THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1300, 1 December 1911, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS.

NEWS AND NOTES. y< ii SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES, }' I), ■ <M TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. (' Mr. C. A. W. Moncklon (Opposition, V Otaki doctorate), at Ton Hull, Levin, J; at 8 p.m. 9 Mr. A. L. Hcrdnmu (Opposition, Weilinzton North), at Wadeslown Clubroom, ( at a p.m. Dr. Arnold Izard (Government,WWo- f liugton North), at Methodist Schoolroom, Northland, at 8 p.m. Jlr. W. K. I). Bell will meet flic mem- ? hers of his various committees at tbo Committee Room, Panama direct, at 8 „ !'■»> y Mr. 11. J. Rcardon (Labour, Ilutt elec- a toratc), at Wainui, at S p.m. o Dr. A. E. Newman (Opposition Wei- v lington East), at Newtown Library, at 8 c p.m. n Mr. John Brodic (Independent Liberal, 11 Wellington East), at Bov.-iing Club Pavi- 0 lion, Bataitai, at 8 p.m. c Mr. It. Fletcher (Government, Welling- J ton Contral), at ft. Peter's Sclioolroom, . Ghuznes Street, at 8 p.m. Mr. W. H. P. Barber (Government, i Wellington South), at corner Wallace and Howard Streets, at 8 p.m., at St. < Thomas's Schoolroom, Newtown, ladies' - meeting, at 2.15 p.m. c Mr. ,T. P. Luke (Government, Welling- a ton Suburbs), at Maranui, at 8 p.m. ' Mr. F. G. Bolton (Government, Welling t ton East), at New Century Hall, Kent ( Terrace, at 8 p.m. I Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at Marauui, outside iea I Kiosk, at 7.30 p.m. Miramar, outside Paterson's store, at 8.30 p.m. i llr. J. W. M'Ewan (Independent Liberal, Hutt Electorate), at Kins George ■ Theatre, Lower Hutt, at 8 p.m. ■ Mr. F. M. B. Fisher (Opposition, Wellington Central), at Alexandra Hall, Abel ' I Smith Street, at 8 p.m. I Mr. W. H. Field (Government, Otaki 1 Electorate), at school, Otaki, at 6.30 p.m. ! Mr. B.vron Brown (Opposition, Otairi ; Electorate), at Akataraiva, at 8 p.m. Mr. E. W. Short (Opposition, Hutt J Electorate), at St. James's Hall, Lower 1 "iitt, at 7.30 p.m. 1 Mr. A. H. Hindniarsh (Labour, Welngton South), at Tramway Terminus, ' [atisfield Street. at 7.45 p.m. Dr. Couzens (Independent Opposition), ' „t Mrs. Rogers's Store, Vogeltown, at 8 p.m. Mi'. E. J. Carey (Labour, Wellington North), at Boulcott Street Hall, at 8 p.m. Mr. W. T. Young (Labour, Wellington Central;, at corner Cuba and Webb Streets, at 7.ij p.m. At Terminus Hotel corner, at 8.30 p.m. Mi\ E. Newman (Opposition, Rangilikci electorate), at Awahun, at 8 p.m. Mr. E. A. Wvijjiit (Opposition, Wellington South), at Berliampore, corner Luxford Street and Adelaido lload, at 8 p.m. SATURDAY'S MEETINGS. Mr. A. L. Hcrdman (Opposition, Wellington North), at Kclburno Tea Iviosk, at 8 p.m. Mr. W. H. D. Bell (Opposition, Wellington Suburbs), at Public Hall, Porirua, at 8 p.m. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh (Labour, Wellington South), at Green Street, Newtown, at 8 p.m. Dr. Couzens (Independent Opposition, Vellington South), at corner Wallace and loward Streets, at S p.ni. .Mv. E. J. Carey (Labour, Wellington at Pipitea Street and Kelburne. Mr. F. G. Bolton (Government, Wellington East), at Courtenay Place East, at 8 p.m.Jlr. J. P. Luke (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at Judgeford, at S p.m. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald (Government, Wellington Suburbs), at Paremata, at 7.30 p.m. Pahuutanui, at 8.30 p.m. Mr. R. A. Wright (Opposition, Wellington Sjoutli), at Vogeltown, Mrs. store, at 8 p.m. Mr. M. J. Rcardon (Labour, Hutt electorate), at Upper Hutt, at 8 p.m. Mr. W. H. P. Barbel' (Government, Wellington South), at Wilson Street, at 8 p.m. Mi'. W. K. Field (Government, Otalri electorate), at the Ilall, Paraparaumu, at 8 p.m. FUTURE MEETINGS. Dr. A. K. Newman (Opposition, Wellington East), at Town Hail, on Monday, at 8 p.m. Mr. A. L. Herdman (Opposition, Wellington North), at Town Hall, on Monday, at 8 p.m. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher (Opposition, Wellington Central), at Town Hall, on Monday, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. A. Wright (Onnosition. W=llinr»ton South), at Town nail on Monday, at S p.m. Mr. W. H. D. Bell (Opposition, Wellington Suburbs), at Town Hall, on Monday, at 8 p.m. I Mr. John Brodio (Independent Liberal, Wellington East), at O'Donnell's Hall, Kilbirnio, on Monday, December i, at S p.m. Mr. R. R. Martin speaks at Foxton on Monday, December 4. in reply lo Mr. Byron Brown's attack on Mr.'Massey. Mr. C. A. W. Monckton (Opposition, Otaki electorate), at Broadbelt's shod, Koputavua, on Tuesday, December 5, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. Fletcher (Government, Wellington Central), ill Mount Cook Schoolroom, on Monday, December 4, at 8 p.m. Dr. Arnold Izard (Government, Wellington North), at Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, on Monday, December i, at 8 p.m.

HERE AND THERE.

CAMPAIGN POINTS AND PRESS COMMENTS. ~ The Reform Demonstration. Arrangements have now been completed for the Reform demonstration in tho Town Hall on Monday night next. The gathering has for its central purpose the linal concentration of tho local public d' mind, upon tho pnramounlcy of honesty in government over all other purely political issues. Tho whole of the. five Reform candidates, namely. Dr. Xewman, Messrs. A. 1,. Jierdnuiii,"F. M. 13. Fisher, W. 11. D. Bell, and K. A. Wright will [1 lake the platform. Tho meeting is being *■- promoted by tho Women's Branch of tho tl Political Reform League, and it will make history for the Dominion so far as the election of 1911 is concerned. Mr. Bell, whose speech is awaited with unusual interest, has to address a. meeting; in Johntj sonvillo on Monday night, but this will lj conclude early, and ho will arrive nt n - the Town Hall in good time to take his L ,' part in tho demonstration. Information Withheld. Inferring to tho fact that the Government has withheld, information as to the , s cost of raising loans in England during 13 tho past tiro years, Mr. J. D. Hall, speaking at Christchurch, said:—"Tho Government are in the position of trustees of your property, and the first duly of a trustee is in be ready with his accounts , and show them openly and giro full doll tails. Ami because these accounts have ? not been forthcoming, I blame tho Gov- .' eminent vevr much, because their action ~ does not enable you to determine whether or not the money has been well borrowed.'' "Liberalism" and Standard Oil. s_ In his opening Invorairgill speech. Mr. 1- A' 1 cnl "W. had something to say about !r tho Oropukj Mialo Works. A good many n years ago, he said, a. compnnv spent a s . large sum of money in establishing tlieso works. What eurauragcnicut did (ho Government give, the comrtmy lie would tell thorn. This .-o-cnlk.~] lJibcr.il paternal Government took all the duly off kerosene, a.ud practically ruined the cornit pany. so far a-3 their business in this it country was concerned, and thus, instead J*- of l*nelUing Iho consumer, tho principal benefit wen I into the pockets of tho .American Oil Trust. In Canada thev did things differently, and give substantial bonuses to encourage local industries, f,. Tho American Oil Trust (Standard OiH r . was a world-wide thing. It was a magnet that operated everywhere, mid drew good a . things to itself. Whatever Standard Oil interests needed, Standard Oil agents seciiu'd for it in some way. Where they could not got. things to them, they bought .1.. them, anything at all from an "oil well id to a senator, but the tunny thing about re tho removal of tho duly from kerosene in t/> .Now Zealand—that gave Now Zealand oil 23 trade to tho American.! Trust and cj.

