ELECTION CAMPAIGN'

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1922, Page 5

ELECTION CAMPAIGN'

PREMIER AT AUCKLAND. SETTLEMENT FOR SOLDIERS. REPLY TO GRAFT'CHARGES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Mr. Massey spoke at Manurewa, in his own electorate, this afternoon and at Auckland West this evening. the latter meeting he replied further to the allegations of graft in land. Referring to the Reporoa estate he said the State had, given the soldiers a good start and he was sure any man energetic enough to work the land properly would be independent in a few years. 'Regarding the Motuhora estate he said he could produce in 24 hours men who would pay what the Government gave for the land if the soldiers wished to leave. Mr. Massey had a good hearing, though there was a strong Labor element present. He received a vote of thanks and confidence. He leaves for the South to-morrow. THE ASHBURTON SEAT. A CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS. Ashburton, Last Night. A development in connection with the Ashburton seat took place this evening, when Mr. G. Wright, who was the official Liberal-Labor candidate, withdrew from the contest in favor of Mr. H. M. Jones, Liberal. The position until Mr. Wright’s withdrawal was that the Hon. W. Nosworthy was opposed by Messrs. Wright, Jones and F. R. Cooke, the Official Labor candidate. Much dissatisfaction was felt in local Liberal circles over the vote splitting and the decision was accepted by Mr. Wilford, who spoke here to-night. After Mr. Wilford’s address a motion was carried expressing the opinion that the time was ripe for a change of Government or a larger Opposition, there being only one dissentient amongst a large audience. DUNEDIN WEST SEAT. Dunedin, Last Night. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart was to-day nominated for the Dunedin West seat. THE TARANAKI SEAT. MR. S. G. SMITH’S CAMPAIGN. (Contributed). Mr. S. G. Smith addressed the electors at Frankleigh Park Hall on Monday evening. There were 40 present, Mr. N. Allen presiding. Political questions were dealt with and favorably received, the speaker being accorded the customary vote of thanks.* On Tuesday afternoon a well attended meeting of Mr. Smith’s New Plymouth committee of ladies was held, when block maps were dealt with and duties allocated amongst the workers. On Wednesday evening a meeting of the general committee was held and definite action decided on to deal with campaign matters. At Egmont Village on Wednesday evening Mr. Smith addressed a meeting of some 70 electors. Mr. H. W. Baxter presided. Mr. Smith explained that though Egmont Village was not now in his electorate, still it was just on the border and had the only public hall in that locality, hence his reasons for speaking there, because after all he was in a measure responsible to them as their former representative for his actions in Parliament, and ho embraced the opportunity to defend himself and Mr. Masters against the charges made against them. Mr) Smith dealt fully with the cry that Mr. Masters and himself had “voted with the Reds and with Rome.” He severely criticised the Rev. Howard Elliott’s campaign and recent utterances at New Plymouth, Mr. Smith’s trenchant condemnation of Mr. Elliott evoking rounds of applause from the audience. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. *H. Marsh proposed: —“That this meeting thanks Mr. Smith for his very able and interesting address and expresses its keen appreciation of his services during his term in Parliament, and that the question of confidence be wisely left to the ballot box.’ This was seconded by Mr. J. Coleman and carried unanimously.