THE GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2322, 2 December 1914, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

CAMPAIGN''POINTS. NEWS NOTES AND ADDRESSES AND PRESS COMMENTS.

"The best evidence of the worth or worthlessness of a Government is to be fcund in its deeds, and I may be able to give you some account of the deeds of the Massey Government which show their worth. . . . The performances of the present Government prove it to be in favour of advancement and development. But the deeds of our Opposition friends during our term of office at any rate show that they are a stagnant, inert, reactionary collection of officeseekers."—The Hon. A. L. Herdnian at Wadestown.

"It shows the advantage of having good men in power to look ahead and see what is coming."—Dr. Newman's comment on the far-seeing policy of tho present Minister of Defence, in setting up the machinery to place an Expeditionary Force at- the disposal of the Imperial Government long before the present state of war existed.

i An. enthusiastic meeting of Mr. A. M. Samuel's Petone Committee was held last evening, the Jackson Street Committee Rooms proving too small to hold the number of workers. Mr. Beale presided, and brief addresses were delivered by Mr. Samuel, and Messrs. E. P. Bunny and J. Bowlos. Tho reports from sub-committees were submitted and proved most encouraging, and the chairman intimated that the outlook was exceedingly hopeful, not only in Petone,' but throughout the electorate. Mr. Samuel stated that his meetings had thus far been splendidly attended, and he had at each place received an excellent hearing. Matters in connection with the poll wore then discussed and several new niemhors wore added to tho committee.

Yesterday was polling day at the Trentham military camp. The men were entitled to \ote as to the candidates nominated, and on the licensing issues. Polling commenced at 9 a.m., and continued till approaching 5 p.m. Small bodies of the men were marched up to the polling booth at intervals. Officers of the electoral department conducted the polling.

■ The Prime Minister, who has been making a triumpbal tour of the Dominion, scored another great success on Saturday evening, when he addressed tub largest meeting yet held in Waverley. The Town Hall was filled to overflowing, about 800 electors being prosent. Mr. Massey had a great reception, being loudly applauded on making his appearance. He was given a splendid hearing throughout, and his speech was frequently applauded. There were very few interjections, and in each caso the Prime Minister scored off them, At tho conclusion of the address Mr. Alex'. Howie proposed' a motion: "That this meeting of settlers of Waverley district desires to tender its hearty, thanks to Mr. Massey for his instructive address, and at tho samo time to place on record their appreciation of the statesmanlike ability displayed by. the Prime Minister and his colleagues during their term of office, and passes a vote of unbounded confidence in the Massey Government." , This was seconded by Mr. R. P. Palmer and adopted almost unanimously. The meeting terminated with hearty cheers for the Prime Minister.— Abridged from tho "Wanganui Chronicle."

"I don't think that any Government that has ever occupied the. Treasury benches in New Zealand has (met with such extraordinary diiticulties as the Massey Government has met with in its two and a half years of office," taid the Hon. A. L.-Herdman at Wadestown last night. "I don't think even in his long term of office Mr. Seddon had to battle with the number of difficulties Mr. Massey met with in his two. years and a half. .... And though we have had these hurdles to jump, it has never been necessary for us to cast members of the .Public. Service out of their billets. It will be within your recollection that during the Ward Administration, in the year 1909, I think, because there happened to be a drop in wool, and some difficulty in trade, the Government then in office determined they would dismiss men from the Public Service—that they would retrench. I want ™u to recollect that and compare that condition of things with the state of affairs existing now."

"Those people, who say Reform is not going in, simply don't know what is happening in the country."—Dr. A. K. Newman, at Victoria Hall, last night.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen," asked the Opposition candidate for Parhell, Mr. W. P. Storey, "do you wish'me to speak to,you on a future day?" " Fortissimo chorus: Yes, yes. The candidate: And you wish me to carry it on? The F.C.: Yes, rather. The candidate: In a proper manner? The F.C.: Yes, of course. The candidate: Seriously? The F.C. (with convincing emphasis): We mean it. "What I object to " said a "Liberal" at Mr. Toogood's meeting in Christchuroh on Saturday, "is that you stand for the aristocracy." "The Baronet is not our leader, sir," was the Reform candidate's reply. "No question at all about it,".said Mr. Herdman in reply to his solitary interjector at his meeting last night. "Just as sure as I am on this platform to-night, Mr. Massey will be returned on Thursday night with a greater majority than he has at the present timo." (Applause.)

