POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1925, Page 1

POLITICAL.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

INVERCARGILL SEAT. WELLINGTON. Oct. 14. For some weeks past rumours have boon in circulation throughout the Dominion that .Sir Joseph Ward's Triends were urging him not to contest the Invercargill seat at the General Election, the alternative suggestion being that he should bo called to the Legislative Council. It was also being said (fiat; there was some likelihood of Sir Joseph 'Ward's agreeing to accept the advice of the friends who were urging him not to contest the seat. Sir Joseph Ward said to-day there is no truth in the rumour, and that he will go lo the poll on November Ith. as a candidate for the Invercargill seat. INVERCARGILL, Oct. 14. A rumour gained currency during the last few days that Mr P. Hickey, the Labour candidate for Invercargill, was to !»* asked by the local Labout Representation Committee to withdraw from the contest. The rumour has now been officially denied. NATTER, Oct. IL Owing lo lack of support, Mr Maurice Brownlie has declined to contest the Napier seat as a Nationalist. CHRISTCHURCH. Oct, 15. Mr D. CL Sullivan, Labour candidate for Avon, delivered bis first- address litis evening, and he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. He condemned the Government for its failure to encourage secondary industries in the country. Jle outlined the Labor Rarty’s proposals.

Mr I). F. Dennehy, the Nationalist candidate for Christchurch East, opened liis campaign to-night, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. He attacked Socialism. He said he would vote against the Government. as he considered it had outlived its usefulness. ASIIIU'RTON Dot. 15.

Air li. Galbraith, National candidate for Ausliburton opened his campaign to-night before a good audience. He had a good bearing. He said there was no room in the country for three parties, and lie favoured a fusion. He criticised the increasing spending of the (lovernmciit, and said economy was a pressing need. The immigration system required reviewing, especially as regards the selection of migrants at Home. As regards highways, he advocated lo have, two Boards, owing to the difference in the conditions- in the North and South Islands. He approved the Government action in regard to the strike. Ho said it was only what a patriotic Government would do. As regards Labour legislation, be contended the workers had grestly benefited by the Liberal Government’s measures. A vote of thanks was carried

tiv acclamation. AY ANO ANTI. Oct. 15

Alt- John Coull. Reform candidate for Wantianni seat, opened his campaign to-night when be addressed a laree audience, who accorded him n vote of thanks and confidence. Air ('i)idl .strongly supported tin* Government's platform. TIAIARE. (J,t. P Mi Holland a dressed a crowded meeting at the Lyceum Theatre tonight. lie was accorded a splendid reception. A motion of thanks and confidence wa - accorded the buhour Leader. The Mayor of Tiniani presided. Air (t. J. Ilawkeii, Reform candidate for Egmont. addressed a. good meeting at EHliam last: night, and dealt with the strike and fusion questions, and defended the Government on the 'Large against its pensions, education. public health, afforestation, customs and taxation policies. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed. WELLINGTON. Od. 15.

Regarding the remarks of the TTon A. I). McLeod, eoticerning Mr McGrath candidate for Wellington North. Mr McGrath telegraphed to the Minister: “Fitless I hear to the contrary. I shall assume that the Kress Association message published here this morning', vespoeiing your references to me in a speech at- Kaiapoi. is correct, anil 1 will deal with the- same at my (xellittrti meet i iig on Friday. The Minister replied: "My reference io you at Kaiapoi. which you state Inis been published by the Kress Assn,ial ion. If that message follows the report of my speech appearing in the ( liri-tclmrcli IVess. it should have read that vtntr friends were told definitely that if von stood for Wellington Central. volt would have the support ol tiie Reform I’artv behind you. Aty statement was in reply to your very unfair reference to myself in regard to fusion ami sq in ttncraey. Our long and intimate assoeialinn should have pr.lectcd me Ironi a personal attack from you. If necessary, T can produce several ol your friends who reproached both myself and the Prime .Minister lor "ill- organisation's friendly interest Diuiilil von stand for Wellington Central v hicli I may sav was readily given. The omission of the word "friend" may has conveyed all impression not intended hy me. a- | never personally discussed the position with you. I trust that in any use you may make ol this telegram, you w ill he as fair as 1 lone endeavoured to be to all political np,incuts.

Mr McGrath replied: "Your telegram otilv aggravates the position. I he statements made mIkiUI me in the I’rc-s and the telegram are untrue, either promptly prove or withdraw them, or take the consequences.'’ DUNEDIN. Oct. 15. Air T. K. >idcy. National candidate opened hi- campaign at Boiiili Dunedin to-night. He dealt with the question uif fusion, and said that the Reform Party practically desired the LiehraU to become subservient to it. Overstaffing was taking place in the Railway, the Lands, tlte Survey, and the Agricultural Departments. lie dealt at length with the Government’s financial administration, and said the Reform Party were -‘collaring the sinking fund-." Reform's manifesto was eriteisod. A tilt was made against the Minister ol bands because of his complaint that be had been misrepresented. A vote of thanks and of confidence was