POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11889, 12 May 1899, Page 5

POLITICAL.

CAPTAIN RUSSELL’S CAMPAIGN. \ A VERY LIVELY MEETING. [PER Press Association.] STRATFORD, May 11. Captain Bussell Bad a good reception here. The town band played selections outside his hotel, and escorted him to the Town Hail, where he addressed a packed meeting, the Mayor presiding. Captain Russell spoke for only an hour and forty minutes, being a good deal put -oat by good-humoured banter that was indulged in by a section of tlie audience. His speech was on the same lines as that at Hawera. His remarks on the land settlement question were received with ironical cheers and laughter. Captain Russell said that the condition of the colony Was no laughing matter, but admitted that he had seen more smiling faces at Stratford than on the Whole of the east coast. A ’numbbr of questions were asked. The prohibition party was ih ,strong force, and pressed him closely On the liiquor question but expressed themselves dissatisfied with bis replies. He declined to support prohibition, and was directly opposed to the niaiority vote. At the close a vote ot thanks, on. the motion of the Chairman, was carried unanimously. The meeting We up With cheers, counter cheers* and three groans for the Opposition. AUCKLAND, May 11Mr A. Rosser, who- contested the general election as a Labour candidate, and polled 4672 votes, has definitely decided to stand for the city as a supporter of the Governmre js stated that Mr T. E. Taylor, M.HrB., will deliver addresses this month at Aiicldand and Parnell. Mr R. Meredith, completed the tour of his constituency yesterday, having spoken at fourteen centres. On Tuesday night he delivered an address at Medbury, and on Wednesday at Mason’s Flat, and at each, place received a vote of thanks and. confidence. Mr W. W. Tanner, M.H.R.* addressed a meeting of his cDnstituents at Belfast last evening. His address was upon the same lines as those delivered at Phillipstown and New Brighton. ‘At the close he was accorded a vote of thanks, and a vote of confidence in the present Government was also carried. Mr C. R. Chapman has definitely announced his candidature for Dunedin City at the general election.