POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1082, 14 December 1911, Page 3

POLITICAL.

Mr W. H. Field addressed a well attended meeting iu the Coronation Hall on Tuesday night, the Mayor presided. The candidate received a patient hearing and at the close was accorded a vote of thanks aud confidence. Fie said that this would be the last second ballot that would be taken in this country. He referred to the hall incident and said that prior to the second ballot he had engaged a hall in each centre. A supporter of his had asked Mr Carroll to speak in Foxton, but he had nothing to do with the arrangements. He read the telegram sent by Mr White to Sir Jas. Carroll, aud the reply received. He said be had been informed that a portion of the No-License votes would be cast against him. lie wanted them to know that he recognised the evils of intemperance, aud was an upholder of temperance in every respect. He had both as an M.P. and member of Education Board, been iu favour of temperance wall sheets for schools. He referred to Mr Robertson’s views on the land aud defence questions, aud read a telegram from Mr Tregear, slating that Mr Robertson was not recognised as a member of the Labour Party to which Mr Tregear belonged. Fie read from the "Maorilaud Worker” the organ of the Federated Labour Party, which advocated the candidature of Mr Robertson, showing the platform which Mr Robertson advocated. Touching closer settlement iu this district, he said that there were comparatively no large holdings in this district suitable for closer settlement. It would be foolish to convert flax-swamps into dairy farms. He advocated rural education aud the establishment of au institution for this purpose at Weraroa. He dealt with the national debt and taxation. Dealing with local matters he hoped a Bill would be passed through Parliament' next session enabling the Harbour Board to purchase the wharf. He said the Main Trunk railway should be liuked up between Levin aud Greatlord or Marton. If this were done many expensive grades and curves would be obviated. He had conferred with the Minister for Public Works on the subject and the Minister had stated that the line would have to be built in the future and that he would visit the route. In reply to questions, Mr F’ield said that he had not paid for drinks at hotels iu order to catch votes. He may have entertained his friends, but he had never left money to be used for treating. It would be an insult to the workers to think that their support'could be obtained by such methods. He denied that he had ever stated that the flaxmill workers should only receive 6s per day. He did not think Ss per day was enough. On the motion of Messrs Henuessy and Bowe a vote of thanks aud conii lence in the candidate was earned.

The final figures ior Palmerston N. are ; Huick ... 3373 McNab ... 2542 Milverton ... 68 Thomson ... 748 This gives Mr Buick an absolute majority of 15.