A FINAL TRIUMPH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2329, 10 December 1914, Page 6

A FINAL TRIUMPH

THE SUBURBS SEAT.

MR, HOLLAND'S FINAL ADDRESS.

! INDESCRIBABLE ENTHUSIASM. The best political meeting of tho campaign in this city, tho biggest and the most enthusiastic, was addressed by the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher in the Town Hall last night. Tho crowd within the hall 'at 7.15, when tho doors were closed, numbered at least 3000, and at least 2000 people who arrived late could not get in. In such a big crowd Mr. Fisher always finds a majority of friends, and that was so last night. The noisy people who usually try to annoy Mr. Fisher could not make any sort of , convincing demonstration. An outburst of cheering, loud and prolonged, unparalleled in heartiness and volume in this election campaign, greeted Mr: Fisher when he appeared before his vast audience. Someone threw down from the gallery ft oouplo of cardboard horse shoes, which were at once seized by the chairman (Mr. D. F. Skinner) and displayed before the audience. Bouquets were handed up, one for Mr. Fisher's mother and one for his wife, both of whom were present. All this while the cheering went on. ■ As soon as it subsided Mr. Fisher roso to speak, and immediately there was andther outburst of applause. When it was over an opponent called for "Three cheers for Fletcher." These were faiut, in view of tho size of the crowd, not nearly so loud as cheers given immediatelv afterwards for Mr. Fisher. Mr. .Fisher spoke on the lines of his previous speeches—about Labour, the "Liberal"-Red Fed alliance, the strike, defence, and the foolish cablegram about the Maseey Government being responsible for the escape of the German cruisers, # . ' In conclusion he said: ' I say that after my ten years in publio life there has not, during the whole of this election contest, been one valid reason given why I should not be put in again. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, I confidently believe that to-morrow night you will see the Reform Party back again in power stronger than ever. (Loud applaueo.) We nave found since we came into power that whatever might be said of our chief, Mr. Masaey, he has proved himself a very loyal, very able, and very devoted leader. If anywhere you want to find a tribute to the man himself .you will find it in the

confidence the people of his electorate have in him.. A man is standing against him, but you will find that Mr. Massey will be returned with a 1500 majority.- (Applause.) I propose to take the opportunity of increasing my own majority at the same.time." There was a long round of cheering, during which a,' little- girl, handed to Mr. Fisher a beautiful wreath of flowers.: .. ' Mr. Fisher: I just want to say this in,conclusion. Thank you for the good hearing you have given me. Whatever the weather may be to-morrow, remember that the people opposed to us will come put and vote. See that our own people come out and vote. . And let me utter this warning: We have ticked off all the- Germans on the roll, and they' had better not"vote. : A motion of thanks and confidence was' carried by acclamation, with indescribablo enthusiasm. There were loud cheers for Mr. Massey and ■ Mr. Fisher, and the big audience sang "For He's, a Jolly, Good Fellow.": .

WELLINGTON SOUTH. MR. J. P. LUKE AT ST. THOMAS'S SCHOOLROOM., j Mr: J. P. Luke, the Reform candidate for Wellington South, had a most enthusiastic meeting in Newtown last night. The meeting had been advertised for St. Thomas's small schoolroom, and Mr. Luke commenced his address there, but the building was too small for the audience and a move was afterwards mado to the larger building. Mr. D. Campbell occupied the chair. On rising to speak, Mr. Luke was greeted with applause. Ho remarked that a pleasing feature of the campaign for tlio South seat was the fact that it had been conducted by the candidates without any bitterness. After reviewing his career sinco he entered public life some fifteen years ago,, the candidate stated that when ho first entered Parliament it had been as .an Independent, but he was now on the side of Reform bocause ho believed that the best interests of the Dominion rested on the present Administration. By the manner hi which the Massey government had faced and dealt with the many difficulties in its way, it had won the confidence' of the people, 'and he was convinced the great bulk of electors did not want any change of. 1 Government. The true Liberal Party of today was the Reform Party. (Applause.) Its measures had been more Liberal than those of its predecessors and he was sure the electors were not going to replace;the Government by a party, whoso Cabinet must of necessity include the representatives of a section of the community which had endeavoured to break down all law and order and which had brought upon the country great distress, from which it had not yet recovered. Mr. Luke referred at some length to the laws passed by the Reform Party and then proceeded, on the lines of previous addresses, to state his own views on the important political questions cf tho day. At the close of tlio address Mr. J. J3arr moved a resolution thanking the

oandidate and expressing confidence in him as a fit and propor person to represent the electorate in Parliament. This was seconded by Mr. 11. Murdoch and carried by acclamation. The meeting closed with hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Luke and further cheora for Mr. Massoy.

MR. R. A.. WRIGHT AT MORNINGTON. Tho final meeting in the Suburbs campaign was held by Mr. R. A. Wright last evening at Mornington. Although the meeting was held in the open air, tho attendance was pood. The candidate roviewed tho policy of the Government, and incidentally paid a tributo to the Hon. Mr. Fisher for his work in connection with the amendments to tho Widows' Pensions Act. In answer to questions he said ho was in favour of Civil Servants being granted the full rights of appeal in oil cases. ' A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. MR. J. E. FITZGERALD'S CANDIDATURE. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, at his meeting at Ngahauranga yesterday, dwelt on the reasons which had confirmed his determination to : stand faet to his principles, in spite of pressure brought to bear on him, and fight out the contest to- the end. Personally, he had aspired' to represent tho doctors as a Liberal, because he was a Liberal by conviction and on principle. He had never asked for nor received any financial assistance from the party funds from the time he first stood for Parliament, six years ago, and this waa. his third election campaign. Though he did not now bear the hall-mark of the official party candidate, nor had he done bo at past olections, he contended that in consistency to principlee, in length and- quality of pubho service,, and in merit ae a man and citizen, he was entitled to the support of all true Liberals and genuine advocates of the best interests of Labour. In the assurance that he would get that support he would go to the poll with full confidence. . Mr. Fitzgerald also spoke at Kaiwarra, Wadeetown, and Karori. MR. F. T. MOORE'S CAMPAIGN. ,-n Ml \ F w T 'i Mo ° re held open-air meetings at Newlands, Karori, Berhampore, and Island Bay last night, assisted by members of the Labour Party The meetings were all. well attended, and enthusiastic. At Berhampore and Iβland Bay the candidate received large offers of assistance from Liberals present, including the use of motor-cars. Mr. Moore contended at each,centre that the contest was between Mr. Wright and himself. ' • : .

