GENERAL ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19816, 6 December 1919, Page 10

GENERAL ELECTION.

CANDIDATES' MEETINGS. Mr G, Witty, M.P., addressed a meeting of Riccarton electors in the Templeton Hall on Thursday night. Mr p. Sinclair presided. There was a largo gathering, many ladies being present. The candidate was well received and was given a good hearing. Ho answered a number of questions and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for bis address. The Durham Street schoolroom was crowded last evening to hear Mr L. M. Isitt, a candidate for Christchurch North; Mr C. E. Salter presided, and the candidate met with a good reception, although a number present showed their hostility by numerous interjections. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded without dissent. Mr W. R. Devereux, the Government candidate, addressed a meeting of electors in the Kirwee show grounds hall last night. The speaker was listened to most attentively. On the motion of Mr Belgrave a vote of thanks to the candidate was carried by acclamation. The candidate remarked that they had lost the old Selwyn electorate, which used to include Kirwee. Tne Burnham Industrial School had been closed and the buildings were a white elephant, and he could see no, tangible reason why the ' property should not he made into a State farm, as there were over a thousand acres of land included. A large deputation, representing electors •in the Kaiapoi electorate, waited on Mr 11. P. Spencer, of Ourulua, asking him to accept nomination as a candidate for the scat. Mr Spencer, in returning thanks to the deputation for the honour, stated that he was unable to accept tho invitation, as his ideas were in accordance with tuose of the sitting member, the Hon D. Buddo. Mr Witty addressed a meeting of electors at West Melton on Friday night, Mr Sowers, chairman of the School Committee, presiding over a good attendance. The candidate was listened to with attention and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for an interesting address. THE PATEA SEAT. . HAWBRA,. December 6. Mr ?. B. Fitzherbort, official Labour candidate for tho Patea seat, spoke last evening to a, large audience. He severely criticised the Liberal leader and policy, and outlined I/n,hour’s platform as published by the party. He was given a fair hearing, but at questiondime he was subjected to much hostility regarding his connection with Messrs Holland and Somple, who, his questioners persisted in stating, were disloyal. Mr Fitzherhert, who served in the South African War and for a year in the recent war, declared that he would only support Mr Semple if he proved him to be loyal. Returned soldiers endeavoured to move a motion of no confidence, but there was sot much noise that they could not he heard. _ Finally, amid much dissent, a motion of thanks and confidence was declared carried.