POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 31 October 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL.

Mr lid ward Newman, Opposition candidate for Manawatu, addressed a large audience at Oroua Bridge Public Hall on Thursday night. Mr Janies Tennant occupied the chair. In the course of his speech the candidate dealt haustively with the land tenure question and read extracts from speeches delivered by Ministers to show that the Government were pledged to a leasehold tenure as opposed to the option of the freehold, which he strongly urged should be given to all Crown tenants, including those holding land under the Land for Settlement Act. He also referred to the fact that Government candidates were now seeking to pose as freeholders in order to catch votes, though they had supported, and if returned to Parliament would continue to support, a Government that had endeavoured to withdraw all the remaining Crown lands from occupation with R.O.P. Mr Newman stated that he was in favour of limitation of area of holdings, believing that such was in the interest of the country. Figures were quoted to show that the number of settlers put upon the Crown lauds within the last five years under settlement conditions was less than in the previous similar period and the same applied also to mileage of new railway opened, whereas a very largely increased expenditure bad taken place on public buildings. The candidate stated the first duty of the new Parliament would be to secure early settlement of remaining Crown and native lands in small areas on the lease with R.O.P. tenure. Government borrowing within the Dominion was strongly condemned as leading to the tightness in the money market. ■ Arbitration and Conciliation, Defence, Maori Land Daws, in which the administration of the present Native Minister was very adversely criticised, and Socialism, were dealt with, also the Second Ballot, which the candidate stated was not in the interest of country settlers. Reform of the Upper House, and the establishment of political Public Service Boards in the interest of the public serv ants and of the State was favoured. A large number of questions were asked and a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Kendall and seconded by Mr J. Gemmell, but an amendment that the words and that the candidate was a fit ‘ ‘ and proper person to represent Manawatu ” was proposed by Mr Isaac Cooksley, and amidst loud applause carried. After the meeting a strong local committee was formed. Mr Stevens at Glen Orou^ Mr Stevens addressed a large meeting at Glen Oroua last night. Mr John Sanson occupied the chair and referred to Mr Stevens’ ability as a horseman in years gone by. In those days he was very difficult to unseat and he hoped he would prove so on this occasion (applause), Mr Stevens said he had done his best in the interests of the district and if he were returned would continue to do his t est it this direction. It was not possible to grant all requests and if it were the Go-* vernment would need to borrow not two millions but twenty millions. The Opposition candidate belonged to a party which was trying to resuscitate the national association which, when manhood suffrage was given to the people by the Liberal party, had strongly advocated giving to every land-owner two votes one for himself, and one for the land he owned,' thus neutralising the value of one man one vote. The approval expressed by the Opposition of recent Liberal legislation was in order to catcji_ Liberal votes. The party uow“" numbered 14 out of a total of 80. With regard to the second candidate he wished to correct misstatements which had been made and had found their way into the press. It had been published that there were two candidates supporting the Government. He (Mr Stevens) was the Government supporter, and he was the candidate chosen by the Government. He had in his possession written evidence from the Prime Minister, acknowledging him as the Government candidate, and the statement made that it would make no difference, whether Government electors voted for Mr Stevens or Mr Frankland was idiculous in the extreme. There were in the contest two parties, the vote of the Opposition and the vote of the Liberal supporters, which vote Mr Frankland was trying to split. He did not wish to prophesy but he thought after the election Mr Frankland would know more about the election than he did at, present. True, there might be a second ballot, but if Mr Frankland thought he was going to get into that he must be extremely mistaken. The Government not supporting Mr Frankland in any way. Coming to the third candidate, Mr Gardner, who had taken exception to his being described politically as “ neither fish, . flesh, fowl nor good red herring.” V He seemed to be in the position described by the “ How happy could I be either, were other dear charmer ™ away. ’ ’ He must have the courage of his opinions and express them, otherwise his politics wefe not sufficiently staple for sensible thinking men and women to approve them. Mr Stevens then dealt freely with the Land question, Maori Land legislation, Dairy Regulations, Defence, the Land Settlement Finance Bill and the Advances Act. He referred to the cry of town versus \ country and said that it was re-

grettable that any such cry should have been raised. It was the duty of Parliament to legislate for the masses not for the classes, for the people generally, without regard to creed, denomination or calling. In answer to questions, Mr Stevens sa id he did not favour referendum with initiative on matters of general policy, | because the machinery was ponderous, slow and costly. He was in favour of a free breakfast table and taxation for revenue purposes only. Mr Boswell moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Stevens as member for Manawatu. The motion was seconded by Mr Hocking and carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the meeting. Mr Frankland at Awahur). (By telegraph; Special reporter.) Mr Frankland addressed a very successful meeting at Awahuri last night. Forty-two persons were present. Mr Collingwood presided and introduced the candidate as “ a brilliant speaker.” Mr Frankland explained how the Second Ballot enabled two Liberals to actually strengthen instead of weakening their party by competing together at the original poll which Mr Frankland said was not sufficiently explained by candidates throughout the Dominion. A hearty vote was unanimously passed thauking the speaker for his able address.