GENERAL ELECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7976, 6 December 1911, Page 7

GENERAL ELECTION

WELLINGTON EAST MB D. .McLaren. Mr D. McLaren addressed meeting's in the open air last uigat—at Boyd's corner, Kaiuuai, corner c-i Uoa street and Moxliam avenue, Kilbinue, and outs.de tiiu pest oliice, bo-uLii ivitbiruie. At ail these places cuere were large crowns awaiting tire candidate’s arrival. Mr Mc-Luivn said the Labour party presented an onieiai programme, so time tiie people who voted Labour knew the principles and policy they were voting ior. 'ine otner parlies neglected to do the same, and their candidates were seeking support on various contradictory xdatfonns. One Opposition. candidate was an advocate of the leasehold and another the freehold, and what tne party stood tor no one couid possibly tell. He expected to go into Uio House again, to continue the practical work he hau commenced. Xu connection with local government legislation which was his service ot over ten years on local bodies would bo of value. It was an anomaly that the system of plural voting still obtained iu respect to the country franchise. He believed in “one citizen one vote" in all elections. He upheld the development of our educational *>s&■ tern to provide the best training tor the rising generation. Medical inspection should bo provided iu the schools, and ail school books should be provided free by the State. On the land question a clear distinction must be drawn between mere truiiic and real settlement. Ik© Opposition's scheme was to sell the Crown lands, the land for settlements lands and even the national endowment lauds, which meant laud booming and exploitation, to the advantage of speculators and the burdening of the working farmers and town dwellers as well. He condemned strongly the bogus reform proposals presented in Mr Herdman s • Civil Service Reform Bill, which were directed towards establishing exclusive class control of the public service. Ho urged the need for additional land taxation to compel the subdivision of large landed estates now held out of cultivar tion. It was pure hypocrisy to cry out about the native lands lying idle whilst wo refused to set an example by bringing into use the lands privately held by Europeans. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously at each meeting. MR* BOLTON'S CANDIDATURE. Mr Bolton addressed two well-attended meetings last night, one at Hataitai and the other at D’DbnnelTs HaU, Kilblrnio. The candidate denied that his policy was antagonistic to that of the present Goveminent. It was simply one of extension and improvement of the _ liberal policy, and was directed to tho improvement of the conditions of the general mass of the community. Ho had read with amusement the report of the proceedings at tho Opposition me§ting on Monday night. It was unfortunate for. that party that they had to marshal all their candidates to help along the weak. He did not require tic aid of any Minister or of a mass meeting of the Liberal party to win the election. Ho challenged tho Opposition candidate to give statistics as to tho extent of Wellington's back country that required development, and to admit his error concerning unoccupied native lands. Ho deprecated the proposed system of expenditure on public works by the Opposition through local bodies, and considered that Parliament should retain control of the public purse. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried at both meetings. MR BRODIE. Mr Brodio addressed a well-attended meeting in the New Century Hall, Kent terrace, last evening. The candidate said New Zealand needed industrial legislation, not pauper legislation. Every Government should aim at creating opportunity, because opportunity was the keynote to thrift and industry. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate.

WELLINGTON CENTRAL

MR FLETCHER’S CAMPAIGN.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING IN WILLIS STREET SCHOOL.

Mr Robert Fletcher, Liberal candidate for Wellington central, addressed, a crowded meeting of electors m fine vVillis street schoolroom last night. Air H. McKenzie occupied the chair. The meeting showed itself thoroughly in accord with the speaker's views, and at tho close passed mm a unanimous vote of .thanks and confidence amidst cheers. Mr Johnston, who proposed- the motion, said ho had listened with great interest to Mr Fletcher s views, particularly on tho land question, and trom what he had read of the various candidates’’ speeches, ho believed Mr Fletcher to bo tho most sincere and practical man amongst, tho Whole lot of them. THE TWO PARTIES.

