ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12588, 19 October 1911, Page 5

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

(Per Press Association.)

..PALMERSTON N., this day. The election opened here last night, wheiv Mr. Wm. Thompson, Independent Oppositionist, addressed 'the electors. H e claimed that the old'- Tory party was done with* but he said there, were many kinds .pi Liberals, adding that if Mr' Seddon could - spend ohe day m New Zealand to-day he would spend ,it hi denouncing what his successor had dpne... He attacked the Magistracy, .claiming that it was dependent on the will of the Government. He denounced tlie defence scheme as oonscription, and that before very long it would be costing the country a million. He claimed that while we were building forts we had ript a gun m the country that would fire three or four miles. ' He opposed prohibition, but said the time was coming when \they Avould drive the tied house and . brewers' monopoly put pf the country and bring m a Fair Rent Bill to apply to hotels. On the education question he advocated full tuition, primary, secondary and university. At the conclusion of-liis speech he was accorded a vote of thanks.

WELLINGTON, last night. In the House of Representatives Mr W. F. Massey read a telegram he had received from the Rev. 11. S. Gray, of Christchip-qhj as follows: — "Protest strongly Against Government attempt to retain over thousand names on each electoral roll pf .persons not found m district as result of electoral census, and subsequently not found by registered letter. Dirty rolls a positive danger; .door wide 'open for impersonation."

Mi- Massey asked M r hat steps were being taken tp remedy the difficulty stated m the telegram. Sir Joseph Ward replied that. he had given definite instructions to registrars that the names of, those persons who were not entitled to vote should be removed from the rolls. The Rev. Mr Gray's statement was contrary to fact. Mr L. M. Isitt said he was aware of an instance where the name of a' dead man had been restored to the rolls. Mr Gray's telegram suggested that the registrars were still, dubious as to what they should do.

Sir Joseph Ward promised to repeat his instructions, making them clear.