GENERAL ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1922, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION.

MR STEER AT ARAHURA. Air Steer, the official Reform candidate had a splendid reception at the 1 One Alile Hall last evening when he addressed a meeting presided over by Mr B. AVard M C.C. The Chairman, in introducing the candidate said he needed no introduction for he was well and favourably known to the settlers, who had found him always honourable and straightforward. Mr Steer hap been connected with public bodies for a great number of years and no one could point the finger of scorn at him. He would make a good Member of Parliament. Mr Steer thanked Mr Ward for his kind remarks and said that he could not live on the Coast for 40 years without knowing its requirements. He referred to the strenuous times the Reform Government has had since coming into power in 1912. In 1913 the great strike took place, in 1914 the Great AA r ar broke out and continued for four long years, then the coal miners began the go-slow policy and larae quantities of coal had to be imported to save the country from ruin, in 1918 the epidemic ravaged the country He read an eulogium from the N.Z Times (a leading opposition paper! which admitted Air Alassey was the outstanding figure during those strenuous times. As an Imperialist lie has been welcomed as one of the leading statesmen of tho day. Mr Steer then went on to enumerate the various measures carried out liy the Reform Government for the betterment of all classes, instancing the greater facility for education in the backblocks, the Government offering bigger salaries to teachers to go there, and they were getting a better class of teacher. Tlie building of workers’ homes, soldiers’ settlements. Maori AA r nr pensions, reciprocity of war pensions in Australia, increase in the old aged pensions, widows pension’s, epidemic pensions, institution of free dentistry in schools were all lucidly referred to by the speaker . Air Steer regretted that there was* no Reform paper on the Coast by which mis-statements could lie replied to and refuted if necessary. In Greymouth. in answer to a question Air Seddon had stated lie had not voted with Mr Holland on a “no-confidenc-e” motion. Hansard, however, shows that Air Seddon did vote with Air Holland on two occasions in votes of no confidence. three times lie absented himself and once lie voted with the Government the latter being the occasion of sending Sir .Tas. Allen Home. Air Seddon voted with tbe. Reds on 50 occasions.

Air Steer said that on tho question of tbe Grey Harbour Roard the Hokitika “Guardian” had unfairly reported him by omitting the most important part of his reference to the question. Tn his speech at Hokitika lie pointed out that in 102-5 a loan of Cloo.ooo fell due, but that £05.000 was already in the hands of the Sinking Fund Commissioner, and the full amount would be in his hands hv the due date. The “Guardian” apparently to discredit him had omitted to state that Hie sum of £95,000 was already in the hands of the Commissioner and with this omission and endeavouring to prove that a. rate was inevitable, secretly circularised the County. ratepayers. It is unfair. A half truth is worse than a whole lie. Ho explained the splendid state of the Hoard’s finances and again stated that there was not the lest danger of a rate being struck. The paper I ad endeavoured to show that, ho (Air Steer) was solely responsible for the enlarged rating area luit this was insisted oil by Afr AYilford (Liberal leader) when he was Alinistcr of Afarine in tho National Government and also had the full suppi.t of Afr Seddon (the member for the District). Mr Steer resumed his seat amidst applause. Air E. Mitchell asked if 0, ■ cni'didate favoured giving a subsidy on gold won during the war period. The candidate said that if it was possible he favoured it. Mr D. Jellie then moved a hearty vote of thanks to AH Steel and confidence in the Reform Government. This was seconded by Afr D. Bradley and carried unanimously. Tlie Chnirma neoigratulnted Air Steer

oil his fine address and the explanation given respecting the Grey Harbour Board, which he considered most satisfactory and consoling to the settlers. Air Steer had made it clear no rate would be struck. He hoped that future members of rbe Board would have the same integrity as Air Steer. (Applause). The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chair. Mr Steer speaks at Ross to-morrow night. AIR SEDDON’S DISTRICT tOUR. Yesterday, Air Seddon visited Araliura and Callaghan’s meeting the people at both centres. In the early evening he spoke at Goldsborougli, where lie had a very good .meeting, there being quite a considerable, attendance, for the occasion. Mr P. Alartini was in the chair, and Afr Seddon’s address was carefully followed, and appreciated. At the close Afr S. Honey in a few hearty remarks moved a vote ot thanks and confidence, tho motion being seconded by Afr Af. Fitzgerald and carried with cheers. The Chairman described it as an excellent meeting for tho candidate whose popularity is as great as ever in the old AVainiea district. At Stafford later, Air Seddon bad another very pleasant meeting. There was a good attendance of the people from all round, including several Awatiina residents. Afr H. AV. Sandle occupied the chair, and expressed his pleasure at such a good gathering. Air Seddon was excellently received, and had a fine hearing from tho audience, which included a number of ladies. Air B. Lyons was the mover of the vote of thanks and confidence, and Air B. Turner was the seconder. The motion was carried in a very pronounced manner, and gave the candidate the impression of very whole-hearted support from the district generally. [by telegraph—per press association] AIR AVILFORD’H TOUR. [WELLINGTON, Nov 20. Mr T. Af. AVilford. leader of the Li-beral-Labour Party left for Christchurch to-night. Mr AA r ilford has received numerous requests to address meetings at different centres in the south. As far- as possible, lie (will comply with these. He has had a very busy week-cmd in AA’cllington. He stated to-day that reports which were coining to hand from various electorates are more than satisfactory as far as his party was concerned. The itinerary of his South Island tour has not vet been arranged, but Mr AA’ilford is likely to be absent from AA’ellington for some time.