POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 256, 22 October 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL.

-Mil. MASSEY'S Klil'LV TO Tlili ri(EiilJil(„ By Telegraph.— Press Association. * I'iUaiurston Xurth, Urn Aij-bt. Mr. Milady deliver* « speech in reply o Sir Joseph Ward at Fending on Jloiilay, the 2i»th iiistuiu. MB. i'OWLDS IJEKORE THE ' ELECTORS.

Auckund, Last Night. Hon. (Jco. I'owlds, .Minister for Jiducation, addressed a crowded meeting of electors at (trey l.ymi to-night, and was accorded an enthusiastic reception, lie defended the policy of the Ciovern-iiii-iit niiii bis own action as Minister and member for tlrey l.ynji at some length and received an unanimous Tote of th inks and confidence. Itcftyrijig to the Te Oiynga Home, lie said he had never ordered the Hogging'of girls and\ was not aware of it until after it had. taken place.

Till'! PATEA SEAT.

11 a wcr.i. Wednesday, Mr. C. E. Major, the Ooveruuient caniliiliito, spoke ut 11 it with lust night, l'e strongly supported tlic (iovernnient, and declared the iinniteial position of tin'. Dominion was thoroughly sound. lie replied at length to Mr. l'eui'.e, the Opposition candidate, lie defended the dairy regulations. lie nuked the people to support lti'it again because—lie would say this openly —he might hold a portfolio. He wou.d not think of l'arliument if lie was going to remain there in Hie position of a ■private member for many years. He explained that the reason why be liad « been put oil' thu House Committees was I because be hud voted against the late Mr. Scddon when on the Education Committee. Mr. Allen had wanted a substantial amount taken ior superannuation from the Consolidated Fund, but Mr. Seddon had objected to that because it would reduce the surplus. He (Mr. Major) had thought Mr. Allen's proposal sounder in principle, and bad supported it, and by voting that way had caused a lot of trouble. A vote of thanks and confidence wa» leclarcd carried.

CANDIDATES BEFORE ELECTORS. Ashburton, Last Night. Mr. J. D. Gobbe, Labor candidate for the Asliiburton seat, delivered as address this evening. Tiniaru, Last Night. Mr. W. Jeffries, Opposition candidate for Geraldine, who was defeated et last election, addressed the ejectors at Tcmuka to-night . A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. W. Fleming, candidate for Dimedill South, addressed the electors in South Dunedin to-night. At the request of the candidate no vote was taken. C'li riatchurch, Last Night. Mr. B. Hcaton Rhodes, the sitting member and Opposition candidate for Ellesmere, addressed a largely attended meeting in Leeston last night, and wag accorded a favorable hearing. He supported land settlement, post audit, annuities, and the freehold, A hearty vote of thanks was passed. taranakTSEAT. Mr. C. E. Bcllringer addressed a meeting at Moturoa last night, when there was a moderate attendance. Mr. Bit*patrick occupied the chair. Mr. Bellringer made special reference to the reductions made by tiie Government in the Customs tarilf, amounting to more than £300,000 annually, the reductions mainly being on articles of everyday use. The Government had endeavored to provide a free breakfast-table for the people. A vote of thanks wae unanimously passed. MR. MALONE AT MANGOREI.

Mr. W. O. Malone addressed the electors at the Maiigorei Cross Roads on Tuesday evening. Mr. Gledhill presided. There was a good attendance of electors, and the speaker was accorded a friendly and interested hearing. His speech was in the main on the lines of iiat delivered at the Theatre Royal, but the personal explanation as to the position of the candidates standing in the Government interest was made in a brief period. Speaking on the subject of alcoholic liquor sale control, Air. Malone contended that the law now in force should be maintained unless on a referendum the people by a threcfiftlis majority declared for State control or colonial option. The speaker believed that national military service was absolutely necessary. He urged that commissioners should enquire into the Swiss system and report as to its suitability for adoption in the Dominiou. He urged that national military service strengthened the national fibre, tha sense of civic duty, the national health, and industrial organisation, and that commercial efficiency was iucrcased by training in discipline, co-operation, punctuality, and orderliness. A 3 to the Civil Service, hours, pay, and privileges, including superannuation allowances, should for the respective occupation* and ranks be equal in all branches. Appointments and promotions should bo made on service capability. As to his programme for the development of the province, he made it clear that the matters would be taken one by one in order of importance. He believed, however, in laying down a thorough scheme of improvement. In answer to questions, the candidate said he favored the grant of free amrnu. nition to volunteers and rifle club men for frequent field firing exorcise. In his opinion tho large estates that should, pay increased death duties were those of over £50,000. Tho present duties on small estates should, if anything, ba lightened. A vote of thanks to the speaker and one to the chairman closed the meeting.