THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 33

THE GENERAL ELECTION

TAIERI SEAT.

MR T. MACKENZIE INTERVIEWED.

(From Our Owsr Correspondent.) ' WELLINGTON, August 27. There 'appears to be considerable activity developing in connection with this electorate. Mr Loudon and Mr Mackenzie arrived yesterday from the south. The former has been busy interviewing Ministers. Mr Loudon is evidently concerned about his chances of success after Mr Mackenzie's successful tour through the- Taieri district, where he received encouragement, particularly from those who are aware of his long connection with, and his efforts for the benefit of, country interests. On being asked to-day "whether he had definitely decided to stand for the Taieri, Mr Mackenzie replied in the affirmative, and stated that he had already communicated that decision to some of his supporters. Addressing Mr Mackenzie, I said : Your name has been pretty freely mentioned in connection with.* different aeats. Might I ask you why you declined standing for the others and preferred Taieri?, " Because I find," he replied, " that there was a general desire expressed in Otago thai 1 should ( stand for an Otago seat, and the assurances of support from the Taieri electorate were such that I felt confident that I would win that seat. Also, the seat is quite close to my own home, and contains interests with which I have been associated during the past 21 years of my political life. The Taieri people are also familiar with my past work. 'Another strong reason was that the Taieri wae an open seat. By that I mean that in standing for it I am not opposing an experienced and useful political representative. All my interests are in Otago, and I am therefore naturally anxious to be in such a position as •will enable me to put forth my best efforts in the direction of assisting to make Otago prosperous." Whether do you or Mr Loudon carry the Government support?

" Personally, I have not sought it ; but I believe that some months ago, and before the developments occurred which brought me into the field, Mr Loudon received a promise of the Government support, bnt whether tinder fhe altered Ncircumstanoes alluded to he will hold it to that promise now I am not in a position to say. This I do know: that the Government is not unfriendly to roe, and the Prime Minister certainly does not desire to see me out of Parliament. 'But, after all, true representation means that it is the people in the electorate and not any outside authority that has the right to select the representative they think best qualified to voice their wants and fight for their interests. As to . the result of the election I entertain no doubts, feeling sure that the electors will return the best man, and I therefore leave the issue in their hands with every confidence."

When will you be^in to actively pursue the political campaign?

" That is just the point where I am at a disadvantage as against other candidates. Like other members, I shall be here for the next two months at least, pnd the elections will be on in about three and a-half months. Such being the case, I hope the electors will wait until they hear the views of all candidates before they pledge their support to any. It is quite possible that I may liot be abje to see as many of the elecJtors as I would wish, but if the time at my disposal permits I shall certainly go to every part of the district where the people will come to hear me, and will deal fully and -exhaustively with the political problems of the day."

THE TAIERI SEAT.

In the course of a conversation with a member of the Daily Times staff, Mr Loudon referred to an interview with Mr Thomas Mackenzie regarding the latter's candidature for the Taieri seat at the general election. Mr Loudon informed the representative that the report contained several statements •which were inaccurate, and which should be contradicted. In the first place, he said, he' had not gone to Wellington, because fee was concerned abbut his chances of success for Taieri after the result of Mr Mackenzie's so-called successful tour of tbo electorate. His visit to the capital city was on account of private business in connection with a Government department. Secondly, he was not busy interviewing Ministers -while in Wellington. The only Minister he bad interviewed was the Prime Minister. As to Mr Mackenzie's views to the effect that it was the electors of a district who should say which candidate they prefered, independent of any extraneous influence, he cordially agreed with him, but Mr Mackenzie's tactics thus early in the campaign were so utterly at variance •with the views expressed that he (Mr Xjoudon) w<u forced to a belief that his opponent did not practice what ho Mr Loudon went on to say that *-« •''•'■ended to fis?ht the contest strenu■l " '>ut firmly, and he had every reason to believe that polling day would find him successful. It waa satisfactory to know at last that, after coquetting- with so many electorates, Mr Mackenzie had definitely made up his mind 0e to which political maiden he intended to woo ; but what about the disappointed ones?

