POLITICAL MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 5

POLITICAL MATTERS.

Mil. HALL-JONES IN THE NORTH. £UT TELKOKAFH — J'RiWS ASSOCIATION.] WHANGAHEI, This Day. At tho Mayor's social gathering Mr. Hall-Jones referred in glowing terms to the future of Whangarei with its many industries. Ho claimed that tho debt and interest per head in tho colony had been reduced sineo 1890, and tlio increaso in Customs revenue- was caused through tiie. people boing moro prosporous mid using moro articles of luxury on which heavier duties were lovied than tho necessaries, on Avltich the duties had been reduced. Ho predicted n great futuro for hydro-electricity power, and referred to tho groat value, of the Wairua Falls to Whangaroi. Mr. Kidd, M.H.R., of Auckland has contradicted tho statement made by Mr.Hnrding in tho Auckland Herald, that the city members had jiot given nnanimous support to tho northern mombors, and ho challenged tho mombor for Kaipara to state on any platform when any matter in connection with the north had not received tho cordial support of Auckland members. DARGAVILLE, This Day. Mr. Harding addreescd tho doctors last evojiing. Ho declared himself an Independent candidate, and criticised Mr. Scddon's and Mr. Hall-Jones's Dargavillo speeches. He received a good h tsaring, «nd was accordctl a yoUj of thanks and confidence AUCKLAND, 19th Mo,j». At a meeting of supporters of the Government party, called by Mr. G. F. Gray, organiser of the Liberal and Labour Federation, held ai Dovonpoii to-night for tho purpoce- of re-forming the. WnitcmutA branch of tho Federation, tho question of whether the old branch (to wliich a charter had been issued) was still in existence or ilofunct, was discuased tit soino length. It was decided to adjourn the meeting. Twenty-seven of thoso present, handed in their names for enrolment as now mem-