THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2350, 17 November 1908, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

POLLING DAY

HOW TO VOTE

■ Tho triennial elections for members of the House ; of Representative® of the Parliament of New Zealand will be held to-day. The polling booths for the Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, electorates will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and as a heavy poll is expected electors are asked to vote early so as not to cause a rush on the booths. The way to vote is to> STRIKE OUT THE NAMES of live Candidates that the elector DOES NOT wish to vote for, and to leave the name of the candidate lie or she wishes to vote lor untouched by the blue pencil; by doing this informal votes will be avoided. In the licensing poll, which is also to be taken to-day, the voter must STRIKE OUT THE LINE representing the issue lor which he or she DOES NOT wish to vote. To vote for no-license and reduction tho voter must strike out the top line; to vote reduction only the voter must strike out the top and bottom lines; and to vote for continuance the voter must strike out the two lower lines.

The “Times” has made special arrangements for displaying the result of the election from all over tlie'vDominion on a large hoard erected on the balcony of the office of this journal. The returns will be posted up as soon as they reach Gisborno, and the public will be able to watch the results as they become known in all parts of the Dominion. THE GISBORNE SEAT.

HON. JAMBS CARROLL AT IDS MAJESTY’S THEATRE,

The Hon. James Carroll delivered an address to the electors in ITis Majesty’s Theatre last evening. Mr. W. L. Rees occupied the chair, and despite the other meetings in progress there was a large attendance. Previous to the address Messrs Vita Bros’, orchestra played .selections on- .front of the stage. .The Hon. Mr. Carroll, who was received with loud applause, said that unfortunately another question was overshadowing politics throughout the Dominion, and that question sometimes obliterated the higher questions of Parliament. He was addressing his old constitutents for the last time before the poll, and would feel very glad if oh polling clay they again returned him to Parliament as their representative. Such 'a position, lie felt, was the highest a man could attain. He belonged to the Liberal and Progressive Party, whose banner was first unfurled by that great statesman Sir George Grey, the man who laid down the lines upon which great liberal and progressive legislation was to follow. That party had brought about the great reforms of one mail one vote, and female suffrage. The speaker then went on to review the various Acts passed by the Seel deal and Ward Administrations. They had been, told that a. change of Government was necessary —that the time had come for a change of administration. He did not think that that time had yet arrived, although in the natural evolution of events there must le a change when the people desired a change. r lbe present Government had not been forgetful of the claims of all sections of the people, and had considered their welfare from the education of the young to the provision for age, in providing old age pensions. (Applause.) Mr. Carroll said the present Government had been accused of many sins of omission and commission,* hut when those accusations were examined thev were found to come from the fragmentary Opposition partv, whose one desire was to handle the reins of Government. If the Opposition Party came Into power the members could not state what Acts they would' repeal or in which way the administration of the laws on the .Statute Book could he changed. The one desire of the Opposition Party was to get into power and to put the Liberal Party out. (Applause.) Mr. Massey had 'declared from the platform that the Opposition Party were the true Liberals. Why did tho old Conservatives* try to change their descriptive name?.. Only because they found the Liberal Party in the-favor of the people as a result of the Liberal and progressive Acts that had been passed by the true Liberal Administration. It would have been better had Mr. Massey and his friends recognised the true Liberal Government, admitted their own error, and said to the present Administration, “We recognise your value to the country, and will 'join in your good work.” The present party was destined to remain in power. (Applause.) - There might be changes; but the Liberal Party would always remain at the head of the affairs of the country, and. tho day when .a change would come was a long way off. -(Applause.) Mr. Carroll then dealt with the land legislation along the lines of his previous address in Gisborne, and detailed tho Native laud legislation, of the Liberal Administration, and the work of the Native Lands Commission. The Dominion, he said, had borrowed £1,000,000, to be spent at the. rate of £250,000 a year in .ro-ading the backblocks, and to give access to the holdings of backblocks settlers. The Government felt that the more land placed under cultivation the greater the individual wealth of the people, for .all progress- . depended upon the'Taroducts of the land. The East Coast railway was .going to- be pushed on,. and " after the elections the number of men employed on the line would be increasd, notwithstanding the fact that the croakers said the employment of the men was only a political dodge. He had represented the electors of Gisborne for fifteen years, and had always tried to' do Ills best--' for them in Parliament, . and to do as he knew the electors wished him to do. He had earned a name, at least, for rectitude and political honesty. 11l tlieoelector.nl thought some one else could fill the position better than lie could, he would accept the dictum with complacency, .and if, after the poll, he still represented the constituency of Gisborne, he would alwavs try to merit the confidence of the electors, (Loud -applause.) In reply to questions, Mr. Carroh said he still favored State control of the liquor trade, and he would favor the increase of the duty., qu imported printed matter,