Mr Fletcher, referring to tho two . parties now asking tor tho suffrages ol the electors, said tho question betforo ' j tho people to-day, Shorn of all abuse and . ■ misrepresentfca'tion, and brought down I to a clear-cut issue, was progression or ' I retrogression. The word “ Reform " was ’ a bogey, by which the people Should not be frightened. The same ." Reform ” party practically closed its career in 1880, and it would not, he thought, ‘ bo tolerated at a period of this oounltry’s political history when tb© people were clamouring, not for Toryism, but for advanced Liberalism, oven still further than tbe present Government bod gone. tHe land. The candidate said he made no apology for again referring, in the closing hours of the campaign, to what he regarded os the most vital issue before the people to-day—the land question, on whidh, after all, rested so many subsidiary questions that wore concerning the country to-day. “In regard to the 7 per cent, of people who hold 24.030,000 acres of unimproved land in this country on which not a seed lias been sown, let us see what this could produce under close settlement,'' said the speaker. “New Zealand is one of the most prolific countries in the world. Land hero is capable of producing 30 bushels of wheat to the acre. Franco only produces 19 bushels per acre, Canada 17 bushels. United States 13i, Enssia 12, and India 11, against New Zealand’s 30. Seven people out of every 100 in New Zealand hold land; 90 persons hold more ihan 8 million acres. Don’t you think 90,000 people should be settled on these 8,000,000 acres? Practical!} 90 persons are in possession of one-eighth of New Zealand, or fewer people than are sitting in the front rows of this hall. Fewer people than reside on Lambton quay own an area as great as Denmark. In 1903 23 persons in Hawke's Bay were in possession of 919,000 acres, 24 persons in Canterbury in that year had in their possession 2,160,448 acres, and 31 persons in Otago held over 3 million acres; 90 people in New Zealand hold land equal in area to a fourth of the whole of England, or nearly twice the area of Wales. Should not these figures mate us pause and think? And then this handful of people who are running a newspaper_ in their own selfish interests, are clamouring for the support of the Democracy. How is it that the statistics show that tho females iu every centre in Hawke’s Bay outnumber the males? It is because tbe young men have to leave, as they can't get on the land. It is tho same in Marlborough, four hours journey from Wellington. and a province rapidly becoming depopulated. You can ride nearly 100

miles in Marlborough and then not come to the end of one x 3r °perty of lGS,ouo acres. Here in Wellington we are seriously studying tho housing problem, high rents and cost of living, whilst just across the Straits you could put the whole population of Wellington into nn unoccupied corner of the Marlborough province. What is to become of all these children that you see daily coming out of school? They can't all stay in the cities. I ask you to think seriously -over this land problem, and not to swallow tho declarations of the party that has always burked close settlement, and which is so fond of the notice-board, “Trespassers will bo prosecuted." (Applause).

MR FISHER ON CONSISTENCY

Mr F. M. B. Fisher, Opposition candidate for Wellington Centiai, addressed a crowded audience in the Town JLiall lasi night, his subject being newspaper inconsistencies. lie'declared that it he went back into Parliament, ho would keep the newspapers on the rails. A good deal oi interruption took place during the speech, and Mr Fisher (who was his own chairman) called on the police to eject one man. Questions were numerous, and when Mr Fisher was reminded of a change in his own opinions he declared emphatically: ‘'Consistency is the refuge of a fool.” He would be very sorry for a man who refused to keep his opinion abreast of tho circumstances of the times. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. WELLINGTON NORTH DR IZARD AT KELBDENE. At tho Anglican Schoolroom, Kelburne, last night Dr Izard. Liberal candidate for the Wellington North scat, addressed a mooting of about sixty-five electors. Mr T. N. Holmden presided. Referring to the “reform rally” at the Town Hall tho previous evening, Dr Izard said that there had been nothing but platitudes and abuse talked by all the speakers on that occasion. He had boon quite unable to find any hint of a constructive policy. As far as ho could ascertain not even one of the five speakers thought it worth while to refer to tho great question of- the land.

