POLITICAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 19 November 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

Thus the “-Manawatu Daily Times’’: —“The most accommodating of all the candidates in the present election is Mr W. H. (“Doormat’’) Field. Speaking at Otaki, lie said the only allegation made against him was that he held too much land. As to that, he contended that the property he held was not an unreasonable amount for himself and family. If at any time he found that it was not in the public interests that ho should retain such a large holding, hc would willingly rcliquish part. Mr Field said further that he did not know who would win this election —Massey or Ward —but he would support the party with a majority.’’

Mr W. H. Field’s committee will meet at the Druids’ Hall, Otaki, tonight. Mr J. McKenzie will speak at Waikanae to-night, at Waihoanga to-mor-row night, and at Paraparaumu on Friday night. Asked at Otaki on Monday whether, if elected, he would favour reverting to the old hours for hotel bars, Mr Mekc'nzie said hc had been against sixo’clock closing at first, but it had worked so well he would not favour going back to the old hours. The questioner: Say S to 6 then? Mr McKenzie: No! I would suggest 13 to 6 ns a good arrangement! (Laughter.) The candidate added that Prohibition was the one' question on which the people had a direct vote, and yet hc was persistently asked if hc was y Prohibitionist. Personally he favoured State control —(hear, hear) —but it was in the people’s own hands. “There arc people in Wellington walking about'thc streets who received £BOO per annum, and if asked their duties would probably be unable to ex- 0 plain. Their main duty appeared to be to prosecute boys who failed to attend parades. While they had these highly paid nseless officials Education was being starved.” Mr McKenzie at Otaki. Mr Watson, organiser for the Labour movement for the Otaki electorate, visited Otaki to-day. Mr Field gave an address to some 70 electors at Ohau on Monday night, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr Field spoke of the prominent part hc had taken to secure the new post office for Ohau. Both Mr Evelyn Macdonald and Mr J. McKenzie attended at Te Horo last night, the former, T>y advertisement in a Wellington paper, announcing his intention of speaking there. However, on arrival at the township he found that Mr McKenzie had previously engaged the hall, and Mr Macdonald announced that he would speak at a later date. At Te Horo last night Mr McKenzie announced that he had been unable to fulfil his Rikiorangi.engagement owing to a break-down in his motor cycle. Handbills have been circulated relative to Mr J. McKenzie’s meetings which bear the wrong dates. The correct dates are advertised elsewhere. A strong branch of the Labour Party has been formed at the Upper Hutt. Mr A. C. Hillier, Labour candidate . for Manawatu, will speak at Waikanae on the 29th inst;