WAIAPU ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1615, 30 November 1905, Page 2

WAIAPU ELECTION.

MR GLAYTON AT WAERENGA-A-HIKA. The schoolroom at Waerenga-a-hika was crowded last night, when Mr Lissant Clayton addressed the electors. Mr H. Rougher presided, and the candidate was received with marked enthusiasm, given a most attentive hearing, and accorded much hearty applause. He contradicted Mr Carroll on the Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, and quoted the Act to show that Mr Carroll’s interpretation was an absolutely wrong one. He again showed that the present Government had no right to claim oredit for manhood sufirage. He ridiouled Mr Carroll’s statement that he (Mr Clayton) had assumed the attributes 'of William Pitt. He controverted every argument of Mr Carroll that be could find, adding that ho oould not find many. He said that ho djd not want spurious votes of confidence such as Mr Carroll had been credited with at Te Araroa and Tolago Bay, and which had only been conceived on the telephone wire. (Laughter.) A hearty vote of thanks was oarried with great applause ; three hearty oheers were given for Mr Clayton, and “ For he’s a jolly good fellow ’’ .was sung.

MR WALL AT ARAI. Mr H. H. Wall addressed a crowded meeting at Te Arai Valley on Tuesday evening, Mr O. J. Parker in the chair. In referring to the questions put to candidates by the Farmers’ Union, Mr Wall read a letter written before the questions were asked, stating that., as another candidate was ohosen, he (Mr Wall) should retire. This bore out the candidate’s contention that he had not received fair play at their hands. In speaking of roads and bridges, Mr Wall stated that a farmer understood tbe need of roads and bridges more than any professional politican did. The Gonernment were threatening the lease in perpetuity, and they would soon be denied tho only freo system which enable them to take up land without money. The Government had deferred the land polioy until after the elections, as they were afraid to face the music. In referring to the question of Native lands, the candidate produced a map showing tbe unoccupied area in this district. This was a matter of considerable interest, and showed the need of a change in the Native Minister, who, during the past 12 years, had proved a failure in dealing with this question. The candidate’s remarks concerning tho mystorious petition oreated great amusement. > . ‘ He was' acoorded a hearty vote of thanks, proposed by Mr D. Parker, seconded by Mr A. Hay. The übubl vote of thanks to the Chairman, concluded a most suooessfal meeting. Mr Wall speaks at Hangaroa to-night.

MR G. E. DARTON AT PATUTAHI AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING.

There was a crowded and enthusiastic meeting at Patutahi Hall last evening, to hear Mr G. E. Darton’s opening address. Mr Owen Gallagher presided. The candidate, who was most cordially received, in opening pledged himself to refrain from any personalities whatever, and trusted that tho other candidates would do the same. Claiming to be a strong supporter of the present Government, he reviewed the many bonefioial acts that bad been placed on the Statute Book in the interests of the workers and small settlers. He believed the present administration had done more in this direction than any other party, especially the present Opposition. Dealing at leugth with the land question, bo opposed tho right to make freehold of leases in peipetuity at the original valuation, and claimed that all transfers of either freehold or' leasehold should only be made in terms of the Land Act and required on consent of the District Land Registrar. He strongly advocated closer settlement, and Bpoke at length on the Trust .Board and Maori Land Councils. Dealing with the labor question, be asked the audienco to consider the jnst claims of tho unionist, and advocated that the preference clause should be inserted on the Statute Book.'

Dealing with the no-license question, Mr Darton claimed that* from a democratic standpoint a referendum of the people Bhould be strictly adhered to on a bare majority. Throughout the candidate received a most attentive hearing, his remarks beiDg punctuated by frequent and hearty applause. A number of questions having been satisfactorily answered, on the motion

the chairman a vote of thanks w accorded the candidate amidst cheer whioh was repeated as Mr Darton left the hall.