Genoral Election.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7404, 20 September 1902, Page 2

Genoral Election.

A Yonm? CaiKlitiafe.

Mr H. D. Bedford, a young aspirant j for political honours, who is contest -,.. t the city seat, on Thursday night addressed the most intim«i".v-t.c rarotim.' ,-een at Dnncdm for many a day. V. Bedford, who is o*n!y 23 yt-:r- of ■■^•- |,„M '-[.A. i-ie.;.-ei% and ivivi.tly n;ihi ly contested the o;v«'rsh'iu> 1.-ciiuii. 'l'h~ audience xasavaM .',.." tilli.itf th« Gannon !i,ll Jo fli,' '■'~„_ Mr Bedford, who wa, «,.|..ai.. c. ,„ lh- echo on .coming for wen e«:Ucd a good impression by his sp.cmd.d 11, w of language and thorough grasp o wlitioal affairs. He favoured a mod.-ray l ;„, „ilwv and condemned tinmem, vim. ho U,d, were endeavouring conciliate, the eoi.slituenc.es by qunX ing publio money. Honey wa> being spent on eW»or.te no*. ofl.ee.. Courthouses and ornameulal works, inste d of hems spent in op.ming up railways. It was tun: the co.ony took a stand for sound def-n-se and sound economy—economy »f administration and a cessation of .he >quandcnng oE all money on non-productive and ornamental works. The party to put out the present Government would be tne new Liberal Progressive party. People had so long nestled under the^ wing of Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward that they had lost their independence altogether. The Government ought to appeal to the country in the name of bribery and cowardice, instend of as Liberals They had no backbone at al „o.v; it had pouc, he added, amidst tumultuous applause. Ho predicted as a result of the olection that there would be an increase of the independent element in the next House. If elected he would oppose the Government on. a no-confidence vote on their Cuauee and administration,-.and would not a! ow consideration of the Seddon party lo inlluence him in tho least. A vote of con-lid-nee in Mr Bedford, and thanks for his manly speech was carried unanimously, amidst loud applause and cheering. Both tho mover and seconder of the motion, two well-known citizens described the candidate's speech as one Which tho peoplo wero not privileged to hear every day. The meeting broke up with ringing cheers for Mr Bedford.