POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 30

POLITICAL NOTES.

MESSR WILSGN AND FISHER AT NEWTOWN. Messrs Charles Wilson and George Fisher, two of the Liberal candidates for Wellington city, addressed the electors of Newtown at the Alhambra Hall on Monday. Mr J. Yoang was voted to the chair. Mr Fisher began by drawing attention to the articles which had appeared in the last two issues of the Evening Post, and said that he knew who had written those article. Sir Robert Stout was the editor of the Evening Post at the oresent time, and Mr Lukin his subeditor. After speaking of Mr Lukin's former career as a journalist at some length, Mr Fisher went on to say that Sir Robert ytout had stated from the Ministerial benches when Premier that ho thought the city of Wellington ought to be disenfranchised and become a neutral town like Washington, the capital of the United States,andl now he was trying to get into Parliament for the very city which he had wanted to get disenfranchised. (Cries of "He can't get in.") Further than that, he could tell them another thing. Sir Robert Stout was busily crying that the ground upon Mount Cook should have been used for a University instead of a gaol. Who put the prison there ? (A. voice: "Mr Fisher.") No, Sir Robert Stout put it there, and when representations had been made to get him to prevent its being erected, he had added a memo, to the papers in connection with the work to say that it must go on. Who had passed that abominable Distriot Railways Bill but Sir Robert Stout. With regard to the Government Life Insurance building, Mr Fisher said that when that was first bogun he was a member of the Board when property was purchased in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin for that purpose, and most of these purchases were bad ones, and especially that in Dunedin. He had opposed them, and had vigorously opposed the purchase of the Dunedin property, which was bought for more than twice its value, but the consequence of his opposition had been that the papers were sent down by Sir Robert Stout, recommending the purchase of the property, and on his recommendation the Board bought it. The .£30,000 that purchased that site in Dunedin was paid to the firm of Sievwright and Stout. Mr Fisher pointed out that there were four and a half columns of Opposition speeches—speeches by men who did not know how to make speeches in that evening's paper, and two inches of the speeches of the Government candidates. For 20 years he had been in public life, and throughout that time he could not remember one election in which the Post had supported him. It was the unswerving policy of that paper to support wealth. Mr H. Smith proposed a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Fisher, which was carried unanimously and enthusiastically. Mr Wilson, who was received with appluvo. began by stating that h-i was in favo .ir of party government, because he had seen the evils of coalition Ministries. He cited examples from Australia and America to show that where any oth-jr system had b*en attempted it had resulted in jobbery and rank corruption. Referring to the advances to settlers, Mr Wilson said that that Act alone should ensure tho return of the present Government. Ho had' lived in the country himself, and no one present dared pro to the farmers and tell them that the Bill had not lightened the appalling mortgages which were tightening at their throats. If they were going to turn out tho Government which had helped the farmers, to put in a new Cabinet of the Tory-cum-Whig-cum-Radical coalition, they would have a Cabinet the members of which would not remain in amiable relations with one another for one week. Mr Wilson quoted figures and facts to show that the land settlement policy of the Government had done great things for the country. He had been called tho nominee of the Liquor. Party, but KliAt was not the case. He was not a Prohibitionist, and would like to see three-fifths majority before anything of the kind were carried, but he was not a liquor nominee. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence passed to Mr Wilson, on the motion of Mr Swallow, concluded one of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held at Newtown,

The Hastings Standard says :—Mr Fraser worked off a smart thing at the Kaikora meeting last evening. The hall in which he spoke is the meeting place of the Independent Order of Reckabites, and above the stage is displayed the initials 1.0. R. Ha made a great hit by interpreting the letters "I or Russell," and the feeling of the meeting certainly seemed to be in favour of "I." The Premier, at the conclusion of his speech at Westport, took the opportunity of contradicting a statement which, he said, was being widely circulated, to the effect that the Government had paid the expenses in connection with the Christchurch case of Popham v. Taylor. They had never paid a single penny, nor would they do so, as it was not a matter in which the Government should interfere. The Premier received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

Mr A. W. Hogg addressed the electors of Hamua in the Nireaha Hall on Monday evening (writes a correspondent). There was a large attendance. Mr H. Dash occupied the Chair. 'I he candidate reviewed the work of the last two Parliaments, defending the action of the Liberal Party with regard to the Bank of New Zealand, and throwing some light on the tactics of the Nat. Ass. in endeavouring to defeat the measures of the Seddon Government. The meeting was the largest and most enthusiastic ever held here, the candidate receiving a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, amidst tremendous applause.

