HERE AND THERE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1286, 15 November 1911, Page 8

HERE AND THERE.

CAMRAIGN.P.QJNTS AND PRESS,,v :''!W COMMENTS. ; "" List .of Candidates. A tabulated list of candidates for election will bo found on. page 4 of this issue. Supplementary Roll. Tho first supplementary roll of the Wellingtor. Subuf bi district was issued yesterday. It contains seven pages of names (unnumbered). This roll may be consulted at several" places within the district, including the post offices and police stations.

Where are the Rich Men? Mr. Fisher took Mr. W. H. P. Barbei . to task last -night for his statement that 1 tlio Opposition party was the party of tha squatters, runh.olders,and landed aristocracy. In reply, Mr. Fisher submitted a list of wealthy members of the Ministerial, party. TbereTwas Sir J. G. V ard. Was I»e an occupant of a worker's home? (Laughter.). .Sir J. G. Findlay— was ho in a worker's tome? Mr. Fowlds'— was he a potir man?-.-. Mr. Robert M'Nab. The nifn whom the present Government had put into the Upper House included Messrs. Wigram and Louisson, two of the wealthiest' man in Canterbury; Mr. Thome-. George, chairman of the Waihi Gold-mining Co.; Mr. G. J. Smith, who ljad a third partnership share in,a company which nad an income assessed at ~£66,000 in one year; Mr. M'Cardlo, who recently acquired 16,000 acres of land. Other rich men on the same side weroMr. Arthur Myers, one of the wealthiest men .in New Zealand; Mr. Hamilton Gilmer, Mr. M'Gnire, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Vigor Brown Mr. G. P. Donnelly, Mr. D. Nathan, Mr! Charles Izard, and Mr. Andrew Rutherford. Ho did not say that all the wealth was on the .Government side. It was divided, and the wealthy people were turning to the Government for favours and getting them. Seamon's Votes. Usually seamen do not take much account of the special privileges under which the law allows them, if they have no.settled place of abode, to vote jn any electorate, but this year they are taking their right to vote a little more seriously. This is especially noticeable in AVellington Central, in which district a very largely increased number of seamen have signified their intention of voting. Last year the number on this roll was 110, but this year ,that number has already been exceeded, and it will in nil probability bo substantially' exceeded by the timo the rolls close. The Ministerial Autocracy. At Northland last evening Mr. Carcv made some telling points against tho Government in denouncing tho system under which, in this country, Parliament is controlled by Cabinet. It had been eaid, he remarked, that because of the pledge they took, Labour members would not bo free agents. -What wju« the existing condition under the Liberal Administration? It was openly admitted that no member, outside tho Cabinet, had a chance of getting a privato Bill through if it. involved any principle. In fact, a majority of members in the House were ready to pass certain enactments which were nevertheless held back because Cabinet did not approvo of them. A majority of members were in favour of a State ferry service, State collieries,.and of a legislative recognition of tho principle of the six-day week. Tet, because Cabinet controlled Parliament, instead of Parliament controlling Cabinet, it was impossible for the majority in tho House" to give.effect to their views. Under tho caucus rule, against which advanced Liberals. protested, tho party dictated to the Cabinet. Under Party Government, as it existed in Now Zealand, Cabinet dictated to the party. •

Claims for Enrolment. Wo have been requested (says tho Auckland "Star") to inform electors who entrust their claims for enrolment to iiersonswho call upon them that they ■should tnke special note of the name of 'he person who witnesses tho claim, and ■p that tho name of tho witness is upon tho roll, or that tho witness produces the Registrar's authority to act on his behalf. If an elector docs not receive notice from the Registrar that his or her name has been placed on tho roll, thero is something wrong, and tho claimant should at once inquire at tho' Registrar's office. Notwithstanding tho penalty for nondelivery of claim, it is reported that some

electors have trusted thoir claims to i peoplo they do not know, and who have failed to deliver them to tho Registrar. Tho result will bo disappointment when they present themselves lo vote and find that they aro disqualified. This matter is ono which tho elector should carefully sco to himself.. Mr. Massoy, Air. W. F. Masscy, M.P.,-explained to tho electors of Papakura that, owing to numerous requests from other pails of New Zealand,' ho would probably not bo able to visit more than about one-third of tho Franklin electorate before poljing'day. Ho would have to ask somo of those who did not know him, therefore, to take him on trust. He believed most of them approved his platform, and he hoped they would place him at the head of tho poll.—Auckland "Star." A Coveted Seat. No fewer than eleven candidates have announced their candidature for tho Northern Maori seat, but it is stated that as a sequel to tho active canvassing which has been going on several of them will probably withdraw before nomination day. Tho sitting member is To Rangihiroa (Dr. Buck), and it appears that there is a considerable amount of feeling against him, on the ground that ho does not belong to that part of tho country. He comes, as a matter of fact, from a Taranaki tribe. The samo objection does not apply to Mr H: M. Stowell (Hare Hongi), who is a relative.of the late Mr.' Hone Heko, who represented the electorate until his death. Dr. ISttck, Mr. Stowell, and Kerei Mitai, tho Opposition candidate, are all thought to have chances of success. The Cry for a Change. For many years in New Zealand, Dr. Newman remarked at Kilbirnie last evening, it had not mattered much how the fate of an election might turn. But this olection was going to be entirely different. It was now a live question whether there should be a new Government or not. "Last time," said Dr. Newman, " a party of seventeen Oppositionists grew to 27. It is not a wild stretch of the imagination to hope that this time thev may grow to -10. If thev do that will be, I hold, an entirely satisfactory state of affairs. Tho one cry heard from all parts of tho country, about the Government at the present time is: ' We want a change.' Any change must be for the better. No chango could possibly be for the worse. I hope. For the good .of New-Zealand it would be a splendid thing to havo a change of government.. :New. brooms sweep clean." ■ Such a change, he; continued, would-induce and encourage a renewed interest in politics, it would lead lo a better administration of public affairs and to lessened borrowing - and lessened taxation. Those things were boons which tho Dominion should crave. If the change he had indicated took'place NewZealand would havo a far "better time in the future than it had had in the past. Tho whole country would benefit. An. Enterprising ; Campaigner.

.'•Mr.' .W..C. Buchanan,' tho Opposition candidate for 'Wairarapa,'..addressed the electors', of - .Whakatnki, on November 10, and. on. Shearing-.' that' a -number of his constituents were busy shearing and cculd therefore not attend the meeting, ho secured a horse and the following morning rodo eight miles to the sheepstation. Although anxious to ."cut out," the shearers and employees considerately' acknowledged his self-sacrifice- on their behalf by stopping their work and listenlnA w appreciative interest'to a short address on tho land question and the Koform party platform. -The sheop were underneath, and in tho pens and yards adjacent, and with the men perched upon wool-bales, the candidate (who had been "wild-cattle" hunting there forty years ago) impressed upon the men that they of to-day would probably bo the farmers of tho future, and that their iflrm might fco a freehold. Ho was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and within about three minutes the machines were again in action and, Mr. Buchanan on Jus return journey to speal; that same evening at Tumi, twenty miles away. The Saat of Government.

Another inducement to tho Parnell electors was bold, out by, Sir John Findlay oil Monday night. In seconding tho vote ot thanks and confidence at his meetiu<* m Ivyber Pass, Jl r ; TV. Rose said that as an Aucldanuer he would like to see tho whole Cabinet'come to Auckland for efcehon. ''Then," .he said. "Auckland might get back- her birthright as tho seat of Government." Sir John Findlay, in acknowledging the vote, said: "The seat of Government is not necessarily the place w.licro Parliament now meets If ■ -Par'ttnientary representatives are snthoiently vigorous and strong, you may still mako Auckland tho seat of Government again." The remark' was regarded with mingled laughter and applause.

Looking fop Something Green. "Ministers travelling lik© snails with their houses on their backs, looking for something; preen to food upon."-Mr Pishors description of Sir John Findlay and the Hon. T. Mackenzie.

The Voice of tho Prophet. Thus Mr. W. H. Field, at Levin on Monday evening (vide Horowhenua 'Chronicle):— ; -.So-long, as the Government extended and developed;its policy, then it would U his.intention.to faithfully support the Government. '. :(App!ause.) Mr. Field twitted the .Opposition for going under a number of aliases';, they wero onco the Conservative party, then the National Association, now they were the Reform party He did not know what they would be called in tho future. (A voice: The Government. Loud laughter.) Mr, Fisher and a Portfolio. Before beginning his speech last night, Mr. lisher said he wished to answer a question that he had been asked. The question was: "If Mr. Massey was returned to power, would you, if offored it accept a place in his Ministry?" In reply, Mr. Fisher said he.was the youngest member of the Opposition party. There were men who had fought for the Opposi-tion-cause for many years, and who were almost certain to bo asked to take portfolios before himself, and there would be no potty feeling on his part on that-ac-count. Ho had identified himself with Mr. Massey's party, but he admitted that on an .important, vital, and national question—the laud question—his . policy was so different from theirs that it would bo most incongruous for him to tako a position in a Ministry of that party. He could, however, go a long, long way towards reform with the Massey partv. Mr. Massey was capable of accomplishing things which tho present Prime Minister could never accomplish. He would travel loyally with that party, but he did not hope to occupy a seat in its Ministry. It would not bo consistent for him to occupy a seat in any Ministry that alienated a single square inch of tho public lands. Ho believed Mr. Massey was an honest patriot—(applause)—though, like other leaders, he had his limitations. The crucial question was whether tho present Ministry should remain anv longer in office or not—(No, no!)—and he hoped the answer of tho electors next month would be "No." Those who wanted a new party should rccogniso that the first thing to do was to eject tho present party in power.

Gag Acts Galore. "Sir Joseph Ward is even more impor-, tant than l'elorus Jack. The Pelorus pilot lias only ono fencing-off Act all to himself, but the Dominion pilot has fenced himself off from criticism with gag Acts galore, all for his own especial rrenefit, until a candidate has cither to keep mum or think tweuty times before ho speaks."—Mr. Byron Brown at Oroua Bridge. Supports the Freehold, but—? From the Horowhemia "Chroniclo's" report of Mr. W. H. Field's meeting at Levin on Monday:— "What position will you take in the new House on tho question of freehold?" "J[y intention so long as I am in Parliament will bo to support the grant of freehold to Crown tenants on overy occasion I caji. I do not think there is any man who holds stronger viows in the House than I do on limiting freehold." "If tho question was proposed against tho Government, how do you propose to vote?" "1' have made it perfectly plain if I go into Parliamont I want to go there.

unfettered. Aftor my actions in Iho past, if you cannot trust mo don't put mo into Parliament." (T/oud applause.) Bay of Plenty. Mr. 11. De La tour (Opposition Candida (o for Bay of Plenty) addressed tlio electors of 'i'e Puke on Thursday night and I'avngaroa on Friday night. Voles of confidence were carried at both places, at Paeiigaroa without dissent, but at To Puko an amendment was proposed of thanks only, but it was negatived. "You've my Support Anyway." When a candidate for Parliamentary honours seeks the support of the electors he often gains adherents in an unexpected manner. Whilo speaking at Dovonport on Saturday evening, Mr. A. Harris, tho Clpposition candidate for the Waifomata seat, was subjected to many hostile interjections by a man in tho audience. Later.another iiilerjector ; joined in, upon which tho first disturber remarked in disgust, that if the newcomer was against Mr. Harris, he himself was with tho candidate. Thereafter Mr. Harris 'had an enthusiastic "barrackor," who, at tho close of tho meeting, as tho candidate descended from his rostrum, said to him, "You'vo my support anyway."

That Dairy School. Mr. M'Nab had 6aid ho was prepared to get the Dairy School for Palmerston North (said Mr. Buick in his address on Monday night). Was that an election promise or a Ministerial promise? Palmerston North had been promised th<Dairy School before. Immediately before. Immediately before tho last election. Sir Joseph Ward had made a Ministerial promise to the same effect. How had that promise been kept?. On His Native Heath. The Opora House at Palmerston North was packed from door to ceiling on Monday evening, when Mr. D. Buick opened his campaign as a candidate for the Palmerston North seat. Mr. Buick opened by apologising for the lateness of his appearance before the electors owing to 10heaith. He now felt his name was M'Gregor, and ho was on his native heath. (Laughter.) He hoped he would not only catch up with his adversaries, but leave them behind at the winning post. (Applause.) Mr. Buick then invited any rival candidates that might bo present on to his platform, an invitation which Mr. W. Thomson accepted amid prolonged applause. Spoaking of his rivals.Mr. Buick said that Mr. MUverton was out on his own. (Laughter.) Ho did not know what his politics were. Mr. Thomson, he believed, was an admirer of his, and shared many planks in his platform. Mr. M'Nab he looked upon as his real opponent. They were different in personality, in habits,'and absolutely in everything in political ideals. Mr. M'Nab supported the present Administration, and his (Mr. Buickjs) mission was to get that Administration out of Dower. If he could do that/ho would die happy. (Applause.)

