THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 36

THE GENERAL ELECTION

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON. {Feom U ur O 'v \ *.«*u V , • WELLINGTON, November 26. Somebody told Air Herdman at his public meeting last night that the public servants were “up against” him now. The Minister retorted that ho did not care who was “ up against” him, but that he was quite certain the Public Service Act had given the public a bettor civil service and the civil servants infinitely better conditions than they had ever had before. Moreover, thenpay w T as bettor than it had over been, and they had a Board of Appeal, which they had never had before. In answering a question later in the evening the Minister said it was absolutely false to say that he was in favour of withholding the statutory increases from public servants on account of the war. There is very general regret hero at the retirement of Mr Uavey. He was greatly respected by everyone about the Parliament and by many friends he had made in Wellington. He was absolutely straight and honest, and was always fair in his criticisms. On no occasion, whatever the provocation, did ho indulge in hitting below the belt. Even his political enemies had a real liking for him, and will be sorry not to see him in bis accustomed place next session. In losing him Christchurch is losing its best member. Air Turnbull’s entry into the Wellington North contest has puzzled a good many people, including the Labour Party, seeing that it upset the understanding between the Liberals and Labour. It is now suggested that Mr Turnbull was brought out to enable the Leader of the Opposition to use the Expeditionary Force vote. November 27. “ The issue of the coming election is not Ward or Massey, but it is: Is the Government to be punished for doing its dutv in connection with the strike of 1913?—(Applause.1”—The Prime Minister at Lower Hutt last evening. The baby bonus scheme continues to excite merriment, but seldom can anyone be found supporting it. An elector asked “ What about it?” at Mr Massey’s Hutt meeting last night. “I should be ashamed to support a thing lik" that ” replied the Prime Minister. “The slimmest thing about it is that, it would be payable in 14 years, and the man who introduced it would bn out of office by then, and some other, unfortunate man would have to arrange to pay the whole of the bonuses. Upon my word one ought to take out a patent for it.” “T hope, and firmly believe, that the people who are promulgating this hideous slander (that the Government was responsible for flic TTimtly d : saster) will get their deserts when they go before the electors on December 10,” said Mr Massey, at Lower Hutt. last evening. The audience endorsed the remarks November 30. The Post, in an article summing up the main issue before the electors, says it is compelled to discount the force of Sir

Joseph Ward’s contradiction regarding the ah.anco w.ui uit x>eckramon ui j_.~o -c points out tfiat at the last election tno position of tile federation was one ol open hostility to Sir Joseph Ward’s party, but d-d that save his Government from a humiliat.ug and demoral, smg dependence after the election upon its representatives in tho House '! “If,” adds the Post, “the electors will think of the desperate struggle between the forces of law and order, represented by tho Government on the one side, and those ol anarchy, represented by the “Rid” Federation on the other, in wlr-h tit country was engag'd at tins limo last year, tiiey w 11 assuredly not bo willing to make the iVder.ami. „.ie arbiter ol Uimr political destiny during the edming throe years. Had a general election been taken a year ago, whan the gravity of the issue, had b on brought homo to the mind and the nerves of tho most thoughtless, there could have boon no doubt as to the result. The Government would have secured a triumphant majority. If people would recall their feelings when tho enemy was at tho gate, they would bo very shy of the party which, if successful next week, may be compelled to let him into tho citadel.” MASTERTON. MASTER'! ON, November 27 Mr G. R. Sykes was nominated for tho Master-ton scat to-day. INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGIL, November 27. Mr J. F. Lillicrap (Government candidate for Invercargill) opened his campaign this evening, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence In tho course of his address he dwelt upon tire Labour legislation enacted by tho Government, which, ho claimed, was most beneficent. He rxtolhd the Government’s policy in regard to tho strike, and maintained that, in consequence of the reform of the -Civil Service, the State servants were more contented than previously. He made a point of the financial difficulties which the Government had to contend against, and quoted Mr Phillip Snowden (Br’tish Labour M-P.) to show that there existed no difference in the matter of Liberalism between