OTAKI SEAT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 65, 10 December 1919, Page 8

OTAKI SEAT

MR. W. 11. FIELD'S CAMPAIGN

At his nipnliiiK at Paekaknriki on Thursdnv k>st Mr. Field whs <|iiet;!ioucd as to his use of tlie word "Bolshevism," mid replied tlial he hud uaretully re-

fvained from using this word except ns l>:u't of a quotation horn Mr Samuel Gotnpers, the president of the American Feuerntion of Labour, probably the greatest living leader ol'-Liibonr. It was naturally regarded as a term of reproach in this country, Mi', l'ield said, but, it had already been defined by lilt- ".Maoriland Worker," which declared that Russian Bolshevism and Socialism were one and the same. In speaking at several centres, Mr. ». H. Field has laid stress on the fact that Labour candidates had not replied to the clmrgo of disloyalty during the war levelled at leaders of their paity by the Mavor of To Kuiti and the electors of Murchison. This, said Mr. Eield, was verv significant. He reminded his hearer,, of the last, dying kick of pacificism displayed hv Mr. .Holland oil October 13, 1018. less than a month before the armistice. when Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria had surrendered, anil it was well known that we had the Huns on the run and hopelessly beaten, after four and a quarter years of bitter struggle, the sacrifice of millions of valuable lives, and the untold misery and sufforiiiK which these fiends had inflicted on Humanity. It was easy, Mr. Eield said, to gauge the sympathies of Mr. Holland and his friends from the words he uttered on that occasion: ",.lt seemed to him that peace was the world's supreme needthat the time to negotiate was now. the New Zealand Parliament should intimate to the Imperial Government that the people of iNew Zealand are in favour of tho discussion of peace terms. They who talked recklessly übout refusing to discuss peace until Germany was beaten to her knees indulged in a wild and duninal bombast for which neither the Labour movement nor ihe saner elements outside of if could accept responsibility. Peace negotiations at such a time, Mr. l'ield said, would have been an insult to tho memory of those, who had died on the battlefield fighting bravely for. us and for civilisation and freedom. Dealing with his opponent Mr. Macdonald. Mr field said he regretted to (ind that lie had incurred that gentleman's displeasure so much so .hat he was reported to be exhorting his hearers to vote for the Labour enndinate if they could not see their way to support him Wr. Macdonalil). Jlv. Yield assured his htwer.* that ho hatf from ths dcrii* nimr of tho campaign said nothing and dono nothinsr to which ituedouald could take the least exception. Mr Eield addressed a well-attend-ed meeting at the Poikiorangi School oil Eridav evening. Mr. G. A. Mon.-.. chairman of tho Huiowhemia County Council, was voted to Ihe chair. After a verv favourable hearing a unanimous vote oE thanks was aceoreed the candiMr W. TT. Eield addressed a s-tis<>ciorv mnetina at Mungaroa Schoolroom on Mondav night. Mr. Maher was in the chair. There was an attendance of about fifty, and Mr. Field was Ireuuentlv applauded. At the concision of liie meeting a vote of thanks and < confidence was carried unanimously, on the motion of Mr. Edwards.

MR. MACDON.VLD AT RUIKIORANGI,

Mr Evelyn Macdonald addressed meeting of "about -it) persons at lteikiorangi on Saturday night. llio audicnce was most appreciative, and at the clo3o a hearty vote of thanks was carried by applause. A number ot queslions weru ftsked, and approval 01 tho replies was expressed by applause. Aiie speaker traced the origin ot the cry lor tno freehold—in which ho had nimse.it taken some part-made popular partly by a feeling of reaction against State restrictions and interferences, under a nominee conservative Land Board and officials, ii'ho, having opposed Liberal measures, administered ilieni 'without sympathy. Ho illustrated I his by lacts from his early experiences. This popular reaction, created by conservatism, was used by conservatism, through tho Farmers' Union, to put tho -Viassov party into power oil a bogus try for freehold, combined with a promise, of "Settlement, moro settlement, ;nd still more settlement"; instead there had bsen loss settlement, and still less settlement. Although the Massey 'Government got into power largely on the strength of tlmfc bogus cry, it was a very precarious power, held by a small majority in the House, but a minority in the country, and 'it was a sort cf Tury-cuni-J.iborai administration, the Tories having the "pull," as had been 111,; case with tho Farmer:,' Union. Some would rather wreck Die union, or wrecfc the country, rather than see'that "pull" pass out of their hands. Mr. W. ll. s Field, his opponent, had made a very significant statement that he t.Mr. Field) lu:d "suffered by a combination of Reform and Rod Fed" in J9ll. .Mr. Field had also said that the Liberal Party (to which he had belonged) had "sought lo thrust, him out." Tho speaker explained the cause aud connection of these things. Tho Liberals had always sought lo give tho poor man and the young man a fair chance lo got a bit of land; and when tlicy had "nailed their colours to the mast," as tho late Mr. M'Nab had said, Ifr. Field, leading a party of freeholders, demanded that the Bill be withdrawn, on pain of seceding, and the colours were torn down. "Is it a wonder if tho parly sought to thrust him out?" said the speaker. Jlr. Field, no •luubt, had thought that if freehold cculd put a Government into office—even precariously—it cuul lat least secure him his seal. Mr. F:<*td bad headed his "leaflet "In Time of Peril"—no doubj hn felt in peril now. No one, .'aid Mr. MacDonaid, really objected to freehold— with proper limitanons. What was objected to was the opportunities given to tho wealthy land-grabber and speculator. lie thought a belter tenure than the freehold could !?e given, ■•nabling tho young man to start, as he had done, but irithoiil. such troubles us ho lia<i described.

A vote of (hanks moved by Mr. A. Munk was earni-il, Mr. Monk remarkin;! that the candidate had given ail inloreslina address.