GERERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 93, 2 December 1911, Page 5

GERERAL ELECTIONS.

MR MASSEY AT PARNELL

(Per Press Association.! Auckland, December 1

The Leader of the Opposition addressed a most enthusiastic meeting at Remuera to-night. There were about 600 present. Mr Massey replied to Sir J. G. Findlay, and pointed out the inconsistency of Sir J. G. Findlay’s platform with that of the Ward ‘Government five years ago. A vote of thank's and confidence was carried, almost without dissent, followed by cheers for Messrs Massey and, Dickson.

ACTION FOR ALLEGED LIBEL

Wanganui, December 1

In the course of his speech to-night Mr W. A. Veitch, Labour candidate for the Wanganui seat, and ex-presi-dent of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, said that he had instructed his solicitors to issue a writ claiming £5Ol damages from Martin Leo for alleged slander. He said Leo had charged him with taking six days’ travelling expanses to which ho was not entitled. Mr K. Veitch further offered to give £IOO to the Wanganui Hospital if it icould bo proved that he had wrongly taken one penny of the society’s funds.

THE PREMIER AT MILTON

Milton, December 1

The Prime Minister addressed a very large meeting to-night, many people being unable to gain admission, in ilio course of a lengthy speech, he dealt vigorously with Mr Massey’s statement that the people of Now Zealand could safely borrow’ three or four millions a year. He said he was dead against the Government borrowing liny such amount, as, in Ins opinion, it would, not be right for the Dominion to do so. 'He would not allow the country to be carried off its feet by the pressure of members of Parliament. At the close of his address the Prime Minister w r as accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, only a .few persons voting against the motion. SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT. Wellington, December 1.. Following are the nominations for the Southern Maori seat: Tiemi Hipi, farmer, Puketeraki; Tame Parata, interpreter, Wellington; Tahuaroa Kc ira Watson, farmer, Wairau; Teone Matapura Krihana, interpreter, Puketeraki ; John Hopere Uru, farmer, Tuahiwi. • The nomination of Taniora Love, Picton, was disallowed owing to it being unaccompanied by deposit. SIR JAMES CARROLL. Gisborne, December 1. Sir James Carroll addressed about 1200 people in His Majesty’s Theatre this evening. In regard to native lands, he referred to legislation introduced. by the Government to deal with this question, and said that the Opposition advocated individualisation, but this was impossible iii many cases, and they had provided for an incorporation policy to deal in the land. While the Native Land Courts ( were individualising the lands daily it. could rot be said that the Opposition were inaugurating a new policy in that jpf individualisation. The Opposition, with the exception of Mr Henries, he said, did not understand the Native Land Acts. Hh ipl'edicted that‘ within three or less than four years there would be no native land settlement question. To-day there were over four million acres of Maori land under profitable occupation, and paying taxes, and 3,000,000 acres left unallotted, but there w r as only about one million acres of waste native lands. Of the three millions referred to, the greater proportion was unsuited for occupation and when he went over the native land question it did not seem such a bugbear as the Opposition represented. : Furthermore, the policy was being pushed on, and last year 345,000 acres were brought into profitable occupation, and he hoped to put in a good record next year. He defended the Government’s borrowing policy, and showed, how, although the Ward Administration was responsible for adding oyer 18 millions to the debt of the Dominion during the past five years, over 15 millions of this was reproductive and assisted settlement. He defended the Dreadnought gift, and said that when it came up for ratification not one Opposition member objected to it. Their humanitarian legislation, he said, was of the foremost in the world, and the Liberal Government was trying to ameliorate the conditions of all classes, so as to even up the wholj and have their wise administration felt all round.

The Hon. A. T. Ngata, who was present, thanked the people for the cor faience placed in him.

