GENERAL ELECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7974, 4 December 1911, Page 9

GENERAL ELECTION

WELLINGTON NORTH MR HER OMAN AT KKLRURNE. in his -nret-h nt iv'ilnmin tea kio'./i; fin fjalunl.iy cvnnin;,' .Mr A. 1.. llci (Ilium referred to liis iuiiiui ivgai'din;; tiie rlcveii hour; a day prepireu ivlin.ii Ins had made ivliaii Hie diiupi and Offices jiill was before I'iiiiiaiin-nr, and u.cidnnlally lie (injected In Ilie criticism of .Mr Oarcy, L.i-boiir candidate, and tiic ’■.\.av Zcaland Tnie-s” on this inattar. .Mr Jivrdinan said tin- "Aew Zealand Tinics,” refarrine lo liis Friday nielli:; reecch at Wade.down, had declared; '•Mr itenlmaii is tahinjf tin. cleclors of U’cUiiiKlim North into his confidence by ;ie"rees. Last niytit, for instance. In ► iiß«vsU‘il the advantages of an eleven hours dav/' .lie had done nothing ot the sort." tie had never made such a statement. 'tile infereuee to he drawn I hero was Unit lie was in favour of eleven hours a- day for alt classes ot work. Ami, later on in the article the liajier referred to the Civil .Service and suggested flint lie teas in favour of '•knoii hours a. day fur tho Civil Siwvico. Ho consideml ihaf to lx* dishonest. A git in, tlif dvclarcd that In* had expressed strong ilbapproval of tho ffraiSuatad laud tax. iio had never uiado sueh a statement. Ho had said in* was nut in favour of an Increase m the graduated land tax—a different thing. He had introduced the Public Korvicc Board Hill with the object of placing Hie Civil Service free from political control. Now this paper said ho was in favour of eleven hours a dav for tho service. It was a scandal. He had never said so. He had been alluding lo a statement that Mr Carey, Labour candidate, had made. In tho course of »x speech on Friday night Mr Carey referred to tho Shops and Offices Hill before tho House in IUI/J and said: “Mr jlerdinan’s alrcmpfc the previous evening to explain away his motion in the House for nn eleven-hour day tor women workers was unite useless. At the timo the Shop, and Oilier* Jiill was before the ilouse Mr lierdman was the mouthpiece of the publicans of the country, and what he bad done on that occasion ho would do again if returned. How could the workers vote for such a maur" He ivas not the mouthpiece of any partyHe was the mouthpiece of everybody, and was not representing any particular class- He was there, so far as lay in his power, to rejn’esent every section in tho community and to see that it got justice i£o held strong views of his own, and neither Mr Carey nor the “New Zealand Times" would deter him from giving expression to those views when he got the chance. W hat actually happened t When the .Shops- and Odices Bill was before the House, u Bill which dealt with hotel, restaurant, and boardinghouse employees, he* moved a clause that the word "ten" bo struck out with a view to substituting “eleven." He desired to nmke tho Bill practicable. Tho maximum hours ware fixed by tho Bill. Sonic board inghouso-keop-ers and restaurantkeepers only desired to work six days a week, allowing their employees to get the seventh day off. So ho moved, in order to enable this to bo don©, that air employe© could work eleven hours when tho exigencies of the' work required it. He had made no proposition that the maximum hours a week should he increased. However, since that Bill was passed, it had not been put into force.. The law had been broken timo and again.-; Tho result had been that the Government dare not enforce it. Both tho "New Zealand Times" and Mr Carey were doing him an injustice. Mr lierdman also took an' opportunity of referring to I)r Izard. ± hold in my hand," ho said, "a score taken at public mootings addressed by the Government candidate. H© referred to me ut Sydney street 82 times, in Boulcott ptreet 120 times, and at Northland last night 135 times. If this election goes on much longer I feel quite certain tho Government candidate will refer to.me probably a s many times as' there are pounds in the national debt. (Laughter.) Referring to the Government’s native land policy, Mr Herdman said: bir James Carroll casts a mesmeric spell aver the n-hole Ministry. Ho loves to bo asleep, loves to be indolent. Days go by and years go by and he still siirvives, nild there is the curious fact —it is a sort of traverty—that tho only two members elected unopposed are the two native members. Nobody bothers