at Upper Hutt, at 8 p.m. Mr. KM. B. Fisher (Opposition, Wellington Central), at Druids' Hall, at 8 li.m. ■';. * ■ Mr. :■ J. E. Fitzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at Watlestown and Goldie's Brae.' Mr. j. "\V. M'Evran (Independent Liberal, Hutt electorate),- at Taita (Welch's barn), at 8 p.m. Mr. if. J. Reardon (Labour,. Hutt olcctorate);'at Wakeman's Valley, at 8 p.m. Air! E. Fletcher (Government, Wellington Central), at Aro Street Mission Hall, at 8. p'.tn. ■ Mr. 'J. P. Luko (Governincßt, Wellington Suburbs), at Tea Rooms, Seatoun, at 8 p.m.'- ■'".'' Tjr. Couzens (Independent Opposition, Wellington South), at Church Room, Palm Grove,' Berhampore, at 8 p.m. ' Mr. F. G. Bolton (Government, Wellington. East) at corner Hay Street, Oriental Bay, ■ at' 8 p.m., open air. Mr. W. T. Youns (Labour, Wellington Central), at corner Ingestro and Willis Streets,'! at 7.30 p.m. Next Skating Kink, Vivian Street, at 8.30 p.m. Open air. Mr. W. 11. 1 , . Barber (Government, Wellington South), at' Mrs. Eogers's stove, Vogeltown, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. A. AVright (Opposition, Wellington South), at Todman Street, Brooklyn, at-.'B p.m. .- : , . Mr! W.-il. Fiehl' (Government, Otaki Electorate); at Muhunoa East, at 2 p.m. Atschool, Waihoungai at 7.30 p.m. _ Mr! ii. Newman (Opposition, llangitikei Electorate), at. Tarauhata, at.B p.m. Mr .Jiyroh Brown (Opposition), Otaki KloctonUe, lit Town Hall, Paekakariki, at B p.m./, .:•. . . ..-. . . , FRIDAY'S MEETINGS. Mr. C. A. W. Monekton (Opposition, Otaki electorate), at Town Hall, Levin, at 8 p.m.-.',.;. " Mr.'A. L..'Hordniiui (Opposition, Wellington North), at AV'adestown Clubroom, ui 8 p.m. Dr. .Arnold Izard (Government,' W«l----lintrton North),-at Methodist Schoolroom, at 8. p.m. • •" ■ Mr. W. H. D. Bell will meet the members of his various committees at the Cummittoo Rooui, Panama Street, at 8 p.m. Mr. 11. J. TJeardqn (Labour, Hutt electorate), at Waimii, at S p.m. Dr. A. K. Newman (Opposition, Weilitißtou East, at Newtovn Library, at 8 p.m. ■ Mr. John Brodie (Independent Liberal, Wellington East), at Bowling Club Pavilion, llabitii.at 8 p.m. Mr. -U. Fletcher (Government, Wellington Central), at ft.-Peter's Schoolroom, Ghuinee Street, at S p.m. Mr. W. H. P. Barber (Government, Wellington South), at corner Wallaco and Howard Streets, at 8 p.m. Mr. .T. P. Luko (Government, Wellington. Suburbs), at, M.aranui, ht 8 p.m. Mr. F. G. Bolton (Government, AVelliug ton East), at New Century Hall, Kenl Terrace, at 8 i>.m.

Mr. .7. K. l'ifzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at Maranui, outside lea Kiosk, at 7.30 p.m. Miramar, - .outside. Paterson's store, at 8.30.p.m. Mr. J; W. M'Ewmi (Independent Libr CTnl, .Hurt Electorate), at King George Theatre, Lower Hnti, at 8 p.m.' Mr. l< , . M V B. Fisher (Opposition, Wellington OnrraO.at Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith Street, at 8 p.m. • .. Mr. W. H. , '. Field (Government OtaU Electorate), at school, Otaki, at G. 30 p.m. Mr. liyron Brown (Opposition, Otaki Electorate), at Akatarawa. at 8 p.m. Mr. It: W. Sliort (Opposition, Ilntt Electorate), at St. James's Hall, Lower Ilutt, at 7.M pAi.:';:.;;^/:;;- , ':-".:.;.',:.■,;■.;■';;■•■:. SATURDAY'S MEETINGS. Mr. A. L. Herdman (Onposition, Wβ!lingtoti North), at Kclbufne Tea Kiosk, nt 8 p.m. Mr. \V. H. l>. Bell (Opposition, Wdhngton Suburbs), at Public Hall, I'oriraa, at 8 p.m. FUTURE MEETINGS. Dr. A. K. Newman (Opposition, Wellinsrtoii East), at Town Hall, on Monday, at 8 i>.m. Mt. A. L. Herdman (Opposition, Wellington North), at Town, Hall, on Monday, at 8 p.m. ■ ■ Mr. F. M.;B Fisher (Opposition, WeiJiiiffton Central), at Town Hall, on Monday, at 8 p.m. .... Mr. IS. A. Wright (OruwisiHo". Wflllin"ton South), at Town Hall on Monday, *t Sir.' W. H. D Bell (Opposition, WelJiugton Suburbs), at Town Hall, on Monoay, at 8 p.m.

THE ARISTOCRATIC MANNER.

PEARLS FROM A BARONETS LIPS. Throughout his North Island tour, the Prime Minister has been reported ■at great length each day in "special" telegrams to the Ministerialist press. Some of his dainty and dignified things are worth extraction from these- authentic records. " % • The first is a lesson in the manner befitting a hereditary noble. At To Aroha nir Joseph asked, "Whats the matter with me?" A_ rude, man interjected, "You're a baron." The Duncdin "Star" reports the dignified- retort, thus: ' Tho Prime Minister: "I am obliged to iny friend for ma-king that happy interjection. What's tho matter with some of them is that they haven't ' thn ghost of a li-opo of ever being one. (Loud applause.) I have found,that the men who cry out loudest are very often thoso_ who have, been running after, and 'in some cases crawlin", to ■get appointed.a J.P." (Loud laughter and applause.) But it was at Dannevirko on Tuesday Wffht that f.lie baronet was at his ■ be.rt in dignity and delicacy. An interjector sliot a question at him, and. accordl R " ,™ ,if e official organ of tho Ministry in Wellington.:— Sir Joseph retorted, "I compare you to an aeolian harp struck by lightning? Do you know what that means' Tho harp is a lyre, aud lightning blasted it. Now von knmv what you nrc. (Loud laughter and fomo hooting.) J.IIO motor-cure used in my private business came out before thn duty was tiikoii off. The suggestion that a.' man yonld make a great change to save a few pounds in his Vnsine-ss is just tho sort of nifflfi thf Opposition circulates. (Applause.) At tho local railway station yesterday Tie- gave his opinion upon the ixople n't the Dannevirko meeting who did not like Wm. After declaring that a number of persons were present with the object of disturbing him, ho said: Ono of them did not sneak ns yon or I would, but adopted a plan of grunting. I directed attention to the fact that he was grunting, and as It is not nsnal to have a pig at o.ssemblks of people in this country. I suggested that we did not want to have animals of that doscription there. THE REFORM DEMONSTRATION. Arrangrmients arc well in hand in connection with the Reform gathering which is advertised to bo held in the big Town Hall nest Monday night. The meeting is being promoted by tho Women's branch of the Political Reform league, and there was a largo gathering of tie League's members yesterday afternoon to til Ik over tho details. Offers of assistance in the capacity of door-keepers r,nd iwhora have been received from men thrciighout the Wellington electorates and every means'will be used to assure a si:ci'cssful and orderly meeting. The matter has been taken up with tho greatest enthusiasm by tho largo nnm'xT of pooplo in opposition to the present Government and tho demonstration promises to bo a iiniquo ono in the history of the Worn in ion. There is too much political patronage, declared Mr. J. H: Escott, Reform candidate for Pahiatua, in a recent address. If a Civil Service Board were established it would bo better for the service,-and for Uio : community as a whole. Appoinlffiwnfa should bo by, nrori> alone.

