THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13905, 5 November 1919, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, .November L The political campaign was opened, to-night by Mr C. F. Bennett, the Reform candidate for Auckland West, who delivered a, spirited speech criticising the members of the National Cabinet with the exception of Mr Massey and Sir James Allen. He said the time had come for the. young and energetic men in the Cabinet to carry out Mr Massey's policy. In replying to an mterjeetor, he said Mr Massey had been taking hurdles for years, and it was time to give him a run on the flat for a change with good Ministers. The speaker denounced Extreme Labor. He received an excellent hearing. Mr T. lUoodworth, the Labor candidate for Parnell. also hud a good reception. He defined the Labor ■ party, which he said was not revolutionary. Thoughtful speakers had stated that the Government of the country had passed from the hands of Parliament to the. hands of Cabinet, and it was Labor's objective to restore government to the people. CHRTSTCHURCH, November 1.

Mr H. T. Armstrong, the official Labor candidate for Christehureh North, opened his campaign to-night. He said he doubted if the Reform party would put up candidates for all the Christehureh seats, because that mean splitting thii vote and letting Labor in. After many years' study lie could see. no difference between the Liberals and the Reformers except in name. Mr Armstrong severely criticised the t/ovcrament's legislation providing for the introduction of indentured labor in Samoa, and inferred that it was » move of capitalists who would, ifi allowed the power, bring the same conditions to bear in New Zealand. DANNEVIRKE. November f>.

Mr A. McNieol, Reform candidate for the Pahiatua seat, opened his campaign in the Dannevirke Town Fall last evening. He devoted his speech mainly to showing how the country might be fully developed, and said that roading and rri.-.v.-ty construction and the hvdro-elcctric power and housing schemes were largely contingent on • a propcrlv organised immigration policy, which would provide much needed labor. He declared himself a straight out supporter of Mr Massey, because K was the only Leader who had made a practical attempt to form a. National Party. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.