THE TARANAKI SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13487, 14 May 1907, Page 6

THE TARANAKI SEAT.

SPEECH BY THE NATIVE MINISTER. ? [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ■ New Plymouth, Monday. Interest in 'to-morrow's "poll; has reached fever heat.; To-night the .Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister) addressed what is.stated to' be the largest audience ever assembled in the Theatre Royal, in the interests of the Government candidate, Mr. Dockrill. Mr. /Carroll spoke for two hours, dealing generally with the legislation of the Government, and particularly with the Land Bill and native questions, on the lines of his ' Omata address, previously reported. Concluding, he made a strong . appeal to the ; Liberals to close their ranks and avoid the splitting of the votes between two Liberal candidates. If the vote was; divided, the Opposition candidate would gain " the day. The Minister received a good hearing, and was : frequently applaud-" ed.

At the conclusion, Messrs. Dockrill and Malohe spoke briefly. ; A motion, of thanks to Mr. Carroll, and of confidence in the Ministry and Mr. Dockrill was carried. " At the Drill Hall, Mr.; Mafisey. addressed an audience of lesser dimensions. He confined himself, principally to criticism ,of the Land Bill,-and stated that he did not intend making a set speech. A messenger service was instituted from the Ministerial meeting, Mr. Massey replying to the statements made by Mr. Carroll in the Theatre, as the messengers arrived. The [ service was not over-successful, allowing the meet-' ing to drag somewhat. Towards the conclusion, Mr. Okey,, Opposition candidate, spoke vigorously. A motion of thanks to Mr. Massey was, carried. ['.'"' "'".■':.'"'.■":"-