THE ELECTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS

CANDIDATES’ ADDRESSES THE INVERCARGILL SEAT SIR JOSEPH WARD’S CAMPAIGN. Sir Joseph Ward addressed an enthusiastic meeting of over 200 electors in the Tisbury Hall last night, Mr W. McClftsney being in the chair. Sir Joseph spoke at length on various political matters, his speech being punctuated with frequent outbursts of applause At the close of the address Mr G. R. Scott moved a vote of thanks and confidence in the speaker, the motion being carried unanimously. Three cheers were also accorded Sir Joseph, and the meeting concluded with the crowd singing “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.” INVERCARGILL SEAT. MR. HARGEST AT GEORGETOWN. AN ANSWER TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. Mr James Hargest addressed a very enthusiastic meeting of electors at Mr Andrew Bain’s residence, Georgetown, yesterday evening, Mr T. Daniel presiding over an attendance of about fifty. Replying to a statement by Sir Joseph Ward to the effect that he was attacking him in an ungentlemanly manner, Mr Hargest said that he would repeat what he had said before so that there could be no doubt in the minds of his audience what he actually said. “I respect Sir Joseph Ward,” said Mr Hargest, “for his long service to the country and I respect him as a man. Ido not desire to criticise him personally in any way, but I am entitled to criticise him politically. What I said I repeat and it is this: I consider that his usefulness to the country has diminished and in verification of this I point to his two statements on the War Debt and the financing of his railway schemes. I refer to this because there is a danger that Sir Joseph Ward in alleging that I am treating him unfairly is diverting the public attention from the real issue; in my criticism of those two statements I have done nothing unfair, nothing ungentlemanly and I do propose to discuss that aspect of the matter further, because the issues between Sir Joseph Ward and myself are political, not personal and I do not desire to beg or to reject sympathy on personal grounds. “Mr Hickey has been good to refer to me and to state that like all green horns — that was the term he used, I think—l used a speech prepared for me in Wellington. All I can say is that if Mr Hickey will not take my word I will let him look at my notes, prepared by myself an ad either typed or dictated by myself. I probably got much less from Wellington than Mr Hickey, whose speech bears a dose family resemblance to others delivered by. Labour candidates. I am informed that this is a well-worn method of attacking men who are standing for the first time. Mr Hickey has had long experience on the stump, his name is wellknown in New Zealand, better than the man though in an entirely different way. I don’t think I need say any more on that score.” (Applause).

Mr Hargest then went on to deal with current political issues on the lines of his other speeches, receiving an attentive hearing and at the conclusion of his address he was unanimously accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. On the motion of Mr Hargest a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bain for the use of his bouse was carried by acclamation.

During the lunch hour yesterday Mr Hargest addressed the Workshop’s employees. There was a good attendance and the audience though critical was good natured. At the close of his address the candidate was asked and answered a number of questions, after w'hich he was applauded, by some voices calling out, “Come again, we’d like to hear more of you.” AWARUA SEAT. MR PERRELLE’S CAMPAIGN. Mr P. de la Perrelle, National candidate, addressed a large number of electors at Half-Moon Bay on Thursday, between the arrival and departure of the tug. Mr Eade, Chairman of the Stewart Island County Council, occupied the chair. In moving the customary vote, Mr J. W. Thomson said Mr Perrelle’s speech was instructive and straightforward. The motion was seconded by Mr T. Widdowson, and carried by acclamation. At North Forest Hill there was a good attendance. Mr F. Frew occupied the chair, and spoke in praise of Mr Perrelle’s work for the electorate. A vote of thanks and confidence was unanimously carried on the motion of Messrs D. Birss and F. Butler. At Makarewa the same evening, there was a very large attendance. Mr W. Taylor occupied the chair. At the conclusion of his address, Mr Perrelle was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Messrs Maloney, senior, and W. Spencer. . MR J. R. HAMILTON AT DRUMMOND. The Government candidate for Awarua (Mr J. R. Hamilton) addressed a meeting at Drummond on Thursday night, with Mr J. Lillico in the chair. He was listened to with interest, and at the conclusion received a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr A. Lindsay and Mr A. Roby. Later on the same evening Mr Hamilton spoke at Oreti. The hall was well filled. In his remarks as chairman, Mr James Findlay said that at this critical time in politics everyone should give his most serious attention to the views of the candidates and consider the interests of their country. Mr Hamilton gave a spirited address and received a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr J. D. Campbell and Air T. A. Smith.