POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 28 November 1908, Page 3

POLITICAL.

In returning thanks for his election for Manawatu, Mr E. Newman said it was a victory for the Opposition party —(applause) victory for the freehold —(cheers-—-with limitation of area. He believed that next session tenants of Crown lands would be granted the right to the title of the land. They had accorded the representative of the Opposition party a great and wonderful majority, and he had to thank them most heartily for the support they had given him. He considered that it would be a graceful act if the Ministry offered Mr Stevens a seat in the Upper House for his many years’ faithful service. He then called for three ringing cheers for Mr Stevens, which were given as asked for. —In thanking the electors for their support, Mr Stevens referred to Mr Newman’s remarks that he (Mr Stevens) should be elevated to the Upper House in recognition of his past services. He might say that such a thing had been suggested to him repeatedly, but while he felt able, as he was, to represent his constituency in Parliament, he had decided to do so, so long as the people decided that he could be of service to them. He went on to speak of the dairy regulations, which, he said, were one of the greatest factors which contributed to his defeat and the defeat of the Liberal party at this election, a fact he regretted very much, because now the poor cows would have to stand in mud up to their udders. (Laughter and applause). He thought it very regrettable and deplorable that statements had been made that a “ cow tax ” was being imposed, in lieu of the sheep tax, which had been taken off. The people who made these statements evidently did not know the difference between a cow and a register book. The following is the strength of Parties in the new Parliament; — Government 46 Opposition 25 Independent 3 Labour 1

The contests for the Bay of Plenty and the four Maori seats have yet to take place. On the whole, the personnel of the new House will show a distinct improvement on that of its predecessor, and the access both to the numbers and to the debating powers of the Opposition will make for better government. — Wellington Post.

Mr Barclay Defeated. Dunedin, November 27. Ihe result of the second ballot in Dunedin North is as follows : Thompson (O) 3382 Barclay (G) 3376 There were four cases of plural voting and twelve votes were rejected as informal. Mr Barclay is dissatisfied, and demands a recount before a Magistrate. The plural votes are uncounted.

The Otaki Election. Wellington, November 26. It is stated that an appeal will be lodged against the election of Mr W. H. Field for the Otaki seat, on the ground that sufficient secrecy was not observed at one of the polling booths.

Says the Wellington Post; —We still hope that Mr M’Nab’s service as Minister of Eauds may not be lost to the country. We have advocated drastic reiorms in Government administration, but that is not to say that we desire to see the present Government out of office, and in any case a disinterested desire to see the right man in the right place makes us anxious to see some arrangement made whereby Mr M’Nab may recover his place in Parliament and retain his present office. Should this prove to be impossible, let the Premier see to it that no reaction'ary fills the gap. Eet the new Minister be a leaseholder beyond doubt or question, so that the democracy may have clear proof that the Government remains true to the great underlying principles of the legislation of 1907.