Mr. F. J. Lysnar moved a vote of thanks to .and confidence in Mir. Carroll as the representative of the electors of Gisborne. The motion on being put was -received with applause and cries of “No!” but the chairman -declared it carried almost unanimously.

MR CLAYTON’S FINAL ADDRESS

Mr. W. Lissant Clayton had ’.a most attentive .audience when he gave his final -address to the electors from the “Times” balcony cast night. He spoke for nearly an hour on similar lines to his previous speeches. Ho trenchantly criticised the undemocratic methods of the present Administration, and stated that the Native .Minister had .altogether failed to give .a satisfactory explanation of the grazing run question. Referring to the challenge of Mr. Sims-on that it was proved that the error had been purely a clerical one, Mr. Clayton said that lie had never claimed that the mistake was due to anything but a. clerical error, but there certainly was grave suspicion that it was something perhaps in the nature of an. intentional error. Ho claimed that- the figures given- by the Native Minister referring to the -amounts he hid obtained for the district were absolutely -wrong, the correct figures being nearly £IO,OOO less than the •amounts stated. The average yearly amount voted for the district during the last eight years had been £IO,OOO and lie, claimed that the district was not -adequately represented. After thanking the electors for the patient hearing and tho courteous treatment that lie had received at their hands from the commencement of the campaign, Mr. Clayton concluded Ids address by claiming their support if they thought the ideals and aspirations which he bad expressed to them were right. Ho stood absolutely on bis merits, and if defeated would not feel aggrieved, but if elected be would always honestly do his best for the •interests of the district and of the Dominion. (Applause.) Three cheers were then given for Mr. Clayton, and the gathering dispersed.

Mr W. Lissant Clayton was reported, in Saturday’s issue, as having stated, in reply to a question put by the East Coast Trades and Labor Council, that -lie was in favor of Hospital Board’s being elected by popular vote. Air Clayton explains that what lie said was”that, in his opinion, there should be more representatives on the Board elected by popular voto than -at present, but he does not favor the whole of the- members being thus chosen, because lie considers tint the County and Borough Councils, which supply the money, should have .representation.

AIR. DARTON IN THE GARRISON

HALL

By the time Air. A. J. Black had concluded his no-license address in tho Garrison Hall last evening, a crowd of about 1500 people had assembled, and at 9.30 p.m. Air. G. E. Darton took the platform, and received an enthusiastic welcome. Air. J. Town ley occupied the chair. Air. Darton commenced his speech by referring in eulogistic terms to the valuable work that had been done lor Gisborne during.the recent months by Mr. A. J. Black and the Rev. F. W. Chatterton, whoso great services, lie said, would stand lor Gisborne’s good for years to come. The candidate then proceeded to speak on the No-license question, dealing principally with it from an economic point of view. He spoke brefly ol : bis work on the licensing committee, and made reference to the Cosmopolitan Club charter. Ho made a criticism of the Native Alinistcr, touching upon the grazing runs question and the Alangapoike lands, which lie hid on -previous occasions referred to. He combated the assertion that he was a “revolutionary Socialist,” and after speaking of his services on various local bodies, concluded witli an appeal to the elector*' to give their support at the polling booth to himself and Noli cense.

Mr. Dartoii received a round of applause, and a like honor was accorded the chairman.

DUTY ON HUNTING

In reply to a question from the Gisborne Typographical Union, all three candidates now seeking the suHrages of the electors of the Gisborne district have stated that they are in favor of increasing the duty on imported printed matter. Mr/ Darton added that this must not be taken to include books, magazines, and other literature which could not be produced in Acw Zealand.

