POLITICAL POINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16908, 6 December 1922, Page 6

POLITICAL POINTS.

WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE SAYING. The argument that heavy taxation was driving men off the land, and that, the Reform Government had piled up burdens in this direction, was being used last night by the Hon G. TV. Russell. "Who heard of such a charge under the Liberal administration during twenty years? he asked. A voice : There must be a Bill Massey in every country, according to your argument! Mr Russell: Well, perhaps there is! Jf we had a Liberal Government in the country instead of the present wretched Government, the country would bo brought back to prosperity very quick byAt the close of the Hon J. A. Hawaii's meeting at North Invercargill, a vote of thanks and confidence i.i the candidate was moved. There was a solitary “No!” when tho motion was put. and Mr Hanan referred to it as “ a voice crying in the wilderness.” The reply came pat; “ Where you will be crying soon.”

“In Wellington and Taranaki I do not think Reform will have one man returned,” said Mr Hall Skelton with conviction. Mr Wilford and his supporters arc equally sure’ of the chances oi his party in Taranaki, even though Mr Massey was confident in contradict ing him. “Old Campaigner” has received a note from a candidate down the “ milky way,” who is also sanguine about the success of the Liberal Labour party, and he goes further than the bald statesment. forecasting the probable majority of some oj; the can didates. Mr Masters, who is opposed by his old opponent, Mr Hine, will, he estimates, increase hi« majority of 100 to the neighbourhood of 7(10; Mr S. G. Smith he expects to be returned by 900 majority; and the veteran Lib eral, Mr W. Jennings, with 400 to the good. At Patea. where there are two Reformers in the field, the Liberal candidate, Mr Corrigan, is given an excellent chance, having surprised his supporters by his good work on the platform, while his championing of the Butter Pool may react against Mr Hawken. the Reform member for Eg mont.

Mr Massey has beeii giving feeds of political bran to the West Coasters. He told tho Hokitika audience the old, old story and painted a charming little picture showing “ the appreciation of the .soldiers for what the Government was doing.” Up at Blenheim, he said, twenty soldiers had drawn him in his motor-car at the double to his hotel. Mr Massey’s logic is' based frequent! yon a passing sentiment as different from the real feelings of the people as chalk is from c eese. The main thing to Mr Massey is that he left the Hokitika audience happy. Stiffly and cautiously bowing about one and a half degrees, he won undoing love by thanking the audience for listening “ so long and intellectually to him.” The men straightened their ties, and the ladies moved furtively Jit their bijou looking-glasses.