THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13908, 16 November 1905, Page 9

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE CHRISTCHURCH EAST SEAT. MR DA VET’S ADDRESS. . Mr T. H. DaVqy, M.H.R., addres'sed j meeting of Christchurch East electors in the Choral Hall last evening. Mr H. H. Loughnan presided. , Mr Davey, who Ws received with applause, said that he had struggled hard In local politics, together with the chairman, and he thought he was justified in saying that they had given good service._ (Applause.) That night he was biddiug farewell, in a way, to the electors in the old triple electorate, which had sent him to Wellington. During the past session he was in Parliament it was decided til at there should be triple e’ectorates no longer: He voted against those electorates. Of the‘city members, Mr Ell and ho were the only ones that did so. ‘ He explained the case against the triple electorates, and his reasons for having taken up the atti- [ tude he did, saying that no one should be in a position to use two or three votes at one election. He would fight the present contest without the slightest personality. He regretted exceedingly that already there were stories going about the city in regard to himself and other candidates. ; Those stories were absolutely untrue. " It had been said That he had not sufficiently 'embalmed his name in “ Hansard.” He had never known a great talker do big work. He had spoken when necessary, he had spoken to the point, and it was his votes that should be regarded. “Hansard” was not a true record of wliat members said, but of what they wished to write afterwards. Members ■ had -placed into “ Hansard ” things they had not said, and one member had even inserted a table that was not given to'-the House. The cost of_ printing “Hansard” was great, and if he went back to Wellington, he would urge that • an inquiry should be made in regard to the system of• publishing it. Ho condemned the excessively long hours worked by Parliament, and also some of the methods of doing business. The members also did a great deal of ; work outside the 8 hours and 33 minutes per day spent while the House was sitting. The Criminal Code Act Amendmeatyi Bill had been dealt with, and an improvement had been made in regard to the limit of time set down for laying informations against people charged with offences against girls. The Absolute'Majority Bill had not passed, he was sorry to say. Thirty members begged the Government ,to bring down that measure, but it brought down the Second Ballot Bill, which was very crude., People in the cities might go to a second poll, but people in the country would not. If returned, he would again do his best for the Absolut© Majority Bill.. He hoped (that th© Civil Servants Superannuation Bill would bepassed next session. The Elective Executive Bill was another good measure thrown out last session. It embodied a principle that should be brought into force. Mr Sodden had too many portfolios. There ought to be a reconstruction of the Ministry. Better still, how-, ever, the people should have opportunities of electing their own Premier, Colonial Treasurer and other Ministers. The Inspection of Private Hospitals Bill was yet another good measure that should be passed. (Applause.) The Legislative Council had, on one occasion, done ai' much work in less than an hour as the House would have done in a month. He thought, however, that the Legislative Council should be

elected by the people or by tb© Lower House. Before a man was called to . the Council, be ought to have done something for the colony. He did not approve of some of' Mr Seddon’s appointments. Luring the recess, Mr Massey, Mr Herdman and Mr Allen, members of the Opposition,' as well as the. New, ,Liberals, ..had : spoken, to .-the people, who should try to understand the positions placed before them by all / sides. He believed that the Opposition had not improved its position, while the position of the Liberals had been decidedly strengthened. ‘He did not think that ■ the leaders of the Opposition always stated the facts in regard to politics. The platform of the Reform League was really the platform of the Liberal Party. All the changes the Opposition urged were the repeal of the obnoxious clauses in the Public Revenues Act and the granting of the freehold. ,It was admitted that powers under the Public Revenues Act had not been abused by the Government, but it was urged that the power should not be in existence, as it might be abused. ’ To that Mr Seddon replied: “ You want to repeal it because you think you will get into power seen and will fall into a temptation that we Have resisted,” and he thought that • Mr Seddon’s contention was right. Unleas actual deviation from honesty in

.regard to public audits could be shown, the Opposition had no right to .revile ‘the Government for having passed that Act, and unless the dishonesty to which he had referred was shown, he would 'continue .to support the Act-. He defended the allocation of public money as between Liberal and Opposition constituencies, and Liberal and Opposition newspapers. Mr Massey, when twitted on the subject, admitted that he had obtained £IO,OOO for his own constituency last_ year. It was unfair to describe the surpluses as the result of “financial jugglery.” Statements were often cabled to English newspapers, and they were calculated to injure the colony. Some thread of patriotism ought really to be kept among the Opposition members. He referred to Mr Allen’s statement in regard to expenditure in Canterbury and Westland as a wild one, and said that Mr Allen must have known the statement was incorrect. Mr Allen must 'think that the Christchurch people were political infants. With sublime effrontery, Mr Allen had said that if he had two years of office he would place the finances on an absolutely, strong basis. He hoped the Premier would come to Christchurch to prove that the Opposition statements here were not true. Since the present Administration had been in power, 600 Acta bad been placed on the Statute Book, and the only changes the Opposition would make, as h© had stated, were the repeal of throe clauses in the Publio Revenues Act and the granting of the freehold. Ho supported the Establishment of the State Eire Insurance Department. He hoped that the people would also support the Department and keep down the rates as much as possible. The State had a perfect right to step in and save the people from the exorbitant rates the companies had been charging. In regard to the Harvester Trust and the legislation last session, he said ■ that it would have been better to place a 40 per cent duty on imported machines, provided that the price to the farmer should not be raised, rather than to give a bonus of 33 per cent to the manufacturers from the consolidated revenue. By combining against trusts, the farmers would he helping themselves. H© was glad to see that employers and employees had met together in Christchurch to discuss the position. He would say “ Hear, hear,” to the remarks made by Mr Gilbert Anderson in. regard to combined action

