THE GENERAL ELECTION

Southland Times, Issue 16888, 13 November 1911, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION

WALLACE. . Last week Mr A. Carmichael had a succcessful week’s campaign, receiving votes of thanks at Thornbury, Waimatuku, Calcium, Drummond, and South Hillend, the' South Hillend vote being one-of confidence as well as thanks. MATAUBA. On Friday evening Mr Anderson addressed a meeting at the Woodlands Hall. Heavy rain commenced to fall shortly before eight o’clock and continued for a considerable time, but notwithstanding the disadvantageous weather conditions some fifty or sixty electors assembled, including several ladies. Mr Anderson spoke on the same lines as, at Mataura*. dealing fully with the legislation affecting the workers and claiming that though the Workers,’ Dwellings Act was of considerable value its good effects were not being realised, as it had not been brought into operation as vigorously as It should have been. Mr J. McKercher presided, and at the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence .was passed on the motion of Mr J. Trotter, seconded by Mr McGill. WAKATZPU. During his speech at Lumsden on Friday, Mr Joseph Stephens took occasion to say that some people were under the impression that npw that Mr Horn had announced his candidature he (Mr Stephens) would retire. That was not so. He had both Irish and Scotch .blood in his veins ; the combination was generally understood to be a good one, and he certainly would not run away at the approach of danger. He would fight to the finish and go to the poll. On Friday evening Mr W. Fraser addressed the electors in the Garston schoolhouse. There was a good attendance, considering the rough weather and the counter attraction of a military, ball at Athol. Mr Fraser's speech was along the same lines as his Waikaka one. At the close of his speech he -was warmly applauded. The audience followed "Mr Fraser in a quiet and interested manner, and they seemed to have lost none of their old confidence in him. There was not a single interruption throughout the whole speech. In answer to a question Mr Fraser expressed himself as a whole-hearted supporter of the present defence system, and spoke at length on the necessity and advantages of training, and highly eulogised Genera! Godley as an efficient, painstaking, and able officer of the Kitchener school. On the motion of the chairman (Mr T. Muirhead) Mr Fraser was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. This was seconded by Mr J. Gordon and carried unanimously.—Own Correspondent. Despite most unfavourable weather conditions, Mr Horn was met by a good number of settlers and others at his Otama and Wendon meetings on Friday and in both instances he received a most attentive hearing from his audience. In moving a very hearty vote of thanks to the speaker at the latter place. Mr Earle, a leading settler, said that he had to thank Mr Horn for a most interesting address. His views were sound and he was possessed of qualifications that would make him an excellent representative and but for the fact that he could not see his way to forsake their old representative he would have had much pleasure in supporting Mr Horn. CLUTHA. Mr Malcolm, M.P. for Clutha, held an Informal meeting at Tokonui on 9th inst., dealing only with practical questions of local interest. He would take up the matter of the unsatisfactory train and postal service and do his best to get a dally train to Tokonui. He was not satisfied that the present system of acquiring Crown lands by ballot was in the best interests of the bona fide settler, as the speculator loomed very large at the ballot. He thought the Government should charge more for the land than bare cost, plus expenses. The candidate drew attention to the fact that trusts were forming in New Zealand. The Colonial Sugar Co. had arranged to give large rebates to buyers of 2000 tons per annum. The effect of this would be to squeeze the smaller merchants. After a pleasant hour’s chat of this description the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr Malcolm. —Own Correspondent. Mr Malcolm. M.P. for Clutha, was in town on Saturday busily engaged in the interests of his constituents. He stated that he had spent the week in the Wal-kawa-Fortrose district, and had returned greatly pleased with his reception. He addressed meetings at Mataura Island, Mokoreta, Niagara, Otara, and Waimahaka, and in _ spite of the wretched weather prevailing ho had good audiences in each place and was accorded votes of thanks and confidence. The electors frequently expressed in very generous terms their appreciation of his services. Ho also met the people informally at Walkawa, Tokonui. and Fortrose, Everywhere he was accorded the most kindly hospitality, Mr Malcolm left for Balclutha in the afternoon.

THE LICENSING- QUESTION. SIR J. FINDLAY’S POSITION. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. Nov. 10. At the conclusion of his address to a meeting of ladies at Remuera this afternoon. Sir John .Findlay was asked whether he was in favour of a reduction in the majority at present required at the licensing polls. Replying, the candidate said he had already stated that as a member of the Government which placed the present Act upon the Statute Book he could not and would .not as a Minister pledge himself to radically alter that measure until the licensing question had been put to the people at the next elections. He repeated that answer now. Since he had made that statement the Leader of the Liberal Party (Sir Joseph Ward) had stated that on any revision of the present proportion he (Sir Joseph Ward) would be in favour of a reduction of the present three-flfths majority to eleven-twentieths. The Prime Minister had also stated that each member of the Ministry was free to express -his own individual view upon this matter. In these circumstances, continued the speaker, he was free to say that he did not approve of any further chopping up of the present proportions, and that in respect of the national prohibition issue he would on any revision of the law strongly support the democratic principle of the bare majority. He would, however, retain the existing majority in respect of local no-license. KB MASSEY’S ACTIVITY. AUCKLAND, November 12. The Leader of the Opposition addressed a meeting of his farmer constituents at Otahuhu on Saturday night. He leaves by the main trunk train to-night, speaking at Eketahuna to-morrow evening, and at Napier on Tuesday. VTAITEMATA BALLOT BOXES. ' AUCKLAND, November 12. The ballot boxes for Waitemata County election, which, the postal authorities contended, should be called for and which the returning officer considered should be sent round to him, are now being delivered, and the, result of the poll will therefore be no longer delayed.