HERE AND THERE.

CAMPAIGN POINTS AND PRESS COMMENTS. That Challenge, ... Mr. K. M'Nab, the Government candidate for Palmerstan North, has challenged Mr. Massey to prove that he used his- influence with the Government to get tho Mokim transaction put through. Of course .(says the "Wnirarapa .Age") MrSr.nspcy has not lime. to.discuss such trivialities. The point is not whether Mr. M'Nab inlliieiiced the Government in the matter. Tli3 particular point at is-ue is how flic Government came to allow Hip Mokau estate to pas* into the hands of speculators, instead of throwing it open for public selection. Possibly Mr. M'Xab can explain this position. When he liih done, so, ho might also explain why lie regards Hie freehold us good for himself and his friends, and tho -leasehold as good for tho other fellow. What a Legislative Councillor Said. Ho was reminded of the remark passed by a member of the Legislative Council when discussing why members of that body (lid not receive'their invitations to the Coronation festivities. One 'member had said:. "I was placed hero by the Government, and what's the good' of a man unless he supports the Government which gave him the billet." (Laughter.) —Mr. James Allen, at Tokoiti. Nurses' Hours. Ono of I)r, Newman's opponents is said to have recently stilted iii addressing a gathering of hospit.il nurses, that Dr. Newman was in favour of a twelve-hour day for nurses. At his Uoseneath meeting last'night a question was put to Dr. Newman on the point, and he indignantly repudiated holding any such view! He thought eight hours a day was the longest'timo any nurse should work at, the hospital. It was questionable, he added, if oven that were not too long in such arduous work, and too long, too, in the interests of the sick. Political Influence. Speaking last night,.Mr. W. T. Young, Labour candidate for Wellington Central, i stated that he ■ was. not in 'favour of a. Civil Service Board,, but contended that the head of. each department should have the right to appoint and control, his subordinates without the interference of 3 Minister. It was a well-known fact .[that oven a messenger could not be uppointed without such interference, and /the same applied to women who cleaned Government offices.- He had had' quito "a number of cases brought under his notice where the Minister had exercised 'Political "influence in making these appointments, nnd capability and record were disregarded. : Massey-Taylor Incident, Statements entirely unauthorised by the Liberal party,' and at which all persons of high-thinking minds recoil, have been made in regard to differences between Mr. Massey and tho late Mr. T. E. Taylor (comments the Dannevirke "Advocate"), and the former very properly and emphatically repudiated these at tho Palmerston Opera House. We denounce Mr. Massey and all his politics. ... At the same time we know him to be an honest man, and we heartily endorse his denunciation .of any person who suggests that he. acted in any unfair or unmanly way towards the deceased politician. Who'd Have Thought It? Sir Joseph Ward stated at Dannevirke that the only large landholders who were candidates at this election were all supporters 'of the Opposition. People will think that, : 'if Mr. M'Nab supports the .Opposition, -ho has a queer way of showing it-. , .. ... The Oamaru Contest. •■ ' In his speech at.Palmerston South on Saturday night Mr. James Allen advocated tho return- of the Reform candidate for Oamaru, and believed that in Mr. Lee they had a thoroughly sound man. (Loud applause.) Ho knew he was a perfectly straight man. (Renewed applause;)'' If he .was-straight : 'and-would do" what' , ho said lie"' would do, then they should elect him. Why should .not the people of New Zealand seize the chance the Canadians had seized and , rid Parliament of a party that was a menace to it? : (Loud and continued applause.) On the motion of Mr. \V. L. Page, seconded by Mr. Ouffie, it was carried by acclamation: "That this meeting accords a heartv vote of thanks to Mr. Allen for his able address, and further, that this meeting welcomes Mr. I.ee as the Reform candidate." Mr. Lee, in the course of a few remarks, said he. would have tackled his two opponents off his own bat, but that the Prime Minister, had come twice to the district to speak against the candidate in favour of the Opposition party. "Turn, Down" the Government. "It is an economic law," said Mr. Hall at Chrislchurch, "that, you cannot have a high cost of Government and a low cost of living. The conclusion is that extravagant government has materially increased the cost of living. That being so, it is only right and proper that someone elso should have an opportunity of looking into accounts. . . . There can be no great harm in a change of Government. New Zealand won't wither away if Sir Joseph Ward and his 'litt.lo lot' havo a rest. I believe that it is tho straightforward.eotrr.se to 'turn down' the Government and give someone else an opportunity to get into office and sec what is going on." (Applause.) Prearrangement? Pshaw! The other day the Prime Minister emphasised what he said was fhe fact that a small meeting he addressed in tho Franklin electorate was not "pre-arrang-ed." The small gathering fhat met him at the railway station yesterday was also not prearranged, but merely called up by telegrams. A funny sidelight upon the spontaneity of things has just come to light. At- Taumarunui, Sir Joseph stated that the Opposition candidates were making machine-made speeches, turned out in Wellington. On the 22ud instant he turned the first sod of tho Stratford-Tc Koura railway at 2.30 p.m., eight miles from any telegraph office. Those present had barely got back to Taiiniarunui when the train arrived from To Kniti bringing copies of the "King Country Chronicle" with a full page report of tho proceedings and speeches, .which must have been printed by this small journal some hours hefore the ceremony took place. The paper contained a reference to Mr. O. Wilson, tho Reform candidate for the Taumarnnui seat, stilting that he vras present and congratulated the people on the importaut event. Unfortunately for the .accuracy of tho report, Mr. Wilson, during tho ceremony, was lii miles away at Pukoweka. But prearrangement? Pshaw! Only Six Policemen. No fewer than six policemeji in uniform were stationed at the door of Sir lohn Tnndlay's meeting in tho Newmarket Hall on Tuesday night. The meeting was orderly throughout. "Not On Your Life." A correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times," signing himself ".£2.000,000,' wiles: "It comes to this: 'Does tho Ward Government suit us.' No. 'Has any one Iho right to give Dreadnoughts without first consulting' his- Parliament?' No. 'Would any Conscrraliyo leader in the past havo dared to do it?' Not on your life. 'Then what right' had Sir Joseph Ward (Baronet) to do so?' None whatever, beyond that he thought he had us by the woni and baronets (in posse) can do as they please. 'What aro wo as sen-sible-thinking people going to do under the circumstances ?' Vote for anyone not connected with the Ward party. I sincerely hopo and trust tho people of New Zealand will have the sense to turn out those who by th-oir slavish obedience to one of the biggest autocrats have so far sunk their own individuality as to havo become mero puppets worked by him at his own sweet will." Charity Begins at Home, Canada, is a fairly big country. It is probably ten times the size of New Zealand. Some time ago Cnnada decided lo purchaso the, battlefield upon which Wolfo and Moutcalni settled for all timo the ownorship of Canada. Canada is a wealthy country, and could have bought tho battlefield without any assisl-anco from New Zealand, nnd it did not ask for any. But the Government had to present Canada, with a Jvteque for iiIOOO with which to help buy the battlefield, nud not only that, wo must send Home to England 1 and get an (s-Neir Zealand Governor to

