GENERAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5737, 4 November 1905, Page 9

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

MR MASSEY’S MEETING AT PLKEK.OHE. 'rto Press Association report of Mr Massey's speech at Pnkokohe on 'Wednesday night (part of which was published in yesterday's “limes”) states that in answer to questioms, Mr Massey said ho favoured the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and wanted to seo it applied to State Departments. He never opposed increases in railway pay, but had previously urged it, and urged the eight-hour day for railway men, which was now being inaugurated. He offered £2O to anyone who could prove he paid less than 7s a day on a farm at Pukekohc.

At this stage the Government faction became noiey, and various interjections were made. Several men rose in the body of tho hall, and testified to the fact that Air Massey had ever been a good and liberal employer. Mr Massey also said he would not vote for a graduated land tax, but supported limitation of area. He would provide facilities for hotelkeepers to establish a fund for compensation against no-license, but the State not to contribute.

Tho meeting then became very rowdy, and for half an hour there was a running tiro of questions and uproar of cheering and groaning. Mr Gray, Mr McCardlo’s secretary, and organiser for the Liberal and Labour Federation, ascended tho platform, and asked a series of questions.

Mr Massey denied that he ever made a promise to any publican to strike out tho reduction issue, for ho stood by tho present law. (Cheers and counter cheer-.) Ho was a free-trader in principle, but when capital was invested in industry, with a number of hands employed, ho was not going to do anything to ruin that industry. (Cheers.) Mr Gray said something about having a vote in Franklin, and Mr Massey replied hastily: “If this is Mr Gray, tho organiser, X say it’s a vote to which ho is not entitled. (Applause, and uproar.) Ho Is only a, bird of passage brought here by Mr Scddon to organise for Air McCardlo.” (Groans for Hr McCardlo and much interruption and noise.) From that on there was almost continual cheering and countcr-chooring, tho supporters of tho rival candidate having crowded into tho centre of the hall and endeavoured to drown any further remarks. Mr R. It. Martin moved a vote of thanks and confidence. This was seconded by Air Shepherd. Air White moved an amendment of thanks to Air Alas.scy, and confidence in tho Government.

There was such uproar that no one seconded tho amendment, although Air Gray attempted to control his party until a seconder was put forward. The motion was put and declared carried amidst prolonged outbursts of cheering and counter-cheering. Special to the “ N.Z. Times.” AUCKLAND, November 3. Air Alassey’s meeting was packed by supporters, who closed the doors till nearly 8 o’clock. Then Government supporters wero allowed in. Air Alassoy got a good hearing until questions wore asked, when his answers started a disturbance which was prolonged throughout the meeting. The parties seemed about even. Tho meeting ended without a vote being carried. There was absolute disorder, cheers for Alassey and Seddon alternating. rnESS ASSOCIATION. NELSON. November 3. Spanking nt Foxhill last night, Air Roderick AlcKenzic, a candidate for Motneka, favoni-cd giving the freehold to all Crown tenants except those under the Land for Settlements Act. He opposed an elective Cabinet, but approved tho Legislative Council being elected. WEBER, November 3. Air Ross, at a meeting here last night, made a decidedly strong defence of Government policy. Ho declared unreservedly for the freehold.