GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 96, 6 December 1911, Page 6

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

MR. MASSEY AT DEVOXPORT. (Per Press Association 3 , Auckland, December 5. The Leader - of me Opposition addressed Got) electors at uovonport tonight, ami had a most enthusiastic reception, his speech mostly being on L..e lines of ui.s former addresses. A vote of thanks and confidence was earned, with enters for Mr. Massey and tiie Reform J/ai ty’s candidate. SIR JAMES CARROLL.

Wellington, December 5. Sir James Carroll arrived from the North to-night and went South by the steamer, tie is to speak at Ashburton to-morrow evening, ami at Rakaia the ’next day. In the course of a short interview Sii James Carroll said he considered his and Mr. Ngata’s reelection unopposed amounted to a vindication of the Government’s native land policy by both races.

PREMIER’S WINTON MEETING. Inverclirgill, December 5. Owing to the contusion at the conclusion of Sir Joseph Ward’s Wiuton meeting last night, the reporters present were unable to ascertain who moved the vote of thanks and confidence. On enquiry to-day, it was found that the motion w:ls duly proposed and seconded and that the Mayor declared it carried on a show of hands.

MR. MASSEY AT PARNELL. Auckland, December 5. An ovation, immoderate in its enthusiasm, was tendered to the Leader of the Oppositpion and the Reform candidate for Parnell by a huge meeting of Parnell electors to-night. The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic among the political gatherings in New Zealand. Many were unable to gain admittance to the hall. In discussing the letter addressed to Mr McNab by. the Hawke’s Bay shareholders in the Mokau Company, Mr. Massey said the letter was so cunningly drafted that it was almost impossible to found a libel action upon it. lie asked for a definite charge, and that the men who signed the letter should say where he had told the falsehoods. Either they must prove him wrong or take the chance in the Supreme Court. A vote of thanks and confidence was carired amid cheers for Mr. Massey and Mr. Dickson.

SIR JAMES CARROLL. Ashburton, December 5. The Theatre Royal, which holds one thousand people at a pinch, was badly overcrowded to-night, when Sir James Carroll addressed one of the lincst political meetings ever held in Ashburton. Many were turned away. The Mayor presided. Sir James Carroll was received with continued applause. He said lie proposed to deal with the political principles and parties, leaving personalities to Mr. Massey and his friends. He proceeded to contrast the Government and the Opposition. On one hand was a constructive policy embracing a bold grappling with the problems that are still perplexing other lands. On the other hand nothing but obstruction and destruction. ■ The fact that the Liberal Party had hold the confidence of the people for twenty years, and had survived the lire of criticism, was proof positive that the Government was doing its duty satisfactorily. The Opposition had nothing to offer but the shreds and patches of the Government’s policy, which, as now presented, was adorned and decorated as a new policy. He ridiculed Mr. Massey’s manifesto, which, he said, was devoid of real practical suggestions. The only definite thing in it was the optional freehold, but ho pointed out tiiat this was part of the Government’s policy which included the purchase of the freehold, occupation with right of purchase, and six other forms of tenure. He outlined the cardinal features of all the rest of the Government’s policy, and his remarks were appreciatively received, applause being frequent. He referred in humorous terms to the local political situation, and though lie admitted that Mr. Nosworthy was likely to win at the first ballot, he put in a strong pica for the cohesion of the party and to vote for whichever one of the three Liberal candidates who had to fight out the finish at the second ballot. At the conclusion a motion thanking Sir James Carol! for his address, and expressing confidence in the Government was carried by acclamation, amidst cheers.

HON. T. MACKENZIE’S CAMPAIGN A special correspondent telegraphs us from Manaia that the Hon. T. Mackenzie had a tremendously enthusiastic meeting in that township last night. The Minister was repeatedly cheered, and the stage was prepared with flowers and boqnets to receive him . He was in particularly good form, delivering a trenchant speech dealing with Opposition criticism. Be spoke strongly with regard to the utterly foolish criticism of some Opposition members levelled against his Pure Seeds Bill, which, lie said, had been approved of by the farmers themselves in conference. Such attacks on it as were being made were not only most unfair, but were utterly absurd. At the conclusion of the meeting the Minister was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.

PUBLISHING THE RESULTS. At the last two elections, owing to the courtesy of the proprietor of the County Hotel, Mr W. P. Kirkwood, the “Stratford Evening Post” proprietary has managed to exhibit the results of the elections as received from all parts of the Dominion as they come to hand, from the verandah of the County Hotel, hy means of a limelight lantern. Arrangements have again been made to secure this central position, Mr Kirkwood having kindly consented to grant? the use of a portion of his balcony. Mr T. McAllister will manipulate him lantern and a specially powerful light has been secured to insure the results being clearly visible. In addition to the results, portraits of the various candidates will be screened. It is not expected there will bo much doing before nine o’clock, when partial local results, at anyrate, will be to hand.

MR. McCLUGGAGE AND THE TOWN AND COUNTRY JOURNAL. This libel action has been settled by the “Town and Country Journal” publishing in its last issue the correspondence between it and Mr Mc('luggage, iu which there is an absolute disclaimer of any intention to connect Mr McCluggago with the authorship of the “Fiiicham” letter, and an expression of regret that the article complained of Avas construed to that effect.