THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 257, 3 December 1914, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH.

MR ISITT'S CAMPAIGN. A strenuous street corner campaign was conducted last evening by Mr L. M. Isitt, who addressed three meetings in various parts of the Christchureh North constituency. Speaking at the corner of Bossall Street and Leinster Road, Mi- Isitt referred to the payment, of members of the Expeditionary Foree. He pointed out that payment was at the rate of 5/- per day. A mother had written to the Minister of Defence asking about her son's.pay, and was informed that

lie was getting 2/-, while 2/- would be. sent to hex*, and 1/- retained by the Government for her son to receive when he ; returned. The Government, however, would not pay interest on tlie shilling per day which was retained. This was not only meanness, but a violation of the common law of the land, which would not be tolerated by any private employer. Only a patriotic and Reform Government would do a thing like that. Mr Allen was a patriotic sftldier, who longed to fill the hearts or young New Zealanders with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm. The pay of the 10,000 expeditionaiies amounted to £SOO a day, or £182,500 a year, so by not paying interest'at 5 per cent., £9125 was saved out of the pockets of the , boys,by the patriotic and Reform Government. Yet the Hon. Mr Fisher, the Rainbow Minister; sneered at the meanness of" Sir Joseph Ward 's baby bonus, which would make a free gift of £5 to eaeh child born, and be retained at eGmpo.und interest at 3J per cent, for

fourteen years. Mr Isitt blamed the Government for tlie defeat,'of the 45 hours' Bill for women workoi's - in, woollen factories. The Government dare not oppose it in the House, but had it killed, in the tipper House, which was stuffed by the Government'nominees. A Voice: Why didn't Ward do it? He had plenty of time. - Sir Isitt replied that the Ward Government ditT agVeat deuf iir the way of reform. They didn't do as much as he would have liked, but the other party were hanging on? to the wheel, an'd did everything to stop progressive legislation. . "* 'l . •. A Voice engaged Mr Isitt in a wordy disputation, and the candidate suggested that if the Voice were in power foxfive years the millenium would arrive. The Voice retorted: You haven't done much,'anyhow. , It went on to allege 'tliatt Sir Joseph Ward and other Southland, hierciiants had been in an oat monopoly during the South African war.

Mr Isitt said that this was incorrect, but he named a Christcliurch merchant,

now deceased, who he said was in it.,' iOn the cost of living, Mr Isitt eontended that the duties on necessaries had been reduced from 12; fcpi 4 per cent, by'the Liberals. •• •''And they- let in motoi< -ears -free!"said the irrepressible -Voice; : A vote of thanks and confidence was cfliried amid cheers.

There was another large and lively meeting at the corner of Winchester and Kugby Streets. , Tlie candidate dealt with the land monopoly/ and o»e of the audience instanced Mr G. W. Russell as a large land holder. *' He bought land, I forget how much, at 5/9 an acre," said Mr Isitt. '' Sixty-six thousand acres,'' prompt-! Ed a Voice, "and he is trying t;o sell it, for £3." '

Mr Isitt said he. Jioped that Mr Russell would make a lot of money put <>£ it. There was no comparison .in the land held by Mr Russell and the block worth £500,000 held by one family. "Where did they get it Jfcom! " asked the Voice. i "We are not a resurrection committee," said Mr Isitt. lie might just as reasonably ask why the Conservatives gridironed the land. . The Voice said that the "Williams family (which liact been, referred =to); ; got the land from the Assets Realisation Board. • " ■

Mr Isitt, had a brief passage at arms with the. Voice, telling him that he was like a cireiilar saw—-"your voice begins in the middle and goes all the way round." '' Are you in favour of Liberals taking titles?-" was another question. "I don't want a title myself," said Mr Isitt, "but, after all, it is a small thing." " Yet they claim precedence on account of them," persisted the Voice. *' Are you a married .niani'' asked Mr

Isitt. The Voice replied that he enjoyed that felicity. ' - " Then if you were offered a title your wife would make you take it," said Mr Isitt, amid great laughter. Mr Isitt admitted that the accept -

ance of a title was an inconsistency, ' but a very small All,the Reformers had their mouths open for them. It was not a .question of broad policy. "Are you in favour of the maintenance of the Defence Act, " asked a questioner. "I am, and always have been," replied Mr Isitt. 4 ' After the war!' r the questioner pursued.

"Both before and after -the war," Mr Isitt asserted. He expressed the hope that the nations would see their "way to continue and support an international army and navy, to enforce decisions arrived at by arbitration. "Are you an Independent?V "was another question. "I never was an Independent,'' replied Mr Isitt. There was -a prolonged chorus of "Oh V' and laughter. "Turn up your newspapers,' f said

Mr Isitt, '.'and you will find that in the second political speech I gave in the King's Theatre I stated that I was an Independent-Liberal, that I would fight the Conservative Party tooth jand nail, arid do all I possibly could to'< help Sir Joseph Ward to pass liberal, and progressire legislation." • - "Is it true that you are one of the members who asked Sir Joseph Ward to resign?" was another; question. "Mr Isitt gave this a flat denial. He was not a member of the party, and did not attend the caucus -at which Sir Joseph resigned. He attended a subsequent caucus of Progressives and Liberals. He said there that he would not support a Government led by certain men, but that lie would support. Mr T. Mackenzie. He had no say whatever in the retirement, of Sir "Joseph Ward. r

. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, with a fair..number-,0.£ dissentients.

ANOTHER "FLYING SQUADRON."

ORGANISED OBSTRUCTION OF MEETINGS.

