POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 24 November 1908, Page 3

POLITICAL.

It is anticipated by Mr Stevens’ supporters that his support will be largely augmented at the second ballot to-day. Mr Stevens addressed a very large meeting in the Town Hall Marton, on Saturday night last. Mr Coker presided. In speaking of 'local matters, Mr Stevens said he had a thorough grasp of the requirements of the district, such as the Levin-Greatford Railway and the Foxton Harbour Board, and had successfully piloted them to their present stages. Was it likely that Mr Newman could now step in, and from the wrong side of the House render such assistance in these matters as Mr Stevens could. If the electors wished to be practically disfranchised for the next three years they would vote for Mr Newman. If, on the other baud, they wished to be represented, they would vote for him, Mr Stevens. Additions were now urgently required at the Marton Post Office. Mr Newmau had condemned the erection of public buildings, and stated that it was an extravagant waste of public money. Did Mr Newman want the district to go back to the time when the business of post offices was conducted in Maori whares ?

Speaking to the motion ol thanks and confidence, which was carried amidst great applause, Mr Read said he had worked alongside Mr Stevens, and had fought alongside him on the battlefield during the Maori war, and he knew no one could understand and appreciate the necessities of the workers better than Mr Stevens, and the people should see that the Government was not taken out of the hands of the pioneers who had endured hardship in the development of the country, and giveu into the hands of the Conservatives who had come out from England when the way had been smoothed, and wished to dictate to those who had made the country, and consequently understood it as others never could, what should be done. (Long and continuous applause.) After a vote of thauks had been accorded to the chairman, the meeting concluded with three ringing cheers for the candidate. Mr Newman at Foxton. Up to Friday night, Mr Stevens had addressed the largest political meeting held in Foxton so far during the present campaign, but this meeting was eclipsed last night in point of numbers, by Mr Newmau. Mayor Gower presided, and referred to the waste of money to the country in conducting the second ballots, of which 23 would be taken. The money so spent would be put to better advantage it expended on roads and bridges (applause). Mr Newman had been elected at the first ballot, but was now called upon to fight the battle a second time. He hoped that Mr Newman would be elected at the head of the poll at the second ballot. Mr Newman, who received an ovation on rising, and was repeatedly applauded during his speech, said this was the fourth time he had addressed them. He had given expression to his views straightforwardly and honestly and he would leave it to them to vote according to their consciences at the poll to-morrow. He stated that Messrs Frankland and Gardner had played the game in a clean and straightforward manner and had earned the respect of the electors and himself. One gratifying feature of the Second Ballot was the support tendered from supporters of the retired candidates. He then recapitulated his previous speeches. The difference between himself and Mr Stevens on the land question, was that Mr Stevens was supporting a Ministry the majority of whom were opposed to granting the freehold ot Crown lands. Although the Dominion had passed through a period of prosperity yet the public debt had increased. Less land had been settled during the last five years than for the preceding five years. Roads, bridges and schools in the back blocks had been neglected, yet palatial public buildings had been erected in the four large centres, State railways, owing to political influence, were not paying as they should, aud he instanced the Manawatu Co.’s line in support of his statement. He would support a Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the railways. The Government would not construct light and branch railways, and refused to allow them to be constructed by private enterprise. He was opposed to Government mopping up local money, which snould be allowed to flow into other channels, in order to open up and foster new industries. He again referred to the dairy regulations and the ■ tax on cows. He asked how Mr Stevens could say he knew nothing of dairying, when he had cut up and sold his land for dairying purposes, and had himself milked a herd of 150 dairy cows. He had endured all the vicissitudes of the dairy farmer, and knew all about the industry. If the dairy regulations were imposed, it would tax the dairy farmers to the extent of close on per annum. He was opposed to penalising this industry. He would support auy movement, which would enable every person to acquire the freehold of their homes. He thought the present depression was only temporary. Referring to Mr Stevens’ remark about his (the speaker’s) connection with the National Association, he said that that animal had died long before he took any part in politics. He had no right to stand on this or any other platform if he was not

progressive. He believed in progression and development. He quoted the progression the present Government believed in, enumerating the increase of the public debt, increase of honorarium and ministerial salaries, etc. No one had a right to go to Parliament to make money, but rather to assist his fellows. He referred to the Foxton Harbour Board, Levin to Marton railway, and close settlement of the Himatangi block, and he pledged himself to support these objects if returned. They had nothing to thank the Government for in respect to these things. He touched on the question of defence, reform of the Upper House, Civil Service, Reform and his belief in a strong Opposition in order to safeguard good administration. If returned he would try and do his duty as their representative.

