THE ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 69, 15 December 1919, Page 15

THE ELECTIONS

4 CANDIDATES WEEK-END SPEECHES WELLINGTON SOUTH COLONEL MITCHELL AT BEKIJAM--I'OItE. Lieiit.-Colonel Mitchell addressed a largo and onthusiastii: .meeting at the -Masonic Hall, Berhnmpore, on Saturday night. Mr. C. M. Lulfe presided. Coloijel outlined liis policy on the lines of his previous addresses, fie said .New Zealand was tho freest and most democratic country, and, if proportional representation were introduced, it might then ho said our system of representation was the most demociatic. He said the Labour Party's system of representation was in no sense democratic. Their representatives -icro hound hard and fnst to a caucus. The coterie vhich formed tho caucus were not diawn fn.in the people a3 a whole, but front trade unionists, and only a very small section of them. Assuming the Inborn- Party ever reached their goal of a Socialistic Republic, what would he New Finland's position? Would our laws be worth n snap of tho fingers? It was tho guns of the British Empire that made other nations respect omvOaws. "Without the British Empire behind us, what about a white New Zealand, but, of course, a white Ncv.v Zealand wi.s not on the platform of the labour Party. N A hearty vol? of thanks and confidence in Colonel Mitchell was euthiisias: ic.iilv carried, and the meeting terminated with loud cheers for Colonel Mitchell. WELLINGTON SUBURBS

AOL WRIGHT AT AVORSEB BAY. Notwithstanding I hat the wcnlher conditions wcro most unpromising, a good audience assembled at the Worser Hay Swimming CI Jib's hall on Saturday evening, when Mr. 11. A. Wright addressed the meeting. Air. A. fi. Alabin waf voted to the chair, and briefly re'erreil to tho public positions which Air. Wright had filled with credit to himself and salisfaeiion to the majority of the electors. Mr. Wright, who was veil received, enlarged upon a number id political subjects which wen; now being lie'cusv'd by the various candidates. 11 j referred particularly to tile question :>f realfo'i'estation. He was glad lo know t hat moro attention was being paid by (lie tioveniment to this important matter than was the case in former years. The man on tho land was naturally anxious to remove the bush as quickly as possible. But. as timber now mis a -curce, and consequently dear, it was imporative that efforts should bS" .made lo adoot a iorest policy. New Zealand was behind other countries in this respect. Lnlesa something were done speedily, our foreils would be totally destroyed within twenty years, aud our timber would have to tie imported from abroad. All land that was more snila'ole for foiostry than for farming should bo reserved for plantation. A vigorous policy ou tho part of the Government wits necessary, ami such would have his support. No were aski'd, and Mr._ Wright was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. MR.' SLOANE'S CAAfPAIGN. Mr. Dunbar Slo.uie, Liberal candidalo for Suburbs, sneaking at a ncent meeting, .said that ho had tcfaincd from mentioning the war during his campaign, but ho would like io mention two classes of the community! which, to his minii, have been tnt.cii ncglectcil. Ho referred firstly to tho home service man who had worked so hard in preparing men to go to i the front. He .said ho knew of hundreds of men who, because they possessed special ability as instructors and administrators, were bauvd from getting away although the}" had tried hard to do so' Surely they wsra entitled to soiuo recognition by way of gratuity and privileges extended to our returned men. Thero was another section, "ti.e mercantila marine," whose great work, tho speaker said, he was iu n. unique position to testify to.' I would like to tell you a feiv facts," said Afr. Sloano. ''When we were off the (l.ilipoii beach in the hospital ship v;e evacuated tho boys half an hour after they hail been wounded. All hands, from tho' e.r.itain of our ship down to tho brass b'-y, turned to, anil assisted our doctors, nurses, and orderlies in carrying siretchers, and helping to make the boys rs comfortable as possible. On two occasions they worked 70 htftirs on end without sleep. Vl'his they did cheerfully, aud without a murmur. This was in addition to negotiating us successfully thiiiiigh German minefields and dodging submarines. Surely theso men were on acrivo service as much a.s wo were. This applied to troopships r.s well as lii.spitnl ships," said Air. Slonne. who added that the way these men had been noglsctcd was a standing disgrace. WELLINGTON NORTH

