Mr Bailey at Ohingaiti.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 120, 19 November 1896, Page 2

Mr Bailey at Ohingaiti.

(From Onr Owd Correspondent.) On Saturday evening last the electors of Obingaiti were able to form a very favorable opinion of their new candidate for the Rangitikei seat to take the place of their last favorate " Jack Stevens." The members of the Liberal Committee met Mr W. A. L. Bailey at Mr Buckley's shop when he was introduced to those nnknown to him. He gave them a very interesting and graphic account of his campaign up country, eulogizing the cordial goodwill, patient hearing, and hospitality he had experienced every* where. Nearly 300 assembled in Wells' and Hintze's Hall to hear Mr Bailey's address, of which number f nlly 50 were women. Mr C. Peddar occupied the chair, and a few minutes past 8 o'clock opened the meeting, by introducing the candidate in a few appropriate words. Mr Bailey was greeted with much applause on rising. He had not gone very far before he gained the fixed attention of bis audience and kept it to the last. The various subjects of vital importance in the policy of the present Government were gone into in his speech, being similar in all parts to the one given at Utiku and published in the Feilding Stab lately. The candidate's borrowing policy was received with much approval and should secure bis return. His sensible remarks on the enormous waste of timber going on year after year and that the sawmiller should pioneer the way into the valuable bush districts were applauded. Mr Bailey, in concluding, thanked the ladies and gentlemen present for their patient and orderly attention, and hoped they would listen to what Mr Lethbridge had to say in the same manner. From the hearty support this meeting had given him he felt sure his party were going to win. Several questions were asked and promptly answered. The candidate being quick to grasp the situation at once. Mr Baird : Would you vote for the Referendum? It was very good but the country was too sparsely populated to work it yet ? An elector : Are you in favor of Old Age Pension ? Mr Bailey : Yes. Mr W. Hammond : Would you include schoolmasters and squatters in it ? Mr Bailey : Schoolmasters, No t But squatters will have to come to it. An elector: Would you include the Manawatu Timber Ring ? Mr Bailey : If you go on burning your timber as you are doing they will soon come to it. Mr Ellis: What scheme would the candidate vote for the completion of the I Central Railway Line ? | Mr Bailey: Want of funds is really the reason it has not been pushed on. He should do his utmost to get it put I through. The Chairman checked Mr Ellis who, he thought, was addressing the audience when questions were only allowed. Mr Healey asked how the Government claimed taking the burden off tbe poor when they put a duty on boots and shoes that their children had to wear. Mr Bailey : You can buy as good New Zealand made shoes as you want without paying the duty. Elector : Are you a Freetrader. Mr Bailey : No, a Fairtrader. Elector : Are you in favor of religions teaching in schools ? Mr Bailey : No, the present system. Elector: Are you in favor of the Elective Executive. Mr Bailey : No. Mr Connon here rose and began a sort of explanatory prelude but the Chairman checked him. On his persisting the Chairman requested him to sit down which he did amidst great uproar. Mr Coyle, moved a vote of thanks for the candidate's interesting address and a vote of confidence in him. This was seconded by Mr Carver, senr. Mr Connon moved an amendment of thanks only, seconded by Mr Brooks, our schoolmaster. The amendment was put when three or four bauds were held up, the original motion of confidence being carried almost unanimously. Mr Bailey moved a vote of thanks to the chairman which ended a very lively yet orderly meeting- Subsequently a very strong committee was enrolled and there is not a donbt but what Mr Bailey will have a large majority from here northwards. About 50 women are enrolled on Mr Bailey's list of supporters and they mean business, not talk as some of tbe men electors seem to think.