THE HUTTSEAT. MR. SAMUEL'S FINAL SBOm About 1000 eleotors attended Mr. A. M. Samuel's final meeting at the Lower Hutt Town Hall last evening, and the candidate was given a capital reception ' As Mr. Samuel rose to speak he was greeted with much applause, and several decorated florae shoos bearing the candidate's colours were thrown upon the stage. The meeting was exceedingly orderly, and as the platform of the Reform Party was dealt with rounds 1 of applause were given. The .candidate stated during the evening, ivhen speaking of the scandals raised against the present Administration, that he had noticed on a locomotive the words "Vote for Wilford." Ho was heartily/glad of it, because had tho words been "Vote for Samuel" what a frightful scandal would have been raised against the Government. (Applause.) Legislation for the benefit of workers was men. tioned,' Mr. Samuel contrasting the number of workmen's homes erected during the Ward administration (in six years 210 had been erected), whilst the present Government in three years had built 505. (Loud applause.) Mr. Samuel proceeded to deal .with tho legislation of the Reform Party, and impressed upon his audience the policy of the Reform Party, which was safety, economy, and progress. (Loud applause.) Several questions were answered satisfactorily, and on the motion of Mr: P. Belcher seconded in several placses; a vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was carried with . loud and prolonged cheering.

THE OTAKI SEAT. MR. FIELD DRAWS ATTENTION TO HIS OPPONENT. Mr. .W. H. Field held successful meetings at the Otaki . Sanatorium, at and Waiohanga School, and at Bright's Hall/Otaki, this week. ; At each meeting there was an excellent attendance. Mr. Field drew pointed air tention to the last issue of the "Maoriland Worker," of December 2, inwtiich the standard-bearers of Labour ' were placed in three classes. Mr. Robertson's name appears with the well-known Socialists Messrs. Webb, Holland, Hunter, Sullivan, and four others, as' the "endorsed candidates" for the Social Democratic Party, while ' Messrs. M'Laren and Hindniarsh appear among the Labour representative candidates, of milder politics; and Messrs. Payne and Veitch are in a smaller list, catalogued as "other Labour candidates." On the same page were printed "Prih-. ■ciples,. Objective, and Platform" of the Social Democratic Party. Among the' principles are: "The common ownership of all the collectively-used agencies - of woalth production for use." , The workers of New Zealand are enjoined to organise for the purpose of not only "wresting immediate and temporary concessions," but "to abolish -industrial exploitation for eier, and substitute the industrial and social administration of collective interests by tie people and for the people" No. 18 of. the-"principles" reads: "The' Social Democratic Party, therefore, culls upon all the workers 'of Now Zealand to forthwith enrol themselves in the ranks of the United Federation of Labour on the industrial field, and' in the ranks of the Social Democratic Party on the political field.". To this end it declares politically for the following objective; platform, and constitution: The objective is "the socialisation of the moans of production, distribution, and exchange." Then follows the "platform,"' with.its abolition of the country quota, six-hours' working'day, repeal of compulsory military training, increased land taxation, etc. Thus, Mr. Field said, Mr. Robertson stood revealed to tho world as a straight-out. Socialist, and yet, Mr. Field said, Mr. ®obortson had not disclosed one word of this to the people. His politics had been kept carefully in tho background, so that moderate electors might not take fright till it was too late, and instead of discussing his politics and principles, Mr. Robertson had wasted the time of his hearers ladling out inaccurate trivialities, such as the 'railago on heor, leaving largo political issues and questions severely alone. The object of this silence and deception, Mr. Field said, was obvious, Mr. Robertson's hope being that the eleotors would not wake up to his true position in politics till the poll was over. Mr. Field warned the people that the country was in real peril, and that it behoved all classes of the community who desired moderate legislation to bestir themselves and prevent the destruction of their rights and liberties by a set of dangerous and irresponsible oxtromists.

Mr. H. E. Holland, Labour candidate, addressed his first meeting at Louisville 'Terrace ami Sydney Street last evening. The crowd at Lcwisvillo Terrace, wiiich numbered about 100, was addressed by several Labour speakers before Mr. Holland .yrrived. Air. Hoi-

land was given a most , enthusiastic re* coption, and made a strong appeal to tlio electors to stand true to the causa of Labour at to-day's poll. He briefly, reviewed the political situation, and was vigorously applauded on concluding. At Sydney Street Messrs. Brindle, Hickcy, and Webber, together with Mrs. Donaldson, conducted an enthusiastic openair meeting in support of Mr. Holland's candidature. About 500 people were present. Later great enthusiasm was manifested by the. appearanco of tho candidate, who spoke with great vigour and effect. Mr. Holland answered a largo number of questions, and the meeting concluded with a vote of confidence, unanimously carried, with rounds of cheering.