DEMANDS OF LABOR

Mil. CARROLLAS REPLY

Mr. Carroll has replied to the following effect to the questions put by the East Coast Traders and Labor Council: —Ho did not believe hi unconditional preference to 'unionists, that as preference is given by the Court in awards its further extension should be bv evolution. Only extreme necessity would justify the initiative and referendum, which wou.d have the effect of reducing representatives in Parliament to the position of mere delegates. Adjustment was required in the election for members of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards m order to give a better proportion of elective representation. He believed in the principle of a universal half-holiday, but the matter was in the hands of the people. He would like to s ec workmen’s homes erected in Gisborne. He was always in favor of a decrease of, the duties on the necessaries of life. He saw no reason at present for electing the Legislative Council by popular vote. The nationalisation of the marine, coastal, and intercolonial service was too big to undertake at present... He believed in State control as the ultimate solution of the licensing question. If it was found in practice that the present arrangement was not satisfactory the general election and the local option poll should take place on separate days.

A LIBEL ACTION,

[PxtESS Association.j

CARTERTON, Nov. 10.

Mr. Adam Armstrong, returning officer, has instructed a solicitor to issue a writ against the /(Dominion - for alleged libel by a statement that ho had written, to Mr. Buchanan that he could not- accept scrutineers names submitted bv Mr, Buchanan, the names wad not peeu

ceived in time for him to communicate with the deputy returning ollicors. ‘

THE CONTEST IN AUCKLAND

[Piiess Association.]

AUCKLAND, Nov. 10. Feeling over the elections cannot be said to bo at all excited, except at Grey Lynn, where the hot light between the IJon. G. Fowlds and Mr. Nicholson has attracted much attention, but close contests are expected in several of the city electorates.

A MESSAGE FROM THE i AUSTRALIAN' LABOR PARTY.

[Pjiess Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 10. Mr. James Thorn to-day received the following cablegram from Mr. Fisher, Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth: —-“On the eve of the Dominion’s elections, Commonwealth Labor Party urges New Ze Band workers, to vote solid for-labor candidates. —Fisher, Prime Minister.” SOUTHERN PROSPECTS. [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, Nov. JG. The main feature of the Wellington election contest has been the absence of excitement and the fact that personalities have not been indulged in by the candidates. Nevertheless, it does not follow that the campaign lias been devoid of.interest. On the contrary, the. keenest " interest has been taken in most of the contests, and the meetings of candidates have been crowded. Owing to alterations in the boundaries of the electorates, and the fact that tlio numbers on the rolls have been greatly increased, it becomes a somewhat difficult matter to forecast results. The following comments are therefore made with some degree of hesitation: WELLINGTON NORTH.*

For this seat there are four candidates, but only three of them, Messrs Herd man, Bolton, and. Izard, need be mentioned. Mr Izard sat in trie last Parliament, having won tho seat in a contest with Mr John Dutliie by a majority of 489. Mr Dutliie, however, was* himself to blame for his defeat, for he left the electorate to speak elsewhere, and at a critical stage of his campaign. Moreover, the “voucher incident” was in the air, and the late Mr Seddon worked it for qll it was worth. At last election there were 7284 voters on the roll of whom only 60G4 voted. Mr Izard his not been a conspicuous success in Parliament and he is hot, quite so popular nor so good a platform man as Mr Hcrdman, wiio, also, has had Parliamentary experience. The third candid ite (Mr. Bolton), like the other two, is a '.awyer and has done some service on local bodies. The general opinion seems to be- that Mr Herdman will top the poll, but that a' second Inrlot may be necessary to settle the- final issue. J expect to see Mr Headman, the Opposition candidate, at the top of the final poll with Mr Izard, the Government candidate, second. WELLINGTON CENTRAL.