uguished the poor little Orepuki Skalo "I ouipany—was that tho New Zealand Itiivalenl. of American senators, able to illuenec legislation, were not lor s.alo in * ew Zealand. Slill tho duly eamo off, j, in Orepnki company went out, and that i> ions American, John D. liockcl'cllcr, had A, et. another reason lo thank Heaven for f| s mysterious workings in his belnlf. .' r.nugiile.r.) \«\v Zealand was the poorer !' y the loss of a promising industry, and j! dmirors of the Seddon-Ward colonial- Vj idustry-encouraging l.'roleclionist M"iuisry had over since been in a state of "' uzzlement u.s to why they should havu st> " ■antonly and barbarously slaughtered tho j' 1 irepuki company and usctl what, was a '■' lost unlawful a. I'rolecli.nnist " lovemment to use—"Free-trade in oil.''— Y Applause.) j', 'he Oroua Scat. , Mr. D. H. Guthrie, who is seeking re- h lection as ficl'onn candidate for Oroua, i, 3 having encouraging meetings. On h .'uftsday night he addressed a largo gath- e . iring of electors at Kimbolton., Mr. bl 'owler in the chair. After speaking for r .bout two hours on the lines of his n ther addresses, tho candidate received a J\ err hearty vote of thanks and continued ~ 'onfidence. At Apiti, on Wednesday j tight, ho had a crowded house, and tho ) : nesting was most enthusiastic throughmt. Mr. Clark was in tha chair. At tho ~ a :ouclusion ol tin. meeting Ml. Giuhria cceived a heartv vote of tha.uks and con- / idence in the Reform party's policy of ilcan administration. , \ Question for Mr. M'Nab. ! A correspondent signing himself "Tho t U'Xab Innuend-j" writes:-"Mr. M'Nab's • :hallenso to Mr. Massey is really most imusing. If Mr. M'Nab thinks tho state- ■ nent ol Mr. Masscy bears the meaning :hat he says it does, why does ho not at , nice commenca an action for libel against i Vlr. Masscy? Nothing like bounce.", s \bou* Borrowing. The attitude of the Eeforin Party on < :he question of borrowing has bceu per- : iistently misrepresented by the Prime i Minister and oth%r members of tho Min- ; steriai party, who have repeatedly 6tat- 1 ed that if the present Opposition was ; placed on the Treasury benches it would I :ripple the country by abruptly stopping ' M borrowing. Speaking at Clcvcdon on ' Tuesday evening, Mr. Massey (Leader of 1 tho Koi'orm Party) made it clear that the ' party's policy is that borrowing should i bo restricted, but not discontinued. It : is recognised that borrowed money isnecessary to develop the country, but in- ' etead of the extravagant plunging which has been carried on by tho present Government, tho Reform Party would borrow in each year only an amount that would be suiheient for tho requiremcits uf that year, that could bo expended profitably in that period, and that could bo raised without injuring the credit of the Dominion. Mr. Massey said that ha believed New Zealand could safely Imrrow three or four millious a year, but tho Government had gone too far when it made six millions and a half a year the rate of borrowing. Unless it was checked, tho Government would in ten vears pile up a national debt of 000A Painful Silence. • "An old and very highly respected re- . sideut of Koputaroa, who attended Mr. Field's meeting there, says there was absolutely nothing in tho candidate's address of a convincing natur; tho meeting was entirely devoid of enthusiasm, ami no questions' whatever were asked. After a somewhat painful silence, a voto of thanks was moved and carried, but no confidence in the Government or the candidate was expressed. Our informant was formerly a. Government supporter, but has now thrown in his lot with the licform party.''