ELECTION NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18756, 17 December 1919, Page 6

ELECTION NOTES

‘T have always said that it would be better if we could abolish party,” declared Mr E. P. Rishworth emphatically' at Petone, “We don’t want men full of selfish ambition with the lust for power and leadership. . . . The one thing Mr Wilford is after is the leadership of the Parliament of New Zealand (cries of ‘He will not get it’). He has not hesitated to quote that aspiration under all circumstances.”

“There is insurance against death and accident. Why not insurance against sickness? I am one who thinks that an active war should be waged against ill-health and disease,” said Dr Newman at Wellington. In the old days New Zealand was regarded as a health resort, and consumptives were allowed to come in freely' and spread the disease. They had to fight it hard, and as the result the deaths from consumption once 18 in 10,000 were reduced to 14, then to 10, 8, 7, and were now 64 per 10,000, and in a few years he hoped the disease would be stamped out altogether in New Zealand (applause). "Typhoid was once prevalent in Wellington, but it had been stamped out, thanks to an excellent system of drainage. They should now make a crusade against cancer, which, if tackled in earnest, could be reduced as were consumption and typhoid. (Hear, hear.)”

“In Wellington Central there are two candidates, and I venture to say that the Reformer who docs not cast his vote for Mr Pirani is not doing his duty to his country,” said Mr €. P. Skerrett at the Welfare League meeting. “In Wellington South there is a gallant soldier, Lieut.Colonel Mitchell, opposing Mr R. Semple. I say that no man, whatever his political opinions, will be doing his duty, if he is not a Red Fed, unless he votes early for Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell.” (Applause).

Whatever his opponents may say about his policy there is general agreement among all who have watched the election campaign that Mr Massey has a command over public meetings such as no other man in New Zealand possesses. This is due in no small measure to his good humour and imperturbability. As long as be is receiving a fair hearing the Prime Minister docs not object to interjections, indeed, he appears to welcome them and scores many of his best points off them. But if, as has happened •occasionally, Mr Massey encounters an organised attempt at interruption he shows that he is as determined as his opponents, and succeeds in maintaining his right of free speech. The single exception was the Christchurch meeting, and there Mr Massey had not a ghost of a chance even to commence his speech. If he had, the gathering might have proved as amenable to reason as those he has. addressed in Auckland during the past week. —Mercutio in the New Zealand Herald.

Lieut.-Colonel Mijfchell, who is standing as an Independent'candidate, has been subjected to a great deal of misrepresentation, chiefly by' innuendo and suggestion on the part of his opponents. At his Brooklyn meeting he dealt with some of these attempts to mislead the electors and made a vigorous declaration of independence of all party or other pledges than those given from the public platform. His opponents, he said, were making persistent efforts to ally him with the Reform Party’ and with the Protestant Political Association. He desired to reiterate that he was pledged to no party whatever, but was absolutely free and independent. . . . He was paying his own expenses. As regards the P.P.A. he had written to that organisation some time ago to the effect that while, he had no desire to insult the association, he wished to emphasise the fact that he was not associated with it or pledged in any' way to it. He had {minted out that the fight was above self, sect or party. That was his mew and that was his position. ..... He had bad many Catholics amongst his friends at the fpont. “They fought under the same Bag as me—and it was not the Red flag” said Colonel Mitchell, amid applause. “Some j people are trying now to make me insult these dear comrades through their religion, j.... I am determined to keep religion absolutely clear of political strife.”— (Cheers).

“Some people appear to imagine that when a Minister of the Crown prepares a Bill for Parliament, he wraps a wet towel round his head and sits down at his desk and writes for three or four days,,” remarked Mr Massey in his speech at Auckland. “That is not so. He consults an officer of the Crown Law Office, and often an hour's talk is sufficient for an intelligent draftsman to get the information to prepare the draft. Any intelligent man can do it. Vou will find that Mina Melville, the coming member for Grey Lynn, will be an adept at that sort of thing in three months.” (Applause).

In an electorate not 25 miles from Wellington a Liberal candidate had freely announced his intention of addressing a meeting, and swerved not from that fell intention. At 8.15 pjn. there were two people present, and the candidate, determined to “deliver the goods,” asked one to take the chair, whilst the other officiated as the audience. After the address, the “audience” moved a hearty vote of thanks to the candidate for, his interesting speech, and expressed the fullest confidence in his ability tq represent the district in Parliament—eo the “supplied” report to the papers said.—Dominion.

At Milton on Monday night Sir James Allen effectively dealt with the suggestion that the Government was not sufficiently active in connection with the repatriation of soldiers, by quoting the figures which summarised what had been accomplished up to November 30 last. »Up to that time a total of 4141 soldiers had been placed on rural land, of a total area of 1,394,000 acres, 3672 soldiers had been assisted in acquiring and erecting dwellings, another hundred had received assistance in stocking and improving their own freehold lands, an area of over 119,000 acres was available for immediate selection, and another 696,000 acres was available, suitable for selection, but not yet ready for offering; 62 private estates, comprising 185,000 acres are being prepared for selection by soldiers, and a subdivision of 170 estates has provided 1126 holdings under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act; a total of £8,130,000 had been authorised for the purchase of lands, the discharge of mortgages and for the purchase of stock and dwellings and general improvements. Adding to this the sum of £3,964;000, which was the approximate cost of buying 232 properties under the Lands for Settlement Act, there was a total of £12,095,000 devoted to the repatriation of soldiers. He thought this would completely dissipate the idle talk about the Minister of Lands not doing his duty in settling soldiers.