J Another "flying squadron" seems to have come into existence. Mounted on bicycles, it follows certain candidates from meeting to meeting, and by means of a continued fire of interjections, seeks to spoil their speeches. From the nature of its interjections, this "flying squadron" is very clearly of "lied Fed." composition, but a fair proportion of it consists of youths. The existence of this "flying squadron" was clearly demonstrated to Mr 11. F. Toogood, Reform candidate for Christchureh North, last evening. Mr Toogood addressed three open-air meetings. The third of these -was in Gresford Street. Before Mr Toogood's arrival the people who were waiting to hear this address looked so respectable and quietly political that a quiet meeting appeared certain. Soon, however, the scene was changed. First came a motor car containing an '' outrider'' loudly exhorting, per meant? of a megaphone, the residents to "come and hear Toogood." Then came the candidate and members of his committee, and after them the "flying squadron." The candidate had scarcely started speaking when the squadron opened fire. It was noticeable all through the meeting that there were very few interjections from residents of the locality, who really wished to hear what the candidate had to say. Presently Mr Toogood was constrained to point out to the audience that this flying squadron had followed him from place to place, adopting the same tactics at each meeting. A favourite method of these interrupters was to flatly contradict the candidate, and to make assertions directly opposite to his own statements. At one stage, fairly early in the meeting, these contradictory assertions came so frequently from two men in particular, that Mr Toogood broke in with "That's an absolute lie. Don't interrupt me with such;lics.'.■? - The subject under discussion Was the Canterbury Land Board and a Cheviot lease, Mr Toogood having been led,, .by., an interjection, into discussing this matter. In support of his statement he discussed the history of the; .he, had dealt with earlier in his campaign—and his statements brought confirming interjections from other, members of the audience. ;But thefßed Fed.'' element persisted; in its tactics.. After his explanation, Mr'Tocigood challenged the principal interjector to say whether his (Mr Topgood's) was correct or not. But the interjector evaded the point. • . At length after remarking to the audience—which was a fairly large one —that.the evident object of the "flying squadron/ ' was to so interrupt him as to make him lose the thread of his discourse, Mr Toogood passed on to other matters.

When he invited questions, the "Bed Feds" were silent for a time. In reply to a question 1 .from a'member of thei orderly, section of the audience,' the candidate said tWit he w^^in favour of his fadsT-rbut' th<s country quota stood rather in the w.&y of the scheme. There was already poweif to' have' proportional representation in hhinicipalities, if they wanted it, and it would be a good idea for the>eity people to "try-this method of election ill their municipal elections. In reply to another man, Mr Toogood said lie was not in favour of the second ballot. It was a method of election borrowed from.Germany, and. introduced by a man with no practical knowledge of elections. He (Mr Toogood) did not like this''German-made article.

' This led to a protest from a bystander against Mr, "introducing- Germany Toogood replied that he , meant nothing, personal to the gentleman who objected to Jiis reference to Gerjitany. . As for himself he did not like anything made in Germany, and he and his questioner could agree to differ on the point. . • . Are you in favour of the Bible in State Schools? —I stand for a referendum to enable you to decide the question for yourselves. sßeplying 'to another question, the candidate declared in favour of a State ferry Service between Lyttelton and Wellington, Sir Joseph Ward favoured a Pictoit-Wellington service, /but the extension of the /Island main truiik line to Pic-ton 'would take-: twetity years, aid/the c'&lntry should not have to wait that time for its State ferry service. The New Zealand railways were all part of one and a traveller should be able to go from Bluff to Auckland on one ticket. tie pointed out that the Union Ship Company, which was the i biggest monopoly in New Zealand, with | its octopus-tentacles on every port, had i grown into power under the old Liberal [ Administration. Sir James Mills, the j head of the monopoly, had been picked out for; his knighthood by Sir Joseph Ward. ...

He was in favour of compulsory military training. The "Red Feds" then became active for a while, but only on the same old lines, and with the same old questions.

CHRISTCHURCH EAST.

DR THACKER AT HASTINGS STREET., Dr 11. T. J. Thacker, Opposition candidate for Christchureh East, addressed a large meeting in the Hastings Street Schoolroom last evening, Mr Harvey presiding. -The candidate spoke exactly on the lines of his speech of the previous evening at St. Luke's Schoolroom: ' He said that he was in favour of a State monopoly of tobacco.

In reply; to questions, Dr Thacker Baid that he would cordially support a union for clerks, if a workable scheme could be evolved. He would use his best endeavours to abolish bogus unions, and would set his face against intimidatidn of the workers by "specials." He denied that he had ever stated that he was in favour of the Bible-in-schools referendum. Such 1 a sacred matter should riot be dragged into the arena of politics. He was in favour of Statecontrolled chemist shops, but not of a monopoly. With regard to the liquor question hie was a three-fifths man a,ll round. He was in favour of the optional system of leasehold tenure with right of purchase.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, and cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward. •

MR HIRAM HUNTER'S MEETING,

Mr Hiram Hunter, Social-Democratic candidate for Cliristchurch East, addressed a meeting at the railway sheds, Carlyle Street, at mid-day yesterday. He 'dealt chiefly with railway matters, and said that he was in favour of abolishing the Minister's right to veto Appeal Board decisions. He also favoured the removal of the' barrier between the second and first divisions, thus enabling an employee to rise from the lowest to

the highest division. He was opposed to the importation of managers, being of the opinion that,there were men in the Dominion quite capable of undertaking the duties. He thought 3/3 an hour should be the minimum wage for casuals, and no worker should receive less than a week.