MB. H. 0. BBOV.'NE AT KELBUBN. Over thirty people, a goodly proportion being women, assembled s.t tho Kclbuni Kiosk oil Saturday evening, when >n address was delivered by Sir. li. 0. Browne,' Liberal candidate tar tho \V"c[lington North seat. Mr. 11. Hull presided. The whole policy of the Reform Parly, the candidate averted, had iiton dictated in self-interest, and the parly had got info power through the deletion of four Liberals. Throughout tho period in whicli tho National- Government had been in o!F.co Sir Joseph \\>rd had "played the game," and what thanks did he got? None. Sir Joseph Ward had | left the National Government in order ; that ho might go on with tho fight lor ' freedom, liberty, and the interests of the I people and the country. JJ-'giit "throughout the piece' 1 ' the Liberal leader had not received- one generous word, but ho did not ask for it. An ai'.empt was.being made to make the tountry beliovo that Sir Joseph Ward had dono tho wrong thing in leaving the .National Government, when all the time he had done tho right thing. Every Act that had been placed on the Statute Book for social amelioration had, .'aid .Mr. Browne, been opposed bitterly by ti-o people who to-day said they were iho true democrats. Tho Ueform Government, he alleged, had always been passing legislation for the onriching of Hie rich. Jlc knew tho- IMorm Government hail placed on the Statute Book laws which, if properly administered, would ba helpful to New Zealand, but lie ciaimed that 110 such attempt had been Made. Jlr. Browno referred by way <;f contrast to tho past legislation of the Liberal Administration, but deplored the fact that some men who had made a success of their forming ventures because of'the benefits they'had received wider Liberal financial enncUmjiits had now turned round and were "biting tho hand that fed them." In tho future taxation would havo to be placed on I ho shoulders of those best able lo bear it. They would luivo to get out of thinking that the working man was "merely a commodity." The working man was t hit greatest asset to tho country, and he would have to have somo voice in the control of industry. With regard to tho settlement of Holdiers on tho land, Mr. Browne said I hat tho right methods were not being followed, and some men -vere acquiring farms who iiad no right to do so, becauso I hey were "cut out" for firming. Before returned men were placed on tho land they should receive cioipetent instruction at Stale farms. If found suitable tliev should then rcieivo land for farming "purposes. After the candidate had declared that, if returned to' t'arliament, he. would do all ho could lo watch tho interest-- of public servants, and had emphasised that, as a young Now Zealimder, lie thought lie should be given a chance because men were wanted 111 Parliament who had a love of New Zealand, and enthusiasm, courage, and push, to "help thing- along," has was accorded a. unanimous vole tf thanks and conhdencc. Addressing railway workers durme Iho week-end. Mr. Browne slated that tho Liberal Government was responsible for lh" minimum wage principle being introduced into the Public Service. During the lute r.i'?sion of J'nrlinment Sir •!im'|.!i Ward had mil up a hip light for the rights oi' the lailway workers and h:i;l demanded an immediate incrca'O, but the Massey Government compromised by proposing a board to consider the whole question, but in the ]; eantime tho

cost of living was going up :»ihl the men worn worse oIV tlian ever. Jlr. Browne said that when the increase was given it should ho Hindi! letrospeciivo as Iroin April 1 last. In deaimg uith the housing quostioii, thi! candidate raid thai good houses should ho provided close to the men's work al. cheap rentals. ]le know oi' numbers of ca.-es vherc men refused promotion to Wellington on account of the high rents litre, which meant a decrease in reaii'y to the men if they aeeepted the prouu;! on. hut liy refusing they were spoiling "heir chances in tho service. The -Mini-' -i ;al vein was also dealt with. Mr. liiov.Me said thai when the Liberals were i:i power the veto was confined to eases where the granting of the appeal involved nil important change of poiicy. !.:il; as exercised hy tho Hon. W. H. Ilcrries, us in the liongton case, if. prevented justice being (lono to an employee who had fallen ton I of certain high officers. No question of policy was involved, and in such cases tho veto should not b? allowed. Greater opportunities should he given to the younger men of the service, and he repressed tliO' opinion that the compulsory retirement rulo should tie applied in fairness to the young men. In regard to Sunday work, lie contended that it was absolutely necessary to keep up a service, hut the men should receive double pay. The railway workers' wages should bo sullicient without their having to work overtime, OTAXI SEAT