Mr Hennessy asked several questions in reference to land settlement, railway construction aud the taking up of Government debentures, all of which were satisfactorily answered. Mr Franklaud, junr., asked a question in reference to Government iii'pectors. This drew from Mr Hennessy a question as to whether the candidate would be in favour ol making the previous speaker an inspector of inspectors. Tniugs were now getting a little amusing, and a shaft from Mr Horrblow as to whether the candidate would favour legislation preventing grocers mixing sand with sugar was a decided hit. Mr Hennessy apparently took this to himself aud again arose, amidst a . volley of banter, aud left questions to make a statement to the effect that they had recently had a water-finder in Foxtou, aud they now had a speechfinder in Mr Horublow. He found a speech for a man on Saturday night, who was not present at Mr Stevens’ meeting. Mr Hornblow arose, and said that he would explain Mr Henuessy’s itutendo to the candidate and the audience, which was that he (Mr Horublow) had given information to a gentleman not present at Mr Stevens’ meeting, but at present in the audience, aud induced him to write a letter to the paper, criticising Mr Hennessy’s inconsistency re the Harbour Board, aud the Government which he (Mr Horublow) characterised as a deliberate falsehood. No more shafts being forthcoming, Mr Spring, seur., moved, and Mr Wilson seconded, a hearty vote of thanks aud confidence in the candidate. The chairman said he would eliminate the confidence at the candidate’s wish. That could be left for the ballot box. The motion was put, and carried unanimously and the caudidate suitably acknowledged the compliment and proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman. The candidate and audience appeared to heartily enjoy the sallies during question time, and the utmost good feeling was apparent throughout. Mr Stevens at Hongotea. (By Telegraph, Special Reporter.) Mr Stevens held a very large and enthusiastic meeting at Rongotea last night. Mr Karl Anderson occupied the chair, and introducing Mr Stevens aud said he was an old friend amongst them for a second time in his election, a new departure, which he hoped would in its result prove best for the country and all concerned. Mr Stevens said he would ask the electors to consider their position. The liquor question had been settled for three years and the statameut that he intended to move for an alteration in the Licensing Act in favour of the trade was unfounded. The Independent candidate had been eliminated, the goat could not be turned out. Was the electorate to be represented by him or a member of the Opposition and a political tyro at that. Were they going to allow a prentice hand to practise on them, while he was learning especially when that tyro believed expenditure on public buildings was an extravagance. That ought to be pul a stop to. He (Mr Stevens) with bis long and varied experience understood the requirements of the district. He touched on the Levin-Greatford railway and the Foxton Harbour Board and trusted the electors would give him the opportunity of seeing to their completion. In connection with the Foxton Harbour Board it was impossible to levy a rate, and he had always strenuously opposed a rate, and he would never advance an opinion which would necessitate the striking of a rate while the harbour could be properly equipped without the imposition of a sixpence of a rate, and this would be the case if he were not to carry to a proper conclusion the work which he had already satisfactorily initiated. With regard to the dairy regulations there was no mention of a tax ou a cow. The regulations required that certain sanitary conditions should be fulfilled. Before they came into force next September there was a session of Parliament, and members representing farming districts could and would remedy anything that was deemed a defect in them. If any dairy farmer, #ter understanding them, could believe that the dairy regulations imposed a tax on cows then preserve him from knowing anything about farming. He had begun at the lowest rung of the ladder, had beeufthe first man who ever put a plough iu the Rangiti-kei-Manawatu block. He had ploughed, reaped and sown, and had milked cowhand made butter in the early daySk of the district. Yet, forsooth, somb creatures said the district wanted to be represented by a farmer and “ Stevens, you know, is mot a farmer.”

(Laughter). He was pleased to announce that despite anxious enquiries made as to his health prior to his campaign, after addressing the electors and doing all that was required of him, he felt better physically to-night than when he had entered on the campaign. (Applause). A hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded, the meeting.

The following letter appeared in the Manawatu Times to-day over Mr Franklaud’s signature: “Sir, —I have been very pained by bearing that my friend Mr S. W. Fitzherbert, of Fie! ling, has been accused of writing my signature to an advertisement in connection with Mr Stevens’ caudidatuie without any authority from myself. It was arranged between Mr Fitzherbert and myself that my supporters in Fei'.diug should be given to understand that it would be a -great pleasure to me if they saw their way t) voting for the Government at the Second Ballot to-day. At the same lime, for reasons that would be distressing lor me to enlarge o.i. I told him that I did not wish my mine so used, unless ihe public were given explicitly to under.stur.l tli it I was acting in the interests of my party, only. Consequently the only thing 1 object to in the Feilding advertisement containing my name is, that there was not a qualifying sentence of the kind I have alluded to. This is the only point where, owing to a misunderstanding, Mr Fi zherbert has inadvertently exceeded my authority. I sincerely hope that the Government will be successful in the fight for the Manawatu seat today.