In tho Suburbs electorate tho Wardites are exasperated that Labour has determined to seek representation, and last evening at his meeting at Plimmerton Mr.' Fitzgerald so far forgot the pleasant little amenities that have been passing on behalf of the Ward Party as to indignantly refer to Mr. Moore as an "impossibility" to represent "the electors of this district." He regretted that tho Lahour Party had not realised that it would have been better to allow one ''Progressive" to go to the poll. They might havo recollected the humanitarian legislation of the Liberal Party. The Labour Party thought that he (tho speaker) would retire in favour of an "impossibility."- But he was going to the poll, and he believed the people would return Sir Joseph Ward on December 10. (A voice: "No, Massey."). In his address at Island Bay last night Mr. R. A. Wright referred to <a rumour in circulation "to the effect that the usual Christmas-tree, dinner, etc., at the Porirua and other Mental Hospitals were to lip discontinued. "I approached the Hon. H. D. 801 l on the matter," said Mr. Wright, "and ho-au-thorised mo to say that tho rumour was baseless. The Christmas festivities would not be interfered with."

Ths action of the Hon. 0. Kowlrls in deserting a sinking ship called the

Ward Government a few years ago was. leferred to by a Huntly woman who attended one of Mr. Fowlds's recent meetings. The Huntly Woman: Why did you leave the Ward Government? Mr. Fowlds replied that he had left the Ward Government because it was not progressive enough. The Huntly Woman: And yet you're going back to it. (Laughter.) Later, the candidate again referred to Sir Joseph Ward. The Huntly Woman: Why did you put him out last time K The Candidate: 1. can't hear what you say. (Laughter.). The Huntly Woman: No; you don't want to. (Renewed laughter.) •At a later .stago.the candidate was saying: "When we get the Ward Ministry back The Huntly Woman: I' don't think you will get it back. "But," 6he persisted, "why did you put 'Sir Joseph Ward out!"' • . -

The Candidate-: I did not put him out. The Huntly Woman: You ran away from the Ministry, anyway. (Laughter.)

Statements like these (some of Sir Joseph Ward's), together with ■ lie amazing allegation that the people of New Zealand cannot afford to pay for their own naval defence; simply brings the "Liberal" Party into disrepute. The Reform Government will not be dislodged from office by a fusillade of fictions, myths, and election canards. Unless the "Liberals" can bring up some heavier guns, their attack is doomed to fail before it is fully developed. ' '—Pahiatua ' 'Herald.''

• "I don't stand here as a saint," continued the candidate, "I am not a martyr. 1 stand here as a common man of the people, who is prepared to do things for the people. If you want an earnest man willing to brave the dangers of the light, stand in the House and ever plead your cause (Cries of "Ah!" and "Glory be"), .then I am your man." (Terrific cheers).—Mr. W. P. Storey, Opposition candidate for Parnell.

While the WaTd Government was always boasting of what it would do, remarked Mr. R. A. Wright, Reform candidate for the Suburbs, at Island Bay last ovening, the Massey Government came forward with accomplished facts. Mr. Wright laid particular emphasis on tho improvements effected by the Government in tire system of ponsibns, pointing out that the qualifying age had' been reduced to 60 years for women, and that special provision had been made for widows and dependent children. The better management of tho national finance enabled the Reform Government to make theso additional grants, and at the same time to show a sounder national balance.

"Election timel" interjected a member of the audience at Dr. Newman's meeting at Victoria Hall last night. "Election time," said Dr. Newman. "No, wo are going to do this after the elections. \ I know some of you have been so used to broken promises from tho other party that yon are not prepared to trust anyone. But we are the Reform Party, and we carry out our promises." (Applause.)

Tho oft-rqpcated statement that the Public Service is "seething with discontent" was rebutted by the Hon. A. L. Herdman last night. "From information that I have received," he said, "I am sure that the great bulk of the' Public Servants who are worth their salt, and who are worth keeping in the Service, are in favour of the new order of'things. (Hear, hear.) I am confident of this—that before the Public Service Act of 1912 was passed there was not much of a career for a man in the Public Sorvico of New Zealand. Now, that it is passed, and tho Service is controlled by experts, the Public Service of New. Zealand is worth entering, because in it a young man now lias a career. I am confident of this, that ability, a sense of duty, and diligence will how get their -reward. In days gone by it was not ability and diligence and a sense of duty that got their reward. Tho man who got rewards was the man who could bask in the sunshine of the smiles of the Minister of the Crown or a politician."