Mr Hunter also addressed a couple of opeii-air meetings in the evening, 011 each occasion receiving a vote of thanks and confidence. -

CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH.

MR H. G. ELL. Mr 11. G. Ell addressed two open-air meetings last evening, both being well attended, and at both he Was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. He also spoke in the Brougham Street Schoolroom, where he received a similar vote. MR G. R. WHITING. Mr G. R. Whiting, Labour candidate for Christchureh South, addressed three open-air meetings last night, and at each received a vote of thanks and confidence. The first was at the corner of Stewart Street and Moorhouse Avenue, the second at the corner of Spencer Street and . Meredith Street,. and the third at the corner of Rosewarne and Somerfield Streets.

MR F. B. HUGHES. Mr F. B. Hughes, the Government candidate for Christchureh South, addressed a large and representative meet ing of electors in the Dickens Street Oddfellows' Hall last evening, Mr B. Hindle presiding. Large numbers were -lnable to obtain admission, and contented themselves "by listening ; at the windows outside. The candidate traversed the ground of his former speeches, and on being questioned as to his attitude 011 the referendum to Bible in schools, again alleged,Mr Ell's inconsistency in voting for r the Bible referendum in schools in 1905 and today denying the people the right of that referendum. The candidate ,criticised Sir Joseph Ward's financial other administrations, contrasting that; with the present Government's clean and progressive. administration. According to the unanimous verdict of those present, the meeting was the most successful held in Addington for years past. On the motion of Mr Isaac Waiting, seconded by Mr J. W. Paulger, a hearty vote pf thanks was accorded the candidate, and . a similar compliment to .the chairman terminated the j>roceedings.

AVON.

MB ACIiAND AT LINWOOD. Mr H. D. Aeland, the candidate for Avon, addressed between two and three hundred people at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Worcester Street last evening. The audiertce gave the candidate a particularly good hear--7 Speaking on lines similar to other addresses, Mr" Aclarid emphasised the fagt that even , with the war, the average of the Massey Government for the past, few months in, advances under the Advances to Workers Act was better than the Ward Government's average for five years. The housing problem was; one which must be looked into, ias the reduction of rents was one of the- best means of helping the workers. (Applause.) He favoured extending the Workmen's Compensation Act- to provide for compensation to: workers who contracted any illness peculiar to their trade. The old age pensioners should not be so. harshly treated in the matter of earnings. If olid age pensioners were able to earn a few shillings per week it should not affect their pensions. The people of > Canterbury had not had a fair deal so far as railways were concerned, but the Hiley scheme would give them some measure of justice. The economic monster (he referred to the actions of trusts and combines) was one that called for severe legislative action, and he would support any legislation that would curb the' action of trusts and combines.

j A' Voipei What about your party — they'd turn you down? | I don't care if they do so long as 1 had the confidence of the people. He regretted the tendency to decry any good scheme introduced by the other fellow in this respect. Party differences in this respect were carried to excess. (Applause.) Mr Acland regretted that the Press was losing its influence on public opinion by the bitter attitude adopted by the strongly partisan papers. (Applause.) He refuted various criticisms of the Opposition, especially in regard to taxation. In answer to questions, the candidate said he was a strong supporter of unionism. Collective bargaining was to be encouraged, as it was by this means the worker was able to make the best bargain for himself. The awards of the Arbitration Court should be influenced by the cost of living. He thought the age limit for men to go out of the Territorials was now rather high, and he would be in favour of reviewing it -without pledging himself offhand to any age. v A. hearty vote of thanks was Unanimously accorded the candidate. ,

MR RUSSELL AT EAST BELT. i Mr G. W. Russell, Opposition candidate for Avon, addressed two. open-air meetings last evening, Mr A. W. Orihandy presiding at both. The first meeting was held at the pumping station, and the second at the corner of Cashel Street and East Belt. This meeting was attended by one of the largest crowds which has gathered at an openair meeting this election, and the candidate was accorded a very good hearing. At the outset there was a good deal of interruption from an elderly elector who had been spending the earlier part of the evening at a neighbouring hostelry, but. on the. approach of; a. constable his friends escorted him jinto .the darkness, and thereafter Mr .Russell was allowed to make ;his speech ;ih; his own way. The address was a short one, Mr Eussell explaining that hd was tired after his flying tour to Temuka and .Port Clialmiers, and it jconsisted. chiefly of the How familiar attacks on the Government's policy. The speaker spoke emphatically of his opposition to the Bible ity Schools.. He had brought up a large family, and was prpud of the education I they had received under the free,,; secular, and compulsory system of the Dominion. He wpuld be a party to no scheme which sought to alter this systeijh. ; lle ; also declared himself a supporter of , ■ the (iO per cent, majority on the No-license question. A vote of thaijks -and confide.nc.e was carried amidst;- cheers, an amendment of thanlcs only receivingvery little support.

MR SULLIVAN AT NeW SRIGHTON

Mr I). G. Sullivan, SoeiaJ-pemocratie

candidate for Avon, addressed a meeting at New Brighton last evening. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, an amendment that the meeting declare its confidence in Mr Russell being defeated.

KAIAPOI.

ME DAVID JONES. Mr David .(ones, Reform candidate for Kaiapoi, addressed two meetings last evening, the first at Shirley and the second at Marshlands.

