THE COMING ELECTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 128, 6 July 1914, Page 10

THE COMING ELECTION.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT. MR F. H. TOOGOOD A CANDIDATE. It is said that coming events cast their shadows before them. One approaching event is the General Election, .and the shadow it casts sometimes takes the form of a deputation to a likely candidate. This afternoon some members of the Cliristchurch North branch of the Reform League waited on Mr H. F. Toogood, a promising young New Zealander, with a request that he would consent to become a candidate for Christchurch North. There was an attendance of about 30 electors, and Mr W. Reece presided. Mr' Reece said that they desired to see Mr Toogood take up the running for Christchurch North. It was one of the misfortunes of their civilisation that party government existed, but it was quite impossible to avoid it, unless their views and natures changed very largely. It seemed inevitable that there "would come a time when they would have a large party representing Labour, and another representing the employer. That difference would always exist, so long as there was a difference in the earnings of industry. The present problem was how to secure a fair division. Mr Toogood was a young man of energy and promise, and "he would carry the banner of Reform worthily. There were many electors there who were not satisfied with their present representation, and they would give Mr Toogood their loyal support. . *■ Mrs Rolleston, president of the Women's Political Reform League, said that their organisation would be glad to I give all the assistance possible to M§j Toogood. There was a big fight beforej the Reform Party. The women were j very much in earnest, and were keen | for the Reform Party. They would j give a thorough and loyal support to the I candidate, apart from the political per plexities and conflicts that troubled the j sterner sex. I

Mr J. J. Dougall, on behalf of the Junior Reform League, supported the candidature of Mr Toogood. It was time that the young men and women took an active part in the political situation. On. behalf of the League, he said that Mr Toogood would receive very warm support from the young and energetic members of the Junior League! There \youkl be a real ding, dong "go" for Christehurch North. . Mr Toogood thanked the speakers-for their kind reception to the idea thqft he should be a candidate. It had been mooted for some months past, and he had given very serkms consideration to whether he cotild. do a na? tional work as their representative. He opposed the, Seddon Administration tooth and nail in 1905, and ."he "thought that the Ward Government was no better. The Masey Government had endeavoured to clean up the Government of the country. Through them the Civil Service was in a clean state, and no longer would they have incapable and inefficient men in charge of the Government services. The Government also proposed to alter the system of grants to local bodies. In the past thousands, of pounds given to local bodies had been used as a means of securing support to the then Government. The present Government proposed to put those grants beyond their control, and no longer bribe the electors with them. It was in administration that the grosser evils occurred. The Massey Government was a good and sound Government. Its legislation had been progressive,, and its methods clean and honest. He had been an Independent, but the position of Independents had changed, and the term was a misnomer, and practically meant political liumbUg. He believed that New Zealand would never have stagnation in legislation. The people should have confidence in their legislators, in their candour and honesty. Where was a strong Administration in the present Opposition? Their very head and front had introduced a political aristocracy into this country. As far as he was personally concerned, he pointed out that he hoped to establish himself in Christchurcli in his profession. He would be amongst them a great deal. Having all these in front of him he had much pleasure in accepting their noufli-* nation. (Applause.) Mr Reece said that they appreciated Mr' Toogood's self-sacrifice, but they hoped that they would keep the Massey Government in .power, and they would do all they could to put Mr Toogood into the House.