GENERAL ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19809, 28 November 1919, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTION.

CLOSING OF NOMINATIONS. It was previously announced that nominations would close on December ii, but the date has now been altered, and nominations will close at noon on December 8. The Major (Dr Thacker, ALP.) was nominated on Wednesday for the East Christchurch seat, .His nominators were Messrs R. 0. Bishop, George Fail, B. Brown and F. Bruorion. i RICCARTON SEAT. Mr George Witty is having excellent meetings in his campaign for reelection as Mil’, for Iviccarton. Mr Ford, Mayor of Riccarton, presided at Mr Witty's meeting: in the Ri teartop Town Hall on Monday evening, when there was a large gathering ot electors. After the member had delivered an interesting and instructive address, in the course of which ho was frequently applauded, a hearty vote of thanks was passed. The meeting was in sympathy with the speaker throughout Mr Witty addressed over a hundred people at Sheffield on Tuesday evening. Mr George Wright, a member of tho Malvern County Council, occupying the chair. A cordial vote ol thanks was carried by acclamation. On Wednesday night the member spoke at Weedons to a gathering of some lonv electors. Mr Mullcock, chairman of the School Committee, was in tho chair. Mr Witty was accorded a hearty vote of thanks fci his able and interesting speech. According to all accounts, Mr Wittv should not only be at top of tho poll, hut ho should have a substantial margin of votes over ids opponents. Mr Witty addressed a well-attended meeting-at Papanui last evening. Mr Brea presided. Mr Witty was accorded a vote of thanks. “RUB IT IN YOUR HAIR.” Speaking at Cashmere Hills School last night, Air M'Combs said that there was a lot of cunt and hypocrisy being indulged in by the Reform newspapers and others on the possibility of Labour members voting with the Liberals to ousfthe Massey Government; but there was a time when the Reformers were willing to attain office in this country on the vote of a single Labour member, Air John Payne- “ In tho 1911 election, after years and years in the cold shades of Opposition,” said Mr AECombs, “ Reformers did not hesitate to use every endeavour to secure tho Labour vote, and even supported Labour candidates against Liberals in a, number of ‘second ballot contests. In tho Avon contest I was offered Reform support if I would undertake to vote with Mr Massey against Sir Joseph Ward on a no-confidence motion, but as I was unwilling to give that undertaking, tho Reform vote wont to my opponent. When eventually tlie fate of the Government rested on one vote, how angry were tho Reformers with the member for Grey Lynn, Air John Payne, because of his refusal to vote with Air Massey to oust the Liberals. To an indignant resolution forwarded by Auckland Reformers, Air Payne characteristically replied advising them to 1 rub it in their hair.’ The Reformers, who wore quite willing to got into office on the vote of Air Payne, are now trying bo mako political capital out of the possibility of Labour members voting with tho Liberals to oust Air Massey.”

