Mr Willis at Sedge brook.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11728, 1 December 1905, Page 7

Mr Willis at Sedge brook.

There was a large attendance at Scdgobrook last evening, when Mr V. illis placed his political views before the electors of ;hat suburb. Mr Cumberland occupied tho "hair, and in a vory few words introduced Uic candidate. Mr Willis, on rising, was o-rceied with hearty applause and right through his speech was not only listened to fevj attentively, but frequently applauded. He explained that he- was in no way to jlnmc for the split in the Liberal vote md told the audience what had taken r.lace in regard to arranging for someono to stand down. He wished to especially thank Mr T. B. Williams for his groat solftocrificc and loyalty to the Liberal party in that day retiring from tho poitical contest and so reducing the number of Govarnment candidates in the field. The finances of the colony were then touched on and the borrowing policy of the Government lefonded. After dealing with the Land tor Settlement, and tho Advances to SetJers Acts, Mr Willis showed the financial position of the Government in regard to u he Bank of New Zealand and at the termination of this was greatly applauded. He then referred to the railways of this ;olony, and to the improved conditions •inder which the railway servants were working. Then the public debt of the colmy was dealt with and New Zealand shown to be in a thoroughly financial po;ition. A large number of other matters were introduced, including the New Zealand Exhibition. Conciliation and Arbilraion Act, Workmen's Homes, Criminal Code Act, etc. To the land question, of course, some tim© was devoted and in declaring himself an "out and out looseholder'' the candidate gave his reasons foi 50 thinking-, and the audience again applauded him. Mr Willis, in talking 1 about educational matters, stated he had something good to tell the Sedgebrook people that was "That he had juet received word that a vote of .£375 had been passed for the purpose of building a new school at Sedgebrook," and he hoped that it would not bo long before the building was erected. After speaking for about an hour and i half he resumed his sc.it amidst long and continuous applause. Only two questions were asked and these wore satisfactory mswered.

Mr Neilson in proposing "that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Willis for his address," stated that he had often approached Mr Willis on different matters and in every case was treated with every lonsiderntidon and h? now wished to thank Mr Willis for what he had done, especially for his efforts in getting- a n2w school for Sodgcbrook. This was seconded by Mr McLean and carried enthusiastically.

Mr Willis then moved a voto of think* to the chairman and thus cnnVl one of, if not the best, political meetings held at Sedgebrook.

Mr F. H. Haselden will address tho electors at the Flagstaff, Duric Hill, at S o'clock to-night. Mr Gatenby addresses the electors at Putiki this evening. Mr Bassett will address the electors in' the Opera House to-night at 8 o'clock. Th: doors will be opened at 7.30. and the dross circle reserved for ladies and their escorts.

Mr Hogan speaks at Arainoho this evening; at St. John's School, Liverpool Street, on Monday next; and the Opera House on Tuesday evening. His executive committee will meet at the committee rooms to-mor-row (Saturday) evening at 7 o'clock. Mr Gatenby's general committee meet in the Carlton Rooms, Avenue, at eight o'clock sharp to-iiig^ht. Mr Willis's committee meet at Duigcui's rooms this evening as usual. Members oi the outside committees aud friends of tho party are invited. As this will likely be the last meeting of the committee prior to to the election, every member is asked to be present.