AUCKLAND WEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17335, 5 December 1919, Page 8

AUCKLAND WEST.

SPEECH BY MR. BENNETT. YOUNG MEN'S OPPORTUNITY A LOYAL DEMONSTRATION. A crowded audience gathered in the Jervois Road Hall last' evening to hear. Mr. C. F. Bennett, Government candidate for Auckland West, many standing at the back and down the sides or sitting round the platform. Mr. G. S. Sullen presided. The candidate gave a characteristic speech, and while hostile interjectors usually had the laugh adroitly turned against them by his rapid retorts, there was an atmosphere of cheerful good humour about, the proceedings. There was a noticeably tolerant note in the questions put by a leading Labour supporter and in the' candidate's attitude, each seeking without sign of rancour to put forward two widely divergeht viewpoints. The candidate gained applause when he stated that ho had never asked anyone to vote for him,-- and would not do so, being content to await the verdict of tho electors. In "this connection he urged electors to hear the views of all candidates, so that they could vote intelligently. Mr. Bennett spoke on the lines of his previous addresses, emphasising the importance of housing as an essential preliminary to an active immigration scheme and a vigorous public works and development policy. Speaking of the need for returning a stable Government composed of progressive, trustworthy men, he said that whatever were thr P »-«»+«- mings of Mr. Massey—and Mr. M. ~ realised his shortcomings just as many candidates, including himself, realised theirs—he had yet to learn that anyone could point a finger of reproach at the Prime Minister's character. (Applause.) When he mentioned- that a valuable waterway had become silted up by the matter turned into it by the Waihi Gold Mining Company, a young man remarked, "But that is the class you'are supporting." Mr. Bennett : Perhaps ! But return the young progressives to Parliament and we will snow you what will happen. Later the candidate spoke of the production brought about by the intensive cultivation of small areas, and added : "You young men who are not satisfied in —and lam not surprised you are not in many instancesshould get a little plot in the country—not a 'six by two,' of course.''' A young man : That's about all we will get. Mr. Bennett: I am afraid that is about all you will get if you don't broaden your intelligence. (Laughter.) Loud applause greeted the candidate's denunciation of men who "developed consciences when asked to serve their country —not Quakers —and those who pointed the finger of scorn at the soldiers," and some little excitement developed when some interjectors suggested that it had been a capitalistic war. "i d ask the loyal people here to rise and sing the National Anthem," said Mr. Bennett, and all except two or three women stood up, and the anthem was sting most heartily, it being noticeable that the interjectors, who were among those standing, joined in. "I think we are loyal in City West," was the candidate's comment as he resumed. j After a number of questions had been i answered, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried almost unanimously. MR. M. J. SAVAGE'S CAMPAIGN. Mr. M. J. Savage, official Labour candidate for Auckland West, addressed a meeting at the Leys Institute, Ponsonby, last evening. Mr. T. Ingli s presided over an attendance of about 200. Mr. Savage, who was accorded an excellent hearing, spoke largely on the lines of previous addresses. He condemned war profiteering, and dealt at some length with prices of commodities in Queensland, where, he said, the cost of living to-day was lower than in any of the sister Australian States. In referring to the housing question, ho asked why the Mayor of Auckland, who now dissociated himself from the " extremists," had not proceeded with the housing scheme that he had put before the City Council. A number of questions were asked regarding the liquor referendum. The Rev. L. B. Busfield, who said he was an ardent Labour supporter, asked whether Mr. Savage (who *s not a prohibitionist), if elected _ and if Auckland West carried prohibition, would resign his seat and contest it with another with prohibition or continuance as the issue. The candidate's re->ly was that the nominations had not yet closed, and he suggested that Mr. Busfield should " come into the fight right now." A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

THE EDEN CONTEST. MR. HORNBLOW'S CAMPAIGN. PROMISE OF A POST OFFICE. About 140 electors, among whom were a score of ladies, met last night in St. George's Hall, Mount Albert, to hear Mr. R. E. Hornblow, Opposition candidate for Eden. Mr. T. B. Clay, Mayor of Mount Albert, presided. Mr- Hornblow said i statements had been made from house to ; house that he was tied hand and foot , to the Roman Catholics. That was not true. Another untrue statement was that he was tied to Sir Joseph Ward. The j latter had never approached him directly or indirectly. He dwelt on what he ■ termed the slothful way in which public >' affairs had been carried on in Auckland ' district, and spoke of "the ramshackle building that aristocratic Mount Albert , possessed -for a post office." • Dealing with land settlement, he declared that seveneighths of the returned soldiers "would never be able to meet their engagements. It had always been the Reform Government that had -'protected outside labour. That was the party that would bring coloured people into this country if they dared. (Cries of "You are talking nonsense," and "Rot.") Mr. Hornblow said the improved suburban railway services had been the subject of a conference three years ago, arid that the improvements had been effected by men like Mr. James Stewart. "Will you give us a post office?" interjected an elector toward the close of Mr. Hornbiow's speech. "1 will," he replied. "If lam returned ' and this is not bribery and corruption, j for it is an urgent necessityyou shall have a first-class up-to-date brick building j for a post office." He promised, even if j 1 not returned, to use his lungs and pen in ! their interest to see that they got what i they deserved, a post office building suit- !' able for such a thriving place. (Applause.) i After answering a few questions, Mr. : Hornblow was accorded a vote of thanks , ' and confidence. On Wednesday evening Mr. Hornblow addressed a meeting at Waikumete, receiving a hearty vote of thanks.

GREY LYNN. The Opposition candidate for the Grey Lynn seat, the Hon. G. Fowlds, delivered an address to the electors at St. George's Hall, New North Road, last evening. There was an attendance of about 150. The candidate, who was accorded a good reception* spoke on similar lines to his previous addresses. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence with only two dissentients.