THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2848, 14 October 1908, Page 34

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CANDIDATES FOR MAORI SEATS. (Peom Oub Own Cokeespo»dent.) WELLINGTON, October 6. As far as can be ascertained the candi£ate3 for the Maori -electorates at the general election will be as follows : — Northern Maori electorate, Mr Hone Heke (sitting member); Western Maori — Te Heuheu Tukino, of Taupo; Hema Te Ao, of Otaki; Pepene Eketone, of Te Kuti; Ernera T« Rahu, of Wanganui; and Mr H. Raihau (the sitting -member) ; Eastern Maori— Mr A. T. Ngata" (sitting member); Tiki Paaka (R. Gj. Park), of Wanganui; Moki Te Ataahikoia, of Hawke's Bay; Southern Maori — Mr T. Parata (sitting member), and Mr W H. Uru, of Kaiapoi. We have received advice from a reliable source tc the effect that it is Mr J. M'Donald's intention to contest tba Dunedin Central eeat at the forthcoming election. Mr M'Donald. it is understood, will make a definite pronouncement to that effect when Mr Arnold returns from Wellington. AUCRLAND, October 8. . Mr Oiiv-er Nicholson, who is opposing the Hon. G. Fovflds xor Grey Lynn, opened his campaign tb-iiight, the meeting being a remarkably enthusiastic one. He. declared' himself as an Independent Liberal, -'•e'jpportin.g the Government in its Labour legislation, bat opposed to it in 'its financial and railway administration. He favoured a commission of inquiry into the management of Tailways. He emphatically denied that be' was the brewers' nominee. As a solicitor he did business with the brewers just as he did with church, members and prohibitionists. October 9. There are indications that the most keenly contested electorates in this province wUTbe Raipara, Grey Lynn, Waitemata, TaurangaV and Waikat<£ with the possibility of the Bay of Islands contest proving one of close polling. The Grey Lynn seat is expected to provide the " greatest fight in the Dominion , and feeling there is already running high. It will ' be remembered that at the ' last election Mr John Parnell put up a splendid record against Mr George Fowlds, who won only by a narrow margin of votes. This time Mr Fovrlds has the added prestige of his position as a Minister of the Crown, but nevertheless Mr Oliver Nicholson, standing as an Independent Liberal, is working strenuously, and is backed by very strong committees. At Mr Nicholson's meeting laet night it was apparent that the contest is going to prove exciting, and his supporters axe even sanguine that he is going to capture the «eat, bat at any- - r*te tyr Fojrlds will have a. combatant worthy of his eteel, and as the Minister and Mr Nicholson are both good hard hitters and strong- debaters, the electors are looking forward to a lively time. BOTORUA, October 10. -^.r Gow, Opposition candidate for the Bay of PlenCjr seat, addressed, a large meeting lest ; "night, and received* a great reception. HAWERA, October 9. Mr G. V. Pearce, Opposition candidate for Patea, addressed the electors last night. He strongly criticised the financial policy of the Government, favoured granting- the- freehold lands for settlement (which would obviate the necessity of borrowing half a million each year), and complained of waste in constructing the Otira tunnel, the cost of which " would have completed necessary Taranaki lines. FEILDING, October 7. Mr O. C. Pleasants, the selected Government candidate for the Orua seat, addressed a large meeting here last night. He eulogised the Government's measures in the direction of aid to settlers by the Advances to Settlers Act and by resuming large estates, and showed that many benefits had s been received by the small farmers. The industrial legislation was also referred to as having been of great Benefit. He favoured the leasehold, with the option of. the freehold, the Arbitration Act with amendments, and the absolute" exclusion of Asiatics. The' candidate received a vote of confidence. WELLINGTON. October 8. Mr F. H. Haeelden, who ba6 been asked to contest- the Ohinemuri seat in the Opposition interest against Mr Poland »nd others, has consented to do so. Mr Haselden has been previously in Parliament. He is a brother of District Judge Haseldec. He has had colonial experience as a miner and fettler, and is at precsnt farming at Awhitu. Mr Poland, M.P., is the Government candidate for the seat. October 11. In the course of an interview with Mr R. R. Martin. Opposition organiser, who is at present in Wellington, the question of "the pr<?sp«cts of his party at the coming election was discussed. Mr Martin eaid it was of course impossible to prophesy the result of the elections, but he had every reason to believe thaf not only -would the present Opposition members who were again contesting their seats be re-elected, but the Opposition strength in the new Parliament would be consider-^ ably increased, more particularly in the North Island. There was undoubtedly, Mr Martin said, a general di3sire — especially in the country — to have an Opposition numerically stronger than at present, and more than ordinary interest would be concentrated on the coming elections. GREYMOUTH, October 9. A requisition was in circulation to-day in Greyraouth asking Mr James Kerr. a member of the Giej mouth Borough Council, and chairman ofthe Grey Education Board, to contest the Grey seat ?t the forthcoming general election in opposition, to the Hon. A. R. Guinness. October 6. Mr G. D. Greenwood has definitely decided to contest the Hurunui seat as an Independent Liberal. October 7. . Mt George Sheat, png of the employers'