At his first meeting, Mr Jones said the excursions of' various outside poli* ticians into the electorate did not worry the Reformers so long as they could meet the people. During the two years of the Massey Administration the public debt had been increased by £4 9/- per head, and during two years of the Ward Administration the public debt had increased per head by £5 7/6. To-day /w*e had a' more! capable administration than was the case under Sir Joseph Ward. The Wardite party to-day was an entirely different party from the old -Liberal Party under Sir Joseph Ward. They were two distinct parties. In regard to the big strike Mr Jones said the Government did what they considered best, in regard to a settlement. They had settled the trouble without the loss of a single life. When the war broke out the Government had at once dealt with the matter of the prices of wheat. Dr Thacker had stated that there were large stocks of wheat held in the Metliven district, but the bulk of the wheat which he thought was held had been sold a week or two previously, and w r as not on the market at all. As far as lancl settlement was concerned the present .Government was doing much more than the previous Government had done. The Government had increased the wages of the. railway workers, of the women in the Printing Office, of the police, and of . the school teachers. .I,n the matter of the pensions also great improvements : had f been effected.. The only increases in ; taxation that had been made by the Massey Government were ; in the. Graduated Land Tax and been put upon the Statute Book by the Massey Government, and the only criticism they heard was against the Second Ballot Repeal and the Public Service Act.

Mr Jones was accorded a vote of thanks. MEETING AT MARSHLANDS.

At Marshlands there was a good attendance. Mr John Goodman presided.

Mr Jones said the Government had done splendid service, and had a very lino record so far as its legislation was concerned. He criticised the attitude of Sir Joseph "Ward On the naval question, and said the Leader of the Opposition was pittirTg his opinion against the whole British Admiralty. ' The Massey party had been fighting the fight of the freehold for twenty-five years, and now Sir Joseph Ward had accepted that; and they were at oiie On the point. Durilig Sir Joseph Ward's term of office aggregation of land had gone on rapidly. The statement that the Massey Party worked in the interests of the big land owners was incorrect. When' Mr Hiley J s report on the railways was 1 presented there was not a Liberal in Canterbury who : raised his voice in favour of the province getting Jts due. Sii* Joseph Ward had opposed the recommendations, and yet, he now said he was prepared to carry the scheme out. He contrasted Sir Joseph Ward's attitude in 1908 when there was a financial depression with the action of the Massey Government at the present time. If it were - not for the newspapers, he said, the people would not know there was a, war iu progress.

REFORM ADMINISTRATION. Referring to the matter of shipping, Mr Jones said they had in that a problem with which the country would have to grapple. He praised the action of the Government in importing wheat to satisfy the demand. The increase of the business of the State Fire Insurance office under the Massey Administration was. the greatest in its history. The Government had improved the business of the Public Trust office,and proved the efficiency of its administration. Mr Jones praised the humanitarian legislation of the Government, and said they had improved the lot of the workers and, given them advantages in many directions. He defended the policy of the Government in permitting the construction "of light railways by local bodies. A Voice: What about the ostrich farm.

Mr Jones: I will deal with that. He said the ostrich farm was by a railway that had been built for twent3'years. The new line did not improve the farm at all. The Government was also blamed in connection with the liuntly disaster. In 1896 a disaster occurred at the Brunner mine, but the Liberal Government "had not carried out the recommendations of the Commission. The Government prepared a Bill to deal with what the Liberal Government had neglected, and it was due only to the fact that miners could not be got: to give evidence that- the delay occurred. There had been nothing more despicable in the political history of this country than the attempt of the Liberal Party t6 blame the Govern: ment for the Huntly disaster. Dealing with defence, Mr Jones said the Government recognised the need for defence along safe lines. They were prepared to co-operate with the Imperial authorities on the matter.

Some interruption at this point caused the chairman to appeal for order, and drew a protest from a member of the audience. The noise continued, with stamping and interjection, for some little time, but finally the noise subsided, and Mr Jones was able to proceed. • INCREASED VALUATIONS.

The candidate said the Government favoured putting the highest taxation on land that was • not being fully employed. At Rangiora Sir Joseph Ward had told tlie farmers that their valuations had gone up and their taxes had been increased. ' He declared that it was due to mismanagement. "He made* a very serious charge against a- public : officer when he made that statement," said Mr Jones. = "He charged a valuator practically with unduly raising the rates. He appears to have charged him with having: unduly raised the values, probably for. political purposes. I want you to remember this. The man against whom Sir Joseph Ward made that charge was appointed by Sir Joseph Ward himself. He came from Southland, where he stood as a Liberal candidate, and secured 65 votes. If that charge is true —that these valuations have beeri raised more than is legitimate —then we want a public inquiry to investigate., it." A better.' system of assessing valuations, he added, was required. Mr .Jones referred, in response to an

interruption, to the strike, but met with considerable interjection and voluble opposition. He said that Sir Joseph Ward's method of settling the strike was to read the Riot Act.

Replying to questions, Mr Jones said, .if elected, he would do his best to see that Canterbury got its fair share of public expenditure. He explained how electors who found their names struck oft' the roll on election day could vote by going before a Justice of the Peace and making a declaration. He could prove that wheat had been sold at Timaru some years ago at 6/- per bushel. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks, with applause, mingled with some isolated hooting.

RICCARTON.