them; they bother nobody. Sir James, Cairoll is an amiable man. X like him:! can r help liking him; at tho same time you. can’t help recognising that he has beepa great barrier to tho settlement of the native lands in tho North Island, and if von put Mr Massey into power, with the assistance of Mr Hornes, steps will be taken to get that land and have it settled ns speedily as f possible by E'nroHerdman was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. WELLINGTON" EAST MB F. G. BOLTON. . Mr F. G. Bolton addressed a large meeting of electors at Oording’s corner, Courtenay place, on Saturday night. The candidate expressed himselt as in. favour of an Absolute Majority Bill, instead of tho Second Ballot Act, as being a saving to both the country and the candidate. Ho favoured tho establishment of a State ferry service to connect up tho railway systems of both islands. Ho expressed himself as strongly In favour of tho development of the water power of the country. Ho considered the Government were wise in making haste slowly by commencing with Lake Coleridge, which was the proposition most likely to pay when instituted, lie favoured the development of onr iron and oil industries, and as far ns possible tho State keeping control of them instead of parting with them to syndicates. In referring to the licensing question, and to his attitude regarding it, ho contended that in advocating something more than a bare majority ho was •n accord with tho opinions of tho general nublic, who wanted permanency of settlement of this vexed question. With respect to education, he favoured a full system of grading of teachers and encouragement of tho teaching prolession. by every possible means, in order that the community might get tho very host possible teachers for tho training of tlie vonng. Ito also advocated a system of uniform school books. With respect to tho largo estates, lie favoured an increased graduated land tax and increased, absentee tax as the best means of breaking them up. If returned, it was not his intention to merely sit in the House, but to do something in the direction of carrying out the important reforms which tie advocated. A vote of thanks and confidence was tarried by acclamation. AIR D. AIcLABEN. Air D. AlcLaren had a busy time on Jaturday evening, speaking in. tho open air for two and a half hours. Ho opened with a meeting at Drummond street, and soon had a very largo audience. which gave him an an appreciative hearing, and at the conclusion the hand of everyone present was held up in favour of a motion of thanks and confidence to the candidate. Referring to the high cost of living, Atr AlcLaren said the problem was ono which many countries had to face, and in the interests of the people it required handling in a serious way. The fact was that the cost of commodities to the consumers had very often but a slight relation to the actual cost of production. Taking sugar as an example, ho quoted from a circular showing that at November Ist, 1907, tho New Zealand price, A 1 orand, deducting bonus of 10s per ton, was AU 10s, and at March Sth, 1910, it was All 7 per ton. The explanation given was that " London prices regulated those current in Australasia.” This,, also, had been the explanation given with respect to the high price of butter and other commodities. The outside prices

riled the prices required of the pub. : h re. Thu; surely meant that if the li.ridleinen who hud charge u: uistno ii.g our products found prices go up at home, tuey could raise the prices oa tie people in the Dominion, and rye hud no means of reiiei, lie ailvocatcd dealing with liiis through a permanent State d-iiarlmenl that would enter into the li'isinces of distribution in order that the price* room rod to bo paid by tho consinners might have a fair relation, to tae cost of production. The eslubhshin nt of a State Produce e/epartnient lor distribution, in conjunction with tnc eneourag-im-nt of email farming, or intensive cultivation, would be <u bene.it to the producing settlers in finding them , n ready market, and of great henent te 1 I he consuming public. , ], a ter on Mr .McLaren spoke at Clyde quav and Courtenay place. ” 1 want you to consider." he said, in the course of nis fcccch “ tho weak position of the lca«‘liold member of Parliament who is Hi the. Opposition pin'ty. The leader, Air Massey, rises and condemns the leasehold out and