—"Horowhenua County llecord." The Only Effective Reply. There can be no doubt that a change of Government would bo an cxcelleut thing for the Dominion. We have but to consider the administration of tho various Departments to perceive that the Cabinet has lost all vigour and enterprise and is devoting all its ingenuity to the tnsk of avoiding troublo and keeping afloat. ... If the public were only actively critical the result of 'the elections -would be foregone, for the Government has becoms a byword for its amazing indifference to tho public welfare upon questions of vital public importance. . . . The growing public recognition that, a change of Government is the only effective Temedy for administrative incompetence can be asserted on election day if voters will exercise their political independence and voto against the Government candidate in each electorate. The real question is whether the Government i;; entitled tn continuance in office. The narty machinery, not the public goodwill, is working strongly to obtain an affirmative answer, but the party machinery is powerless if electors drop all minor considerations and exerciso the franchise on boh.Mf of change of Govprii'nent by doing all that lies in . each elector's power to destroy the majority of Government in Parliament.--"New Zealand Herald." Mr. Millar's Aspirations. M his meeting at Carterton on Mondav eveninc- Mr. W. C. Buchanan alluded to" Mr. Millar's aspiration to become Prime Minister of tho Dominion, and gave Mr. Millar's views on tho land question, quoting from Hansard. Mr. Millar had declared that he would not allow ono aero to be sold, and that ho was always against tho freehold. H was Mr. Millar who advocated that when the holder of n 9PI years' died, the Gov; eminent should resume the land, on tho ground that tho death of .the tenant ended - tho contract, aud there was no contract with the widow! No New Zealand Parliament would pass a law lo | rob a widow and children of any lease. It must be the wish of everyone that .Mr. Millar's aspirations for the Premiership would never bo realised. (Applause.) Btill Another of Them. The rush of candidates lo escano "tho Government brand" keeps up. Mr. J. Ivess. who is a candidate for the Waimarino seat, writes to ns as follows: "I urn surprised at your persisting in Virnhd ing me 11.' in your list of candidates. I am standing in the interests of Labour, nrcparod lo vote with Labour.—J. Ivcss." Mr. Ivcss was formerly a Ministerialist candidate. Unproductive Railway Lines. If had been asked (said Mr. W. O. Buchanan at Carterton on Monday evening) what tho Opposition would do to curtail or lessen expenditure if it came into nowcr. One of (ho first things it would (lo would bo (0 Icsfpn expenditure on unproductive, railway lines, such as tiie Kawakawa line, which opened up and enhanced the value of "200,000 acres of Native land on which (here was not n singlo settler, raised, no crop, paid no land tax or road rates, and was also receiving expenditure on roads and bridges. They had better ask Sir James Carroll, who'never did to-day anything that ho could put off till to-morrow. (Laughter and applause.) A Change Wanted Badly. "Sir Joseph Ward is becoming Iho spoiled bov of Now Zealand," remarked Mr. A. & Malcolm at BalcJullia. Ho went on to say I hat. the Prime Minister was inclined lo say that he would not pay unless lie got credit, for this anil that, lli.s pettishuess and peevishness had become quite proverbial. A change was wanted badly. They wanted nivn who eould Lake hard knocks without crying. (An elector: "Well give him n, thrashing.") "There is a. chance of him getting it," retorted die candidate. What Mr. Hinc Proven. A fata! inaccuracy to overtake Minister.-, ami Government candidates whenever they refer to the Hinc charges. Thus, Mr. K. B. Boss stated at. Woodville that tho only thing shown by t.ho inquiry was a breach on tho part of a Maori member. Whereupon the. "Pahiatua Herald":—"This is un übsolutol.v incorrcct statement, end Mr. Koss knows it is incorrect. . . . The rial facts of the case arc that Mr. Hino p'oved four serious charges, three of them against Government members who were not Maoris. This was in spite of tho fact that the. Committee of Inquiry was very partisan, comprising six Government sniiporters as against four Opposition members." The "Herald" then gives Iho four proven charges, and adds tho Comniitleo's i-n----counnondation (not yet cwried into effect!: "That legislation should bo p.xssed making it illegal for a member of Parliament lo act on liis own behalf, or on behalf of any other person, in negotiating the. sale, of an. estate to too CroTSD-".