go nil (lie ivny to Canada lo hand nvor ' tin' .cheque. .And yet if you went In Tnuniiiifa t;> m> the licit! on wliir'li Hitbuttle of (torn I'n wns i:)ii !r M-oin' <-f the iiio-l in\)mrt-.\nt ami historic strn;:j,'li-s in AYh- Zwiln nd—yim' would lint, lind ns much us iv tivii-iiii(l--iNpcniiv linnor-pn , .! (o murk the scone.—Mr. li'Ulier, Uelorm eaniliiliilc for Wellington Central. The Prime Minister at Dannevirke. •Sppiikiiii lo tin , supporters who mel him at the railway stntio:i tarrt evening. Sir Joseph Ward alluded to his mooting nt Dnunovirke. lie shied Hint (here wore over "20(111 people Him p. and no man could have had n niori , enthusiastic reception. His opponents did what.'they had done on two occasions. They brought along a number of niPii to try mid disturb Hie meeting. Some of them wore thp worse for drink. It was an enthusiastic meeting, notwithstanding Hint there with iiiio.it :2l) persons sent, there dolihor.'itely, mid he was fold they did not belong to Dannevirke. Sir Joseph Wnrtl Inter liniided (o the press a telegram he had received from fhe Mayor of • JXinnevirko stating Hint only a small section■ attempted to disturb the mreting, much to the J iiiinoyanci! of tho very Inrgo .. nudien.ee. The resolution of thanks and. confidence his Worship nddcil, was declared carried on. the voices by a substantial majority. Suitable for the Upper House.' .An elderly ardent supporter of the Government kept interjecting <it '.Mr. Herdman's meeting last night, nnd when the candidate mentuned Hits cost of the Unit. Road the Government supporter ejaculated, "Well worth the money, too." "Well, let - me tell you money has been grossly wasted and Vciunndered out there," .-aid Mr. HVrdman. "You'll never get tho chance to squander it." said the Government supporter. "Never mind." replied ' Mr.' Herdma'n good humouredly." "You'll get a chance. You hang on to them for another year or two and they'll be putting you in tho Upper House." (Laughter.) The Rise in Christmas Dinners. "One of my: opponents-has urged the wives and mothers of, Wellington Central to.volo' for the Gownmbiir." on its past record, which no doubt includes an addition to. the public debt equal to t CH per head,' whereby private monopoly \a bolstered up. This moiioy lias''been used for the purpose of bolstering up private enterprises that aro charging tho people enormous prices for the necessaries of life, but I venture to say thai the intelligent wives and mothers know they cannot buy the Christinas dinner they had last year for the sanio price this year, and. are looking to the progressive Labour party to'supply them and theirs, for the everyday common means of sustenance.-"—Mr. \V. T. Young in Webb Street l°a>t'cvtning. Before and After. In 1908 Sir Joseph Ward brought forward a proposal to expend J25f1,000. each year for four years in forming roads and erecting bridges to onen up tho backblocks (related Mr. W. C. '■ Buchanan at his meeting at Carterton on Monday evening). The Opposition supported tiie proposal, but as soon as the election was over (it was election year) the Government snent only .£183,953; the next year, £127,97?; and last year, ,£83,458; so that not much more. than, half the money vo.tcd had been expended in the iv<iy agreed upon by Parliament. The Government, in fact, tried to buy votes each election year with tin people's own nionoy, and he iustanced the election years of 1902, 1905 and 190S, when large sums weie proposed to be expended, dropping down very, considerably directly the elections were over and the Government safe. It was simply using public money to buy votes ■with. This was the way the loan money was handled, and for this purpose it was wasted. (Applause.) Generous Mr, Jennings, "A'few days before the session of Parliament closed," writes a'To Kniti correspondent, "and at a time when* the House of Kepreseritatives was enthusing about tho handsome gift to the nation by the Buller i'amilv, our member, Mr. W. T. Jennings, rose ami announced his intention of presenting to Parliament the library of his late uncle, a former editor of the "Taranaki Herald.' Sir Joseph Ward, 13art., Prime .Minister, stated that he knew it to l;e a valuable collection, and, on behalf of the country, he thanked tho honourable gentleman for his offer. Now [ knew the late Mr. SelFern, and had more than a passing knowledge of his literary accumulations. . One does not like to look a gift horse in the mouth, but, as credit is being taken in his prtsont electioneering campaign for this essumpil handsome present to , the Dominion (its value, like the candidate, being endorsed by. the Prime Minister) the thought occurred to me to ascertain from official sources at New Plymouth the worth of the 'library' as shown by the deposited papers relating .to the estate of its former owner. 1 learn that the inventory of the deceased gentleman's furniture and effects, dated November 27. 1000, contains the following . items:—'Lot of old hooks, 20s. f (!0 books. £2 10s.; books. £1 10s/—making a total of exactly £5. Tho inventory, totalling £IS odd, is sworn to by the executor, William Thomas Jennings, ns 'a full and:'true inventory in every particular of the personal estate which the said deceased was entitled to at the time of his death.' ' Which is to bo accepted as correct—tho oath of the executor or the Baronet's endorsement? I do hopo that before any pxpense is incurred in removing this gift to Wellington it will be determined by competent people whether it is north the cosi of packing and railing."

OM THE PLATFORM.

WELLINGTON EAST. DR. NEWMAN AT EOSENEATH AND HATAITAT. Mr. Kellow presided over a. well-filled schoolroom of electors at llosencath last night, when Dr. Newman criticised the Government scheme Oi finance as wasteful—"raising big loans in London iind raising big taxes in the Dominion." He aaiil a crying want of the country was an improved system of local government— a question that Ministers shelved year after year. He thought there was a great desire tor a change of Government, and that there would ho a great surprise packet opened on Hie night of the- general election. ■ He prophesied that the Opposition would come .back much stronger, and the Ministry bo preutly weakened—so much was absolutely certain. So cheering, however, was the news from all parts that it was quite on the cards the- Ministry might fall. The Ministry was shaken to its foundations, and several Ministers were lighting for their very existence. A voie of thanks and confidence niovel by Mrs. JenVins. and seconded by Mrs. Keaue. was carried almost unanimously. . . • . At ITataitai Dr. Newman sard he liad been round the electorate smeo he last epoko. there and had capital ov.dknees — in two instance-! "money turned away from the door," but a noisy few had appeared at his meetings—and the noise was vividly described by certain papers. He had overy reason to" be pleased with his receptiou everywhere- in the electorate. s ME. BRODIE AT CLYDE QTJAT. Mr. John lirodie, the Independent Liberal candidate for Wellington East, addressed a meeting of electors in the Clyde Quay School last evening, Mr. Quarric presiding. The candidate referred to his seven years' experience in municipal politics, and having reached the highest position possible in local government-he claimed that he had served his apprenticeship. He went on to state that during ttfh campaign it, was Ms intention to put up a clean, honourable fight, no matter what his opponents did, and when the battle was over he hoped to have the consolation n{ knowing that, so far as he was concerned, he had kept strictly away from personalities. In dealing with the State Note Issue and Ihu Co-operalivo Banks which the Government proposes establishing, ho favoured institutions of this kind being governed. by a Board of Control consisting of men with a practical knowledge of banking business, this would assist in taking a Department of this kind f(uile away from political influence. Mr. Brodie dealt at sori.e length with taxation and contended that no source from which thrift and industry arose should be liable to taxation. Afforestation demanded the prompt attention of tlio Government and should bo dealt with in a vigorous manner. Tin wont on to state that, ho favoured a Uirro-nfths majority on the licen.-iug question mid nlso thai. Civil Servants ">lkihlil lie frci< to exorcise llic right, of citizenship. Tim t-undidiite dealt at some length with Tariff Reform and laud settlement. .U the conclusion, of the meeting Uγ. Brodk vns

((•eanlfd a vote of thanks ;:nd cnnlitlviu-e mi Iho m-.iiioii of Mr. (VlVa, .-.m.iicl.-d i>y Mr. Hurl Sptvir ;iml curried with one ilk-\'iiliYii(.