out; ho makes all possible attack on the leasehold system, and endeavours to tear in tatters the arguments of those who uphold such a system. Where, then, is the voice of the Opposition leasehold member: j Shall ho rise and smite tho leader of his own party, or Ins fellowinember.s of similar views? No. ho must Ik? .silent, or. if ho speaks at all, it must lx* with tho extreme tenaern<«s that is horn of practice in political dissimulation." e 111 reply to a question whether he was in favour of limiting womens rights of voting to local affairs," Mr McLaren replied, ’"Certainly not. I remember that my own mother had to struggle hard to give mo all tho chance J have ever had, and 1 would, he a coward it 1 did not support tho right of women to exercise, their full rights ae citizens of the Dominion.” ' , A motion of thanks and confidence was carried. WELLINGTON SOUTH Dll COUZENS AT WALLACE STREET. Dr Couzous addressed a mooting at the corner of Wallace and Howard streets on Saturday night. Ho accused tho Pnme Minister of being: autocratic, and quoted tlio Dreadnought offer as an example. Inc financial statements presented to the House wore not Treasury accounts, but merely those which suited Sir Joseph Ward, and it was impossible to tell how tho public money was being expended. He advocated t hn uudical insn-ection of school children. Tho talk of a ouartcr of a million being saved yearly by Civil service retrenchment was all moonshine; the actual saving was about .£OO,OOO. The candidate received a vote of thanks and confidence. MR R. A. WRIGHT AT EMMETT STREET, • Mr R. A. Wright continued his campaign on Saturday evening at the comer of Emmett street. Ho had a good hearing, numerous questions being asked at tho conclusion. Replying again to a question regarding his vote on the amendment moved by Mr Massey in 1910, Mr Wright explained that he voted against tho Government to keep a most distinct and emphatic pledge’ made to the electors three years ago-. Tho question of party did not concern him in the least, but he claimed that his vote on that occasion was the only possible way ho could avoid violating his pledges. He had explained his position in the House on more than one occasion. A vote of thanks and confidence was given with cheers, counter cheers being also given for Mr Hindmarsh. AIR BARBER. A very largely attended open-air meeting was addressed by Mr W, H. P. Barber, candidate interest for the Wellington South seat, in Wilson street, Nowtown, on Saturday evening. Mr Barber stated that he thought the best interests of the country would be served by completing tho railways and main roads of the Dominion, thereby providing facilities for the transport of produce from tho country to norts of shipment. Unless this was done the land would not bo used to' the best advantage. It was therefore better to borrow for this purpose than to wait until it was possible to do it out of the consolidated revenue. At tho conclusion of his speech Mr Barber answered a number of questions, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence with cheers. , WELLINGTON SUBURBS AIR S. E. FITZGERALD’S AIEETINGS. Mr J. E. Fitzgerald addressed tho,electors on Saturday at Paromata, Pahantanui, and Brooklyn. The candidate was given attentive hearings at each place, and votes of thanks and confidence were pass?d. At Pa hautanui Mr F. T. Moor© (Labour candidate) was on tho platform, and the two candidates addressed the same audience. ) Mr Fitzgerald briefly summed up his I views on tho various political questions dealt with in his previous addresses. He was in favour of bursting up large estates, and increasing the graduated land | tax. Ho strongly advocated an np-to-I 1 date suburban railway service for the Mauawatu line, a modification of the Defence Act, and the improvement of the t condition and wages of tho lower grades j of the railway and Civil Service. The candidate attacked the Opposition for their pretence that they had supported the Old Age Pensions Bill, and tho Advances to Settlers Bill. He claimed that lb© so-called Reform party was tho same old Tory party that opposed these measures, and it would be an evil day when the Opposition got to power. If, as Mr Buchanan said, the Old Ago Pensions Bill was “the*THickest piece of work ever carried through in tho House/' 1 per/haps Mr Buchanan would try to clear flho statute book of the Act, But what guarantee was there that Mr Buchanan had changed his mind. Tho usual compliments wore accorded to tho candidate at each place. MR BELL AT TEKAPU AND PORIRUA. On Saturday afternoon Mr Bell met tho electors of Tekapu at Mr Mexted'a house and delivered a brief address. Ho was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. In tho evening Mr Bell addressed a meeting at Porirua Tho candidate criticised the Government expenditure, and referred to railway construction works which, estimated to cost .