GENERAL ELECTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1789, 7 November 1919, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION.

CANDIDATES IN TtiE FIELD.

The following candidates have been announced in the newspapers as intending to contest seats at the forthcoming elections. "R" signifies a supporter of Mr Massey, "L" a supporter of Sir Joseph Ward, "Lab." a Labour candidate, "I" Independent, and "D" a candidate ■whose party attitude is unknown. Members of the last Parliament are distinguished by an asterisk. Bay "f laland*.—St. C. Jounneaux, 1.L.; *V. H. Reed, R. Mar«den.—A. H. Curtis, Mod. Lab.; *F. Mander. R.: D. A. McLean, I. Lab.; F. Murdoch, I. Prog.; Licut.-Colonet Mackesy, L K»ir>»rs.—»Hon. J. G. Coatos, R.; A. Gregory, Lab. Wai'emata.—C. F. Bickford, 1.L.; *A Harris,

E4er.—R. E. Hornblow, L.; O. Mcßrine, Ij«b.; •(:. J. Parr, R. r.oslill (New Electorate).—G. Davis, T.ab.; J. H. Guiison, I.; F. W. Peddle, I.; V. H. Potter, R. Crcy Lynn.—F. X. Bartram, Lab.; Hon. G. Fowlds. I.: L. J. Gnrmson. I. Lab.; Miss F_ Melville, R.; P. Richardson, Mod. Lab.; S. Turkington, R. Aockland W»t.-H. X. Bagnnll, R.: C. F. Bennett, P.R.; A. J. Entrician, P.L.; M. J. Savage, Lab. Auckland Eaal—Clutha Mackenzie, R; *Hon. A. M. Myers, L.; R. F. Way, Lab. Auckland Central.—»A. E. Gtover, L.; W. E. Parry, Lab.; J. J. Thomas, R. ParmlL—Mrs F. ETBaume, I.L: T. Bloodworth, Lab.; *J. S. Dickson, R. Hmnokau. -'Sir F. W. Lang. R.:.C. E. Major, 1..; H. G. R. Mason, Lab.; R. E. Taylor, I. Franklin.—»Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, R.; E. Piggott, Lab. Thames.—T. F. Long, 1.L.; T. Purtcll, Lab.; *T. W. Rhodes, R.; W. J. McCormick, L. Ohinemari.—J. Clark, R.; *H. Poland, I„ Harlan.—«R. F. Bollard, R.; C. Johnstone, L; W. J. Jordan,-Lab. Waikato.—A. Blackman, Lab.; C. Lafferty, I.;*J. A. Young, R. Waitorao (late Taamarnnui).—F. T. Broom, La*.; *W. T. Jennings, L.; C. K. Wilson, B.; J. Hall, R. Taaranra.—*Hon. W. H. Herrles, R.; B. C. Bobbins, I.P.L. Batotaa (Sew Electorate).—E. C. Banks, B.; W. C. Hewitt. L: F. H. Hockly. R.: P. Keoghan, D.; M. Larney, L.; A. Oldham, Lib.-I.ab.; C. Tapper, D. Bay •< Plenty.—* Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, L. Gtlborne.—*Hon. Sir J. Carroll, L. Napier.—G. P. AMrldge. D.; H. O. Fullbrook. Lab.; »J. V. Brown, L.; H. HM, Lab.; P. C. Evans, Lab. Btwkt'i Bay.—M. Beamish, I. Lab.; H. M. Campbell, R.; G. Mackay, L. Waipawa.—»G. Hunter, R.; A. E. Jull, Lib.Lab. Paktatma.—R. B. Ross, L.; A. McXicoL R. Taranaki.—*S. G. Smith, Lab. Ejnunt-D. L. A. Astbury, IX.; O. Hawken, H. Stratford.—*Hon J. B. Hine, B.; R. Masters, Lib.-Lab. Patea.—W. Morrison, L.; »G. V. Pearce, R.; W. D. Powdrell, R. Palmereton. —*J. A. Nash, I. Manawatu (New Electorate).—A. C. Hillicr, Lab.; *E. Newman, R. Orooa.—*Hon. D. H. Guthrie, R. Banritikei.—F. P. Brady, Lab.; W. S. Glenn, R.; Brig.-Gen. W. Meldrum, L.