Ml!. V. O. TSOI.TO.VS MI'XTINCiK.

Mr. I-'. (\. 11-.ilton. the tinvernmeitl e;inditl.'ilt. I'm- Wfllinelnii Iv.M, nddn-vd i, nii'flin.,' of huly elfct.ii's nt tht< New | f'eiitin-y ||:.11, Kent T.-rriice vnienl'iv lil'leriuii.n. Mr<. KVnv llinwno I'lein.' in tin- I cliiiir. The taididale iii,t:iiKed Hie , w V'l a»'J I", inilnri;.!! legisli.li.,,, ~,.sm-,I by I In- \\;inl Cinvfi-iiiiifiil. nnd st;itcd Ilinl hi- Invouml a system ~1 ine,lie;,| ~n;l ' ll ' ,' ni.-piTii<lll »f sch'jd i-hildren nl slnted mtfi-viils. mid ul-.'i Stnle meilieal •11<1 in mnlornity chmn I.i Hit- psircnf... of !nrj»e Iniiiilics ".whi-re in p-.nu- fii-i-iiin-s iiiice?, and :vl-o wmc improveini-nt in I hi- present method nl oiitilonr ti-eatim-iil in Mm hospitals, lie ah\, tle.ilt, with \h? proposed logMiilion to meet Ihe't-o-t ol Mcknc-s and uiUMiiplnyini-nt, m>l ..aid he Miaifltiehly approved nf the iirinciiile, bill wiat the friendly .wietics in'ust be guiirileil. lls-was in favour ol Slate r.iiiMSsioiis j on railway.- lo poor people doHriug trout-! Hienl either at Hni t-niLMiinptivt- sniKiturin or at.Uatoriia and Ilnniuer. mid t)ioii-,'ht that conctvssiims in this direction could ndvnntngeoiisly bi> niiide in the inleri'st,, of the trem-nil health u f the wmiinmiity. He con-sieJoifd M lc t|iipstion of the iucri-.V.-I'd rant of liviiip »;is iiiidtiiibt'edlv the most serious one before H-.e flcrlor-", nnd he trusted iiml believed Ul.lt the nnl)rv w-hic-h he lind outlined would i>rnve nf In.-tine .benefit to nil section., nf the community. On the motion of lli>. Brntley, seconded by Mrs. Hyde. n. vote of thanks and .confidence viis'accorded the «mdidate. , In the evonin? Mr. Bollnn !i(ldre.--i.<i] two opeii-nir meetiiiffs. one at tho corner of Mem htreet uiul Revan.e Street, and laier at the corner of John Street. The candidate, besides dealing with bis policy to reduce the cost of living (previously reported), ~tatcd that ho favoured' the nreakiiij,' up of the Innze flutes liv an increased graduated land (ax, a stilt absentee tax. mid Mir operation of the Death Duties .Art. He Ihoiiglit Hint the Crown might, meet the large landowners and at the same timo secure more bind tor Hip people by acceptin>; ;-, certain amount, of tbo land as in payment-for tho .amount- of the death dutv it hud' bec-n said that Mho Government maintained secrecy with regard to'the State accounts, unifespreinllv the uve-iniHion loan, but the Opposition have, signally failed in their attempts to show (1) when information, had bean withheld; and (2) Hint tho loan was raised'on bud terms The Premier had rend, to the. House the full official information given bv the Hijh Comini.-iioner's cablegram which covered the whole ground, and Mr l-raser, one. of-the Opposition members,' hart stated that the loan was rai<«d on good terms, in view of the state of the market.. Comparison with the result of two loans raised for Queensland and the Port of London during- the same year would prove this. At both i'nccl'in«s the candidate received a vote of thanks and confidence. ■ ■ ' * ME. M'LAEEN AT HATAITAI. Mr. D. M'Larcn addressed a meetin" last night in the.bowling green pavilion, Hataitai. Captain W.' Light occupied the phair. Mr. M'Laren condemned the action of the Government in power in selling outright some 10,700,000 acres of the Crown hinds since IS9O. Ho was opposed to the alienation of the Crown lands, and believed 111 settling such land under the leasehold system. The piling up of our Dominion debt at the rapid rate which was hiking place was', in his judgment, ft source of danger. He contended that more revenue should be secured from tno taxation of land values and greater care should bo exercised'in the matter of. public, expenditure in order that we might reduce the rate of borrowing. Dealing with our labour laws, he urged that the Praties.Tjnion .Act '. should be brought up to date on lines of the English fctntutes. Our Act had been pass. e<l in IBih, and never since improved, although he had urged the need for alterations in view of the important amendments mado by the House of Commons. The Liberal party we had here was trailing lnr behind even tho Conservatives oF Lnijlanil in this matter. His work 111 Parliament, had received the approval of many bodies of people outside and he had received ninny official letters thanking him for his services. A distinct {longer lay in the direction of alW.g the | natural resources of our county to fall into the hands of frusti anr] syndicates. He could not support the proposed bonus for the production of iron, as he believed it meant over capitalising the business for which the Dominion wouid later on have to pay He concluded by describing the social leeis latipn of this last Parliament, and stated that his full support had bem given to thn improvement and passing of sneh amendments as tho Workers' Compensation for Accidents, Old . Age Pensio'is Widows' Pensions, and other Acts of the' Several questions were put to Mr M I-aren and answered, and -a motion of thanks and confidence was put and carried unanimously. ...