A GEEAT CONTRAST. By way of contrast i a this evident lack of any policy he pointed to the fact that the Liberal Government had legislated for the benefit of every class in the community. He made special reference to the Dominion's labour laws, which were the admiration of the whole civilised world, and which Mr Herdman had condemned in ono sweeping sentence. There was also the group of humanitarian laws dealing-with old ago pensions, national providence, pensions to widows, etc. Ho could not believe that the people would ever return the old Conservative opposition to power, for it was well known as the party which had biterly opposed all the progressive legislation tho Liberal Government' bad brought forward. He drew attention to the many. progressive proposals recently laid before Parliament by the Government in its Budget, and urged that just before an election was the right and proper time to do this. In dealing with finance, his chief opponent had not placed the position fairly before the people. He had quite forgotten the assets when speaking of the country's liabilities, and had overlooked altogether the interest-earning portion of the public debt when dealing with- that point. Mr Ilerdman's remarks on the revenue .and taxation were equally misleading, for he did not tell the people how much was received for services rendered by the railway and other State departments. In dealing with taxation it must always be remembered that it was the policy of the Liberal Government to place the burden on the broadest shoulders, so that an increased revenue from such sources as income tax and land tax was a clear indication of prosperity, instead of the reverse as Mr Herdman would, have the people believe. He condemned the Opposition's campaign of misrepresentation, abuse and insinuation.

After answering a number of questions, Dr Izard was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr Morris, seconded by Mr Sievers.

MB. HERDMAN HECKLED. • Mt A. L. Herdman (Conservative) addressed a gathering in the Sydney street schoolroom last evening. Mr Hadheld was chairman. A considerable portion of the meeting was unsympathetic, and Mr Herdman was a good deal heckled. He said that either Dr Izard was ignorant of politics, or it was absolutely incorrect of him to say that the Conservative Opposition had opposed labour legislation. If workers did not wish to rise above positions worth moro than 8s or 9s a day, if they had no ambitions, let thorn stick to the Government's present legislation. A voice: Wo are not all born to be lawyers. (Laughter.) Where does tho worker come in with you F Mr Herdman said owing to the fact that legislation had strangled and stifled the iron, steel, and boot industries in the period 1900 and 1905 these industries had gone back during that term. Primary productions, however, had increased in spite of the bad legislation. A voice: Pu t tho Tories in and it will be worse. (Applause.) Mr Herdman : A Tory. That must be tho Prime Minister. ' They meet him with "God Save the King" now in the south I Tho interrupter: They'll greet Massey with the Dead March on Friday. (Loud laughter.) Mr Herdman went on to refer to the Legislative Council and said he would read some of their names.

A voice: Bead the Council of 1890! Mr Herdman: I don’t know much about it. “No, you don't want to. (Laughter.) Interruptions continued and there were cries to give the candidate a chance. The chairman also intervened. "Sit down Tom," called one member of the audience to an interrupter, "or you'll havo Dick and Harry alter you.': (Laughter-) , "If you want to get a good Government,’' proceeded Mr Herdman, “turn the present one out." (Loud cries of “No, "No," and applause.) Interruptions again occurred. Mr Herdman afterwards read what he said were the principles of true Liberalism. _ "But you won't legislate all that," cried an elector. (Laughter.) Mr Herdman went on to speak of the libel laws and to say that greater restrictions were placed on public speakers than formerly. “I will get vou put out," said tbe candidate angrily to an interrupter w'ho began again to heckle. He called uuon the audience to say whether the man should bo ejected. Cries of “Yes" and "No." A couple of men went up to the interrupter, who evincing a ready desire to bo ejected by them, they promptly sat down again. Cries meanwhile were raised of "Let him alone." Two other men wanted to speak and Mr Herdman was unable to •go on. Thou a policeman was sent for and, arriving, ho walked towards one of the interrupters. "If he puts me out," said the man, "he can; but you can't sav that Findlay is tho only candidate who gets police, men to put men out. 1 thank you for your politeness Mr Herdman.’ (Applause and laughter-) Another man rose and said: They say Dr Findlay puts men out: but that’s what Herdman does with the workers. I'll go out without being asked to. (Loud applause). Half-a-dozen others went out. . Mr Herdman was then able to pro. ceed with his address, which was on tho lines of those previously reported. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

MR CAREY AT TINAKORI ROAD. Hr B. J. Oarer (Labour) addressed two open-air meetings in Tinakori road last evening. Mr Carey said lie had conducted his fight fairly and above board. He could not say the same of the Conservative

candidate, Mr ilerdman, who was now attempting to catch the votes of men whom in the House he had referred to disparagingly. He should be game to slick to iiis utterances in the House, it was unnecessary for him to again detail the principles embodied in the Labour plationn. Both meetings terminated with cheers for tho candidate.

