MR RUSSELL'S POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17329, 28 November 1919, Page 8

MR RUSSELL'S POLITICS.

BOUND TO NO PARTY. MIGHT VOTE EITHER WAY. OPPOSED TO EXTREME LABOUR. [by TELEGRAPH—OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] CHKISTCHUKCH. Thursday. The member for Avon, the Hon. G. W. Russell, at his meeting at Phiilipstown last night, made his position clear in respect to certain contingencies arising from the state of parties after the election. He said he would support no leader or party if it-had to depend on the votes of Messrs. Holland, Semple, and company. i A Voice: You would join the Massey | lotShould such a contingency arise, continued Mr. Russell, and the party had to depend on the votes of Messrs. Holland, Semple and company then it was j practically certain that the loyal men of both sides would very soon get together and set up a combination that would stand for law and order and for loyalty. (Applause and interruption.) Mr. Russell said he did not want the votes of supporters of Messrs. Holland and Semple, and if he could not get returned to Parliament and feel proud of the people who put him there, then he did not want to go there at all. A section of the audience promptly counted the candidate out. Replying to a question whether, in the event of no party securing a majority in the coming election, would he be prepared to join Mr. Massey in order to form a stable Government, Mr. Russell said 'hat so far as that question was concerned he declined to commit himself either way. (Ironical laughter, booing, and interruption.) There might be an entirely ->ew party formed without Sir Joseph Ward or Mr. "Massey in it. A Voice: The Labour Party. " I wiSh to say that the declaration 1 have already made is what I stand by," added Mr. Russell, "and when Parliament meets and it i 3 seen what the strength of the parties is I will take that course which in my opinion will bring about a stable form of Government in New Zealand.' " Are you going to support Sir Joseph Ward if Holland and Semple support him?" asked another questioner. "T tell you straight," Mr. Russell replied. ' that if Sir Joseph Ward's political existence as Prime Minister depends on the support of Semple and Holland 1 will not be one of his supporters. Sir Joseph Ward himself has said that, he will not take office with the support of disloyalists and men of that sort. Consequently when I make that statement I am standing exactly on the same platform as Sir Joseph Ward." MR. COATES AT SILVEEDALE. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. GOVERNMENT'S WORK REVIEWED. [BY telegraph—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SILVEEDALE, Thursday. The Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. G. Coates, was accorded a hearty welcome to Silverdale by a large gathering of electors. Mr. W. E. Johns occupied the chair,- and briefly introduced Mr. Coates, who is again contesting the Kaipara seat. Mr. Coates briefly touched upon the history of the Coalition Government, and , mentioned the sudden breaking away of ; Sir Joseph Ward. He epoke of the parti- ; fular ability of the present leader of the I Government to pilot the ship of State i through the present reconstructive period ; rendered necessary by the effects of the .

war. He enumerated the progressive measures placed upon the Statute Book by the Massey Government during the late session. He advocated the freehold policy of land tenures, and explained the Government's action in regard to the gratuity for soldiers. The cost of living and passing of the Board of Trade Act received attention, and the need of increased subsidies for the purpose of education was frankly supported by the speaker. The Government i housing 'scheme was explained, as also I was the policy at present in force in re- ! gard to the mandate over Samoa. The hearty nature of the applause left no doubt of the strong support ensured to Mr. Coates in the coming contest. In answer to questions, the Minister stated that he was in favour of the Government taking over the construction of a main road through both Islands by making special grants to local bodies for the work. He was also in favour of cheapening the cost of telephones to the back-blocks settler. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried with cheers. THAMES. [BY. TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PUKEKOHE, Thursday. The Government candidate for Thames, Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., addressed the electors in the Pokeno Hall last night, Rev. C. L. Vaughan presiding. Mr. Rhodes defended the actions of the Reform Party when in power, and commended the work done by members of the National Cabinet. He condemned Sir Joseph Ward's action in splitting the National Government, and said that in his opinion the two great parties of loyalists should have remained as one for the purpose of fighting the disloyalists and to carry out .the great problem of reconstruction. Mr. Rhodes was given a most encouraging hearing and. after answering a number of questions satisfactorily, a vote of thanks was carried unanimously. TO-NIGHT'S PUBLIC ADDRESSES. Mr. C. J. Parr (Eden), Edendale Public School. Mr. R. E. Hornblow (Eden), Sinton's Hall. Hobsonville. Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill), district school, Mount Roskill. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), corner of Pitt Street and Karangahape Road. Mr. L. J. Garmson (Grey Lynn), Picture Theatre, Francis Street, Richmond. Mr. C. E. Major (Mauukau), Whitford Public Hall. Mr. K. G. R. Mason (Manukau), Oddfellows' Hall. Howick. ' Mr. A. E. Greenslade (Waitemata), school- : house, Long Bay, 3 p.m.; Coronation ' Hall, Albany. i TO-NIGHT'S COMMITTEE MEETINGS. ' Mr. J. Jolley Thomas (Auckland Central), 188, Hobson Street. President of the Chamber of Commerce at 31 years of age, chairman of the Auck- '• land Harbour Board at 35 years, Chief Magistrate of the C ; ty of Auckland at 38 , ' Years, member of the National Efficiency ' Board at 40. Such is the public record of Mr. J. H. Gunson, the Progressive Inde- . pendent candidate for Roskill.—Advt. j Show visitors should visit the A.8.C., Newton, for the best possible value in j costumes, frocks, blouses, underclothing, , dress goods, etc., Pitt Street corner, penny section. Visitors to the show will be interested to see the huge array of useful household requirements at Melvern's, in Karangahape Road. ] Select a summer suit soon If you wantone light in shade, weight and price call at Fowlds'. Victoria Arcade. £ If you are bothered with Flies, be sure ( and order a bottle of Wheelband's FlyExterminator from your Storekeeper, or l * 80, Piti Street. Extra Police are kindly requested to' , try and steady the crowds at the World Lifting Exhibit, Auckland Show, today. { Visitors to the show will be interested to see the huge array of useful household requirements at Melvera's, in Karangahapd " Road, " a