POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 58, 4 November 1914, Page 7

POLITICAL.

(From a Correspondent.)

Uu Saturday evening at Strathmore, and Monday evening at Te Wera, Mr W. H. Hawkins, Liberal candidate, delivered political addresses to large and enthusiastic audiences, holding electors’ keen attention from start to finish. A number of electors who had heard the candidate at Strathmore and other places travelled to Te Wera to hear him again on Monday evening. Mr Hawkins dealt with a> great variety of subjects, and at both meetings succeeded in drawing the lire of one or two opponents. The honors of tho interjections, however, always rested with tho speaker, and the several passages at arms were keenly enjoyed by the audience. Having good humoredly but effectually silenced his opponent, the speaker, with the exception of applause, received no further interruption. At Te Wera mooting on Monday evening a few very warm interchanges passed between', the candidate and a non-resident of the district because of an insulting reference made to Sir Joseph Ward. Mr Hawkins very* warmly resented the insult, and gave the- iusulter such a castigation that will make him think twice before he outers for a similar contest. Needless to say, the audience applauded the candidate with great gusto. At the conclusion of the address questions were dealt with, and a vote of thanks and confidence in tho candidate and the Liberal Party was carried practically unanimously, there being but one “No” sounded. Mr O’Neil presided at Te Wera and Mr Lockwood at Stratlunoro.

Mr William Skinner, who was announced as a candidate for Waitaki in the Liberal interests, has decided to retire in favor of Mr Anstey.

Sir W. C. Buchanan opened his election campaign last night. After recounting what tho present Government had done, he expressed himself strongly in favor of a graduated land tax and a Local Government Railways Bill, to enable any district to borrow money and build its own railways. He received a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr W. A. Bodkin, Liberal candidate for Otago Central, addressed a good meeting at Alexandra on Monday night. The speech almost entirely consisted of adverse criticism of the Massey Government, and eulogy of tho Liberal Administration of the past twenty years. He dealt severely with the Massey Land Bill, and alleged that it was intended to benefit capitalists. He condemned the actions of the Government at the outbreak of the war, stating that their failure to put on a war tax at once was due to the desire to get as much as possible from the people by subscription, and save the pockets of the wealthy. A vote of thanks and cofidence was carried unanimously.