THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13416, 17 October 1905, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE NEW LIBERAL PARTT IN - .WELLINGTON.

ffsoa OUB COBSESPOSDEST.) ' ■WELLINGTON, October 16. . The initial proceedings ill connection with (ho New Liberal party's candidaturo for tho Hutt (Mr Gcorgo M.'Yerex) have been rather amusing, but somewhat disappointtho party. Mr Yerex announced fey advertisement that ho would " firo tho first shot in jiis fight for clean politics " at 8 o'clock in the Lower Hillt Oddfellows' Hail oi Thursday evening; A considerable number .- of the 'residitits of tho locality asseriiblcfl,- but- the , hall was : in, darkuess, and there ttas iio sign of Mr YerOx. It was raining,: aud; not to get, into tha. hall, t men and 'womeii JiUddled under tho verandahs.. After a a suggestion that some sort of meeting bo held mot' with' general. approval. As it happonod, there is next to the Oddfellows' Hair a vacant allotment,' remarkable only for ;.this, ■Mt where thero aro ho foottrodden pathways across it, there is high, rank grass and" Kxldon clay. Piled, up against the wall of the adjacent building is a stable of, earthenware drain pipes. That stack '.served as a platform for the nonce, arid the audiqiiM mustered round it. The Mayor was obliged to "take, the chair" and presido Over, this very informal meeting. Tho speeches were not" long. Resolutions wore, passed without .dissent condemning Mr Yercx's behaviour' and -affirming.thai in calling the meeting inviting the Mayor to preside, aiiit tlien • absenting himself without excuse or apology, ho had offered an insult to tho people of the borough through their Mayor. Several other resolutions Having for their objects tho expression of the meeting's, continued confidence in Mr T M'. Wilford, the' sitting member, were carrictl unanimously, • and tho meeting, if meeting, it could be called, closcd with cheers for Mr and Mrs Wilford. Next evening matters wore "riot mended by the following .advertisement in tho evening paper:—"Mr Yorex apologists. I offer my sincere apologies and regrets to thoso ladies and gentlemen who were present to attend my meeting at Hutt last night. It was a sad error of judgment. I fully supposed that no, oiio would venture. out oh suoh a wild~and, stormy night. Forgive, if yoii cannot,forget,-and come on Monday night, when I will do my best to fully atone. No disappointment next time, sunshine or tornadoes.—Yours sincerely. . Georgo M. Yorex." It wa9 .granted that tlibro hlight possibly bb a "tornado" fit Mr Yorex'b meeting tho fallowing -''night, but the clmnoes of then} being any sunshine wore regarded as wmowlitlt remote. However, All- .Yerex. duly met tho electors at Silve-r----stveam and gave .somo account, of liis- post life. 'He said he left Canada, when 25 years of ago, wont to Australia for five years, and had 6pent. tho refit .of his life in New Zealand.. lie arrived in this colony with £110, and in the past 16 years ho lmd made himself comfortably olf. Ho came before them p. successful man, and offered himself with confidence as a fit man to represent tho Hutt constituency in Parliament, At tho conclusion of tho address a vote of I hunks to the cahdidato found no seconder, and it was then resolved—" That this meeting, wliile thanking Mr Yei'ex lor his ableaddress; oxpressea its Unabated confidence in tho present member." This was carried without dissent 'nnd amidst applause. Mr Yerex was to be orio of the shining lights amongst the Now Liberals, of whom lid was greatly enamoured, etiiting that ho had decided •to work, wifli that well-known tiiiartct—the Invnblc Lsiirensbii, ihe lorrible Taylor, tho forceful I'isher, and the bonevoleiit Bedford, or words to tliat elfect.

DUNEDIN CENTRAL.

A meeting of Mr A. 3. Adams's C'-entral Committee was held ih tho Palnce Hotel last ovenius;. There was a good attchdaiuc. Mt. Mitchell was unable to attend and,Mr Wilkinson was voted to tho chair. Tho conveners reported as to progress iriado iii their disttict since last meeting. In all instances tho reports were favourable, and tlio committco is most sitiigiiiiid its to the result of tho forthcoming: election. Tha Secretary reported that the Rtislyn (joiflmittco had been formed, which gave promisMo doing gcod work, Ho also reported that rooms had bbeii taken in George street, which Would be oiicn every evening between 7.30 aiul 9.30.. Electors in' tho city, should call ami see if their names aro oil tho roll, as a number of cases have already been reported in which application had been made, and still the names aro omitted from tho roll.. Some discussion took place as to when Sir Adams should give his next address. Mr Adams informed tlio.committee 4bat lie did not propose speaking again during his opponent's absence. This inct with tho approval of the committee. A resolution was passed conveying to Mr .Adams appreciation of the honour tho Baptist Conference hall paid him in electing him as its president for tho ensuing 12 months. Mr Adams returned thanks. A call for volunteers to assist at tlio committee rooms during tlio week was readily responded to, and it was "decided to meet every Monday evening in tho committee room, 182 George street.