against American‘ importations admitted free. He described the attitude taken up by Mr Leadley and other farmers as being very selfish. They said, “ Let us swim, no matter who may sink.” He. was strongly opposed to parting with the freehold of Crown lands. (Applause.) The 999 years’ lease was ; a great mistake. _ In all future leases, but not in existing cues, there should be revaluation after thirty-three yeans. He hoped that all members sent to Parliament would be pledged to vote against the alienation of land under the land for settlements scheme. (Applause.) It was only expected that lessees would say “Yes” when asked if they would like to have their freeholds. The land taken the settlement scheme should always remain the property of the colony, and must never bo handed over to. a few people. (Applause.) In his criticisms, Mr Massey had picked out the worst cases and had Ignored the best ones. In operations of such magnitude, some mistakes must be made, and Mr Massey ought to have told the whole story, not only a part of it. Anything to prompt the freeholders to place the Opposition in power and turn out the Liberal party was good enough for Mr Massey. The Opposition would say anything and do anything to turn the Government off the Treasury benches. The bribe it was offering to the electors was most unfair, and involved an injustice to the colony. Now that the electors'had heard what he bad to say, he hoped they would send him back to Wellington. He could honestly say that if they did he would do his best for them. (Applause.) In reply to questions, Mr Davey said it was absolutely untrue that, while he was Mayor of St Albans, the Borough Council had decreased the wages of the men 6d a day. The question was a piece of political trickery. He would be favourable to considering a reduction of Customs duties when the tariff was being revised. He would like to see the fares across Cook Straits lowered. _ He had not opposed Mr Meikle’e petition to have his name struck off the prison records. He had moved in committee recommending that Mr Meiklo should be given more compensation. He would do all he could to give cheap ammunition to Volunteers. He was not in favour of State aid to religious denominations. He did not belong to the New Liberal Party. He was not in favour of the abolition of the tobalisator. He was in favour of Bxble-reading in public schools; but not Bible-teaching in the schools. If selected portions could be read, well and good; but if he thought that Bibie-reading would be the thin end of the wedge of Bible-teaching, he would oppose Bibie-reading. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed unanimously, amidst applause, on the motion of Mr T. A. Alsop.

THE SOUTH CHRISTCHURCH SEAT.

MR C. ALLISON AT SYDENHAM. Mr C. Allison, a candidate for the Ohristonurch South seat in the Conservative interest, addressed a meeting of the ©lectors in the Druidis’ Hall, Sydenham, last- evening. Mr N. K. Bowden presided, and there was a moderate attendance. The chairman briefly introduced the speaker. . Mr Allison said that he had passed his whole life in tne district, and should be known to a large number of the residents. He had been connected with public life from the age of seventeen, and had been the first man in 1877 to take step® to form the Colombo Road school district under the new Education Act. He had been first chairman of that committee, and had from his seat fought many battles in the publio interest. He had been the cause of the ballot system being introduced in connection with municipal undertakings, and he had been one of the prime movers in establishing the Christchurch Drainage Board, which bad, unfortunately, not realised the original expectations of the residents. Ho had assisted in the formation of the borough of Sydenham, and iia-d two yeans later become its clerk and surveyor, an office he had held until the amalgamation with the city. His works were, .therefore, around him. The people had thought fit to sacrifice the individuality of their district, but Sydenham bad done very well before, and he believed that many residents had since regretted the step taken. He could also, claim to have been an original mover in the direction of State fire insurance. As town clerk he had drafted a Bill for municipal fire insurance, to bo carried on by the local bodies on the basis of a careful classification of buildings, but the Government had not been willing to go as far’sas that, and had . -introduced/a scheme for State insurance on lines similar to company insurance. He had also been prominently connected with the Sydenham water-supply scheme, and he had worked in the Interests of the people in various other matters. He had been a candidate for a seat in the House at the previous election, and, like many other new men, had failed to get a seat. He had then been a publio officer, and as such had necessarily made many enemies. He had declared himself as an Opposition candidate on October 19, and a few days later a second candidate had been announced in the same interest. He had been told that he bad better retire and give a mere popular man a chance, but ho had not seen his way to dp ghat. He had been assured of a large amoun t of support in the district, and ho did not intend to retire. In regard to his policy, he felt that the colony had entered upon a reckless career of borrow-