Mil. W. 11. FIELD'S CAMPAIGN. Mr. W. 31. Field addressed a meeting at the Piikeriia Railway Slaliosi on Thursday evening, Mr.. Bullock being in Hie chair. Tin: iiltend.ince was good, though marred by the absence of a number of railw.i.vnen who were called away to attend lo a breakdown rf the li 25" train from Wellington. A unanimous vole of thanks v;as accorded the candidate. At Olaki Town Hal! on Friday night, Air. Field had an excel leaf reception, the building being well tilled. Mr. Herbert Freeman wik voted io Ihe chair. Mr. Field dealt with Mr. Macdounid's dernal that 'ho hail advised electors who could not support him to vote for Ihe Li-.bmir candidate. Since noticing Mr. Macror.nld's denial he had ajain seen liis informant, a most reliable man in the city, who still adhered positively io his Statement. Mr. Field again announced his present position (hat he wa- standing for the Reform Party, and was pledged to support Mr. Massey in a motion of waul of confidence, but with absolute freedom on all -other -u'bieels. If Mr. Massey was not retunied h power and could vol llierofore carry on Ihe Government of the country, iheie would be an amalgamation nf the most responsible elements of the two niedcnlc parties, which would form a great national party, by whom led v no one could predict, and h» 'Mr. Field) wcnld be a member of Hint p-uiy. Mr. Field uieulioned that extreme Labour was making a severe onslaiighl on the Olaki Labour leaders having been delivering addresses at tin* various centres continually for a long t'.me past. Mr. Field paid lie was lighting his own battle, and would not accept plalfn'-m r,s-istai"e from anyone. lie dealt fully with ssveral charges of a private character which had been made against him. and read eomispondencß to prove the uiler falsify of such charges. II" had voted, he said, far an increase of Ihe age at which boys should bo sent io the war in the in teres is of all the boys of New Zealand, and raid it was well known that, immature lad? who were finite unahlo to Mend Ihe. si rain and horrors of nresent-day warfare lind been sent; to Galliiwli. "ITe liealt effectively with so-ca'led slavery in Samoa at some length, and expki'ned Ihe enormous financial and other nroblenis which this country had to face as the result of tho war. The immediate need of the country was progressive Irgisialion In meet: I'ne altered conditions, increased produclrcu. rigid eronomv, and n readjustment of our t'nxnHon, including tnoro severe graduated land and income, tax, and considerably increased death duties. Mr. Field concluded by urging his hearers 10, return moderate and (red men to Parliamenr. and secure general unity and detenuination to cope with all difficulties in the i n teres Is of every section of the nopiilntion. IT" aiiMvered.a number of questions, and was frven a very hearty vole of thanks. Mr. Field opened his address wilh a feeling reference lo the untimely death of Mr. Uuthwaite, who had lived in Oiaki for twelve years, and had earned universal respect and esteem a most skilful practic'tinner, and a kindly, pub-lic-spirited, and honourable gentleman. In recent addresses Mr. Field has referred lo the unprovoked acrimony ili played towards him by Mr. K. Macdonnld. the" Liberal-Labour eendida'e. and repeated that he had said and done uothng lo rouse that gentleman's enmity. It was significant, he KRid, that Mr. M'acdauald. while professing to represent farmer?. d'd not nnnear to have criticised the Socialistic, platform of the o(uo : al Labour cnndidale. That task had fallen entirely on him (Mr. Field). Jf. was clear that Mr. Mat'donald's candidalure w.T entirely favourable, to the Labour cnndidale., for he was seeking lo -jreure farmers' votes which would oilmnv'se be polled for "Reform. Mr. Field urged electors to bear this in mind, and ?»•<' votes going to Air. Mncdnnald wou'd be in reality cast for official Lalsour. He strongly urged cleclors too not lo 'he indifferent-, but to poll every vote. Mr.' Field sildTeswd a meetinrr of P.irarangi, llawfrey, and Porirun lftail eier-tors at John -mvillo School on Saturday evening, and received a *:ote of thmilts. Tho attendanc! was good, notwithstanding the wretched weather. MB. AIACDONALR AT MUNSAUOA. Mr. Evelyn Alncdouaki, in l is speech ac Jfungaroa, produced r.ewo'.iaper clippings which he contended showed How Mr Field had flatly contradicted his ov.ii statement's. Tho candidate referred to Fie '.'eenner in which tho Mnssey Party supported consistently by Field, had treated the farmer in relation to the prico of wool and meat, the lo\y on but-ter-fat, tho embargo on hides, Fad banking, neglect of shipping, iK-gb-.ct of worit.i —refills aud telephones—ond ptrmi.-siou of profileering, etc. The ""anl of a rarmei'." said Mr. Afacdonr.ld. "often could not ece how he was fooled by the sclhsh representatives of Capitalism and vested interests." Air. AYhitomnn occupied the chair A cordial vote of thanks for an .ible address —a lady adding confidence- -.vas carried by applause. WBOUE RALLIES

