POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1796, 29 June 1906, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE WESTLAND CAMPAIGN.

(Per Press Association-) Hokitika, last n’ght. Mr Miohall, a caodidate for the Westland seat, opened his campaign in the Town H 11 this evening, when an overflowing audience was prosont. After referring feelingly to tho late Premier, the oondidate announced his strict adherence to the Liberal party and the leadership of Sir Joseph Ward, whom he described as the ablest man now in the colony. The present political aspect was much perturbed, and he believed the present House would not last three years. After sbottly dealing with tho finances of the oolony he dealt with qnestions of eooial legislation. He deoiared himself in favor of the present land legislation. H 9 stroDgly advocated reform in looal government. The system of appointment to the Legislative Council was bad, and he favored eleotion on a provincial basis. Ho contradicted a rumor that he waa the candidate of the temperance party. Education, the mining industry, tourist traffic, and other questions, mostly of a looal nature, were tonched on, attacks being made on the Weetland County Council and Land Board. Referring to the matter of Mr T. Y. Heddon’s candidature, he said the feeling! of the people of Westland had been misrepresented at headquarters. He felt sure the people would resent it. It was a question with those opposed to him that they were anxious to perpetuate the name of Sffidon in Paliament. It was a deliberate attempt to jockey him out of the position. He greatly regretting having to oppose a man named Saddon in a democratic country. No seat should be transferred from father to son. He quoted the late Premier’s remarks with reference to Mr Herdmao,a lawyer residing in Wellington, repre enling bis idea of a constituency when it was alloged that his district suffered through an absentee representing it. The same applied in tbe present oase. His opponents told Mr Sddon they oould pat in his father’s place tbe young opponent without a visit to Westland. Now they bad members oi Parliament and Ministers offering to assist his opponent. - A prominent member of the Liberal party in Parliament had wired to him that day that Westland would make a laughing stock of itself by retarning this fair young opponent. The speech lasted Bn hour and a half, and created a most favorable impression. Ths candidate having declared himself against a vote of confidence, only a vote of thanks was oarried, by acclamation.