ing that could not bo justified in prosperous times. The colony had been prosperous from natural causes, and a boom on the basis of borrowed money was not in the interests of the colony. The Government had come into office as .a non-borrowing Government, but to keep itself popular . it had borrowed very largely, and had used* the money for the purpose of practically buying members of the House by means of votes to their various districts. That was a system of corruption that should be stopped. He would speak more .strongly in the matter had it not been for the action of the Government in placing on the Statute Book a law that made a man criminally liable for words spoken in the heat of debate. He would merely say that the Government was establishing a system of bribery and terrorism that approximated to that of. New, York. That was the chief reason why he was an Oppositionist. Mr Allison proceeded to criticise the delay in the completion of the Midland Railway. He demanded Parliamentary control of the public finances, and said that, if elected, he would immediately move for the repeal of the Public Revenues Act. The control of the public finances had been taken but of the hands of the AuditorGeneral, find he should once more be given the power to prosecute, or take what other steps were necessary, in case of the wrongful application or public money. Then, the Government did not allow members of the House to see the public accounts, and often kept back returns for which members had asked. A change should be made in those respects at once. The Government was placing capital derived from the sale of land in the revenue account, and was at the same time spending borrowed money on repairs and renewals. Since the last election he had changed his mind in regard to the Elective Executive. Such a system of autocracy had grown up that he felt an Executive elected by the Parliament would ba an improvement, and he would now be prepared to support such a system as had been in operation in Switzerland formally years. The Legislative Council, he believed, should bo made elective, two ' ordinary constituencies electing one Councillor every six years. That system would give a Chamber that would not be led away by every change of public opinion. A great deal was to bo said in favour of an absolute majority system of election for the House of Representatives, but, minorities should be represented as well as majorities, and he would approve of some modification of the Hare system. If that could not be secured, he thought the existing system should be retained, because a strong Opposition was the essence of good government. At the last election he had expressed himself as very much opposed to the referendum, but he had looked into tb© matter with all the Liberal ideas that ho could bring to mind, and bad come to the conclusion that he, would support a referendum with certain restrictions. Past experience in (regard to on© referendum—that on. rating on unimproved values—had not been happy, because the people generally had not voted, and a minority with fixed ideas had been able to enforce a system that was opposed to the first principles of Liberalism as he understood them. He supported a Civil Service Board, to which Civil servants could appeal in case of injustice. He approved of extensive reserves being mad© for hospital and charitable aici pur-poses, because these public services should not be dependent on the will of Parliament year by year. He was a believer in protection, having been converted from f reefer ado by a study of the data available regarding open and protected countries, and if. elected would endeavour to cause inquiry to be made as to why the colony •imported so much that it could manufacture. He was a freeholder. Wherever the' freehold was" the tenure, unless the holdings were too large, there the best farming was done. The leaseholder got as much ns ho could out of his land while in occupation, and did not car© if he ruined his land. /At the same time, the free-

hold system had been abused by people who took up unduly large areas, and forty years previously he had agitated to do away with the pre-emptive rights over large blocks that were blocking progress. Unfortunately, no better system had been found of breaking up the large estates than the land for settlements system. The Act had done some good on the whole. He would support a proposal to restrict the further aggregation of large estates. Large land owners should be given a reasonable time to sub-divide their holdings, and if they did not do so, then the State should step in. He did not think that all Crown tenants should bo allowed to buy their holdings at the original value, because in some cases the State was entitled to a share in the increased values. The control of the various branches of education should be placed under one department. The land and income tax should be spent in the district in which it had been raised. The labour laws should apply to railway employees as well as to private employees. He believed that if No-licence were canned, people whp desired liquor in moderation should be enabled to secure supplies without sending to other portions of the colony. In conclusion, Mr Allison said that, if elected, he would support ■ measures which he regarded as for the good of the people, and the upsetting of the existing Government ho regarded as one of those measures. Ho would not be a party, however, to unfair treatment of the sort that had been meted out to the Government during recent months. No questions were asked, and the meeting closed with a'-vote of thank's to the chairman, moved by Mr Allison.

MR O. F. CLOTHIER AT AMBERLEY.

On Tuesday evening Mr 0. F. Clothier, the Opposition candidate for the Hurunui seat, addressed a meeting of about seventy electors' at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Amborley. Mr B. Bu.rland presided. Mr Clothier, who was received with applause, said in seeking the suffrages of the Hurunui electors it was not necessary for him to make a political somersault to become, an Opposition _ and No-license candidate. Ho had worked with these parties for many, yeans, and 'had become saturated with their views. . Seeing how many candidates were wading into the fight in other electorates, probably the member for--Hurunui laughed in his sleeve at no one having courage enough to oppose' him. He (Mr Clothier) fully recognised the ijpgantip fight he had undertaken, his opponent being prominent in many ways and exceedingly generous. He himself had been a farmer all his life, and although fairly successful he could not afford to be so i generous. Another drawback was-that 1 he was a comparative stranger in the ; district, having resided in it under , three years. Ho was Canterbury-born, ! his father having come in cue of the 1 first four ships, the Sir Georg© Sey- ] mour. Ho was born at Kaiapoi, and | in that district he resided fox una-ny ! years, and ultimately settled at Hawar--1 den. He told them this to show that he was not a carpet-bag politician. , He had been successful enough to do without the £3OO honorarium, having a farm of 1300 acres, and had come forward solely in the interests of the people of the electorate. He confessed that ho felt proud to think the Nolioeiiiise party bad placed confidence in him, and he was entering the contest in dead earnest. The candidate then passed on to 'a review of the colony’s prosperity. They were asked to believe* that the most of this prosperity was duo to the present Administration, but when that contention was analysed it would be found that the greatest factors in the prosperity were the frozen meat and dairying industries', and improved facilities for production. Ho maintained that the invention of the refrigerator was the greatest blessing the colony bad ever received. The export of frozen' mutton raised the price of sheep and increased the value of the land, and those wlio remembered the pcisiticini of the colony before the frozen meat industry was established must be amused at the-attempt of the Government to take the credit for the increased prosperity . of the colony. Thanks were due to Mr Thomas Brydone and the late Mr John Grigg -fox the in-auguratiofn of the frozen meat industry. The' same prosperity would have come about no matter what party was in power if the same conditions existed.* The fact was the Government came into power when the tide was .low, and had been carried upwards by the waves of prosperity not eelf-oroated, but duo te other agencies. In support of this contention ho quoted figures to show the expansion of the frozen moat and dairying industries during the time the Government had been in office. Another factor was the advance of the industrial energy of the people. We wore a go-ahead people, and the groat success of the New Zealand football team proved that the colony was blessed with young men of grit and energy. The spending of £21,000,000 of borrowed money had also been a prominent factor in the advancement of the colony’s prosperity, and to this had to be added £50,000,000 derived from the frozen moat and butter exports. Such a largo income was bound to make a little colony like this boom. After referring to the increased public debt Mr Clothier said that the value of 1,800,000 lambs sent out of the colony in a year did not meet the interest. Ho gave the Government every credit for the good work it had done in using £3,600,000 of the borrowed money to place 17,000 settlers on the land. The Government claimed that this was a good business transaction, having made £130,000 profit out of it, but still it wanted the settlers to pay another million to obtain the freehold of their.