THE SELWYN SEAT\

ASHBURTON, August 27. Mt W. J. Diokie, farmer, of Lynd- . hurst, to-day announced his candidature for the Selwyn seat In the Liberal interest in opposition to Mr C. A. C. Hardy, M.P.

DUNEDIN WEST.

Although nothing definite will be known for a day or two, there is every probability that Mr D. M'Laren will be induced to give his consent to bo nominated as the Labour candidate for Dunedin West against the Hon. J. A. Millar. We are informed that all statements to th« contrary axe, in

the meanwhile, absolutely without foundation.

♦WELLINGTON SUBURBS SEAT.

WELLINGTON, August 31. Mr J. P. Luke, a candidate for the new Sjuburbs seat in the House of Representatives, opened his campaign to-night. He is a supporter of the Government. He was given a vote of thanks and confidence.

POLITICAL LABOUR LEAGUE'S SELECTIONS.

A largely-attended meeting of the Political Labour League was held in the Trades Hall on Aug. 26 Mr R. R. Doug»las (president) being in the chair. The selection of names of gentlemen to be invited by the league to become candidates for Dunedin City seats at .the ensuing general election took place, as follows : —

Dunedin West. — Mr D. M'Laren and Mr J. W. Munro.

Dunedin Central.— Mr R. Breen and Mr R. W. Campbell.

Dunedin South.— Mr ft. R. Douglas and Mr J. Haymes. '

It was decided that the above persons be asked to forward their acceptance or refusal not later than Wednesday next. A mass meeting of all affiliated unions and members of tho league is to be held to take a ballot, if necessary, to decide upon the candidates to be definitely selected. If any further nominations are forthcoming they~will be received not later than Wednesday, September 2, and will require to be accompanied by the names of at least six members of the league.

MEETING AT OAVERSHAM. In taking the ohair at a small meeting of working men at the Oddfellows' Hall, Caveraham, on Friday, Mr Steve Boren»m said he , had' convened the meeting on the advice of about 160 fellow workers, of whom, he was eorry to note, but a fewt were present. The question he wanted them to determine was " Wen© they satisfied with their present representative in -Parliament?" If they went right back and reviewed the statutes of the Dominion they would find that all these, or nearly all, were in favour of the moneyed classes For instance, if .they had the Arbitration Oourt and had 1 seen how the workers had been treated they would see that the courts were all in favour of protecting those who were well able to protect themselves. Again, despite the fact that the last ounce of butter had been sent out of the Dominion for profit, no member of the House had raieed his voice in protest. If the Government could nationalise oyster beds for the use, practically, of the rich, and legalise the totalisator for tihe same purpose, why could it not form a national farm of, say, acres to supply the people of the Dominion with cheap food, and then let the farmers export their products if they cared to? But the Government fostered the farmers. If they suffered from the effecta of a snowstorm ot a bad season they obtained help from the rest of the people through the Government, which even set up experimental farms at the' expense of the people generally to teach the farmers to farm! Did 1 the working man obtain any help like this? He thought the . time had come when the working man should take an interest in these matters. Mr Barclay was the only member of the House who continually looked after the interests of the working men.— ("Hear, hear.") He defied them to find anyone else who did so, and the working people were 75 per cent, of the population of New Zealand. Mr Boreham went on to say that the Political Labour League had seen fit to nominate certain persons for Parliament, but he did not think it was for a candidate to find a constituency, but rather for a constituency to find a candidate ; and ho submitted that to this end meeting* like this one should be held to enable the electors to form a platform, call upon a man who, they were satisfied, would advance their interest in Parliament, and then support him 4* ho had said before, he hao <_aii*<l tnis meeting to ask those present if they were satisfied with their present representative, and, if not to consider what man thej wanted. There were only two classes in the Dominion — the wealthy classes and the working classes, — and the Arbitration Court came as a very poor sort of mediator between these. Directly the working man formed a largo industrial union — as, for example, the Canterbury farm labourers — the court could turn round and 1 refuse to make an award, offering, instead, a few " sugestions" for the men to work under. Their unions were not worth a snap of tho fingers to the working man. What the working classes wanted was to get the grasp of the political machinery, and theax they wouldn't want unions.