WELLINGTON NORTH

MIJ. HERDMAN AT MOLESWOKTH ST. . Mr I V A ;. I '-, HOT <! m an, Reform candidate for Wellington North, delivered an address 111 tho Wesleyan Schoolroom, Mole«worth Street, last evening, the hall being crowded. Mr. H. F. Von Haast presided. - idr. Hordinan, at the commencement of his speech, took the opportunity of replying to remarks that his opponents had mado about his attitude on certain questions. In regard to a statement bv Mr Carey that, in 1809, he (Mr. Uer'dmau) had moved an amendment to the Shops nnd Offices Act to make the hours of teinnlo hotel workers eleven per day instead of leu per day, the candidate stated'that the amendment moved by him would'not have increased the hours per week, but was intended to make the Bill practicable by allowing the employer (if the exigencies of his business demanded it) to work the employee eleven hours one day, and make a compensating allowance to the employee on another day of the week. The amendment, however, did not differentiatb between man and woman. Mr. Ecrdman then proceeded to refor to some remarks which the Government candidate had made with reference to himself, One. of the • references was to his attitude on the franchise,.and to some remarks made in Parliament ou one occasion when, speaking on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board* Bill, he had used tho words "Tom, Dick, and Harry." He would like to make it perfectly clear that, since he had been in piiblie life, he had never said one word against manhood suffrage or female fr.inrhise. On the occasion referred to, he had been reading the report of tho Poor Law Commission in England, wherein it was stated that au extension of the franchise would be detrimental to charitable institutions in Ensland, as\ men who took an interest in philanthropic work would not stand the rigorous ordeal of an election if Hie franchise were extended. Nevertheless, t.hcy were men skilled in that work, .and the candidate had expressed the opinion that it would Iμ a mistake to broaden the franchise in connection with these institutions in Now Zealand to exclude those men. The expression, "Tom, Dick and Harry," had been used in a jocular way. Did anyone believe that Dr. Izard s heart was beating for the working 'ma.ii or for the Government? ?Jr. Herdman did not believe that tho doctor wan m lovo with either, and, to emphasise the point, he referred to a letter which Dr. jziird had written to tho "Evening Post" regarding the order of- preewk-nce" on tho occasion of the proclamation of King George V. At the persistent request of the audience. Mr. Hcrdmau read the letter. It caused 11 good deal of lnuirhtcr.) One or two members of the audience made hostile interjections at various stages of Hie address, but tho candidate iuvnri-ibly scored off these interruptions, and resumed his speech amid applauso; After a number of questions had been answered, Mr. Warren propo.«e<l ;l vote of thanks and confidence, which was seconded by Mr. S. G. Nathan. When the motion wns put to tho meeting, tamo cries, uf "N"o" were completely drowned in Hie applause that followed. A show of hands showed an overwhelming majority in' favour of the motion.

An enthusiastic final moolinu of Ifr Herdman's cnmmittce was licltl ol Ilii' Odillollows' Hall on Tuesday evening, hlioii about oim hundred ladies ami fjen'tlciHOii wore! iirc.-niit. KxHlent K'ports vinv itHTivcd from the vi<rioiiv divisioiiv of tlic elwtoralp, conlitlcnci? Ix-ins i>\-preov-wl by ill 1 raiicoruvil as to Ilie'ivult uf lbi( «k>elion. ..Ulnr Mr. ]lprdinun had' Ihauknil iiiMulKira for their tfl'orU »n hiLeliall, tlic committee was cliisvlvcd.

HI!. 1 y.AI:l> AT WADKSTOWN

Hi. Armild Iziinl. Ministerial i:nnditl:ile I'm- \\VMiii','li.li Xoi'lli, mldri'-sp,! :l inrrlinz ill VtVle-liiun Ihm. niglil. Mr. I). \V. (.i.ilfh i.ivsi.h'il. Dr. IziinlV speech »a:- on much the sum., lines Ms Iluil delivered by him in the Town Mull mi Momliiy evening, lit! .-niil Iliiil I hi-: i- wi'ii' niaiiv points mi whirl, he ngiTfil.willi his uppiiiiPiit, but In pli.i-iM'il llhi->. on which limy tlisWeed- f-preiiifly" tin- land ipii-sliuii, laliiiur li'dVliiti Civil Service control, Sl.-ile Sticinli-iiii, and Hie friineliiM! for lonil Ik.il.v flfftioiis. .No r|ui's!inns wi'i'e asked, and Dr. Izurd was m\m led a vote of i hunks nnd conlidcMite.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS,

Ml!. .1, P. I.rKK AT KKl.m'liNK. Mr. .1. I'. Luke; raiulirfMe lor W.-lling-I.Di Suburbs, adilrc.-si.d :i nuvting nl the I'l-c-livlpriiiii Church. Kelliuriir, hist μ-pii-iiig. '.Mr. \V. M. Mulvihill uciiupieil the chair. The cnmlidiite. snid Mint. i.lib principal fai'foi',< which contribulpi! to Mm bi'Sl interests of Hie Dominion wore associated with tho liilieral piirly wlieii it. took ollifP. ami the Nl.ilo could nnl hnve expanded to tin; siime extent- lind tilt; pre-Libernl conditions applied. The opportunity for tho people lo Ijpromi , assimilated with the truest inlnresU of the community was first to rliungc the incidence of taxation. The old inequitnblu properly lax h;id boon replaced by a systpiii which rested its cliiiiii on equity— that (huso, vim were iible to bwir iho strain nf taxation should 1«> called upon to 'contribute to Stale services. Lsind scltlenipiit mode passible by the acquisition of private estates and the attnining of cheap money heraltled n new era for the people, nnd added to the prosperity and general good of the Dominion. With those altered .conditions further responsibility of social reform was required- tosecure the best conditions for the community. The domestic and sociid legislation for years past had lieen in the direction-of giving greater opportunity to those Pillaged in industry ami commerce. The further, iiitenlion of' the Government to make more ample provision for the (iKPtI and widowed was a tribute to tho sense of responsibility fplt. Afler dealing with several measures advocated on previous occasions, and answerine several, questions, a votp «f thanks and confidence moved by Mr. H.; K. DrytWn. and seconded bv Mr. Jas. Sloan was -carried imummqxu!y>'

WELLINGTON SOUTH.

MT!. WRIGHT AT. XEWTOWX. Mr. It. A. Wright addressed a lonjcly atteniled. meeting at the Kewtown trinivny tPnniniis last evening. ■ The candidate dealt'at some length with the N:ifive land question, urging that a' less "taihoii" policy should be innugiirated. If the.Natives would .work the land themselves let ■ them tlo so, but if they -refused, then .the land should be Mi'rovn open to Europeans. He suggested Hi \t tho simplest plan would be for the Go <- ernment to purchase the hinds fr"nin"tla Natives at a fair price and pay then tho inferes! on the capital. without anr reservation ns to when the capital shouM bo p:iiil, thereby creating an income for the Natives us.long as they were in existence. Ho referred' to further disclosures which had beenmnde by Mr.'Okey, M.T., in regard to the .Mokau" land transaction, which was to the effect. that a block of the land which had passed into the hands °f Private individuals iv«s Crown lund. ihat was a serious matter, which certainly did not improve the unhappy position nf the Government. A number of questions were asked, and in the course ot the ensuuig discussion an elector stated that the Government had.' purchased .1 block of hnd-in- (he Havre's Bay district which was over.-rim with ijlnck- ! oemes. iho land wus nmclically of littlr value-, and was ar. exiremnjy -tioor- t!e;\l lor the Governinenf: t-n hp.ve lii'ada in view °\ , th *c. c t Ti St<Ml? , p ?' iho Xoii Weed; Ac. ' bettlcrs had been placed on this land, but thoir lot was not by any monn, a hapny one. The same oiiestioiiM-point-ed out that a block of B ooil land had been ofTfred to the Govcmniwit in the snm (lisfncl, ami .declined. Commeutini' mi this Mr flripl't snid Hint it non'-' -irnied his behet that-the Govemmenl wns absolutely lin.-ompetent to transact fltiP ela?s rt business. During the meeting Mr. W, It. Bornalds. took" tho oppo , (unity wh-n ci. nl upnn to speak 01, Cook Island aflairs. He 'severely censure; the Government'for the verv'unsat isfaclory state of affairs in Tim Cook Islands The inllvmg cm, eluded wifci. cheers for . tho candidate