Wanganui.—W. J. Cuttle, R.; L. Mcllvride, Lab.; *\V. A. Veitch, Lab. Hasten on.—W. Candy, Lab.; C. Cross, Lab.; A. Holmes, Lab.; \V. B. Mathison, R.; •G. R. Sykes, I. Wal marine—!•". Langston, Lab.; J. C. McGill Hntt, D.; *R. \V. Smith, L.; F. W. Shortlaud, I. Wairarapa.—C. Danahey, Lab.; *J. T. M. Horusby, I.; A. D. McLcod, L. Wellington East.—»Dr A. K. Newman, R.; A. L. Monteitli, Lab. Wcilinctan Central.—»P. Fraser, Lab.; F. Piranl, L. Wellington North.—*J. P. Luke, R.; J. Reid, Lab.; H. 0. Browne, L : Wellington Soath.—Col. G. Mitchell, I.; *R. Sempie, Lab. Wellington Suburb*.—A. \V. Croskery, Lab.; *R. A. Wright, R. Halt.—W. T. Cotton, Mod. Lab.: D. K. Pritchard, Lab.; *Hon. T. M. Wilford, L. Otaki.—»W. 11. Field, R.; C. J. Harkness, L; A. J. R. Isherwood, L.; E. Macdonald, Lib.-Lab.; J. McKenzie, Lab. Nelson.—»T. A. H. Field, R.; W. C. Harley, I.; J. G. Price, Lab. Kotneka.—*R. P. Hudson, R.; P. B. Lomax, L.; W. P. Power, Lab.; J. Ryall, Lab.; E. J. Scantlebury, D. Bnller.—*R?Holland, Lab.; D. G. O'Brien, L. Wairaa.—R. J. Cook, Lab.; J. J. Corry, LP.; •R. McCallum, L.; E. H. Penney, R. Weatland.—J. D. Lynch, L; *T. E. Y. Seddon, L.; J. O'Brien, Lab. Hnranul.—*G. W. Forbes, L.; G. Gardner, L; J. G. Armstrong, R. Kaiapoi.—*Hon. D. Buddo, L.; D. Jones, R.; C. M. Williams, Lab. Caristeharch North.—»L. M. Isitt, L.; H. T. Armstrong, Lab. Christchurch Eaat.—*Dr H. T. J. Thacker, L.; H. Hunter, Lab. Chriitrhurch Soath.—H. Holland, 1.L.; F. J. Howard, Lab. BtceartM.—W. Berry, R.; *G. Witty, L.; J. Robertson, Lab. Atoh.—«Hon. G. W. Russell, L.; D. G. Sullivan, Lab. Lyttelton.— *3. McCombs, Lab.; *H. G. EH, L.; W. T. Lester, L.; R. Macartney, R. EHesmere.—*Hon. R. H. Rhodes, R.; G. Barclay, L. Aahbarton.—»Hon. W. N'osworthy, R.; *\Y. J. Dickie, L.; H. M. Jones, I. Timara.—*J. Craigie. L. Temnka.—*C. J. Talbot, L.; T. D. Burnett, R.

Waltaki.—*J. Anstey, L.; J. Bitchener, R.; W. G. Paul, Lab. Oimiru.—*E. P. Lee, R.; J. A. McPherson :

Dunedln North.—E. Kellett, 1.L.; *A. Walker, Lab. Dnnedin West.—J. A. Brown, Lab.; *W. Downie Stewart, R. Dunedin Central.—J. W. Munro, Lab.; *C. E. Statham, R. Danedin Sonth.—W. P. Black, Lab.; Hon. J. T. Paul, Lab.; *T. K. Sidey, L.; Chalmers.—*J. M. Dickson, R.; J. Gilchrist, L. Wakatipu.—A. Ashworth, Lih.-Lab.; Rev. W. P. Rankin, Prog. Lab.; J. Horn, R.; •R. Scott, R. Brace.—Mlon. Sir James Allen, R.; J. Edie, L. Cloth..—»A. S. Malcolm, R.; W. F. Maslin, L. Mataura.—*G. J. Anderson, R.; A. MeLachlan, 1.. Wallace.—»J. C. Thomson, L. Invercareill.—M. A. Hanan, L.; Rev. J. K. Archer, Lab. Awaroa.—'Sir J. G. Ward, L. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH SEAT. LABOUR CANDIDATE'S ADDRESS. In the King's Theatre last evening Mr E. J. Howard, Labour candidate for Christchurch South, opened his campaign in connection with the General Election. The Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C. (president of the New Zealand Labour Party; presided, and Mr J. MeCombs, M.P., was also on the platform. For half an hour before the meeting opened the Trades Hall Orchestra played a number of selections, and a chorus of about 20 ladies and gentlemeu sang "Dawn of the Day," "The Song of the New Year," and "The Comrades' Song of Hope." The chairman said there was one way to improve the politics of the country —send the Labour Party to Parliament. He referred to the success of Labour at the Home elections and the great advance made generally by Labour throughout the English-speaking world. No permanent improvement could be made in the politics of the country except by the application of the Labour Party's policy. (Applause.) The people must put into Parliament an intelligent and virile Labour Party for the solution of the problems of the day. Mr Paul then commended Mr Howard to the electors. Mr MeCombs said that Mr Howard

