THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16609, 5 December 1919, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE TARANAKI SEAT. MR. SMITH AT FITZROY. The Fitzroy Hall was well filled last night, when Mr. Smith addressed a mooting of the electors, Mr. Roy Parkin being voted to the chair. The candidate was well received, and had a most attentive hearing. Referring t» the High Commissioner’s office in London the speaker said he had made some very close inquiries into the matter, and from the iniormation supplied, he was satisfied that one of the most glaring cases of wasted opportunity, and the waste of thousands of pounds a year for which the Reform Government was responsible, was the completely out-of-date High Commissioner’s office in London. Men who had come home from the war were in many cases most bitter in their complaints as to the poor position which Now Zealand holds in London compared with other outposts of the British Empire ; and these men resented the way in which the Dominion was completely overshadowed by Australia and Canada. One returned soldier in particular who knew London before the war, and who has just returned home from a somewhat lengthy stay there, informed him (Mr. Smith) that although New Zealand had a. better office in a more suitable site than was the case six years ago, practically nothing was made of the opportunities, and we were “very small fry” indeed when Canada and Australia asserted themselves. New Zealand had a prominent office in the Strand (one of the busiest streets in London), but in the evening when the street was thronged, one always found the New Zealand office closed with the blinds drawn. A little further on, however, could be found Australia House a blaze of light, crowds closely packed round the windows filled with advertisements of the various industries of the country.

THE STRATFORD SEAT.

THE WAITOMO SEAT.

MB. WILSON’S MEETINGS,

There was a splendid free picture show, where excellent views of Australia were shown, and officials there to talk about Australia and distribute Canada did the same thing:. New Zealand must wake up, and be out to equal, if not excel, the efforts made by other countries. In reply to certain rumours circulated. Mr. Smith stated emphatically that if anv members were returned whq were adherents of I W.W.-ism or kindred spirits, ho would be absolutely and strongly opposed to them. On the motion of Mr. Hawkin, seconded by Mr. O’Dowd, the candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks, and renewed confidence. MR. BUCKERIDGE AT HILLSBOROUGH. Mr. G. H. Buckeridge had a very successful meeting at Hillsborough last night, there being about 30 present. Mr. Harry C. Sampson presided, and disassociated himseil from the Mr. Sampson who presided at another political meeting in an adjoining distinct. Mr. Buckeridge, who spoke on the lines of his other addresses, was given a very good hearing. There were no questions at the end, and a vote of thanks was accorded the speaker and confidence expressed in Mr. Massey. Subsequently a meeting of supporters was hold, and a strong committee formed. Cheers were given for the candidate. AT HtJRFORD ROAD. Mr. Buckeridge met The suppliers of the Hurford Read factory this morning and had* a good talk with them. There was a little hostility at the outset, but* this apparently soon disappeared, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr. Buckeridge and confidence in. the Government.

MB. MASTER’S CAMPAIGN. The Pohukura school was comfortably tilled on Tuesday evening wUen .Ur. Masters placed his political views before his audience. Among other matters ho dealt with tho present administration ox file Advances to Settlers’ Act. Tie pointed out that the present party had shown a want of sympathy in the administration of tins spicndid piece of legislation and quoted instance after instance of settlors who were paying 9 per cent to sundry institutions on their farms. Although ample security was offering, the applications had been turned down by the department. The last year the Liberal Party was in power 4610 applicants wore granted £2,191,300 in advances. With the advent of the Reform Party the advances immediately began to decrease until last year £353,463 only was advanced to 984 applicants. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Heilier moved and Mr. Dawson seconded that this meeting thank Mr. Masters Tor his business-like statement of his political views and expresses confidence in him as being a suitable person to represent the district in Parliament. Mr. Pitcaifhly presided. All Te Wera and surrounding districts met Mr. Masters in the Hall on Wednesday evening, a record political meeting for the district taking place, the hall being packed. Mr. Kemp, in introducing the speaker, expressed the opinion, that if Mr. Masters’ success in business and local life could be taken as an indication ha would make an ideal representative in Parliament. He himself had been a keen supporter of the Reform Party, but he was doing all be could to secure the return of the Liberal candidate. Mr. was given an attentive hearing, his speech being punctuated with applause throughout. Mr. Pentelow, in moving a vote of confidence in Mr. Masters, stated like the chairman, that he had all his life been a supporter of the Reform Party, but he had seen tho error of their ways, and he hoped to seo Mr. Masters returned to Parliament. Mr. O’Neill seconded the resolution which was carried amidst enthusiasm and cheering.

