THE AVON SEAT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 252, 27 November 1914, Page 5

THE AVON SEAT.

MR RUSSEIi AT IiINWOOD.

Last evening, at the corner of Gloucester Street and Stanmore Boad, Mr G. W. Eussell addressed about 300 electors in a speech lasting close on two hours, mainly upon the lines of previous addresses. Included in the audience were a large number of the supporters of Mr D. G. Sullivan, the Social-Democratic candidate,, and it -was evident that the Relations between the Social-Democrats and the Liberals were not of a particularly- harmonious character. Commencing, Mr Eussell /expressed the opinion that Mr H. D. Acland, the Eeform candidate, could not hope to be elected except for the fact of the split- j ting of the vote. He criticised the Government for abolishing the second ballot without providing any substitute. Sir Joseph Ward had adopted propor- \ tional representation as one of his policy measures, and he (the speaker) as a loyal party man was prepared to follow \ his ehief. In a speech at Phillipstown in March last he had objected to the system, which presented many serious! defects, one of which was that it would dispense with the local member. In the opinion of some people the most important question was the liquor ques-: tion, but he felt confident that the issue now before the people was not the bare; majority on the liquor question, or any other question, but it was whether Bill Massey was to 1 e Prime Minister run the country or Joe Ward. (Apr plause.) His reason for wishing to see the present Government kicked out neck and crop was that they had broken more promises to the square yard than any other Government which had occupied the Treasury benches. A Voice: They must be ricketty. (Laughter.)

The candidate was handed numerous written questions to answer. After perusing one he said: "1 have been asked to state if I am in favour of tho bare majority on the liquor question "

A Voice: Read the question! Mr Russell: All right, I'll read it: "Seeing that Sir Joseph Ward has adopted proportional representation, and you are prepared to swallow it although opposed to it, if Sir Joseph Ward should after the election adopt the bare majority, would you swallow that- also?" A Voice: Ah, that's a very different question! , Mr Russell: I know Sir Joseph Ward so well that I can assure you there is no likelihood of his taking it up. A Voice: Stand on your feet!

Mr Russell continued to state that he would stand by his three-fifths pledge whoever favoured the bare majority. Another Voice: What did Isitt say about you and the 55 per cent.?

Mr Russell: You'd better ask him! The Voice: It was in to-night's paper. Second Voice: Go on, Ricketty! Third Voice: What about the challenge? Mr Russell: What challenge? Tell me about it.

A sympathiser with Mr Russell at this stage acquainted him with Mr Sullivan's challenge referred to in last night's Sun, after which the candidate said it appeared that at one of Mr Sullivan's meetings some time ago that gentleman had quoted from a letter which the speaker was alleged to have written to sometne in 1911, in which lie was alleged to have said that he did not agree with the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act. In speaking at North Avon Road he had said that he would very much like to see that letter and find out to whom it was written, because he thought if the whole letter

were read new light might be thrown on the subject. Then, after referring at length to his general opinions in regard to defence, Mr Eussell produced a report of the proceedings of the Trades Conference held at Wellington from October 25 to 30 in 1909, when Mr Sullivan had voted for an amendment: '' That this conference strongly supports the system of compulsory military training" as against a motion confirming the desirability of a citizens' voluntary defence system. The voting was 15 to 10 for the motion. A Voice: He's a twister!

Mr Russell: He supported it, and here's my authority for saying so (quoting the division-list). y Another Voice: He knew what was coming.

Mr Russell: Yes; he must have been a mind-reader. A Voice: He'll read the letter in full. Mr Russell: Yes! I expect he'll do what you tell hirn. (Laughter.) A Voice: As you do with Sir Joseph Ward.

''Are you going to accept Mr Sullivan's challenge?" ran another question. Mr Russell: It appears that he thinks that if I wrote the letter I should retire and leave him my seat. He must take me for an infant! All I can say is that he is going to be retired, at any rate., (Laughter.) "Do you recognise the Hon. R. McKenzie as an authority upon mining matters?" another voice asked. Mr Russell: not sure that I do-r----unduly. You must remember that he was Minister of Mines.

The Voice: In a Government that you supported. Mr Russell: Precisely. I see what you're getting at. The Christchurch "Press'.' does not give you the whole of what Roderick McKenzie said about the Government and the Huntly disaster-

After various other questions had been dealt with, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence in Party, the chairman failing to* call for the noes. . Chlrers were given for Sir Joseph Ward and counter cheers for the Social-Democratic candidate.