OTHER CANDIDATES’ MEETINGS. Inquiries in. Christchurch yesterday show that no women candidates arc likely to be nominated for Cantcrbuiy seats. To some extent this decision has been come to owing to the shortness of time between the passing ol the legislation and i'ae eloung 0 f nominations. Mr J. G._ Armstrong, candidate for Hurunui, addressed a meeting in the Library Hall, Waiau, on Wednesday night. The chair was occupied by Mr !1. I. Beuvcn, hut, owing to the wet night, the attendance was rather small. On the motion of Mr W. 11. Atkinson, tho candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. M.r George Gardner, candidate or Hurunui, addressed the electors at Omihi on Saturday evening, at Waipara on Monday, at Loithueld on Tuesday. and at Saltwater Creek on Wednesday. At. each place time was a good attendance, and tho candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr C- Morgan Williams, Labour candidate for Kniapoi, addressed a wellattended meeting in the Oxford Town Hal! on Wednesday. Mi ]?\ E. Foot presided. The candidate was heartily thanked for his address. The Hon P. Buddo addressed the electors as Marshland on Wednesday evening, Mr G. Chisnall presiding. There was a good attendance, and Mr Buddo was warmly thanked for his address. Mr Buddo also addressed the electors of Clarkville on Tuesday evening, where he got a good reception. Mr Berg presided. Mr J. Robertson, Labour candidate lor Riccartou, addressed the electors at Jlalkett last night. There was a good attendance. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks. Pr r i hacker addressed a. meeting in pt Mark’s Schoolroom, Oimwn Road. Inst Mr W. M. West presided. .Mr T. Bavitt rnoveci a hearty I'ote of thanks and confidence, which was seconded by Mr Oft,rood and carried. Tho Hon G. W. Russell, Liberal candidate lor Avon, addressed a meeting at the school last evening. Mr C. S. Thompson presided. The candidate was subjected to a good deal of interruption. Mr Russell was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr Hiram Hunter. Labour candidate for Christchurch East, addressed a meeting at St Luke’s schoolroom last night and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Messrs C. Uehenlmm and W.‘ Dobbs- Mr E. G. Beardsley presided. Mr J, M’Combs addressed a meeting in the Cashmere Hills church school last night. At the conclusion of the address the candidate answered a number of questions and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. The Hon G. iV. Russell will address the electors of Avon as follows; Bromley school, to-night; Burwood Hall, j Monday; Limvood school, Tuesday; North Brighton Surf Club* Hall, Wednesday, each ('veiling at eight. Ladies are specially invited. Air I>. G. ouliivnn will address the electors of Aron at the Bromley school on (Saturday evening at eight o’e'.ick, and at the Shirley sciiool on Monday at 8 p.m.

( A NOLSY MEETING. [Pint Press AssociatiOa.] AUCKLAND. November 27. A portion of the !indicnco which attended a. political meeting held in the city to-night by Mr dolly Thomas, i’efonn candidate tor Auckland Central, was in lively 3xood, and the candidate was quite un.v-!e to deliver his speech owing to continual interruptions from one quarter of the hall, The interrupters appeared to ho more or less youths bent on entertainment, and when the meeting dosed the candidate had said little or nothing of the speech which he had prepared. i SOLDIERS’ VOTES. I [Per Press Association.] | WELLINGTON, November 27. Regulations as to_ taking the votes of mcmliern of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces for the purposes of the next genera! election and licensing poll are gazetted. They provide for taking the WUe., oi OieniL'krs o I aO\ exijedi-

tionary force in New. Zealand, membora of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at sea., and soldiers in Samoa and Great Britain. DUNEDIN SEATS. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN. November 37Mr Downio Stewart addressed a. large meeting of electors of Dunedin West to-night. He said lie had welcomed the creation of the National Government, and there was no reason why moderate Labour, Reform and Liberal should not combine. Speaking of an elecdive executive, he said that each man should stand or fall on his own work. He took a modified view of nationalisation. Mr Andrew Walker, official labour, candidate for Dunedin North, address-* ed the electors to-night. He explained the reasons which actuated lum in signing the famous manifesto sent to Australia, and said that the factor which had prompted them to oppose conscription had been the (act that thev also desired the introduction oi national service. The Labour Party in conference decided that soldiers should ho paid 10s a day, and that liberal provision should he made for their wives and children. He explained the reason why ho had not taken part in the Peace Day procession and thii evening demonstrations. PRIME MINISTER AT CROMWELL. [Per Press Association.] CROMM ELI,, November 27. The Prime Minister addressed a public meeting io-night. Ho touched on many matters dealt with during I lust session. Ho took the opportunity ■ of expressing a hope that the wheat- 1 growers’ conference, to ho hold after j 'the holidays, would result in arrangements Vicing made with the growers to produce enough, wheat for the requmsments of the Dominion. Good work was likely to he done by tlic Empire organisation winch is to 'he established | to control shipping from the heart of i the Enipire to the outlying Dominions, j Air Alassoy was accorded a warm vote 1 of thanks. He proceeds to Queenstown i to-morrow. i ~ i