"No Definite Land Policy." Speaking at Waiuku on Monthly Sir. Massey said that not ouly had the Government uo delimit) land policy, but tha Ministers who were at Ibc head oV tho Departments of Land and of Agriculture know absolutely nothing of Ike land question. Sir Joseph Ward Mas a smart liiiMHoss man, that was beyond question, but he was absolutely ignorant of tho iirst principles of la.nil settlement. The Minister for Agriculture made a deal of noise about his Department, but ho knownothing of agricultural pursuits, because he had never owned an acre of land. II was pitiable, (hat the Minister nt (ho head of such an important Do-. parlmonl should make, himself a laugh-ing-stock by his blk u f milk viclds, an < i<! Hon. T. Mackenzie had" done in J.aranaki. Mr. Massey added a tirief explanation of the Reform party's land polley, explaining that ho wns 'entirely opPosed to Iho idea of a nation of lease- . i ,' s \ ,I 0 ililn of llis I'Qrlv was llw es tablishmeut of a community of small. - fccltlern, owning thciv farms and paving rent to no one. (Applause.) Liberal" an. plausc lollowed the conclusion of Mr, Masscy s speech and the meeting accordm a ,, vol:c ol thanks and confidence to Mr. Massey, the resolution being carried by vigorous acclamation, followed by re poahod cheei-iug aud singing 0 f "For He's a Jelly Good Fellow." A Brinht Idea. ~ t r bG > VB r, a 61 , na11 fire-alarm tower al island Bay there stretches a calico sheet waring the words "VOTE FOE," which (having regard to the principal content of •<&itp W nieaneth VOIL I OK ULLL.' J The Maori Landlords. Speaking at Foxton last Wednesday, M.?. Monckton said that in a recent speech at Levin Sir James Carroll had devoted a good deal of time to the Native, land question, and had pleaded tho caso °i. i J 3 i poor Ma °«. a i<i asked that ho sneu d be assisted in every way possible*, and that the advantages of the State londi!«; and other institutions should bo placed at his disposal. He did not tell his hearers, however, that tho rents paid to Maoris amounted to a Eura equivalent to -6150 pv annum for every Maori man, woman, and child in the countrv. This was apart from moneys paid theni for leases ot townships, royalties on. flax and limber, etc. Sir James Carroll also did not tell them that tho Maoris still owned tour million acres of first-class land, which was now lying idle, and the Maori owners were waiting for the white scttleta to construct roads aud bridges, and they will then grab tho increased value. Two Policies. Tho policy of the Reform party waa a. constructive policy, said Mr. James Alon at Palmerston South whilst that of the Government was one of howling and nothing else. If they put the Keforui patty into power, and ho believed ther wcuid-(app[auM)-thoy would have an opportunity of showing that thev had constructive ability and would define a policy in the interests of New Zealand. A Dastardly Proposal. . A correspondent writes to the "Southland 1 lines' : -"When I road Sir Joseph Viart! s statement (hat a number of respectable settlers of Awarua had come to him and asked him if they should go lo Utnton and burst, up -Massov's meeting, and that ho had advised them not to do so, 1 lelt glad I was not an Awarua settler _ supporting Sir Joseph Ward, ■ otherwiso I would have felt very uncomfortablo indeed. If such a dastardly proposal was made, it was surelv very bad ; tasto on Sir Joseph Ward's part to give '■ his supporters away. If not, then otiil ; worse for tair Joseph Word." "The Best Milking-machine." moving a vote W confidence in Mr. Greenslade after that gcuUeman bad doi liverod one of his electioneering spoeches ; recently, a supportor termed the nicni- ; bcr for Waikato tho "best- milking nut- » cluno" that electorate had over had. ; Surely no. more convinciug testimony > could possibly bo adduced to the rotten- ! ncss of the existing system of making ; Government grant*'. It was purely and r simply an 'acknowledgment that' the ox- - peuditure of public money goes entirely - by favour and that' the qualification of - a member of Parliament most prized by ? his constituents is that ho shall be a - sturdy beggar. In condemning the pre- - vailing method of making grants, Mr, s Hcwott told tho electors of Kaglan ho - loathed begging. That fact alone would i damn him in tho eyes of such people "us r the mover of the vote of oonlidouco in t Mr. Oreenslade. To'assort that n cnudi- - date for Parliumont must lie judged.by l> his cadging ability is an insult to the i intelligence of tho electors of Waikato or a anywhere else, or, if it isn't, it ought i> to be.