I About a Chauffeur. Someone at Mr. Fisher's: meeting- last night asked whether it was true that during tho Premier's absence in England his motor-car driver was employed as a mechanician in a Government ' Department. Mr. Fisher said ho did not know anything about it, but if tho press reported the question, perhaps Sir Joseph Ward would answer it when he came to Wellington. ■ What the "Liberals" Have Done. Mr. B. Howard, the Socialist candidate for Christchurch South, at an open-air meeting on Monday night said the Liberals told tho country; that they had placed on the Statute Book laws that lind made the country so very prosperous. This was unfounded. South and West Australia did not , have tlio Arbitration Act and the Compensation Act, and there the landless) could get land, a thing they could not do in New Zealand. The Liberals had made New Zealand famous as being the biggest borrower in the world per head of population. Tho Liberals had pul up a record in that way. The Liberals were returned on a non-borrowing platform and-had been returned with such majorities that they could put any laws they liked on the Statute Book. Yet they had borrowed between forty and fifty millions. They blinded the public by saying that the greater part of the money wfas interest*arning, but tho fact was that all of it was interest-earning and the workers had to provide the interest by their labour.

The Struggle in Taranaki. Groat pressure has boon brought to bear upon Sir Joseph Ward to visit Tnrana,kl during the election campaign, and it is highly probable that ho will deliver an address at Hawera at an early date — "Eltham Argus." Farmers and Railways. "There could be no better measure," said Mr. Fisher last night,- "than for farmers to be allowed to band together and build own railway, audi tho State had the right to resume it at a proper price. However, the Prime Minister does not think so." A Contrast. There was no doubt that the settlement of the land was one of the most important - factors in the interests of tho settlement of. a young country (said Mr. Okey, in his speech at New Plymouth on .Monday). And this continually interfering with the tenure upon- which land may bo held was a great mistake. Tho tenure upon which. a person could take up land in a young colony should bo the best advertisement that colony could have. At the present time he did not believe that if a person mot the Right Hon. Sir J. Ward, Minister for Lands, in London, and said to him that he wished to go out to sec New Zealand, and take up land, and askecl him what tenure he could take it up on, unless he had the Under-Secretary of Lands at his elbow, the Premier could tell him. If Mr. Massey was Prime Minister and was met. by a young man, and ■was asked the same question, ho would say: "Young man, if you go out to New Zealand you can take up the land on whatever terms you like—leasehold, deferred payment, or any other liberal terms, and when you are ready and it suits you can make tho land freehold." What better policy of encouraging the settlement of the lands could they have than that? (Applause.)

Too Long. "I am one of those who think a change of Government will be in the interests of the Dominion, and will have the effect of restoring confidence.. A partv can be in power too long. They outgrow"their usefulness, and, if left alone, die of senile decay. These signs are appearing in the present party in power."—Mr; Okey, at New Plymouth. A Great Time, The Minister had had to submit to the pressure that had been brought to bear by the Auckland people, and start the line at tho Ongarue end, and he had no doubt there would bo a great time there turning tho first sod before the coming election.—Mr. Okev, at New Plymouth.

Bad for the People. "Having a surplus of a, million a rear may elicit cheers from unthinking oeople," said Dr. Newman at Kilbirnio last evening, "but, believe me, it is bad "finance and bad for the people of this country. Last your," he added, "wo borrowed fivo millions. In another four years at this rate our national debt will be 100 millions. That will once moro constitute a record. Judges and Fees. Writing of Sir J. G. Findlay's defence of tho payment of special emoluments to Judges, the "Petone Chronicle" observes: "Sir Robert Stout was not charged with having his judgment biased by what he received. He was charged with drawing two salaries for doing one job. He was charged with having taken his salarv as Chief Justice at I he same time that he was getting a big salary and travelling expenses lor special work in another capacity. There was no necessity for him to have worked eighteen hours a dav. This was 'sweating' iu the first degree. As this result of tins 'sweating' Sir Robert had afterwards lo lake a trip to England on full pay. However the incident is looked at it will not stand investigation, notwithstanding all the forensic 'bluff'

of the ex-Altornoy-Goneral. It would bo interesting to know what Mr. Wiiford tlunks ot the transaction.

Exaggerated Language. Tho Mmo Minister's political friends, more than his political opponents, will probably deplore the unnecessary shrillness and exaggeration of his language in replying to the cnlics of his Administra•l t m „.," w,nton p Prcch on Tuesday night, the way to convince is not b'v high-pitched vituperation, but bv a calm discussion and disproval of the arguments that tho other side has advanced. In a democratic country tho opponents of tho Government havo as much right to criticise and question its administration as the Government- has to reply • to them, and the strident, almost hysterical abuse of his opponents which characterised tho ™ c Minister's- reply was uncalled for and unlikely to strengthen any case — Ihe Tiniaru "Herald."

