SIR JOSEPH WARD AT LEESTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17734, 6 December 1919, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT LEESTON.

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 5

Sir Joseph Ward addressed a crowded meeting of Ellesmere electors at Leeston to-night. He received a very attentive hearing. His speech was on the lines of his recent address in the South. He strenuously denied a published statement that he was in any way whatever pledged to the Red Feds. He was the only leader, who had put up an opponent against H. E. Holland and P. Fraser. He received a vote of thanks and confidence with the hope that the Liberal Party would be returned to power.

At the usual Labour rally in Maria Place last night, oue of the speakers asked, if the electors of Wanganui were aware that Mr Veitch was in favour of paying the General Manager of the New Zealand Railways at the rate of sixtypounds a week, when Admiral Jellicoe only received half that amount when in command of the Navy during the war? Mr Veitch voted for the Government's proposal to pay the General Manager a salary of £3000. This was the man who claimed to represent Labour! At this rally also two of the speakers referred to the sitting member's statement that there had been collusion between the Reformers and Official Labour, and both emphatically denied that there was any hint of collusion, nor did they want to have anything to do with the Reformers of Wanganui. They wanted it to be said after the election, whether successful or not, Official Labour had put up a clean fight without assistance from either of the other candidates.

The Wellington Caledonian Society recently reorganised, has decided to revive Caledonian sports after a lapse of nearly thirty years. From an athletic point of view the programme is the biggest that has been drawn up—the list eclipsing that of a New Zealand championship meeting. Particulars relating- to the sports meeting appear in our advertising columns.