GENERAL ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1919, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION.

'PER I’RECB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

LABOR candidate. GISBORNT, Nov. 24. » Mr T. Br indie, Vice-President of tlio Wellington AVntersiders Union, and Organising Secretary of the Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, lias been selected as the Labour candidate for the Gisborne Seat . ' EGMONT SEAT. ELTHAM, Nov. 24. /- Air T. M. Wilford addressed a meeting at Eltharn to-night, the audience he ing large and enthusiastic. The speaker" criticised the Reform Government for a lack of policy, which ho declared was in keeping with the failure since i came into power to carry out tljc promises made in 1911. The defended the Liberal cession from the Coalition, which was justified, he said, by clauses in an agreement made between the parties to the Coalition. Under this it could ho dsisolved at the will of the Parties. lie ridiculed the Government's attempt to prevent land aggregation, suggesting that there should ho an increased land tax on the large estates, and also a refusal to registei transfers. This was the only remedy. Mr Wilford deprecated the Parliamentary Labour Party’s promise to vote with the Liberals on a “no confidence” motion, and ho declared the nberal Party would not hold office if it was impossible to do so without the assistance of the Labour Party. The Reform Government, he said, claimed some credit for having P IC vented profiteering by means of the Industrial Bill, hut the Bill was drawn up by Hon. MacDonald and only now came into force. Mr Massey had promised an alteration in the incidence of taxation, but ho gave no indication of how an improvement was to be effected. Tho Liberals proposed an increase in the graduated income tax, an increased land tax on large testates, and increased death dtfties. He opposed the encouragement of a military spirit by having four months annual training for youths. He declined a local navy would be ineffective, except at an' expenditure of twenty millions sterling. He -supported an increas ed contribution to the Imperial Navy. He suggested some improvement in the Arbitration Law's designed to prevent industrial disputes.

He critcised Mr Massey’s failure to amend the electoral law's beyond abolish ing the second ballot. Mr Wilford advocated the nationahsa tion of the coal mines wherever they were payable. He claimed credit for the Liberal Party for many State institutions, which lie docribod as anathema to the Reform Party. He ridiculed the Premier’s promises made on the occasion of his recent visit to Eltham. He emphasised that there -was a lack of policy as exhibited in Mr Massey’s speech delivered there.

Mr Wilford defended Sir Joseph Ward, who had sometimes been described by opponents as an impossible financier, pointing to the surplus of fifteen millions sterling. If Sir Joseph Wad were such an impossible man, why did the Refomers wail on losing him? The National Government, lie said, had only lived on the strength and initiative of the Liberal Members of the Cabinet. The future, he said, promised to hold great industrial disturbances which could only bio solved by co-operation between the State, Capital and Labour. He stressed the necessity for constructive statesmanship. . ' The meeting concluded with vote? of thanks to the speaker and confidence in the Liberal Party, also cheers as an expression of a hope for the Party’s sue cess at the coming poll. The Egmont candidates are Messrs D. L. A. Astbury, (Liberal), and 0. Hawkey, (Reform). DULLER. SEAT. WESTPORT, November 24. Mr D. Q. O’Brien, the Liberal candidate for Duller electorate, delivered his first address in Westport to-night before a large and enthusiastic audience. He outlined and supported the Liberal policy. He declared that he was not wholly in favour of nationalisation of the coal mines. Ho said lie did not think that the condition laid down by-Judge Sankc v in tho Old Country could he properly applied'to New Zealand. He was in favour of th e opening out of fresh coalfields by the State under modern conditions, including workers homes 0 and modern town planning, and in assisting returned soldier miners, who, he did not hiiik had had the favourable consideration granted returned soldiers in other occupations. He mentioned that a party of returned soldier miners were endeavouring to open up a mine near Westport on the cooperative principle. Numerous questions were asked. One question was:—“lf elected, would you be in favour of restoring rheir political rights to conscientious objectors ?” The candidate, amid applause, replied ; —'‘Yes—if you will bring hack my dead mates from France.” Tlic Mayor, Mr Leaver, who presided had previously refused to preside over the meetings of Mr Holland, and Mr Webb. _______

FACING TROUBLE

TARANAKI SEATS THREATENED

(Dunedin Star Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 19

The Prime Minister’s trip to Taranaki is in response to a strong appeal from his friends tot help them in a had predicament which threatens the loss of three seats. The retirement of Mr Wilkinson from Egmont and his Independent views has shaken Reform support in the electorate, and the official Government candidate (Mr Hawken) is having a hard struggle. It is also reported that the Hon. J. B. Hine is not having an easy task against Mr Mast- . ers, the Liberal-Labour candidate for Stratford. Still worse indications for the Prime Minister’s Party appear in Patca, where the Reform camp is hopelessly split. The majority of the Government’s friends desire Mr Pearce (the sitting member) to retire owing to his: unpopularity. They consider he could not possibly retain his former position when his majority against Mr Morrison (tho Liberal candidate) was only 118. Mr Morrison is again in the field, while Reform is divided between Mr - Pearce and Mr Powdrell, the hitter very promintent in the co-operative dairying movement. He considers he is tho only possibility of holding the seat foi Reform. Mr Pearce absolutely declines to withdraw, and as there is no margin for contingencies of this kind Reform supporters here have made up their mind to the loss of the seat.