MS WITTY AT HAREWOOD. Mr G. Witty, Opposition candidate for Ricearton, addressed a meeting at the Harewood Hall on Tuesday evening, Mr W. Hockey presiding. The candidate had a cordial 'reception, and a vote of thanks was carried. - MR B. BUNN. Mr B. Bunn, Reform candidate for ' Ricearton, addressed a large meeting at the Coronation Hall, Spreydon, last evening, and received a *good reception. Respecting the criticisms that had been levelled at the Government for deciding to go on with the elections, Mr Bunn said the Government had considered the matter most carefully, and had come to the conclusion that for a Government to attempt to prolong its life by such a means as postponing the elections was ; both wrong and unconstitutional. Consequently, they decided to proceed with the elections.' Sir Joseph Ward, said Mr Bunn, had failed to cope wif.h the loan requirements of New Zealand when he had an excellent opportunity to do so. The pledging of £BOO,OOO worth of gilt-edged securities by the Leader of the Liberal Party, had. plunged the Reform Government into difficulties when it came into poyver. Mr Bunn denied that the Public Works Department or the Advances to Settlers Department had -been starved by the present Government, and quoted figures in support of his-argument. The trouble with the Liberal Government's finance, he said, was that it spent its money first and then had to.:borrow it afterwards, often under very .disadvantageous conditions. The Reform Government had conducted its financial operations in a business-like way, and had managed to get the finances on a satisfactory footing. , Sir Joseph Ward's recent statement that the Reform Government had increased the taxation on the necessaries, of life for the people was absolutely untrue; . What increases had been made had been made on land, incomes, and death duties, and these taxes did not touch the worker. Referring to the land question, Mr Bunn said the Reform Government had granted the farmer the great boon of the freehold, and had done more than any other Administration in the same time to.wards ■the settlement of the land. It had increased the graduated land tax and had .reformed the Native Land Acts, In reispect to electoral reform, the. Government had carried its, pledges in regard to tie Legislative Council, but the' speaker said he was not in favour of proportjpnal representation for the Lower House: at

any rate for the country electorates, though it might do for city electorates. After Mr R,nmi had answered a large number of questions, he was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks.

LYTTELTON.

MR McCOMBS'S MEETINGS

Mr McCombs, Social-Democratic candidate for Lyttelton, addressed a meeting at Teddington on Tuesday evening, Mr Mansell presiding. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. The candidate's meeting at Governor's Bay could not be held owing to the bad weather.

Last evening Mr McCombs addressed meetings at St. Martins and Woolston, votes of thanks and confidence being adopted.

SELWYN.

MR HAMLET AT RAKAIA.

Mr Joseph Hamlet, Government candidate for Selwyn, addressed a well-at-tended meeting at Rakaia on Tuesday evening. There was a good deal .of good-humoured interjection, but the speaker was well received, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr Thos. Moreland, seconded by Mr E. McNulty. Cheers were given for the candidate, and for Mr Massey, and Sir Joseph Ward.

ELLESMERE.

HON". R. H. RHODES.

(Sun Special.)

LEESTON, December 3.

The Hon. B.' H. Bhodes continues to have very good meetings. One of the most successful of the campaign was held at thmsandel last night, when the Town Hall was crowded. Mr S. Sherrard, who presided, said that Mr Bhodes was well known and respected, both in and out bf Parliament, and even his political opponents never had a hard word to say against him. That the electors are taking a keen interest in political matters notwithstanding the war is" shown by the number of questions asked at the candidates' meetings, and last night's Dunsandel meeting Was no exception to the rule. After questions had been disposed of, Mr J. S. Boag moved: "That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Bhodes for his straightforward speech, aiid of confidence in him as their representative in' the Massey Government." In seconding this, Mr J. Sowden said he believed that a large majority of ihe electors of Ellesmere believed in Mr Bhodes.

As ah amendment, Mr A. Amor moved that the candidate be given a vote of thanks for his splendid address, but that the confidence be placed in the ballot box. This was seconded by Mr Anderson. A show of hands was taken both for the amendment and the motion. Eleven were held up for the former, and the latter was carried by an overwhelming majority amidst loud applause. MR IPETHERICK'S I%SITION. Mr J. E. Petherick addressed.a meeting at the band rotunda, Victoria Square, last evening, when he explained

why he was not nominated as a candidate for Christckurch North. Mr Petherick said he had 110 one to blame in the matter but himself. Tho reason he was not nominated waß that he did not understand that "10 clear days" before the election day meant November 30. As to what the Liberal electors of Christehurch Nortfr. should do, Mr Petherick denied that at last election he advised the people to vote for Mr Hall—he simply told them which way his inclination ran. In the present instance lie would do the same. - If they voted for Mr Isitt they would be voting for one wlio would support the liquor traffic —therefore he advised them to vote for him, as he (Mr Isitt) had voted against the bare majority. They should also vote for Mr Isitt" because he was opposed to the Government. 3u his concluding remarks he said: x * Strike out the bottom line and vote : for the man who will help roll the good old brewers' chariot along—that is Mr Isitt!"

WOMEN'S REFORM LEAGUE. A meeting; of the Women's Reform League was held in the Concert Hall of the Y.M.C.A. building yesterday afternoon. Mrs Rolleston presided, and short addresses, principally on matters of organisation, were givien by Messrs H. F. Toogood (Christehurch North), B. Hughes (Chixotchurch South), H. D. Acland (Avon), B. Bunn (Ricearton), M. J. Miller (Lyttelton),' and G. D. Macfarlane (Christehurch East). The usual votes of thanks to the lady occupying the chair, and to the speakers concluded the meeting.

THE PRIME MINISTER.

IN THE NORTH.

TAITMABUNUI, December 2, The Prime Minister addressed... a crowded gathering a:t Taumarunui tonight. Dealing with defence, he. skid that the lesson of .the present .wftr.wa# that the next might c.ome ( suddenly. They should not be unprepared, but should join with ther British Dominions bordering the Pacific .and get a. British fleet for thes.e coasts.. He had heard that day that the Expeditionary Force was quite safe and in good spirits. Another force was" required, and was going in two months' time. At the. conclusion of the speech a vote of thanks and confidence in the Befdm Party was carried with enthusiasm.

