THE ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2292, 28 October 1914, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS

$ MR. R. A. WEIGHT AT KHANDALLAH. - Mr. R. A. Wright addressed the Suburbs electors at Khandallnli last night. The chair was occupied by Mr. C. C. Crump (Mayor of Onslow). Mr. Wright, who was well received, dealt with the questions of kind and finance. Hβ defended tho Government against the charge of indifference concerning land settlement. The evidence of State documents proved not only the sincerity of the Government, but also that it was actively encouraging bona fides settlors to occupy the laud. The present Minister of Lands was one of the most capable administrators New Zealand had known. Mr. Wright devoted part of his addresß to tho work of the Civil Service Commissioners. He contended that the latter had increased wages wherever they found men underpaid. The introduction of the minimum wage for married men in the Public Sorvice, 'lutsido the Post and Telegraph Dev partmont, which already enjoyed this reform,' was an improvement. 4 The minimum wage was fixed at £140 per annum. In answer to questions, the speaker said ho was in favour of the present systom of education. His firm had printed a certain postcard in connection with Sir Joseph Ward and the Dreadnought, but it was printed in the ordinary course of business for a customer. It i wae purely a business transaction. His h'rm printed anything, provided it was not libellous. He was in favour of locomotives for'our railways being manufactured in Now Zealand. He could not be called upon to vote on the Bible-in-schools question in tho House. The only issue before the country wae simply a referendum on the question. If elected he would do his best for the district. Mr. Wright pointed out that t the present Government had improved tho railway service by running more trains. On the motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Captain'M'Arthur, a rot© of thanks and confidence was carried. Mr. Wright will address the electors at St. Hilda's Hall, Island Bay, this evening, at 8 p.m. SIR JAS. CARROLL AT TAKAPAU. (By iwlcEropU.—Press Association.) Waipa*a, October 27. Tho Hon. Sir James Carroll addressed a largo meeting at Takapau last night. Hβ said that after twenty years of progressive Liberal legislation the country had had three years of Conservative rule. The Government had not kept its pledges. It professed to abhor borrowing; yet it spent £50,000 more on publio buildings than on back-blook- roads; it had borrowod £15,000,000, with authorities totalling £28,500,000, in less than three years. A vigorous land policy was promised, but not one settlor had been placed on the land. Construction of arterial railways had been stopped, although in six favoured districts branch lines were started. No reform of tho Upper House had been devised. Taxation had not been decreased, nor the cost of living. The Government had ehirked its responsibility by setting up commissions not answerable to Parliament. "Failure to fulfil pledges" was written across the Government's term of office. A vote of thanks to the speaker and of confidence in the Liberal Party was carried, cheers being given for Sir Joseph Ward. LABOUR REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Labour Representation Committee was held in the Trades Hall last night, when nominations for the selection of Labour candidates for tho Wellington South, East, and Suburbs seats were considered. Mr. J. M'Kenzie presided, and there were thirty-five trades unions represented. The nominations for the selection of candidates showed that Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh and Mr. P. T. Moore were selected unopposed for Wellington. South and Wellington Suburbs respectively. For Wellington East three nominations were received—Messrs. C. A. 1 Chapman, D. M'Laren, and John Rigg. \ In accordance with a previous resolution, a, ballot will be taken of the members of all trades and labour organisations within tho city, to determine the selection of candidates. Ballot papers will bo issued immediately, and the result will bo announced at a meeting of the Representation Committee to be held on Tuesday evening next. Special provision was made for taking tho votes of waterside workers, and also those of the members of the Marino Union. •

Mr. D. M'Laren presented a report relating to the state of the electoral roll, and recommended that prompt action should be taken towards enrolling the large number of people who, lie said, had been left off it. The report was adopted, and motions were carried to Rive effect to tho recommendations. Mr. J- Rigg, who was present, was mado a member of tho committee, and (javo a report with regard to his recent visit to Dunodin and Christchurch. He reported a satisfactory solidarity of the Labour interests in these centres.

On Wednesday evening, in the Sydney Street Hall, at 8 o'clock, Mr. H. E. Holland, the Social-Democratic candidate for Wellington North, will open his campaign, when he will outline the S.D.P. policy and its effect upon tho political and econoraio condition of tlie people of Now Zealand generally. Women are specially invitee!, and questions will bo welcomed. , Mz-. W. H. Field, Reform candidate for Otaki, will meet his supporters in tho Druids' Hall, Shannon, at 8 p.m. to-morrow evening.