THE GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2318, 27 November 1914, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

THE KAIPARA CONTEST

MR. PIRANI'S ;CANDIDATTJRE.

CAMPAIGN POINTS. NEWS NOTES AND. ADDRESSES AND PRESS COMMENTS. PREMIER'S ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME AT HUTT

"I hope and firmly believe that the people who are promulgating this hideous slander (that the Government is responsible for the Huntly disaster) will get their deserts when they go before the electors on December 10," said Mr. Massey at Lower Hutt last evening. - The audience endorsed the remark.

Sir Walter Buchanan;' M.P. for Wairarapa, is pursuing his campaign with exceptional vigor, and is being received enthusiastically overywhero ho goes. On Tuesday evening, the Carterton "News" reports, he addressed the largest and most enthusiastic meeting ever held in the Langdale Hall. Between •seventy --and' eighty settlers • from all Darts of the district were present. Tho chair was occupied by Mr. Hugh Morrison. The candidate made a vigorous speech, and was loudly applauded. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks,' proposed by. Mr. H. Ryder,chairman of the County Council, was carried with enthusiasm,, followed by cheers for the candidate.

At this time (says a contemporary) it of facts in the face of the most conclusive of arguments that has caused-so many people to treat the Opposition ■with contempt.—Nelson "Mail."

At thi stime (says a contemporary) it is worth while recalling the statement in which Mr; Geo. Fowlds, in 1911, summed up the result of his inside knowledge of the Ward Party:—"Tho Government or members of Parliament for the time being do not constitute the Liberal Party. A party cannot live on traditions and name labels ■ alone. There is always the danger of a party, after long yearß of prosperity, and dominance, losing pight of its fundamental principles! It naturally attracts to its banner all sorts of people who hope to gain something from the party in power. Tho adhesion of people who are attract-' ed by a hope of gain instead of the love of its principles has always a'paralysing effect on a party. _ Parties may even adhere, to nameswhilo they entirely reverse their principles." What has happened to Wardism since then? Nothing much excepting that it has now contracted an alliance with the Semple Party.

An attempt to induce people to believe that the Government was responsible for the. Huntly disaster was about the moiinest thing ever done in New 'Zealand politics. .(Applause.)—Mr. Massey at Lower Hutt last evening.

lii 1911 tho Wardist Party was described as "a, snail which drew in its horns whenever they touched anythingsolid." The description is none tho less apt for tho fact'that its author was Mr. L. M. Isitt. His _ present taste for snails has been' acquired very quickly, considering that he began fairly late in life.—(Exchange.)

Of Sir Walter Buchanan,,M.P. for Wairarapa, the Carterton "News"' says: "The old member, after thirty-three years' service,- maintains a wonderful hold on the people, which will provo hard to loosen, and he is prosecuting his •'campaign with perhaps even more than his usual vigour."

"If," said Mr.-Russell on a street corner,, ''you meet a man who is'consistently changing his name (tho reference wits to the; aliases attributed to the' Reform Party), you are apt to become suspicious of 'him,' and to put a penny stamp on every receipt he gives you." What scorn Mr. Russell must possess for a man.who is consistently changing -his opinions I —Christchurch "Sun." '•'..:■■

The plain issue is that Mr. Mathews (Opposition candidate for Pahiatua) is in sympathy with the strikers cr lie is not. Unless ho takes an early opportunity to make an unequivocal pronouncement his attitude must Temain under suspicion.—"Herald."

Tho issue at the coming election is not: Ward or; Massey P But it is: Is the Government to be punished for doing its dnty in connection with the strike of 1913? (Applause.)— The. Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) at Lower Hutt lfwt evening.

praotically all he had put forward was embodied in Mr. Massey's. recent manifesto. At the conclusion of his speech he answered a number of questions, and tho answers evidently gave satisfaction, to the audience, for he was passed unanimously a veto of thanks, Mr. Field declining a vote of confidence.

He (Mr. A. E. Jull, Opposition candidate for Waipawa) said, /at Makotuku, with the hope of creating party capital, that the Government. would have gone to Germany for railway engines had it been possible for the enemy to supply them. A more unworthy statement at a time' of national peril was_never uttered. Even Mr. John Payne did not go to these extreme lengths.—Dannevirke "News."

A Dannevirke message to a contemporary states that Mr. J. H. Escott, iVI.P.' for Pahiatua, is meeting with mush success in his campaign in tho northern end of'his electorate. Everywhere he has been accorded a warm reception, and expressions of appreciation for his services and the work of the Government. Next week will be devoted to town and coast districts.

