POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 62, 9 November 1914, Page 6

POLITICAL.

MR W. H. HAWKINS AT TOKO. "(From a Cor respondent). On Saturday evening Mr YV. H. Hawkins, the Liberal candidate, addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting in the i'ublic Hall, Toko, lie vigorously criticised the Government administration and received both an appreciative hearing and generous applause. A special feature of the address was the candidate's reference to his political attitude towards political parties when a member of the House ,ten years ago. The chairman of the meeting (Mr Were) in his opening remarks, mentioned the fact that it had been stated that the candidate that evening had been a strong critic and -vigorous opponent of the then Premier, the late Mr Seddon. Mr Hawkins, on rising to speak, immediately dealt with the matter referred to by the chairman. He .said it was perfectly true that when lie was returned to the House in 1904 he was frequently found in strong opposition to the then Government. He had been returned as an Independent and he owed no allegi--1 ance to any leader or any party. The chief planks in his platform when elected were "the right of every settler taking up land, to the freehold if he so desired, and purity of administration in the country's affairs," and a reference to the Hansards of that date would disclose the fact that during the whole time he was in the House he spoke and criticised fearlessly, and also independently of any party or any leader. Those.were the days of the land tenure battle, and being a freeholder then, just as he was to-day, he was always found voting with those who were fighting for the principal of "optional, tenure." It frequently happened that any motions moved in the House during his, term, dealing with the right of the freehold with safeguards, against aggregation, were always treated by. the then Premier as motions of Noconfidence in his Government, but being an Independent 'and determined at all costs to stand hy his election pledges,, his vote was always the result of honest .conviction. At the same time he was frequently in the lobby with the Liberal Party supporting progressive and Liberal legislation. Reference to Hansard would also show tlnit he was frequently in conflict with, the then Government on some points of administration which he honestly believed were not in the best interests of the country, and therefore his voice, and vote were recorded against them. No man, said the 'candidate, no,matter what his politics were, could say; that there were not serious errors pf administration made, errors which, deserved to be exposed. However, he. had now decided to stand as a party man,for the first time in his; career, and he believed if the electors jof the district gave him the opportunity he would be able to do good work not only for the district itself, but for the Dominion. Other parts of the Dominion did hot seem to know where Stratford and.i Taranaki were, but given the oppor-. tuuity he would alter that. Knowing him for a long period of years, the Leader of the Party at headquarters warmly endorsed his candidature and wits' deeply anxious to secure his return and services. He could assure electors that such confidence would hot lie misplaced. His opponents, might strive to misrepresent his attitude of ten,years ago, but even if it could be proved (which if could not) that he had been a full Blown Tory with ancient moss all over him ten years ago, the administration, bungling, ineptitude, political hyprocricy, and discreditable tactics of the present Tory administration since they climbed into power, was quite sufficient to warrant any public man doing his utmost to drive them from office. At the conclusion of this utterance Mr Hawkins was loudly applauded. The candidate then proceeded /with his political address and was followed throughout with interest. After answering a • number of questions the usual vote, also including expressions of confidence in the Liberal party, was carried. At the conclusion a large number of settlers and supporters sat down to an excellent supper which had been prepared by the ladies of the district. In reply to a request to speak in Toko again, the candidate said, it was his intention to visit Toko again before polling day. Mr Hawkins speaks at Tariki this evening. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. , Of the supplementary estimates the following items of interest in the Stratford district have been included on Mr J. B. Hine's recommendation: —Rerekino Road, Clifton county, £200; Autano Road, Clifton county, £100; Maikai Road, Whangarnomona county, £200; Mangaowata Road, Whangarnomona County, £150; York Road, Stratford County, £100; Manawaiwiri Stream Bridge, Stratford county, £ for £ subsidy up to £100; Manawaiwiri Stream Bridge, £ for £ subsidy up to £100; Te Popo Stream Bridge, £ for £ subsidy up to £100; Moki Road, Whangarnomona County, : £IOO.