THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 52

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CAMPAIGN IN AUCKLAND. (From Quit Own Co-respondent.) AUCKLAND, October 10. Political affairs hero have taken an amazing turn, and the strange experience of Auckland opens up a new factor in the campaign. The Government candidates are actually preaching some of the main planks of the Opposition platform. On every hand the Government candidates are openly disavowing any oojnnection with . the "no policy" attitude of the Government on the land question, and are confessing as articles of faith belief in the freehold and the optional tenure, belief in the necessity for the j acquisition of Native lands, reform of the Legislative Council, and so forth, and hy | the time of the elections ho doubt they will have adopted all the remaining planks. ; Sir John Findlay, at Parnell, severed Ids connection with the Government policy to the extent that he said that, after sufficient land had been reserved for the land must be compulsorily acquired and' thrown open to settlement. He urged that the special representation of the Maori race would no longer be. necessary in the immediate future, and would be dispensed with. He spoke of the immediate necessity for the rapid opening up of both the Crown and Native lands to the land-hungry settlers anxious to get land, and he talked of the defects in the ballot system, notwithstanding Mr Buddo's recent defence of it. If the Attorney-general had repeated a speech of. Mi Massey's, he could scarcely have displayed a more complete conversion to the Opposition view, and it is plain that he has noted the rising tide of Opposition feeling, and recognised that his last despairing hope of election is to adopt the Reform party's main planks. While Sir John Findlay was speaking at Parnell, the Government candidate for Eden (Mr W. J. Speight) was giving what was practically an Opposition address at Kingsland. He said that honest and capable men were frequently rejected by the electors, while candidates, in many instances not qualified by any marked ability, wisdom, or political honesty, were returned with "record" majorities to play such pranks in Parliament as brought shame upon their constituencies. The percentage of votes cast at each of. the last six elections for men who failed to be : returned ; averaged 46 per cent, of the whole, so that ] nearly half of the whole of the electors voting during the past 15 years might as well have been voteless. They did not influence the return of a single member. Today the Upper House was little more than ah. echo of the Lower House so far as conclusions Were concerned. His conception of how to deal with the Upper House was to abolish it "altogether as being an excrescence upon the body politic. He would substitute in its place a real revisino- body, i Young men should be given every opportunity for going upon the land. Anchor them down by an ownership of the soil, . give them a .hope-in the future, and our New Zealand' population would prove boi,n steadfast and virile; Above all others, the profitable occupancy of the lands of the country lay at" the root of all their prosperity. It was noteworthy that difficulties of all kinds presented themselves to people seeking to go upon the land. He suggested the speedy placing of every available acre of the million and a-half acres of land unoccupied in a position to be taken up for settlement. All land offered by the Crown in small areas should be given upon such a tenure ,as the man who proposed* using it desired, and .under certain conditions the •farmers should have the right to the freehold! _' He would submit that in certain cases it would pay the State to give them an actual present of the land where there was genuine settlement upon small areas under lease from the Crown.—(Applause.) The total area of Native land was over 7& million acres, and of ,this about five million" acres were lying idle, and about two millions- were leased. By far the greatest portion of the land was in the Auckland district—quite four million acros.. How much langer was this process of stopping settlement to be allowed, to continue? The remedy ,was drastic,, but simple. A Valuation Court or board should be set up to fix present values; the Native dVners should be allowed to name the reservation they needed for their own purposes upon the basis of the unimproved value of the land so reserved. ' The remainder should be taken by the Crown, not by way of deferred purchases after negotiations, but in one transaction at. the prices fixed by the board. The- Government candidate for Waitemata is travelling through the electorate advocating the opening up of land, both Crown and Native, on the freehold tenure, etc., £-tc.,*and there are other Government candidates on the same track. Mr Massey has reason to congratulate himself that' he has presented a policy that his opponents consider so .good that their only chance of election is to adopt it. Reverting tto Sir John Findlay again, it is plainly evident that had the chairman of the meeting, who is a prominent Government supporter, not taken the extraordinary course of refusing to accept an amendment, Sir John Findlay would have been plainly told by a hostile resolution that his candidature was unwelcome to th& electors. All through his fulsome references l to Auckland and his anxious disavowal of the Government's attitude there shone the ; special pleading of the advocate ready to do anything, say anything, and promise anything to secure votes. The big a'udience was not deceived.' It was hostile at the .start, and remained unconvinced. The special pleading of Sir John Findlay did not win, him a single vote, and- it lost scores for the Government. If ever the Government had a, hope of winning Parnell it lost it last night, and Sir John Findlay will return to his duties in the Legislative Council after his electioneering tour with the hoots of- hostile forces ringing in his ears and telling him of the sure and certain prospect of defeat. His love for Auckland, his great faith in the future of Parnell, and his hints of wonderful benefits to come to the constituency if only he is returned have come just too late.

