ON THE PLATFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1307, 9 December 1911, Page 6

ON THE PLATFORM.

WELLINGTON EAST. ADD!!ESS BY DR. NEWMAN. In Kent, Terraco last night a large and enthusiastic crowd of his friends rolled up to hear Dr. Newman address them upon the. meaning of the second ballot for tho Wellington East seat. Tho reports of support were encouraging in a degree beyond tho expectations of (ho most sanguine of the candidate's well-wishers. lii his address Dr. Newman reminded thoso present that he had confidently predicted in all his speeches that a tidal wave of Reform' feeling was sweeping in against (ho Ward Government, and the results of the first ballot had shown that he had read the signs of tho times aright. The Reform party had actually won an absolute majority in tho 4G seats that had been finally settled. Was there anything' but moderation in the expectation that tho Reform party would win at least half of the 30 contests yet to be decided ? If the Reform party achieved even no uioro than that, it would havo compassed the downfall of the Government. Referring to tho contest in Wellington East, ho emphasised tlio fact that, the issue was now a straight-out contest between himself, on the side of reform, and an opponent who had supported tho Ward party, who had promised to support tho Ward party— w;hich would probably be a Ward Opposition—and who was now getting the support of the Ward party. There was only one question for tho electors: Would they vote for a chnnge to clean' administration, or would they keep in power for. another tlireo years a party that had nlrcady. boon twenty years in offico and that the nation was weary of? Ho hoped that Wellington would vote solid for a change—not Wellington East only, but Wellington Central, Wellington South, and Wellington Suburbs.

ME. MIAREN'S COMMITTEES. A largely attended meeting of Mr. D. M'Larcn's combined committees was held in his central committee, room, Kent Tcrrace x last evening. Full arrangements were made in connection with the Becond ballot contest and a programme of public niectingn was drawn up for every day tip to and including Wednesday next. A number of persons who had supported Jlr. Jiolton were present and offered their assistance. Considerable enthusiasm was displayed and messages were presented from various parts of the country indicating tlin Knlirlnrih? nf tlin T.alm'm. ruirtir

ing tuo solidarity ot tno LalwuT party as a whole.