Disorder jcontinues'to bo the feature of the held by Mr. J. Payne, Opposition candidate for Grey Lynn. In the Richmond Hall the other evening ho was asked whether it was not a fact that three years; ago''he had advocated a coalition between the Labour and Massey' Parties. When tho questions produced a copy of the report of the meeting, at which the candidate mado this suggestion. Mr. Payne did not deny the charge.

"What about Sir Joseph Ward's baby bonus?" asked someone at Mr. Massey's Lower Hutt meeting. • '

"I should be ashamed to support a thiug like that," replied the Prime Minister." . . . Tie slimmest thing about it is that it -would be payable in fourteen years, and the man who introduced it would'be out of office by then, and some other unfortunate man would haveto arrango to pay the whole 0f.,, tho bonuses. It is the slimmest thing I ever heard of. Upon my word, someone ought to take out a patent for it."

Sir Walter Buchanan stated at his Tinui meeting, according to the "liana-1 watu Daily Times," that the Ward Government had been voted £500,000 per year for the purpose of acquiring land for settlement. When tho Reform Government came to office it found that over £600,000 of tho amount voted to. Sir Joseph Ward had been unexpended. Tho present Government had also been voted £500,000 per annum, and-it had expended every penny of it in purchasing land, with the exception of £11,500. In addition to this, the Reform Government devoted, tho whole of tho pro-, ceeds from tho sale of Crown lauds to the acquisition of further land for settlement. Ho further stated that the Ministry, is determined to burst np tho large estates. With this object in view it. proposed to make an automatic increase in tho graduated land tax, without tho necessity for fresh legislation every year. Thus, if an area valued at, say,_ £30,000 was taxed at 5 per cent., this year, tho tax would he automatically increased by 1 per cont. ovory year until it would not pay the owner to hold tho land. Sir Walter Buchanan stated that he personally favours ■ the graduated laud tax, and the Government, if returned to power, could be relied upon to make it effective in bringing about .the subdivision of estates.

1 Mr. W. H. Field, lleform candidate for Otaki, addressed a me'eting at Shannon of over 200 in the Druids' Hall (says an exchange). Mr. P. Hennessoy occupied the chair. Mr. Field, although subjected to some good-natured banter, was favourably received. He expressed his candidature in the Government interests, and utterly denied the report that he was responsible for Mr. Gardener's candidature to split the Labour vote. He dealt with the strike of 1913 and commended the action of the Government in the matte; of putting it down. He explained that the Reform Party had granted the freehold to Crown tenants, a measure which had been blocked by tho other- party, and on which he had opposed them on a noconfidence motion. Mr. Field quoted his own announcement of-the chief needs of tho country in March last, when ht» *•« ..still an Independent, and showed that

Its (the Massey Government's) reforms are bitterly resented by all who profited or hoped to profit by the old order of things, and this has brought into the campaign an army of interested 'politicians who seek by misrepresentation and abuse to mislead thoughtless voters.—Auckland "Herald."

In view of recent .events in the Pacific some of the speeches made by Opposition members before tho war broke out make interesting reading, just now. As an example we will take Mr. -T. M. Wilford. Tho candidate for Hutt was a moniber of one of Opposition "fly r ing squadrons" -which ' sought to brighten up Sir Joseph Ward's fading star by flitting about the country when it vvas_ the duty of members to remain in their places in Parliament and transact the, business of the country. -In a speech at<-Patea .on July 20 last, a weak before tho war broke but, Mr.' Wilford said that "Mr. Massey had previously' stated that he would never he satisfied until he saw a fleet in tho South Pacific. So sure;.as the Massey Party was returned at the next election, so sure would there be a fleet in the Pacific." Mr. Wilford added: "I beg you, to remember this as you walk to the ballot- box at the next- election." Electors, no doubt, will take Mr. Wilford's excellent advice and "remember this" on December 10.—"New Zealand Herald."

Sufficient of the Red Feds remain to again become a dangerous factor should the slightest encouragement and assistance be offered. It looks as if resuscitation is close: at • hand through'. the cllianco--with tho Opposition, and it rests'with the voters to say whether they Trill' tolerate a orowd that seeks to convulse and disorganise society.— Pahiatua "Herald."

The "Liberals" are beginning to realise that, they have made a bad bargain, and they nave felt that in asking them to support -Mr. Holland against the Hon. A. L. Herdman, the Red Feds are asking ■ too much.—Danuevirke "News." •

Mr. Craigie has aohieved' possibly a unique, certainly a most uncommon,, record. He has been six yeara in the House, and as many as eighty of his constituents found'it necessary on Monday night to hold a special meeting to find out what his views were. —"Timam Herald."

