The General Election.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8142, 16 November 1905, Page 6

The General Election.

The Aisuiawiitu Seat.

(From a Correspondent) Mr John Stevens, the Liberal candidate for Manavratu, addressed a large meeting of electors at Marton on Wednesday night, Bth November, there being about 250 present. Dr Skerman, Mayor of Marton, presided, -and introduced the candidate as an old and respecled friend,-wlio was not appearing before them for the first time. "

Mr Stevens then commenced Ins address by saying that lie did not intend tv make any personal attacks either on his opponent, Mr Vile, or the opponents of his party, but hoped that the election •would be fought out in a manly and proper ■way. If he said anything harsh or uncomplimentary it would only be in self-defence and in refutation of erroneous statements made against himself, and the criticism of public men in a public way. (Applause). lie proceeded to point out what he termed some of the misleading arguments which the Opposition had used in their endeavours to prejudice the public mind against the real good -work and beneficial legislation of the present administration. Continuing, he mentioned that his opponent, Mr Vile, had stated at Upper Tutaenui that he (Mr Stevens) had voted against the freehold vrhen in the House in 1897. This was not correct, and he pointed out that on the occasion in question it was not on the matter of straight out freehold or leasehold on which the House had divided, and he could safely say that he had never at any time objected to the settler obtaining whatever tenure he preferred. Coming to the Lands for Settlement and Advances to Settlers' Act, he said that it was impossible to deny that thousands of settlers had benefited largely from the land policy of the Government, and asserted that there were not 2 per cent of the estates which had been cut up that had not been entirely successful. (Applause.) As to the public debt, which liis opponent had announced to be £63,000,000, Mr Stevens said that to date the full amount of the gross debt was £'59,000,000, but that of that amount the large stun of £31,000,000 was direct interest bearing and revenue producing. While speaking on Crown lands, he said that with regard to the different tenures, leasehold and freehold, he was and always had been, as evidenced in his speech on Mr Rolleston's Land Bill vrhen he first entered the House iii 18S2, of the firm opinion that every settler should have the option of taking up Crown land under either tenure. If he desired the freehold, give Mm the freehold, if he desired the leasehold, give him the leasehold. He dwelt at some length on the importance of the flax industry, and mentioned that he did not think that it had received the consideration which it deserved at the hands of the Government. Mr Stevens thought that every credit was due to the present administer tion for tho way in which they had come to the rescue of tho aged and needy of thin colony in spite of the opposition of Mr Massey and his party. At the conclusion of his address, Mr A. T. Mcßeth moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker and confidence in him as a fit and propor person to represent the electors in Parliament. Mr A. Cockbur'n seconded the motion and on being put to the meeting it was carried heartily and unanimously.

(Per Press Association.) NAPIER, November 15. Mr A. L. D. Fraser, M.H.R., addressed a large number of electors at the Gaiety Theatre last evening, the building baing crowded. He briefly referred to the work of the session and expressed himself favourable to the Government on most points of policy, but disagreed with them on some questions. He claimed that . the Native Land Act passed last session was a very beneficial measure, A vote of thanks and one of continued confidence in the Government was passed.

The Premier's crowning shuffle on the land question when he voted against the proposal to abolish the perpetual lease and in favour of the freehold during the discussion of the Lands for Settlement Extension Bill in the last days of the session was referred to by Mr Duthie in the latter's recent speech as his " extraordinary capsize." He continued that it was almost without parallel on the part of any Premier in any part of the world, a sentiment that was greeted with " Hear, hears " and loud applause.

Parliamentary candidates are beginning to speak a little too plainly. lam one of them, and I am going to run the risk of getting into gaol too."—Mr Clayton at Mangapapa on the maladministration of the Government.

Mr Taylor may not be returned to Parliament at the approaching general election, but if such should be the case the decision of the Christchurch North electors would be to deprive the colony of the services of a man who is urgently needed in our politics.—Masterton Age. According to Seddonian logic it ap pears, says a contemporary, to be quite sufficient answer to a, charge of having "broken an election pledge by voting against the freehold if the candidate can show that at any time lie spoke or ■wrote in favour of freehold. It seems curious reasoning, and it is difficult to see how this conclusion is arrived at, but it appears to pass current among a certain section -who are willing to be fooled- —and who are fooled.

Mr Rutherford is not satisfied with the class of men appointed to the Ministry. " The tendency is to take in the tinker, the tailor, tlie butcher, the candlestick-maker, and perchance, the man o£ no occupation. I say, give the farmer and the country storekeeper a show," he professed ac Amberley the other night.

Mr R. B. Ross, Government candidate for Pahiatua, liad an unpleasant experience of electioneering in the back blocks. He left i'or Rakanui a few days ago to deliver a speech. The incessant rain had swollen the rivers and brought down slips on the tracks to such an extent that very few thought that Mr Ross would reach Rakanui, but lie succeeded in doing so after a terrible journey, trying ford after ford in the Aohango river, eventually having to abandon liopes of crossing. Consequently he struck across country via Waikereru. The Waihoki was in flood, and Mr Ross got a ducking, but got safely across. His experience was an excellent object lesson to a Parliamentary condidate as to the great hardships and dangers associated with life in the back-blocks. 'And these are the settlers. some Government supporters have voted against having the .freehold.