THE TARANAKI BYEELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 13 May 1907, Page 2

THE TARANAKI BYEELECTION.

MR. DOCKRILL AT OMATA.

Notwithstanding extreme inclemency of the weather, there was a very fnir attendance on Saturday evening, when Mr. Dockrill delivered an address, characterised by much greater vigor than liis earlier efforts. Mr. Gilbert presided, and prior to calling on the speaker, paid a warm tribute to Uie memory of the late member. Mr. Dockrill re-echoed the sentiments of the Chairman respecting the late Mr Smith. He referred especially lo Mr Smith having, through his energy and great perseverance, secured for Tara ■ naki votes from Parliament to clear out the Moturoa harbour at a time when it wiw rapidly becoming useless, and when all previous efforts to secure money had failed.

Ho stood, ho said, before them aa the selected

LIBERAL CANDIDATE of (lie local Liberal party. During the pnst thirty years he had occupied many positions of public trust, and lie waß sure 110 one could accuse him of being actuated by unworthy motives. (Applause). lie referred to the

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS' ACT as a measure which had tended, probably more than all the legislation of the late Premier and Sir Joseph Ward, to raise the colony to the prosperity it at present enjoyed. If they looked back they would remember that the Opposition at (he time bitterly fought the measure, predicting ruin and the withdrawal of all the big money-lending institutions. How singularly all these statements had been falsified. He therefore contended tlie farmers and the colony owed a debt to the Liberal Government for having introduced such beneficial legislation. He specially referred to the ability with which Sir Joseph Ward had worked out the details of tho proposal. He referred to the stateinansliip of the Liberal Government, led by the late l'remier, which saved the. colony from ruin when the Bank of New Zealand was threatened with failure. LEGISLATION FOR FARMERS. The farmers owed gratitude to_thejjk-^. t oral Government for laws promulgated and brought into operationTw their immediate bcnclit.He referred to the Dairy Industry Act, freezing and grading regulations, experimental farms, introduction of the best of the world's strains in cattle and horse-llesh—all promoted directly for the benefit of the farming in- | dust ry. He touched on the question of THE MOTCROA HARBOR., reiterating his statement that their farms would not be required in pledge for further loans. The harbor was, and would continue to be, carried on out of

revenue, iiml nil tlrnt might probably be n t]\iiiT(l would be nn amount of ]>v«hably .C' 20,000 for a ilr-edge, Imt if returned lie was convinced he could convincu (ho f.'overnment tlwt the board's (security was sulliciciit for the additional j*mount required. Regarding the nonpayment of XATIVK LAX!) RATES, he believed the law should be amended in the direction of permitting the Maoris lutes to be collected with the same facility as European settlers. But if wc are to put the natives on the Bailie footin,' as Kurop cans regarding taxation, we should place the natives on the Hame position as ourselves regarding the advantages we enjoy. Dealing with the LAND HILL,

he said, Cod forbid that any attempt should ever be made to take away the titles to land the colony's land owners at present enjoyed. iS'othing, however, was farther from the minds of the Ministry than such a diabolical proposal, and' it was only a scare that had been pul abroad for the purposes of this election. Nothing should be wanting on Mb I part to light the battle of the farmers. (Applause.) Agreements between the Si ate and tenants must stand until such time as each is a consenting party to change. Until both sides agreed to a breach of the existing agreement, he would tight for security of tenure. Dealing with limitation of area, he Baid it mattered not to him which method was adopted, so long as the principle watt maintained, that the rights of the holders were protected equitably. Speaking of the Native Laud Commission, he impressed ou his hearers that the Government hud decided to offer the native lands tu be secured for settlement, ou the o.r.p. tenure. (Applause.) On the i]uestion of the proposed ENDOWMENTS

under (he Land Bill, for hospitals, ojd age pensions and edueatiou, he asked, was it not better that provision should he niiide to meet the' charges of these great national obligations—charges that will increase as the years roil on—by means of endowments rather than that direct taxation should have directly to shoulder the burden. If endowments were laid aside for no other, purpose tlmn to provide for old age pensions, he was sure he could rely on all the liberalminded supporting any scheme that would assure that old age pensioner* should never be reduced to a starvation pittance. While, therefore, he opposed all the remaining Crown laud being set aside for endowments, he was unquestionably in favor of provision being mada