WELLINGTON SOUTH MR BARBEL’S CAMPAIGN. Mr W. 11. P. Barber, Liberal candidate addressed about 150 people iu St. Thomas's Hail, .Newtown, last night. Tim Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C., presided. Tlio candidate said the Conservative party were leaving no stone unturned to defeat the Liberal party at the polls. It seemed that tho stock-in-trade of tlio Opposition for the last ten or twenty yean aad been gross inisrepieseutation, and in many casts personal abuse of their opponents. He had not como forward tc ught the battles of Sir Joseph Ward. He v>as an Independent Liberal standing m the interests of liberal and progressive measures. Tho Opposition did not attempt to defeat the Government on policy measures, but by circulating statements they had failed to prove. The principal plank of Mr Massey's platform was ih€ disposal of tho freehold. If tho Opposition came into power they would catoi for the country, because country constituencies were in tho majority, and tlw city electorates would never bo able to turn the tables on them. Replying tc Opposition criticism in regard to the public debt he drew attention to the fact that a very large proportion of tho money was interest bearing. A large sum had been expended on railways, laud had been .opened „up and brought into occupation uud the prosperity of the country had been increased. Tho Government had had to buy tire Manhwatu Company's lino, which in the first instance should have been constructed by the State. The Conservative party, who wore in- power at the time tho lino was constructed, had allowed private enterprise to carry out th«i work. Ho was prepared to borrow more money for railway purposes. Ho advocated tho early completion of the South island trunk railway; and the establishment of a State ferry service to connect tho rTorth and South Islands. He believed tho sentimental value of the Dreadnought gift was worth much more to Great Britain than tlio r actual money value. Ho was iu favour of an increase in the graduated laud tax in order to further break up largo estates. He was opposed to any further sale of Crown lands. The concessions through the Customs during the lost fourteen t years had amounted to over one million pounds.

On the motion of Mr Fred Lemon, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried, only three bands being held up in opposition. , _ Mr Barber also addressed a meeting_at the corner of Lusford street and Adelaida road last night and had a good reception. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried with, cheers.

MR R. A. WRIGHT’S CAMPAIGN.

Continuing his election campaign.; in the Opposition interest, Mr R. A. Wright addressed an open air meeting at Berhamporo last evening, and later he spoke at the Vic to; ia Hall. At both places ha replied to criticism, and was 1 accorded votes of thanks and confidence. DR COUZENS AT NEWTOWN. Dr. Couzens addressed seventy of eighty electors at Newtown last , night, Mr Hornblow presiding. The candidate dealt principally with question! of finance, and received a vote of-thanks THE SUBURBS SEAT MR FITZGERALD AT FORIRDA AND TAWA FLAT. , Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, Liberal candidate for Suburbs and country Districts,, addressed a large mooting of tiio electors ait i’orirua and Tawa Fiat last evening. He was given, aititoative hearings!in both places, and. votes of thanks and confidence were earned unanimously. :

The speaker briefly auihmed up 'Ms previous address in those places, and declared Mansell* opposed to the holding of largo tracts oi land. Ho advocated the bursting up of large estates by the increase of tho graduated land , tax, which would not only throw largo areas of land on’the market at a. reasonable price, but would remove the need for tho Government to go into - tho market to purchase lands at exorbitant prices for its close settlement scheme. Ho also urged the .rating and taxing of Maori lands to help pay for the roads, nailwaye and bridges which had given those lands their value. He was not in favour of alienating any more Crown lands, which should bo reserved: for , old age pensions, education. and charitable aid purposes. Mr Fitzgerald advocated an uu-ixi elate suburban _ service for the Manawatu railway line, and favoured tho payment of a living wage to the workers on tho railways.

MB J. P. LUKE. Mr J. P. Luke addressed two meetings last night, one in the ejen air, Goldie’s Brae, and another in the Parochial. Hall, Karori. At both meetings he received a vote of thanks and confidence. In answer to a question at Karori, Ml Luke said ,ho would vote against th« Government on a no-confidence motion. MR MOORE. Mr P. T. Moore, in his address at Johnsonvillo last night, declared that Labour was the only party which boldly stood for the leasehold. Tho man on the land had no right to the unearned increment. This belonged to the people. Ho was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. MR BELL AT ISLAND BAT. Mr Bell addressed about 400 persons at Island Bay last night. He received an attentive hearing, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. MEETINGS TO-NIGHT Mr Bolton—Now Century Hall, Ken) terrace. Mr Herdman—Kirkcaldie’s Tea-rooms. Mr Fitzgerald—Ngaio 7.30, JohnsouvilU 8.30, Ngahauranga 9.30, Kaiwarra 10 Jlr Wright—Tollman street, Brooklyn. Mr Fletcher—Druids’ Hall, Taranaki street. Jlr Brodie Victoria Hall, Adelaidt road.