holdings. The Premier in 1893 said, “ Tho further we get away from the borrowing and squandering of tho past, the better it is for tho people in New Zealand.” Nevertheless, another £21,000,000 had been borrowed. Later, Mr Seddon had urged the people to practise thrift in prosperous times, and declared that tho strictest economy must be practised in every part of the public service. It was time the Premier’s advice, was followed, otherwise it would bo a poor lookout if bad times came. At the present time the land question was overtopping all others, and rightly so. The Government today was without a land policy, notwithstanding tho Commission that cost £15,000 to £20,000. Because the Premier found that the people wanted tlie freehold tenure ho would not bring down a land policy measure. Tho vital question was whether the Crown tonants should have tho right to acquire the freehold. He held that the freehold was the best tenure to obtain the full value of the land’s producing quality. Mr Clothier related his own experience in the acquirement of land in support of his advocacy of the freehold, and expressed his full sympathy with the Crown tenants who were anxious to get their' holdings at the original value'. If the land had recoded in value, the Government would net dispose of ■ it to the tenants at Lass than its original price, then why should the enhanced value be demanded. He maintained that the settlers had ,a perfect right to the freehold at the original price. He was not in favour of abolishing the leasehold, as it was a convenient stepping-stone to the freehold. With regard to the contention that the settlers would be breaking their contracts, ho said that the Government had already done this by allowing a rebate for prompt payment of rent. There were thousands of men anxious to get on the land, and if the tenants bought their holdings, the Government could spend the money in more land to satisfy the demand. • He would support the continuance of a vigorous land settlement policy, and thought those who had been several times unsuccessful in the ballot should have a priority in some way, to give them a better chance of success. He was in sympathy with the Workmen’s Homes Act. In carrying out this measure, the Government were going to do a splendid thing for the workingmen in the cities, who were now handicapped with high rents; but the credit of the idea was due to Mr Bollard, an Oppositionist. With regard to the implement trust, he considered the Bill introduced would prove beneficial. Though a farmer, he would not he party to anything calculated to strangle tho industries of the colony. Tho farmers should help to foster the industries in the towns, and it was their bounden duty to assist to prevent the trustcrushing them. He believed that a satisfactory arrangement could be made with- the implement manufacturers, so that tho operations of tho trust_ could be successfully combated*. From his own experience he could say that tho locallymade implements were far superior to those imported from America! Regarding the free breakfast table proposal, he said Mr T. B. Taylor, the volcanic Liberal, had been strongly advocating it, and suggesting a heavier land tax. Ho seemed to think the country people did not pay any duty, and that with certain concessions made the farmers they were getting the cream. If he had had the farmers’ experience of the past four months, he would have realised there was a good deal of skim-milk. The idea of the free breakfast table was not to send along oatmeal, bacon and eggs, etc., but to remove some of the duty off the necessaries of life. The Premier mentioned ' a concession on tobacco. If tho men had cheap tobacco, something ought to be done for the women and children. They should take off some of the duty on the creations of art whicli ladies wear. Ho considered the old s.go pension scheme a grand thing. Mr T. B. Taylor conceived the idea for this colony, and lectured on it years bofore it cam© before Parliament. When Mr Taylor proposed' that tho old age pension should be increased to 10s per week, Mr Seddon seized the egg as a fertile one, placed it under his own feathers, and hatched out the chick as his own, scoring thousands of votes by it. Ho (Mr Clothier) thought that when it was found the money was being wasted on drink, rations to the value of the pension should bo substituted. Touching on civil service reform, he was of opinion that there should be a Civil Service Board, free from political influence, to make appointments. Frequently appointments were made, not on the score of merit, but because there was political influence behind. He believed in the principle of the referendum to decide such questions as the Bible-in-schools. On large questions such as that a member could not be the embodiment of the views of 4000 of his constituents. He was in favour of State recognition of the sovereignty of God, and would, therefore, support Bible-reading in the State schools. He thought the Public Revenues Act should be repealed. He was an out-and-out advocate of noiicenso; and with regard to education considered, it should be made free right up to the'University. In conclusion he asked for the support of those _ who agreed with the views he had given. Ho had only been given a few days to prepare for the fight, and he had not been able to deal’ with all subjects, but would probably give another address in Amber-ley before' the election. ■ln reply to questions, the candidate said he would put a limit on the freehold a settler could acquire, say, 500 acres of high quality land, and 2090 acres of middle class; and he thought lessees of educational reserves should have the right to acquire them as free-, holds, the purchase money to be invested for -educational purposes. . He did not think civil servants should be clebax'red from taking part in political meetings. When potatoes reached the phenomenal price they were now sold at, ho considered the duty should be removed. Ho would be in favour of reducing the members’ honorarium to the old figure if it. was the wish of the House. He did not think Mr M’Nab’s Absolute Majority Bill would work well, but if it could be made satisfactory lie would sunpoit it. He considered women’s disabilities should be removed. On the motion of Mr Lilly a vote of thanks w-ae accorded to Mr Clothier for his address; and on the motion of the candidate a similar vote was passed to the chairman.

