POLITICAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 21 May 1914, Page 6

POLITICAL

THE MOTUEKA SEAT

SELECTING A REFORM CANDI DATE.

Mr Geo. Macmahon, who contested the Nelson seat at the last general election as the official nominee of the Wan! Party, in response to a request from a large number of electors from the Motueka Valley district, has consented to allow ills name to be forwarded to the conference to be held at Motueka on Wednesday next for the purpose of selecting a candidate to contest the Motueka seat at the next general election in the interests of the GovernmeP'

Six names have been mentioned ae probable candidates, viz., Messrs Horatio Everett, Chairman o£ the Waimea County Council and a member of the Motueka Harbour Board ; Mr R. P Hudson, President of the Nelson District Fruitgrowers' Association; Air F. W. Smith, a member of the Nelson Education Board; Mr F. W. Durbridge, hotelkeeper ; Mr I. Tunnicliffe, President •of -b* Nel-:o>\ Provincial Farmers' Union, and a member of the Nelson Harbour Board ; and Mr Geo. Macmal.on, a member of the Waimea County Council and \he Nelson Harbour Board. Mr Macmahon, in an interview with a correspondent, stated that he was fully convinced by the policy of the present Government that it was eyen more liberal than the Party it displaced from the Treasury benches. Before the Reform Party attained power a large number of Liberals believed that that party was a relic of the old Tory and reactionary party; but the Government had conclusively proved that this was not the case. The Reform Party's policy was, generally speaking, the one he had advocated at the laet general election, in common -with many other farmers. The Government's land policy in particular appealed more strong--to him. None of the Liberal measures had been- repealed except the second ballot, with which he entirely concurred. It cost the country £20,0C0 at the last election, and failed To give satisfaction. He had consented at the request of a large number of electors to allow his name to be forwarded to :he conference.

ADDRESS BY MR R. P. HUDSON. Mr R. P. Hudson, a prospective cantidate in the R.sform Government's insrests fcr the Motueka seat at the next eneral election, addressed a ireeti.ng at Vakefield last evening. Mr S. Baigent. 'resident of the local branch <Ji the Re'orm League, was voted to the chair. There was a large attendance. Mr Hudson, -who was received with pplause; placed his views 'before the lectors in a fair and unbiassed manner. nd received a good hearing, with the •xception of a few interruptions from a traneer in the district. Mr Hudson, in the course of his address, touched c'n railways, the strike, the gift Dreadnought üblic buildings, lands for settlement, workers' dwellings, borrowing, Customs luties. Civil Service, old age and miliary pensions. Touching on the fruit industry, Mr Hudson mentioned that .\£r Massey, as Minister of Agriculture. >roposed giving advances up to £IO,OOO "ur the erection of cool stores and canning works. The speaker suggested \hat train lines should foe laid, in certain districts to facilitate the forwarding of fruit to the port of shipment. Mr Hudson said he wished it to be understood that any criticism he might -nake was against the party and not the individual. Let the electors find, out whether Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, or the Social Democrats were most worthy ■jf support and. vote accordingly. In concluding, Mr Hudson ) aid it was for the members of <the League to decide which of the five candidate? >ffering should be chosen to go - to the •>oll- Should he be chosen he would lo all he could for the foetterrr.ent of he Dominion, the electorate, and the individual. If he was not chosen then 'ie would willingly stand down and throw all his influence on the side' of. the successful candidate. • , Several Questions were askfd and an-, swered. after which the meeting rloscr after passing votes of thanks to Mr Hua son and the chairman.

MEETING AT TAPAWERA. In continuation of his visit to the electorate, Mr A. A. Paape, Reform Organiser, held a meeting at Tapawera fast night. There was a very repreeentative attendance, settlers from all parts of the district being present. Mr George Macmahon, the Ward nominee at the la?t general election ( was in the chair. The following delegates . were appointed to attend the conference at Motueka on Wednesday next for the purpose of seleciTng a candidate at the next election: Messrs Alex. Drummond (Tadmor); A. Sangster (Tapawera); E. \. Newport (Korere); W. Fawcett (Kiwi) ;W. H. Phillips (Sherry); Jas. Price (Baton): N. Winn (Thorpe); W. North (Kohatu). "