THE TARANAKI SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 9 May 1907, Page 2

THE TARANAKI SEAT.

MR. DOCKIiJLL OX TUK COAST

Mr. Dockrill's meeting at Rahotu on Monday night was the largest political meeting ever held in that centre. The Opposition and also Hie Government I'ol lowing were in lull strength. .Mr. Dockrill delivered an able address in his quid, unostentatious way, inclining I more to earnestness in outspoken iicril than to ellccl. His matter \va„ good • and staunch. He dealt willi tlie bmd question in a straight forward way, what In; was in favor of, and what parts against, tie favored providing fur the future in-allotting certain parts of the Crown lauds for maintaining education, old age pensions, and hospital and charitable aid. lie did not helieve in destroying entirely the option of the freehold, and the Laud Bill did not do so, because all the native land purchased by the Crown would be devoted to the optional tenure, and that tenure, he said, should permeate all our land laws, lie was in favor of limitation of area, whelher on an area or a valuation basis did not matter. There was only one alternative -lo increase the graduated laud tax. .Vothing, he said, would tempi him to violate the principle he held lo himself, not. io hit below the belt. 11 is public career up to (he present was before the public eye, and it rested on their verdict whether he had in anv wav proved otherwise than a citizen of good purpose, with no questionable register against his name, lie was making this! a parly fight, and as a partv man he would do his best to help 'along the Administration and legislation which had done so much for the good of the colony -benefits which were being reaped by both the Opposition and Government supporters. At the conclusion, after questions had been answered, the usual resolution of thanks to Mr. Dockrill and confidence in the flovcrnment was moved. An amendment of thanks only went begging for some time before the chairman detected a single .hand held up in support. AVhen the motion was submitted a forest of hands signified acceptance. As the proceedings were, closing, the Opposition supporters called for three cheers for Mr. Okey, which were immediately countered by an overwhelming response for Mr, Dockrill. At Pungarehu, on the next evening, Mr. Dockrill received a vote of thanks and confidence, the dividing forces seem-' ing to be about equally divided.

At Okato the "Old'Grcy Mayor" got into his stride, and cavorted round this locality, putting in good paces. After visiting several wayside places, lie readied Oakura last night, and in his culm, quiet anil stolid way impressed his hearers with his earnestness of thought, and with his genuine feeling of fulfilling the task he had undertaken in representing Taranaki in the fairest and most honest way his nature would allow him to do. lie treated on various political questions interesting to the time. lie was unswerving in his fidelity to the Administration, which, he declared, had hccii more respousihle for the prosperily of the country than any other recorded on the pages'of history, lie still stuck to his guns regarding his views on the land question—reasonable endowments and the optional tenure. If this country was to lie a country at all and achieve success, it must be picpared for greatly increased population, and it therefore must have as its standard the principle of limitation of area in regard to individual holdings. lie dealt in a fair and lucid manner with the question of education, and harmoniously touched on the problem of labor and capital. On trade, commerce, and other matters representing the vital essentials of the body politic, he dealt in a modest but assuring way. At the conclusion lie declared that whatever the result of the election might be, he hoped the intelligence of the community would put the best man in the honored position of representing them. A vote of thanks was proposed and carried with acclamation.

MR. MALONE AT RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. Malone appeared in the local hall on Tuesday night, this being the last of the three candidates to visit here. The hall was very well filled, and Mr. Malone, who gave a very able address, was accorded a good hearing. Mr. F. M. Chapman occupied the chair, and introduced the speaker. Mr. Malone stated that lie felt right at home in Raboln, as he was here 27 years ago, and helped to build the redoubts here. He gave a sketch of his career, and also defined his position, lie stated that he did not believe in parly Government, which should have been left behind in the Old Country. On the Land Bill he believed in the freehold. Anyone who required land was entitled to get it. In regard to the West Coast natives leases, Mr. Malone said he did not believe in State or private landlordism, and he certainly did'not believe in native landlordism. Let the titles be individualised, give the natives what land they require for their use, and let the balance be given in fee simple to the white people, who want it. Mr. .Malone was greeted with applause at the conclusion of his address.

Mr. Malonc was asked, Do you believe in a Minister of the Crown being paid 110s ia day to assist candidates? He stated that he looked on it as an interference, but the Minister probably thought it a duty to his country. Personally he thought it would do him (Mr. Malonc) a lot of good. In regard to a post office for Rahotu, he was not in favor of renting private property.

On the motion of Mr. Hughson, seconded by Mr Layard a hearty vote of thanks was accorded .Mr. Malone for his interesting and able address. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.