THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 274, 13 November 1908, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

■' MAORI CANDIDATES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ChristcTiurch, Last Night. The following candidates have been nominated for tne Southern Maori elec-1 toratc:—T. H. \V. Uru, T. Parata and 0. West. LABOR UNION SECRETARY SUSPENDED. Wellington, Last Night. In an interview published in Friday's New Zealand Times, Mr. W. H. Westurooke, secretary to the Wellington Trades and Labor Council, expressed the opinion that the Labor Party was committing political suicide in severing its alliance with the Liberal Party. At tonight's meeting of the Trades and Labor Council, Mr. Westbrooke was censured and suspended till next week, when a special meeting will be held to see what further action shall be taken. MR. BELLRINGER'S LADIES' | MEETING.

Mr. C. E. Bellrfager"s innovation of a meeting for ladies, held in the Foresters' Hall yesterday afternoon, was very successful. Mrs. Dockrill took the chair. In a short but pointed address Mr. Bellringer touched upon the trend o; the Liberal legislation of the present Government as it affected home life. and the attention given (not unmixed with applause) showed that his hearers fully endorsed his deduction. H« dealt m turn with special settlements and homes for workers, reduction of taxation on the necessaries of life, workers' compensation for accident, the proposed Annuities Bill, maternity homes, (Protection of infant life, shops an<l Offices and factory legislation, the fostering of industries and the consequent growth of factories, giving fresh avenues of employment, the Old Age Pensions Act, and the improved educational advantages open to rich and poor alike. He claimed that beyond question the present Government deserved the wholehearted support of the people for the improved conditions and facilities which it had given for the uplifting and advancement of the people. He expressed the opinion that men and women should receive, equal pay for equal work, and was pleased to note that in the adjustment of teachers' salaries there was an improvement in this direction. Touching on the Advances to Settlers Act, the speaker pointed out that in fifteen years this one Act had saved £9,000,000 to the settlers of the Dominion. In conclusion, he called upon those present to act unitedly in supporting a Government which had served them so well. He warned them emphatically against the danger of being led away by the Opposition cry—that it was necessary to put b an Oppositionist to criticise the Government measures, and that the Government measures, though certainly good in themselves, needed a strong opposition to criticise and knock them into shape—but asked them to remember that every Opposition member returned was pledged to compass as far as possible the downfall of the present Liberal Government. Mrs. E. M. Smith, in a neat speech, referred to the many years which she had known Mr. Bellringer, and that Bbe had known him as a hard worker and clean liver and a staunch supporter of toe Liberal Government, and one worthy of the support of the women of this electorate. She moved tliat the meeting accord Mr Bellringer a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. Mrs. Bullot seconded, and the motion was carried with enthusiasm. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the peeting.

Mr. Bellringer makes his second appearance before the New Plymouth electors at the Theatre Royal ta's evenin.

THE STRATFORD ELECTION. Sir,—With your permission, I would like to correct a statement made by Mr. W. A. McCutehan at Mr. Synies* meeting held here on November 9th. Mr. Hine, at his Kohuratahi meeting, was asked to explain his action in connection with the settlement of accounts between the Stratford and Whangamomona County Councils. Mr. Hinc replied that he could explain his attitude best by reading an extract from the Stratford Post. In a report of a meeting of the Stratford County Council. Cr. Hine is reported to have moved: 'That the separate rate and land fund in the road accounts balance, riding account, on March 31st, 1908, £1972 Is (less Ohura road credit, £405 8s 3d and amounts of £159 15s 5d transferred from the Ohura road to by-roads, by resolution of the Council, to tire credit of Ohura riding) be handed over to the Whangamomona County, less! any uncollected rates and other" liabilities that may be properly charged 'against these accounts.—Seconded by Cr. Hathaway." Mr. Hine asked what could be fairer than that. I had an idea that this matter would be brought up at Mr. Symes.' meeting, and so on the 7th, two days prior to Mr. Symes' meeting, I wired to Mr. Hine asking aim to send the Stratford Post referred to, and, if possible, an extract from the minute book of the Stratford County Council, signed by the county clerk. My wire must have missed Mr. Hine, because this information has nui arrived yet. However, I have known Mr. Hine for a long time, and I have so much faith in his integrity, that if Mr. McCutehan can prove his statement "that no such motion was ever moved at the Stratford County Council table," I will promise to pay £lO into the Stratford Hospital funds. 1 have so much contempt for a man who evades the truth on the public platform, that if this lie is proved I will swallow my political opinions, wear the coat of many colors that seems to be fashionable now, and do what I never did before —vote ■ for Mr. Symes and the party at present in power.—l am, etc., C. E. BACON. Whangamomona.

ME. SI'MES AND THOSE LETTERS. "Elector," Kohuratahi, writes:—l am glad to sec that my letter to you has touched Mr. Symes on the quick .-ad that at Eohuratahi he attempted to reply to the charges brought against him. Mr. Symes, who, as usual, commenced his address by a little personal abuse, took up about twenty ruinutis telling the audience how hard he had worked to recover the money for the leaseholders and in abusing Mr. Lysaght and his father before him, but did not touch on the two main issues. First, it it right for an M.l\ to charge commission on work done in Parliament? Second, whether it was right for him to threaten to block one man's petition for compensation if the commission on another's was not paid? Mr. Symes, in the face of Mr. Hine's contention to the contrary, again said that he did not charge a constituent commission. Mr. Symes' position in the matter is novel and interesting. He himself was one of the leaseholders, and in workiDg for others was also working for himself, and the question naturally arises, did Mr. Walter Symes, M.P., charge Walter i Byrnes, leaseholder, commission f.rr rlie money recovered by him'! And whether Mr Walter Symes.M.l*., would be justified in blocking the way and threatening to brain 'Walter Symes, leaseholder, with the key of the position, and whether the key was of sufficient dimensions to justify Walter Symes, leaseholder, in not forcing the position atid to acquit him of the charge of cowardice?—l am, etc. ELECTOR. Kohuratahi, 11/11/08.

At his Bird road meeting today, Mr Symes, Government candidate for Stratford, will reply to Mr. Minos' statements hi connection with his (Mr. Byrnes') alleged demanding of commission from certain _of his constituents for work done on their behalf in Parlia meat.