GENERAL ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, 14 October 1922, Page 6

GENERAL ELECTION.

LABOUR CAMPAIGN. WELLINGTON, October IE On Thursday of last week, Air 11. E. Holland (chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party), left Wellington for I Gisborne and other East Coast centies. |At Hastings Air Holland was met by 'the executive of the Hawke’s Bay La- ' bour Movement, and for a few minutes discussed the political situation in that electorate. At Napier, he was again met by the executive officers of the local L.R.C., and was also joined by Mr W. T. Young (secretary of the Seamen’s Federation), who was travelling to Gisborne. GISBORNE. I The president and other officials of 'the Poverty Bay L.R.C. met the boat, and welcomed the visitors to Gisborne. ' During the day, Air Holland paid a visit to the veteran worker for Labour and Socialism —Airs Fox, who is very il*. At night a huge crowd attended at the ‘ Opera House, the meeting being pre- , sided over by Air D. W. Coleman, president of the L.R.C. Mr Holland was given a great reception, and was followed with intense interest by the large •audience, during the course of an ad’.dress which lasted two hours and 20 I minutes —and throughout which he was [repeatedly applauded and cheered. He I was accorded a great ovation on resumiing his seat, and one of the most sucI I ecssful Labour meetings ever held in Gisborne was brought to a conclusion with hearty cheers for the Labour Movement and the selected Labour candidate, Air Tom Brindle. WATERSIDERS’ SOCIAL. After the meeting Messrs Holland and T'oung paid a visit to the watcrsiders’ smoke social, which was being I held that night. They were welcomed I with prolonged applause, and the toast j of “The Labour Party,’’ coupled with I the names of the visitors, was musically honoured. Both visitors spokebriefly and enthusiastically in support of the industrial and political solidarity of Labour. As they left the hall, they were again cheered. NUHA KA. At 6 a.m. on Saturday Mr Holland and Mr Holland left Gisborne for the 'south. The road proved to be one of the worst in New Zealand. At Nuhaka Air Holland left the car, and dur- . [ing the afternoon addressed a splendid meeting of railway construction . workers, farmers, and local towns- ! people. He was given a great hearing, and the utmost enthusiasm was evinced for Brindle’s candidature. Aft«*r the meeting, Air Holland left by special j car for Wairoa. RAIN AT WAIROA. . Arriving at. Wairoa at 6 p.m., Air Holland was met by the local Labour representatives, and was informed that his meeting was to be held in the open air. Both picture halls are owned by one man, who refused to let either of them, and who even refused to hire surplus seats for the open-air meeting. There was a big crowd outside the Band Rotunda, and the Alayor of Wairoa was in the chair. Air Holland, who was accorded a hearty reception, had only just commenced to speak when rain began to fall. On the Mayor’s suggestion an adjournment was made to the Council Chambers near by. Unfortunately the Council Chambers would not hold the crowd, and many had to stand outside or go home. For an hour and a-half the speaker was listened to with attention and enthusiasm and was accorded great applause

I at the conclusion of his address. . I BUND A Y N 1 GUT A T N A PIE IL On Sunday morning Mr Holland left , Wairoa for Napier, which town he i reached at 5 p.m., his motor trip from I 'Gisborne having covered some 150 /milts. Here he was the guest of Air 'and .Mrs Mecch, veteran comrades of .the Labour movement. At night he addressed a largo and very enthusiastic meeting, with the selected Labour I candidate, Mr Lewis Mcllvride, in the chair. The address lasted for two .hours, and was received with repeated i applause. Both Napier and Gisborne I seats look certainties for Labour in I December. On Monday, Mr Holland returned to Wellington, arriving at 6 p.m. H-* was immediately called upon to take part in the debate on the Samoan report. On Thursday he is booked to speak in Wellington Town Hall on the Labour Party’s policy. He is suffering with a severe attack of influenza, and is very much indisposed. A LIB-LAB CANDIDATE. DANNEVIRKE, October 13. Air Ransom, Liberal-Labour candidate for Pahiatua, opened his campaign at Matamau. He declared himself opposed to party government, but he did not think an independent attitude satisfactory, therefore a member should attach himself to the existing jiarty that came nearest to his ideals. He condemned the Premier for dragging the Union Jack into politics. He advocated railways being removed from political control and placed under a board.

MR R. PATTERSON. LIBERAL CANDIDATE. Mr Robert Patterson, of Westport, has been accepted as the official Liberal Labour candidate to contest Motueka seat in Parliament. Mr Patterson is a native of Reefton, third son of Mrs and the lute Mr R. Patterson, of Beefton. He has always taken a keen interest in local and national politics. He was the first native of Reefton to be elected to the School Committee, likewise the first native of Quartzopolis to be elected as Crown tenants’ representative on the Nelson Land Board, on which body hg has

sat for some twelve years, being elect- ] ed continuously since ho was first re turned as a member of that bodyMr Patterson is an ex-President oi Buller A. and P. Association, ex-mem-ber of the defunct "Westport Harbour Board, is a member of Bullvr Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Bullet County Council, Buller Licensing Committee, Buller Domain Board, secretary of "Westport Jockey Club, and a member of the Grey Metropolitan Racing Committee. lit* is particularly

k-e.en on land questions and. in ihi> connection, has been of very great as sistanee to people on the land. NAPIER. Four prospective candidates have been already definitely mentioned loi the Napier seat, says lire Hawke ? Bay “Tribune.’’ while it is stated there is another prominent and popular Napierite willing to give his services if the Government mantle falls on his shoulders. Air Vigor Brown, the sitting member, who was the Liberals’ elect in 1919, severed his allegiance when Air AVilford assumed the leadership, and he now forms a party of one with its sympathies leaning strongly towards Reform. Labour has put up a man, and the other two candidates arc Air J. Alason, standing in the Reform interest without official recognition, and Air A. E. .lull. Independ ci t. WELLINGTON SOUTH. Though a Reform candidate has m»t yet been definitely selected for it.l Wellington South electorate, it is understood that there is every probability of the seat being contested. The names of two well-known citii/.ens have been mentioned in this connection. Probably an announcemet will be made within the next few days. THE HUTT SEAT. It is reported that Air Al. Welch, who has held many public positions on local bodies, and is one of the bestknowu residents of the district, i* likely to be the Reform candidate for the Hutt seat. PARNELL SEAT. AUCKLAND, October 13. Air Sidney Af. Wren will contest the Parnell scat as a Reformer. He served during the war, rising to the rank of major. Air Robert Patterson, member of the Nelson Land Board and other local bodies, will contest . Mot'ueka in the Liberal-Labour interests. The National Executive of the Now Zealand Labour Party have definitely decided to contest the Motueka Elec torate.