GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 86, 24 November 1911, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE PREMIER OX THE WARPATH.

IX FRAXKLYX ELECTOKATE. ('Per Press Association.) Waiuku, November 23. Til a Premier visited Franklin electorate to-cla.\, ami received a cordial welcome from ‘ the settlers at the tCUM’Silip. Replying to the representations for the need of a branch railway from Waiuku, Sir Joseph Ward declared the Government would continue norrowing money to enable it to prosecute vigorously roads, bridges, and railways conSiiuciinn demanded by legitimate requirements of settlors, nor would it no deterred by the attempts of its opponents to employ that policy as a means of getting tno Government out of oiiice. This evening Sir Joseph Ward addressed a meeting of nearly oUU persons, his speech following the lines of that given at Taumarunni. Tiie audience accorded him a warm reception and most attentive hearing, without any interruptions or hostile demonstration. Reference was made tiy cur Joseph to a statement by Mr. Massey at Palmerston North on Wednesday evening, that he had boon invited to join a coalition Ministry. When tne subject was discussed in Parliament, Mr. Massey definitely stated that he had not received any communication upon tlie subject of coalition from any member of the Ministry. To Mr. Massey’s statement at Palmerston he gave an unqualiiicd denial, as he had given to the statement of Mr. James Allen, who was the first to make this assertion. Since the House rose he had received a letter from a leading supporter of the Opposition, who stated that a munher of members of the Opposition, believing that coalition would bo a good riling, had endeavoured to persuade Mr. Massey to agree to a proposal. This letter threw a good deal of light upon the subject, and he intended to publish it as soon as ho returned to Wellington. Replying to the statement of Mr. Wright, in Wellington, Sir Joseph Ward again declared ho had no intention of accepting the High Comraissionership. Apparently with the object of gaining a few’ votes, the Leader of the Opposition was endeavouring to find a parallel between the Lanrier Government and the Ward Government, and forecasted the defeat of the latter. The comparison was an illustration of the extraordinary efforts that were being made by Mr. Massey and his friends to make capital at the expense of the Government. Sir Joseph Ward explained that the defeat of the Canadian Government was due to its policy on the defence question, and its proposal for a reciprocal treaty with the United States of America. The British and Frcncli-Canadian sections had disagreed upon the important question of Imperial defence, a position that could never arise in New Zealand, where the was no racial distinction. The Prime Minister .was accorded thanks and continued confidence in the Government, an amendment being defeated by a very large, majority, and the original motion carried with a considerable show of enthusiasm. In acknowledging the vote tire Prime Minister said that there had been no pre-arrangement ’in connection with the mooting, and he accepted the resolution as an indication of the feeling of the electors of the district. Cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward, and Miss Ward. MR. MASSEY’S MOVEMENTS. Taumarunni, November 23. Mr. Massey, who was announced to speak here to-night in reply to the speech doliverel last evening by the Prime Minister, but this afternoon a telegram was received from the Leader of the Opposition at Taihape, stating that owing to a misunderstanding as to the time of the starting of his train from Marten he regretted that lie could not reach there this evening. Mr. ’.Massey stated that lie would speak here next week. Mr. C. K. Wilson, the Opposition candidate for the Taumarunni seat, who had been announced to speak in conjunction with Mr. Massey, thus had the platform to himself. He had a largely attended meeting, which was presided over by the Mayor (Mr Mackrow). He explained the policy of the Opposition at length, and at the close of his speech received a hearty vote of thanks, a. motion expressing confidence was withdrawn at Mr. Wilson’s request, he stating that the ballot-box was the proper place for expressing confidence. THE INVERCARGILL SEAT. Invercargill, November 23. Mr. H anan addressed his first mooting in the Theatre to-night, the building lining more than crowded. The speaker got a good hearing. He stated that Ids choice was not between the Government and a better Government, but between the Government and the Opposition, and he supported the Government. He was a radical. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried amidst cheers. MR. PUNE AT RATAPIKO. A correspondent writes: —On the way out to Ratapiko on Wednesday evening Mr. Hine practically gave up all hope of being aide to hold a meeting on account of the weather, as one could hardly expect farmers to come out on such a night, but to bis surprise when he arrived at the school it was found that nearly thirty persons had turned out including several ladies who apparently were interested enough in the political questions of the day to brave the elements. The chairman in introducing Mr Hine paid him a very high tribute for the manner in which* ho had carried out his duties whilst a member of Parliament, and on rising, Mr. Hine was greeted with applause. His speech was on similiar lines as those already given and was listened to most attentively. At the close of the address a number of questions were asked and answered to the satisfaction of all present. On the motion of Mr. Pointou seconded by Mr. Anderson a hearty vote of thanks and renewed confidence was carried unamiously, and the usual vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. MR. AicCLUGGAGE AT TOKO ROAD. A correspondent writes: Last eyeing Mr McCluggage addressed the electors at the Toko Road Hall. There was a very good attendance some sixty electors being present. Mr T. E. Boeock occupied the chair and introduced ,the candidate to the audience, to most of whom, however, he was well known. Air McCluggage dealt exhaustively with most of the loading political questions of the day, and Ids address proved very instructive as well as interesting. In dealing with the land laws of the Dominion it Is noteworthy that the candidal:' received the greatest attention 1 at the hands of his hearers. His

long experience as a member of, tho Taranaki Land Board qualifies him to speak authoritatively on tho land laws cf this country. Air McCluggage gives much useful information to his back country audiences on tho many land tenures at the disposal of intend- . ing settlers, and at last night’s meeting the audience clearly showed their appreciation of tho masterly manner in which ho defined tho various tenures under which settlers could obtain land. At the conclusion of his address Mr W. Donaldson moved and Mr E. Doran seconded a hearty vote of thanks to the candidate for his able address and confidence in the present Ward Administration, which was carried with cheers. The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. NOTES BY THE AVAY. ‘T notice,” said Sir Joseph Ward to a Christchurch interviewer “that there has been a very marked absence of information sent through tho Press Association concerning some of tho more important receptions extended to mo uy the public, as well is regarding my views upon important matters that have been referred to by tho Leader of the Opposition, and to which I replied. I find in some instances that no illusion lias been made to what 1 have stated concerning those, matters. I feel quite confident notwithstanding the attempt made to create impressions to the contrary, that in the South the Government is going to more than hold its own at the forthcoming General Elections.