| inv llu* endowment of the old age pen* ! S " LAXJ) VALUATION. Tin* means of valuing land was to W* mind unsatisfactory. Particularly was the method of determining rental values at fault. The rental value of land, lie held, was the net proceeds got from tho fuvin in any one year. If such a nyfitem were carried oil for, any, ten years, and a tabulated statement enforced, no bupreme Comt Judge would be required to tix the rental value. The grievances which at present existed with regard to leasehold would, under such a system, l>e brought to an end, and lessees could never l»e rack-rented on the expiry of ft lease. THE COLONY'S POSITION. Tile statisties of Ihtt yuar just ended showed a record in almost evory partiful:i r. Could a country, with record export-*, imnorts, banking returns, railwav return*, etc.. lie raid to be going to th<> liad. as wn-i inferred l\v Mr Jlassoy at, Ww Plymouth, when metaphorically conij'.ii'ijiir Sir Joseph A\ ard witll Josopll of MavpU JUS CAXUIIU'iTKK. lie replied t" the statements being ramie 1 U;il the l iovernmeiit was assisting liim iu liis in 11.lidntiii". Whatever lt\o cost el' hi:' l>ii;;!it l>e, i\e paid for it liim-.elf. nn-l H-ed from no ('.ii 1 . ( Apphins.'.t lie li.ul paid for all lie til.l inter sent in mined! with hU (Mii-Uil itiiv, ami likewise any wwo#* h-< it nl' rv-ive.l, oven fi 1111 MinistVv.i. i.rtlnTy telegram*. ::i|it a number •!' Ui.'-e It ■ submitted to tli-- e'Mir"V".i to ei u :::.i li ; ,m etnter.e'Ul, ltQflM'l'illft 111 WO-i'SWOUIi lie held that such land, until put to Ilia purpose for which it was acquired, should continue to ho treated as if it had ltot boon resumed by the (iovemment, and pay rates to the controlling local mitl|Oi': ity, mid he would use liis influence ta

have the law amended in that direction. In conclusion he assured his hearers that any promises he made would be carried out, and, if, as he believed he would be, returned, he hoped that when by effluxion of time the seat became vacant again at the end of eighteen months, by the faithful and efficient manner in which he had performed his Parliamentary duties, his present opponents would then have become his best supporters. Mr. Dockrill concluded an address of an hour's duration amidst warm applause. A PERTIXEXT QUESTIOX. Asked whether, in the event of bein« elected, he would pledge himself to contest the seat at the next general election, or, if should he receive a call to the Upper House, he would refuse it to contest the seat againsl all-comers Mr. Dockrill said it was very hard t.' make a pledge of that sort two roars ahead, but they need have no appr'ehen- I "on on that score. All he need say was that if the electors again asked him to stand, he would assuredly do so VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. _ Sir. F. Woods proposed that the meeting accord Mr. Dockrill a heartv vote of thanks for his stra%htforwa'rd address, and express confidence in the picsent Government.

No amendment being forthcoming the chAiman put the motion, which vas earned almost unanimously, even- hainl but three in the room being raised in iu support.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair, carried on the motion of the Hon. Air. Carroll.

MR. MASSEY AT RAHOTU. (From Our Own Correspondent) On Saturday evening Mr. Massey gave s political address in the Rahotu Hall, lnere wm a large atendance, as has been the rase at all the political meetJigs held here. Mr. W. R. Wright occupied the chair, and introduced the speaker, who delivered a splendid address, and was accorded a good hearing. He stated that he was pleased to see tne interest the young men were taking in politics. He spoke for two hoifrs, . principally on the Land Bill. He said opposed to any system of tenure jrmt did not give the option of freehold. At s?°' Carroll had said at Oakura ? j "; e Opposition party put on a highJjred air, and looked down on the people, •the speaker said the Opposition members were straight-going, honorable men. The finger of scorn had never been pointed at any member of the Opposition benches, and it would be better for the country if more men of the Opposition stamp were in Parliament. Taranaki itself had sent many honorable men to •Parliament, including Sir Harry Atkinson, whom Taranaki would never forget, Md would always look to with reverence. When Sir Harry Atkinson took charge the country was at a very ] o w ebb, and he had to retrench; but he first cut down W V™, 7- He saved the «>lonv, kl " ed himself. Mr. Massev outlined the Opposition policy. In reply to the question, Is it not a tact that the Opposition opposed to ! P , as9inf! of the Advances to Settlers Act, Mr. Massey said he voS&JKT 1 ,,"" Biu because he pledged to his constituents to vote a^ins t borrowing more money. He had Offered to support the Bill If the Governaae J l>uUi(! Money. tfof T d mone y- H e "pposed the State Fire Insurance Bill, but drifted. theiMutnal Fire Insurance Act,which was now the law of the land. It was Partly on account of that Act that the rate of insurance had decreased. He was of opinion that the £150,000 could be better used on roads. In reply to a question as to what difference it would make which of the candidates were returned, as they were each opposed to the Land Bill, Mr. Massev the tne Ml, the other would not only vote •gjunst it, but would fight against it. JSLTV 1 *?? 08^ 011 of Mr ' Chapman, Moonded by Mr. Blenkley, the following rraolution was unanimously carried:— That this meeting accords Mr. Massey a hearty vote of thanks for his excellent address, and considers that no amendment of the Land Bill will l,e satisfactory that proposes to do away with the option of freehold." A vote of thanks ™ "heehaw conc ' u, ' e( ! the proceedings. Mr. Massey was entertained at supper, and left for New Plymouth the Same BlgOt. •t MR. MASSEY AT OKATO.

Mr. W. P. Massey, Leader of the Op. position, addressed a crowded meeting at Okato on Saturday afternoon. Mr. W Gray presided. His speech dealt with the Land Bill and with general politics, and he also replied to Hon. Mr. Carroll's Oakura speech. At the conclusion of his address, lasting au hour and a quarter, he was accorded an unanimous rote of thanks, and a resolution, in the Bame terms as that at Kahotu reported above, was carried.

MH. MALONE'S SATURDAY MEETING

Mr. Malone on Friday last struck torrents of rain in the morning, but visited Kaiauai all the same. The suppliers there, however, are early birds, and Mr. Malone found that even tile bush farmer is not keen on a political speech al fresco with Jupiter Pluvius in the ascendant. Mr. Malone, however, had a chat with a few suppliers on the roads, and found • that bis candidature was favorably looked upon. From Kaiauai- Mr Malone rode to Egmont Road School. Here he was warmly welcomed, a cup of tea being kindly supplied by the schoolmistress, Mrs. Shelton. Some 18 adults, including several ladies, attended, and, voti*": Mr. N. Hill to the chair, gave Mr. Malone a most friendly and cordial hearing. He spoke at length, and looted two sayings which the schoolmistress seemed to think worthy of inscription on the school! walls. The first was. "The future is to the abstainer," i.e., the abstainer from excess of every kind, not necessarilv whisky. The seend Genius is 10 per cent, inspiration and !K) pel- cent perspiration. A number of questions were asked and satisfactorily answered. On the motion of Messrs. Stanley and Greenwav a vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.

MR. OKEY AT EGMONT VILLAGE. Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, over fifty persons attended Mr. Okey's meeting at Egmont Village on Saturday evening Mr. A. Morton presided. Mr. Okey spoke for an hour and a quarter on general lines already reported, dwelling particularly on the Land Bill. A number of questions were asked kind answered. One, whether the candidate would favor the Government sending Dr. Bell, the Government Geologist, to the district to report upon oil pro-V pects, was answered in the aflirafiirmative, Mr. Okey stating that as a lot of money was being spent by different companies in prospecting for oil, the Government Bhouid assist in every way possible. He also said he favored the remission of duty on oil-boring machinery. In answer to questions he absolutely denied the statement that lie was favorable to the admissiop of Chinamen to the colony free of poll tax, but was rather favorable to an increase. He was not in favor of rating the unimproved value. Mr. Richard Price moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, and, on being seconded, by Mr. S. Marsh, the motion was unanimously carried. A strong committee was afterwards set up in the interests of the candidate.

MS. JENNINGS AT EGMONT ROAD. On Saturday evening Mr. Jennings. M.H.R. addressed a closely-packed meeting at the Egmont Road Schoolhonsc, quite a number Of ladies being The chair was taken by Mr. Aaron Marsh. Mr. Jennings spoke for upwards of an hour and three-quarters in support of Mr. Dockrilj's pandidature on tl.e lines of his previous speeches, being attentively listened to throughout, after which quite an interesting discussion took place on the various questions submitted, the answers to which gave apparent satisfaction, and -drew forth heary plaudits. A vote of thanks to .Mr Jennings was unanimously accorded, the audience enthusiastically singing ''For hes a jolly good fellow-," and ,bv special request, Mr. Jennings, in excellent voice, fS?P? m ' e< * W '" l " ll ' t une f»! measure. Jjejieve rop, ail those endearing young charms. Miss Bishop ably officiated at the piano. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. Marsh, terminated, at 11 p.m., a most pleasant evening.

TO-DAY'S meetings. Mr. Malone has three meetings to-day. By addressing the electors at Hui ford LI ia, I f* factory, at 9 a.m., Upland Road "" \.BO p.m., and Omata Hall al fi.;!D p.m. Mr. Dockrill speaks at Fitzrov at 8 p.m. At Oakura this afternoon Mr. Massev Leader of tile Opposition: Mr. Lang. M.H.R. for Manukau. and Mr. 11. (.(key will address the electors.

To-nigl)t at Sew Plymouth tile Hon. J. Carroll, Minister for Native Affairs, speaks inthe Theatre Royal. Mr. MasgAjr delivers on address at the Drill Hall m* at