representatives on the Canterbury Conciliation Board, is standing for Riccarton as an Oppositionist. October 9. -Mr G. W. Ruesell, at one time member for Riccarton, is announced as the candidate for Avon. j Mr D. G. Sullivan, a candidate for Avon, addressed tho electors to-night, and stated that he stood in the interests of t!ie Political Labour League. The speech .was on Socialistic lines, and he advocated land nationalisation as the only remedy for existing economic inequalities and injustices. He referred -to the Second Ballot Bill as one of the most reactionary and conservative measures ever placed on the Staute Book, and' the whole object of it was to prevent the growth of the democracy and of the Socialistic element in the country. He supported the bare majority arid "the abolition of the Legislative Council. A motion was agreed to affirming the desirability of co-operative ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, acd asserting that the candidate was a fit representative to fight for the institution of co-operative-ownership. TIMARU. October 10. A petition is in circulation asking Mr James Craigie, who has been Mayor for the past seven years, to allow himself to be nominated "as a candidate for' the Timaru? seat. It is being largely «£gned< Mr Craigie says he intended at the expiration of his mayoral-, term to take a holiday trip to England, andi to retire from public affairs, but if he is assured that it is the wish of the people of Timaru he will consent to stand. October 12. The Timaru Branch of tho Political Labour League (120 strong) has determined to run Mr George Roller as a candidate for ' Timaru. Mr Roller is a carpenter, and an active member of the leaa^ie. ASH2URTON, October 7. Mr W. Mos worthy, a candidate for, the Ashburton seat in the Opposition interest, addressed his initial meeting this evening. He stated that he would favour the abolition of the whole of ■ the Arbitration Act if on its trial it showed itself unworkable, and he would favour i the establishment of a Wages Board. He roundly condemned the Government's land policy, declaring himself a straightout freeholder. He objected to State control of the liquor traffic, and said that, while not a prohibitionist, he thought nolicense should be given a further trial, ITie voting to be as at present. He advocated a Civil Service Board, and said he was not in favour 6"f compulsory religious teaching in the State schools. He condemned the Second Ballot Bill. ASHBURTON, October 9. Mr David Jones, of Weedoris, a candidate for the Ashburton seat in the Opposition interest, addressed hns first meeting to-night. ' He "declared himself a fteeholdtr in favour of lands for settlement, the land being c&ld to tenants on reasonable teniis- He. urged- the simplification of the Native land laws and a more '.vigorous settlement policy. He eevereiy .. criticised • the Qovernment'B finance, -condemning it*-" extravagant borrowing and building policy. He favoured voluntary conciliation, but was against compulsory arbitration, and thought this session's amending: act an improvement on the old law, but considered that any form of compulsion was doomed to failure. He favoured the maintenance of the present liquor laws, and severely censured the Second Ballot Bill. OAMARU, Qctober 8. Mr James Mitchell, who intends to oppose the Hon.. T. Y. Duncan for the Oamaru eeat, will commence his campaign shortly. He will probably address the electors in Oamaru on the 19th inst., and those at Palmerston and Hampden later ia the same week. GORE. October 7. A deputation of Oppositionists waited on Dr Rogers, of Gore, asking him to contest the Mataura seat, but he declined to do so. In all probability the Hon. R. M'Nab will have practically a walkover, only the nominal opposition of Mr Bull being put up to secure a local option poll. October 12. Mr Martin, the Government candidate for Wakatipu, opened liis campaign at Waikaia on Saturday. He supported the present Government's land policy, particularly the special land settlement scheme, and quoted the success of cutting up estates, instancing Edendale as a bright example. He thought an honest attempt had be-en made to place labour legislation on a satisfactory basis. He preferred ths absolute majority to the second ballot. The education system had been improved, but a further advance was necessary. The financial policy of the Government was sound, especially wHile lx>rroTF«d money -was spent in r^productive works. Cadets should be encouraged, as they were out future citizens. Their training should be part of the education syllabus. A vote of thanks and confidsr.ee was accorded the candidate. A general' meeting of the supporters of Mr J. W. MunrOj the adopted Labour candidate for the Dunedin West constituency, was held in the Trades Hail on the 6th inst. The meeting was unanimous in declaring its intention to us© every effort in its power to secure Mr Munro'e return, and a . largo committee was forthwith appointed, with Mr Jesse Ilaymes as its chairman. Arrangements were then made for the \arious deta-ils of tho contest. Mr D. Macpherson announces him6elf a.s a candidate for Wallace. Mr W. Downie Stowart authorises us to «iy that he will not be a candidate for Parliament at the approaching elections. Mr A. J. Black has announced his intention of contesting the Auckland Chy Central scat as an Independent candidate. Mr David Lundcml auctioneer and builder, of Rotoma, has definitely decided to contest tho Bay of Plenty scat as an Independent Liberal.. Mt D. D. Macfarlane, who retired from

the contest for the Hurunui seat on account of ill health, but who has now completely recovered, has been asked again to allow himself to be nominated, and has promised to consider the matter. iC is understood that Mr J. A. Macpherson, M.P., who for the past three . years has represented the Mount Ida electorate, has been selected as the Government candidate for the newlyconstituted electorate of Tuaneka. Mr J. Bertram Morton, who recently retired from the railway service, interxis to become a candidate for Manukau in the Liberal interest. Mr G. Sheat has decided to be a candidate for Riccarton in the Opposition interest. Mr F. J. Rolleston, of Timani. has definitely decided not to stand for Timaru at the forthcoming general election. At last election Mr RoMeston was the Opposition candidate. The Alexandra Herald reports that Mr Robert Scott, wiio is contesting the Tuapeka seat at the forthcoming general election, has been engaged in arranging his plan of campaign, which he intends commencing in about a fortnight's time. Mr Scott has been promised support throughout the whole extent of the electorate, and hopefully views his return at the head of the poll on election day. Mr Scott is president of the' O tago Branch o£ the Farmers' Union, and has closely ideiilifiea*- himself ttith the interests of the - farming, community. - During" his campaign at the recent bye-election Mr Scott made many friends, who have promised Him renewed support in November. Mr (*. Wilkinson, Liberal candidate for the Manukau ssat, writes: — " Owingio the division in the ranks of the Liberal party in Onehunga, I have decided to withdraw from the contest."