HAWKE'S BAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1298, 29 November 1911, Page 8

HAWKE'S BAY.

SPEECH BY MR, SIMSON. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.! Hastings, November 28. On Monday night Mr. 11. Lan Siinson delivered xiis second political address in the Princess Theatre, Hastings. The building was crowded to excess by 7.H0, and S o'clock found numbers 'unable to gain admission. • Mr. Siinson denieil the report that his possession of the Government brand was due to the personal act of Sir J. Ward. Ho stated that a meeting of ft Hawke's Bay Liberals had been held iu Hu<ings, and, after a ballot, lie had been unanimously chosen. His name had then lieen forwarded to the Prime Minister, who accepted it. Mr. Simson's speech consisted almost entirely of a laudation nf tho Government, and was received with good humour, but without enthusiasm. A large section of tho audienco had evidently attended in the expectation of a. lively tinio. but in this they were disappointed. Tho candidate keyed his speech in a quieter note than when lio spoke previously, and gave no provocation to his opponents to make trouble. Verbal questions wero refused. At the close, a vote of thanks iu Mr. Siinson and of confidence in the Goveminent was put and carried. .Mr. n. M. Campbell, Reform candidate for Hawke's Bay. bus just concluded a very successful tour in the coastal districts. The fact Hint he is the only straight-out opponent of Hie Government is gaining liim ground every dav. In this connection. Air. Eustace Lane is making a bid tor Oppo.-itioii vote*. In a characteristic manifesto, published in the local papers, he puts :i< a postcripl that if lie (.Ur. Lane) goes in Sir Joseph Ward goes out.