POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 441, 7 November 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL.

Electors at this end of the electorate will have an opportunity of hearing the views of Mr F. W. Feild, Liberal and GoverumeAfc' candidate, on Thursday evening next, at Mcutoa in the School at 8 o’clock. Ladies cordially invited to be present. If time will permit Mr Feild will ad--dress a meeting at Foxton also.

Mr Bryon Brown will address th electors at this end of the Otaki Electorate in the Masonic Hall Foxton, on Thursday evening next, 12th iust. at 8 p.m.

Mr Byron Brown, who is contesting the Otaki seat against Mr Field, M.P., addressing a meeting of llaxmillers at Maranui, reminded his hearers that the convention of Labour held in Wellington last winter had resolved to put Independent Labour candidates to fight Sir Joseph Ward at the general elections. Then it was that the Second Ballot Bill made its appearance. The history of New Zealand proved tlut legislation of so drastic a character as the Second Ballot always «. mue from the people by agitation, u;,d alter it bad been agitated for some years it was given legislative enactment. But this was na the case with the Second Ballot. No one had thought of it, no one wanted it. It had sprung full-armed from the head of the Prime Minister like Minerva from the head of Jupiter, without any such bothersome trouble as growing up, and it was meant to disfranchise Labour in Parliament. The workers who supported Sir Joseph Ward after such a coup de grace were, the candidate said, fools to themselves. (Applause.) Mr Newman, Opposition candidate for Manawatu, will address the electors at Foxton on Friday evening next, in the Masonic Hall, Mr E. Newman spoke at Glen Oroua Hall, on Wednesday night, Mr John Sanson being in the chair, it being the best political meeting ever held there. A considerable number of ladies were present. The address was mainly on the lines of the Feiding speech.' Mr Newman referred specially to the dairying regulations, considered the Government’s action in taking off the sheep tax and putting on a cow tax unfair to a hard worker, who was heavily enough taxed now, and was bearing the greater portion of the Dominion’s burden. The Government’s promise of a million pounds to the back-blocks in the next four years was only a form of bribery. People should judge the Government by what it had done, not by its promises. Replying to questions, he said a revenue tariff was necessary. He would leave the licensing law as at present, and do all in his power tfr tetter the condition of the country school teachers. In reply to a statement that members were only seen once in three years, he said that if returned he would visit the various centres regularly and give an account of his stewardship. A vote of thanks, with an amendment that Mr Newman was a fit and proper person to represent Manawatu, was carrid unanimously. Mr T. E. Taylor who was one of the strongest opponents the Seddou Government ever had, is a candidate for one of the Christchurch seats and is thus commeuted on by the Lyttelton Times: Mr T. E. Taylor said frankly that there was nothing in the legislation of the present Government or its administration to warrant a no-confidence motion, and we may take it that he will support the Ward Government.

Mr E. G. B. Moss, candidate for Parnell, after reference to a specific case of alleged bribery in connection with licensing matters, said “As a result of the investigations of myself and my friends, not only in the case referred to by v me, I have collected evidence which will incriminate, besides a number of minor officials, Justices of the Peace, two returning officers, and two Resident Magistrates.” A public meeting has asked for a Royal Commission of Investigation. Mr Stevens at Kairanga. (Special Reporter.) Mr John Stevens last night addressed a well-attended meeting of electors at Kairanga. Mr John Balsillie occupied the chair and said it was not natural that everyone should agree with the Ward Government’s policy but it must be given credit for many good measures and, if they were putting the screw on the farmers, other parties getting into power would no doubt turn another screw with similar effect. Mr Stevens said he was one of the oldest settlers in the electorate having come to this district in 1854. He understood the requirements of the constituency and from his long experience in Parliament was better able to represent the district than any one of his opponents none of whom had had had any political experience. In connection with the Maori lauds he said that Mr Massey’s statement that ,£B,OOO had been wasted on a royal commission wajfcl utterly indefensible. In the first place the final report of the commission was not yet completed. In the second place the money would be paid by the Maoris themselves as the Maori lands would pay the cost of their own settlement. Therefore Mr Massey’s statement that it would cost the Dominion ,£B,OOO was on a par with his many other ridiculous and incorrect political statements. The Government desired to assist the dairy farmer in every way possible. Only the previous night the Prime Minister had stated that the Railway - Department would carry free of cost cement and other materials

required for the flooring of cow byres and yards. This announcement was received with applause. At the conclusion of the address the candidate was accorded the usual hearty vote of thanks for his able address on the motion of Mr B. Horn, seconded by Mr J. C. Rymann. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. Mr Stevens at Aorangi. On Wednesday night Mr Stevens addressed the electors at Aorangi in Mr Robert Dewry’s meeting house. There was a good attendance. Mr Peter Garritty occupied the chair, and referred to Mr Stevens’ long term of residence in the district covering 54 years, and the able way in which he had represented the Manawatu and Rangitikei electorates during 15 years of that period. Mr Stevens dealt very fully with the questions of the day and in answer to a question said that the difference between the policies of the Government and the Oppositionwas well exemplified in the matter of the railways, post offices, Advances to Settlers, coal mines and other state properties. The Opposition advocated the musty fusty retrogressive idea of handing the the management of these great services ever to so-called non-political boards. The policy of Sir Joseph Ward was to do everything the people required and in accordance with the dictates of prudence and justice advance with the times and so progress with evolution and not cause revolution. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr John Stevens as member for Manawatu, and renewed confidence in the present Government was moved by Mr Thompson, seconded by Mr Bailey, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.