At some of Mr. W. H. Field's larger meetings in the Otabi electorate, a number of his opponent's 'supporters are stated to have attended in a body, and though giving him a fair hearing while he spoke in the gentlest possible terms of his opponent, they created din and disturbance the moment he took the gloves off and began to hit out and. disclose the true political character of his opponent. A correspondent, writing on the subject, states that Mr. Field has begged his committees and supporters everywhere to give his opponent a fair and patient hearing, and not tfl attend his meetings unless they are prepared to follow this advice. The result has been he has received the fairest possible treatment at every meeting, and experienced no disturbance whatever. The reward Mr. Field receives for tho consideration he shows towards his opponent is described above. In speaking at Levin, Mr. Field mentioned that from tho beginning, and, indeed, before the contest, certain individuals in the electorate were supplying the "Now Zealand Times" with garbled and inaccurate reports of meetings, and that paper seized this stuff with avidity and published it with startling ' headlines. It is understood that this is the method of warfare against Government caißlidates which has been adopted very extensively throughout New Zealand in this election. ,

"On the one hand you have Mr. Massoy and his party who believe that all agreements should be faithfully kept, and on the other hand you have a body of gentlemen who say 'to hell with agreements.' " (Applause.)— The Hon. A. L. Herdman.

"Sir Joseph Ward's proposal (regarding baby bonuses) is not worth considering at all."—Mr. H. Holland, at Northland, last evening.

Mr. G. W. Russell is such a political curiosity that we may be pardoned for once more drawing attention to his little vagaries (said the Christchurch "Sun" recently). It is of very little use the electors of Avon trying to be certain of the versatile Liberal whenhe is not at all sure of himself. The paper then quotes the following incident which occurred at one of Mr. Russell's recent meetings. A voice: Do you recognise the Hon. It. M'licnzie as an authority upon mining matters?" Mr. Russell: "I'm not sure that 1 do—unduly." He's "not sure" that he does (noto the hesitancy —the cx-Minister of Mines iiwns) — "unduly" (the characteristic saving clause—Mr, M'lvcnuio is mollified), la this nmiablo and accommodating politician suxo of anything the aun?

1* Ho si;ru that at last his political sins will not Unci Mm out—of i'arliasaenfc;-'

Opponents of the Reform Party never seem to grow weary of bringing against it baseless charges of encouraging land aggregation, and that, too, despite the face tnat on the public platform all over the Dominion ltelorm .speai;crs have disproved these charges up to the hilt.— Wairarapa "Standard."

■Mr. It. A. Wright, Reform candidate for the Suburbs, speaking at Island Bay last evening, referred to Mr. Massey's policy speech, which he described as a most statesmanlike exposition or' what the- Government had achieved. It augured well for the future, and the enthusiastic manner in which it had been acclaimed testified to the fact that the Government retained the confidence of the people. Mr. Wright particularly welcomed Mr. Massey's promise to give municipalities and counties the opportunity of borrowing from the State for the purpose of workers' home's. During the six. years Sir Joseph Ward's Government remained' in office from 1905, when the Workers' Dwellings Act was first passed, 210 workers' dwellings 'were provided at a cost of £146,622. Since the Reform Government came into power 305 such dwellings had been erected at a cost of £161,230. Last year's total . expenditure ' under, this heading was £42,347, and the closing year's programme comprised another 205 dwellings entailing a gross expenditure of roughly £100,000. So that the Massey Government's record for less than three years was at least 150 per cent, better than the Ward Government's six-year record.

The Prime Minister had every reason to -be gratified with last night's (Friday's) meeting, except as to one matter, the interjections and interruptions which came from a small number of persons, but were very persistent, and would probably have been disconcerting to any but' an experienced speaker. The Opera House was filled to overflowing, the attendance was easily a record, and the great bulk of the meeting was undoubtedly with him, grew more pronouncedly so as the evening advanced, and closed with enthusiastic cheers, which told that his speech had appealed to his hearers.—Hawera "Star" on Mr. Massey's speech at Hawera.

