THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4806, 8 November 1902, Page 5

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

3MB O’BEGAN’S CANDIDATURE. Mr Patrick J. O’Regan, a candidate for one of tho city seats, Inst night addressed Cloke’s Hall full of electors. Mr W. T. Young (secretary of the Seamen’s Union) was in the chair. Mr O’Regan disputed the statement of the “ Times ” that ho was not a practical man, and showed no aptitude in detail. His Parliamentary record, his advocacy of amendment in tho laws relating to the liquidation of companies, the testing of weights and measures, and rating on unimproved value, and his opposition to tho imposition (since repealed) of a tax on commercial travellers, showed that he was a practical man. Ho could quote a hundred instances to show that while in the House ho was a live member. In opening State coal-mines the Government was doing tho very thing he 1 had advocated when lie first mooted in Parliament the disparity between the price of coal at Westport and in Wellington; while tho Referendum Bill, first introduced by himself, was now a Government policy measure. Nothing was more atrocious or odious tbail to depend for mere revenue upon taxes on the necessaries of life. Ho was at a loss to see how Mr Duthie, or any public man, could say that these atrocious taxes on tea and, sugar should be made an endowment for old ago pensions. Referring to the unimproved value rating, ho said that Miramar was not lost. Tho people could gofc anything they liked from it by adopting an up-to-date system of taxation, which should be compulsory. The Government should sot aside all the unsold land on the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and the revenue from it should be public revenue to make roads a,nd bridges. It was his firm conviction that in tho face of hard times the industrial legislation would bo perfectly impotent, but he bad always supported the labour, legislation. If the Government offered to place him on the ticket ho would not object, but ho would not modify bis attitude one jot ’to get there, and be would go_ to the poll whether ho was on the ticket or not. ,

Replying to questions, Mr O’Regan said a great many Estates, situate as Miramar was, were grossly undervalued. In nine cases out of ten the Government valuations of suburban, land wore too low.

On the motion of Mr G. Wallis, seconded by Mr W. C. Noot,’ a vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

THE MANAWATU SEAT,

MR PIRANI’S INTENTIONS

Special to the " Times.” FOXTON, November 7. In response to an influential requisition, Mr Fred Pirani, late M.H.R. for Palmerston North, has consented to contest the Manawatu sea(| against Mr John Stevens, Government Whip. Mr Pirani has lately undergone an. operation for an interna] complaint, but is now convalescent. Acting on the advice of bis medical adviser, bo will only deliver addresses in the principal places in the electorate.

[Mr Pirani, when asked last night_ a question on this subject, stated that he lias received a number of requests to contest Manawatu, hut has declined to do so in view of the fact that MP Vile is already in the field .on behalf of the Opposition. Mr Pirani, his friends will bo glad to learn, is rapidly recovering from the effects of the recent operation, and would have been quite prepared to ■■

go on with the election campaign hut for the fact already stated.]

An influential deputation of citizens waited on Dr Findlay yesterday morning, and ■ asked him to stand in the Liberal interest for Wellington city. Dr Findlay expressed biinseif gratified at the invitation, but _ voiced a doubt as to whether bis business engagements would enable him to comply with it. Ho intended proceeding to Dunedin n . that evening, and would be unable to say definitely until he arrived there whether bo would be able to stand- Ho promised to telegraph his final decision at the earliest possible moment, and if the matter could bo arranged, to return and enter vigorously upon the campaign . early next week. Mr Tustin addressed a largelyattended meeting of electors at Island. Bay last night. Mr James Reid occupied the chair. The candidate dealt largely with the land, labour and freetrade questions. He was accorded a vote of thanks, and asked the electors to reserve their expression of confidence until they went to the ballot-box. At a meeting of the Peace and Humanity Society, bold on Thursday evening, it was decided to* support those candidates only who are opposed to militarism. It is doubtful whether the Liberal and Labour Federation will select candidates for the Newtown and city of Wellington seats. For Newtown it is understood that Mr Luke will receive the support of the Ministerial party. During his address to the electors Of Island Bay last night, Mr Tustin referred in complimentary terms to the, manner in which Mr Wilford, the present member for the district, hod worked to induce the Government »o, straighten the railway line between Wellington and Pctone, and said, although he was politically opposed to Mr Wilford, if elected, he would do all in his power to help him in getting the lino straightened. _ Mr James Smith and Mr Reardon, two of the Liberal candidates for the Rangitikei seat, emphatically deny in the “Advocate” that they agreed to stand out of the contest. Both declare they will go to thp poll. Mr Hornhlow, it will ho remembered, made a similar announcement a few days ago. - Mr Wilford will meet his supporters at the Church Schoolroom, Khandallah, afc 8 o’clock to-night. Mr Field will address the electors at Otaki on Tuesday evening next. . Mr Barber will address the electors, on Monday evening in. St. Thomas’s Schoolroom, Riddiford street.