The general Election.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8149, 24 November 1905, Page 5

The general Election.

At Wellington on Tuesday evening Mr Fisher condemned the system of supporting a man for the roads and bridges he could secure for his district. "It was not for the electors to look for public works expenditure in return for service at the ballot-box, although there were many servile districts who returned men in order to secure roads, bridges, railway stations, and lamp posts." (A voice: And billets.)

Mr Fred Pirani's general committee met last evening. The meeting was largely attended and proved most enthusastic. A large quantity of'routine business was transacted. The secretary was instructed to arrange for larger premises for committee rooms owing to the increase in the attendance at the committee meetings Mr Pirani was in attendance and explained several matters, and at the conclusion of the meeting he was accorded three hearty cheers. Mr F. Pirani addresses the electors at Awahuri Public Hall this evening at S o'clock. Mr Pirani will speak at the schoolhouse, Taonui (Raugitikei Line) on Saturday night. Other engagements to-morrow night: —Awahou, Mr Lethbridge; Awahuri, Mr Gardner.

A further list of the dates of Mr Lethbridgo's meetings is published today.

Mr Secldon, in addressing a crowded meeting at Aramoho on Wednesday, declared in favor of the sitting member, Mr Willis. The audience, however, expressed itself strongly in favor of Mr Hogan (Independent Liberal), and Mr Seddon was repeatedly met with the cry, "We want Hogan." During his speech Mr Seddon, in urging the people to do their utmost to have Wauganui again represented by a member ot his Party, said: —" I have done my best. I entreated. —No, I won't say entreated. I placed before Mr Hogan a proposal which he ought to have accepted." (Cries of " No! ") The nature of the proposal placed before Mr Hogan was not disclosed.

As Mr Ross, Government candidate for Pahiatua, appeared on the platform at Woodville to deliver an address he was bombarded with bouquets, which, he said, " would please his mother when she heard of it."

Speaking at Aramoho on Wednesday evening Mr Seddon in referring to the general election, said •' it will be the keenest light we have ever had in New Zealand."

A correspondent writes as follows :— " The schoolhouse at Tokomaru was taxed to its utmost last night to hear Mr Vile, the. present member for the Manawatu seat in the House of [Representatives. The large audience, which included many ladies, was thoroughly representative of the different industries of our rising township and district and the attention and frequent applause of his hearers must have been gratifying to the speaker. On the motion of Mr Griffiths, seconded by Mr Startup, a vote of thanks and confidence was heartily carried. Mr Sandibanks, Chairman of School Committee, ably presided." •

After Mr Seddon had finished speaking at Aramolio on Wednesday evening in favour of Mr Willis, Air Hogan (Independent Liberal) delivered a short speech in which lie said : " We have woudei'ed why Mr Seddon came here. I tell you that I take it as a compliment to the people of Aram oho that he has come, and I take it also, judging from the latter part of his remarks, as a compliment to me (Applause, and cheering/. He has said a good deal about the rights of ■working men, but' at the same time when a man stands un from the ranks of the workers— (great applause)—when a man seeks to lift up the workers he is not given a chance. (Loud applause.) Where is his democracy? (More applause.) Where is it, I ask ? Where is British liberty? (Great applause.) Where is it ? This is the position. If we are going to keep on nominating, nominating, nominating, we are going to have to wait until the old men die off. If this system had been in vogue in the past, Mr Seddon would not be where he is now." (Applause.) In addressing the electors at Wellington on Tuesday night Mr Fisher, speaking on the question of land tenure, said it was necessary to know where the Premier was. In 1903 be said the majority of the tenants wanted the freehold. He had also said his back was to the wall, and had warmly encouraged and applauded the land nationalises. Later a Bill had come into the House proposing the sale of 25,000 acres of the Hokitika Hatbour Board's endowments and the Premier had supported the Bill, and had asked " What is the use of crying out about the heritage of the people ?" Yet in Newtown, last year, he had said it was criminal not to speak out. And then he maintained a firm silence in the Opera House. The Premier had turned his back on Sir John M'Kenzie's ideals, and was resting on the fence. (Hear, hear.)

Mr J. Stevens; will speak at Himatangi schoolhouse on Saturday.