POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 138, 3 August 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, August 2. The returning officer lias been very busy to-day receiving applications for enrolment for the Christchurch North electoral roll. The old roll has on it 7925 names, and it is anticipated that tire supplementary roll already contains about 2300 names. A meeting of the supporters of Mr. J. D. Hall, candidate for the (Jiristchurcli North seat, was bold i-i-nignt, and briefly addressed by the candidate, who stated ho was in favour of financial reform, closer settlem nit of lands of the Dominion, settlors being put on under leasehold system with option of freehold. He also favomed a Civil Service Board to contnl appointments to the Civil Service, the settlement of native lands,, compulsory military training, and a commission to enquire into industrial matters. A motion was passed expressing the meeting’s confidence in Mr. Hall, and pledging to do its utmost to secure his return. An executive and other committees wore set up. THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN. Wellington, August 2. Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, will address a meeting at Masterton on Saturday week and one at Pahiatua on the Monday following. Mr. Wilford suggests that the Goiornmont should confer with the Admiralty as to the suitability of Queen Charlotte Sound as ii naval base. Mr. Fisher asks whether the Minister of Railways will make his promised statement on the alleged continuance of the espionage system on the southern railways. Mr. Russell has urged the Government to announce the now electoral boundaries as soon as they are fixed, without waiting for the maps to be printed. Mr. Arnold lias filed a petition from the Railway Officers’ Institute, asking for increased wages and better conditions in the first division. Tho allegation that New Zealanders often pay more for their produce retail than is paid for it in tho retail shops of London is the inspiration of a motion by Mr. Russell for a return showing tho wholesale value in London of produce exported from the Dominion during May, June, and July, and tho retail value of the same produce in New Zealand during tho same months.

In pursuance of tho promise made by the Government at the end of last session, “Hansard” will now and in future bo printed in type si-.no what larger than that hitherto used. The change is the result, mainly, of complaints made by members, who found their, eyesight suffering'through pouring too closely over the official record of their own and one another’s speeches. Though the type will be larger it is not expected that the bulk of “Hansard” will bo materially increased. as it is proposed to lengthen the columns a little, and so avoid the necessity of adding more pages, says the “N.Z. Times.’