POLITICAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8723, 10 November 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL.

Tornight-s meetings:—Opera; House, Mr Miivertou; Kelvin GrovfJ, -Mr Bu-' ic-k; Newbur'v,. Mr E. Newman,;. Linton, Mr Field. '

"I have contested five elections-," said Mr Massey at Temuka, "and every one of my opponents has been provided for by the Government. Two have found their way into the Upper House. This is the sixth election, and I don't know what will happen, this time." Mr 0. C. Pleasants, the Government candidate for the Oroua seat, addressed a meeting at Feilding last night, practically in reply to Mr Massey's epeech. . there. Mr Pleasants disclaimed any connection,. direct or > indirect, with the Premier's recent trip to Feilding. Mr Pleasants denied the accuracy of Mr Massey's statements with.regard to money allotted one Department being utilised by another, and lie also defended the audit system of tho Government, stating that, apparently, nothing that was done satisfied the Opposition He said Mr Massey's- financial references were all designned to cast discredit' upon tho Government Mr Plea'sants devoted some time to combatting Mr Massey's statements and arguments. Mr Pleasants contended that ttre Government still offered the optional tenure, and quoted the terms upon which land was ofljered in the north in

support of hfc statement. Other planks of the Opposition • platform were criticised'. and at the conclusion of his address the speaker answered several ques- " tions-, subsequently receiving a vote •of thanks- on the motion of Mr J. Hirlihy, seconded l by Mr W. Bolton. SOCIALIST QUESTIONS. AND THE REPLIES. j A special meeting- of the Palmerston branch of the Socialist- party - was held to consider the replies from the three local Parliamentary candidates to- a list of question* submitted to them and to deckle what action should bo taken in connection with the forthcoming election. The questions and replies are given be-

low: — A THE QUESTIONS. No. 1. Will von oppose the .further sale of Crown lands? No. 2. Are' you in favour of taxing the unearned increment of land, and if so to what extent? No. 3. Are .vow in favour of State Bank with sole right of note issue? No. 4. Are you in favour of adult suffrage. being- extended to all elections with a residential qualification of twelve montks for all' local elections? No. 5. Are y'ott in. favour of a further extension of the State coal-mining- industry and' the establishment of retail depots ? No. 6. Are you in favour the Natiohiilisation of the coastal steamship service ? No. 7. Are you in favour of the State control of all! monopolies? No. 8. Are you in favour of the State ownership and control of the* liquor traffic? MR'. BTJICK'S REPLY. No. 1. —Noi. No. 2.—No. No. 3.—NoNo. 4. —No. No. 5. —No. No. 6.—No. No. 7. —Yes to a limited extent. No. 8. —Not yet. MR. MILVERTON'S REPLY. No. I.—l will not oppose sale of Crown lands, believing in the freehold. No. 2. —Not iit favour. No. 3. —Never. v No. 4. —Not in favour of altering present conditions.

■ No. 5. —Seeing that State coal mining is now established,, provided it is proved to be a profitable concern to the State, I am in favour of so supplying the Government railways, etc., but as to the establishment. of retail depots I am not yet so disposed, but providing the State has a surplus supply of coal I would favour the same being, sold to retail coal dealers. The dealers- to sell at a price fixed by Government after allowing for a fair margin of profit, wear, tear and wages. No. 6. —Not in favour of the Nationalisation of tlie coastal steamship service, but would favour a Board to be set up to go> iinto the pros and cons, and providing it be proved that excessive charges exist the Government demand a reduction, failing which the Government then compete. No. 7. —Answer number 6 also applies

to No. 7.. . No. 8/ —Am in favour of vote being taken tih-oughout the Pominion as to State control, with a view to decreasing existing evil's-. MR. WOOD'S REPLY. In reply # to yours asking for answers to certain questions I beg to state that I haiv.e fully considered the ma-tter and will take the same course as with other questions' put to me by other institutions and' will reply to them from the public platform, as "yes" or "no" replies might easilv convey a wrong impression

After duly considering the replies the meeting decided as follows: —"That we, the Palmerston branch of the Socialist party, dceline to support either of the three candidates now befo're the electorate and pledge ourselves as members not to take any active interest in the forthcoming election."

THE NOMINATIONS. (Per Pbkss Association .1 MARTON, November 10. John Stevens (Government), F. W. Frankland (Liberal), Edward Newman (Opposition) and Oswald Gardner (Independent) were nominated for the Manawatu seat,,

HASTINGS, November 9. The nominations for the Hawke's Bay seat are: —G. S. Clapham Alfred Dillon, A. E Jull. Sir William Russell, H. Lan Simsott and T. J. Thompson. WOODVILLE, November 10. The following were nominated for the P.ahiatua seat: —J. C. Cooper, W. H. Hawkins and R. B. Ross. "The nominations for the Oroua seat ;ito as follow: . 1 , ] Owen Carlin Pleasants, nominated by \V. "D. Nicholas. D. Herlihy, W. Lawler, W. McDougall. P. Sinclair, A. Bcach, J. Seheidt. L. Pike. . Robert Edward Hornblow, nominated bv J. H. Ashworth, W. Phyn, W. Stanton, W. Dun-ell. J. Logan, W. E. Baker. David Henry Guthrie nominated by J. E. Hicks, W. Mitchell, J. Michie, T. Harrison, R. Field.