POLITICAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15976, 19 November 1919, Page 11

POLITICAL.

THE HON. HEATON RHODES. (Per United Press Association.) CH RISTCHDECH, November 18. The Hon.'Heaton Rhodes addressed his constituents at Southbrklge last night. In connection .with soldiers’ gratuities he said that the bulk of the soldiers considered the Government were 'doing a fair thing. The question of indentured labour would come up next session. Land aggregation must bo stepped, and he advocated the compulsory taking of estates for settlement purposes. He emphatically supported the present education system, and would increase University scholarships. All non-essential buildings should be stopped to allow of the erection of workers’ houses. He believed a new system of military training would be introduced next session which would enable training to be dons without interfering with a man’s ordinary occupation. The Government should let the farmers know what they would get for wheat by fixing prices. He approved of the ferry service, but thought action should bo delayed till the South Island Main Trunk line was finished. A vote of thanks was passed, ADDRESS BY ME MACDONALD. GISBORNE, November 18. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald addressed the electors of the Bay of Plenty at Tekaraka. He had an enthusiastic meeting. He defended the work of the National Government, and said every member of the Cabinet bad been imbued with the idea of doing his very utmost for the Dominion and the Empire. The impression that the Liberal Party had deserted the Reform Party was incorrect. He having held double the portfolios of any member of the Cabinet, had prepared all the Bills, even to the printing, and handed them over complete. Then he handed over control of all reports of Ms Departments complete with estimates signed ready for presentation. The prime Minister had only to tear off the front sheet and replace it with the name of the new Minister. Mr Massey, when he returned to New Zealand, had not consulted his colleagues as to his future policy, but began to frame a policy to enunciate to Liberal Ministers. Sir Joseph. Ward wanted to knw where be stood, and went to Mr Massey, and in three minutes was back with the answer that the National pact was at an end. After outlining' the district's clauses, he complained it had been penalised severely. He criticised Mr Berries' administration of Native lands. The Government in seven years had not settled a I single settler on the East Coast. Regarding the shipping problem, he defended the Imperial authorities. He regretted that people should have complained that they were not being paid tbe same to a fraction of a penny as alien countries. Eeally out here in New Zealand we had some obligations to tbe British flag.' He also dealt with the coal situation, hydro-electric development, finance, and made an appeal for unity to face the after-war problems. A vote of thanks and confidence was unanimously passed with an expression of hope that Mr Mac Donald would hold an important portfolio in the new Cabinet.

THE WAIKATO SEAT. HAMILTON, November 18. At the request .of a representative deputation, Mr Percy H. Watts, the Mayor of Hamilton, has consented to stand for the Waikato scat as an Independent Liberal. THE RICCARTON SEAT. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 17. Mr Witty, M.P., Liberal candidate for Riccarton, opened his campaign to-night. He said that from the ashes of the old Liberal Party there was going to spring a new Liberal Party, which would do better work even than the old, and would be a benefit and a blessing to the community. At the same time he was not tied hand and fot. He had refused positions in the Ministry because he refused to be absolutely tied to any party. He would sooner be out of the House foot. He had refused positions in extreme Labour Party under any conditions. A. vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried almost unanimously.