One of. the members, of the Opposition alliance who is standing in Wellington recently made some wild statement about the ■ "undemocratic legislation" of the Massey Government. This scrupulous r candidate must have left the following - portion of the Government's enactments at home: The raising of' '■ Tailway employees' salaries by approximately £120,000 per annum. The raising of the pay of the police' to the extent of £18,000 a year. The raising of salaries in the Post and Telegraph Department by £12,000 per annum. ' The raising of salaries of teachers: to the extent of £150,000., Improved pay and conditions for all other Civil-Servants, a minimum of £140 being established for married men. Payment of pensions to women at 60 years instead of 65. Remission of income tax, on email in- : comes, in respect of children. I Payment of pensions of £36 to veterans without any disqualification. Extension of .widows' pensions and establishment of pensions, in respect of i every child under fourteen, whose mother is a widow.

Provision of Crown' defenders for accused persons without means. Provision of better conditions for shearers and agricultural labourers. " Exemption of workers' chattels from distraint for debt raised to £50. Industrial legislation providing for 6ecret ballots of unions. Abolition of the .noxious system of political pull in the Civil Service. The Aged and Infirm Persons Protection Act, safeguarding the interests of the helpless. . The protection of tho workers against exploitation through the sale as leather o5 shoddy boots. Superannuation allowances for employees of local bodies. Six days' week for .cooks .and waiters. Increase of graduated land tax. Reform of the Legislative Council.

air. W. H. Turnbull's Central Committee met last night, when there was a huge attendance of member.?, and tho proceedings were enthusiastic throughout. Upon entering the committeeroom t' lo cancMato was greeted with cheers, and his brief address was loudly' applauded. Snb-comiiiittees were arranged for all parts of tho electorate, nnd tho organisation ploocd upon a pound footing

A. GREAT TRIUMPH

THE PRIME MINISTER AT LOWER HUTT A SPIRITED* ADDRESS MR, MASSEY LOUDLY CHEERED • The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F: Massey) delivered a political address at Lower Hutt last evcniug. There were about 1500. people present, and the meeting, though lively, was a distinct triumph for the Prime Minister. The audience included opponents, most of whom gathered in the rear of the building. By these lie was often interrupted, to the sorrow of , each inter-

rupter in his turn. Enthusiastic applause punctuated the address, and ringing cheers brought the meeting to a close. No portion of the speech was better received than the Prime Minister's exposure of the alleged ostrich farm scandal (reported elsewhere). The Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. Baldwin) presided, and said that the electors appreciated the compliment tlio Prime Minister had paid them by his. I visit. (Applause.)

had erected only 210 homes. There waa the proof of the present Government' 6 interest in the welfare of the people. (Applause.) Another proof was that ho had extended the system to rural workers. He made the conditions such as to help the man who was walling to help him6elf. Mr. Massey mentioned the superannuation scheme for employees of local bodies, which measure had been introduced by his colleague. Mr. Fisher, Applause and hooting interrupted the speaker. Mr. Massey: Thanks very much for the applause. I shall have much pleasure in conveying the compliment to Mr. Fisher the hrat time 1 see him. More -noise from the rear. Mr. Massey: It i 6 always a good sign for a man when the Bed Feds, hate hini. (Applause.) A voice: Three choers for Joey I The cheers were given, followed by volleys of hooting. Other voices: Three cheers for Mr. Ala6sey, Hearty cheering drowned all attempts at interruption. Someone inquired how the ostriches wer.o laying, and the price per getting for the eggs. » Mr. Massey: The ostrich is probably the most brainless bird in the world, but it has ten times the brains of that Cheers and applause, followed by silence from the interrupters.

Begins Amidst Applause. Mr. Massey arose amidst applause and cheering,- and thanked the audience for their good reception. He acknowledged the action of the local School Committee in having giyen up the hall to him, and he expressed the hope that when their concert was held the public would reward them with a bumper house. (Applause.) Speaking on the subject which, he remarked, was ahove party politics,-Mr. Massey said that a little while ago there was a squadron of powerful Gerjiian ships in these waters,, and the. wonder was they had not visited.us since the outbreak of war, He thought the explanation was that the German Bhips were afraid of the Australian navy. (Applause.) Mr.' Massey referred to the exploit of the Sydney in defeating the Emden—(applause)—and said with'pride that the- Sydney was one of the vessels which had assisted in convoying the New Zealand Expeditionary Fores on its way to the front. (Applause.) A voice: Give ub some politics I Mr. Massey. Have you any Germans here, Mr. Chairman? (Laughter.) Mentioning the Philomel, the Psyche, and the Pyramus, which had been stationed in these waters, Mr. Massey said that these vessels were all right in their, way, all right for policing .tho coast but—— . Voice from the hack: All right during the strike!

