The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 21, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1327, 21 November 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 21, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Mr. W. H. Field, the Government candidate for this constituency at the forthcoming election, delivered his first political address to a Foxton audience in the Town Hall on Thursday night. The attendance, coming right on top oi the carnival, was excellent, Mr Field was accorded a first-class hearing throughout. There were several interjections from a few individuals, but these were well countered.

The question has been asked by new-comers to the district; “Who is Mr Field ?” Although personal, it is a fair question to ask of any candidate. Electors possess the right not only to judge a man by the policy he espouses, but also as to his antecedents. Without apology to Mr Field, we will deal with him personally. Mr Field is a son of one of. the pilgrim fathers of this country, the late Mr H. Field, who took a keen public interest in all that pertained to the early settlement of Wanganui,, and Wanganui today is indebted to the foresight, self-sacri-fice and devotion of those band ot pioneers associated with the late Mr Field, for many of its public institutions, and its careful townplanning. We have had the pleasure and privilege of listening to Mr Field’s father discourse on philosophic subjects, and the influence of such a parent could not but have a moulding effect upon the life of the present candidate.

Mr W. H. Field was born and educated in Wanganui, and was articled to the legal profession, subsequently taking up his residence in the Empire City. Many years ago he look up property in this district, which he has greatly improved, and although he does not permanently reside there, spends a good deal of his time in the constituency, and is familiar with its wants and aspirations.

Four days after Mr W. 11. Field’s brother bad been elected member for Otaki the latter died, and the present candidate was selected bvthe Parly to contest the seat, which he won and held for four successive Parliaments.

Mr Field was returned as a supporter of the Liberal Government until defeated at the last general election. He differed, however, from the Party on the land question, and pledged himself to vote against the Party on a no-confi-dence motion if his convictions on the freehold were violated. He kept this pledge, and crossed the House and joined forces with the then Opposition in support of the freehold. He was elected chairman of what was known as the “Country Party” in the House, which had a restraining influence upon the passing of extreme legislation which would be detrimental to the country’s primary industries.

With others, he could see that there was a weakening of the Liberal superstructure under the aegis of Sir Joseph Ward, and bis public speeches denoted this at the last general election. He, with others, demanded independence of thought and - action on certain party policy measures, but his loyalty generally was above suspicion.

Among others, the Social Democratic candidate was not slow to give public utterance to his views concerning Mr Field’s leanings prior to the last general election. It will be as well, therefore, to place Mr John Robertson’s views again before the public in view of charges that this gentleman’s supporters are making against Mr Field. Speaking in the Town Hall on Monday, December sth, 1911, a few days prior to the last election, Mr Robertson said:

Everyone knew of a Liberal, a Tory, or a Labour Party, but he asked, what did they know of a

Ward Party or a Massey Party ? There was no principle, so far as policy was concerned, separating these Parties, No one could find any definite measure of importance or advantage to the great mass of the people on which either of these Parties are absolutely undivided. Recently, in Shannon, Messrs Alien and Fisher, who belong to the sajne Party, delivered addresses, and their opinions were, in a number of cases, directly opposed. A iittio later, Mr Laurenson, a Government member, replied to Mr Allen, and then Mr Field, also a supporter of the Government, delivered an address in Shannon. Mr Robertson contended that, of the speeches delivered, there was a great deal more difference in the views of Messrs Laurenson and Field than there was in those of Messrs Field and Massey. . .

Mr Field’s explanation ot the causes which led up to his severance from the Ward Party, which appear in brief elsewhere in this issue, were unfolded at Thursday night’s meeting in a straightforward, manly and temperate speech. There was no suspicion of bitterness or vindictiveness as he disclosed the scandalous political jobbery and bargaining which was to deprive him of the right to again contest the seat, had he so desired, in;the Liberal interests. The Liberal Party had found itselt in such sore straits after the last election that it was prepared to sacrifice principle and supporters in order to hold on to office. Such tactics has not only alienated the support of Mr Field, but numbers of others in this electorate who refuse to be bought and sold at the whim of a ; set of political strap-hangers. Mr Field has followed the right course in what he has done, and bis actions will meet with the endorsement of all honourable men and women throughout this constituency on polling day.