SIR J. G. FINDLAY AT PABNEIX. AUCKLAND, October 10. The second speech delivered bv Sir John Findlay in support of his candidature for the Parnell seat was ■ listened) to by a large meeting ait Remuera to-night. The candidate received a very orderly hearing. His address was in most respects on similar lines to that given at Parnell last night. The only new matters dealt with at any

length were he' public debt and his scheme for the establishment of fruit farms in the north of Auckland. As regards the former subject, Sir John Findlay's main argument was that criticism, to be quite fair, should look to the manner in which the borrowed money was expended. In connection with fruit farms, he strongly advocated his scheme as a means of providing cheap fruit for the people. Despite the opposition to the proposal, he had not given up hope of seeing it carried into operation. At the close of his speech the candidate received a vote of thanks of confidence, andi the meeting broke uip with three cheers for himself and Lady Findlay.

THE TABANAKI SEAT. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 10. . Mr C. E. Beilringer has been selected as the Government candidate for the Tara;riaki seat; THE WALLACE SEAT. : ..• ~ INVERCARGILL, October 10. W.-Alan Gjarmichael a,Western District ; farmer, opened the campaign for Wallace at Riverton to-night He declared himself «n out-and-out Oppositionist, supporting the platform of the Reform . party as led ;by Mr Maseey. He said he was not a racing man, but he .felt that there was not very much difference between buying £1 worth of totalisator tickets and buying £1 worth of opera tickets. In one case a, certain percentage of revenue went to the State. He thought it would be a very fair thing for the Government to pay out through A. and P. societies a certain proportion of that levy for the encouragement of horse-breeding.-- He could not reconcile all the grants that had been made in. favour of racecourses, etc., with legislation that was aimed against " side shows." One might almost think that legislation was intended to stop horse-racing. The country couldn't afford to do that in view of the thousands of pounds that had been invested! in horse-breeding. England's prid© was in he- blood stock, and New Zealand was similarly the home of those in the Southern ' Hemisphere. • It was his belief that Carbine and the All Blacks had" advertised New Zealand more effectively thaii the famous Dreadnought. He hoped the tiirte would never come when this country would, be run by fadd'.'sts who wished to stop manly sports and pastimes, but that NeW Zealand would go on breeding Carbines arid All Blacks. He received a vote of thanks and confidence.

THE BULLER SEAT: WESTPORT, October 10. Mr John Dbvvgray, representing the Fed eratioh, of Labour, will" contest the Bullerseat with Mr Coltin, Chairman of Committees.

SIR J. G. FINDLAY. ADDRESS TO THE BLIND. ,;' / ' . AITCKLAND, October 11. Sir John G. Findlay paid a visit to-day to the Jubilee' Institute . for. the Blind at Pa-rhell, where he met the small community of . electors, both whole and afflicted, and spoke briefly to them on political matters. He stated first, that he had been asked by the principal of the institute to secure for the Animates a concession granted by the English railway companies to people similarly situated at Home, a substantial reduction of railway fares. It .was usually necessary when they weent upon holiday for them to take an attendant with them, so that the fees charges at the full rate werea heavy burden. This was, he felt, a. very strong plea, and he would recommend to the Minister for Railways as strongly and feelingly as he could that a.substantial concession should be made. The amount involved would not be very great or impose any considerable burden on the taxpayer, and he believed it would coiromend itself to Mr Millar as it did to him.—(Applause.) He warned them that he was not making a definite promise, but hoped that when he returned he would be able to confirm it.- Speaking of the Government's attitude towards such institutions, he said that the State had a distinct duty towards those who had not the full equipment given to most men and women, and it should be a parent, intelligent and, though not overindulgent, at least, kindly, and humanitarian. The Government, therefore, made itself responsible for everyone who entered these institutions, and while those who :cou'd might contribute towards their upkeep it practically guaranteed their maintenance, looking itself after the question whether anyone else should be asked to contribute. That policy against which no one could cavil would be pursnad . still further. The State no longer intended to be a cold-hearted policeman, calmly watching while people starved, but should attempt in some measure to be an intelligent and beneficient parent, doing what a wise father would wash to do for his sons and daughters. He believed that if this policy was properly •followed out it would do more for the community than another could towards the general happiness and welfare. . A vote of thanks, proposed by one of the inmates, was carried by hearty' applause. Sir John, who has made arrangements for the temporary lease of a furnished house in the Parnell electorate, intends to return to Auckland at the end of the session. He' left for Wellington by tonight's express

