MEETINGS DISTURBED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17328, 27 November 1919, Page 8

MEETINGS DISTURBED.

EXTREME LABOUR TACTICS. SYSTEMATIC INTERRUPTION. POSITION IN WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The supporters of the Labour candidates are going to quite extraordinary lengths in preventing any of the opposing candidates from getting a hearing at meetings which they have held. These tactics are not new. They did it in 1911 and again with greater success in 1914, but this year they are doing the thing even more thoroughly. Not anv of the candidates opposed to extreme Labour has had a real hearing. The spirit that was present in the 1911 elections and in the 1914 tight is not being shown by those people in the audiences who do not support Labour. In previous fights there have been counter demonstrations against the disturbers of meetings, but nothing of the sort is being attempted now. Often it happens that the Labour supporters are deserting their own candidates in order to spoil the meeting of an opponent. For instance, on Monday night Mr. P. Fraser. in Wellington Central, addressed an audience of about 40 people, while Mr. Pirani's meeting in the same constituency was packed with supporters of the extremists. Many of them aro men who make a practice of going to as many meetings as possible, shouting offensive remarks to the speakers, and generally taking charge of the proceedings. The Labour people are certainly denying the right of free speech to their opponents. EDEN CONSTITUENCY. MR. HORNBLOW'S CAMPAIGN. ADDRESS AT MORNINGSIDE. The Opposition candidate for Eden, Mr. B. E. Hornblow, addressed a gathering of about 80 people in the Morningside Hall last evening. Mr. E. S. In wood presided. Mr. Hornblow spoke along the lines of his previous addresses. He denied a rumour which he said had been circulated that he was tied hand and foot to Sir Joseph Ward. The latter had not asked him to attach himself definitely to the party. He still retained some independence of action. In referring to the record of Liberalism in New Zealand, he said Labour would not be enjoying the benefits and privileges of the present, day had it not been for the democratic legislation enacted by the old Liberal Party. Reference was made to the congestion of population in the cities, the speaker stating that he favoured the provision of better suburban railway facilities for people who were anxious to live on the outskirts of the cities. Mr. Hornblow deplored the slow progress that' has been made in railway construction in the North Auckland Province. Small sections of railway construction had been commenced in the Auckland district during the past 40 years, andgHie people of the north were now paying very large sums in interest on railway works that were unproductive, and would remain so until a different policy was adopted. The candidate said he was opposed to heavy expenditure in military matters, although he was in favour of an adequate cadet and territorial system. He favoured better facilities for Teach'ng the scenic resorts in the Auckland Province, principally in the direction of reduced train fares. On the liquor quest-on the candidate expressed his preference for continuance as against State control. He said if the latter system was adopted it would place a dangerous political weapon in the hands of the Government of tha day. , Several questions were asked, and the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. roskhl. Mr. Vivian H. Potter, Government candidate for Roekill, addressed a wellattended meeting of electors in the Maungawhatt schoolroom last evening. Premising his remarks on the lines of previously published addresses, the audience evinced considerable irrterest in Mr. Potter's outline of the institution of open produce markets on the lines of those operating in .the United Kingdom. France, and Belgium, this being particularly applicable to the four main centres. Dealin? with the question of coal, while strongly deprecating the suggestion for nationalisation of the mines under existing circumstances, the candidate emphatically expressed his opinion that all coalbearing areas now dormant should be taken over by the State, and the industry developed under the best possible conditions and environment so far as the workers were concerned. Mr. Potter eulogised the efforts of Mr. Massey, which culminated in a mor e favourable price beinii paid by the Imperial Government for the Dominion's export butter as compared with that of Australia and made brief reference to the imposition of- the export license in its relation to combating the Meat Trust. The candidate received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. WAITEMATA. [by TELEGRAPHOWN cok&esfondeht.] ALBANY, Wednesday. Mr. A. Harris, M.P., the Government candidate for Waitemata, addressed a large meeting at Albany last evening. Mr. W. Hooton was in the chair. The candidate explained the policy of the Government, and expressed the opinion that it would be nothing short of a national calamity were the Massey Government not returned by a, substantial majority. At the conclusion of his address Mr. Harris was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. WELLINGTON CENTRAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. A meeting of businessmen asked Mr. M. Carr, chairman of the Chamber of O/mmerce, to contest the Wellington Central seat, as it was thought that Mr. Pirani did not have a chance against Mr P. Fraser, the Labour member. Mr. Carr said he would accede to the request if Mr. Pirani would stand down. Mr. Pirani stated subsequently that he had not been approached by any deputation with a request that he should stand down. DUNEDIN CENTRAL. [by telegraph.—press association.]. DUNEDIN. Wednesday. ' Mr. C. E. Statham, M.P. for Dunedin Central, opened his election campaign with an enthusiastic meeting at Mornington. The speaker announced himself as an Independent candidate, as he desired to go to Parliament untrammelled by party ties. He would exercise his vote* in the interests of the Dominion and the people regardless of party and the personal ambitions of the party leaders. The only pledge he would make was that he would not support any Government, whether led by Mr. Massev or' Sir .Joseph Ward, th.it* depended 'for its existence on the votes of the Labour Party. Speaking of the Defence Department, he said Sir .lames Allen's worst enemies would admit that he. had worked harder than any other Minister during the past few years, and for his zeal he was entitled to the respect of the people. OAM ABU. [by telegraph— CORRESPONDENT.] CHKISTC'HURCH. Wednesday. Mr. A K. Lawrence, editor- of the North Otago Times, Oannaru, has re signed his position as from to-day, having become a candidate for the Oamaru seat at the general election. He will stand as an independent.