In Waitaki. Of Mr. F..H. Smith, the Reform canchelate who is expected to win the Wai,,Vf **? ' Jimaru "Herald" says — Mr. F. H. Smith, who is standing once more as the Opposition candidate for Waitaki. was barely vanquished three years ago, not so much by a political vote g? V,™ of sympathy. His opponent, fair William Steward, was making his last appeal to tho electors after a unique p?nod of service, and it might have savoured of ingratitude and hardship to the veteran to desert him in such special circumstances. But Mr. Smith's merits and tho merits of his party were strong arguments upon his-side, and he only lost tho seat by a trifle of three hundred votes. This time Sir William Steward has retired from tho contest, and there' Ehould bo very little obstacle to tho success of the Opposition candidate, whose prospects of election are as rosy as those of almost any candidate in the Dominion. Mr. Smith, as Mr. Norton Francis stated at his Waimate meeting, is a practical farmer, well acquainted with the needs of the farming community which he seeks to reprosmt. He has, besides a popular personality, his ability and integrity are well known, and he is the most chivalrous of fighters. Even his opponents would scarcely have the hardihood to describe him by their favourite names of 'Tory' and 'reactionary.' To do s ? w l cm .' < l on 'y b* t° ra ise a general laugh at their expense."

The Rights of Women. The lady who presided at a meeting addressed by Sir John Findlay last week declared that a married woman had two votes—her own and her husband's.

How He Wastes His Chances. Musing-upon the Prime Minister's 1on» and angry speeches, the Christehurch Evening News" observes :-"It was not of the country that Sir Joseph Ward was thinking, but of himself. Tho political needs of the day are quite secondary to the wounds his critics havo inflicted on ms pride, self-esteem, and vanity. • They have dared to suggest that he, who plumes himself on being a wizard of finance-one who can coax loans out of lather Cohen with the cunning of a birdcharmer—is a badand dangerous financier to be in charge of the Dominion's affairs and it hurts. So. we have Sir Joseph the Baronet, roaring like a wounded bull, tearing up the ground, and generally making an exhibition of himself, when a man who wanted to go down to posterity w i 2 the.reputation.of a statesman would stuff his pride in his pocket, reach out for the largest constructive policy he could lay his hands to,' and force it beforo tho electors with all tho energy of whioh he was capable. Even if it were too late to stem the tide of political disaster, would it not be fifty times better for Sir Joseph Ward to go down nciiting for real reforms and live principles than to be spending his strength m raging at-his opponents?■ Joseph has only to repeat tho Winton performance on half a dozen platforms in other parts of the country, and an Opposition victory is assured. The public don't care a tinker's imprecation for Sir Joseph Ward s wounded vanity, and if ho had devoted ten minutes last night to staring briefly and definitely his policy on the land question, the reasons behind it, and his intentions for tho future, it would havo done his party infinitely moro good than tho two hours' abuse of the Opposition." The "News" reaches this conclusion :- 'There is only one thing that will Testore Sir Joseph Ward's sense of perspective, and teach him that his personal feelings are of less consequence than tho interests of tho eountrv. and it is a period in opposition to reflect at his leisure on his lost opportunities."

Political Windmills. "It would be very difficult to define tho present policy of the Government," remarked Mr. Massey at Otahuhu. "What the country wants now above everything else is a party with a policy, and it is not likely to get any satisfaction from tho sot of political windmills which comprises the present Administration. In his familiar book, Sir John I'indlay laid down the axiom that "A skilful veneer looks as well as solid mahogany, and costs less." It might cost less, said Mr. Hassey, but mahogany would last longer, and he wanted the people of Parnell particularly, and the electors of the country generally, to recollect that fact, .and beware of the attractiveness of skilful veneer. (Applause.) It must be admitted that the Government had not put forward a policy, to meet the demand of tho people, and the onlv political party that had doneso was tho Reform party. That platform was strong in its purposes and high ideals, principles which commended themselves to every right-thinking' man and woman in the _ community. Sound legislation and businesslike administration stood out clearly in the Reform party's platform, in spite of the clouds of misrepresentation with which its opponents endeavoured to deceivo the people. • At another 6tago in his speech, tho Opposition Leader was greeted with prolonged applauso on saying "Any Government would be better than the present one. I hope and believe that it will g 0 out on December 7."