Mr Barber—Newtown Library. Dr Izard —Sydney street 8, Masonic Hall, Eoulcott street 9. Mr Reardon—Oddfellows’ Hall, Pctone. Mr Luke—Parochial Hall, Johnsonvillo. Jlr Carey Tinakori road 8, Pipitea street 9, Kolburne Kiosk 10. Mr Bell—Parochial Hall, Karori. Dr Couzens—Wallace street 7.30, Luxferd street 8.30, Constable street 9.15. Mr McLaren—Hospital road 7.30, Courtenay place East 8.15, Committee room 9. Mr Fisher—Opposite Te Aro Post Office, Ghuznoe street. -

Mr Field—Century Hall, Levin. Mr Brown—Coronation Hall, Foxton

WOMEN’S POLITICAL LEAGUE

There was a well-attended meeting last night of the Women’s Social and Political League. Mm T. Brown i receding. Letters relating to the election occupied, most of the evening. Great

jk*a£Uto was -expressed <ifc tho return fluoppo&ed of Sir James Carroll and tho Hoa. A. T. It wjw decided, owiat? to tho Christmas holiday* Udus so aiear, that tho -ciiruurr bo postponed till April. and that a picnic tor mombers nml friends frako place at the end or January. The Icajruo .decided to adjourn till the first week in. March, Nme now members wore elected. IN CANTERBURY A KEEN' AND CLOSE CONTEST. SPECIAL TO THE “TIMES.” CHRISTCHURCH, December 0. As the day of election, approaches the interest in the elections increasesj. and it is evident now that tho contest is go jug to ho keen and in several constituencies very close. There has been nu blinking change in tho prospects of candidates and parties during tho last day or two, hut in one or two constituencies there are rumours of a largo sectional into watching tho attitude of candidates on the education question with, nemo expectation of developments. In iiuruuui, to begin in the nortli of ■the province. Sir Forbes appears to be quite safe, and probably lie will win by a larger margin than lie did three years ago- . , Mr Bmlclo is still being sorely pressed In Kuinput, and tho latest reports suggest that Mr Blackwell, an Independent Liberal with strong Government leanings, will bo in tho second ballot with tho Minister. Air isitt has had crowded meetings throughout tho campaign in Christchurch North, and lias overshadowed his opponent on the platform, but the Opposition is concentrating all its forces on this constituency, and tho friends of the Independent Liberal trill be content if ho is returned by his former majority. This, probably, ho will secure. A week ago Mr Davey's friends expected him to win froYa his three opponents cn the first ballot, but last night Dr. X’hacker declared . in favour of State grants to denominational schools, and this is said to havo transferred a thousand votes to iris side, and to have tinpured his having another run a week hence. Filially, however, the old member must ho returned. Mr Ell is having a strenuous fight m Christchurch South against Mr Whiting. , Labour candidate, pledged against tho Opposition, but the tip to-day is that Mr Ell will win by a fair majority. The struggle in Avon is between Mr Bussell and Mr McCombs, an Independent Liberal, who is receiving strong prohibition support, and though tho old member is not so confident as ho was three weeks a,go. the indications are that ne wil’ be returnedMr Witty has most to fear from Mr Sullivan. .the Labour candidate, in Riccarton, and it looks as if he will have to submit to tho ordeal of a second ballot, but that is tho worst that can happen to him. _ Mr Ehodes will again represent Ellesmere, hut Mr Armstrong, an Independent Liberal with little political experience and nono of the personal advantages of his opponent, will poll well, ind probably reduce tho old member’s majority. . . Mr Dickie continues to gain ground in 3elwyn, and people w'ho know the district well predict that he is going to mpturo tho sent for the Government from Mr Hardy, whose friends admit there is going to be a very close contost. . Mr George Laurenson is regarded as a lertainty for Lyttelton, but the Opposition has taken up Mr Cook, the Independent