A well-attended meeting of Mr "W. Downie Stewart's Mornington Committeo was bold at tlio Council Chamfcijrs, Mornington, lilst evening. Mr R. "Wilson was voted to the chair. At tlio rer]>iest of the committee Mr Stewart gave it brief address, touching, on the various leading questions of tlio day. Strong suh-coriimittdcs were appointed lot tlio various districts, and conveners clected, so as to ensure a thorough canvass being made. It was decided tn lioicf the next meeting pn Monday next. Mr Marshall opehed the political campaign for tlio Taipri electorate lit Kiiri Bush oii Thursday ni;;ht, but as the night was probably tlio whitest ever experienced iii the Kuri .the atteiidancc was small. Tlio few were appreciative,' arid lie received an excellent hearing. A -meeting of .Mr T. K. Sidey's South Dunodin Committee was held in the coinmittco rooms, 'South fiunedin, last fcyening. About 40 persons were present* Mr E. Cuddy being 'in the chair. Strong ward committees were organised, and a vigorous canvass of the different districts arranged for, A yory representative gathering of residents' in and liboiit Waikouaiti liiet in St. John's Schoolroom-on Saturday evening to take slops to 'secure the rcttirri of Mr T; Mackenzie- -as - member for Waikouaiti. A strong working c'oinmittbe wos formed of Tcinnlcton-was appointed chairman, and Mr Buekland secretary. It .was decided that a 'Ladies Committee should be formed.

Mr E. 11. Clark, one of tlife candidates for the Wdikoltaiti scat, had a very siiccrs;fnl nice ing on' Saturday dveiiing at Macxa-s. the scboollious'd being packed to tlio doors. Mr Alex. Simpson was ili tlife eliair. The candidate met with a very favourable reception, and spoke for 6oino two hours, being frequently applauded. At the close lie received a vote' of thhnks nnd confidence. After, the meeting, a strong committee was formed to swurc his election,

A Central Q.tagq correspondent writes: — Mr .1. A. Macpltcrson spoke nt Itoitgh Ridpo oil Friday evening to a largo attendance, some 60 to 70 people Tjeiug present; amonsst whom were a large number of. ladies. Mi 1 Islip occupied.tlie chair, and introduced the candidate. who received considerable applause, At the'.conclusion of his address a largo number c'.f questions was. answered, apparbhtly to-.the-satisfaction of the questioners. A vote of confidence was proposed by MP Ittn-i.v,- seconded by Mr M'Bride; and eah'ied by acclamation. After the 'meeting a stroriEf committee was formed to wbtk for Ml 1 Mncpherson's teturn. '.At Wedderburn on Tliuwdav evening Mr Staephefson had ihto a very larec meeting of ladies and gentlemen, ionsideribir tlie wot evening. Mr Mfeseht occupied file chair. No questions were asked, but the audience was enthusiastic, find a strong committee was formed. Mr (T, T). Sioyivrightj in intimating that ho is unable tp contest the Oamahl seat at present, As, however,, .after the election a reconstruction of the Ministry is contemplated,'with tho view of enlisting the services of feomo .yomipec and abler then, an opportunity Vnav arise through the retirement .and flcvntionjto the Upper House nf. thb Hon. T. T. Djihcin. your jires?iit highly • esteemed ' meihlier, tbeii I would willinelv place my belt services at your tlisncaal.'! , •. • . An Auckland telegram states that Mr ft J.k Parr, (lie nopp?it''on candidate for Auckland West, ndtli'esiwl a ornwdcl meeting of elector? l.fjstnight. . lie declared himself in: faypui:.of. the freellbld and t-ef form-of tlie U>gi?]ative Council, ahd.said he thought, tbu liquor question should be left to the-people to decide. 'A vote of thanks ahtl .cnnfirlbtiCn.vwas earned,., ' . A meeting of Mr T K; Ridey's Cavershhm"Committee .will.be..held at 8 O'clock this, eyenifii:. . Mr J; F. Arnold's committees will meet in tha Walker Stte<st Mission. IT4II this evening,. anil.' in. tho' miiriidinal building. Morilingto'n; to-morrow' p.vening A mcetihj of -Mr-'Wi Dowiiin Stewart's comntitW ahd supporters tfill bo held in the ; candidito's,.Ceil|ral: Cdhiniittee roomsr Princes stfeot South; this evening. A : meeting of ladies desirous of securing the. tetufh of Sir T; Mtifckenzio for thb Wiikouaiti-teat will bd held at. Walkottaill on ihj;t. ; at p.m.

;• . ■: ■ '■ .1 ■ ' v Tho GcraTdlno main . roll contains.. <765. names. ■ ■ 1 ' --. v: • 'JMio number of names on (he ttiierl roll is 4568. Tho number of new claims for enrolment total 1524, ami tho names erased/ transfers, etc., .828. . ; ■ : Tho Briicci Herald states .flint ft larooly' signed fcquisitidh from residents of Kaltihfcata district will bb presented to Mf \V. D; . Miison, of Middicmarch, asking himself to be nominated as a etttidid&to for i tho Bruce electorate in Ihj interest of tho ■ Liberal and Labour party. > : . At a mcoting iicltl by Mr Ycrox jit Lower Hutt last evening no vote cotlld bo tdken oiving to the uproar which prevailed.