. Mr. Massey: Yes, they settled the 'Red Feds during the strike! (Loud applause.) • . ■ ■ . ■ The Prime Minister passed on to speak of the land and pointed out that our defence organisation had expeditiously dispatched a very_ fine force to the assistance of the Empire.

Someone interjected that the men were overcharged for their tobacco, Mr. Massoy crushed the interjector ■with a reply showing what had been done for the comfort of the men, and the. audience applauded laudly and renewed the applause, when the Prime Minister reminded them that New Zealand was the first to get a.force away, and the first to occupy foreign territory.

"Dead Sllsncel" From the back: Tell us about the ostrich farm! ■ Mr. Massey: You will get more of it than you want before! finish here. Mr. Massey said" that when his Government took office they found the finances of the country in a very unsatisfactory condition. Things were so bad that the lending 'Department was only able to lend £500 to any one settler, and there was practically no money for the local bodies. The Government had gradually increased the amount available from the lending Department to £2000, and had made the position better for' tho local bodies. Things were going along well when the. war came upon them like a thunder-clap. However, matters were now improving every day, and our position was better at the present time than the position of any other British Dominion. (Ap. plause.) ■ ' .

The Prime Minister read figures showing the advances make to workers, A voice: Workers I

. Mr. Massey: Yes. lam not thinking of you; but\of workers. (Laughter and applause.) ' <

The Post Office Sayings Bank returns (he'continued) evidenced the prosperity of New Zealand, and.these showed that deposits exceeded withdrawals by £152,604 in the last month, and by £1,010,562 in the lost ten months.

A voice: What about the ostrich farni?

Mr. Massey: You will be sorry you mentioned it before I-finish, with you. (Applause.)

It had been said that his party had declared against borrowing, but that was not correct, and it could not be proved.- But their borrowing had been to good purpose. It had been said by the Leader of the Opposition that the Massey Government had.increased taxation by 13s. Id. since 1914. He would read the official figures to disprove that. .In 1910 the taxation per head was £4 ss. 6d., in 1911 it was £4 16s. lid., in 1912 £5 3s. 10d., in 1913 £6 7s. 2d., and in 1914 £5 10s., so that in the Massey Government's two years the increase was 6s. 2d.,, and in the other party's last two years it was 18s. 4d.

"I know, of course," Mr. Massey remarked, "that four-fifths of this meeting belongs to me." (Loud applause.). Mr. Massey: "Thanks for the endorsement, ladies and gentlemen; I am going to ask the other fifth—the noisy fifth —to point to a single instance in which we have increased the. Customs taxes, and made it harder for the rank and file of tho population to live." Not a word came from the audience, and the Prime Minister, looking around triumphantly, exclaimed: "Dead silenco!" The fact was (he said) that the Customs duties had been reduced, and they had intended to reduce, them' still further, but the war came along. A voice: The session- lasted long enough I Mr. Massey: Yes, the session lasted long enough, but it was owing to the idiotic obstruction of the Opposition.

"Three Cheers for Mr. Massey." The present Government, he proceeded, had spent more money in the last two years on public works than, any other Government had spent in tho samo length, of time. They had' not dismissed a singlo man since the war Btarted. (Applause.) Contrast that with the state of affairs in New South Wales, where men were working half timol ' A voico from the gallery: Ah 1 lhat's the country—New South Wales 1 Mr. Massey: Yes; it's a very good country, if it was only managed as well «s this country-is. (Applause.) "You Bed Feds at the back," Mr. Masse'v went on, "cast your minds back to 1910." He then quoted figures which showed that in .that year 1041 men (GOO from the railways) had been put oft the public works simply becauso a little depression had come along at the time. "Our management will-com-pare favourably with that," ho added. (Applause.) It was alleged that tho Govornment was not doing enough for the masses. Well, in their term of office they had' erected 305 homon for workers, while in tie preriouß six years tha other side