the Ward and tho Massey parties, finally contend : ng that the present 'Government was more advanced and more worthy of support than the Ward Party. OAMARU. Mr E. P. Lee addressed the electors at Goodwood on Wednesday evening. Despite the fact that a number of the farming community were away at the Dunedin Show fully 50 people were present. Mr A. Bringans occupied the chair. Mr Lee first dealt with the question of finance, putting the position clearly before his audience. Land and other reforms were also dealt with by Mr Lee, who then severely criticised tho attitude of the Opposition in regard to the Huntly disaster. Mr Loo was listened to throughout with marked attention, and, on resuming h.s scat, was heartily applauded. A motion of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr Field, and seconded by Mr Leo (Goodwood), and carried. On Thursday evening Mr Lee addressed an audience at Seacliff, the room being well filled. At the close of an interesting address a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried 'on the OAMARU, November 23. Mr E. P. Leo addrofised a packed meeting in the Opera House to-night, the building being crowded to the doors. He received an excellent hearing. Ho spoke for two hours in defence of the Government’s pokey, claiming that the Massey Administration had fulfilled nearly all its election pledgee, but it was- unfair to judge it after a little more than two years of office only. At the conclusion of the address Mr Lee was occupied for nearly an hour in answering questions, apparently to tho general satisfaction of the audience. He gave an emphatic denial to a statement that he used political influence to secure tho removal of Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., from Oamaru. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, with a few dissentients, cheers for the candidate and Mr Massey drowning a counter demonstration in the pit for Sir Joseph Ward BRUCE. Mr C. R. Smith, the Liberal candidate for Bruce, had a busy time in the Lawrence district last month. At Waitahuna, Lawrence, Waitahuna Gully, Clark’s Flat, Wetherstones, Blue Spur, and Ka.tangata he delivered addresses, and at each piace was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr C. R. Smith addressed a good meeting at Waihola on Tuesday evening. Mr A. Dickson, farmer, occupied the chair. Mr Smith spoke for upwards of two hours, and was heartily applauded throughout ins speech. A number of questions were answered. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr W J. Fallowfield, and seconded by Mr Albert Andrews. A motion of thanks for his address—confidence to be reserved for the ballot box—was lost on a show of hands, only three voting for it, and the motion of thanks and confidence was carried amidst loud applause and cheering. Mr C. R. Smith addressed the electors at Waronui on Tuesday, 24th ult., and received an enthusiastic hearing. He received a vote of thanks. Mr Smith addressed a large fathering at Tokoiti the same evening, whore ho spoke for an hour and a-half, and was loudly applauded throughout. After answering a number of questions, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, amidst loud applause anci cheering. Mr C. R Smith addressed tho electors of Glcnledi and Akatore on Thursday evening, and, considering the very wot night, there were good attendances. Mr Smith received a splendid hearing, and a vote of thanks and confidence at each place. Mr C. R- Smith addressed the. electors at* Taicri Mouth on Friday evening, and, despite the rough and wet night, there was a fair attendance. Mr Smith had a I’-ood reception, and a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded him. Mr Smith also addressed a meeting at Table Hill on Saturday afternoon, where he spoke for an hour and a-half, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. HUTT. WELLINGTON, November 18. Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. opened his campaign at Pctone. Ho regretted the necessity for making a political speech in the midst of tho war The elections should have been postponed. Now Zealand should have followed the lead of England and other countries, where tho Leaders of tho Opposition had boon taken into the confidence of tho Government. The candidate referred to the Local Railways Bill as an