Mx J E. MacManus eaid this meeting was a sort of surprise to him. He had understood that he was to address a Socialists' meeting. He did not agree with Mr Boreham altogether. In their members they had the ohodce of Socialists and Capitalists, and so long as the Political Labour League's candidate came out as a Socialist he would support him, but if he declared lio was against Socialism he (the speaker) would abandon him. He would like to say that he was not aspiring to political honours. His field was in other places. Mr MaoManus went on to outline his views oT tiie Arbitration Court and other matters.

Mr Boreham said the objective of the Political Labour League's platform was identical with that of the Socialists. But the Politioal Labour League wae so afarid to come out in its true colours tliat he might not see his way to support their candidate. <3ive him a straight-out Opposition man, even if he did " turn dog " on the party. If tho Politioal Labour League brought out a Socialist candidate ho would support him. The meeting was not representative enough to form a resolution, but he would read 1 a motion which he had intended to put — " That this meeting of the electors of South Dunedin, seeing that Mr Justice Sim nas refused to grant an award in the Canterbury farm labourers' dispute, demands hi« immediate removal from his present position." Were they favourable to this being put to the meeting 1 ?

There was no response. Then were they content with their present representative? Air W. H. Perry t We've only heard your side. Let someone else speak. A Voice: Mr Fleming. .Voices t Hear, hear. Mr Wm. Fleming said he wae not going to make a epeeoh, but he would cay that he was going to the poll against allcomers at Ihe election. Already he had been told that no Labour map. could outfieat the wealthy, raeffiberj, but he. ©on-

tended that any good Labour man prepared to advance Labour interests could get there. — ("Hear hear.") If he were returned he intended to work -' in the interests of Labour, and not of tRe man. At the conclusion of Mr Fleming's remarks, Mr Boreham again asked if they were dissatisfied with their present member. Voices : Yes. Mr Boreham: Then, "being dissatisfied with him, do you put any motion?

Mr MacManus said he desired to move — " That this meeting support the Political Labour League's- candidate if he be a Socialist."

Mr Perry, in seconding the motion, said he was going to support any man who announced himself as a Socialist.

Mr P. S. Gray moved as an amendment — " That this meeting support the sitting member."

The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the 'motion, on being put, was carried unanimously.

We understand that Mr R. Breen and Mr J. Haymes (two of the candidates selected by the Political Labour League to contest the coming parliamentary elections) have both intimated that they have no intention of standing. Mr Breen was selected for Dunedin Central, and Mr Haymes for Dunedin South. We ako "Understand that Mr R. W. Campbell (Dunedin Central) has intimated his intention to accept nomination.

The Kawakawa ' correspondent of the Auckland Evening Star reports that, in reply to an influential requisition, Sir Joseph Ward has selected Mr "Viernon Reed as t Government candidate for the Bay of Islands seaf at the general election.

Mr R. J. Coates, LL.B., is announced as a candidate for the Parnell 6eat.

Information has been received in Milton from Dr Chappie stating, in answer to a request to contest the Bruce seat in the Liberal interest at the general election, that he has definitely decided in the negative. This is taken to mean that Dr Chappie will contest the Tuapeka seat. AUCKLAND, August 28.

The Onehunga branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation has received intimation from Mr Charles Bagley (who some months ago was announced by the Prime -Minister to be the Government candidate for the Manakau seat at the next geeral election) that his advisers have practically forbidden hie undertaking the worry* of a political fight. Mr G. F. E. Hindmarsh is now spoken of as a likely candidate in the Liberal interest, and, as he is a- farmer, it is considered that his candidature would be acceptable to a large proportion of the electorate.

WELLINGTON, August 30. Mr George Winder announces himself as a candidate lor Wellington East at the general election. The other candidates are Sir William Ajrir *am (Liberal) and Mr A. R. Atkinson (Opposition). The sitting member, Mr J. G. W. Aitken (Opposition), who Mr M'Lean by a very few votes Tat the 1905 contest-, will not stand for re-election. Mr Winder is president of the Wellington branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation.