THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1273, 31 October 1911, Page 6

THE ELECTIONS.

CANDIDATES IN THE COUNTRYPOLITICAL JOTTINGS. j "Now when it was found that tho Government was tottering tho Prime Minister said, 'Go away and promise I anything so long as you como back to '■ power.' "—Mr. Farrant, Labour candidate I for Invercargill, in his opening address. i - f Politics aro not everywhere supreme. ■ The Cromwell correspondent of a southern ■ paper states that the political contest in ; tho Wakatipu electorate threatens to bo completely overshadowed by tho Vincent County elections. This is duo to the fact i that,,in, four ridings, youny aspirants are ; out against the old sitting members, and keen contests are anticipated. .Mr. i Fraser, the sitting member for Wakatipu, is to be opposed by Mr. Jas. Horn, chairman of the Vincent County Council, who will stand in the Government interest. Although the indisposition of Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P. for Masterton, will pro- ! vent his taking as active a part in tho coming campaign as ho would doubtless have desired, ho intends prosecuting his ! candidature with all the_ energy that the circumstances will permit. A committee ! has been formed to look after his intert • esfe, and this will reliove him somewhat f of tho strain of the campaign. Sir. Hogg has already made it clear that ho is no longer a supporter of tho Ward Administration; and it is hoped that he will presently indicate whether he can bo depended upon to vote against the Adnrinis- ; {ration on a no-confidcnco motion. ' Mr. Tarrant, the Labour candidate for ■ Invercargill, was very outspoken in his ; condemnation of tho Government at his 1 opening speech. "On all sides," he said, "was our Democracy being assailed. The " Imperial Parliament was a fledgling of • the Prime Minister's brain, hatcheß on i tho ocean. The people of New Zealand knew nothing of the project till they Tcad of it in the oablo messages. Was \ that Democracy? Tho Home papers told I . -how tho other members of the conference i 6quinncd in their seats and looked awful- ■ ly uncomfortablo as the absurd and ; ridiculous proposals were unfolded by ! the Prime Minister. When Sir Joseph i Ward found that tho idea met with a chilly reception, he gavo up his claim to 1 it and announced the proposals ns being r thoso of tho people of New Zealand." ; (Laughter and applause.) [ Work, Not Talk. More work and. less talk is what is ■wanted in Parliament, according to Mr. Dickson, Independent candidate for : Parnell. Politicians, ho said in a recent speech, should do away with petty party squabbling and devote their timo to the true business of building a great practical political system, on which the Dominion would stand as tho greatest posi session of tho Britisih Empire, and under which their people would become an ini dependent people, strong in character, \ sound in physique, and a' model to the world. (Hear, hear.) Ho bnilt his plati form on practical politics, and his motto i was, "Work, not talk." (Loud applause.) The Past Session, I . "Tho session just ovor was not a notable one," tho "Taranaki News" remarks editorially, "but it will be remembered as ; ; one for which there was a long programme and a great waste of time. Tho time frittered away in the opening weeks on a perfectly useless debate on the Address-in-Rcply showed how irritatingly antique and senselessly conservative Parliamentary customs aro. These wasted weeks might just as profitably have been em- ! ployed by getting the Clerk of tho House to read old newspapers;. The work that should be done when members aro freshest and not frothing to go electioneering is pelted into the dying days, and Bills 'thick as tho leaves that strew the brooks, etc.,' aro forccd through at a speed that would shamo an aeroplane. ; Ono feels sorry at tho bad workmanship of Parliament, for whilo it has no rival i in tho number of Acts it passes, no other country finds it so necessary to patch i and amend its legislation to so great an extent. Kho politician who can go to His constituents and give them a clear idea of. the effect of tho laws passed during tho session is not in tho House." The Gisborne Seat. Tho "Gisborne Times," in an editorial, expressed surprise at the tardy preparation made to contest the Gisborne seat, now held by Sir Jamc9 Carroll. The Reform Party has not yet appointed a candidate, though it is expected to do so almost immediately, but Mr. A. H. Anderson is announced as tho official Labour candidate. Tho "Times" thinks tho task of unseating Sir Jas. Carroll by no means an impossible ono. It remarks that his personal popularity has been in tho past a deterrent to othor aspirants, but points "out that tho territorial limits of the electorate havo been considerably reduced in recent years, and that it now contains a largo number of new residents who will be prepared to judge the Native Minister purely on his political views. In ISOB Sir Jas: Carroll was forced to a second ■ballot, and tho "Times" suggests that this should be borno in mind when Ministerial organs trot ont the old story that Gisborne is a safe Government seat. Tlie actual fact, it declares, is that in Gisr boroe, as in other portions of the Tjominion, there is growing up a strong body of opposition to the Ward Administration, and it forecasts a hard-fought triangular contest. • Mr. Fleteher and the Opposition. Tho following is Mr. Massey's reply to Mr. R. Fletcher's Ic'tter, published in yesterday's Dominion :— Dear sir,—ln reply to your letter of even date, which 1 proposo to publish, I havo Mr. Martin's assurance that on no occasion has he ever approached you with tho object of inducing you to stand in the Opposition interest for Wellington Central. As Leader of the Opposition, I may add that no person has ever been authorised to approach you on behalf of the party. I am, yours truly, (Signed) W. F. MASSEY, Leader of Opposition. Wellington, October 28. WELLINGTON EAST. MR. BRODIE AT ST. MARK'S. . Mr. John Brodie, the Independent Liberal candidate for Wellington East, addressed a well-attended meeting at St. Mark's Schoolroom last evening. The candidate said industrial legislation, not pauper legislation, was what the country wanted. He stilted that tlio Dominion • suffered a plethora of legislation which was vexatious to the people, and was one of the causes of so much discontent. Tho speaker condemned the Government for not having brought into effect a moro progressive land measuro last session. He also spoke in favour of the issue of State notes and the control of the proposed cooperative bank being placed under tho guidance of a board of expert financiers so that the system should be quite freo from political influence. Mr. Brodie said tho tree of Liberalism had for many years yielded good fruit, but the old tree had the blight, and required pruning nnd new wood grafted on, wood with poino life and rigour. The electors in a few weeks would have the opportunity of "lecting men to tlie House who would not be satisfied to mark time, but would strenuously endeavour to bring about reform. "I have been asked which side di the House I will support," added iho candidate. "I will support the party who will go in for hotter administration »nd reform generally.'' Tho candidate supported military training, but favourer! ari ago limit of 21 years. He advo---it-nd the abolition of duty on all food •stuffs as a means of reducing and conIrolling the high cost of tho necessaries of life. The usual voto was proposed and seconded and carried unanimously. DR. NEWMAN'S HATAITAI COMMITTEE. ! A meeting of Dr. Newman's Hatnitai < commit tee was held in the Bowling Club pavilion last night. There was a good attendanco and very onconraging reports were received from those who are making

a canvass of the district. The canvass is still proceeding and is being carried out with enthusiasm and vigour. SUBURBS. MR. BELL AT JOHNSONVILLE. Mr. W. H. D. Bell addressed about 250 electors at Iho Assembly Hall, Johnsonviile. last evening'. Mr. W. Thompson was in t'ho chair. The test of good government, said Mr. Bell, lay in the question as to how nearly a country had approached the ideal state of haviug ever)" loot of land returning tho utmost amount possible, and every inhabitant' satisfied with his lot. He submitted that the present' Government, after 20 years of office, must be pronounced a failure when that test was iipplied. The candidate proceeded to demonstrate how tho Reform party would open up Nativo lands, would encourage industries, and would reduce tho cost of living. In industrialism he advocated tho- protit-sharing system. Harmony between employers and employed oould not' be hoped for if State interference went further than to compel t.lio payment of a living wage. When that had been secured industrial progress oould bo more efficiently advanced by encouragement than by compulsion. Mr. Bell again stated that' his main plank was the abolition of political favouritism. This ho would go for root and branch. He thought that it was not unreasonable to hope that our standard of political morality might bo brought to at least as high a standard as that prevailing in Hugland. After the conclusion of his address Mr. Bell answered a number of questions. In reply to one of these the candidate stated that he had not withdrawn, nor did he see reason to withdraw, any remark which he had made on any platform. (Applause.) On the motion of Dr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. H. Morgan, Mr. Bell was accorded a hearty vote of thanks aud confidence. This was carried with enthusiasm. Strong committees were set up to further Mr. Bell's candidature. MB. FITZGERALD AT NGAHAUIUNGA. Nguhauranga residents attended in good numbers last evening to hear the views of Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, Liberal candidate for the Suburbs seat. The meeting was presided over by Mr. H. Stafford. Tho candidate claimed superiority for tho Government programme. He stated that it was energetic and progressive. He dwelt on the need for reducing, as far as possible, taxation on the necessaries of lite, and claimed that the Government was doing good work in this direction by placing the burden oil tho shoulders of those best able to bear it. Dealing with the land question, he stated that the leasehold v. freehold question was not important. Ho wanted the bursting-up of large estates. Land settlement, he declared, was to bo done in one way alone, and that was by cheapening the land. Cheapening the land was to bo effected only by taxing it. The speaker also declared his belief in tho need for taxing and rating Native lands, which should bear their share of the cost of the roads, railways, aud bridges, that gave those lands their value. The candidate , also advocated an improved schemo'for controlling public expenditure. He outlined his scheme for the formation of country telephone associations, which, he stated, would enable country residents to obtain telephono connection on the deferred payment ijlan. Ho criticised tho railway administration for running unprofitable trains, and was in faour of the early completion of the Picton to Chrislehurch railway. On the motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. W. Latter, a vote of thanks and confidencc was accorded tho candidate, and carried • unanimously. MR. J. P. LU-KE AT MIRAMAR. Mr. J. P. Luke, candidate for tho Suburbs seat, addressed a well-attended meeting at tho churchroom, Marauui, last night. Mr. A. Clater presided. In tlie courso of his address, Mr. Luk-e touched briofly on the work of the past Parliament. "Ho then dealt with some of the legislation lhat. he said, had marked tho tenure of the Liberal party, adding that tho important social improvement that had been brought about was work of the highest importanco. He gavo' a sketch of the position of the Dominion as it is now ana compared it with NewZealand at the time of the advent of tho party. Concerning our debt, he said that, while it had increased to a considerable extent, the important factor was that a large portion was interest bearing. In. 1891 tho non-intercst-bearing portion of the debt was ,£1 Bs. per head. To-day it was 18s. 7Jd. per head. Tho other portions of loan money had gone to provide loans for local bodies, Manawatu Railway purchase, advances to settlers _ ami workers, railway construction, acquisition of estates. Mr. Luke said that he was confident that tho Liberal party would return to power. Tho candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. This was moved by Captain Light and seconded by Mr. Moran. LABOUR CANDIDATES AT KORO- • JiORO. A meeting of electors of Korokoro, which is on the boundaries of the Hutt and Suburbs electorates, was addressed last' night by Mr. M. J. Eeardon and Mr. F. T. Moore, Labour candidates in these electorates. Mr. Reardon dealt mainly with proportional representation and the abolition of the Legislative Council, both of which proposals he supported. Concerning tho Legislative Council he pointed out that both the Liberal and Conservative parties seemed to bo in agreement and in favour of its retention, whereas the Labour party held that no Second Chamber should exist which might havo tho effect of defeating tho will of tho people. It was surprising that onv party could be found to support the Legislative Council in New Zealand in view of tho extraordinary appointments made to it in recent years. Air. Moore said that a political party which could not increase the material wealth and comfort of tho people in the country without increasing taxation and the national debt was manifestly incompetent, consequently the Labour policy, which would increaso the wealth derivable from tho products of tho land and at the same time permit a largo reduction in taxes paid through the Customs and stop borrowing foreign money, was tho government' New Zealand badly needed. The Liberal Government was blind to all food adulteration and fraud, for New Zealand was about the only country in the world that paid no attention to these vital matters. Everybody was at the mercy of food adulteration, aud short-weight packers who charged extortionate prices. This state of things it would be tho first aim of Labour (o correct. A vote of thanks and confidence was accordctl to both candidates. WELLINGTON SOUTH. Dr. Couzens is announced as an Independent Opposition candidate for the Wellington South seat at the coming general election. HAWKE'S BAY. TROUBLE AMONG "LIBERALS." Political interest has been aroused in Hastings by the announcement that Mr. Lan Simson has been selected as tho Government candidate for the Hnwke's Bay seat. Prior to this it was understood that tho Government did not intend to select any candidate, and the announcement has caused considerable surprise. Messrs. A. L. I). Fraser and G. S. Clapham wore both supposed to be looking for a share of tho Government vote, but as they insisted upon coupling their candidature with somo display of independence," they have been turned clown in favour of the only candidate who publicly announced himself, without any reservation, as a straight-out Government supporter. There is uow considerable soreness in tho Liberal ranks, particularly amongst Mr. Eraser's supporters, and it'is by no means ceriain that Mr. Simson will gain more than he loses in receiving the Prime Minister's hall-mark. Already many erst- ' while Government supporters are talking of throwing in their lot with Mr. Campbell, tho Reform party's candidate, rather than support Mr. Simson.

DUNEDIN NORTH. MR. BARCLAY WRITES TO THE PRESS. (By Telecranh.—Press Association.) Duncdin, October 30. Mr. A. R. Barclay, who was asked by tho Labour Representation Council to retire from the contest at Duiiedin North,

writes to tho papers contradicting tho statement that ho is in bad health, lie quotes certificates from tihree medical mon that they can find no trace of organic disease, and that he is apparently in good health. Mr. Barclay announces his intention to stand for the seat under any circumstances. At a meeting of the Labour Representation Committee tonight, it was decided to take no part in the Duuedin North election, the Hon. J. T. Paul being unable to accept nomination by the council. Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.r., Roform candidate for Wellington North, will address tho electors at the Sydney Street schoolroom, on Fridav night, at 8 o'clock. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., the Reform candidate for Wellington South electorate, will addi'c-; the electors at the Newtown Library on tho evening of Thursday next, November 2. Dr. A. K. Newman, who is standing for tho Wellington East feat in the Reform interest, will address the electors of Roseneath at tho schoolroom, Roscneath, this evening, at 8 o'clock. Mr. W. 11. D. Bell, Opposition candidate for tlra Wellington Suburbs and Country District seat, will address electors at tho Ngahauranga. Hall to-night at 8 o'clock. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, Labour candidate for the Wellington South seat, will address the electors at Hie Anglican Schoolroom, Palm Grove, Berhampore, at 8 o'clock to-night. Mr. J. V. Luke, M.P., who is standing for the Wellington Suburbs and Country seat, will address the electors in St. Hilda's Schoolroom, Island Bay, this evening. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, Liberal candidate for the Wellington Suburbs and Country seat, will address the electors at tho Schoolroom, Plimmerton, to-night at 8 o'clock. Mr. Byron Brown will address the electors of Otaki in tho schoolhouse, Wailioanga, to-night, at S o'clock. Mr. J. Reardon, Labour candidate for Hutt, will address the electors of the Lower Hutt at tho Town l-lall, Lower Hutt, this evening, at 8 o'clock. Mr. F. G. Bolton writes:—"ln your leaderette of to-day you refer to 'the fnnnv squabble between Mr, Izard and Mr. Bolton as to who had received Sir Joseph Ward's imprimatur.' I wad not aware that in the North election last time lever claimed that I was the exclusive Government candidate,-and shall be pleased if you will, in fairness to myself, quote any utterances of mine to that effect. Also, I will ask you to be good enough to give this similar publicity to tho statement in your leaderette."