Mr. C. K. Wilson, on his tour of the electorate, is meeting with big success. Ho is having very largo and appreciative audiences to address, and he is placing his platform before them in a most decided manner, which he is very capable of doing. He recently held largely attended meetings at Otangiwai, Mokaniti, Mapui and Kaitangaweka.

MR. MASSEY AT CHRISTCHURCH. THE ROWDY ELEMENT. MAKES MEETING. IMPOSSIBLE. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 4. In response to a request of the Mayor or Christchurch (Dr. Thacker, M.P.), the Premier arrived in Christchurch this evening with the intention of delivering a political address in the Colosseum, one of the largest halls in the city. This building can safely hold about 4COO persons. The meeting was to commence at 8 o’clock, and it was advertised that ladies with escorts would be given the privilege of admittance. By 7 o’clock the ordinary seating' accommodation of the Colosseum was occupied and the doors were closed. For the next hour queues were heavily congested, and there _ began an insistent clamour for admittance. Mr.' Massey, with the Mayor and others, arrived at 7.45, the Premier being received with cheers and coun-ter-demonstrations both from inside and outside. The Colosseum entrance facing Gloucester Street was the scene of great excitement by 7.40, with men struggling to approach the doors and scores of people ventilating personal grievances or political convictions.

An enterprising section of young men had climbed up to the corrugated roof and proceeded to storm the skylights. The police were powerless in such a huge crowd. The tinkling of broken glass was mingled with cheers and hoots from hundreds of voices. There was not seating accommodation left for anybody in the building ■. by 7.45, and as there was a large percentage of ladies present, the exceptionally large posse of police on special duty would not then allow any more people to enter. Under these circumstances it was seen it would he unwise to continue the meeting, because in the event of anyone being overcome fay the atmosphere it would have been almost impossible to reach the exits. Mr. Massev was doubtful about proceeding with the meeting owing to the density and excitement of the audience, but the Mayor advised him to hang on. Just as the Mayor proceeded to open the meeting a determined storm was set up by a section of those locked out on a fire escape, and the chairman’s remarks were inaudible, because of the great din set up by the battering jams of the stormers. .Dr. Thacker was heard to ask for British fair play. “Give the Premier of the country a fair hearing,’’ he asked. He regretted Christchurch did not have a largo enough hall to accommodate the huge crowd, which desired to hear the Leader of the Government speak in Christchurch. After the chairman’s remarks, Mr. Massey briefly conferred with him and then rose to speak. He had hardly expressed his pleasure at seeing such a huge crowd, when his voice was drowned by the united effort of the battering rams on the side doors, and, these giving way, hundreds of men poured into the already overpacked hall like the Niagara. Falls, It was estimated that there were between six and seven thousand people in the hall. A police official was noticed fighting his way to the platform, when the Mayor stood up and announced above the tumult that the meeting could not he held in the Colosseum on account of overcrowding, hut Mr. Blassey would give an address at the Band Rotunda in Victoria Square. There was then a rush for the exits by electors desiring to gain vantage points. Those who got there were regaled by a brass band giving an open-air concert. Meanwhile, Mr. Blassey and others were fighting their way to the ante-rooms behind the platform. Blr. Massey remained in an ante-room until the congestion was removed, and then he went to his hotel. Interviewed after, the Blayor said he was very sorry for what occurred, but it proved the need for Christchurch having a town hall which could accommodate a vast number on such an occasion. Interviewed late to-night, Blr. Blaasoy said the hall was uncomfortably crowded from the outset, and the trouble commenced when a number of men, several hundred strong, who were outside, burst open the door and gained an entrance. Owing to the inrush of these men the hall became seriously overcrowded, and it was apparent "it would be quite impossible to go on with his address. He did not care to comment on what took place, except to say that if the right of free speech wag to be enforced in circumstances which had prevailed on several oceasions during this election then it was* a case of good-bve to the liberty and freedom of which 'we bad been so proud Tn the past. He felt certain it was only a passing phase and be was sorry he could not come hack to Christchurch to speak. SIR JOSEPH WARD.