iniquitous measure. The Huntly disaster was a preventable accident. Ho would uphoid free, secular, and compulsory education. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed. 1 Ji'eom Ottb Own Corhespondknt.) WELLINGTON. November 24. The surprise of the election contest hero is the extraordinary amount of support that is being accorded to Mr A. M. Samuel, the Reform candidate for the Hutt seat. Mr Samuel entered the contest quite a stranger in the political world, whereas Mr Wilford has represented the district for years. At the start of the campaign the public thought Mr Wilford would have a walkover, but Mr Samuel’s first meeting was an eye-opener, and his meetings continue to be successful, while he is always well received. The other night he spoke at Pc-tone, the Liberal-Labour stronghold, and the meeting was one of the largest ever held there. At the conclusion of the meeting a motion of thanks to the speaker and confidence in Mr Wilford was proposed, but was cried down, and a vote of thanks to Mr Samuel was carried, after which “He’s a Jolly Good Follow ” was sung. Cheers were given heartily for Mr Massey, and a call for cheers for Sir J. G. Ward met with only a feeble response. KAIPARA. RETIREMENT OF MR FIELD. AUCKLAND, November 25. Mr E. T. Field (Government candidate for Kaipara) has retired from the contest, in favour of Mr J. Gordon Coates. PRIME MINISTER AT WAYERLEY. (Feom Oue Own Correspondent.! WANGANUI, November 29. The Prime Minister continued his tour in Taranaki on Saturday, when he motored from liawera to Waverloy. In the evening he addressed an overflowing audience in the local theatre, Mr R. Macdonald, chairman of the Town Board, presiding. Mr axaesoy was accorded a great reception, and was enthusiastically cheered, both on entering the hall and on rising to speak. He spoke much on the lines of previous addresses, and was frequently applauded throughout. At the conclusion of a two hours’ speech a motion expressing keen appreciation of the actions of the Government in handling the various crises that had arisen during its term of office, and of confidence in the Reform Government, was carried practically unanimously, amidst a demonstration of warm enthusiasm. The meeting, which was a record one for Waverley, broke up with throe cheers for the Prime Minister. THE HON. MR FISHER. SPEECH AT NAPIER. NAPIER, November 30. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher addressed a meeting of over 2000 electors in the Napier Municipal Theatre to-night. The building was packed before 8 o’clock, and 200 or 300 were unable to gain admittance. It was very evident from the start that a section had gone with the intention of interrupting the speaker, who, however, succeeded in obtaining an excellent hearing until near the end, when he was repeatedly counted out. Mr Fisher prefaced his remarks by expressing a hope that whatever party was put into power it would be loyal to the Empire throughout the present crisis. Ho believed that the outlook for the Massey Party was better than ever, and that it would go back stronger than ever. He then proceeded to deal with the allegations made by the Liberal Party regarding the Huntly disaster, quoting the report of the Hunfiy Commission, which he contended cleared the Government from blame. He also referred to the strike, in which he uphold the Government’s action. He touched briefly on the naval policy, contending that New Zealanders would have felt mut’h more secure had the Government’s efforts to get a Bristol cruiser been successful. The Government’s borrowing policy, the amendments introduced into the Pensions Act, the increased salaries paid to teachers and civil servants, and land for settlement questions were also dealt with by the speaker. lie also held that the legislation introduced in regard to the recording of seamen’s votes was a most equitable measure, as it prevented a block vote being recorded in any one district, and that the Bill was, as it s+oofi to-day. n 'rf-ctly fair and legitimate. Touching on the We-tport Harbour Board scandal. Mr Fisher said it was not the duty of tb n public to search the police records in connection with 'everybody who was recommended for appointment, and even if it was ho did not consider that a man who had expiated his offences should ho hounded down. At the conclusion of his address tho Mitrster was accorded a hcartv vote of thanks, although the noisy section among those present raised their voices to a h’gh pitch, there was apparently a good majority in favour of the speaker. Tho meeting terminated wffh loud and repeated cheering. SPEECH AT TAURANGA. TAITRANGA. November 20. An address was delivered by the- Hon. W. 11. Heiries in the Theatre Royal this evening. There was a large attendance, and the Minister received a very attentive hearing. Mr Hcrries dealt with the coming into power of the Reform Party, and referred to the difficulties which the Government had met Considering all that was against tho Government the legislation placed on the Statute Book was a credit to tho Ministers concerned. After the Minister had answered several questions he was accorded a vote of thanks coupled with confidence in the Government. AUCKLAND WEST. AUCKLAND, November 21. Mr T. Graham announces that, Sir Joseph Ward having chosen Mr C. 11. Poole as the Liberal candidate for Auckland West, he will retire, thus leaving a straight-out contest between Messrs Poole and Bradney. THE EDEN SEAT. Mr E. H. Potter has retired from tho Eden electoral contest, with a view to consolidating tho Liberal vote.