Candidates will address the electors this evening as follows:—Mr C. Lewis (Courtenay), at West Melton; Mr T. J. M’Brido (Courtenay), at Templeton Schoolroom; Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North), at St Matthew’a Schoolroom;'Mr A. W. Rutherford (Huruhui), at AVaiau; Mr G. H. Winny (Christchurch South), at Sydenham Druids’ Hall; Mr 0. F. Clothier (Hurunui), at

Ashley; Mr D. Buddo (Kaianoi), at Ohoka; Mr G. Lauronson (Lyttelton), at Sumner; Mr W. W. Tanner (Avon), at inn wood; Mr B. Baynes (Avon), at Marshland; Mr W. Radcliffe (Lyttelton), at Oddfellows’ Hall, AVoclston; Air G. Witty (Biocarton), at Belfast Side School; Mr G. ,W. Russell (Riccarton), at■■ Al’Fadden’s Road ProtestantHjdlMr T. H. Caverhill (Riccart-pn), at Midland Saleyards; Mr- J. Sealy (Ashburton), at Riverside; Air C. A. C. Hardy (Selwyn),% at Waddlngton; Air J. R. Brunt (Avon), at Bromley; Air S. R. Webb (Lyttelton), at Opawa; Air F. Cook (Oliristolturoh East), at AYailtliam School; Mr H. F. Toogood (Christchurch East), at Richmond Schoolroom. “THo modern method of dealing with, tho children of the State and mentally afflicted persons was not to dump them down in a- heap in large institutions. They should be dealt with in email

groups in cottage homos, where they would get the benefits of home life instead of institution life. They should be dealt with as individuals; not as a mass.”—Mr T. E. Taylor, in reply to a question. ‘ ‘ The Liberal party came into power in 1890 on their land settlement policy, and because they advocated a land tax •instead of the property tax.”—Mr T. E. Taylor. Mr W. lladcliffe delivered an address at Heathcote Valley on Monday evening to a large number of electors. _ Mr James Weir presided. The candidate received a hearty vote of thanks for his address.

“ Tho Employers’ Liability Act is right in principle, but somewhat unwieldy / in action. It affects all classes of employers, even a widow who may' employ casual assistance in her housework. Should any accident befall a woman called to clean the top storey' windows the widow runs the risk of losing her property to pay the liability. I'h© future of the old age pensions is now clearly seen. Wo" must link up the employers’ liability and the old ago pensions by one continuous scheme of universal insurance against accident and death, culminating iu a pension if old age is reached. Such a scheme upon a contributory ; basis would fall through with its own weight, and the necessary money must be raised by equitable taxation. You pay in Customs tax 4s on every pound’s'worth of drapery. Increase this tax slightly and you have, the funds to pay the insurance raised automatically.”—Mr H. F. Toogood. “ The only way to deal an effective blow at trusts that are oppressing the people, is for the State to have the right to take over the trust and ran it as a State concern in the interests of the people. He had introduced a Bill last session in that direction. It was practically Mr M’Bride’s Bill.”—Mr T. E. Taylor, in reply to a question.

/ Mr j. A. Efford addressed a well-at-tended meeting of the electors at Hornby on Tuesday evening. Mr W. H. Manhire presided. In the course of his address, the candidate referred to the extremely slow progress being mad© by the Government in developing electric power, as only, £IO,OOO was voted to the' Clarence River scheme. At this rate, sixty years would elapse before the trains were jnn with electric power. The slow progress of the West Coast railway was also referred to. After replying to a number of questions, Mr Efford was accorded a vote of thanks.

Speaking on tho subject of education at Brooklyn (Wellington), on Monday evening, Mr W. H. P. Barber claimed that the Government had don© much to increase the facilities afforded children to acquire a sound knowledge in primary and secondary education, and, in addition, they had increased the salaries of teachers, and granted them aii oldage retiring allowance. He cited the reduction of £36,000 made in the education vote ksijthfl Atkinson Adminstration, of wlucathe Hon T. W. Hislop was a member. H© considered that the Workers’ Dwellings Bill would prove of great benefit to the working classes. At E resent a workingman paid one-third of is earnings in rent, but under the Government’s scheme he would only pay 8s a week rent for a five-roomed house. Legislation in this direction, he claimed, would tend to a general reduction, of rents. Mr T. E Taylor, at his meeting on Tuesday night, advocated granting the old age pension to women at sixty years of age. “ TJi© poor suffering Crown tenant that Mr Massey is so solicitous about has been selling the goodwill of his leases in the Cheviot district for over £IOOO on occasion. I heard only the other- day of a Crown settler in' the northern part of this island who cleared £4OOO in return for the goodwill of his

lease over and above the value of his improvements, £3OOO. The poor, satupon Crown tenant is the product of Mr Massey’s imagination.—Mr T. Clarkson at Shirley. 1 Mr T. B. Taylor addressed a meeting of ladies in the Montreal Street Hall yesterday afternoon. The hall was filled with an appreciative audience. Mr Taylor spoke on most of the questions already dealt with at his evening meetings, making special reference to such measures as the Teachers’ Superannuation Act, old age pensions, and the amendment in the criminal code by which greater protection has been given to young” girls. With regard to the last measure, Mr Taylor said that when the demand for an amendment was made, Parliament 'responded immediately. He regretted that more progress had not been made in tlie methods of dealing with the mentally afflicted, and with the children of th'e State. In answer to questions, Mr Taylor said ho would support a proposal to submit the Biblo-in-sohools question to a referendum, provided a definite issue was pub-to the people. He did not support tlie Second Ballot Bill, as he was of opinion that the plan would be extremely expensive, and 'would also lead to corrupt practices ; but he would support an Absolute Majority Bill, which provided for ascertaining the whole preference of the voters.

