WESTLAND ELECTORATE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1919, Page 1

WESTLAND ELECTORATE.

(Oar Ross Correspondent.)

Mr T. E. Y. Seddon addressed a large and enthusiastic audience in the jTotara Hall last evening. In the absence of the Mayor in South Westland, the Hon. J. Grimmond occupied the chair, and briefly; introduced the speaker. .Mr Seddon on rising to speak was heartily applauded. Mr Seddon delivered a speech lasting one and three-quarter hours,. and received a very attentive hearing. The address: was on similar lines to those delivered in the northern portions of the electorate. SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.

“ Why did you accept military pay in addition to your honorarium? ” Mr Seddon said like other members of Parliament, who had volunteered, he had accepted both payments and made no apology for doing so.

“Was he ill favour of the nationalisation -of the mediqal profession?” Mr Seddon replied that towards the close of last session he had brought this matter up in tlie House, pointing out that there were four medical practitioners less in his district now than before the war, and when he ' approached the Health Department to have a medical man stationed at Otira, , Kulnnra, Ross and South Westland, he was informed there was no power to compel medical practitioners to come to those districts He had advocated, and would continue to advocate, State control over medical services, so that in the districts named the Government could compel doctors to go there and place their services at the disposal of the residents. “ Whom do you refer to as Bolshevik ? ”

The people in this country who call themselves Bolsheviks.

“ Why work side by side with Bolsheviks? ”

In the House I am prepared to work alongside a member no matter what his views are, to assist the o constituency which sent me there. ,

“ Who would you give your vote to if the Liberals were not in a majority? ” In the case of one Party not being able to carry on, the question of the Government of this country would again he submitted to the electors of. New Zealand.

In reply to another question, Mr Seddon said he was not in favour of a State Bank having the monopoly of the note issue.

“Are you in favour.of a State Lottery in New Zealand?”

Mr Seddon said in reply he thought the totalisator provided all the gambling necessary.

Mr Sharkey asked if the candidate was in favour of taxing all bachelors under SO years of age? To which Mr Seddon humourously replied in the affirmative.

No further questions being forthcoming, Mr W. Winchester moved a vote of thanks to Mr Seddon for his able address, and that this meeting considers Mr Seddon a fit and proper person to represent Westland in Parliament.

Mr Charles Upjohn seconded the resolution, which was put to the meeting by the chairman, and carried.

A vote of thanks to the chair terniinated a very successful meeting. This morning Mr Seddon moved South, amd has delightful weather for his tour into the south country, where he is such a well known figure. Mi Seddon returns to Hokitika on Tuesday next to he present at the Gov-ernor-General’s reception that afternoon.