WELINGTON-EAST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1301, 2 December 1911, Page 8

WELINGTON-EAST.

Mr. John Brodie, .the Independent Liberal candidate for. 'Wellington East, addressed'...the 'electors at the Bowling: Pavilion, ■. fiataitai.T. last evening;' Captain Light presiding.: ftlr. Brodie said he did not believe- in settlement through the. ballot ■ system. ' The Land Board should' be- "authorised"to.'classify, applicants arid grant land to the ,mbst suitable, always pro-riding that'the man'with a family, other things being equal, should have- first consideration; He was in favour of primary, and extended courses in scientific farming,'the primary courses to be-.introduced into- our elementary schools, and the advanced ■ courses. to' be included in secondary schools. '.'Our. experimental farms, apd agricultural colleges'could'then fco utilised for'practical demonstrations; and as.a'result .the. New Zedlander of the; future would.- be a.' practical farmer able to obtain'the best results possible from the land. He also spoke strongly in favour of-the abolition of duties on necessary food-stuffs, but favoured. protection on certain lines as a means of aiding our languishing industries. After answering Eeveral questions, Jlr, Brodio was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence unanimously on the motion of Mr. AV. Corbett.

Mr. F. G. Bolton, Ministerial candidate, addressed a meeting of electors in tha New Century Hall, Kent Terrace, last night. Mr, George Brown presided. There were perhaps 100 people present, and about twenty of those were too young and too small to have votes. Mr. Bolton denied first of 'all that he was-interested in any licensed hotels, as had been rumoured. Also he denied that he was a shuffler who did not pay his debts. He claimed for the Government that they were a really democratic party. Ho also claimed that the Civil Service was not corrupt. Men were not appointed to Government billets as a reward for political sorvices rendered. ; .He . was not iu favour of Bible instruction in sehools. The candidate received a cordial reception/ and wai frequently applauded.' ' There was more than a little uneasiness in tho audience, while troublesome questions were being asked.' A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed; and again there was a noise when a contrary motion, was proposed.' The vote of thanks and" confidence was declared carried on the voices amid cheers, and counter-cheers for Mr. M'Laren.

Dr. Newman' addressed the electors of Wellington East at-the Newtown Library last night.' Mr; Leigh Hunt presided over a crowded meeting. Dr. Newman said it ■stas a curious fact that the Opposition, so long in the background, did not 'realise the excellence of their prospects, «hd -the Government party were strangely depressed. The country was ringing with: one groat cry, "We want, a, change," and he thought there was 'every prospect of a change.' ' The Prime Minister had got the shock of his life during this, election at Winton, Danneyirke, and elsewhere. All the Ministers except Sir 3. "Carroll were fighting for their {X>l iHfe.il existence. The Prime Minister stood' a fair chance of being defeated by-Mr. Hamilton. Of the other Ministers two or;three were shaking in their seats. Dr. Newman asserted that the' Opposition at the/worst would come back much .stronger and the Government much weaker. Parties would be nearly balanced, and there was reason to hope for a victory for those , who "'wanted a change." • -Mr.' Hollis moved a • vote of thanks and confidence, an amendment of thanks only being negatived by a very large majority.' The meeting was. very enthusiastic.-

Mr. D. Mlaren addressed a meeting of. electors last ■ night at Hay Street, Oriental Bay. .He mAintained ihat the leasehold-system of land , tenure., was necessary'in''the interest of men of small means. The fact that his opponents were endorsing most'of the work he had already done in Parliament was a mark in his favour; The Labour partes, policy .was to.:,extend, and increase, the .;powers of'. the . people and limit the executive authority of Ministers where they trenched on the rights of- the local bodies and ,the general liberty of the people. The Government had been lax' in • regard to tho land question in allowing,so much of the Crown lands, to be alienated.. After dealing with matters' of industrial law, specially with reference to tho transport industries, the candidate was accorded a vote of thanis and "confidence;