THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 24 October 1908, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

THAT PORTFOLIO. Thus the Wellington Post:— "lf the electors of Hawera had previously any doubt as to how to vote, all their difficulties should be settled by the speech which Mr Major addressed to them on Tuesday. 'He asked the people to support him again, because — and he would say this openly — he might hold a portfolio.' We do not know whether the more to admire the candour and the courage or the modesty and the naivete of this most engaging utterance. He says — and he says it openly — that if ho is re-elected he may hold a portfolio. The shy aspirations which other politicians may only avow to themselves with a blush in secret, Mr Major's tender regards for the interests of his district induces him to proclaim from the house-tops of Hawera. We trust that he may not long be left alone in the glory of this proud pre-eminence. It is surely time that the house-tops of Masterton, of Lyttelton, and of Waikouaiti became similarly vocal. Indeed, on a moderate computation, there must be at least three or four dozen other districts whose representatives have as good grounds as Mr Major for disclosing a State secret of the same kind. Is it right that all these electorates should remain in ignorance of the crowning good fortune that may await them if they vote right? But let those concerned see that the enlightenment proceeds in the same hypothetical manner of which Mr Major has set the example. He does not Bay that he has been offered a" portfolio subject to his re-election. He does not say that he is likely to be offered one. He does not say that he deserves one, or even that he desires one. He does not say that he would accept the offer if it were made. He even leaves the possibility open that his sense of his own demerits might, induce him to reject such an offer. £te merely says — and like a plain, downright honest man who wears his heart on his sleeve, he says it openly — that he 1 might hold a portfolio." \ Other candidates besides Mr Major are hinting at the possibility of their being appointed to fill the vacancy in the Ministry. Wednesday's Otaki Mail reports Mr Feildas having stated that "he was not seeking re-election to Parliament for any profit he might ma^e out of it, but for the honor of representing them.* 1 "If a portfolio offered him," he added, "he would accept it because he would deem it his duty to his constituents. He did not pose as an orator, a statesman, or a reformer, but he would serve them faithfully and well to the best of his ability." The vacancy in the Cabinet, occasioned by the appointment of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones to the High Commissionership, is causing a lot of speculation throughout New Zealand, but so far it has not excited much interest in Auckland (says the Herald), the general opinion being that a Southern member will be elevated to Cabinet rank. Still i there are many who freely mention Mr Alfred Kidd and Mr F. E. Baume, K.C., as among the "probables." SupI porters of the idea that a Northern i Minister should be appointed point out that there would be nothing out of the way in a Northern selection, because, for very many years, during Mr Seddon's regime, the Ministry was almost entirely composed of Southern members. An Auckland country member states that the North, indeed, has prior claim, because the balance of political power lies in the North, and Auckland has a quarter of the total representation of the Dominion. Moreover, the Minister for Native Affairs is "charged" to Auckland, whereas he cannot be held to represent Auckland, or, for tne matter of that, the North Island, in Parliament at all. This left the Hon. James McGowan and the Hon. G. Fowlds in the popular Chamber to represent the North Island, while the South Island has four Ministers, and these four hold the most important portfolios. MR PEARCE AT WAVERLEY. (From a Correspondent.) WAVERLEY, October 24. Mr Pearce spoke at Waverley last night. There was a large attendance, including a number of ladies. Mr Wm. Wilson was Chairman. Regarding Mr Major's criticism of the speaker and the advertisement re pure administration, he quoted Mr Major's own words at Alton after the confidence motion was defeated, as reported in the Star by the Alton correspondent, which threat was given that Alton would be losers for their want of confidence. (Applause.) Mr Major had quoted figures for 81st March, 1906, whilst the figures from the banks for 81st September, 1908, showed that the deposits in the banks had decreased in two years by £1,343,000, whilst the advances by the hanks had increased by £2,719,000, making a worse position in the Dominion by £4,064,000.

No questions were asked, and' a vote of thanks to Mr, PeaxcE^aa, carried on the motion of Mr wTTK.'Connell and Mr H. Dickie. „

! MR DIVE'S MEETINGS. (From a Correspondent.) Mr Dive, one of the Opposition candidates, has spoken recently at Pungarehu, Rahotu, Kahui road, Oaonui, Opunake, Cardiff, Rowan, and whero road (Auroa). Good meetings took place at every, centre, and at one of them practically -the whole audience (numbering about 30) formed themselves j into a committee to jwork on his behalf. ' MR MAJOR AT WESTMERE. — :_ • ■ t - ' (From a Correspondent.) KAt IWI, October 24. Taking the bad weather into account Mr Major had a good attendance , at Westmere. He answered^ many questions to the evident satisfaction 'of Bis questioners. At the termination of , the meeting Mr Kurth proposed el, hearty vote of thanks A to ! Mr Major, siating that he had heard .many statements against the Government, but was satisfied it iras the best. ,;Soconded> by Mr McGregor and carried unanimously. ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS. [press association.! ' DUNEDIN> 24. The Prime Minister inf prmed a. Times reporter that nothing definite had been, decided about the issue of the writs,' but they would be issued about the, end of next week or the beginning of tne following week. Nominations will close on November, 9. Mr T. McKenzie addressed a large meeting of Taieri electors at Mosgiel. He was accorded a hearty vote of' thanks. Mr G. M. Thomson, Opposition candidate for Dunedin North, addressed a meeting of electors. A vote of thankfli was accorded at the conclusion- of the meeting, which was not largely attended. WANGANUI, October 24. Mr C. E. Mackay, Mayor of Wanganui, who is contesting the seat as a Government supporter, addressed a crowded audience at the Opera House. He had a capital hearing and received a vote of thanks. GISBORNE, October 24. Mr W. Lissant Clayton addressed a large audience. He stands as an Opposition candidate, and met with an enthusiastic reception. He vigorously criticised the Government, . and at the conclusion of his address was accorded a vote of thanks. •, NASEBY, October 24. Mr J. A. McPherson, "MrP., addressed a meeting of electors at Naseby and was enthusiastically received. He was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. ASHBTPRTON, October 24. Mr W. J. Dickie, Liberal candidate for Selwyn, has retired from the contest on account of %he shortness of notice of the general "election preventing him getting found the district. The Premier, who passed through by the express, was unable to get him to reconsider his decision. ' Mr F. R. Flatman, Government candidate for the Ashburton seat, opened his campaign. A Vote of thanks and confidence was carried. , j