MAORI NOMINATIONS

Wellington, Decemher 2,

Following are tlio nominations for the Northern Maori seats: —To Rangihiroa, John Moetara, Horni Te Paa, Hnirua Tito, Rcihana Netana, Wirimii TuaurijKowhai Eru,lhaka, Raapo, Timoti Jahipi, Kaka Porowini, Herepete Rapihana, Wiri Nelma; Western Maori: Hcnare Kaihau, Maui Pomare, Pepene' Eke tone, Ngarangi Taingamawa, Pomare Hetaraka.

THE MOKAIJ CASE

New Plymouth, December 2

Speaking at Westown last night, Mr Okcy returned to the charge that the Government sold 5000 acres of Crown lands comprised in the Mokau block privately to the syndicate at one-fifth of its true value. He quoted the committee’s report, showing that the land was allocated to the Crown in 190(5 in satisfaction of a survey lien and drew attention to the Premier’s statement that this allocation was not cancelled untl October last, or two months after Findlay, Dal/iiell and Co. had paid the Department for the land. MR HINE’S CAMPAIGN. A correspondent writes : —Mr Hine addressed about 40 electors at the Pembroke Road school on Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock, and was listened to with great interest. As on previous occasions he dealt with the various political questions of the day, and at the close of the address was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and renewed confidence, and the meeting also wished to express the esteem in which they held the candidate. _ The motion was carried almost unanimously, only three or four voting against the motion.

At Waitui the same evening the schoolroom was too small to comfortably hold the audience, and as on previous occasions Mr Hine was accorded a very attentive hearing, and at the close of the address the following motion was carried with cheers: “That this meeting thanks Mr Hine for his interesting address, and desires to express its thanks to him for so ably representing them in Parliament and also has every confidence in him for the future.” 'The usual vote to the chair brought a most successful meeting to a close.

MR. McCLUGGAGE’S CAMPAIGN

A correspondent writes:—Some fifteen or twenty settlers gathered at the Tututau.• Hall vestirdav at noon to 11 •;:,Mr MfUluggage gu- a political speech. Mr Theobald occupied the chair. The candidate was given a very courteous hearing and at the conclusion was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. In the evening Mr McCluggage spoke at Pnniwhakau and had a large and enthusiastic audience. Mr M. Foley occupied the chair. Mr McCluggage spoke on the great importance to the farmer of getting the back country sufficiently opened up with good roads and bridges and said that if returned he would make thl. question the most prominent in his political platform. The opening up of our back country would not only bring prosperity to the farmers but would also react beneficially to the towns. His remarks were heartily applauded. In dealing with the humanitarian legislation passed by the Government Mr McCluggage said that it elected he would urge on the Government the reserving of blocks of land all through the back country, the rents from same to go towards | providing dim qualified _ nurses for oack country settler;. This, he sai I. should receive the earnest consideration of the Government.

There is no doubt that Mr McCluggage has made a great many political friends in the .country by iris active advocacy and warm hearted nipport of anything which would benefit the settlers who reside away back in the country. Last night’s meeting showed clearly that in this particular Mr McCluggage lias the entire sympathy of the audience.

At the conclusion of his address several questions were asked and answered satisfactorily, and the candidate received a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the Ward Government. NOTES BY THE WAY. An attempt is being made in certain quarters to damage the candidature of Mr. A. W. Hogg by making it to appear that his healtn is sp broken tiiat it would be impossible for him to do justice to either himself or the electorate were he again returned to Parliament. Such an attempt is unworthy of those who make it. So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Hogg is making steady progress towards recovery, and he is intellectually as vigorous as ever.—“Wairarapa Age.” Mr. O’Dea, writes a correspondent of the “Patea County Press,” addressed the electors at Papaiti on Friday night, Mr. N. G. Robertson presiding. The candidate again challenged Mr. Pearce over his national debt figures, and said he hoped that this time Mr. Pearce would face the music. Mr. Pearce had stated at Kai Iwi that he was quoting the last Budget figures when ho said that the interest per head had increased to £2 18s 3|d. Mr. O’Dea said that this was absolutely incorrect, and if his opponent could prove his statement he (Mr. O’Dea) was prepared as before to retire from the contest provided Mr. Pearce did likewise if he were unable.