Speaking to the Addington railway workshops employees yesterday, Mr G. W. Russell let out a : little hitherto, unrecorded history. In 1895 Hie Government brought down a Bill to abolish the old Board of Railway Commissioners, and to appoint a fresh one. The new isoard, under the Government Bill, was to consist of Messrs Ronayne and Scott and the Minister (Mr Cadman), who was to have a power of veto. When the Bill came down, he (Mr Russell) waited on the Premier-, and told him the Liberal Party was in favour of full Ministerial control. Mr Seddon was incredu-. lons, and said the'Whips had reported to the contrary. He assured Mr Seddon the Whips were wrong, and asked the Premier how he would take it if he (Mr Russell) moved an amendment bo the second reading “That the Government should be asked -to take the Bill back so as to provide for full Ministerial control.” Mr Seddon said he would take it as hostile, and he (Mr Russell) then said in that case he would not move it. “But what happened?” Mr Russell proceeded. “ The Government saw' what a trump the card was I bad put' into its hands, and two days after my conversation with Mr Seddon all the amendments were sent down by the Government in the name of Mr David Pinkerton to turn the Bill into full Ministerial control, j Later in ’the session the Premier appealed to me in the House to confirm his statement that the Government had altered iba policy at the request of its own party. I therefore claim that I was largely instrumental in finally abolishing the Commissioners and procuring the substitution of Government control and direct responsibility to the people.” On. Tuesday night Mr A. W. Rutherford spoke in the drillshed, Oulverden. There was a moderate attendance. On the motion of Mr T. Murray, the candidate whs accorded a vote of thanks for his address, and an expression of continued confidence as member. Mr R. H. Rhodes addressed a meet* ing of electors at Lakeside on Monday night, the chairman of the School Com mittee, Mr Chamberlain, being in the chair. Mr Rhodes spoke on similar lines to his Southbridge speech. After answering several questions, a vote of thanks was passed, on tho motion of Mr M’Phenson, seconded by Mr S'. Graham.

Mr J. Ivess, the Liberal candidate for Selwyn, addressed a meeting of the Crown tenants of the Ashley Gorge Settlement at the local schoolhouss on Tuesday evening. Mr Vincent, chairman of the School Committee, presided, and nearly all the settlers were present. This was the first political meeting held in the, .settlement. Mr Ivess, in. the course of his address, dealt at length with the much-vexed land question, and afterwards 'answered a' number of au&stions. Mr Gillespie moved, and Mr Jester seconded, that the candidate should ho accorded a vote of thanks for his address. The motion was amended by the addition of the words “ and continued confidence in the Government.’ Mr Ivess said he was sure that the Premier would be pleased to leam that Mr Massey’s bait had not drawn them to bis book. At the midday luncheon yesterday, Mr G. W. Russell addressed about three hundred Addington Workshops. employees at the Clarence Road' gate, and had a most -attentive hearing, punctuated 1 with frequent applause. Loud cheers were given for him.at the close of the speech. ■ . Speaking at Amberley on the subject of the freehold, Mr Clothier said the Premier was a clever man, but he was at sea over the land question. A few moments later,, however, Mr Seddon’a friends had the satisfaction of knowing that ho had been rescued from the. deep metaphorically by the speaker, who in the same connection declared that he; was a derelict on dry land. There is an impression abroad that Mr Pulley has withdrawn from the Hurunui contest. Mr Pulley states, however, that, bo twill go to the poll, and instead of addressing meetings, will issue his views by circular to ©very Gleetor in the district. Mr D. Buddo addressed the electors at Court’s Island on Tuesday evening There was a .good attendance, Mr J< Wright presiding. Mr Buddo dealt with the subject of rural education, the Harvester Trust and land questions, and was attentively listened to. On the motion of Mr Forsyth & hearty vote of tha.nlas was accorded to the candidate for his interesting address.

Mr Clothier said, in his address, that although an out-and-out no-hoense man, he did not believe in people abusing the publicans. There were some men amongst them who were not as good as they should be, but tins war found in every walk of life. On© o< the greatest.kindnesses he ever reoeiv ed in his life was from a publican Jrlc had leased land from him, and aftej same yeans the publican. asked him ; i( he would like to buy the property. His answer was yes,: and ha offered tc give £350 above the price it was valued at whan ha took ooesession. ' The jpubli-

can said, “ No, you shall have it at the original valuation. You have been a good tenant, and I'will not take your £350.” If the private individual recognised the justice of this, surely the Government ought to do the same in their with the Crown tenants who asked for the freehold. When his landlord gave him the right of freehold it was the greatest incentive he had had in life, and he could hardly describe his feelings when ho had made the land absolutely his own. Knowing what the freehold had been to him, he fully sympathised with settlers who were anxious to turn their leaseholds into freeholds. ,