HON. F. M. B. FISHER.

WELLINGTON, December 2.

| The Hon. F. M. B.- Fisher addressed I the electors at Aro Street to-night. The j meeting was very noisy throughout, but good humoured. After the Ministier had made his speech, a motion was proposed expressing no confidence in Mr Fisher, and confidence, in Mr Fletcher (his opponent). An amendment of confidence in the Minister and' - the Government was lost -on a «how of• hands by a large majority, but as the > meeting (there -were 1200 people pres--ent.) broke up in disorder, the chairman made no. declaration,, and the original motion was not put., j The proceedings closed with cheers for Mr- Fletcher and Sir Joseph Ward, and as Mr Fisher appeared outside the

liall a section of the crowd made a hostile demonstration, but the presence of the police prevented any further (disorder.

THE LIBERAL LEADER. NORTHERN TOUR. Press Association. PUKEKQHE, December 2. Sir Joseph Ward addressed about 11Q0 electors at Pukekohe this evening, the Mayor (Mr C. K." Lawrie) presiding. The building was crowded long before .the meeting began. Sir Joseph Ward arrived at BJ>O p.m., and cheers greeted his entrance. Immediately a strong section of the audience called for cheers for Mr Massey, which were given, but there was dissent from a larger section. When Sir .Joseph Ward rose to speak there was great cheering. Three cheers for Mr Massey followed, accompanied by slight hooting. Then came a stronger volume of cheering for Sir Joseph Ward. Sir Joseph Ward said he had promised reform.

A Voice: We've got it. (Cheers and •dissent.)

Sir Joseph Ward: When I heard that I Afondered if Rip van Winkle had been resurrected.

After dealing with taxation and borrowing, Sir Joseph Ward asked what was the result of Mr Massey'« first term •of'office.

Voices: The freehold. (Cheers and disorder.)

At this stage the chairman appealed for a hearing for Sir Joseph Ward. /"I am not. going into the freehold, except to say this," remarked Sir Joseph: "]t is the tenure of the country, and it is not going to be altered. The bulk of the people find themselves ever so much better off by not converting their holdings." (Dissent and cheers.) -

Mr G, M. Stempbridge moved a vote of thanks and confidence in the party under Sir Joseph Ward's leadership. .

Mr C. A. Kidd seconded

Mr Games moved an amendment of thanks, with' the addition "that as no valid reason has been advanced to the contrary, this meeting expresses continued confidence in the Mussey Administration."

The s chairman put the amendment, and there was a great, demonstration, the meeting cheering, and hats and handkerchiefs being thrown in the air.

The chairman declared the amend ment lost. '

Another similar demonstration followed 011 the chairman putting the motion of confidence, which the chairman declared carried.

There was an endless stream of interjections throughout the evening, but Sir Joseph Ward answered the points, and was always able to secure a hear-' TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS.

Mr H. F. Toogood (Christchurch Korth) at St..""" Matthew's schoolroom.

Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), at Durham Street schoolroom.

■'Mr G. D. Macfarlane (Christchurch East), at Hibernian Hall. Mr F. B„ Hughes (Christchurch South) at West Christchurch school. Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South) corner Battersea and Harper Streets 7 p.rti., Redruth Aveiflie and Strickland Sfeeet and SomerjSeld .Street school 8.15. ■

Mr G. R. Whiting (Christchurch South), corner Barry and Ruskin Streets 7 p.m., Strickland Street ami Devon Road 7..50, and Montreal Street and Cambridge Terrace 8.15. Mr H. D. Acland (Avon) corner Banks' Avenue 7.15, and Gale's Store, SQiitli Brighton, 8.30. * Mr Geo. Witty (Riccarton) at St. Paul's, Papamii, 8 p.m. Mr M. J. JVliller (Lyttelton) at Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall.

Ml- David Jones (Kaiapoi) at Oliapuku 7 p.m., and at Ohoka Hall'B'p.m. Mr W. A. Banks (Hurunui) at Rudd's woolslied, Glentui.

Mr Geo. Sheat (Sehvyn) at Ivowai Busli.

Mr Joseph Hamlet (Selwyn) at Elgin 6.'!0, and Dromore 8. Hon. R. ITeaton Rhodes (Kllesmere) at. Brookside.

Mr ,I. C. Free-(Ellesmere), at Temple ton.

Mr J. McCombs (Lyttelton), at Le Bon's Bay.

Mr B. Bunn (Ricearton) at Eolleston school G. 45, Sockburn 8.15. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) at Harris's Corner 7.15, comer Gloucester and Surrey Streets 8.15.

Mr H. Hunter (Christchurch East), corner Waltham Road and Andrew Street.

FUTURE MEETINGS.

Mr M. J. Miller: Friday, Port Levy school; Saturday, Charteris Bay school; Monday, Pigeon Bay school. Mr i>. Jones: Friday, 3 p.m., Oddfellows ' Hall, ladies' meeting.

