POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1922, Page 7

POLITICAL.

TURNING OF COATS. A NAPIER COLLOQUY. “Why did you turn\your coat,Vigor?” asked an interjector at Mr. Vigor Brown’s meeting the other night. Air. Brown: “I haven’t turned my coat. Air. Massey has come my way.” (Laughter.) The speaker went on to explain that in an interview with a reporter two and a half years ago, he had stated that he had broken away from the Liberal Tarty, but had not changed his political views. Air. Wilford to him was not a Liberal but an Opportunist. He could not follow Air. Wilford. A voice: “You would only be a nuisance to him, anyhow.” (Loud laughter. ) Mr. Brown: “He tried hard to get that nuisance with him all the same.” During question time a member of the audience said: “Three years ago you were elected to the House as a Liberal and now you say Air. Alassey has come to you. Which of you has twisted?” Air. Brown: “Mr. Alassey changed his mind and now has come to me. He brought more Liberal measures before Parliament than any Liberal Government.” The questioner: “Mr. Massey, then, twisted towards you?” Air. Brown: “Mr. Alassey has not twisted. He has only changed some of his views, with which I agree.” , “BILL, COME HOME!” AIR. MASSEY NONPLUSSED. There, was, as it seemed, a persistent heckler at one of Mr. Massey’s enthusiastic meetings in his electorate this week. The interjections were something of a mystery. The Prime Minister is not easily disconcerted on a platform, but clearly in this case he was nonplussed. The interruption was exasperating, it was peculiarly shrill and indistinct, but so frantically eager that the audience rocked with merriment. No one could locate exactly the source of the “small voice” that was not “still.” It was like ventriloquism. Air. Alassey courteously asked if it were a lady who desired to put a question, but it was not a lady in distress. He went on again until, during a pause, the audience was once more convulsed, and the mystery was solved. The interjections had come from a small boy outside yelling through the wall ventilator. His trouble was not Political. “Bill,” he had yelled to a pal inside, “your mum says you have to come home at once.” AIR. HAWKEN AT MANGATOKI. (Contributed). One of the largest and most enthusiastic political meetings ever held at Mangatoki took place on Wednesday evening, when Air. O. J. Hawken, the Reform candidate, addressed the electors. Mr. J. Marx, chairman of the local factory, presided, and in introducing Air. Hawken spoke of the attention always given and interest taken in every matter affecting his electorate, and nothing at any time was too much trouble for Egmont’s member. Air. Hawken touched on most of the questions of the day, driving home his arguments and facts with sledge hammer force, the audience loudly applauding each point made. A number of questions were asked, many of them by Air. Wright, who at the end moved a vote of thanks to the speaker, giving him great credit for the straightforward, manly way he had replied to questions. Forty of the electors remained behind to form a committee. (To the Editor.) Sir, —It is reported that at the close of Air. Hawken’s meeting at Mangatoki forty of the electors remained behind to form a committee. As one of those who was watching things closely, I wish to point out that this statement leaves a false impression, as only ten or thereabouts of Mangatoki residents stayed, the balance being made up by visitors. Many of Mr. Hawken’s supporters were present from other districts, this being proved by the fact that the movers of the amendment to the effect that it be one of thanks and confidence withdrew their amendment in favor of the resolution of thanks only, plainly showing that Air. Hawken’s supporters were afraid it would be lost if the visitors were deprived from voting. —I am, etc., A. H. GUY. Mangatoki, November 23. HAWKE’S BAY SEAT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hastings, Last Night. Sir Andrew Hamilton Russell (Reform) and Air. Charles- Henry Chapman (Labor) were nominated for the Hawke’s Bay seat to-day. THE WAITOMO SEAT. MR. JENNINGS’ ACTIVITIES. (Contributed.) The strenuous work of a candidate for a big scattered constituency is shown in what Mr. W. T. Jennings, the sitting member for Waitomo, nas put up since leaving Wellington on October 29 last. There are 96 polling places, and for a candidate to get anywhere close to visiting the various places necessitates travelling and speaking on an average three times per day. The weather conditions were trying the first two weeks of the electoral campaigning. By Wednesday, the 22nd inst., Air. Jennings had addressed forty-one places, in addition to speaking to school children at four places on love of country. The member has now finished practically the King Country, and is working down to Awakino, AJokau and Waitara, and still has twenty-six places to visit before polling day. The member states he is well satisfied with the reception he has received in the King Country. THE STRATFORD SEAT. MR. MASTERS. (Contributed). Despite the attraction of the show a good audience was in attendance at Air. Masters’ meeting on Thursday evening in the Tututawa Hall. Mr. J- B. Norris occupied the chair and paid a tribute to Air. Masters’ close attention to his duties so far as the Ibcal district was concerned. His work, continued Mr. Norris, on behalf of the small dairy farmer of the district was such that warranted the support of the farmers of the community. At the conclusion •of the meeting Air. Brooking, of the j Tawhiuhi soldier settlement, moved a • resolution to the effect that the meeting had absolute confidence in Mr. Alastors as their representative in Parliam nt. Mr. G. Walker seconded the re- | solution, vvhfich was carried unani- i xnously.

