The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, September 22, 1908 POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 438, 22 September 1908, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, September 22, 1908 POLITICAL.

The political campaign for the Manawatu seat has commenced. There are four candidates out, viz. Mr John Stevens, M.P. (Government), Mr Ed. Newman (Opposition), Mr F. W. Franklaud (Government), and Mr O, Gardner (Independent). Mr Newman fired the first shot, so far as Foxton is concerned, on Friday night. As a “ preliminary canter,” the candidate proved that he was wellversed in the political questions of the day. He does not possess the brass front of a “Johnny Knowall,” nor is he oily of tongue, but he impresses one as being a man of high principle—as indeed, his connection with public affairs

fully bears out—and' deeply in earnest. His criticism of the Ward administration was of a mild nature, but perhaps he has “a brick in the oven,” otherwise he cannot hope to alieniate support from the sitting member, as the flight will narrow itself to an issue between these two Party contestants. Mr Newman contends that the Government is not sound on the land question, and he strongly advocates the freehold tenure of all lands with restricted area ; he is of opinion that the Native Lands Department should be controlled by a more energetic and capable Statesman than the present Minister ; he is not opposed to borrowing, but he objects to thousands of pounds being squandered on public buildings for which there is not at present urgent need, instead of utilising the money for more reproductive purposes, such as land settlement, placing the Civil Service under the control of a non-political board, an annuities scheme to supercede the present Old Age Pensions; the present Arbitration Act had failed to prevent strikes, and he would support any measure, apart from party politics, which had for its object, industrial peace. Touching local matters, he strongly advocates acquiring adjacent Native lands for close settlement purposes, supports the construction of the Levin-Foxton-Greatford railway and harbour movement. Such, then, is a brief outline of the Opposition candidate’s platform as set forth in his speech. We have no doubt that Mr Stevens will also deal with these subjets from his Party’s view point. It appears to us, however, that Mr Newman is three-parts Liberal and one-part Opposition. He is certainly not a pure-bred offspring of the old Tory Party.