CAMPAIGN NOTES, POINTS FROM CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 121, 20 November 1908, Page 7

CAMPAIGN NOTES, POINTS FROM CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES.

WELLINGTON NORTH. r A DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT. The second ballot campaigns in Wellington and Snburbs are providing more thrills than the preliminary skirmishing did. The gladiators faced a rather jaded puhJic, but the fact that the fights are all duels has stimulated the electors. In Wellington North tho general interest has been heightened by the amalgamation of Messrs. Bolton's and Izard' s divisions of the Government forces. Mr. Izard attended a meeting of Mr. Botton's supporters last night, and the defeated candidate declared that it was the duty of "all true Liberals" to rally around Mr. Bolton and do their best to secure his election. Mr. Bolton warmly praised Mr. Izard for his magnanimous decision and his self-sacrificing spirit, and called for cheers, which were heartily given. Mr. Bolton states that he thoroughly appreciates tho generous action of Mr. izard, which was all the more gratifying io him because it was unsolicited. "If elected to the House, would you take the side of Capital or Labour on a critical division?" queried an elector at Mr. R. A. Wright's meeting last night. The candidate replied that he could not answer without first understanding what the division was aboct. In general he would endeavour to hold the scales of justice evenly between Capital and Labour, in order that both might receive fair treatment. "I will support the Government so long as it brings forward true Liberal measures, and hones&y gives effect to them. If it deviates from that, it cannot expect any support from me." — Mr. dee at St. Thomas's School last night. "The Evening Post says fm too parochial," observed Mr. Barber at Newtown last night. "Now what is a man to do ? How can I hope to please everyone? I do as much as I can for my own district, I admit, but what would you expect me to do? Well, if that is so. I have not neglected colonial matters. I was, for instance, the only member in the House who saw the difficulties in the Shops and Offices Act, and which difficulties did arise." The mention of Mr. T. E. Taylor's name evoked more than one round of applause at Mr. A. R. Atkinson's meeting last night. "I am exceedingly sorry that you are to have a second ballot," Air. Taylor had written to the candi. date. "And, although I have a great lespect for your opponent, and believe him to be an earnest man, I am very anxious that you should win the seat. ' xn the same letter Mr. Taylor explained that he had been misrepresented as uaving undertaken not to vote against uhe Government on a no-confidence mo«ion. All he had said was that he would be no party to, such a vote "if it were moved immediately the House met." After that he had reserved absolute freedom. "Mr. Taylor's attitude," said Mr. Atkinson, "is, therefore, very little different from mine, and I am proud to think that if I am returned we shall be able tt fight, side by side." (Applause.) There was a numerous attendance of ladies at the New Century Hall yesterday afternoon, when Mr. D. M'Laren, Labour candidate for Wellington i East, delivered an address. Mrs. Lindegaard presided. The candidate devoted his remarks chiefly to the housing problem. It was, he said, a, question whether the natural growth of population was not checked oy tho pow housing accommodation supplied in large centres. In Wellington the position was most serious. With a population of 58,563 persons, there were only 2651 three and four-roomed houses, and 4261 five and eix-roomed houses, whereas in Christchurch, with nearly 10,000 less population, there were 2768 three and fourroomed houses, ad 4734 five and sixroomed houfces. The rents in Wellington ranged from 14s to £1 for four rooms, and 18s to 25s for five rooms. As a means of remedying the present state of affairs. Mr. M'Laren advocated such legislation as would force into the market lands at present lying idle, and submitted also that if the taxation of land values* was increased, the Government could acquire revenue to carry out the erection of dwellings on a much larger scale. He desired to see the Governmeut and municipalities join hands for the treatment of this problem by securing areas on tho outskirts of the city, providing means of transit, and excluding the element of private speculation. After re-btaling his attitudo to the party question, Mr. Atkinson said last night that lie regretted that his honesty had been attacked on an electioneering card, which said, "Beware of Mock Independence ! An Independent, Liberal or an Independent Oppositionist is merely a politician who has tyrned his coat inside out to try and escape detection." He regretted still more to find the name of his friend, Mr. D. M'Laren, at the foot of that card Having been engaged for sixteen years in the thick of the fierce fight with the liquor traffic, Mr. Atkinson said that he could not recall having ever been charged by any advocate of the "trade" with a mean ot shabby action. Yet here ho was plainly charged 1 with hypocrisy and false pretences, and without a word of retaliation or even comment, 'he would leave it to the electors to say whether such a „-uel insinuation was a just one. (Applause. ) "The parrot-nka cry of 'Conservative' ia continually being used against any candidate who opposes the Government The dictionary definition of a Liberal is 'one who stood for freedom from restraint in political institutions.' A Conservative is 'one who stood for a form of Government as it was.' The present supporters of the Government are the real Conservatives, because they believe firmly in things as they are. I believe, on the other hand, m greater freedom from iestraint; therefore I am a Liberal." — R. A. Wright's definition of Conservative and Liberal. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald nas received the following telegram from the Prime Minister: — "In reply to your telegram no candidate has been selected as the Government nominee for the Suburbs seat,. As there are two Government candidates running, I am of opinion the fair thing to both is not to nominate either under the circumstances. — J. G. Ward." Mr. A. R. Atkinson caused some amusement at his meeting, in the New Century Hall, last night, by reading a telegram which he had received from Mr. C. Lewis, ex-M.P. for Courtenay : "Keep it up ; rely on your second wind." "As a runner," said the candidate, "I was never much of a sprinter, but I had good staying power, and my second wine 1 was aiways better than my first. In the present case I trust that my staying power will enable me to stay at the top of tht poll on Tuesday, next." (Laughter and applause.^

"There is nothing in my action in the i present or in the past that can justify ! the No-licerse party in acting towards me as they have done in this election," said Mr. Barber, at Newtown, last night. "There are a number of people who are treating me in an unfair manner in this respect," he added. "I do appeal to them to separate this issue from politics." With about ten votes still to come in, the figures in Wellington East are as follow:— A. R,. Atkinson (I.), 2416; D. M'Laren (Lab.), 1747; W. M'Lean (G.), 1305; G. Winder (G.), 1078. Further ballot papers have come to • hand from absent voters and seamen. The figures in Wellington North now are:— A. L. Herdman (0.), 2813; F. G. Bolton (G.), 1858; C. 'lzard <G.), 1819; H. Bodjey (I.), 133. Twenty-nine votes have still to come in. | Mr. Fisher's majority for Wellington Central was last evening 158, with 12 absent voters' votes still to • come in. j The official count has been going on today, i The official recount for Wellington Suburbs gives the following figures : — J. ; W. Braithwaite, 54; J. E. Fitzgerald, 1899; J. P. Luke, 2176; F. T. Moore, 642; R. B. Williams, 1352; W. T. i'oung, 609; informal, 164. CHALMERS OFFICIAL FIGURES. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, 19fch November. The official count for Chalmers gives the following results .—. — Allen 2552 Clark 2463 Barr 102 A second ballot will be necessary. Four votes have still to come. WAIPAWA. DANNEVIRKE, 19th November. So far 39 absent voters' permits have come to hand. Of these 27 are for Mr. Hall and 12 for Mr. Hunter. This makes Mr. Hall's total 2474, and Mr. Hunter's 2425. The outstanding votes cannot now affect the position. The scrutiny will not be completed until tomorrow.