SPEAKS AT TEMUKA. TIMARD, Deo. 4. Sir Joseph Ward arrived at Temuka from the south by the express. He spent an hour at a Methodist garden party, and visited the Bramweil Booth Boys’ Homo. At night he addressed a crowded meeting at tire Dominion Theatre. Many were unable to obtain admission, and people were present from all parts of the surrounding district. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr. Cartwright) presided. Sir Joseph Ward was received with cheers on entering, and at the conclusion of a two hours’ speech ho was again cheered, and given a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence as Leader of the Liberal Party. He spoke vigorously, and had a sympathetic hearing. He outlined the policy of the party, as sketched in his manifesto, and he said that if he was returned to power that policy would be earned out. The country needed a progressive Government to enable it to meet the great obligations resulting fiom the wav. and he claimed that the Liberals alone could furnish the necessary stimulus to the energies of the people to enable them to go safely through the very critical period. Ho asked that the Liberals be judged by their record of beneficial measures placed on the Statute Book, and which no Reform Government dare repeal. He denied that he was a wild rationaliser, but he would _ apply _ the principle on sound business lines. Though formerly against a State hank, circumstances had so greatly altwed that he now deemed it desirable. The same applied to the coal mines. The trouble with the miners could be settled by giving decent housing and superannuation. He was frequently cheered during the address.

Sir Joseph Ward goes north to-mor-row, speaking at Geraldine on the way.

MR. HANAN’S INDEPENDENCE.

INVERCARGILL, Dec. 4. The Hon, J. A. Hanan opened his campaign at the Municipal Theatre. There was a large attendance. The candidate dealt in a general way with political topics, and expressed approval of most of the planks of Sir Joseph Ward’s programme, advocating a State hank, an increased graduated tax, increment taxation, and a return to the pre-war Territorial system. Dealing with the cost of living, he declared that Professor Fisher’s scheme dealing with the value of the sovereign should he given a trial. He said he had been asked if he would take a seat in the present Government if offered one, but he declared he would not. On a no-confidence motion he would vote to put the Liberals in power, but he would not take office in any Government where the Ministers were not selected purely for their qualifications. He favoured an elective executive. He also stated that he would not take a portfolio unless ha had complete control of the department and the moneys of the department.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, with a fair body of dissentients. THE OTAKI SEAT. WELLINGTON, Dec. .4. Mr. A. J. R. Isherwood, candidate for Otaki. held a meeting at Upper Hutt to-niaht. Mr. P. Robertson, who presided over a large attendance, explained that the candidate was suffering from heart attack and probably would not be able to speak very long. Mr. Isherwood then rose and said he was standing as a Liberal, although he was not supported by the Liberal Party. The candidate denied a statement alleged to have been made- that he was the nominee of the liquor trade. At this stage Mr. Isherwood announced he was too unwell to proceed, but he would address the electors on a future occasion. The meeting then terminated. ’ POLICE KEEPING ORDER. WELLINGTON. Deo. 5. Police were in attendance at Mr. Pirani’s meeting in Wellington Central last night. The disorderly element persisted in interrupting and a number removed, which quieted proceedings to some extent, and the candidate was able to proceed, securing a rather better hearing than before.