A MIXED RECEPTION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 61, 5 December 1919, Page 8

A MIXED RECEPTION

MR. WILFORD AT PETONE.

Mr. T. M. Wilford, Liberal candidate and sitting member for Hutt, addressed a meeting in the Empire Theatre, Petone,' last night. The hall was crowded, about 1200 people 'being present. The Mayor of Petone (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) was in the chair.

Mr. Wilford ■was received with cheers by his friends, but a few wits in the crowd said, "Tell nip the old, old story, Tom."

_Mr. M'Ewan, opening the meeting, mentioned the fact that there were three candidates,' and it rested with the people of the electorate to say who would represent them in Parliament.

"Pritchard!" came from a. hundred throats. This was tho signal for promiscuous cheers, until eomeono called for "Cheers for Pritchard," and they came— with startling volume.

Mr. Wilford said lie had no intention of discussing his opponents. He never did this.

Some interjcctors expressed doubts quite noisily, some by "booing."

Mr. Wilford said he did intend to discuss his opponents' policies—which was another matter. Ho claimed that lie lmd been tho Labour, member for Petone.

Voices: "When? When?" and general dissent.

Mr. Wilford justified his statement b.v claiming that he had at last election goi the votes of some 3000 nf the workers of the Hutt electorate. Ho said that the fight was not a personal one: the question for the electors was as to whether the Liberal policy, or the Reform noliey, or the Labour noliey was the best for the country. Ho had supported conscription during the war became lie believed it was tho only measure which would drag into camn the rich man's son and tho poor man's son alike. A voice: It didn't do it. Mr. Wilford.said he had always held that conscription should end with the armistice. Experience had shown that our young men with six months' training could face any troops in the world, and for tho future he would not support anything beyond cadet training and physical drill, and the better encouragement of rifle clubs.

The candidate went on to tall: of the need for nioro severe taxation of flio incomes and bequests of tho very rich. On tho cmestion of naval defence, lio said that Mr. Rishworth had on Tuesday evening made the. statement that he agreed with increasing tho subsidy io the British Navy. That was the policy of the Liberal Party, who were not in favour of a.'local navy., lint at the Lyceum Theatre At Lower Ilutt Mr. Bishwortli in his first'speech had said "lie was of opinion that the conntry should possess a small fleet, of its own for defence purposes." This meant .of course, "effective defence purposes." Recently Japan had built one Dreadnought nt a cost of JC3,000,000. To have an effective fleet wo must have the best ships and the best and the load of taxation would be bevond the power of the country to boar. But, lie insystaL this policy of a local navy was the policy of most of the memtiers of the Reform Party. The liberals stood for increased subsidy to the British of the coal supply problem, and his discussion of the question amounted to this: that at present the coal miners considered the mine owners were profiteers, and the mine owners thought tho miners were anxious to get as much money as possible for ,as little work as possible. There was distrust between the two parties, and while, this distrust obtained there could be no settlement. So he advocated nationalisation of tho mines. Ho hoped that this would at least reduce industrial strife. _ He advocated also the purchase of colliers. Mr Wilford had lieen subjected to a good deal of noisy interruption through his address. The Labour people wero his chief hccltlers, and they were numerous, but Mr. Wilford's friends were in forco at tho meeting. "\ vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to the candidate. There was no amendment to the motion proposed.

MB RISHWORTH AT SILVERSTREAM.

At a large gathering in Menzies' Hall (Silverstroam) last evening, Mr. Cooper presiding, Mr. Rishworth: got a very pood hearing. He spoke for an hour and twenty minutes on the developments which the programme of the Reform Tarty would help to carry through to a successful issue. He compared the Heform programme with the extravagant promises of the Liberal , Party. Mr Rishworth proceeded to speak on General industrial and economic questions his remarks being frequently punctuated with applause. Many questions were asked and were answered to the satisfaction of the questioners. The speaker was given a remarkably enthus, iastic hearing. At the close of his address three cheers were given for Mr. Massev and the Reform candidate, and a vote of thanks to the candidate was passed.

MR. COTTON WITHDRAWS. Mr Walter Collon, Moderate Labour candidate, has withdrawn from the eontest for the Hutt seat, on account of business reasons.

Tho National Association of the Moving Picture Industry in \uierica. lv in convention at Rochester, New York, declared war on evil pictures, and promised a clean-up of tho American screen.

European ladies are not the only ones who are likely to bo candidates for Parliament since, the privilege of standing was conferred on women'. Rumour has it that ono or more Native women are likely to contest ono at least of tho ffyitivp copstituoucifts in tho North Islaud.