Liberal, and this will give some interest to tho contest. If the Liberals can be persuaded to stand together in the inevitable second ballot in Ashburton they .will w-in with Sir Kennedy, but the Liberals seldom do stand together in this fashion, and the Indications point to Mr Nosworthys reMr Buxton is having the best of Hu fighting in Temuka, but he has two Opposition candidates to meet, and if their forces combine for the second ballot, the lid member will have no great margin at the end. ' Air C mi gif's friends are very confident of success in Timam, but with every other brand of candidate represented in the contest, he may have to go to a second ballot. It is reasonable, to suppose, however, that in the event of a deciding tussle Labour and Independent Liberalism would come to his assistance. Mr Smith, the Opposition candidate, is still favourite for the Waitaki seat, but if reports are to be trusted a good understanding between Mr AlacPherson’s and Mr Paul's supporters will land him into a second ballot, and possibly defeat 1 im there. „ _ , . Nows from tho West Coast suggests easy victories for Fir Arthur Guinness, Mr E. McKenzie, and Mr Colvin, and a Barrow win for Mr Seddon. SIE JAMBS CARROLL SPEECH AT ASHBHETON. VIGOROUS DEFENCE OF LIBERAL POLICY. • PRESS ASSOCIATION. ASHBURTON, December 5. The Theatre Royal, which holds a thousand at a pinch, was badly overcrowded to-night, when Sir James Carroll addressed one of tho finest, most orderly, and most quietly sympathetic political meetings ever held in Ashburton. Tho stage and passage-ways were all filled, and a considerable number of people had to be turned away. The Mayor presided, and Sir James Carroll was received with long-continued applause. , Sir James said ho proposed to deal with political principles and parties, leaving personalities to Mr Massey and his friends. Too much time was wasted in. casting reflections upon the integrity Of public men in this country. (Applause.) He proceeded to contrast tho Government and the Opposition—on the ono hand a constructive policy, embracing the bold, grappling with problems that are still perplexing other lands; and on tho other hand nothing hut obstruction and destruction. He instanced tho attitude of the Opposition towards tho advances to settlers and closer'settlement legislation in proof of his assertion. The fact that the Liberal party had held the confidence of the people for twenty years, and had survived the fire of criticism, was proof positive that tho Government was doing its duty satisfactorily. What had tho Opposition to oiler as against the achievements of the Government? Nothing but shreds and patches of the Government policy, which they had picked up, adorned, and presented as a r.ew policy. Ho had carefully read Mr Massey's manifesto just issued, and found that after twenty years of effort the Opposition had made the discovery that '‘land was given by the Creator for the sens of men to cultivate.” (Laughter.) But there was no practical suggestion of how this was to be done. Assuredly it was not by land monopoly, or by denying facilities to settlers to obtain land and capital. The Opposition platform was all shadowy. The only definite thing in i; was the optional freehold, but ho Sainted out that this was part of tho overnment policy, which included tho purchase of the freehold, occupation with right of purchase and six other forme of tenure. He outlined tho cardinal features of the Government's financial, defence, humanitarian, and public works policy, his remarks being frequently applauded. Referring to the local political situation, he quoted the figures of last election to show that tho Liberal voters were in the majority. He did not presume to advise whom they should elect, hut ho desired to see the principle of majority representation carried out in this and every other electoral district. Sir James humorously compared the four Ashburton candidates to horses in a

