GENERAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15747, 23 October 1914, Page 7

GENERAL ELECTION.

CONTEST AT THAMES.

OPPOSITION CANDIDATE.

"BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Thames, Thursday. Me. E. H. Taylor, who is a candidate for the Thames seat in the Opposition ] interest, addressed a full meeting of electors at the Miners' Union Hall on Monday night. Referring to the present Government, the speaker said it was in no sense Liberal, but was thoroughly Conservative and Tory, and it was the most reactionary Government that, New Zealand had ever known. He referred at considerable length to the various promises and pledges it had made to the people. It had promised to reduce borrowing, but the public indebtedness had increased by £3 4s 3d per head of the population. It had promised to reduce taxation, but had increased it. It had promised to provide lands for the people and to secure industrial peace and numerous other things, but had failed in all. and, instead of improving the prospects of the country generally, its policy had been reactionary. Mr. Taylor then referred to the policy of the old Liberal Government in the past, and described the great improvement which had taken place in the country during its long term of office. He pointed out that if the Liberal Party were to return to office it could only be done by the supporters of the party combining and working together for the common cause. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. Mr. Lowe, Mayor of Thames, who had been announced to stand in the Liberal interest for this constituency, has withdrawn from the contest to allow a straight-out fight between Mr. Rhodes, the sitting member, representing the Government, and Mr. Taylor, the Opposition candidate. EDEN ELECTORATE. •MR. PARR'S CAMPAIGN. A vigorous campaign has been instituted on behalf of Mr. C. J. Parr, the Government candidate for Eden. Last evening tho Central Committee met at Valley Road, Mount Eden, about 40 persons being present. The candidate, in a brief address, expressed the hope that every effort would be made to see that the names of ail persons qualified to vote were on the roil. The new roll was out, and he had been informed that the names of some of the old residents in the electorate were not upon it. It was necessary that every voter should see that his or her name was placed on the roll. The committee deI cided to take systematic steps to enrol all those entitled to vote. AUCKLAND EAST SEAT. ADDRESS BY MR. HOLMES. A well-attended meeting of women electors in the Auckland East electorate was held in the Primitive Methodist Hall, Alexandra Street, yesterday afternoon, to meet Mr. A. S. Holmes, Reform candidate for that seat. Mr. Holmes, who was cordially received, addressed the meeting, briefly touching on many points, more especially those affecting the workers. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was carried unanimously.