THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4819, 24 November 1902, Page 5

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Most of the candidates for tho city and .Newtown seals addressed their consiitueius at epen-air meetings on Saturday night, 'ihe speeches were all upon the same linos as those delivered at previous gatherings of the sort, and alreany reported in these columns. The enforced rest of yesterday will, no dune., havo reiuvigoraled tho candidates, whoso linal bursts cf oratory will be given this evening. THE WORK OF TUB IMPERIAL CON F.URKN CIO. In conversation with a ‘'Times” reporter last night, the Premier that tho “Evening Post” had put a series of questions for him to reply to, and ho would do so with pleasure. Was he, it had asked, tho only Premier at tiio conference to support the proposal for an Imperial reserve ill the dominions over the sea? Ho was not, ho -said, the only .Pro-, micr at tho conference to support tho proposal. It alrcadv obtained in Newfoundland, and there was a naval reserve there which received capitation of LG per head per annum. AMiat it cost Newfoundland was the cost of transport and mobilisation for drill purposes. Is bo still in favour of such a scheme? wa.s asked bv the ‘Dost.” Mr SeddoVs reply was that bo stall adhered to what was approved by the Now Zealand Parliament, and submitted in the report cf the Defence Com. mitt-00 of both Houses. Tho fundamental principle was that any arrangement insist first have the sanction ol tho Government and Parliament _ Another question was: “Docs ho intend to submit any proposal of tho kind to tho incoming Parliament. ” ; That, said Air Seddon, will depend upon circumstances; and Parliament itself was entitled to information prior to any journal. , , „ Further it had been asked: Has he been in ceimnunication wi‘h tho Secretary of War on the subject since the rising tho Premiers’ Conference? The Premier, referring to this, said ho had stated that the question was still under consideration. Tho secretary ox State for War was favourable, hut the matter was withdrawn by Air Seddon from tho conference. Faoli dominion over the sea was to deal with the matter separately. Circumstances warranted this, and now ho would ask if there was tho slightest truth in the flnu'go levelled hy Dr Chappie, and furthci by tho Opposition journal, in Wellington, that tho Premier was ignoring iailiamont.

ADDRESS BY THE PREMIER. On Saturday tlio Premier addressed a public meeting at Martou. Ho spoke at some length m rcfutal of calumnies levelled against himself and the Government—dealing more especially with statements made by 3lr Hornblow, .one of tho Liberal candidates for llangitikei. With reference to Lr Cbapido s charges ami the Imperial reserve, the premier said what bo brought forward was on tlio sauio lines as that approved by tho Secret Committee, whose report was approved by Parliament. Nothing was to bo accepted without the approval of Parliament. Dr Chappie had charged 'him with attempting to ignore and override Parliament. There was nothing to reply to, unless tho powerful imagination of Dr Cllapplo demanded that he should repel such an accusation. The Premier then dejfib with other subjects on similar lines as ho had done at Dannevirko and Now Plymouth. At the conclusion of his address ho was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence and three cheers were given for tho Government. Mr C. M. Luke advertises in our issue of to-day that he has received the following telegram from the Premier: —T see the ‘Post’ has announced that you are tlio Government candidate, and you are at liberty to announce, as from me. that you arc'the, choice of the Government. Kind regards.—lt. J. foeddou.” Mr Thos, Divan, president of the Eighty Club, writes 001-robaratiug the statement of Mr Dauber that the last-named gentleman was elected by the club without any consultatibn, and solely on account of his political views and probity of character. Mr Field addressed the electors at Pahautanui on Saturday night. Mr Chas. Stuart was chairman. .A unanimous vote of confidence in Mr Field was passed on the motion of Mr A. Igguldan, seconded by Mr Jas Walker. Mr Field urged upon his constituents the importance of every elector recording his vote ou'Tuesday. In a lengthy advertisement m another column tho electors of the l city are asked to vote for Mr O’Kegau. Mr Godber .advertises elsewhere some of his political opinions. The platform of Mr Jollicoe, one of tho city candidates, is set forth in our advertising columns. Mr Tustin requests the electors of Newtown to strike out tho four top lines. Ho gives in an advertisement various reasons why ho should be elected. Mr Barber publishes his political platform at length in our advertising columns, giving reasons why ho is a supporter of. the Government. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS. A monster mass meeting will be held at the Opera House this evening at 8 o'clock and. will bo addressed by Mr J. Godber and Dr Findlay. Mr Allan Orr is to take the chair. Mr Dutliie will address tho electors in the Druids' Hall, Taranaki street, at 8 o'clock to-night. Mr Aitkeu will address the electors at tho Federal Hall, Manners street, at S o'clock to-night. Mr Atkinson will address the electors at the head of the wharf at 22.43 p.m. to-day, end at llio Choral Hail at 8 o’clock this evening. Mr O’Uegan will address a meeting at the head of the wharf at noon to-day. At S o’clock to-night ho will Speak at the Skating Panic. Mr D. McLaren ntll speak at the wharf .at noon to-day,-and at Eoulcolt street, at 8 o’clock to-night. All committees and workers rn behalf of Dr Findlay and Mr J. Godber are requested to meet at the Opera House stage to-night at 7.13. Mr Hi-slop will address the electors in the Kilbiruio schoolroom at 7.30 o’clock to-night. Mr Luke will address the electors nt 7 o’clock to-night in the Church Schoolroom at Brooklyn. , At 8 o’clock ho will speak in the Victoria Hall.' Mr Barber will address the electors at S o’clock to-night at St. Thof.ias's School, Riddiford street. A final meeting of Dr Chappie’s committees is to be held at the rooms. Faddiford street, at 7.30 o’clock to-night. A monster open-air meeting is to be held opposite Carmody’s store at Mitchelltown at 8 o’clock to-night. Mr Wilford will address the electors at 8 o’clock to-night at the Oddfellows’Hall, Pelone. Mr Pirani will address the electors at 3 o’clock this afternoon at the Wallacoville School, Mungaro'a. He will -speak in the evening at the Summit at 7 o'clock, and at Kaitoke at 8.30.

Mr Field will speak -at the Porirua Hall at 8 o’clock to-night.