POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Mataura Ensign, 31 October 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

SECOND EDITION.

1 CLUTHA ELECTORATE. MR A. MARTIN ASKED TO STAND. A meeting of the Liberal Party was held at Balclutha on Friday last when representatives were present from several parts of Clutha electorate and the political position was fully discussed, the opinion being freely expressed that the time had arrived when an effort should be made to win the seat for" the Liberal party and the legitimate claims of the district in the matter of railway construction and other public works were argued. It was xinanimously decided to invite Mr Andrew Martin, of Gore, to contest the seat at the forthcoming election in the Liberal interest. To this end a deputation from the Waipahi end of the electorate waited on Mr Martin on Saturday and another one from Balclutha last evening when the position was fully explained, and the desire of the Liberal party throughout the electorate conveyed to him. Mr Martin, in reply, expressed his appreciation of the wishes of tho Liberal party. He stated that ho was always willing and anxious to work for and do his best for the party which he believed is was in tho bast interests of the country to keep in power. The proposal came as a pleasant surprise to him but he would require time to consider the matter. Time was limited and tho electorate was a largo 0110 and just at tho moment he could not see how all its parts could be successfully visited l>eforo election day. He was a stranger to a great part of tho electorate and that would l»o a handicap. After further discussion, in which Mr Martin was assured that there was a strong desire in many localities for a change which were formerly hostilo to tho Liberal candidate, ho agreed to iiivc a definite reply 011 Thursday morning. MR MASSEY AT ELTHAM. A TELLING SPEECH. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. ELTHAM, Oct. 31. Mr Massey (Leader of the Opposition) addressed 800 people in the Town Hall last night, the Mayor presiding. Mr Massey said the country could not go on piling up the debt and increasing the taxation as in the last few years, but we would have to keep the expenditure much nearer our income than was being done at present. He said tho Financial Statement contained no hint of reducing taxation or tho cost of living. The Budget was an electioneering one, without any policy worthy of tho name. He criticised the Government's land policy but supported Sir John Findlay in suggesting regarding tho placing of natives 011 the same footing regarding their land as white people. Hon. D. Buddo was the only fanner in tho Ministry, but lie was not given tho portfolio of Lands as he had repeatedly expressed himself in favor of the freehold. Mr Massey said anyone votiug for a Government candidate was expressing approval of the Mokau transaction. Regarding public works ho favored something 011 the lines of the English Development Board without political influence or pressure. He thought it extraordinary that the increases to railway men shoulb be made just before the election. A vote of thanks to Mr Massey and one of confidence in the present member for Egmont was carried. Hon. T. Mackenzie (who is opposing Mr Dive) will speak at Eltham to-night.