—Kaglan "Chronicle." s The Hon. J. A. Millar's Opponent. I Mr. H. D. Bedford (tho Hon. J. A. " Millar's opponent) addressed the electors • of Dunediu West at Great King Street,' Hanover Street, and Frederick Street, Dunediu, on Monday night. Thousands attended the meetings, and received the candidate with utmost enthusiasm. Mr. Bedford was bombarded with quostioiin i- on tho principal political topics of the. A day, and at the conclusion of each address t> was accorded hearty cheers. !- A Gross Error. Writing of the extra payment? made '■ lo tho Chief Justice', tho "Waikuto ■ s Argus" says:—"lt is singular that tho '• Reform candidates have not alluded more * forcibly to this grot* error in admiuistra- ;: lion, and exposed the untruth that an 0 unjust accusation had been made against, >t the Judges. Onlv (wo parties aro open 0 to attack—the Ministry and tho Chief t- Justice; tho latter ought to have advised 0 tho Prime Minister that to make any -■ payment lo him beyond tho sum fixed by. it law as attaching la his offico would btv f- improper and unconstitutional. Klecton •) must not allow themselves lo bo diverted from judging of tho merits of tho case by the raising of false issues." f What He Showed. j. "Sir Joseph Ward showed in his speech' 'I last evening that it is time that ho waa i relieved uftlio reins of government."— t Dannevirke "Evening News" on tho r, Prime Minister's meeting at Danucvirko. st Class Prejudice. "Sir Joseph Ward points with pardonable prido to what has been done in tho way of land settlement, and, incident- -. ally, in the way of 'wresting' land from "' the large landowners. But: ono of his i" own now most devoted followers tells \„ us that more landowners than oue have. \1 voluntarily ull'erod eminently suitable J„ land nt reasonable price:; only to have, " I hem rejected. The eminent of eompui- ;., sion lvllects so much more limelight on " a statesman desiring to foster class prcjutlico."—Hastings '"J'ribuiie." "„ Land Settlement in the Wairarapa. id In-referring to tho want of a land policy es by | he party ut present in oftio'e, Mr. W. ig C. Buchanan, speaking at Foatherslon, 'V. was able to give local instances lo provn his assertion that tho Government had failed to carry out a schem? of purchasing land for settlement. He instanced "Longwood" at Featlicrston, and the Han,j totara I'j.tato, near M'artinborougli, bolli j n of whidi the Government had declined J!, to purclia.se, although private persons had. „i. ilotio so and found it profitable. Part uf ,1 tlu> Hraucopoth l'.state, near Maslerton, ~| had been offered (o the Government at ~ £1 per acre, and dfi-Hned. This had JJ since been sold at prices ranging from „ ,U\ tn JiKI per Here. "The Government [,'. is oitlier iueompeteut in this nialter or 1( J .won't carry out it.s promise?," atkkd Mr. Buchanan. The Friend of the Rich. The Tarnrutangi correspondent of. the co "Taranaki Herald" has an "unconventional 05 way of writing- up (ho news, hut the root f- of tho matter is'.in. him: "Wo had a ' e visit from Mr.. Okey on Friday night," "- ho says. "About thirty came along to a hear his address, and to hear of" tho a- deeds and the misdeeds of the. present l.v Government. From what Mr. Obey lolls >'s us there seems lo bo a useless oxpomlii.o turo of mohey in many Ways. The prei- sent Government is eyidentiv the friend v- of the rich man. A man drawing pers. haps thousands a year for salary is given ie a iitllo extra work lo tlo, and the Govn, eminent straight away .make hint a pre is sent of a few thousands, more. ' Titer to along como a few horny-handed''men from ■n the back-blocks, who want, n bridge at e- liucli and such a place, and roads made f- to give them easy access to their section! >d and Ik) enable their wives and children a- to get out ouce in a while, so that they in can get their produce out, to help tbnm ig pay their rent and buy tho necessaries of ] life,: The deputation is listened to, and:

Tim, .yos, wo will sco what wo can do.' But thoy take a long timo to seo, and the toilers will get weary of waiting, and Bay: 'Well, hero's out of this place, anyway. I've had enough of it.' And so tho country'loses good settlers, their wives and families, for the want of a few thousands spent on roads. But what matter? Tho man with the big fat billet gets a thousand or two extra. Let the farmers go and scratch. But I have got av.-av from Mr. Okey. His address lasted nearly two hours, and at tho conclusion lie was awarded a vote of thanks and • conlidence. Three cheers were also given him outside''the hall." "Declared Carried," At Kutorua, as at somo other places where the Prime Minister has spoken during tho present olcclion, there has been a conflict of testimony as to tho feeling of tho meeting. T > Press Association- report stated that tho vote of thanks and confidence was "carried by a large majority." A report.which appeared in several Ministerial papers stated that tho motion was "carried on the voices with some dissent from the back. Tho "Hot lakes Chronicle" says: "This resolution was productive of loud cries of 'Nq,\ repeated several times, and 'Three cheers for Mr. -Hemes.' Eventually, tho motion was declared carried on th* voices." A correspondent of tho "Chronicle"" goes into detail, and says: "Wheu the usual motion of thanks and confidence was put, after- the Prime Minister concluded his political address on Friday evening, tho chairman called for an amendment, and a few seconds elapsed in which the fate of (ho Government hung in the balance. Then Sir Joseph Ward ton!; tho matter in hand himself, and whispered audibly to Mr. Hill: 'There is no amendment, put tho motion and say "all in favour of tho motion say aye".' - Hence, from this it is clear that although it is not etiquette for any politician to dictate to a chairman, Sir Joseph Ward believes in carrying his autocratic methods to any length , to savo a 'situation; The words: 'And continued confidence in the Government' was tho signal for loud successive cries of 'No, No. No, No.' accompanied with a tornado in the form of Threo cheers for Mr. Hemes,' yet. tho chairman declared the motion carried on the voices, which it certainly was not." Mr. Lang and the Veterans. Mr. F. W. Lang, Opposition candidate fpr_ Mauukau, addressed a meeting of residents at the Veterans' Home, Epsom, on Tuesday night. The meeting was very enthusiastic, and after passing a vote of thanks to, and confidence in, Mr. Lang, it cheered him, and sang, 'Tor He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Local Government Reform. Tho "Hawke's Bay Herald" says that tho reason why tho Government has postponed local Government reform is obvious. Their .policy is • to. draw into their own hands tho entire administration of public affairs, whether local or general. We'have had instances of this in the recent tramway regulations, in the recent nobbling- of tho sinking funds of local bodies, and in other ways. Now, any proper system of local government would rnako the local authorities stronger. They would not submit to dictation from tho Government. In ]>articular, they would insist on the control of the expenditure pf public money within their areas. That is what the Reform party proposes. The present system is unfair and expensive. If tho Government cannot improve it they must make way for those that can." Only a Drop in the Bucket. 