£250,000, had cost .£700,000. If the Maoris would not work their lands, tho lands should bo purchased by tho State and opened up for settlement. On tho licensing question l*o was in favour of a 55 per cent, majority. A vote of thanks and confidence in Mr 8011, and of no confidence in tho Government, was carried‘amidst applause. A hostile amendment received the support of only two members of the audience. MR LUKE AT JUDGEFORD. Mr J. P. Luke addressed a meeting, of electors in tho State schoolroom. Judgeford, on Saturday night, Mr J. W. Jones in the chair. Mr Luke stated that, to arrive at a fair comparison with other and alder countries as to national indebtedness, regaid must bo paid to the services that have resulted from the cx poncliturc of loan money. Tho people of the Dominion, from the date of sotting up constitutional government, declared that community services of utility should bo carried on by tho State, hence State control of railways. telegraphs, telephones, and many other services that are in tho hands of private people in other lauds. Tho advances to eet-

i ;> and workers, loans to local bodi'.h, ~1 other services had contributed to U.e i.-cveus'- of the StatiA ru*pomdbiUt:vs a .d ii-debiodness Further expenditure >< \'j iu money must be on reproductive m,F. The country could not stop borrowing entirely, i.u that would clog Ine \ i’-.'is of progress. He favoured the uutplelion of ihe Main Tnmk railway in. \ .5* South 1,-iiaml to complete the connec- /: ,;i from Rcion lo die Blub, and Uk i . .*1 ruction of a haibour at a point near riimmonon. negotial le at all times uy I*. ry boats, i'i om whence passengers f,:ild !m* taken across to Bid on, thus

iviuling lie* inconvenience they now silTer from northerly or southerly gale*. r J he linking up of Napier, Gisborne, and ! S ratlord to the main trunk railway was important. Tims© works, when comj ivte, would return interest on construction. Ho advocated, a vigorous policy in a quiriuq surjilu, native lands, together with expansion of the Land holi-lenient Finance Act. Up to date there had been loaned to workers .£1,£.77,703, and during last vear II'JG anpllcauU; had received J: 107,810. The total amount paid back since the commencement of the scheme was .£0:;.32-t. , The candidate referred to tho decline iu tho t irthrato of the Dominion, and quoted ileures showing that with c reputation’ in 188 G of 378.182 persons, the number of children under one year was 13 833. In the vear TJ!)C, with a population of 553.57 S ‘persons, there wore only 2< ogp clildren of a like age. The proportion for IS3S was 31.73. and for 19(13 2,";.08. Taken on the lines of each 1000 of the population, the birthrate had do dined from 35.43 iu 1883, to 26.17 last year. Statesmen must give this matter serious attention. A hearty voto of Ihunk.s was unaziimnisly accorded tho candidate. HUTT AIR REARDON. Mr AI. J. Reardon, Labour candidate for ftutt, had an audience of several hundred people at Upper Hutt on Saturday evening, thanks to two no-hcense advocates who held a meeting on the main street. The candidate traversed the whole of tho negotiations in connection with recent disputes between the Wellington City Council and its employees, arguing from bis experience in this connection, tho folly of expecting fair play from any but Labour men. A voto of thanks and confidence was carried with enthusiasm. Mr Reardon also addressed an open-air meeting at Potono in the afternoon. AIR HcEWAN. Afr J. IV. AlcEwan, Independent candidate for the Hutt, addressed a well-at-tended meeting at Wainui-o-raata on Saturday evening. He received a sympathetic hearing, and was accorded a vote of thanks. OTAKI ELECTORATE ‘ AIR FIELD’S CAAIPAIGN. Mr W. H. Field had a very active tour last week in tho interests of his candidature. Ho addressed meetings at Tokoimru Paekakariki, Warsroa, Mnhunoa East,’ AVaihoaiJga (Otaki Gorge), Otaki. and Faraparaumu. Ho mot with a cordial reception at each place. To-night Mr Field speaks at Shannon, to-morrow at Foxton, and on Wednesday at Levin. MEETINGS TO-NIGHT Mr Bolton—Roseneath schoolroom. 