race. There was tho favourite, who had formerly won tho stakes, and who would doubtless win the first heat; there was the old horse, still going strong; a promising young ooit trying his paces: and a dark horse—and dark horses had a trick of winning. (Applause.) Ho would not infringe the Gaming Act or the law against betting on tho result of the. elections by advising his hearers to “have a bit on." (Laughter.) fio hoped, however, that whichever horse carried the Government colours in the final run-ott would have the united support of the rest of tho stable. (Laughter and strong supportive applause.) At the close a motion, thanking mi James Ganoii for bis address and expressing confidence in the Government, was carried by acclamation without dissension, Sir James being enthusiastically greeted and cheered when bo rose to reply. MU MASSEY ADDRESS AT PARNELL. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, December 5 An ovation was tendered to tho loader of the Opposition and to its candidate for Parnell by a huge meeting ot larnell electors this evening. Long of 1 °™ th© meeting commojicwl the Oaclrelious Hull, iu which Mr Aiussey spoke, was crowded. Tho hostile element was small and scattered aiming tho audience. J-t found no favour with‘the great bulk of the meeting. One man who incurred the indignation of those around him by interjections was ejected from the nail. Discussing the letter addressed to Air MciNab by the Hawko's liay shareholders in the Mokaa Company Air Massey said that the letter was cunningly dratted and it was almost impossible to }ouna a libel action upon it. Ha asked that the men who hud signed that letter should make a definite charge, and say straight out iu which direction ho had been guilty of telling falsehoods, lather they must prove him wrong or take their chance in the Supreme Court. (Applause.) There was not a supporter ox the Government who could soy what its policy In explanation of the party s attitude towards borrowing Mr Massey said that he was iu favour of borrowing as much money as tho country could stand for purposes of development, but that money must bo expended in such a manner that not a shilling of it was wasted. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded Mr Massey on a show of hands, against which only about a dozen persons voted. Cheers were given for Mr Massey and Mr Dickson. THE OPPOSING ARMIES TO-MORROW'S GREAT BATTLE'. THE LESSONS OF THE BYELECTIONS. To-morrow the electors of New Zealand will be called upon to return seventyfive representatives of European constituencies. There has been one unopsposed election, and there are four Maori constituencies, this making up the eighty electorates which return members to the House of Representatives. There is no lack of competition for the honour. The nominated candidates total 222 in number,. and their political faith is professed, thus: Ministerial 80 Independent Liberal 25 Opposition ; ... 67 Independent Opposition 6 Labour 23 Independent -. 15 Socialist 5 Prohibition 1 THE LAST PARLIAMENT STATE OF THE PARTIES. Tho general elections of 1908 resulted in a majority for the Government over the Opposition party (leaving three Independents and one Labour representative out of the calculation) of 26, the parties being represented thus: Government - M Opposition 35 Independent - 3 The three Independents were Messrs F. M. B. Fisher, J. Duncan (Wairau), and T. 33. Taylor. The last-named, who died in August, was succeeded by another Independent, while Mr Fisher goes to the electors this time as an Opposition supporter. BY-ELECTION INDICATIONS FOUR VERDICTS FOR LIBERALISM. If by-elections since 1908 are an indication of the country's feeling—they we regarded as important ‘‘pointers in the Old Country—New Zealand has undiminished faith in the Liberal Government. There have been four of these tests in the interval, and not in one instance did the Opposition capture a seat. . First came the Thames fight in February, 1909, when the Opposition was not even represented, two Liberal candidates standing, and the Rev. E. H. Taylor being returned to fill the place of the retiring Liberal, the Hen. James McGowan. . Rangitikei by-election in September 1909, caused by the death of tho Liberal member, Mr A. E. Remington, was made a pitched battle between the parties; Mr Massey taking an active part on behalf of the Opposition candidate. Tho Liberal vote was divided between three (candidates, but the second ballot enabled the Liberal to win by a majority of 460. Auckland East by-election in June, 1910, resulted iu another Liberal replacing the late Mr F. E. Banme, who bad been a supporter of the Government. There were five candidates, but the Liberal polled 3,180 votes, -an absolute majority over them all, while the Oppositionist in the fight came fourth with 309 votes. No Oppositionist has been nominated for tomorrow's fight. , , The Christchurch North by-election is so recent that the details are familiar, but it is interesting to note, as indicating the general tendency of the by-elec-tions- The late Mr T. E. Taylor, an uncompromising Radical, was succeeded by his life-long friend, Mr Leonard M, Isitt. PLURAL VOTING PENALTIES Electors are warned that under the new system of scrutinising the rolls any attempt at plural voting will be detected at once. Not only are persons liable to two years’ imprisonment for this offence, but their votes will bo disallowed. OFFICIAL TIME' In connection with to-morrow's elections arrangements havo been made that the Post Office time will be the official time for commencement and closing of polling, and the tower clock will be set by the observatory at 9 a.m‘. to-day and to-morrow.