• iFROM .OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) !.'-■■• WELLINGTON. October 13. Mr "Hall" Bell, son of Mr H. D. Bel), K.C., who was formerly a member of the House and Mayor of Wellington, announces himself as a candidate for Wellington Suburbs'. Mr Bell is a young New Zealander of great promise. He was educated at Wellington College, and then proceeded to Cambridge, where he graduted with honours. He studied law in London and was admitted to the English Bar. Lass year he returned to Wellington, and jw-ia admitted as a partner of the well-known firm of Messrs Bell, Gully, Bell, and Myers.He has already won a name for himself as an able pleader at the Bar, and is looked upon as certain later to be amongst thoeo at the head of his profession. Mr Bell is a very good platform-speaker, is keenly interested in political matters, and is a hard worker. -This makes four candidates for the Suburbs seat —Mr Luke (the sitting member), Mr Fitzgerald, Mr Moore, and Mr Bell. The last-named has the good wishes and support of the Reform pai'ty.i TIMARU, October 11. Mr James Wallace, who was asked to become the Opposition candidate for Timauru, declined on tfee advice of a. doc

tor. At a meeting of the party it was decided to ask Mr J. Harold Moore, a solicitor, to stand. He will give his reply on Saturday. BLENJIEIM octoW 13 . Mr Tahuiaroa K. Watson, chairman of t3ie Ara.pa.wa Maori Council for the last nine- years, intends contesting the Southern Maori electorate- in, the Liberal interest. Watene K. Whiro, of Havelock, has withdrawn his candidature in Mr Watson's favour. • • . TIMARU, October 13. • Mr W. Jeffries,' who headed the poll at the first ballot at the las* election, opened tlbe campaign, for the Temuka seat as an Oppositionist at Temuka to-night. He spoke in favour of the freehold, arr elective -Legislative Council, and a public service board. He also said he would give a trial of the Vaile railway system. ' PALMERSTON NORTH. October 13. . Mr Wb. Thomson, a farmer, of Linton announces that he intends to contest t!ie Palmerston seat at the general election as an Independent candidate. TIMARU, October 14. . Mr J. Harold Moore, a solicitor and an ex-captain of a Volunrteeir company, has consented to contest the Tima.ru seat in the Opposition interest.

MR LOUDON AT DUNEDIN NORTH. Mr John Loudon, who is a oandidate for the Dunedin North seat in Parliament, addressed the electors on the 12th inst. in Howe Street Hall, when there was a #ood attendance. Mr Loudion announced himself as a supporter of the Liberal Government, praising their legislation. He dealt with- the financial position, of the Dominion, and quoted figures from the Financial Statement to show that the public debt had increased from £38,830,350'' since 1891 to £31,078,122 v in 1911; of that increase £36,605,364 was direct interest bearing. He touched upon the importance of opening land for settlement, and advocated increasing the graduated tax on land to eliminate as far as possible the speculative element. He was in favour of the present system of education, and approved of the proposals in the Budget. He advocated every assistance being given to the agricultural industry, and was strongly in favour of the irrigation of Central Otago. He believed much could be done by extending the village homestead system and establishing manufactories in sparsely-populated districts. He favoured the appointment of a oommission to inquire into the cost of living, and concluded by saying that on the prohibition question l'e favoured the three-fifths majority. After a few questions had been replied to a vote of thanks to Mr Loudon for his address was passed without dissent.

Mr J. T. Johnson's meeting's last week a.t Wylie's Grossing-, Otokia, and Henley were well attended by both ladies and gentlemen, and the candidate -was attentively listened to, and frequently applauded at each place. Mr Blair presided at Wylie's Crossing, and a vote of thanks, proposed by Messrs Tweed and M'Millan, was heartily given. At Otokia. Mr Roy- was voted to the chair, arnd Messrs Begg and O'Leary proposed a vote of thanks, which was carried. A wet night at Hemiley did not ctater the electors from coming forward in large numbers. Mr A; M'Kegg was voted to the chair, and a unanimous vote of thanks was carried. The proceedings at each place terminated with a vote of thanks to.-the chair. Mr Allen Bell, who had intended contesting the Waikato seat, has now decided •to stand for Raglan, as he finds that a great portion of the old Waikato electorate, in which he is well known, is included in the new constituency. Mr W. D. Mason, who is contesting the Otago Central electorate' in the LiberalLabour interests, has visited and addressed full and very attentive meetings of the electors at Outram, Berwick, Momona, West Henley, Maunigatuia, and Woodside. He has hearty and .appreciative votes 'of thanks and numerous promises of support from the electors in every place visited.