GENERAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15737, 12 October 1914, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

BAY OF PLENTY SEAT. ME. WILLIAMS AT OPOTIKI., [BY telegeaph.— correspondent.] Opotiki, Sunday. A political address was delivered by Mr. K. S. Williams, the selected Government candidate for ■ the Bay of Plentysea. at the Alhambra Theatre, Opotiki, on Saturday evening, about 300 electors attending. Mr. Williams said that he strongly approved of the Government's land policy —leasehold, with the option of obtaining the freehold. He also favoured the closer settlement scheme, though he considered some points were open to improvement. When large estates were cut up the homesteads might be re-offered to the original owners. He considered that a great deal of land had been cut up without regard to its natural features, and he believed that if some of the present unoccupied poor lands were offered for lease, rent free, for a number of years, with certain improvement clauses, it would help to settle them. Around Waiapu there were 134,000 acres of forest and scenio reserve. Part of this land should be opened for settlement. From 150,000 to 200,000 acres of Government land and 160,000 acres of native land was situated near Opotiki. He proposed that the work of opening up the Government land should be facilitated, the better part being opened up in small

areas and the poorer lands in larger areas. The settlement of native lands required much consideration. He did not favour the Government compulsorily taking native lands, but thought that the Government should have equal rights with the natives to say whether land should he opened or not. He favoured a policy which would force the natives to make their lands productive. In connection with the Bible in schools, ho favoured a referendum being taken, but he was opposed to teachers imparting religious instruction. Dealing with the liquor I question, he said he was not pledged to any party, but he favoured the Government's 60 per cent, majority. He would like to see the Death Duties Act amended so that cognisance would be taken where the families of a deceased person numbered several dependents, and the duty lowered accordingly. He believed the duties should not be enforced uporf the estates of volunteers who lost their lives in the service of the country. He favoured borrowing where necessary, but would not extend the borrowing so as to impair the country's credit. He supported the principle of an elective Upper House. Regarding the naval question, he thought it was quite time New Zealand started a.navy of her own, subject to Imperial control. A vote of thanks was carried unanimously.

OPPOSITION LEADER'S VISIT. RECORDS OF THE PAST. The past week has been spent very quietly in Auckland by the Leader of the Opposition. He has been giving his personal attention to preliminary' arrangements for the election campaign in this part of the Dominion, but he has not made any political utterances either by public speech or by interviews. Sir Joseph Ward will return to Wellington by this evening's express train. - '

An invitation to review the prospects of the election was declined by Sir Joseph Ward last evening. He said that while Parliament remained in session he desired to avoid as far as possible any discussion of party politics, though it would be .necessary for him to define the position of his party shortly after the close of the session. Within a few day's he would be able to announce the official list of candidates in the Opposition interest for the various seats, but the campaign would not be actively inaugurated until after Parliament had been prorogued. " We shall go before the electors," said Sir Joseph Ward, "with a confident belief that the people are cognisant of the good work done by Liberal administrators in the past, that they realise enormous benefits are now enjoyed by practically all sections of the community as a result of Liberal legislation, and that they are convinced of the sincerity of the party in promoting a policy •which will be laid clown at the proper time for the benefit of the country as a whole."

MR. ATMORE'S ADDRESS. At the request of the supporters of the Opposition Party in Auckland, Mr. Harry Atmore, M.P. for Nelson, will address a, public meeting in the Town Hall to-night. He will deal with the political topics of the hour, expounding his party's views upon each. A large attendance is anticipated.

MB. POTTER'S SUPPORTERS. A meeting in support of the Opposition candidate for Eden, Mr. E. H. Potter, was held in the Druids' Hall, Valley Road, on Friday evening. Mr. Potter addressed his friends and a plan of campaign was discussed Mr. Galiehan, Opposition organiser, being present. Further names were added to the committee already formed in this centre and arrangements were made for the candidate to address electors in various parte of the electorate.