THE GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2316, 25 November 1914, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CAMPAIGN POINTS. NEWS NOTES AND ADDRESSES ! - - ; AND PRESS COMMENTS. The Wardlst Party poses as the Democratic Party. Contrast the Wardift method of dealing with the Legislative Council with that of the Reform' Party. Wardism favours continuing the nominated Council .which for twenty-one years It stuffed exclusively with Its own followers and reduced to a state of such servility that It became a by-word throughout the country. The Reform Party favours an elective Upper House, and, despite the prolonged obstruction of the Wardlst factions, hac passed an Act malting this change. The Wardist nominees In the Counoll fought tooth arid nail against the Reform Bill. To carry It Into law at all Mr. Massey had to agpoint new members to the Council. There are now thirty-eight Legislative Councillors. Nineteen of. them were appointed by the Massey Government. Six of the nineteen were politically opposed to Mr. Massey—sir William Hall-jines, Dr. Collins/and Messrs. Barr, Earnshaw, Paul, and Samuel. ; No Coverhment In New Zealand had ever before appointed six #f Its opponents to the Legislative Council. These faots are indisputable. Compare them with the Insincere humbug on the .subject put forward in the effort to secure votes for the Wardist and Red Federation nominees.

The Government prospects in the south were very good. • In his own constituency,. Bruce, the indications in'his favour had never been better than they were to-day.—Hon. J. Allen to an interviewer.

In 1911 Sir J. G. Wai-d had enormously. successful meetings, anil the Reformers had to endure the same sort of rowdyism as decorates their meetings during the present campaign. . In that year we were assured that this portended the extinction of Reform. As a matter of fact, the only thing one can infer from these factß is that'the Reformers, do not see any purpose' in letting off steam at opponents' meetings, while the "Liberals'' do. —Christchurch "Press."

A little pill for the Labour oandidate for Wellington South is forwarded by Mr. K. E'. Welch, of Woodville, as follows ••'ln-reading Mr;;..-. Hindmarsh's speech published in your issue of Friday last I notice that, gentleman refers ito Woodville as a"i locality in, which aggregation of estates ihas-,gone on to a great extent since the. Reform Party has been in power.Now, sir, I have rfesidcd in Woodville for the last 2J years, and in that time I- have- noticed no aggregation of-estates, although: I don't know that there hasn't been any. But I do know that during that time the Ahautaharanga Block (about,3ooo acres) .and the Mangatainoka Block (over 200Q sores), all first-class dairying and sheep country, have .been subdivided and set: tied,' and a large block of,-b'usli land'on the: Ash hurst, side of .the Manawatu. Gorge, but with access from .Woodville, has been taken'up by selectors and another block is about to bo surveyed and subdivided. Perhaps Mt.; Hindmarsh did not know this, but he should at least know what he is going to talk about before he starts,to speak.','

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher will-speak at . FeUding to-morrow ' evening. ■

The supplementary roll of electors for Wellington South will.be issued today. This roll contains 2064' names, and will make the complete roll up to 8000. Of these, 283 have transferred and removed to othor -electorates, •so that the actual voting' strength for Wellington South will be 7717.- Fifty absent voters' and two _seamen|s permits have been issued in this electorate..

Sir Joseph Ward can have'no expectation of victory unless he can ;unite the factions against Reform, and he must pay those factions their own price for support should he manage with their aid to secure a, majority in the House.— Auckland "Herald." ,

Mr. :Dickie, the Opposition candidate for, Selwyn; says of the Defenoe Act that "Sir Joseph Ward fought hard for it in the country, was placed'on the'Siatute Book." We should not. he Kurprised (says a southern exchange) if , Mr. Dickie's reading of the newspapers has left'him with the conviction that the war was caused through the Belgians invading Germany.

Residents in the Otaki electorate will learn, with, regret that in consequence of the serious illness from which lie is suffering, Mr. B; R. Gardener, of Levin, who was.contesting the seat as an Opposition candidate, has been compelled to withdraw from the campaign.' ■ . _ ■

In quoting an advertisement that ;Mr. E. Gallichan, the Liberal organiser, would address the electors, and Mr. J. D. Mathers, tho Liberal candidate, would also be present, the'D'annevirke "News" points'out that the announce-ment-explains the,method of the Liberal Party in. contesting the Pahiatua seat. Mr. Gallichan, the paid party mouthpiece, recites.the rigmarole for which ,he receives his salary, and endeavours to organise the electors into a compact "oting mass for.Sir Josph Ward. , Mr. Mathews, the candidate, is merely present. Our contemporary unkindly asks /whether Mr. Mathews is content to be shown around tho electorate as a political automaton.

There are no indications that the Reform Party will not easily retain the four Wellington seats which it won at the last election, The Wellington. Central contest is of special interest as the ,one in which the Hon. Mr. Fisher is. engaged. In 1908, and again in 1911, Mr. Fisher had to meet a stronger, more unscrupulous, and more determined combination than had" ever been ranged against any politician in this country. His. position . to-day ')» stronger than evei. . . . A great deal of Mr. Fletcher's support came from people who believed—how foolishly they now know—that the Reform Party was not democratic and progressive, and that Mr. Fletcher was a safe and moderate man.—Christchurch "Press."