Tho Enemy Vanquished. Having vanquished the enemy. Mr. Massey said that those who complained of increased expenditure forgot to mention that the Government had increased the salaries of the railway men, of the police, and of the school teachers. Further, the Government had vastly improved the Pensions Act in yarioiiß ways. As to the military pensions, if thov were found to be inadequate, the Government- would do the right thing in the matter. ■ _ All over the country, much interest had been taken in the land question. He had declared before the last election that if he got the, chance he would change the policy of this country to freehold from leasehold. That .promise he had carried out. People who preferred leasehold could still got it, but. with the option of the freehold. A voice: What about State 1 control? Mr. Massey: It is always State control. Anyone who knows . anything about it, knows that the State does not part with tho land, but only, with the freehold. •: (Applause.)' The interrupter: What about Sociallamp Mr. Massey: Socialism k all right for some people, but it is no use for people with brains. (Applause.) In two years, he went on to say, Ibo Government had settled 4837- people on 1,147,894 acres of land. : Other figures to show how land had been cut up rapidly under, the Government's administration were quoted, and received with loud applause. An Enthuslastlo Conclusion. Mr. Massey said that it had been suggested in that hall that .a sum of £9000 had been presented'by the Governmnt to an oil company, the name of ■ which had not-been, divulged. Tho facts, were that a loan of £9000:' had been made to tho New Zealand aud Taranaki Oil Wells Company for development purposes, the name of tho company was stated in the Houjb, and ' ' there, had been nothing hidden about the matter, and yet the ( member for Hutt (Mr. Wilford) had come along and made a suggestion that any man should be ashamed of. (Hear, hear.) Was it not wise to assist our industries? Cries of "Yes." One of the crowd: Tommy Wilford is a very clever man, Mr. Massey. Mr. Mssey: Not half, so clever ae Mr. Samuel. (Applause.) The voice, again: You are frightened of him, anyway I . Mr. Massey: Frightened 1 You are afraid of what is going to happen to him on the tenth of next month. (Loud applause.) # The noisy section here made an attempt to count out the Prime Minister. Mr. Massey smilingly predioted (amidst applause) that -whoever was ' r ouv' the Government would* be'"in" after the election. . . Shortly after this the Prime Minister concluded his address, amidst a scene of great enthusiasm. .' ' • On the motion of- Dr. Mason, the audience passed a hearty vote of tha,nks to the Prime Minister, and cheered him enthusiastically. • Mr. Massey thanked the audience, and there wore then further calls for cheers for him. Again these were given so ■heartily as to practically completely drown the. opposition at the back. - Someone called'for cheers for' Sir 'Joseph [Ward,; and evoked', a volume of i hoots, ; which made the cheers given for ■ the Opposition leader almost inaudible.

MR.E. T. FIELD STANDS DOWN. (Prom a Correspondent.) ■■';■■ DargavlllSj November 26. Mr. E. T. Field has withdrawn from the Kaipara electorate contest in favour of Mr. J. 6. Coates, leaving a straightout contest with ' Mr. F. Hoe, the Wardist nominee. Mr. Field arrived at the conclusion that his candidature was jeopardising the interests of Reform by splitting the vote. He considered it in the best interests, of the Bible-in-Schools League that Mr. Massey should be returned, as he favours the referendum.- Similarly it would be in the interests of thej Prohibitionist movement, as Mr. _ Massey certainly favours a reduction of the present handicap. ,_ He also_ considers Mr. Massey's continuation in office the best thing for true Liberalism, and therefore retires in favour of Mr. Coates.

Wanganul, November 26. Mr. Fred Pirani, Government candidate for Wanganui, addressed ffio electors, to-night, the Opera House being crowded to overflowing. Mr. Pirani, who said the Government had put up a fine record in (the face of great difficulties, had an excellent meeting, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, confidence not being asked for.

MR. T. 'A'. H. FIELD AT NELSON. (By Tel*crai)h.~SpecJ<il Correspondent.) * .Nelson, November 26.

Mr. T. A. H, Field, Reform candidate, held a meeting in the Theatre tonight, and in spite of the wet night the theatre was full. ■ Mr. James Houlker presided.' The candidate spoke for two hours and vigorously defended the Government polioy, replying effectively to a speech of Mr. Atmore's. _ Ho was loudly-applauded for several minutes on resuming his seat and was accorded a hearty vote of tnnnks and confidence. The meeting terminated with cheers for Mr. Field, and also cheers for Mr. Atmore from a section of tho audience.

r A CANDIDATE RETIRES. (By Telecraph.—Press Association.) Dunedln, November'2B. Mr. G. F. Bewloy has retired from the contest for Dun'eduv South, and the issue will be fought out by Mr. Sidey (Opposition) and Mr. Dnlton (Government).

GISBORNE NOMINATIONS. (By TJelegraph.—freas AMOoiation.) Cisborne, Novcniber 2G. . .Nominations for Gisborno'up to the present include those of Mr. H. D. Do Lautour and Mr. George Smith. The latter is a local pawnbroker, who it Btandinj: as a Prohibitionist.