SIR J. FINDLAY'S CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14855, 5 December 1911, Page 8

SIR J. FINDLAY'S CAMPAIGN

REPLY TO PARNELL . GOSSIP, SOLEMN WARNING TO AN AGED v;, SPINSTER : '•• • Sir John Findlay,- Government candidate for Parnell, addressed a crowded and orderly meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, the Mayor of Parnell (Mr. R. S. Briggs) presiding.. . v , Sir John Findlay in the course of his speech said that ever since he had come to Auckland—and that t; very day—he had been subjected to a persecution of such a shabby and contemptible nature as would 1 almost cause a man to drop clean out of public life. Pleople had come to his house that; day and had told him of the actions of a certain aged spinster, who was persisting in the circulation of all kinds of scandalous recriminations; against his character and against his house.. Ho warned this woman that if she did not cease he should namte her, and if necessary, take further proceedings. If anyone had anything to say - about his personal character, let him come out into the open, and give • the speaker a - fair chance to defend himself. (Hear, hear.) He had heard that it was being, generally stated that on a certain bowling green a document had been handed round which purported to show that at. the last election his opponent, Mr. Dickson, had been induced to retire in favour of Mr. Lawry, with the promise of the Government support in the future. He asked that 'that document, if it existed, be produced. (Applause.) Then they would seo what it meant. One thing he should like to say about this matter ; it was quite clear that Mr. ; Dickson could have had nothing to do with the statement, because he had 1 publicly said that he would have nothing to do . with the. Government, and would vote against it on a motion of no-confi-dence. The speaker emphatically stated that there never had been such a document •as that which had been described. . Another baseless accusation had been made, against , him by the Opposition, namely that he had inspired a* certain car-/ toon which had appeared last year in the New Zealand Times. This charge was absolutely and entirely baseless. The speaker then went on to deal with the Mokau charges, reiterating that the Native Lands Committee •of .the - House . had found ,no evidence of misconduct against' any member of the Government. The fact that his partner in 1 Wellington (Mr. • Dalziell) had acted in the Mokau transactions was used as an : excuse■ for levelling all kinds of charges against himself. As a matter of fact, for the last five years the speaker - had drawn nothing from his private legal business, having given up what was one of the largestprivate practices in the Dominion in order to devoto himself to public life; and, in any case, the opening up of the. Mokau lands to the small man , was the best possible thing for the country. . The speaker dealt with other charges against the Continuous Adminstrations, and then spoke at some length on general political matters, and answered a number of questions, there being very little interruption or disturbance. A motion of confidence in Sir John Findlay and in the Government was carried with cheers. The meeting broke up in an orderly manner. . PARNELL CANDIDATES. MR. DICKSON AT REMUERA', Mr. J. S. Dickson, candidate for Parnell, addressed a good gathering' of electors at St. Mark's Hall, Remuera, last night. Mr; Pilkington presided. * -- j " Mr. Dickson protested against sums placed on the Estimates and never spent. He criticised the administration of the railways, pointing out anomalies which existed 'in the . fares, ■ and advocating cheaper suburban fares for workers.. Mr. Dickson advocated the election of members of the Upper House, and opposed State control of the hospitals, quoting figures to show that the 'Auckland Hospital was being conducted under better conditions since the Board became elective. He" advocated a Civil Service Board. Mr. Dickson also spoke on the defence question, favouring the compulsory training' scheme. On the * licensing question he' expressed himself in favour of a three-fifths majority, while he advocated the freehold on the land question. At the conclusion of ' the address a vote of •. thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. • " ■ ■ ...- # . ■ ■■ •<' . • ■ . 1 ' ' • ( ' ' " ■-• ■:<- ".V* U.'

- —■— Mr. Dickson addressed Vli^i ladies at the Oddfellows' Hall® fe, ? yesterday afternoon.Ho vote of thanks and confidence.; • ' : • MR. MACK AT REMUERA. f ? Mr• M. J, r Mack, i labour ■ c&hrii>4<u' # ParneU, addressed a large meeting It I?' ' Luke Hall last night. ft Mr. U f ' sided. At the conclusion of Mr m ££* speech an address was given bv'MT™ T. Mills. . Mr. Mack received \ thanks and confidence. ■ ! -j.™-*-' r — ''