THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1262, 18 October 1911, Page 9

THE ELECTIONS.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS, MR. J. E. FITZGERALD AT WADJSSTOWN. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, Liberal candidate for Wellington Suburbs, addressed a wellattended meeting in the Wadestown Schoolroom last evening. Air. Taft proeidod. The, candidato dealt largely with taxation, and stated that, owing to the increase in the cost of living, the worker I position was far from pleasant. The real reward of tho working man was slowly but snrely diminishing. Whilst he (Mr. i'itzgcrald) had very little faith in commissions as a rule, he was pleased to see that the Government were making an honest attempt to grapple with this vital question. The speaker regretted that the Labour candidate had seen fit to suggest that the electors should support the Opposition against the Liberal Government, and he (Mr. Fitrjerald) referred in complimentary terras to certain advice given by Mr. TTegear on this matter. Tho speaker went on to say that he was nevertheless pleased to welcome into tho political arena another yoimg New Zealander. Mr. W. 11. D. Bell. th« Opposition candidato. He thought it was a good sign that young men were beginning to realise their responsibilities, and were willing to take an active part in ruiding the destinies of their country. After answering qnestiens, the candiJate was accorded. a unanimous voto of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr. Watts, seconded by Mr. Blake. At tho conclusion of the meeting a committee was sot np to further the candidate's interests. WELLINGTON EAST. MB. T.Q: BOLTON AT NEWTOWN. Mr. IV G. Bolton, Government candidate for Wellington East, delivered an address at the Newtown Library last evening, there bein.? between 50 and 60 people present. The chair was taken by Mr. A- Dickson. ~ . After reference to his per;onal 4 and busiaess qualifications, the candidate annoimcod that, if elected, ho would SUPPJ™ the present Government on a no-connd-enee motion, but, outside such a motion, hie hand would be free. He statedthat, as a member of the Government party, ho conld do more fot the electors than as an Independent member, and asked his bsaTers not to be led away by those wit declared that followers of the Government were entirely subject to th» party Whip. It was eoT.ietiir.es necessary tor a partf man to make sacrifices oa, matters of'detail, but he got Tiis return in other ways, foT everything was a matter_of compromise in politics nowadays. Tie Opposition candidate, whp would be 6j*akinz in Newtown m a few days, had recently told the electors that, if return-ed-to Parliament, he would advocate the development of the baekblocks, and the opening of the million seres of Native lands in the province. He challenged Dr. Newman to cite any large areas m the district remaining undeveloped. If he can show mo 258,000 acres of Native laiwts in'the district I will give him a said Mr. Btlton. Continniij, the candidate considered that en improvement in the conditions of Wellington would be best brought about by the encouragement of industries here rather than thescheree advocated by the Opposition candidate of developing Wellington's back country. The candidate classed as unfair tho negative criticiam, which did not suggest a remedy. He favoured criticism of a constructive character, which was at all times helpful to the country. Loeal industries should bo encouraged to prevent exodus of population and provide employment for t&o artisans of the future. The cost of living was dealt with at length by' the candidate, who advocated the removal of the duty on Oregpa pine and similar timbers, with the object of enabling houses to bo erected more cheaply, tvnd thus assist in reducing rents, lo this end ho also favoured a different system of land valuation. With a system based upon the true value of a street as o residential locality and the cheapening of tho cost of building, rents must necessarily fall. He commended the Govern-: ment's Workers' Homes and Advances to Workers policy. At tho conclusion of his address, the candidate eprcssed hJ3 willingness to answer anv questions as to his policy, but was not called npon to do so. On the motion of Mr. W. Brow.n, seconded by Mr. 3. Hoarc, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

' HAWKE'S BAY. Mr. G. Spencer Clapham, a candidate far the Hawko's Bay seat, opened bis campaign with a political apeech at the Princess Theatre. Hastings, on Friday niglit. Mr. Clapham, who stood at Uμ last election as a Government candidate, on this occasion announces himself as an Independent Liberal and Labour candidate. Mr. Clapham has evidently quite lost faith in the present Government', for he declared thai the Ministry wae no longer a Liberal one. Sir Joseph Ward, formerly an autocrat; had, by accepting a title, become an aristocrat, and.lie considered that' no aristocrat was likely to lead Now Zealand where it should go. The candidate devoted Iho bulk of his epeech to a consideration of the workers' position. He laid emphasis on the lot of the worker, and while not outlining any definite remedial measure, he leoked fo: , a solution in the kindred problem ef settling the land. He gave his imdiemco to nnderstand that he .would go to any lengths in the direction of compulsory purchaso of estates, graduated' lax, and limitation of areas t'hat might seem nocwcary. In answer to a question as to whether, in the event of not being in the second ballot, ho would lend his aid to tho Government candidate, Mr. Clapham replied in tho negative. Hβ said that, had a suitable Government candidate eoino out, he probably would not have stood. In the event of his not being in Iho second ballot, the election would liavo no farther interest for him. Ho would f»o homo and plant onions. There was a large attendance and at the conclusion Mr. Claphara, who has' a good platform manner and a capital delivery, received a unanimous vote of thanks.

DUNEDIN NORTH. (By Tcleeraah.-Prcsa Association.) Dunsdin, October 17. Mr. R. E. Dougliis, Independent Liberal eandidato for' Duncdin North, opened hia campaign to-night. 110 attributed tho increased cost of living to increased and inflated land values, and Eaid that one method of meeting tho difficulty was State'competition. On tho land question ho favoured the leasehold tenure, and 6aid that Crown lands should not bo disposed of. He urged the immediate opening up of unused Native lands. Ho apS roved of tho national provident fund, ut said that peopls wanted a universal annuity fund. Hβ considered that i three-fifths majority on the liquor question van not a fair proposition. The candidate received a unanimous rote of thanks and confidence.

DUNEDIN SOUTH. Dunodin, October IC. Mr. J. E. MacManus, Labour candidate for Dunedin South, addressed a. very largo meeting at St. Kilda to-night. Ho advocated that no further Crown lands bo disposed of, and stated lhat the Labour party favoured the bursting-up of largo estates, and a progressive land value tax.l It vjnild also support a Town Planning Bill, and the establishment of a State bank with Stale note ifftuc; State ferry and collier services, nnd competitive Stats factories. Ho received an attentive hearing and at the conclusion received a vole of thanks for his address, do stated that ho did not desire a vote oi confidence. RAGLAN. Hamilton, October IC. Air. Risil Hewctt, chairman of tho Itaglun County Council from 1593 to 1910, nnd a well-known fnrinnr at Waimai, is announced for the Raglan electorate as an Independent Liberal.

Dr. Newman will address the electors of Wellington Kast at the Victoria nail, Ncwtown, ut 8 o'clock, on Friday evening'