was backed by the only definite constructive political programme to be put before the electors in the forthcoming contest. THE CAUSE OF THE PEOPLE

Mr Howard, who was received with prolonged cheering by the very large audience, said that as the representatives of Labour they came to challenge all other political parties. The Labour Party knew no defeat because they were workers. The cause of Social Democracy was the cause of the common people. They would force old parties to concede ground; the Labour movement was the oldest in the world. They had forced the moribund Liberal Party to concede ground. The people had the leader of the Liberal Party bringing down a programme i?i which he suggested that if his party we:3 returned to power it was prepared to borrow and spend nearly £33,000,01)0 in three years. In 1891 when that great Liberal Party came into power its watchwords were "self reliance and l-o public borrowing." It now proposed to heap £23,000,000 into the ash pit. Sir Joseph Ward proposed to spend on education £3,000,000, on land for civilian settlement £1,000,000 per year, oil prospecting £20,000 for 10 years, beet sugar production £IO,OOO a year for six years, railways £4,000,000 in'three years, roads £4,000,000 in four years, prospecting £20,000 a year for four years, water powers £6,000,000 in three years, housing £4,000,000 in four years. In addition there is the State bank, purchasing of coal-mines, flour mills, ferry steamers, and advances to soldiers, sailors and civilians. Approximately this State gambler has decided to go ing for an immense plunge for office. And yet those are the people who throw the word "extremist" in the teeth of Labour. The place of the Liberal Party was with the Massey Party. The Reform Party were the land gamblers of the country. At the Avonhead soldiers' settlement they got an idea as to how the land speculators were dealing with the land. The land of New Zealand was not used for crops but for gambling. As soon as the people saw there was something wrong with the simple organisation of this country the Labour Party came into existence.

The time had come when the people must be represented by the labouring people of the country. The Labour Party neither leaned to Mr Massey nor anyone else; Labour was the voice of all the discontent of the past, focused into one strong body. The Labour Party was independent—it stood alone. A Labour man had said that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward had married. They lived together, and as a result there had been a child called the profiteer, which both Ministers disclaimed. The Labour Party was going to say that Parliament should be the reflex of the people of the country; Labour would challenge Parliament and the institutions of the country. The programme as brought down by Labour had been the means of putting new life into the country. With Mr Witty he would say that the Liberal Party was as dead as Julius Ciesar. Mr Downie Stewart could see no difference between the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. They ought to combine, and not say there was any fundamental difference between them. OLD OKDER CHALLENGED.

Labour did not challenge individuals, but it challenged the old order, that system which had been proved wrong. Labour wanted to get into Parliament because it had a constructive policy to offer. The Tories had no platform—there was nothing to oppose. Mr Massey was suffering from the same complaint as Mr Woodrow Wilson. Politicians suffered that way, saying one thing and meaning another. Mr Massey, promising a square deal, had given a round baton. He wanted them to understand the spirit of Labour. It was founded on the rock of truth and righteousness. He was proud of the five "big" men in the House when they challenged Mr Massey concerning indentured labour in Samoa. The Government was striving to turn R. L. Stevenson's beautiful residence into a pig-house. He was proud when those Labour men fought to keep indentured labour out. One could not speak of the happenings under the British Flag without being charged with exploiting filth. Disgraceful things were said about Fiji, where disgraceful things happened to enrich the funds of a sugar company. With a sailor's experience, he said that Samoa was a very Garden of Eden before the exploiting merchant went there. They must not stand for the demoralising effect which indentured labour would have. It had that effect in Fiji. If they could not get sugar cheap without indentured labour, then let them do without sugar, rather than eat the bodies and souls of coolies and other labourers. The speaker then went on to refer to the suicides and murders which happened in Fiji. The State Bank was in the platform of the Labour Party. Sir Joseph Ward advocated that but it was not the bank of the Labour Party. The Labour