On Tuesday evening Mr T. J. M’Bride, the Liberal candidate for Courtenay, addressed a well-attended meeting in the Kirwee Hall. Mr J. N. Lawrey presided, and at the close of his address Mr M’Brido answered a number of questions. A vote of thanks bo the candidate concluded a successful meeting. Last night Mr M’Brido addressed a crowded meeting in the Hal swell Schoolroom, considerable difficulty being found in providing seating accommodation for those present. Mr Quaife presided,' and Mr M 1 Bride was accorded a cordial reception, and a hearty vote of thanks at the close of his address. Mr T. Clarkson, a candidate for tlxe Avon seat, addressed about two hundred electors at an open-air meeting on the corner of Grafton and Charles Streets last evening. In reply to a question, Mr Clarkson stated that he ■was a strong believer in the principle sf local government, and expressed t-He opinion that a large amount of the business that engages the attention of Parliament at the present time could be better attended to by some such body as the old Provincial Councils were, leaving for the Parliament in Wellington more time to ; deal with broad, national 'questions, affecting the whole colony. ( Mr G. Laurenson addressed a largely attended meeting of electors" in tne Opawa Schoolroom last evening. Mr Allenton occupied the chair. After the candidate had answered a number of questions, Mr T. Cooksloy moved a resolution, thanking Mr Laurenson for his lucid- and straightforward address, and expressing continued confidence in him is a fit and proper person to represent Lyttelton in the House of Representatives. The motion was seconded by Mr Tullooh and carried amidst loud ipplause. . At Mr G. W. Russell’s Upper Riccarton meeting on Tuesday, an elector said ho would like to know- whether Mr Russell would consider "a proposal to ascertain which was the strongest candidate on the Liberal side, in order that ■ only ' one should go to the poll. ■ ill- Russell said he would not give such a proposal a moment’s consideration. He-had always held the genuine Liberal vote,, and still held it. His opponent at last election was successful because the Opposition voters supported him. Now, they had thrown him over, and had a candidate of their own, whilst his (Mr Russell’s) Liberal vote was as solid as ever. He had no doubt as to the result of the election, and would certainly go to the poll. ' A meeting of Mr H. F. Toogcod’e committee was held last evening at his rooms in Gloucester Street, when a fair amount of business was transacted. The executive has now made arrangements for/meetings till election day. The reports' o£ the various committees were considered satisfactory. On Tuesday, evening Mr G. W. Russell addressed a large meeting of electors at Upper Riccarton, over 100 being present. Mr C. E. T. Hill occupied the chair. The candidate delivered a lengthy address, dealing with the land question. After answering a number of questions, he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on. the motion of Mr 0. Marsh. •

A very successful meeting of Mr Ell’s friends and supporters was held last evening in the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Sydenham, when there was a very largo.attendance. ■ Mr F. Warner presided. Mr Ell gave his views on the land question, State banking and trusts, and was listened to very attentively: At the close of the address Mr J. Fryer moved, and Mr Parlane seconded—“ That this meeting thanks Mr Ell for his address, and has every confidence in him as their representative in Parliament, and will do all in their power, to return him at the coming election-:”' The motion was carried unanimously amidst applause. Mr J. R.' Brunt’s Central Committee met last night and ‘ transacted a large amount of detail work. Mr Brunt will meet hia lady friends this afternoon at 3115, in the Chess and Draughts Room, Holiest on Street.' In the. evening, at eight o’clock, he will 1 address the ©lectors at Bromley, and to-morrow at the Linwood Hall. , Mr H.' ,F; Toogood will address , the electors "in the Public School, Richmond, to-night, and in the South Belt School to-morrow night, at 8 o’clock. . Section 125 of the Electoral Act of last' session contains a provision which may not be generally known. It is that an elector of any district may at any time up to and including the date of the issue of the writ, apply in writing to the Registrar of the district for a voting permit, authorising him to record Eis vote outside the district at any polling place appointed under the Act. , Such application must be witnessed by a Justice, , postmaster or other'Government officer. Mr J. Hadfield’s election committee met last night, when final arrangements -were made for actively conducting the campaign, which will bo opened on Friday, when Mr Hadfield will address the electors in the Methodist Schoolroom, Brougham Street, Sydenkaih. Encouraging reports were received of the progress of the canvass. Mr S. R. Webb addressed 'a good audience at Heathoote Valley on Tuesday night. His speech was mainly on the lines of his previous utterances. Mr J: Weir presided. In reply to questions Mr Webb said he favoured more restrictive legislation in regard to Chinese immigration. A hearty vote of thanks to the speaker was unanimously passed. Last evening Mr G. Witty addressed a meeting of Riocarton electors in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Addington. There was an attendance of about 200, and Mr B. P. Manhire presided. The candidate dealt at length with the programme of the Political Reform Lea gue, and the land question, and touched on a number of other questions. Mi Witty reiterated his previous statement that the late Mr Rolleston was a believer in the leasehold, and had voted against the freehold on the Waste Lands . Committee in 1882, and had also strongly objected to the freehold clause inserted by the Legislative Council. Mr Witty pointed out that Mi Rolleston’s main object in bringing in a Leasing Bill was to place people on the land who oould not otherwise obtain holdings, and keep them out of the hands of the money-lender and usurer. Mr Witty said that he was quit© prepared to place £SO in the hands of the chairman, to be ghjen to any charity, if the statement ho had previously made regarding Mr Eolleston’s land policy in 1882 was incorrect, on condition that those who charged him with making a false statement put up a similar amount. He also dealt. with the measures passed last session, and with the prosperity and future of the colony. At the close of the address Mr Witty answered a number of questions, and on the motion of Mr Kimnmonth, leoonded by Mr M’Cloy, was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, The meeting was a very enthusiastic one throughout, and during the delivery of his address Mr Witty Was repeatedly applauded.

There were about 150 persons at Mr W. W. Tanner’s meeting at the New Brighton School last night. The Mayor (Mr C. H. Winuy) presided. The address was on the lines of Mr Tanner’s Phillipstown speech, and after an attentive hearing, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr Hopkins, seconded by Mr Hunter. A vote of thanks was accorded the chairman.

Mr J. Thorn (Christchurch South) will address the employees of Messrs Duckworth and Turner at Sydenham at half-past twelve o’clock to-day. Mr G. M. Gray will address the lady electors of Christchurch North in the afternoon at the Art Gallery. Mr W. W. .Collins invites the ladies of Christchurch East to meet him at Hobbs’s Buildings this afternoon.

