POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 275, 18 November 1914, Page 7

POLITICAL.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT BLUFF.

Feu Phess Association. Bluff, November 17. Sir Joseph Ward addresser! a large meeting in the Bluff Drill Hall to-night. It was a wild, boisterous rainy night, but, despite this, over 600 people were present. The Mayor (Mr W. Hinehey), presided. On arrival at the hall, Sir Joseph received an ovation, and his address, which was a short one, was punctuated wicli frequent applause. Referring to the gift Dreadnought, Sir Joseph referred to the battleship's visit to New Zealand and the shabbv way Bluff had been treated. The people in the district were not given a proper opportunity to see the ship Thev had been given the goby However, the gift Dreadnought was in the eyes of the whole world, and this country was the only portionof the Empire to have a battleship in the firing line in the North Sea. The speaker then briefly criticised the references of the Minister vof Defence in regard to the military training scheme. Prior to the last genoral election, Mr Allen had visited the Awarua electorate, and despite the fact that he (Sir Joseph Ward) was being attacked by his opponent for the seat in regard to military training, Mr Allen had not said one word in regard to the scheme. I put the Act on the Statute Book, said Sir Joseph, "and placed the scheme on a proper financial basis, now Mr Allen was him in regard to the matter, and he and his partv were breaking their necks, twisting'their tongues, and contorting their bodies with a view to making out and deluding the people thai thev (the Tory party) were responsible for the scheme. .Was that fair play? It was trying to hit a man while he was down. "Well, I am not down, I am up, and you will see that in December." (Applause.) > Dealing with the labor legislation, he declared that the workers had not got the promised "square deal 'rom Mr Massey. What had happened to the Bill giving to women in woollen factories a 45-hours week? Tt had been thrown out by the Upnor House, which contaiued 18 Massev nominees, seven of whom were 'rejects. "I believe we are coming back at this election," ho added, amidst loud applause. They would'carry out all their pledges. (A Voice: And a good thing, too!) He proposed to introduce legislation to make it impossible for the executive of a labor union to conrrol the whole of the members. (Applause.) Members of labor unions snould have the same right as members of other organisations to control the executive. This would do away with bogus unions, and add materially, to the peace aiid prosperity of New Zealand. (Applause.) Proportional representation would make for a better public life. The oountrv quota could be and should be retained. Under the system there would be no such thing as running additional candidates, such as was the case now to take few votes from a man who might be considered to have a good chance of winning. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman announced amid applause that Sir Joseph had handed him a cheque for £IOO for the local velief fund.

A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, and amidst applause. The motion was nioved by Dr. Tarrance, who expressed appreciation of Sir Joseph Ward's action in Parliament chtring the war crisis, and the hope that the Liheral party, with him at the head, would be returned to office. The meeting ceased with hearty cheers for Sir Joseph, and boohs for his opponents. ROWDY MEETING AT TIMARU. Timaru, November 17. F. H. Smith, M.P., for Waitaki, "Reform" candidate for Timaru, this evening addressed his first meeting at the Theatre Royal, which was well filled. The Mayor was in the chair. Ho had not a good reception, being continually interrupted by a section. He dealt with a few principal political

points, and justified the Government action, re the strike. He condemned persons for making political capital out of the Huntly disaster, for which the Government was in no way responsible. He would uphold the three-fifths majority, and oppose the Bible-in. schools. Many questions wero asked amid much disorder. A deputation of Waitaki Prohibitionists challenged him for breaking his pledge not to oppose a reduction in the licensing,majority. Mr Smith stoutly denied giving a pledge, and the meeting would not hear the deputation in reply. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed and seconded, but owing to the disorder could not be put.

PARNELL. Auckland, November 17. When Mr Briggs retired from the Parnell contest against Mr J. S. j Dickson last week, Mr J. J. Sullivan was announced as the Opposition canjdidate, and he opened his campaign. [The official Liberal and Labor organisation, however 3 refused to accept Mr Sullivan, and nominated Mr J." 0. Gleeson to contest the seat. Last night, at a large meeting, Mr Sullivan said that rather than split the vote he would retire in Mr Gleeson's favor, but the crowd was very insistent that Mr Sullivan should jtiirtd. Mr Gleexon also nddresitod the iri}".v«l, but was accorded a mixed reception, and it was arranged that Mr jhl'irau

would announce his decision to-night. He met a very large audience tonight, which made a demonstruun of approval when he announced thao lie would go to the poll. It is understood now that both Messrs Sulli,.;iii and Gleeson will contest the ieat. ■ Mr Gleeson contested City Jentral at last election against Mr J lover. THE PAIiMERSTON SEAT. i Paimerston North, November 17. Mr D. Buick, Reform M.P., opened lis campaign to ,a packed house this jvening, seating accommodation also laving to be provided on the stage. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. THE OAMARU SEAT. Dunedin, November 17. E. P. Lee, M.P. for Oainaru, addressed a meeting of his constituents it Waikouaiti on Monday night. He jrged , the extension of the life of Parliament to four or five years. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. DUNEDIN NORTH. Dunedin, November 17. Mr G. Ml, Thomson, sitting member for Dunedin North, opened his political campaign to-night. A vote )f thanks and confidence was proposed, and an amendment of thanks only, but the chairman made no declaration about the result of the vote.

THE PREMIER AT TEMUKA.

Temuka, November 17. Hon. Massey delivered a political iddress at Temuka this evening. The building was packed, over a thousand people being present. The Prime Minister was in his best form, and met with an excellent reception. Ke referred to the death of Lord Roberts, and said the manner of bis death would impress upon tfe British people the lesson of his life, that the best way to ensure peace was to '>o prepared for war. . Speaking of the Second Expeititioniry Force sent from New Zeahnd, he said he could give an assurance ti.it the men were well to-day, nnd in o;ood spirits. Dealing with naval '.lofence, lie emphasised the r.eeesMty for Xew Zealand doing her % hnre ni providing adequate naval Men-je in the Pacific, and urged that Australia, Xew Zealand, and other British dependencies in the Pacific were t der % duty to place a flying squalrm in the Pacific, which would, be aMe to hold its own.

Mr M.asse.y replied in detail to Sii Joseph Ward's Winton speech, and sketched the future policy of the Reform Government. At the close of the speech he was accorded a lean? vote of thanks and confidence. THE CANTERBURY SEATS. Christchurch, November 17. Mr M. J. Millar, Reform candidaco for Lyttelton, opened his campaign Ho-night, when he addressed a good attendance of electors at Cashmere Hills school. Dr. Thacker, Opposition candidate for Christchurch East, also opened ins campaign to-night. He professed himself an out-and-out supporter of Sir Joseph Ward and the Liberal policy. MR HAWKINS' CAMPAIGN.

Mr W. H. Hawkins, Liberal candidate for Stratford, addressed the electors at Cardiff last night, about thirty attending. Mr Hawkins spoke on all the important political questions of the day and received an attentive hearing. He speaks to-night at Mahoe. The local Liberal League Committee meet to-night, a general meeting of Liberals being called for to-morrow evening.