WELLINGTON CENTRAL,

MR. rrSKER AT ST. PETER'S. . •m'V'm-'iP' I ; is,l0 !' 1 o l'l»osition candidate lor Wellington Central, addressed i crowded meeting in St. Peter's Schoolroom, Ghuznee Street, last night. Mr H M Ivenxio prosidcd. Mr. Fisher commenced bv m-mlueing in Order Paper of the Hona-'of Hepre £?„(„" iv-s dated October 2S. 1911. lie. c a id i'/t. .F ! I!U| <lono this-lo illustrate how iHihcult it, was for members of Parliament to pet. information concerning the linancial aflairs of the country. That information was in tho custody'of the .Ministers of the Crown, and private ■■members liatl no access to it without the Minister's permission. On tho Order Paper ho. produced there wero, he, said, 2S notices of motion asking for information, which had not been, and probably never would be furnished. Mr. Berdmau had asked several questions regarding the Nai Nai Estate, winch liitormation they were entitled to because tho property had been purchased for the Crown. Mr. Fisher adversely criticised the Xni Nai purchase Continuing, he said that thoso notices of motion could, not be discussed unless the Prime Minister gave his personal consent Mr. Fisher said that he had asked" for particulars concerning the carrying work which was done in Wellington for the Government. He had never (jot the information, and never l would get it. In an allusion to the prospects of the T(«foTm party, he said that they wero very good right throughout the country. (Applause.) Their chances, he thought, wero better thai they ever had been. (Further applause.) The Reform party went to the electors' under a handicap as compared with the Government' Tho l?eform party had nothing with which to buy votes, but they wanted to serve tho interests of the Dominion, • and they appealed to all . the right-minded people to vote for them. The Ministry had the command of a large expenditure, lie believed he could be very popular himself for quite a Ion? time with so ranch money to spend. He thought that the Arbitration Court should be done away with, in favour of wages boards. Ho gave his opinion of a living wage as a wage which, besides providing u man and his wife and family with the necessaries of life, would give hita a chance of accumulating savings to meet possible misfortunes. Mr. Fisher was accorded a vote of .thanks and confidence, which was carried amidst euthusiasra, and supplemented hy cheers for the candidate. A motion, by Mr. J. Powdnll. whicli seemed adverse to (he candidate,- was not seconded, and was ill-received. . . MR. W. T. YOUNG-IX THE OPEN AIE. Mr- W. T- Young, candidate for Wellington Ceutr.il, addressed two o-pen-air meetings list evening, one at the corner of Lome Street and Cambridge Terrace, and tin? other at the corner of Webb and r£aranaki Streets. At each meeting there were large attendances, which were attentive and most orderly. At the conclusion of cadi meeting a unanimous vote of thanks and confidaoce was passed. Tho candidate made reference U> a lending article in'a local paper in which a ticket had been .selected, iy.hic.li showed that it consisted of two Oppositionists, two Government, a.nd a fifth a man of intalliVeiu-o from the Labour po.rty, to control the balance of power, thus showing that the. ]«ipOT possessed no political principles, and concluded that Labour was the most competent to nilo. The candidate dealt with the Arbitration Act and the Wanes Hoard suggested by one of his opponents, and pointed out that under the Victorian system of Wasfis Boards these could only be set up by the authority of Parliuineiit. The tramway men of the Melbourne I service had endeavoured for year? to get a board to inquire into their grievances, but without success, and it was during the past 12 months or so that Parliament had been induced to set up a Wagos Hoard for that purpose. Tho candidate was opposed to wages boards, and contendnd that if the-Arbitration Act w.-.s amended, m> as to bring it. in elu.-o prox- I imity to.what it was when originally |j;Jj. ed. it wmild largely tend lo overcome" u grciit dual of ihc indu.-trial unrest at prewhl oji = tu\c Uμ till 10U5 the onions had tlxe rijlit la tet au aivard un one eidtj

.'lliil rc.-oil to (ither nie-ii.-ures In improve (lie Int. Ml" it- miMuln'VH. ami it v.-|- :i rm'ncidcnei. In null- Ihiil since Iliul. ye:ir when Hi.' ri'jlil In strike was taken n\ui.v there. hiivc Lμ- mm- strikes ill New Zealand Hi.im in tin. Dn.vioiis period .luring which till- Act wa-"iu operation. Tin- i-.nnliil-.lf «■:■-. oppnm.,l In 1|,,. ,i'cond ballot, null siil'inilli'il Unit: tin- \vsieni ill' preference vnlimt sliinilil In- ;i,li,|)t,.il in il« place. II 1h.,1 were lion,, it would only lie 'ncci's-Mii-y fur tl\i' elect its to ■„'<> lo Hi,-, pull OMIT.. Jiclii'viiiK Hint nvi'i'.v I'acilily slinuM lii' ollercd In induce (In. |j t .wt jiit|.||(.i..|u;il liili-nl. iiilii iiiir schools l,i. \va- in favour of ini'ica-im; tin' salaries of Icichers In :i. sum nil whirl, they mijrht at Inst live. till lll« (|ll<-ti«ll 111' tl'Moliers" s-lipiTillllHlil-liii.'i. hi. niw nil reason why teachers .-luiiilcl ii(,t. 1,,, allowed to join till' fnml from till' (hleof it- inception, on cnnililion Mint tln-y ii;,iil I)wp1; nintrilinliuns iunl any lift(.ss-iry int'To-l thereon.

LABOUR CANDIDATES

adukksifjiw by missus. cakky and mouim;. MesM'?. T3. J. Cuiey anrl F. T; -II core, Lii'jom- eiimliilates fur \Vi>llin','lfiu North anil W'elliiistiin Siiburli- respectively. a<ldivsM'd ;i liici'tin? (if thn i-lrolors of the dis-trid in the open nil , at Winiestown lii.'.f eveniii','. Mr. '"jiri-.v ipnkc first. ;inil faid Hie pre?cnl iiolitinnl >it.n:itiuu ;tf: lie siw it Has tliiit everywhere it appeared there wj> :i ilesirn U-.r (i rliange. Labour wnlKi longer rontenti'il to renwin jinpartinl to the Lihenil portv. In his npininn thu Liliernl party coiitismptible. ill t!ie oyt'fi of the people hecmi.-e of its i'ailiu-o to iU'coinpli.-n what it stnrtcd out to <ir> ■10 years »;o, It stood condemned been Uf-c nf the Mokan Iraiiractinn?, the Dri.j>ilno\t<;l\t ({ift, v.nA its Ri-ncral backins mill lining, and want of policy. It (.tood or should .-tiind enndemnwl in the eyes of the workers, particularly because) of its failure to remove, the re.-trictions of the Osb:>vni> jnilemciit, of its failure to grant puliticiil rights to Civil Servants, of its failure to institute in State employment the principle of efjual pay for cqiial work, and because, of its refusal to insist on| a better observance of theei?ht-hour pnnciple, and' its denial to Rive effect-to the principle of one day s- rest out of seven. Tlie change desire<l would not ho*thought he towards reaction. Tin: Opposition's policy of freehold and of tho disposal of Maori lands ; would not meet the situation. The remedy lay in supporting the Labour man and party s platform. Mr. Moore followed Mr. Carey, and said that unless Labour was allowed to govern the country in the early future rind secure the lull value in our primary produets.'ivhieli are now annually sold for JU:>,UOO.OOI) Ic?s than they are really worth, and also secure for the nation the enormous profits, to be derived from the Business of State bankins, a dire financial cak'iiiitv would overtake the coivntry. So luu" as money could lie borrowed at Home everv vear, to pay the'interest-on our hu.-e national debt, the taxpayer wourrt iiol fed the burden, but when this dreailfnl practice Uadtostop, and stop jtntyst, then tho full weight of our gißantio jorcinn loan would bp felt. Labour foTtt.natolv had scheiiies in readiness tor • tlie nation's'deliverance from the evil effects of-"0 vears" incompetent Liberal qoytrnment. "The State Mercantile and I'inanciul'Agency he advocated would earn the money required for the payment of interest and sinking fund on tho nationa leW, slid -V-abour's State bankniß and curreney scheme would earn the revenue, required for the Public Works Tind. Ihe toiler Labour was returned to poweraud pSlteil to carry out these great reform moaoircs the better for New /jeaUiml. U the eloic of tho meeting the candidates were accordeda vote of thanks and confidence.