'Mr. Fisher told his audience at the Druids' Hall last night that he had always supported the workers' homes scheme, but he considered that as far as it had -gone at present.the scheme was only a drop in the'bucket of reform. Tho Debt and the Freehold. When the Cabinet was cleared of the land faddist, and when every man had a right to bo his own landlord, it would be found that, as a Biblical prophet said, each man could sit under his own fig tree, and none should.be afraid. Freehold in Now Zealand would mean that tho *$0,fi00,000 national debt would be put on more shoulders and would thus bo made lighter.—Mr. H. Atmoro, Independent candidate, Nelson. Self-Condemned. , The Dannevirko "News" remarks that the Prime Minister, in his speech at that place, "endeavoured to' play upon the ruffled feelings of the addience by holding the land monopolist up to shame, but it Vi a singular fact that after twenty years of Liberal administration the land monopolist is still with lis." The Ship and the Plough. Said Mr. Harry Atmore, at Nelson:— "Tho Premier sent Home an offer of a Dreadnought and photographs of him were circulated in the papers, hnt no pictures of the man with the plough who paid for it. Tho electors were bound down to pay. ,£2,000,000 without their conBent being given—Sir Joseph Ward gave the Dreadnought and obtained the ratification afterwards." Our Railways, "As long as the politician has the running of our railways so long will our railways be run for vote-catching purposes."— Mr. C. 11. Ensqr at Islington. Feeling at Te Aroha. Thus tho Te Aroha "News":—"The scanty attendance at Mr. King's meeting in To Aroha on Tuesday can bo taken as evidence of tho strength of the Opposition voto in tho town. It is quite evident that Mr. Horrics has the support of tho local community and that tho Government candidate is well but of tho hunt." The Promicr again Corrected. Newspapers opposed to the Government have to devoto much space to correcting tho statements of the Prime Minister. Thus the "Taranaki Herald" notes that Sir Joseph Ward was reported as saying at Hawera that tho Government valuers valued some of tho Moka.ii land at nothing, and some at only five shillings, while the highest valuation placed upon tho block wn.s .£25,009. "Now," says the "Herald," "the valuers sent by the Goy'■U'rimont valued only 118 acres at nothing; J7OO acres they valued for sale at 7s. Gd.; 30,071 acres at His.; and tho balance up to .C 2 an acre, making the total value for disposal JMS.I-H, and this takes no account of the underlying minerals. The TTndcr-Secretary for Lands thought the Government would be justified in giving .£30,000 or while Mr. W. H. Skinner estimated ,£20.912 as tho stun which tho Crown could safely give for tho block." Would Eat His Cake and Have it too. "Sir Joseph Ward bases his plea for n return to power on tho work of tho last twenty years. He meets the plea that that is too long for any political party to remain in office by stating that he must only bo judged by tho events pf the last five years."—Dannevirko "News." lot to he Bought. Railway men will bo interested in tho following:—Mr Fisher was asked last night if ho was aware that a notice had been posted in the railway workshops announcing that the pay _of tho railway employees had been increased. Mr. Fisher said he was not" awaro of any official announcement to that effect, lie had heard that such was the case. If he kw.v (he railway men at all, they would only hold a Government that would he guiity of offering such a. bribo in evc-u more contempt than ever. The nislway men had been so shamefully treated that they were not to bo bought in so, • unscrupulous a manner. The Baronetcy. "Baronetcies are at a discount in New Zealand -they are'meant for a larger field." wid Mr. W. C. Buchanan, at 1-V-athcrston, on Wednesday night. Something They Don't Know, "T don't believe there are five per cent, of tho members of Parliament who have road a single book on political economy, now many of them know what rent is, for instance? How many of them could explain the Ricardian theory? The fact of Hie matter is that they know nothing nt all about theso subjects."—Mr. A. H, Hinclmar;h at Brooklyn last night,