GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 74, 10 November 1911, Page 4

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE WRITS

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington' - November 9. Writs for the general election will probably be issued bn'November,' : 2t), nominations closing at nobn on 'November 27, ten days before the polling day (December 7). Under an amendment of the electoral law, no candidate can withdraw after nomination day. In the old days a candidate could Withdraw three days after nomination day. This greatly hampared tlic printing of ballot papers. THE PREMIER. Invercargill, November 9. Sir Joseph Ward visited various parts of his, electorate to-day and addressed five meetings, at all of which lie was well received and was tender cd votes of thanks and confidence. SIR JOSEPH WARD PROTESTS. Wellington, November 9. The' Prime Minister protests against the inference which may be drawn from the wording of an Invercargill telegram last night respecting the election of his opponent, Mr Hamilton, to the Southland County Council. Sir J. G. Ward says: “First, I have taken no part whatever in County Councils elections; secondly, a number ol my most active supporters throughout the district were, with my own knowledge, actively helping Mr Hamilton’s return to the County Council.” He considers the message is an attempt to unfairly convey a wrong position to the people of'the country concerning this election. Mr Hamilton’s return has no significance whatever regarding the general election. “On the contrary,” says the Premier, “everywhere I have been in Southland the most active and enthusiastic support is being extended to me, and by a large number of those who voted for Mr Hamilton at the County Council election.” ANOTHER EVANGEL.

MU WILFOUD DONS THE MANTLE Wellington, November 10. Mr Wilt'ord addressed the Hutt electors at Petono last night. Ho put forward a personal platform, comprising twenty-four plants, the most noteworthy of winch 'were the aconirenvtf.t by the Crown of the oil and iron fields of the Dominion, inauguration of insurance for unemployed and sickness, a white New Zealand, election of Education Boards under municipal franchise, establishment of a mint, Board of Railway Management to replace general managership, a number of other planks relating to railways, arbitration, etc. Mr Wilford was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and the meeting closed with cheers for him.

THE OROUA SEAT. Feilding, November 10. Mr. 1). H. Op position c<indidate for Orona, spoko last night. He criticised tlia Government policy, legislation, and administration, and said Air. Fowlds’ resignation was a further sign of disintegration. The public debt was CBO 1 Is per head, which was higher than the Commonwealth. He condemned the co-opera-tive workers’ system as a waste, of money. He traversed the five million loan. The taxation had increased under the Ward Covernment from seven millions in 1 DOG-7 to nine millions in 15)10-11. The candidate favoured the freehold for all tenants. He condemned tiie native land policy, and supported the whole Opposition platform.

THE OTAKI SEAT. Levin, November 10. Mr. Moncton, the official Reform Party’s candidate for Otaki electorate, addressed a meeting at Levin last night. He declared that Sir Joseph Ward’s scheme of taxation was direr) rd against !he fanner, indnslrinns working men. and mechanic. He contended that although Sir dames Carroll at Levin this week had pleaded

the cause of the Maori witli all the natural and specious eloquence of that hardly-treated and downtrodden race, the race was pampered at the European’s expense. He asserted that that natives received in rents from Europeans enough money to yield incomes of £l5O per annum for every Maori man, woman and child. Referring- Lo the New Zealand Shipping Company's manager’s letter stating that the Government had not paid Suez Canal dues (£2100) to divert the Ruapehu’s route on the occasion of Sir Joseph Ward’s return, Mr. Monckton asserted that ho never said so, but now asked who recouped the company for having paid the clues? The candidate received a vote of thanks and confidence." MR HIKE’S CAMPAIGN'. A correspondent writes;—“Despite the fact that it was raining in torrents on Thursday night, between twenty and thirty settlors, and two or tlirco ladies, braved the elements and turned up at the Lincoln Road school to hoar Mr Hine’s political views, which were listened to with great interest. After the address, a number of questions were asked; after which Mr t). M. Boldt moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Hine for his interesting and instructive address, with renewed confidence in him as their member. This motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr J. Harewood concluded the meeting. A very strong committee is working in the district to further Mr Hine’s candidature.

MR. JOSEPH MG.GLUGGAGE’S CAMPAIGN.

A correspondent writes :—On Tuesday evening Mr McCluggage addressed a largely attended meeting of the railway men at Ngatimarn, several ladies also being present. Mr Stephen was voted to the chair. Mr McCluggage spoke on similar lines to his Stratford speech and also dealt fully with the “Reform Party” programme, (die candidate severely criticised the Party as being lop-sided when dealing with the Government or Government supporters, and said they were not capable of treating the Ministry in a fair manner. Mr McCluggage instanced the case of Mr H. D. Bell, of Wellington, when lie was Crown Prosecutor. On Mr Bell entering Parliament did 1m resign the official position lie held with the Crown? Certainly not! He simply transferred the position to his partner. If this had happened with Sir John Findlay what a howl would have gone up from tho “Reform Party.” If any person, happened to be a Government supporter, and took a £5 note for any duty rendered to the tSate, no matter, if ,tho service rendered was worth many times the amount paid, the Opposition Party would immediately, charge tho Government with corruption. Continuing, Mr McCluggage asked his hearers who was it that ruined the Bank of New Zealand, and .brought disaster to hundreds of 'homes, and nearly wrecked thousands' of other businesses in this country? : 'Why, no one hut this so-called “Reform Party,” and do, Non find the Liberal leaders going , Pound. the country . denouncing these men?. They prefer to give the people politics. Mr McCluggage (of whom no man in New Zealand has a greater grip, of our kind laws) dealt exhaustively with the bind proposals of the Liberal Party, and showed that when these proposals were law, which they would, be next session, every workman in Now Zealand who wanted land would be able to get it. _ Under the scheme proposed by Sir Joseph Ward, men would lie able to acquire land without capital, and be independent in eight' or ten years, and rear a family as well. At the conclusion of his address the candidate was warmly chdered and the following resolution'was carried: “That this meeting accords the candidate a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the Ward; Government.” All present then formed themselves into a committee to further Mr McCluggage’s candidature.