WAIRARAPA.

ME W. G. BUCHANAN AT CAR-. TKKTON. Mr AV. C. Buchanan, (bo Keforni party's candidate for Hie Wairarapa, addressed a 'large autliente in tiift \ ictona. Hall on Monday evening, t.ho Mayor'(Mr. 1 , . .Feist) presiding. A good number ot ladies ware present. 'In introducing -tho. speaker, the chairiimn raid Mr. Buchanan was so old a campaigner, and so well kiiown by all, that it seeincd hardly nm'ssary to introduce him. Mr. Biichaiittii had been amongst them tor many yours, and those who knew him best appreciated him tho' most. - . Mr. Buchanan, in the course of a trenchant speech, sharply criticised tho policy and administration of the "Ward Government. Among other topics, ■ tho speaker dealt with tho Legislative Council, winch he stigmatised as a body which had degenerated to much that it was now merely a machine backing up the Government in all matters. The Legislative Council, through the old members dying out, was now nearly altogether composed of Government nominees. The Opposition pointwas that the Legislative Council should be elected by the people, and its members should go to the poll every four or five yoars to enable the people to express an opinion on their work. What had happened in the case of Sir John Findlay'r Ho appealed to a Wellington constituency, and was rejected by tho people. The Government appointed him to the Upper House. When Sir Joseph Ward iveut Home, instead of taking with him an old and tried servant of the country, hr> took Mr. Findlay, and recommended him to His Majesty for honours and a title. Was this the way the will of the people should be flouted? (Applause.) Referring to the Government's policy with regard to the railways, Mr. Buchanan said that out of the thirty-one' million pounds expended on railways in this Dominion, one million nine hundred thousand wa.s lying idle in. incompleted seclions. He quoted from' tho remarks of a practical man travelling through tho country who had noticed "the wasteful cooperative system on Government works, gangs of men performing work with shovels and wheelbarrows where the plough and scoop would naturally be used under any sensible system. It was by such a system that the Government rail up tho cost of railway construction, which was enormously greater now than it used to be, and tho waste still goes on, taxation must go m>. and the people must foot the bill. (Applause.) Continuing, Mr. Buchanan said that tho Opimsition knew its own mind on tho land question. They offered tho most secure tenure, tho freehold, which was the tenure of the. most prosperous countries in the world. (Applause.) How had the Government done its duty in regard to the Mokau lands? ho asked. After describing .what had taken place, he said: Think of a Government—on December 7— who could allow a thing like that to take place. (Applause.) Mr. Buchanan went on to refer to the Hine charges, which resulted in three members being shown to have done improper acts, and said that the Premier liad promised to bring in a Bill to prevent such a scandal in future, but , had never done so. It would probably bo loft to the Opposition to do this service in the ca-use- of purity of Parliament. (Applause.) The speaker aIM referred to a recent statement of Mr. Hornsby that G93 persons oinied 1!),050,(IOO acres of (he land in New Zealand, or nearly one-third of the surface of the Dominion. \Vh«n he (the speaker) road that he. could hardly credit that' such a ' statement had been made till lie saw it repealed. Last session a return was laid on the table of the House by Sir Joseph Ward, giving particulars of all the holdings in New Zealand. The whole of tho freehold land in New Zealand outside town areas was only 1!),57.5,000 acres, and this was owned by 46,922 persons, not f>o3. (Applause.) ' The enormous cliarign that had come over public opinion since last olection was demonstrated by (ho Winton meeting, he continued. It had come home to the people that tho Government had l)ccn too long in office. <Applause.) The Government had abused i(s position, and he ventured tc say thai December 7 would show the strength of the change of opinion. They (the clqctors of tho Wnirarapa) had .known him now for nfvirly forty years, Ho had oonir niitled error?, fqr it w.is human to do. so. I 'A voice: "Von're a good p'.d fellow!") n<! had not spared himself in his endeavour to benefit Iho district and (he Dominion, lie thanked , them for coming in such large numbers to the mretinjj, 'ami declared that lie could not express the thanks he fell to them for renewing (heir confidence in him ns (heir member on so many- occasions. (Applause.) Mr. Buchanan resumed hi." scat amid continued annliiusß, and,.on the. motion of Mr. E. K. Tyler, seconded by Mr. W. Miller, a vote of thanks, r.mid hearty applause, was accorded the -?;uididate. AT GREYTOWN. Mr, W. C. Bunhannn addressed n. vnry targe number of electors at '-\\n Gmylown Town. Hall on Tuesday evening, tho Mayor (Mr. 0. I'. Loasby) in the chair. The! candidiitc's address was mainly oil the lines uf hit Carterton speech. Dining j

his remarks he said that liu pridod him»!i that' lie had- nevev asked nn elector |i(T-t)l.all.v for a■ vole. JI, ; \[w ~„>. 11K0 ;> jmt -in <.|ci;l,-ir in an invidious positimi. The. address was frequently \,,. lilii.uilcel,. i.n.l. at its close Mi-. \V. Urr iiinved ~ |~a l. |v v,.,0 oi (hanks t<, Mr. R.ir-1,:,,,-,,, logins t Mnv. This was. ilnlv seconded, and corned nmimmouslv. anil tnobnlily (Iμ: be.,l mooting ever liVm -h, '.ii-i'.vliiwn o|n-cd wilh tli« usual comiilimoiil to the ehainiiflii.

OTAKI

M 1 , ,. MO.VrJCVO.WS ADDItKSSKS. Mr. C \. u< Moneklan. Keform cnndi-■l-.10, ndilressul about (if) cli'dorh .it TaiHurca on I msday'evMiijig. The nicotine «iii nn ciiiliii-iftstic line.' Mr. Moiicktdii spoke, for .v.i hour mid a Mini, and, at (ho coimliisian, was accordcl ;j iiiwmmou- uiU< of thmiks and raufi(li'iice. Iho flr.ctor.~- ]iii.-,iii. formed thf-m----selves inlo a Viol-kin? oonuniUc... to assist in i"(uniinj Mr. Mrme.ktrtii to J'hrlinmont. hey iiKo unaniinou-ly prouiised thft c.indiiliilc a block voti>. Mr. MoncHdii U as spent Hie la-t few il'i.v.-i in viMling'. tho flnxmills situated a on ? the. banks oi Ui.vMnnawatu Hiver. l\« received a hearty,.wj>lqo|iic wherever, lie, Wijit, and many promise.'..of support. Up also met with a cordial reception who,, he addressed, (he elector? in the i-ohoof-housfi at Akatarawa on V'riday. lie rep.'ived ii votoof thnnksoiid confidence, and was invited to.sptak at'Akatarawa rtjain beiore the date of tbe poll.