Mr J. C. Free: Saturday, Rolleston - schpolroom.;

Mr H. D. Acland: Friday, Nursery Road and Cross Street 7 p.m., corner Stanmore Road and North Avon Road (Harris's Corner) 8.15 p.m. Mr Bertram Bunn: Friday, midday, Addington Workshops, Clarence Road; corner Selwyn and Garden Roads, Wroxton, 7 p.m.; Fendalton parish schoolroom, tram terminus, 8.15. Saturday, 041 North Road, Papanui, 7 p.m.; St. Paul's schoolroom 8.15 p.m. Mr 11. G. Ell: Friday, Auisebrook's factory, noon, corner Burke and Antigua Streets 7 p.m., Elgin and Colombo Street 8 p.m. Mr G. W. Russell: Friday, Marshlands Hall 7 p.m., Kaiapoi Oddfellows' Hall 8.15 p.m. (on behalf of the Hon. 1). Buddo). Mr I). G. Sullivan: Friday, Canterbury Boat Sheds 7.15, corner Armagh and James Streets 8.15; Saturday, Craddock.'s Corner, Shirley, 7.15 p.m., corner Street, Burwood, 8.15 p.m.

POLITICAL NOTES. The iniquity of collecting a tux of £600,000 on tobacco, the poor man's luxury, was enlarged upon last night by Mr L. M. Isitt, who pointed out that the land tax only produced £700,000 odd.

'' Will you give us a shilling's worth for nothing??" enquired a canny bargain hunter. "You can afford a shilling a week," said Mr Tsitt. "That's about what it costs me." "I hear you want to abolish tobacco!!" came a voice from the moonlight.

"Ah!" said Mr Isitt. "When a man's had a pipe too much, and goes home and pulls his wife about by the hair, smashes the crockery, kicks the cat out of the window, and paints the town red, I will be after it!"

One of the most consistent election rumours going the rounds of late is that Dr Thac.ker's anxiety to get into Parliament is due to the fcict that there is a legacy waiting for him should he ever be elected as one of the representatives of the people. He was asked at his meeting last night if the story was true, and gave it an emphatic denial. 1

" Who monopolises the oyster trade in Christehurc.li'J" asked a voice at Mr Isitt'» corner meeting last evening. "I don't eat oysters, so can't tell you," replied the candidate.

"Are you goiug to accept the invitation to speak in Hurunui?" Mr Isitt was asked last evening. "No, I'm not," said Mr Isitt. "I am engaged every night here. I have to convince fellows like you, and they take a lot of convincing."

"No question at all about it," said Mr Herdman in reply to his solitary interjeetor at his meeting on Tuesday night, ".lust as sure as I am on this platform to-night, Mr Massey will be returned .011 Thursday night, December 10, with a greater majority than he has at the present time." (Applause.)

Referring to vote-splitting, Mr Veitcli (Labour candidate for Wanganui) said that several weeks ago he had agreed to submit his name to a ballot of the local Liberal and Labour parties to see who should oppose 1 ' Reform.'' The gentleman who bad nominated at the last, moment, had declined to submit to a ballot, and therefore, without desiring to cast any undue reflection upon him, he had not acted fairly in splitting votes at the last minute. He (Mr Veitch) had agreed that, if defeated at that ballot, he would stand down and give the selected candidate a fair run. Could anything be fairer than that? It was a greater sacrifice for the sitting member to do that than for another man to do it. Therefore, anyone coming into the contest at the last minute could not. assist the Democratic cause, and such an. action could be looked at in no other way than splitting the votes in the interests of '' Reform.''• He submitted that the course for Democratic voters to pursue was to rally round the man who had played the game, and who had been willing to sacrifice himself for the common cause. And he was satisfied that that was what, they were going to do. (Loud applause.)

At a,meeting held in Wellington iu support of Mr-Fletcher's candidature against the Hon. -Fv M. B. Fisher, the speaker, Mr J. P. O'Regan, was asked: — "Is it a fact that if Fisher is beaten for Central Sir Walter Buchanan is going to retire from Wairarapa?" Mr O'Regan: "I believe Sir Walter Buchanan won't get the chance to retire." (Laughter.)'

•Mr Fisher, at Napier, in reply to an interjection: All I can say about the ostrich farm is, it is most emusing. (Laughter.) '

"Ladies and gentlemen —Mr Herdman," thus the chairman (Mr Alex. Newton), in introducing Mr Herdman at his Wellington meeting on Thursday night. It' was probably the briefest speech ever made by a chairman at a political meeting.

"Those people who say Reform is not going in, simply don't know what is happening in the country."—Dr A. TC. Newman, at Wellington.

Yesterday was polling day at the Trentham military camp. The men were entitled to vote as to the candidates nominated, and on the licensing issues. Polling comincn'ced at 9 a.m., and continued till -approaching 5 p.m. Small bodies of the men were marched up to the polling booth at intervals. Officers of the electoral department conducted the polling.

The Government was attacked by Mr *R. B. Williams, a Reform candidate for Wellington South, for failing to deal with the question of the cost of living, and he praised Sir Joseph Ward for his criticism. But what Mr Massey had failed to do, Sir Joseph Ward should have done. (Applause.) The cost of living had beeu the subject of enquiry by a Royal Commission, which had made revelations which warranted the Government taking drastic action. But still nothing had been done, and people continued to buy short weight. In a country like New Zealand the cost of living should never have increased. The Government had failed in its duty. An interjector: "And yet you support it." The candidate: "Please listen to me patiently throughout." Then Mr Wil : liams proceeded to deal with other matters.

The Hon. Mr Fisher, at his meeting at Napier, referred in detail to the work (icconiplished by the present Government in the matter of closer settlement. He mentioned that in the flawlte'a Bay district alone the present Government had ciit up .'57,500 acres of land. A Voice: My godfather! Mr Fisher: You didn't have a godfather. 1 pity him if you did. Another Voice: Give us a bowl at the wicket, Dalai! Mr Fisher: You are bowled out already. (Loud applause.) The Minister proceeded to deal with the land acquired under the present Administration.