Party's State bank was the Post Office in which there was £:)0,000,000, almost more than in the other six or seven banks put together. Those banks had £42,000,000. Why could that Post Office \ Savings Bank not bo made the State | Bank* The State Bank of Australia' was making a profit of £IOOO a day. The great principles observed throughout Labour's land policy were the rights of the people to the ownership aud value of laud; to stop land gamblings to give a land tenure based on occupancy and use, which will secure to the working farmer the full fruits of his labour. Sir Joseph had one to windward of Brother Bill in the case of the housing scheme. Cottages could not be built, but garages for tutor cars could. The speaker contended that the health of the people was better than any benzine bus ever invented. They had fault to find with Sir Joseph Ward because he raised loans free of income tax. The speaker then quoted Professor Hunter on ihe matter at length.

COST OF LIVING. The people could not blame the little butcher or shojikeeper for the high cost of living, the exorbitant cost of things was due to the big financiers. As soon as the Ryan Government in Australia brought down the cost of living the rats of high finance strove to combat them. Ryan and his Government were now fighting the Federal Government over the matter. He did not like to call men wizards of fiance! His dictionary gave the meaning of wizard as belonging to the devil. (Laughter.) People struggling along on their £'-i JO/- per week ilid not know how tiie work of the financiers affected their daiiy lives. Those who got £4 to-day were getting only £2 as compared with the standard of 1914. Professor Hunter had averred that once more had arisen the struggle between life and poverty. How could they talk of patriotism when they were asked to raise £12,000,000? He could not touch ou the points of the platform he would have liked to. He would, however, like to mention their educational policy. Labour was the only organisation to-day out to give the kiddies their dues. The speaker referred I to cramming, the ease of one teacher I dealing with CO children where there should only be 30. The children had

unhealthy, insanitary schools. The result of it all was reflected in the children 's ward at the hospital. The effect of cramming was to undermine the health of the children.

j In referring to newspaper criticism, Mr Howard said that The Sun, which comes out to shine at night, had a gentleman who anticipated things. He '' smacked'' Mr Armstrong before he spoke at all. The gentleman on The Sun must have been a schoolmaster, for he gave Mr Armstrong a caning before that Labour candidate had done anything at all! In conclusion, Mr Howard said that Labour came to the people with the song of hope for humanity. The new era would be ushered in when the profiteer was swept away. When asked why he had not used the correct name for indentured labour, the candidate said the correct name was slavery. (Applause.) An auditor commenced to interject at this stage. Mr Howard: If you don't be quiet Mr Washer I'll tell the meeting why you dislike me.

Mr Washer continued to interject and a vote of confidence in the candidate was passed with one dissentient. OTHER CONSTITUENCIES. RICCARTON. At Papanui last night the Labour candidate, Mr J. Robertson, addressed a well-attended meeting. The candidate got an attentive hearing and answered a number of questions at the close. WELLINGTON CENTRAL. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 7. Mr J. J. McGrath, who had been announced as the Liberal candidate for the Wellington Central seat, has withdrawn from the contest, doctors having advised him not to go to the poll. Mr F. Pirani has consented to stand in Mr McGrath's place.

WANGANUI. Prist Association. WANGANUI, November 6. To-night Brigadier-General Meklrum, the Liberal candidate for the Rangitikei seat, spoke at Wanganui East, and Mr Lewis Mcllvride, the official Labour candidate-for Wanganui, spoke at the Opera House. Each had a good meeting. Mr W. J. Cuttle has opened his Wanganui campaign. He announced himself as a supporter of sane Labour and said that in a test vote between Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward he would support Mr Massey every time. NAPIER. Prr*x Amtociation. NAPIER, November 7. Me P. C. Evans, the selected Labour candidate for the Napier seat, opened his campaign in the Municipal Theatre to-night before a crowded audience. He received a quiet and attentive hearing and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

MOTUEKA. [Special to The Sun.] GREYMOUTH, November 6. It is reported that Mr J. Ryal, a member of the Grey County Council, and an ex-member of the Grey Harbour Board and Education Board, will be a candidate for Motueka in the Labour interest. It is also expected that Mr E. J. Scantlebury, of Reefton, who has been connected with local politics for the past 20 years, will be a candidate for the same electorate.