A largo crowd assembled at tho Basin I!iserve yesterday afternoon, when addresses in support of the Labour Party campaign were delivered by the several Labour candidates for tho Wellington smls. The first speaker, Mr. D. If. Pr'lchnrd, candidate for the Itutt. electorate, referral to the coutast in that cuii-'.tituonoy, faying that his Bcforn opponent, Mr. E. P. Rishworth, had fcueht a good, clean fight; the same tiling could not be said about the Liberal candidate, however, whose tactics had been most unfair. The Welfare League was severely castigated at tho handi of Mr. L. Monteith, eand'dato for Wellington Bast;, who criticised in detail the speech delivered in Wellington last week by Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K. 0., president of the league. Air. P. I'i'asor, eajididate for Wellington Central, spoke of the necessity of improvini the housing conditions of the people, ami besought the sympathy ot Irish people by averring that the Labour Party stood for srlJ'-delermiuatiou for every nation and class, including Ireland. The I'.l'.A. anil "the "Howard Elliott gang" v;i;vc out to div'de the solidarity oi' Lahoir. he said. The chief burden of the complaint c-i Mr. J. Head, candidate for Wellington -North, against the two main political parlies was lh.it men "had been loin from the bo--oins of 'heir families and placed in Hie tiring line without havhig a sav in the mailer." Mr. It. Seiuple, candidate for Wel- - 1 :i irtrui South, bitterly assailed ilie 1'.1'.A., which, he argued, was guilty of pronioling religious bigotrv. "S?clari.iu demon' who spread lilihy literature ought not to b« tolei-ii";l bv rightthinking men and women of ihis connIvy," lie declared. Mr. A. \Y, Cre-kf-ry, 111.' Wellington Suburb? ivi'id'date, dealt with current pe.'iti.'.il problems fiotn I he Further .speeches in support of the Labour campa ; sn wee delivfrml in Hie Paramount Theatre last, night by Mcs.-is. 11. Semple, P. Fraser, A. L. .Monteith. A. W. Croskery. and ,1. Heed. Mr. G. Ward presided, and the theatre was filled. All the speakers criticised (.hi

policies of the llel'orm and Liberal Farties, :iml ciinvendcd that only bv voting lw Uio Labour platform could rile ireedr,in of iln; masses be assured. Mr. Alonteilli coinn.ended the system of proportional representation to the attention of the electors, and Air. Eraser spent some time in condemning the aims of Ihe WelI'aie League. Air. Croskery spoke on Uio housing problem, aud maintained that only by breaking uu "rings" and combines could material be securcd for building cheap houses. Air. Scmple abused the ti'jvorninriil for having inserted a "strikebreaking" clause into the Alining Act, and said tiiet the Imii'.ie'j'i'.nts Exclusion Act was the "most iksperata law ever written by a Parliament of men." His address was delivered ou characteristic lines, and there was much talk of "gangs of tyrants'' who wanted to "plunder tho workers." l-lo dcscriWd tho Welfare League as~ being nothing more than a "Heil-lire League,'' but held that after election day it would be kitoivn as Ihe "Farewell League." Air. Read urged tho people to vote tor Labour in order to bring about the ideal of the brotherhood of liuin.