' The claim is being put forward that the Opposition candidates include over two dozen representative farmers.' A contemporary has examined the list, and ; finds that in the rural electorates there arc 'six.journalists, five solicitors, three, or. four merchans, a couple of auctioneers, two or three clergymen, a brewer or two, a watchmaker, a sawmiller, two contractors, and others who do not appear to have any fixed .occupation, standing in' the Opposition interests, and remarks that farmers who are willing to hccome political partners with lied Feds liavo a queer notion-of tile fitness of tilings. What is more, the.v will bo glad to associate themselves with a wealthy party supporter (Dr. Tliackcr to wit),, who describes them as "hayseed brains."

The settlers in the Stratford electorate have great confidence in their present member, Mr. J. B. Hinc. The .Huirangi correspondent of the Strat- . hoi. "Bnsfc'J. writes ijgJ'Mfc Hhw. jaa:

have no fear but what tho large major--ity he obtained here last generaL election will be repeated this time." ■

Ever since his election to Parliament, Sir. Atmore,' the Wardist candidate for Nelson, who seems to regard politics as something in the nature of a circus, has beeniseuing challenges to all and sundry from the Prime Minister downwards to take the platform in ail oratorical com-, petition with him. Mr. Atmore's latest challenge ,is to Mr. Field, the Reform candidate for Nelson, but it is '.questionable whether that gentleman will have any more desire than the others on whom. Mr. Atmor9 has > showered his challenges to join with him. in providing political vaudeville. It is safe to say that the bulk of the electors ,of Nelson will agree with Mr. James Wyllie, who writes as follows in the issue of the ■'Mail," in which Mr.' Atmore's. challenge appears: —"In my opinion, what is wanted for the successful running of, a country is good, solid thinking, and not this conglomeration of figures and ga6, only good ,to mesmerise the aver-: age man and woman."

. . "Everything . the Government has done has been a failure."—Delightful sample of Wardist criticism from a speech! byi Mr. Witty,, candidate for Riccarton. The candidate then proceeds to; condemn separately and individually everything the Government did do, over thought or doing,'or might be suspected of doing at'some date in the'futuro. '

As to the question whether Avon would bo better represented in Parliament by Mr. Sullivan. (Socialist) than bv Mr. Russell (Opposition) wo havo no hesitation in saying that it can dispense, with cither to its advantage, but were the choice restricted to these two, then we should advise. tho electors to vote for ■ Mr. Sullivan, because . they know, just where'he stands on political questions, whereas-Mr. Russell s principles, like tho. hue of the chameleon, change under one's very eyes.—Christchurch "Sun."

No matter how much the Opposition may attempt to discredit the land legislation 'of tho Reform Government, it cannot pro'vo to dispassionate electors that Air. Massey's policy is not founded on sound lines, or, that it is not the one best suited to tho .encouragement of bona-fide settlement. Tho land policy of Sir Joseph Ward' (says the "New Zealand Herald") was simply one of opportunism,' of frequent changes, not for the purpose of encouraging settlement, but of clinging to office hy play-' ing off his freehold 'and leasehold supporters against each other. The country can hardly have forgotten the backing and, filling on this question with which , the Ward Administration signalised its first t.wo sessions, of. Parliament.'

.Sir Walter Buchanan stated at his meeting at Tinui that this was the last occiision upon which he would offer himself as'a candidate.for Parliament. He had represented the district for 27' years, and first, entered Parliament 33 years ago. He felt as vigorous,to-day,, both mentally and physically; as . on the day he first entered Parliament. He tho.ught, however, that the time, had come when he should make way. for. a younger man, and he was confident that in .three years' time the district would have at 'its disposal tho services of a young man .who would worthily, represent it. • : '

Dangerous and pernicious factions can never attain to power excepting by the .indifference and shortsightedness of the public. The I.W.W. secured control of many New Zealand unions not socause unionists are generally lawless and revolutionary, but because' the syndicalists plotted and- planned while others did nothing. We have the same plotting and planning in the electoral campaign, now proceeding. Is it to be successful? It will not be successful if the electorates do tlieirduty, and return to. power a law-keeping and jieace-preserving Government. —Auckland "Herald." ■ ■,

The Hoii. James Allen said in Christchurch tliat he always understood there was an alliance botween tho Liberal and Social Democratic Parties. Tho Liberal Party coiild not exist without such, for otherwise it was as dead as a doornaij, arid if by chance it got into power it would be a very effete Liberal Party.

A quotation from "Hansard" was read by Mr. Massey at Invorcargill tlio otter night to', show that,in 1906 ho moved • a motion which was the beginning of the advances to workers mover ment, and, there was nothing comical in his claim, as was suggested by Sir Joseph Ward at Winton. His motion in 1906 was to enable the Government Department to lend up to £400. His motion, was knocked out, but only after the ■ Prime Minister' had promised his followers that he would bring down a Bill containing a similar provision that session. .The Bill was brought down, and was passed, and even included a little error that had occurred in the speaker's original motion.