There was a large and enthusiastic meeting of Mr. Masters’ supporters at the Norfolk Road school on Thursday night, the school being crowded. Air. J. Stephen presided. Air. Masters said, with regard to his attitude on the Ne Temere decree, that it had been stated that he voted against the Bill. That was untrue. He, with his party, had voted on a, resolution moved by Air. Isitt that the matter be referred back to the committee for further consideration. The candidate, who throughout his address scored when questioned by one or two opponents, received a most enthusiastic reception at the close., A vote of thanks and confidence was unanimously passed on the motion of Air. Nash. Air. Masters addressed a good audience at Rowan on Wednesday night. Mr. R. Willis was voted to the chair and in introducing the candidate said that Air. Alasters was without doubt the most prominent public man an Taranaki to-day. Air. McDougall moved, and Air. Coyle seconded, a very hearty vote of thanks for his address and confidence in Air. Alasters as their representative in Parliament. The motion was carried unanimously. The meeting ended with three rousing cheers for the candidate. MR. HINE. (Contributed). A good number attended Air Hine’s meeting in the Denbigh Road schoolroom on Wednesday night. Mr. Ferguson was appointed chairman. On the proposal of Air. Anderson, seconded by Air. Anthony, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Air. Hine was carried unanimously. Mr. Hine met the electors of Pembroke Road on Tuesday evening, Air. R. A. Belcher presiding. At the conclusion of his address he received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. The great majority of the electors of Ratapiko attended Mr. Hine’s meeting on Monday evening. Air. Cowley was voted to the chair. Mr. Hine’s address was followed with keen interest. At the conclusion of the address Air. Jacobson proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hine for his able and instructive speech, which was seconded by Air. Williams and carried unanimously. Air. Hine addressed a meeting of electors at Lincoln Road school on Thursday night, when about 50 were present. Air. Burson was elected to the chair. The candidate was well received and his address attentively listened to. After having answered questions a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him, on the motion of ‘Mr. Owen, seconded by Mr. Egarr.

AUCKLAND NOMINATIONS. Auckland, Last Night. Nominations made to-day were: C. J. Parr (Reform), for Eden, and J. Way (Labor), for Waitemata. THE GISBORNE SEAT. Gisborne, Last Night. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Reform) was nominated to-day for the Gisborne seat. MORE POLITICAL DIVERSIONS. PENSIONS FOR THE BUND. Debate on the Estimates—copied from Hansard:—, Pensions Department. —Air. Wilford said that the time had arrived for a revision of the whole pensions system. Air. Parry endorsed the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition. He moved that the item, “Commissioner’s Salary £837,” be reduced by £l, in order to emphasise the desire of Parliament that adequate pensions should be provided for the blind. The chairman said the hon. gentleman could move the reduction of the item by £l, but the words he proposed to add would be irrelevant, as they related to a question of policy. The motion was not, therefore in order, and he could not receive it. The committee divided on the question that the item, “Commissioner of Pensions £837” be reduced by £l. Ayes, 14.—Forbes, Hanan, Holland, Masters, Mitchell, Munro, Ngata, Poland, Savage, Statham, Sullivan, Wilford, Howard, Parry. Noes, 34.—Anderson, Bitchener, Bollard, Coates, Craigie, Dixon, Dickson, Field, Glen, Guthrie, Hamilton A., Hamilton J. R., Harris, Henare, Herries, Hockley, Horn, Hudson, Lee, Luke, Mackenzie (reported as voting against his fellow sufferers, McCullum, Alassey, Nash, Newman A. K., Newman E., Pomare, Potter, Reed, Rhodes R.H., Rhodes T. W., Young, Hunter, McLeod. Air. Alasters says that he voted with the Reds with the object of securing pensions for the blind. Who is to be be. lieved, Hansard or Air. Alasters?. —Advt.