MR, WILLIS AT SEDGEBROOK.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12668, 2 December 1905, Page 5

MR, WILLIS AT SEDGEBROOK.

There was a large attendance. -at Sedgeborook last evening, when.: Mr Willis placed his political, views before the electors of that suburb. Mr Cumberland occupied the chair, and in, a very few words introduced the candidate. Mr Willis, on rising, was greeted with hearty applause and right through his speech was not only listened to very attentively, but frequently applauded. He explained that he was in no way to blame for the splat in the Liberal vote, and told the audience what had taken place in regard to arranging for someone to stand down. He wished to especially thank Mr T. B. Williams for his great self-sacrifice and loyalty to the Liberal party on that retiring firom the political contest and so reducing the number of Government candidates in the field. The finances of the colony were then touched on, and the borrowing policy of the Government defended. After dealing with the Land for Settlement, and the Advances to Settlers Acts, Mr Willis showed, the financial position of the Government in regard to the Bank of New Zealand, and at the termination of this-was greatly applauded. He then • referred to- the railways of this colony, and to the improved oon-ditions-under; which the railway servants wore-working:-^Then tlie'public debt,of the colony was dealt with; arid .New Zealand shown to be an-a thoroughly, financial position. A large number, of other matters were iritn'oduoed", including the •New Zealand Exhibition, Conciliation &hd Arbitration Act, Workmen^ Homes, Criminal Code Act, o'tc. To the1 land question, of course, some time was devoted, and in declaring himself an "out and out leaseholder" the candidate gave his reasons, for so thinking,";'and the audience again applauded him. Mr Will's, in talking about educational mattens, stated he had something good to tell the S&dgebrotok people,- and. that was " that he had just received word that a vote, of £375 had been passed"focr the piirpose of building a new school at Sedgebrook," arid he hoped that- it would not be long before the building was erected.. After speaking for about an hour arid a half he resumed his sea'" amidst long, and continuous applause. Only two questions were asked, and these were satisfactorily answered. Mr Neilson, in proposing " that a heaa*ty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Willis for his address," stated that iha had often approached Mr Willis on different msatteirs, and in every case was treated with eveory consrderation, and 'he now wished to ithank Mr Willis for what he 'had done", especially for his efforts in getting <a new school for Sedgjebrook.

This was seconded 'by Mr McLean, and carried entihusiastiioally. iMr- Willis then moved a vote of tihaiiks 'to the chairman, and thus ended one of, if not tfhe 'best, political'meetings 'held at Sedgebircok.

MR. GATENBY AT PUTIKI. Mr G-aitentoy addressed the electors at Putiki.last evening, and had a most cordial and enthusiastic reception. Mr Ross was in tJie chair, and bivefly introduced the candidate, eulogising his character and success, bpt'b as a man of business and i*l his,privat-9 life- actions. Mr Gatenby <tih«n. addressed the mdci-

ing in a strain eimilar to .his. former well-thought-out expositions' of-poKtifiaa; and at the conclusion, of a most enlightening address was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The candidate said^that the expression of confidence some of his audience wished to express had better 'be left and given to him at the ballot box.

The usual vote to the chair concluded a bright and pleasant meeting.

(Mr. Bassett's speech will be found on page 8).