THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 283, 24 November 1908, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE PREMIER OX THE STUMP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. j The Premier addressed a meeting at inoon to-day for the purpose, lie explained, of placing on record a few remarks | | in reply to misrepresentations made l>y| I the Opposition, as he was unable to get round the country to reply to the leader of the Opposition. His object in speaking was licit at the request of any of the candidates, as lie bad first intended not to speak between the election and the second ballot. He said that the amount of misrepresentation made "was I extraordinary. It was absurd for the Opposition to say that the policy of the Government was not delined. He con- . tended they bad a very delined policy. The people' were being hoodwinked -c----garding the Government 'policy, and it was oil' most vital importance to sec 5 that the policy was not in the hands of - the Opposition but in the household of t its friends. One hundred and thirty e lour per cent more people in New Zea-

hind voted lor the (Government than for 'the Opposition. It did not mutter if I the second ballot were for or against the (jovennnent. The present administration would still be in power. If he found tile people were not with him lie could not attempt to hang to the treasury benches for 24 hours, lie referred lo the Liberal policy of placing men upon the land. " He intended to still continue to assist settlement and in addition assist them with cheap money at a rate of not over P/» per cent. The National annuity scheme enabled lue.i of small means not to be thrown upon

eliarity. He denied that the Govern- | uieut had withheld information regarding finance. Financial arrangements had been made sufficient for twelve months ahead. Did the working men and business men realise what this would mean if not true'/ Many unemployed would have ueen found to-day. and the persons they would have had to blame would uc. the' Opposition. He condemned the system of Public Service Hoard, and pointed out its failure in Victoria. He denied that political inlluence was used in appointments, also that sons and daughters of poor men could not gain employment in the Government. Different departments eouid not get enough young men and had to advertise. He referred to the railway system, and quoted figures to show the amounts paid to railway employees. He denied that the railway was run at an annual loss of £,400,000. If the statement was true, it would mean that they would j have to get rid of tiOUO men. There was no loss of the kind, and he would not discuss those men for the sake of his , opponents. He referred to the reduction [ in railway charges and the extra facili-

tics offered to tile public. Vet in the face of all this they would find the Government action questioned for the sake of their opponents getting into power. The loans of IS millions were producing more money limn the amount of interest the. country was paying and taxpayers were not contributing one penny towards it. The Opposition talked of reducing taxation, yet every Parliament they asked for more money and voted for'more expenditure for roads, etc. It was absurd to say the second ballot was against the workers' interests, as the voters were now represented by a majority. They were also told that the Government should see that the revenue balanced the expenditure. This had always been done. Ju conclusion he advised the people not to be carried away by theory. Cheers and a hearty vote' or" thanks were awarded to the Premier. MR. McNAB'S POSITION.

Feilding, Monday. The Feilding Star (an Opposition journal) to-day suggests the elevation of 'the Hon. K. McXab to the Upper House, urging that there is too much work there for one Minister, and this course would furnish a way out lor the Government in appointing new Ministers.

FIGURES FOR GISBOKNE. Gisborue, Monday. The ollicial count gives the lion. J. Carroll 10 votes short of an absolute majority, the figures being: Carroll 3485. Barton 2002, Clayton UO4; total valid votes 7001.

MR. G. V. i'EARCE, M.P. FOR PATEA. Mr. George Vater Pearce (Patea), a farmer, and son of a, farmer, is a man of early middle age, who has "done well for his country." The Pcarces settled down at liakaramea, four or live miles from the town of Patea, many veins ago, and for a lengthy period the father 'of the subject of this sketch held a well-earned reputation as a breeder of prize stock and a husbandman. The Pearce boys grew ap in Kakaramca. one or two of them played football well for Tarnnaki, and all' were highly spoken of. The new member for Patea, at a coiiiparalively carlv age. identilied himself with local poliiics,"aml as a member of the Patea Countv Council ami in other public capacities acquitted himself with some credit. There were some who credited him with a desire to "lly for higher game.'' and although his name may have been mentioned when the country was on other occasions being disturbed by the approach of a general election, it was not until the approach of that of last Tucsdav that his chances of success if he entered the battle arena were seriously discussed. Even then it was thought that the Hawera end of the electorate might end in his discomfiture, albeit his friends—and he has manywere hopeful. Mr. Pearce is of medium stature, dark, determined—his enemies call him obstinate. He is not a platform speaker, but as a debater, with a commousense view of things, he should, with Parliamentary experience, prove a useful member.

JOTTINGS. In an account of the Mataura election., the (lore correspondent of the Southland Times writes: -The Mataura fi«urcs made the new candidate's success certain, and the candidates made their speeches without waiting to hear the linal result. Mr. Audci'sooli's speech was a modest disclaimer of any special qualities of his own to merit such great honor. He gave all credit to his friends who hart worked so hard for him, and he said that his antagonist had played the whole game through by the rules. The two men shook hands heartily, and then Mr McXah spoke, and said all tho.c things which are hardest to say in such circumstances, hut which are things which a gentleman ought to say. He called for "more cheers for the man who had beaten him. and when one of Mr. Anderson's committee called for cheers for Mr. McXab, the whole crowd, made up as it was of partisans of hoth sides, ■riive the cheers right heartily. 'J he speeches of both men made a fitting linale to a thoroughly clean election light, between two men holding dillerent opinions but of a perfectly satisfactory 'character." The free Lance. says:-lhe greatest loss that the Liberal Party have sustained is the defeat of the Minister for Lands at Mataura by a local newspaper editor. Mr. Itohert MeXal. was certainly one of the strongest and brightest leaders on the Government side—an able dehater. a cultured statesman, and a man of the highest integrity. However, he is in the very prime of his powers, and his re-entrance into the political arena is an event to he counted on.