A Voice: Give us some politics. Mr Fisher: Don't, you be fidgety about, the house opposite. I'll let you jut before ten o'clock. (Laughter and applause.)

Dealing with the published telegram from Sir Josepli Ward, Mr Übgan (the official Liberal candidate for Wanganui) reminded the audience of the result of 1 Ministerial interference in the JOOS j election, when the late Mr Seddon (then

I Premier) spoke twice in Wanganui | against his candidature, with the result i that he was returned by nearly a tliouI sand majority. Ho had always declined | outside assistance, preferring to place j the issues before the electors, fight his | own battles, and abide by the decision, j Later, in reply to a vote of thanks and j confidence, he said it was very evident j that many people thought that the man

who stuck to the Ward Party and went down with it three years ago was the man who should go up with it on this occasion if it was going up.

"On the one hand you have Mr Massoy and his party who believe that all agreements should be faithfully kept, and on the other hand you have a body of gentlemen' who say 'to hell with agreements.' " (Applause.) —The Hon. A. L. Herdnian.

"Election time!" interjected a member of the audience at Dr Newman's meeting at Victoria llall on Tuesday night. "Election time," said Dr Newman. "No, we are going to do this after the elections. I know some of you have been so used to broken promises from the other party that you are not prepared to trust anyone. But we are the Reform Party, and we carry out our promises.'' (Applause.)

The Government was out to give people the right to work.

A Voice: What rot!

Mr Fisher: I am referring to work. That is a subject you do not seem to understand. (Roars of laughter.)— Hon. F. M. B. Fisher.

At Waver ley, Mr Massey said that he beiieved that a large majority of what is called Labour was going to support him at the coming polls. A Voice: What did von do last timel

Mr Massey: I supported two men who were said to be decent men. The Rod Federation in this country was not born then. Neither of these two men will ever see Parliament again. (Applause.)

The action of the Hon. G. Fowlds in deserting a sinking ship a few years ago was referred to by a Iluntly woman who attended one of Mr Fowlds's recent meetings. The Huntly Woman: Why did you leave the Ward Government 1

Mr Fowlds replied that he had left the Ward Government, because it was not. progressive enough. The Huntly Woman: And "yet you 're going back to it. (Laughter.) Later, the candidate again referred to Sir Joseph. Ward. , The Huntly Woman: Why did you put him out last time ? The Candidate: I can't,hear what you say. (Laughter.) The Huntly Woman: No; you don't want to. (Renewed laughter.) At a alter stage the candidate was saying: "When we get ,the Ward Ministry back The Huntly Woman: I don't think you will get it back. "But," she persisted, "why did you put Sir Joseph Ward out?''

The Candidate: I did not put him out. The Huntly Woman: You ran away from the Ministry, anyway. (Laughter.)

"Now do you think —: —" said Dr Newman, candidate for Wellington East, "Yea," replied the back door and supports of Victoria Hall. "Why, of course you rte," said the doctor. "You are most intelligent people; but what I was going to say was, do you think that when people of the country see the dull, tedious policy of the Liberal Party and the brilliant, sound policy of Reform—do you think they are not going to send Reform back with a majority?" "No," came the shout from the back. "Oh! How ignorant you are," eluded;the candidate.

Strong exception was taken by Mr W. Richardson (Auckland Central) to j an interjection made at an open-air meeting he was addressing. The "Star" reports that the interjector suggested : that the candidate had earned his living by cadging. "What good would that, fellow be in fighting the Germans f" asked Mr , Richardson, amid further laughter. "Ain't he a cocktail?" The interrupter: "You heard what I said." Mr Richardson (in with-; ering accents): "I heard what you said! You uttered a slander. You said I lived by cadging, and won't come and say why: I live by running a newspaper. I have given thousands ! of pounds to the cause of prohibition. Aye! more than that. I have given fifty years of an energetic life. I'll tell you what it is (he addressing the crowd). I offended this man by insulting him in a private conversation, but he has shown himself to be miserable cur not to tell you. It shows you what a rubbishy man he is. (Encouraging applause by the crowd.) You know what it is about," he continued, addressing his interrupter. "You are like an assassin or a brigand, sticking your stiletto in by innuendo."

Mr Fisher at Najuer. —The report of the commission on the Bruuner disaster was allowed to lie for 1G years without being touched at all. A .Go back to Captain Cook. Mr Fisher: He was the gentleman who brought the pigs to New Zealand.

'' The best evidence, of the worth or wortlilessness of a Government is to be found in its deeds, and I may be able to give you some account of the deeds of the Massey Government which show their worth. . . . The performances of the present Government prove' it to be in favour of advancement and development. But the deeds of our Opposition friends during our term of office at any rate show that they are a stagnant, inert, reactionary collection of officeseekers." —The Hon. A. L. Herdman at Wadestown..

Referring to the Liberals' opposition to the expenditure of £:!,200,000 on railway improvement in the cities, Mr Herdman, speaking at Wellington, referred to Sir Joseph Ward as undemocratic* and reactionary.

A Voice: What rot! Another: That's absolute misrepre sentation.

Mr Herdman Was then asked by an elector to "come down to earth."

Mr Herdman: I don 't propose to come down to where you are.

The elector: No, I'm only a worker

lion. F. M. B. Fisher at Napier:— "I have come along here," he added, "to help some people to make up their minds at the next election. A Voice: No chance.

Mr Fisher: Well, I am referring to the people who have minds to make up. (Applause.) They had offered to them iu Jlawke's Bay, continued Mr Fisher, a kind of political cocktail, and the cherry was Mr McNab.