ELECTION NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10278, 2 November 1896, Page 5

ELECTION NEWS.

'''..., .. ' ♦ ... . ,:.,-. ' A second requisition to Mr. .Duthie is being largely signed in Wellington", asking, him to reconsider his intention of retiring from political life, ' , ; ; , ..' ■■, The Hon. Thos. Thompson arrived by the B,s, Qairloch on Saturday from Wellington, and will remain here now for hit election campaign for the city. ; The Hon A. J.Cadman returned from the Thames on Saturday by the s,s. Wai- , marie, and will be at the Ministers'. Room, Government Department Building, to-day . for the transaction of business, . In the course of a speed) at Dunedin Mr, William Earnshaw, one of the labour members, reviewed the work of tha session, generally condemning the Government and their measures. He said the Old Ago Pensions Bill, if passed, would have had the effecb of demoralising and dograding the workers. He spoke strongly against borrowing, and referred bitterly to the action of the labour organisations. Ho claimed to have done good work for the labour party, and asked for the support of the workingmen despite the conduct of the leaders of labour organisations, There was great confusion throughout, and the mooting was decidedly rowdy. When a vote of thanks and confidence was put the chairman could scarcely be hoard. Otily about 100 voted, most of whom were in favour of the motion. The Ohinemuri eleotion campaign commences this evening, when Mr. 'Edwin Edwards will address the electors at Te Arolm end, The [Ton. A. J, Cadnmn arrived at i'aeroa from Te Aroha on Saturday morning, and left in the afternoon again for Auckland. Mr. Cadman will give his first addt'oss at Parawai, and then work his way on through the Ohiuomnri district, Our Matakana correspondent writes:— Mr. 0. Gardner addressed the electors of Wnitemata, in the Public Hall, Matakana, on October 28. Mr. J. S. Roper was voted to the chair, and stated that his position was only to keep order, as he was politically opposed to Mr. Gardner. The address was unusually brief. A vote of thanks to tli candidate and the chairman terminated the meeting. Our Rotorua correspondent writes :— Mr. Wm, Kelly has announced his intention to again contest the electorate— not as an opponent of the presont Government, but as one ready to support any Government whose policy is liberal and progressive. Mr. Kelly will only have a half-hearted support here, bub ib is oxpacted that he will have a large following in the coastal towns. Major Harris addressed a well-attended meeting at Makebu, near Drury, on Friday evening. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr. Donahoo, and seconded by Mr. Worden, and carried, Mr. G. Maberly occupied the chair. Several ladies were present. At Ararimu on Ootober 29, there was a meeting of electors, Mr. Piialan-in tho chair. Major Harris addressed them, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. A correspondent thinks that if Mr. Mitchelson does not stand for any constituency he should address a meeting on the present political situation. He adds : - ' An address from a man of such experience and reliability could not fail to be of intense interesb to both Liberals, Con* servatives, and the public generally,' Mr. C. W. P. Seon, of Kohukohu, is a candidate for the Bay of Islands electorate, on ' independent ' lines. It is understood that while nob pledging himself to the party in opposition, he disapproves of the Ministerial policy. He passed through Wuiroa en route for Hokianga, on Friday, aud although unable to hold a meeting (owing to his services as native interpreter being urgently required at the Rawene Court, the following day), his genial manner and decided outspoken opinions created a very favourable impression. Mr. Massey addressed the electors of Franklin, in the Drury Public Hall, on Friday evening last. There was a good attendance, about 80 or 90 being present, including a fair proportion of ladios. Mr. Worbhington, of Paorata, was voted to the chair. The address was similar to one delivored'ab Clevedon, and was attentively heard, and a favourable impression was made on the audience. Several questions were asked, and answered in a straightforward and satisfactory way. Mr. M. J. Rogers moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Massey, which was seconded by Mr. J, Dixon. An amendment of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr. Cornwall, and. seconded by Mr. Connell, bub at the suggestion of Mr. Massey this was withdrawn, and the vote of thanks was carriod unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. Mr. W. H. Herries, of Shaftesbury, the candidate in the Opposition interest for the Bay of Plenty electorate, has started his political campaign. Ho held his first meeting at Shaftesbury a few days ago, when there was a good attendance, Mr, J. Squirrell occupying the chair. In his speech Mr. Herries announced himself as an opponent of the present Government, and traversed their general poliuy, adversely criticising the various measures they had brought forward. He stated that he was in favour of retaining the present system of education, and also of cutting up the Bank of New Zealand estates in the Waikato and elsewhere into smaller areas, so that intending settlers might have a better chance of acquiring land. As regards the liquor traffic, ha thought the present laws in this connection ought to 'have a fair trial before any radical change was made, and he was not in favour of prohibition by a bare majority. • At the dose of his speech, which was listened to with great attention, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr. Herries has since addressed meetings at* Waihou (Mr. H. Ross taking the chair), and at Te Aroha West (Mr. Reynolds being chairman). On both these occasions he had good audiences, and was accorded votes of thanks and confidence. Being questioned ab the latter place as to whether he waa being ' run' by the National Association Mr. Homes emphatically denied that such was the case, and announced himself as being independent of any political organisation, THE PREMIER'S CONSTITUENTS. [BV TEI.EUIUPH.—PKBBS ASSOCIATION,,) Hokitika, Sunday, A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, after the Borough Council meeting on Friday night, to consider what steps should be taken to accord tho Hon. R. J. Seddon a reception on,his return to the Coast, 'fizzled' but, only twenty persona including those borough councillors who had nob left the hall being present, Ib is now proposed bo delay any public re- . ception hero till after tho elections in tho northern portion of the distriot. A requisition, very numerously signed, asking Mr. Seddon to stand for re-election, is to be presented on his' arrival. The movement originated at Kumara, and lists have been sent to all the adjacent localities. ISo other candidate is yet definitely announced, Mr. Orlmwopd,.who previously expressed his intention of again contesting, the seat with Mr, Seddon, having made no sign. ; THE HON. MR. ROLLESTON. Ohkistohuuch, Saturday, The Hon. W. Rolleston delivered apolitical address to a largo audience in the Riccarton sohoolroora, on Saturday night, He adversely criticised the present administration, especially deprecating the Premier's abuse of his position in accepting official connection \ with the Anglo-Continental Syndicate. He supported the presont land policy, and claimed that the Atkinson Government had' initiated it. He considered it dosirable that further borrowing should cease, At tho close of his address he was accorded a. vote of thanks, Ho was