Three years ago ,in referring'to the result of tho contest which placed Mr. Veitch at the head of the poll, we said: "Mr. Hoganl suffered a severe defeat, but we-think, lie is fairly entitled to argue that it was not to any serious ostent a personal rebuff. To a very considerable degree the majority (130) recorded against him must be attributed to. the impopularity of the (Ward) Government, of which he was a loyal supporter." The.same reason holds good to-day, but with much stronger force. Sir Joseph /Ward and his followers had, while in office, forfeited all claim to tie confidence of the electors, a fact which Mr. Veitch, speaking for the workers, affirmed over and over again in lie course.of his campaign. "Nothing," he declared, "is too 'hot or heavy' for the Ward Government to promise, and, after the elections, forget." Now. for reasons of his own, lie is out to put the Ward party back into office, and Mr. Hogau, though perhaps justly disliking Mr. Veitch, is out with tho same object in view.—Wanganni "Chronicle."

Ho, too, has laboured along the wellbeaton track of petty detail, and has drawn his inspiration from the same source. -.His appeal, too, is to the smallness of the public mind, which he feeds with the same light diet of perverted .figures and facts.—Hawke's Bay "Tribune," on a recent speech by Mr. Vigor Brown, Opposition nominee for Napier.

A v voice at Mr. Massey's Waverley meeting: 'Sir Joseph Ward passed our first ; ,ComJ)ulsor.v Military Service Act. Mr'.-Massey: Did he, indeed? Is that news?'. Let me tell you this. The first motion that was moved in the New Zealand Parliament was moved by the person who is : now addressing you. The resolution:,! moved was as follows:— . "That'this.House being satisfied that thei existing volunteer system is inadequate is of opinion that it ' should bo' replaced by a system of universal training for military seiv vice." :'■•'''.

My words then were almost prophetic. I said the trouble may come in five years or it may not come till a later date. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking to the resolution, condemned the proposal alleging that they had td'guard against forcing a system of .compulsory military training down tho throats of the people. In 1908 in reply to a deputation from the Farmers' Union Conference, Sir Joseph Ward had also spoken as follows:— ' • .

"The system of universal military training may be a great 'goal to ~ work for, but in a country where nine people out of every ten earn their own living it is, I think, impracticable.'' Continuing, Mr. Massey said: ''I had not the slightest intention of introducing the subject, but I always come prepared and I thank my interjector for the opportunity- he has given, me." (Laughter and applause.)

The following is probably the shortreport of an opening address fcy'-'a political candidate on record in New Zealand. It is taken from the tiki "Guardian":—"A political address was delivered in the Albambra Theatre last night .by Mr. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Opposition candidate for tne Bay of Plenty, to a small audience. The speaker confined himself to criticism of Cabinet Ministers. At the conclusion of the meeting the candidate was accorded a. vote of thanks."

The."Otago Daily Times" Greymouth correspondent states:—The political situation develops slowly on the West Coast. In Buller the sitting member is opposed by Mr. G. Powell, who will contest the seat in the Government interest. .He is very popular locally, and will command a Bolid Reform vote. In Grey, Mr. P. C. Webb will have as an opponent Mr. H. L. Michel, who topped the first ballot at the by-election. The Tatter's chances aro regarded as admirable, and he will certainly score. heavily over the stand taken by the Government in regard to patriotio matters.

Although the questions discussed from political platforms at the present time are legion it is probable that a comparatively few broad considerations will have most to do in causing tho return of - the, present Government to power. We have no wish to make political capital out of the. war, but the fact that a world-wide war-is raging,«and is likely to rage for many months to come, does affect the circumstances of the Dominion in a marked degree. It means that times-of-stress and difficulty must be expected before we can enjoy the benefits of increased trade and prosperity that are certain to be the final outcome of the war. The strongest possible Government will bo needed for the next three years, a Government composed of meu who know their own minds, who can work together without differences of opinion, who can exercise both restraint and foresight so that they may be able to make the best of difficul' conditions, and be ready to seize the tide of new prosperity when it rises.— Timaru "Herald."

At Waverlcy, Mr. Massey said that ho believed that a large majority, of what is called Labour was going to support him at tho coming polls. ' A voice: What did you do last time? Mr. Massey: I supported- two men who were said to be decent men. The lied Federation in this country v--as ]10 t born then. Neither of these'two men will ever see Parliament again. (Appjawe.i