For this seat Mr Fisher was the fast- member, having been returned hrst at a by-election after the death of his father, the former member. At the last election he beat Air o‘Regan by 4-44 votes, notwithstanding the “voucher, incident” and the fact that all the Seddonism influence was strongly against him. On this occasion, -lie is fighting against our p. csent Mayor, the Hon. Thos. Hislop. who was at one time a member oi the Atkinson Cabinet. Mr Hislop will get the vote or a large number of working men,, also of the liquor interests and tlie Socialists. Though not chosen as the Government candidate he will support the Want Ministry. Mr Fisher is an Independent. He appears to better -advantage on the platform than does Mr Hislop and, judging from his meetings, though this (is not always a test-, bis chances of election seem fairly good. It is expected, however, that the voting will be close. k WELLINGTON EAST. Messrs W. McLean, A. R. Atkinson, G. 'Winder and I). McLaren are contesting this seat. The two first mentioned sat- in former Parliamants. Air McLean, who is a spiritualist and a State (Socialist, is the Government candidate. Air Winder, a local ironmonger who has been in tlie City Council, also supports the Government. lie. is a poor speaker., with little knowledge of general politics. Air Atkinson is a lawyer ami an able politician. He will get the vote of the temperance party. He is classed as an Independent, hut is practically an Oppositionist. Air AleLaren is tlie Labor Union secretary and stands as an Independent Labor candidate. At the last election he polled only 763 votes for Wellington East against Air AlcLean. The latter was only nineteen votes behind Mr j. G. AY. Ait-ken, who won the scat. Air McLaren will probably do better on this occasion, but the real contest is between the three other candidates. A second ballot is almost ,a certainty and tho final contest should be between Air -Atkinson and one of the Government candidates. Ho would bo a rash man who "would say which candidate will win. WELLINGTON SUBURBS. This is a new constituency ,anrl kas produced a crop of candidates, Alossrs Luke, Fitzgerald and Braithwaite, (Government men), Moore (Independent), Young (Labor), '-and AVilliams -.(Opposition). It would seem as if. a second ballot will be necessary here. Messrs Luke and Fitzgerald are thought to have better chances of election than any, of the others. Mr, Williams, :a lawyer, who was one of the Jubilee singers who toured New Zealand several years ago, is much liked, but was rather late in entering tho arena. WELLINGTON SOUTH.

For .this scat there is also i crop of candidates, nayi'ewery fbuu -seven having been nominated. Mr Barbel’, who represented the greater part of the electorate in the last- Far)lament, is regarded as a certainty, for the seat. As candidate for Newtown, jhe had at (last election a majority of 1213 over the Hon. T. YY. Hislop aind 1436 over Dr Chappie. He is a Government supporter, popular with the shopkeepers, end the masses, but not by any wesm?. a sLitmuau,

W AIJI Alt AP A. __ In this electorate the ol<l battle between Messrs Hornsby '(Government; and Buchanan. (Opposition) is being fought again. Mr Hornsby’s majority at list election was 53 J, but At. 1 Buchanan is'sanguine of altering the state of the poll at this election. The contest will he a close • one, the chances being that Mr (Buchanan will on this occasion more than recover his lost ground. OTAKI. Here Mr Field, the late member, and Mr Byron Brown (Opposition) are once again bidding for victory. Mr Field, has done pretty well for his district in the matter of roads and bridges and will consequently be a hard man to defeat. Mr Brown has conducted a vigorous campaign on ibis occasion, and will poll more votes than he did at the last election. Thy seat, however, should go to Mr Field, whoso majority last time was U 24, HUTT. MrT. AVilford and Air I?. W. Short, a local candidate, are the only men out for the Mutt. The former is very popular with the masses and his majority last year over Mr Ye rex was nearly. 2000*. Mr Short- may do better than Mr Yerex did, hut he is not a strong candidate and Mr Milford should win the seat somewhat easily. Mr AVilford is a supporter of the present Government, but in the House, on several occasions, he has been responsible for their on minor questions. Later.

To-day has been a very busy day with the outdoor orators, but there is no “fever heat” about the election so far. To-night’s meetings may alter that. Interest centres mainly in the contest for AA r ellington Central between Messrs Hislop -and Fisher, and for AVellington North between Messrs Herdman and Izard. There are many who think that the Government influence may put Mr. Izard in again, but present indications arc that Air. Herdman will head tomorrow’s poll, or that in: the event of his jiot doing so lie will fight- the .issue out with Mr. Izard on a second ballot-. Otherwise I have nothing to add to the comments made earlier.