THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 90, 29 November 1911, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

PREMIER AT DAN NEV HIKE

• (Per Press Association. ) Danncvirke, November 28. The Premier addressed an overflowing audience to-night. ’The speech was on the lines of Ins recent addresses. He dealt with a large number of leading topics, and claimed that the policy of the Government was progressive and in the of tne people as a whole. It would he for the electors after hearing him to give their judgment. A section of the audience was hostile, and Sir J oseph Ward was subjected to much interruption. Ho predicted the Government v onld come back stronger than ever.

A motion of thanks and confidence was carried on the voices, although there was considerable dissent.

ONLY UNOPPOSED CANDIDATE

Gisborne, November 23. Sir James Carroll to-day received over three hundred telegrams from all-parts of the Dominion congratulating him on Ids unopposed return to Parliament. A largely attended meeting of natives also met the Native Minister this morning and congratulated him on the honour to himself and to the Dominion by his knighthood. MR. McNAB’S POLICY. Palmerston, November 28. Mr. R. McNab addressed a great meeting at the Opera House for over two hours on Monday night, questious ocupying another half hour. The speaker replied fully to Mr Massey and gave a vigorous address, and at the close was cheered and accorded an almost unanimous vote of confidence as their future member. He enumerated a definite policy, including proportional representation; an Upper House elected by the Lower House; reform of the Arbitration Court, with a president acquainted with the industry instead of a judicial head; right of purchase at present values to L.I.P. tenants; an increase of the graduated tax between ,£30,000 and £60,000 on unimprived value; State to have power to take payment of death duties in land at land tax valuation instead of in money; fidl political rights to all in the State employ. THE MOKAU DEAL. New Plymouth, November In an address at Fit/.roy last night Mr Okey ventilated a now phase of the Mokau land transaction. Included in the he said, was ,5021 acres of Crown lands, awarded to the Crown by the Natiye Land Court in satisfaction of--,a survey lien amounting to £1469. This land, he claimed, should have been offered for public competition, when it would have realised fully 30s per acre, or £7531. But the Government,sold it to tiie company for £1469, and on November 20th the liens on the title were cancelled and the land became the company’s freehold under land transfer title.

MR . McCLIJGGAGE AT TA RIK I

A correspondent writes; Mr J. McClugage met tlie electors at the Taraki Hall last evening and delivered a second address. The hall was well filled, JMr Harkness being voted to the chair. Mr McGlnggage touched on new ground in this address and mentioned that the Reform Party’s attitude on most of the important Bills introduced for the farmers’ benefit was certainly not in keeping with the policy they now advocate, nor was their attitude in sympathy with the measures when they were before the house. He instanced tiro Land for Settlement Bill and the Advances to Settlers Act, which measures the Opposition voted almost solidly against. The Party now own they are good measures and neither of them would be repealed if they were in power. The candidate also mentioned that whilst the Old Age Pensions Bill was going through the House, the Opposition severely opposed it. This was also the case when Sir Joseph Ward introduced the humane amendments to this Act last year, in favour of any widow irrespective of age if she has one or more children of under fourteen years of age. For theis measure alone, ho stated, Sir Joseph deserved the confidence of the people of this Dominion at the polls. At the conclusion of his address Mr McGlnggage was asked and answered satisfactorily .several questions. Ho was thou accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to tne chair terminated the meeting. NOTES BY THE WAY. Mr. J. B. Hine speaks at Dudley Road this evening. Mr. Joseph McGlnggage speaks at Tututawa on Friday evening. Speaking at Xormanby on .'Monday (says” the “Star”),'Sir Joseph Ward referred to criticism that had been levelled against the Government with respect to neglect of old soldiers’ graves. He paid a tribute to the old fighters, and said that £IOOO had been voted to assist in the preservation of old soldiers’ graves; if the Xormanby settlers interested would make application in the proper way they would get a portion of that amount. (Hear, hear.) He agreed that these graves should be kept in good repair. Mr. C. Davies, chairman of the Town Board, stated that word was received on Saturday afternoon that a grant would be given to Xormanby. (Applause.) Acting on medical advice, Mr. A. W. Hogg docs not intfend to address the electors except in the big centres. Mr. ( leorgo Hutchison, Opposition candidate for Wanganui, in a special address to Civil servants, says;—“l recognise that it would be unwise under the present Government for the slightest expression of political opinion to be given by any of you that was not flattering to the pnwerg-th.nl-be. This is an almost intolerable po-

sition, and is, of course, one to he remedied at the earliest possible date.” Whilst handling the present railway system ac his meeting last evening, Air Herdman recalled the state-ment-of tiie Prime Minister that wo would be lucky if wo found as good

railways in tne next world as those in New Zealand. “The Prime Minister,” said Mr. Herdman, I‘overlooked the fact that there are two next worlds. Which one did ho meant” (Laughter.) A correspondent writes:—“The Hon ; f. Mackenzie addressed a large gathering at Okaiawa on Monday night, .Ur. A. Lees was voted to tiie chair. Mr. .Mackenzie received an attentive nearing, there being an entire absence of any interruptions. In reply co questions, Mr. Mackenzie said he-, was in favour cf military training, but thought the men should not bo required to travel several miles for the purpose of instruction. In reference to allowances to certain widows,, he said it was a rule to make a grant to widows of members of Parliament. In reply to a question as to State farms paying handsomely, he said no one expected them to pay handsomely - They were there for the purpose of carrying out experiments, but there was always a small credit balance in connection with them. In reply to one person, Mr. Mackenzie said ho oegan life on a farm, but had followed many different avocations since,, and although he was not following the occupation of farming, yet he considered he was qualified to do so. On tho motion of Mr. F. A. Bremer, seconded by Mr. Walsh, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded tho candidate. The meeting was a very good one.”