STRATFORD

SPEECH BY MH. BINE. ißy TclcEraph.-Hrcolal CorrcsDon'dtnt.l . Stratford, November' 29. .U a meeting which he' addressed at Dudley Road, near Jn«lew<icd. Mr. Hine said the-table, divided the public debt into two classe.s, interest bearing and non-interest bcariift, and «lso Rave li«lires for two periods; before and after-1891., with the intention, of course, of endcavouri:.\g to make the public believe that .the 'pro yioiis'Administratibiis were not capable, of controlliiie or wisely investing-borrowed money. Mr. Hiiie took item -aftor'item of the' Prime Minister's' sta"toinorits.' Cnnimenciiiß with l the.tirst item of non-interost bearing. Maori win , . .£2,350.001), the speaker declared that 'no'" imittey what, party hurt .happened .to,have, bofu in power at that time nothing could have prevented the cost of the war bein? met by the State, and therefore, the effort to foist this as a want oi administrative ability against the previous Governments must fail. Another item was .'immigration .£2,459,000, and surely,no one Would ever think of 1 decrying -the very. Act which brought thousands hero, ami, probably, some of those present were sprung from those sterling pioneers, und yet the Liberal Government attempted to place a blot on the old administrators, who did so much to bring about a steady influx of sturdy .settlers. If to-day "the Government could realise that a vigorous settlement of. the land was' urgently required.' then farmers with small means .had to bo -assisted; so that the little capital available could be used to start thorn"in-farming operations end'so'add" to the export trade of the Dot minion- Mr. Hirie showed that the previous Government had expended .£5,100,000 on-roads and bridges, .ivhilst the, present partv. had. only expended und finally the speaker'explained that a very large'liability of'several millions bad-to be taken over'from the Provincial Governments upon the. abolition of the province;*, and even this largo amount was set down as a blot and. a, stigma agaiiist- thy 'administrators in existence' previous to 1891.

HAWKE'S BAY

SPEECH BY Ml!. CAMPBELL.." ..• IBy Telegraph.—SDecialiOorrespondcnU Hastings, Xcvcuibcr 29. Mr. H. M. Canipboll. llefonn candidate for Hawko's Hay, , delivered a' political address in Hav'elock North on Tiinsdiiy' evening. The hall'was crowded, and the chairman of the County 'Council; Mr. Mason Chambers, presided. The candidate was in..capital.form,.and his criticism of-. Uio- Ward Administration was vigorously "'made. ; He 'obviously had the audience'wifh him',' and'at the close was uhaiiirhbusly'accorded'a-'vote of thanks.

THE HON. R.. M'KEN2IE.

LIVELY MEETING AT KAKAMEA. IBy Telterapli.— Special Oorrcspondtnt.l Karamea, November 29. The liveliest political meeting ever held, in Karamea mis hold here lust night, when Ih©"Hon. tt'. M'Keiaie addressed the electors. Mr. W. T. Gilbert presided. The candidate apologised for not visiting this part of his electorate during the previous three years. During the addrei-s (he meeting was orderly, but a considerable dissatisfaction was noticeable, when the questioners had the floor, and several times the chairman bud to call to order. A voice (to. the chairman):' You arc continually whispering in Mr. M'Kenzic's ear when questions are being asked. Kindly stop .it.. A motion of. confidence was declared carried before time was given to count the hands. The niceling closed amongst applause and hoots. .

SOME SHARP. POINTS,

FROM A SOUTHLAND REFORMER. In his opening speech in Invercargill, Mr. Thos. Fleming, who is contesting tbo Invercargill sent against Mr. .1. Hanan, made some telling", points, as. theso extracts will show:— ,- The. financial perspective of tho people of this country had got entirely out. of focus. Debauched by the borrowing policy of the present Administration,' they talked glibly of millions as if they wero a mere circumstance. . . . They wero continually Ijeiiig told that a large proportion of this debt was interest-earning. Let that be conceded. What they also knew was that every shilling of it wits interest-bearing, and. that life heavy interest bill had to come, out of the pockets of, comparatively speaking, a handful of people. What added to the gravity of the position was the fact that theso huso sums so. lavishly borrowed were spent with a reckless prodigality that was almost criminal. . "Under tho present, rotten system of railway construction the.country was not gelting anything like value for the money spent on public works. If the railways were built by small contracts, the eontractors being bound to pay wages on a fixed standard scale, there would bo three miles of railway built for every two that were built under the present system today. . . .If the railways built, on a businesslike system had cost one-third less than they had actually cost, then the rates .on Roods, produce, and passenger faros could hnvo.been correspondingly reduced, and the employees' wages correspondingly iuc.rea;=ed. An the settlers had to -compete in selling their produce in the world's markets, it was most, important that they should not be handicapped with higher rail freights than were absolutely necessary. This year '.the'total revenue would probably reach 10V millions, and if the goyeminent of the country were administered with reasonable -prudence and economy; they ought to be able to spare, from U to 2 million pounds out of this revenue for the construction of railways and other public works. This should suffice (o meet all reasonable demands without laying the country under "increasing obligations to i the British money-lender. 'To ensure tho aliiliite nnd unimpeachable independence of the. B™ch lw .ludito should ever allow himself to belaid un-der-an obligation, arid leiist of all a pecuniary obligation, to any section of the community, not 'excepting tln> fiovcrnlreiil. -How could inyone Iruthfullv say that a .Judge, or anyone else, who accepted i\ substantial pecuniary' emolument in addition to his statutory romuneratinn, did not lay himself open t<, suspicion that he felt under nn obligation to those who wore the .means.of providing him with sue.n extra emoluments? Sir Joseph Ward'-V defence of tho dispuled Awnrua Voles" was that ho did r.ot know what (he votes wore for. IVm not this a terrible admission of the l-ot-tMiness of tho present system. Voles were asked .for—no one seems to know bv whom—for works that \yere for the ben»!if of private people, and Ihoy are granted by tho Government apparently without proper inquiry. These funds' so voted were in reality trust fund?, funds belonging to the .taxpayers to be carefully safeguarded froni misappropriation or mis-spending. When they realised Hint this loose method of. voting trust funds was obtaining locally, were they not justified in fearing that the same, loow method might be going on all opor tho Pomiujon.

A change of'dovernment was urgently required for Iho following reasons;— (I)" The present (iuvorniiiout had .'shown •in ill tor lock of any fixed, principle in iloultuß with the land question,' a correct, Hiliitiwi. of which wns lit'the fouunjiuoii of (his country's prosperity, 12) Tim (iovornimuit had completely nliaiiilaiicd (ho , prudent and cautious fi. iiancinl policy laid down by Mr. Hallance i>i»l hail gone iii for a wild and overincreasing campaign of borrowing, which 'I not curtailixt, would inevitablv load to prolonged nnd eovero. depression.—(Ap- '•!) The Government had been gnilly of Kross extravagance in connection with' Hie S. » t '■"'■."'■"'stwi'iß ''Ik? nffairs of the jxnitry, and as a rnsiilt the taxation of we people, had been increased to n dan. Cl'n ? to !', 1, '"•■ COI . n »'B "»> ■intolorahl* ijuidi'ii to the people, .