Why are the Red Feds, fighting* Sir Joseph Ward's battle for him? asks a Uhristclmrch paper. /It provides its own answer: Simply beoause, as they •indeed admit, trie present Government stands in the way of the Red Fed. aims, iiolitical and industrial, and bccfiuso tliev know that even if the : Liberals" were disinclined to figlit for tiie Federation, they would havo no option in the matter. The Red Feds want Sir ,f. G. Ward as the head of ilic (' eminent, and that fact should' bo ouito sufficient for the public.

Red Fedism is not. a mere bogey. Tlio people of New. Zealand, from one end to tile other, know it for a grim reality. It is as real a menace to the community' as it was last year when it sought, by crime and violence, to cripfila jfeMjg'ft l&srlaogt' ui£ it .woulft

strike, and strike hard, the narder for its defeat, if the Reform Government were to be removed from office.—Christchurch "Press."

Sir Joseph Ward had ridiculed the defence scheme entirely in 1908, and the Bill would not-have gone through as it did but for other influences.—Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence.

Mr. J. P. Luke is strongly of the opinion that Mount Cook —the site of the Alexandra Barracks—should be the location of tho proposed new museum and art gallery.

"The fight in the North Island," said Mr. H. Holland in the Post Office Square yesterday, "is between the Reform Party Rnd the Social Democrats. No one else counts."

Mr. P. J. O'Regan writes to contradict a statement :made by Mr. Hiram Hunter to the effect that he (Mr. O'Regan) retired from the contest for Buller in accordance with an arrangement whereby the Liberal and Labour forces are not to bo divided during the coming election. Mr. O'Regan states that ne was never in the field for Buller, aind' consequently could not retire ; secondly, that overtures were made to him from the district, but for reasons purely .private lie declined to allow himself to be nominated. In taking that course he aoted purely on his initiative, never once discussing the question with any person representing the Liberal Party. _ Had circumstances ordered it'- otherwise, he would have readily entered the lists without the slightest consideration for Mr. Colvin or anybody elsa.

Evidence of the Prime Minister's great reception in the south is given by the "Southland Times," which says, editorially:—"lf Mr. Massey was not satisfied with, the dimensions of his audience and the character of his reception last evening he is very hard to please. The Theatre's accommodation was ' severely overtaxed, and the size of the audience showed that the Prime Minister has established a strong hold upon the interest of the people of Invercargill, while tho cordiality of his welcome, indicated that his supporters, in the town are very numerous.

: In the course of a recent speech Mr. Veitcli declared that a working agreement- had been made by the Labour Party and tho "Wardites in order to endeavour to put the Government out?. He repeated that he wanted the meet-, ing to clearly understand that such an agreement had been made.

The Ngaere correspondent of the same paper 1 says: —"Ngaere takes a pleasure in supporting the Reform candidate, which was ofearly demonstrated at. the conclusion of the address, .when the meeting unanimously accorded thanks and confidence in Mr. Hirie, and also every confidence in the Hassey Administration." , ' - .

The settlors here are. mostly strong Reformers, and we say: "Long live the Massey Government. , We near Mr. Massey is coming to Wintara; if so, we shall all be there—Huirangi correspondent of the Stratford "Post."

Mr. W. H. Field, Reform candidate for Otaki, delivered his first political address to-a Foxton audience in the Town Hall on Thursday night. The attendance was excellent. Mr. \ Field was accorded a first-class hearing throughout..

Mr. R. A. Wright-, Reform candidate for the Suburbs, speaking at Sutherland Road last night, said that if the Government supporters were the Conservatives the Wardites called them they would be following in the footsteps of the Wardites—gagging the Press, circumscribing the rights of free speech, stifling discussion, and creating baronetcies.: ' ■'

This is'how election prospects in Avon are summed up by the Christchurch correspondent of the Dunedin "Star" (an Opposition journal):—"Botween the onslaught of the Social Democrats and the steady resistance of the Reformers, Mr. G. W. Russell is losing. ground; The workers do not trust him. They •want one of their own kind in Parliament, and in Mr. Sullivan would certainly have a good representative. ;The limelight so far has. chiefly been centred upon these two gentlemen,; but' Mr.'Acland (Reform),' though in .tho 'background, has been doing sound spade work. Mr. Russell was baited last evening by the Social Democrats; and, -.becoming defiant, declared': 'I beat you before, and I'll beat you again.'' But it is very doubtful if he can make good his boast, weakened as he is on the one side by .the antagonism of Labour, and "he is' being sapped on the other by his half-and-half views on the Defence question. Previous expressions of opinion against the Defence' Act are being brought up against him, and the outcome in all probability will be that he. will lose the seat. Which of the other two —Mr. Sullivan (Social Democrat) or Mr. Acland (Reform)—will gain the verdict it, is as yet hard to say, but Mr. Acland certainly lias'.a very good chance."