Mr Charles Wilson is rapidly gaining friends and supporters of his candidature. Ab each meeting held so far, and addressed by himself and Mr Fisher, Mr Wilson has i been exceedingly well received. At Monday's meetinp; atThorndon, and again and especially at Tuesday's meeting at tho Alhambra Hall, Newtown, he had his audience with him from start to finish, his vigorous indictment of the Opposition methods of criticism being loudly applauded. There has seldom been a more disgraceful exhibition of rowdyism than was perpetrated by a number of Prohibitionists at Captain Marciel's meeting in the Opera House last night (says Friday's Christchurcfl Star). That the systematic interruption had been carefully planned was made abundantly evident. Many of the interjections and someof the written questions were of a grossly insulting nature, and it speaks volumes for Captain Marciel's self-control that he should throughout have comported himself with perfect ease, and have met every insinuation or utter falsehood with a manliness that must have won for him the esteem of every right-thinking man or woman who was present. Of course, such disgusting tactics as were adopted by the Prohibitionists last night will recoil on the party of slander. They have once more demonstrated the kind of coercion they would impose upon the community, and they have provided yet another reason why all temperately-minded people should record their resentment by the medium of the ballot-box.

It speaks well for Mr Charles Wilson's claim that he has worked long and arduously in the Liberal cause that testimonies in support of this claim are being sent to him unsought from the districts where he has lived. On Tuesday Mr Wilson received the following telegram from the Hon. W. C. Smith, M.L.C., so long the champion of the people's cause in Hawke's Bay:—"Your great and most valuable services to the Liberal cause during the four years you edited the Napier Evening News entitle you to the solid support of the Liberals of Wellington." Mr John Stevens, M.H.R., has telegraphed as follows:—" Pleased indeed you are out in Liberal interest, for which you have done so much. Whilst a journalist in the Rangitikei you did much to dispel the chronic Conservatism existing in the district before your able and successful efforts in the advocacy of the people's cause." The Hon. James Carroll telegraphs from Gisborne : —" I have known you°now for many years. In the cause of Liberalism I can testify to your services at Gisborne, Napier, and in the Rangitikei. You have always fought a straightforward, honest battle."

Mr Guinness is meeting with enthusiastic receptions wherever he addresses the electors, and is invariably treated to unanimous votes of thanks and confidence, which go to show that his old constituents have in no way altered their opinions of him as a representative for the electorate. —Argus. Timaru, November 24.

Mr J. S. Keith is definitely out for Timaru as an Independent Liberal. Mr Mcintosh, who was announced some days ago as an Independent candidate, will not now stand. Uanevibke, November 24.

Mr G. Hunter, a candidate for Waipawa, addressed a crowded meeting here last night. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, an amendment for thanks only being lost. Waipawa, November 24. Captain Russell addressed a crowded meeting at Hampden last night, and received a hearty reception. A vote of thanks and oonfidence was passed unanimously. The meeting broke up with cheers for Captain Russell.

Feilding, November 24

Mr Walter Bailey addressed a crowded meeting of electors last night. Mr E. Goodbohere presided. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed, but an amendment was carried giving a vote of thanks to Mr Bailey for his address, and the meeting expressed unbounded confidence in .Mr Loihbridye, amidst cries of dissent and cheers. Duxedis, November 21.

Mr Warnshaw has been nominate 1 for the city, and Mr William Barron for Caverslnm. Dunedin, November 21.

The electoral roll for the city of Dunedin contains 18,719 names. The number on the Caversham roll is 5(i32 names. There are 4100 names on the Waihemo roll. Auckland, November 24.

Mr Crowther addressed the city electors to-night, and practically declared himself on the Independent ticket. He received a vote of thanks. Grettown North, November 24.

Mr Hornsby addressed an appreciative audience of settlers and other electors at the schoolhouse, Pirinoa, last night, Mr James McDougal in the chair. The candidate made a spirited address, which was applauded throughout. Mr R. Barton proposed, and Mr John McDougal seconded, a vote of thanks, which was carried unanimously. Mrs Hornsby will be here to-morrow to assist her husband's candidature. The candidate is now away in the back country. Westport, November 24. The Premier addressed an audience of IGOO people last night on thepolitioal questions of the day. In a speech of three and a quartor hours ho was received with enthusiasm, and the various points in the address were cheered. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was passed. 9 Mr Seddon arrived from Greymouth at p.m., and returned at 2 a.m.

Waikouaiti, November 24. The Hon. MrMcKenzio addressed a crowded meeting of the electors at Waikouaiti this evening, the Mayor, Mr Robert Mills, in the chair. Mr McKenzie was givon a most attentive hearing-, and at the conclusion was accord )d a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, also confidence in the Government. Dunedin, November 24.

The Hon. John McKenzie has been nominated for Waihemo, his nominators being three ladies born i# the district.