GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 95, 5 December 1911, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

REFORM PARTY MANIFESTO. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, December 4. The Leader of the Opposition has issued a manifesto to the electors of the Dominion. Before casting their votes, he asks them to remember that the Reform Party lias submitted a definite, straightforward and progressive policy, whilst the Government has gone to the country with no policy. Fie continues:—

“The Reform Party offers a sound and self-reliant policy, with an -efficient financial administration, as compared with the reckless extravagance and frenzied finance of the Ward Government. The Reform Party would bring about an era of progress in New Zealand, such as is drawing the world’s attention to Canada at the present time. The Reform Party offers a progressive land policy, the truest and best policy in the interests of every man, woman arid child in the Dominion. The Government has no such programme.” In conclusion, Mr Massey says the Reform Party was never more vigorous than it is to-day. Its programme stands out clearly above the fog of abuse and misrepresentation with which its opponents seek to robe it. At last elections its support from the electors was increased enormously. “Throughout the country there is a rising tide of public feeling against the Liberalism of the Ward-Carroll-Findlay Government. I hope and believe that the tide will sweep the present administration aside like useless lumber, and go irresistibly on towards progress, prosperity, reform and opportunity. I ask the people of New Zealand to show their opinion of the Government’s underhand electioneering and abuse and misrepresentation by wiping out the Government majority. If electors believe in stagnation, spurious Liberalism and a system of government by a political despot, let them vote for the Government. On the other hand, if they believe in progress, genuine Liberalism and equal opportunities for all, as I am confident they do, they will vote for the Reform Party.”

AN OPPOSITION RALLY. Wellington, December 4. The Opposition candidates for the four Wellington City seats and the Suburbs seat addressed a crowded and enthusiastic meeting at the Town Hall to-night, under the auspices of the Wellington brand) of the Women’s Reform League. Many people were turned away before tbo first speaker took the platform. A resolution, “That in the opinion of this meeting a change of Government is desirable, and that tbe meeting pledges itself to support the Opposition candidates for Wellington City and Suburbs,” was declared carried by acclamation. HON. NGATA AT ROTORUA. Rotorua, December 4. The Hon. Ngata to-night addressed a large meeting here, trenchantly criticising the natives land policy as set forth by Mr. Harries recently.

THE PREMIER AT WINTON. EIGHT MONTHS’ REVENUE. Wiuton, December 5. Sir Joseph Ward addressed 1500 people here last night. Ho was accorded a hearty reception. He an- | nouuced that for the eight months just ended the revenue was £5.991,860, compared with £5,465,301 for the same period last year. The increases were:—Customs £107.557, stamps £191,711, post and telegraph £10,531, beer duty £2990, railways £534,894, registration fees £13,623, marine £i/23, miscellaneous £18,019, territorial £3006. The Customs revenue for last mouth exceeded that of November last year by £62,000, and for the past eight months it was £126,000, over the estimate, though per head it was now only £2 16s 4d, as against £3 3s 2d in 1907. Sir Joseph Ward criticised the Opposition speeches. He uphold his State note policy, and dealt at length with the Mokau charge. He claimed that under his administration the country had prospered. A motion of thanks and conndence was declared carried.

MR. JOSEPH McCLUGGAGE AT RADNOR ROAD, A correspondent writes :—About thirty electors met Mr. McCluggage at Radnor Road at mid-day yesterday. Mr. Mapp was voted to the chair. The candidate’s address was on similar lines to his previous speeches. In dealing with the land policy of the Liberal Government, Mr. McCluggage showed clearly that the Liberal Government has a land policy, and a very progressive policy, as was proved by these facts. The Liberal Government came into power in 1891. Some 38,000 people were settled on the land of an area of one acre and upwards. In 1911 nearly 80,000 are settled on land of an area of one acre and upwards, showing that, although the population of this country lias increased by over 40 per cent, during the last twenty years, land settlement has increased by over 100 per cent. No country in the world of the same size as New Zealand can show such excellent results, due in a great measure to the assistance given to settlers by the Liberal’Government. Mr. McCluggage received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and the usual compliment to the chairman terminated an excellent meeting.

MR. HINE AT TE WERA. A Te Wera correspondent writes :-v----“Thero was a large gathering at Mr. Hine’s meeting last night. He had a very good-humoured audience. Mr. O’Neill was proposed for the chair, but declined, in justice to Mr. Hine, as he was not a supporter, after which Mr. Turkington was voted to the chair. His speech was on the usual lines. He was heckled and criticised fairly severely by Messrs. Diggins, O’Neill, Stewart, and Flynn. The candidate received a hearty vote of thanks. The meeting terminated with three cheers for Mr. McCluggage.”