7.30; Victoria Ilall Adelaide road, 8.15. Air Ploteher—Aloant Cook schoolroom. Mr Carey—Cloako’s Hall, Cottleville te Mr°Fitzgerald Karori (near Well’s shop). Air Reardon —Koro Koro. Atr Herdman —Town Hall. Air Lake—Brooklyn (Reuben avenue). Air Brodie —O’Donnell’s Hall, KilbirnlDr. Izard Alasonio Hall, Boulcott streetMr Barber —Fullford's Hall, Johnsonville. Mr McLaren—St. Mark's schoolroom. Mr Wright—Mrs Rogers' store, Vogoltovrn. Mr Field—Druids' Hal], Shannon. Mr Brown —Hall, Wcraroa. MASTERTOjN' seat OPPOSITION CANDIDATE HAS A ROUGH TIME. SPECIAL TO THE (i TIMES.” MASTERTON, December 3. Mr A. K. Herbert, Opposition candidate for Mastertou, addressed an openair meeting at Masterton on Saturday ixight. Ho was heckled at times, many of his statements being greeted with jeers, while the throwing of eggs, one of which struck tho candidate, scattered tho audience at intervals. WANGANUI SEAT MR HOGAN'S SUPPORTERS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC. SPECIAL TO THE ‘‘ TIMES.” WANGANUI, December 3. Interest in the approaching elections has been gradually increasing during tho last week or so, and has now reached almost lever heat. Here, as elsewhere, tho licensing question has to a great extent oversnauowed the Parliamentary election, and both -parties ar© making desperate eifortsjto win. Both sides profess to be confident, particularly the uo licens© secfrtrti, who are hopeful of carrying the day on both issues, but tho general opinion is that the voting will be very close. So far as the Parliamentary election is concerned, tho four candidates are all conducting vigorous campaigns. As the sol© representative of the Opposition, Mr G. Hutchison is, of course, sure of a fairly solid vote from supporters of that party, while the Liberal Labour votes will be split between Messrs Hogan, Mackay and Veitch. The former is standing as a Liberal and a suppox*ter of the sent Government, Mr Mackay as an Independent Liberal, Mr Veitch as a Labourite. Tho latter is receiving a fair amount of support. Mr Mackay has also many supporters. Mr Hogan's friends are confident that he will ultimately win, especially after a splendid fighting speech which ho made on Saturday ixight in the Opera House, which was filled to overflowing. Mr Hogan effectively replied to the speeches of the other candidates. His defence of the policy of tho party ho supported was sound and convincing, and in his condemnation of the Conservative party ho turned to good account the speeches made by Mr George Hutchison before tho joined the Conservatives. His attack on his opponents *.\as of an uncompromising nature, and he ir.ud© use of strong arguments and drove hem© His points with telling effect. At nn early stage he captured the groat audience, and held them with him to the conclusion of his address. The audience displayed great enthusiasm, and at tho close of the meeting passed a vote of thanks, and expressed continued confidence in Mr Hogan as representative for Wanganui. W AIR AW A SEAT ADDRESS BY AIR HUNTER.. PRESS ASSOCIATION. WAIPAWA. December 2. Mr G. Hunter, tho Opposition candl-

date. addressed a largo and successful meeting last niglit. ilo "'as IB'vn a vote oi thanks and confidenceMORE ABOUT MOKAU MR OKEY’S PERSISTENCE. PRESS ASSOCIATION. JfEW PLYMOUTH, December 2. Speaking at Wes town las', night, Mr I /Key rouirmd to tin) charge that, tao Government sold aUigJ acres 01 Drown lauds comprised in the Moxau block priv.iaelv to tho syndicate at ono-ntrh the true value. lie quoted tho committee s report showing tho iauu was allocated to tho Crown in IDWt, in satisfaction oi a survey lieu, and drew intention to the Premier's statement that this allocation W;iij not cancelled until Ooioboi\ last, or two months after Findlay, Falziell, ami Co. hud paid tho department for tuo land. OUT FOR RAG LAX AN UNMANAGEABLE REFORMER. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, December 2. The Auckland executive of the Reform League announces that Mr Allan Leu s oamtidatuL*' for tho Raglan seat is in dc-uuance of tho expressed wish or the Waikato League, and that Mr Belts views upon monarchy and his desire to see a Republic take its place, bavo no place in tho policy of tho Rctorm party.