EGMONT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1292, 22 November 1911, Page 8

EGMONT.

ME. B. DIVE AT ELTHAM. Mr. Dive, who is seeking re-election for the Egmont seat, spoke to an audience which numbered l>etwccii 500 and 000 persons at tho Eltham Town Hall on Friday night. The candidate's address lasted nearly an hour and a half. The Hawera "Star"- reports that he received a very cordial hearing, his remarks being frequently . applauded. The Mayor, Mr. G. P. Wake, was in tho chair. Mr. Dive, on vising, was greeted with a marked demonstration of applause. Re was sorry that the chairman, on account of ill-health, would not be his opponent on.tliis occtision. He again refuted the statement that lie had advocated the cutting down of wages t<i Gs. or 7s. a day. If any man could prove he had ever done that, the electors hod the remedy in their own hands. They could vote against him. No individual, or even ono political party, could bring down wagos generally. The improved conditions under which the employees in the Eltham dairy factory worked as' regards their in pal arrangements were due to his efforts while chairman of the company. (Applause.) What had his opponent done for the farmers? The Government talked of the pasteurisation, methods they had introduced in connection with the milk supply, but long before the Agricultural Department took up the movement somo of the local factories had commenced it. (Applause.) Whether ho won or lost, he intended to stay in the district, and to continue to take an interest in it. Could, or would, the Hon.'T. Mackenzie give the same pledge? An elector: Js'o.

'I'lio candidate characterised the present Ministry as a "back-down Cabinet," and instanced their action in regard to the Native Townships Hill as a ca=e in point.' When this Hill was before the House, he (Mr. Dive) had' tried to secure to Europeans the right to the freehold of a section for a house or store, in such townships as To Tvuiti on the Main Trunkline, or Kahotu. Unfortunately he was beaten, but before the measure finally passed the Government brought in, and passed, almost word for word, the very clause ho had previously moved. (Anplause.) Ho also deplored their "backdown" policy over Auckland Government House. After dealing with several other political topics, Mr. Dive, in conclusion, urged the electors of Taranaki to return again to Parliament tho present Opposition "quartet." A motion of hearty thanks was carried amidst continued applause. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded a vory good meeting.