POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 18

POLITICAL NOTES.

TTIE MINISTER OF LANDS

ANOTHER ENTHUSIASTIC M METING AND VOTES OF CONFIDENCE.

Special to the New Zealand Mail. St. Batmans, November 17. The Hon. J. McKenzie addressed a crowded meeting of the electors at St. Bathans tonight, Mr John Ewing in the chair. Mr McKenzie was listened to most attentively, and the meeting was most enthusiastic. The speech was mainly on the lines of that delivered at Naseby last evening, and was well received. A vote of thanks and confidence and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously.

MR CHARLES WILSON, LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR THE CITY.

Well known throughout the Wellington Province during the past five years as editor of the New Zealand Mail, Mr Charles Wilson, J.P., who has been chosen by the citv Liberals as one of the three to contest the city seats, has had a real live experience in various parts of our Colony, dating back to the year 18S0, and with voice and pen has done much for the cause, not only in this city, but in Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay and up in the Rangitikei district. So that lie is by no means the stranger a few of his opponents would make themselves believe. As close acquaintance with a man’s life and doings tends to the making of good friends, a few particulars of Mr Wilson’s career at this moment will be of interest and help to all interested in politics (and who is not r) at this juncture. A son of the late John Wilson, chemist, of Harrogate, Yorkshire, “ C.W.” —to use Lis well-known literary pen-name—first saw the light in 1859, was educated at the Harrogate College, after completing which he went into the Bradford woollen trade, and to gain further commercial knowledge he spent four years in Paris and the French provinces. A search for health led him to “the Fortunate Isles,” Port Chalmers being his landing-place. Leaving the South after a short stay, Mr Wilson” joined the staff of Willis street (Te Aro) School as assistant master, leaving 12 months later for the Wanganui Collegiate School,where lie made a stay of four years under the Rev Dr Harvey. Then came his entry into journalism, becoming sub-editor on the Wanganui Chronicle, succeeding 12 months later to the editorship of the Gisborne Standard. Some little experience in the Press Gallery, and we next find him installed as editor of the Napier News, in which capacity Mr Wilson did valuable pioneer work for the Democratic party, winning not only mere than a merely local reputation, but the thanks of the leaders in the House. Three years in Napier, and the scene of his work shifted to Marton, where with Mr (now the Hon) F. Arkwright he founded the Mercury, a Liberal journal. It was in February, of 1891, that Mr Wilson decided to tako up the ’ position he has since held on the Mail, the Hon John Ballanco taking a personal interest in the transfer. It is hardly necessary to point out how valuable Mr Wilson’s provincial experience has proved in the farmers’ and other columns of our weekly contemporary, whilst as a lecturer upon general subjects he has frequently appeared on platforms in Wellington and other towns, gaining a’ speaking experience which should be of great use to him in the present campaign. In 1894 Mr Wilson married a daughter of the late Mr Edward Carter, of Motukaraka, near Pahautanui. Mr Wilson’s strong Liberalism runs in the family, his brother, who has the largest drug business in the North of England, being also ardent, chairman of the party organisation in the Ripon Division of Yorkshire, and a personal friend of Mr Asquith and other prominent leaders of the Home party. Mr Charles Wilson holds letters from Mr Ballance, in which the late Premier warmly eulogises the former’s services to the Liberal cause. Since his name has been pat forth as that of a candidate for the city, Mr Wilson has received letters and telegrams from prominent Liberals in various parts of this island, wishing him every success. THE PAH lAT LA SEAT. The Government has decided to confirm the decision of the Pahiatua Liberal Convention by supporting the candidatuie of Mr John O’Meara for that seat. A meeting of ladies favourable to the candidature of Mr George T islior will be held in Hill street on Friday afternoon A general meeting oi Mr A. Stuart Mentcath’s supporters was held at the committeo rooms on Tuesday. Mr H. D. Bell was voted to the chair. Mr Mcntcatli gave a brief address, after which a number of names wore given in as workers. . . Mr Hislop addressed a meeting at Kilbirme Schoolhouse on Tuesday, Mr Kershaw presiding. About lUU electors were present. The candidate, at the close oi tus address, answered a large number of questions. He received a vote ot thanks and confidence. “ The fatherhood of God should mean to us the brotherhood of man, who is infinitely superior to the sheep ; and it is a great wrong that the land should be alienated from the people and turned into a wilderness tor sheep-walks.”—Rev B. T. Hallowes, m the Courtenay place Congregational Church. Mr H. A. Field addressed the electors at Waikanae on Monday night. There was a very large attendance, quite a hundred being present. MrM. Curran oceupieo the e.iair. At the conclusion ol the meeting _\lv - olcy proposed, and Mr Vvalkelcy seconder, a vote of thanks and confidence, which was earned almost unanimously, only three voting, in support of an adverse motion. Mr I? ield spoke at Tawa Flat last evening, and gives an address at Small Farmß this evening.

The weekly meeting' of the Women’s Social and Political League was held last Tuesday, Mrs T. K. Macdonald in the chair. Members were elected, and nominations received. Reports of the various members of the committee were received. The secretary will be at the room. No. G, every morning from 10 o’clock till 1 for any information that maybe required by members of the committee. In his Naseby speech, speaking of the liquor question, the Minister for Lands said the Government would next session make still another attempt to place clubs under the same control as licensed houses, allowing also a clause to carry Prohibition by a threefifths vote. Speaking of the policy of the future, he said one measure that would be introduced was a liill to enable the accounts of all public companies to be audited by a Government auditor. If this had been the practice in the past, the Rank of New Zealand and the Colonial Bank would not have got into the trouble they v ere nowin. The Government also desired to pass an amendment of the Constitution Act, which would provide for questions after certain . tests being submitted to the people to decide, in place of having them monied about as at present in the event of a dispute between the two Houses. The object of the Government, if it was returned to power, would be to pass legislation in the interests of all classes of the community, wealthy or poor, and unless a Government was prepared to take that course, they could not expect the country to prosper. Mr McKenzie received a vote of confidence, amid cheering. Chkistchjech, November 17. Mr W. W. Collins addressed a crowded meeting to-night, and declared himself a supporter of the Government but not a- servile follower. He criticised the schedule of the Loan Bill. Ho claimed that the policy of the Liberal Party to-day was the same as tho policy of tho party under Mr Bullance, and expressed the opinion that Mr Seddon was the only possible leader in the House. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried almost unanimously. Dunedin, November 17.

Mr J. A. Millar addressed a large meeting of the electors of tho city at the Princess Theatre to-night, and received a voto of thanks and confidence. Auckland, November 17.

At a meeting of the Prohibitionists of the city to-night, on a ballot Messrs Rosser, Fowlds and Button were recommended as the candidates the party should voto for in tho event of Mr Button not standing, then Mr Fawcus to be taken aa next in the ballot. Mr Button’s decision will bo made to-morrow. A resolution was passed requesting Mr Taylor, of Mangero, Prohibitionist, who retired from tho Manukau contest on accountof ill-health, to reconsider his decision, as otherwise tho Prohibitionist vote would be lost, as numbers of the party would decline to vote for either of the present candidates. Tdiasu, November 17. Mr Malcolm McLeod, hotelkeeper, Burke’s Pass, is coming out as an Independent Liberal for Geraldine. He has also a grazing run, and is a member for the McKenzie County Council. Special to the New Zealand Times. Wanganui, November 17. Mr Parsons has retired from the Patea contest owing to ill-health It is now thought that Mr Remington will be the Government candidate.