POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1604, 17 November 1905, Page 2

POLITICAL.

(Per Press Association.). Wellington, last night.

Borne doubt appears to exist as to whether absent voters have the right to vote on tho licensing question. Mr Manßfield, chief electoral officer for the colony, pointß out that under seotion 7, sub-seotioa g, of the Licensing Act, 1895, absent voters will receive a voting paper for the looal option poll. His vote counts for the dis« trict for which he bolds the voting permit, and seamen are provided for in the same way uuder seotion 82, sub-section k, of the Electoral Aot, 1905. A Gazette extraordinary has been issued, dissolving Parliament, Members are to be relieved from attendance from the 29th inst.

MR BEDFORD'S ADDRESS. (Per Press Aiaoniatfon.') , Dunedin, last night. Mr H. D. Bedford, candidate for Dunedin North, addressed a crowded meeting in Howe Street Hall to-night. He strongly attacked the administration of the Government, especially in regard to public works expenditure. He contended that the voucher inquiry was I justified, considering the evidence submitted to tbe House, and said he had never uttered a word againßt tbe private or domestic life of the Premier or anyone else. He admitted unreservedly that the Premier and Captain Seddon had been completely exonerated from the matter. A motion to the effect that tbe oandidate was a fit and proper person to represent the electorate was, carried by a large majority. Mr Bedford was subjected to considerable opposition and banter I daring the course of his remarks.

OTHER CANDIDATES. (Per Press Association.) Danedin, last night. Mr Donald Reid, who is seeking reelection for Taieri, addressed a large meeting at Mosgiel to-night, and had a most attentive hearing. He supports the Opposition, but commended several of the Government measures. He was aooorded a vote of thanks and confidence, only a few votiDg against the motion. ’ Wellington, last night. Mr McLean, oandidate for Wellington East, addressed the electors to-night. He gave entire support to the Government, favored leasehold, and opposed Biblereading in schools.

MR CARROLL AT TOLAGO BAY. The Hon. J. Carroll left Waimata Valley- early yesterday morning, and at I Takapau reoeived a deputation from settlers, who- laid district wants before him. He arrived at Tolago Bay at 4 p.m., after a journey made unpleasant by tbe raiD. It was raining heavily in Tolago last night, but there was a crowded attendance at the meeting. Mr G. Kil» I burn presided. The speeoh was listened I to with close attention and there was frequent applause. A good deal of attention I was paid to tbe land question. The Opposition manifesto was again dealt I with, and tbe Rotokere Domain Aot referred to by Mr Clayton was satisfactorily explained. He pointed out the objections to an elective Upper House. With reference to local government, and the number of bodies in each district it was found that the local bodies themselves . could not oome to any unanimous decision, and the result wbs that the matters had to stand over. He thought that ultimately Government would have to settle the matter independent of them. 1 He went on to defend the co-operative system, and showed the advantages that had accrued [ therefrom. Under the old Bystem the middlemen, the contractors, had been able to make great profits, and some of them had soon acquired an independence. Under the co operative system the benefit went to the workmen and to the State. Tbe system had stood the test of time and was working well, giving employment to \ worthy members of the laboring class who would otherwise have to seek work elsewhere. Referring to tbe concessions on the railway line, he mentioned the holiday excursions, the reduotion iu fares, the carrying of sohool children, and so on. Tbe faot of the Government having been in power for fifteen years was a reply to the charges against their political honesty —they would have been found out much sooner than that if there was anything of tho sort. The present administration tried to harmonise the relations between capital and ; labor, and between employer and employee. They had assisted poor men on to the land. They were known as a working man’s Government, and were not ashamed of it. They were also a farmer’s, Government, and had done more for all sections of the oountry than any other administration. In regard to old age pensions they had done what other countries had failed to do. They had provided a solution, because every thiDg had so far worked satisfactorily, and indicated that they were progressing towards the ultimate goal of a universal pension. The big capitalists bad nothing to complain of in regard to the Government administration. When capital got too strong the weights bad to be adjusted, and that was all that had been done. Socially, industrially, and commercially they had tried to improve tho condition of the people of the colony. (Applause.) After a number of questions had been satisfactorily answered a vote of thanks and confidence was earned unanimously, on the motion of Mr Williams, seoondbd by Mr M. Murphy, A letter was received by Mr Carroll from Mr W. F. Somerville, who apologised for not being present, the night being so wet and dark, and who added that he always listened to the Hon. .J, Carroll’s speeches with a great deal of pleasure. • ./ " k ' ,