Mr James Thorn, the Independent Political Labour League’s candidate for South Christchurch, addressed a fairly large meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall, St Asaph Street last night. Mr E. Gohns occupied the chair. The candidate referred to State banking, abolition of duties on the necessaries of life, the land question, education, equal pay for equal work, preference to Unionists and other matters. At the conclusion of the .address several questions were answered, and the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks arid confidence, on the motion of Mr M. Griff eu, seconded by Mr H. M’Keown. Mr Baynes addressed the electors of Avon at the schoolroom, Burwood, last evening. There was a fair attendance. Mr AUington was voted to the chair. Mr W. W. Collins addressed a wellattended meeting of the Sydenham electors of Christchurch East, in the St Saviour’s school, last evening. After dealing with the land question, Mr Collins devoted some attention to the Press criticisms of his proposals. He also spoke at some length on the necessity for pushing on more rapidly the completion of the Midland Railway, so that both Canterbury and Westland might reap the advantage of more speedy communication and that increase of inter-trade which was soon to follow. Speaking on educational matters, Mr Collins advocated the publishing by the Government of uniform series of school books, to be supplied at cost price. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with much enthusiasm.

THE HON J. M’GO WAN AT THAMES. [Per Press Association.] , THAMES, November 13. The Hon J'. M’Gowan, Minister of Mines, addressed his constituents at Thames to-night. Mr M’Gowan, who was'well received, stated that the administration of the present Government had been pure. He confidently challenged criticism on that point, and stated that Mr Seddon was the ablest Premier the colony had ever seen. He opposed the Elective Executive as likely to result in legislative iucongruitiee and anything but united administration. The Opposition dared not advocate the repeal of any leading measures passed by the present Administration. They had conveniently dropped that political cry, and now declaimed against the administration, which the speaker submitted was equitable and efficient, and defied criticism. The voucher incident was an unfair attempt to injure Mr. Seddon through his eon. The absurd allegations against the public departments had been proved to be without foundation or fact. He defended the present system of administration of the land, which allowed freehold of Crown lands, but he objected to giving the freehold of land tor settlements, much of which had been purchased by the Government with the people's money for the benefit of the people. It would be dangerous to revert to the old system of . disposing of the lands of the colony for cash. Advances to settlers had been of great benefit to a deserving class of settlers. He denied the allegations implied in the cry of “spoils to the victors,” and said that bo far as the expenditure of public money was concerned, there was nothing savouring of political patronage. Members of the Opposition had themselves refuted such _ charges, as they were now maintaining that districts which returned Opposition members received as much assistance, if not more, than districts represented by Government supporters. The fact was that the Government allocated and spent public money exactly in fair proportion to public requirements in the ehane of works, roads, bridges, etc., in alf districts, irrespective of whether _ they were represented by Oppositionists or Government supporters. , He detailed the Acts passed last session. He claimed that a distinct .advance had been made in mining legislation. The Act of last session was calculated to improve not only the condition of the whole mining industry, but safeguarded" the interests of prospectors, discoverers and miners generally, ■ A vote of thanks and confidence in the member and the Ministry was carrier unanimously.

[From Our Cob.b.f.spoxdest.] DUNEDIN, November 15. Judging by tbs election meetings and feeling the public pulse generally, I am of opinion that Mr Sidey has the safest seat jin this part of the colony. Mr Millar will be elected for Dunedin Central, but will have a strong fight with Mr Adams. [Pkb Pp.ess Association.] AUCKLAND, November 13. Mr . F.. Lawry addressed a crowded meeting of Parnell ©lectors to-night and received a vote of thanks and confidence. THAMES, November 15. Mr M’Gowan addressed the electors' at Tapu, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. WAIROA, November 13. Sir William Russell addressed a large meeting on Saturday, and was well received. He denied that he would repeal any of the Government measures, and severely criticised the one-man Government, condemning Mr Seddcn for being a rail-sitter and for his want of policy on the land question. _ He opposed the compulsory expropriation of tlie land. He would buy from those who wore willing to sell, and favoured granting the freehold to every man willing to pay for it. It was a waste of money to buy further land. 'He favoured the alteration of appointments to the Upper House to place the Chamber on an el©ctive basis, and condemned the principle of letting the railways pay only 3 per cent, taxpayers who had no railways being made 'to pay 1 per cent for. the so who used them. The Land Court Judges should not be peripatetic, but should remain in their several districts till their work was completed. The licensing question had passed from members to the people; all oould vote as they pleased. In the interests of the country ho opposed Bible-reading jn schools. A vote of thanks end confidence was unanimously passed. HASTINGS, November 15. Mr Matthew Henry is mentioned as likely to contest the seat in the prohibition interest, but it is not definite. The contest will be keen if left to Sir William Russell and Mr Dillon. NAPIER, November 15. Mr A. L. D. Fraser addressed a large number of ©lectors at the Gaiety Theatre this evening, the building being crowded. Ho briefly referred to tie work of the session, expressed himself favourable to the Government on most points of policy, but disagreed with it on some questions. Ho claimed that the Native Lands Act passed during last session was a very beneficial measure. A vote of thanks and one of continued confidence in the Government was passed. WELLINGTON, November 15. Mr T. W. Stephens has retired from the Newtown contest in favour of Dr Chapp.o. November 15. Mr J. F. Arnold, who is a candidate for Dunedin South,, addressed a meet■o* of electors in the Princess Theatre.

He spoke at length on the legislation, policy and administration of the Government, which ho strongly supported. He spoke adversely of the personnel of the Ministry and pronounced in favour of the Elective Executive. He was opposed to Bible-reading in schools. A vote of thanks and confidence was adopted unanimously.