GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, 17 November 1922, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

OTAKI SEAT. Mr C. I. Harkness, the Independent Reform candidate for the Otaki scut, continues to make splendid progress in his campaign. After attending the' Wellington Education Board meeting in Wellington on Wednesday he journeyed to Paekakariki and addressed a well attended and enthusiastic meeting there in the evening. Mr A. Maekav, a member o4' the Hutt County Council, occupied tlie chair and introduced the candidate. Mr Harkness spoke for two hours and was applauded throughout. During the course of his speech lie touched on many matters of vital importance to the people and Dominion as a whole. He touched on education, laud speculation, taxation, civil

servants’ cut, and superannuation, railways, banking, and shipping. He pledged himself to support Mr Massey on all no-coutidenco motions moved against him by any party or combination of parties. But, said the candidate, “I absolutely reserve the right to criticise any party or any proposed legisl atiou brought forward.” The audience was very pleased with the full and frank manner the candidate adopted in answering any question put to him. At the conclusion of the address a unanimous vote of thanks was passed io the candidate, and it is evident that whoreever he goes Mr Harkness impresses the public with his earnest honesty of purpose.

Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., for Hutt, and Mr G. 11. M. McClure, LiberalLabour candidate for Otaki, addressed a meeting in the fsilverstream Hall last night. The constitueueies of the two candidates join about this point. •Ser-geant-Major Kitzema was in the chair, and thanked Mr Wiliord tor his attention and help with regard to the local needs of the district. After hearing addresses by both candidates, the meeting carried a vote of thanks and couiidenee in both, unanimously and with applause.

it is understood that Mr J. Taylor, if lhakara. was approached and asked to contest the Otaki sent in the interests of labour. He has, however, declined to stand. Mr W. 11. Field, M.P., will address the decors at Otaki on Monday next nt S p.m. Mr C. 1. Harkness will address electors at Rikiorangi to morrow night. HOW THE HALF-HOLIDAY WILL BE OBSERVED. As some confusion may arise as to how the weekly half-holiday is to be observed during election week, the following, which is the substance of instructions issued by the Department of Labour, may be of value. Polling will lake place on Thursday, December 7. In regard to the shops and offices the weekly half-holiday on Wednesday is changed by the provision of tlie Legislature Act to the polling day. Employees in shops and offices will tint' have their holiday on December 7 instead of December 6 This regulation does not. however, override tha provisions of any industrial award or agreement. In regard to factory employees, it is not necessary for any factory to • lose during any of the working hour:, on polling day. but the occupier of the factory must afford to all his employ. »*f. a reasonable opportunity to record their votes (up to one hour) without anv deduction from their pay. Every’ employer who fails to do this is liable to a fine of £5 for each employee affected. Any workers who are governed bv awards or agreements, and are not employed in factories or shops, or outside workers, are not affected by this regulation-