THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 288, 30 November 1908, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

EGAIONT OFFICIAL COUNT. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Eltham, Saturday. The final count for ICgmont gives the following result:—Dive 2408, Wake 2151), informal 30; majority for Dive 240, THE TAUMARUiNUI SEAT. At the declaration of the poll on Saturday afternoon from the Waitara Post Office, there was a number of representative people present. Mr. Jennings thanked the electors for returning him on the third occasion. His majority at the election of 1)102 was 15; in 1005 it reached 05(1; this year it further increased to 1850; and lie could only gauge by the .increased votes given .him thai his services were appreciated by the electors. lie noticed that after the elections were over, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Alas.scy said they were satisfied with the result; his opponent (Mr. Bo water) said he was satisfied. Well, as he (Mr. Jennings) was also in that eontented disposition, the best thing for all to do was to sii down now and work in the best interest of the people of the Dominion. He was glad he had been o.( service to Waitara and North Taranaki, which had until a few years ago been Healed as the Cinderella of the pro- ' vinec. by some people a lew miles away. ! lie was liic ii,liy (iovcrnmcul supporter ' ri'iuriu'cl for the Taranaki electorates; j but he ventured to say that North Taranaki would not suffer from that fact, lie was certain the prospects were brighter now than ever, and everything he could do to extend the interests of the people residing in it would lie done. Air. •Iciiiiings then moved a vote of thanks to Air. T. Buchanan for the able manner in which lie had carried out his duties as chief returning officer over the most trying electorate in the Dominion.

Air. James Davidson writes as follows to. the ilawera Star:—Now that the elections are over and time is given to think, I remember when the so-called Liberals carried all the provincial district ol Taranaki before them that there was great rejoicing in their camp, and they gave a great feast in New I'lyinouth and invited their then chief to partake of the same and rejoice with them. 1 think it.is only, right that a committee .should be set up to arrange for a, gathering of the Opposition party in Ilawera to congratulate Air. AJasscy on our Taranaki victory. Perhaps it would be well if every branch of the N.F.F.C. within the provincial district appointed one member of its branch to be a member of the above committee with the members of the Executive exollicio.

Mr. David .McLaren, the new member for Wellington East, has for some time past been one of the most prominent leaders of Labour in the capital city, lie is secretary of the Wellington waterside workers, and has shown pronounced socialistic tendencies. He is also a member of the Wellington City Council. He has exhibited a great deal of antagonism towards the Minister for Labour (the Hon. J. A. Millar), whom he has frequently, referred to as the " Minister for Capital." A few wccks before the elections Sir. McLaren received a request from Dunedin to contest the Dunedin West seat agahst Mr. Millar, but he preferred to remain in Wellington, where he has met with a success that was not generally anticipated. Mr. R. A. Wright, the new Opposition member for Wellington South, is a strong no-license man, and from a nochance positio.i has fought his wav to the top of the poll. He is a member of the lirm of Wright and Carman, printers, and recently lectured throughout the Dominion in .support of the Bible in schools movement. Although Mr. Wright lias stated that lie is not the nominee of any party, he has announced that he is opposed'to the present Government ''on account of their bad administration and general extravagance."

Mr. D. iluick (Palmerston North) is a farmer and a native of Karori. He was brought up on the farm of his father at the llutt. Whilst residing at the Hutt Mr. Buick was elected one of the lirst members of the local lioid Board, and held for some, time the position of lieutenant in the Petone Navals. In 1885 Mr. Iluick removed to Palmerston North, where he settled oil a farm of .wi) acres on Boundary road. Mr. Iluick took a keen interest in local bodies some years ago. being chairman at one time" of the Mauawutu Road Hoard and of the Drainage Board, lie was largely responsible for the drainage of the Kairanga district. Mr. Buick stood for the House at two previous elections, but was ■unsuccessful.

Mr. Edward Xcwiuan (.Maunwatu).--Mr. Edward Newman, is an old filler of the Tiiriikiiiii Valley. His connection Willi public ali'airs hits been his service on tin- liangitikei County Council iiml tin.' prominent part lie has pin veil rn the Fanners' Itiion, being a delegate to the Wellington Provincial Coiifcreiiee ami a speeial 'Parliamentary representative of ihe I'uion, in which position he ilisplaveil considerable taet anil zeal.

We attribute the Covernineut's partial set-buck to a want of organisation ill the Liberal ranks, which has been painfully apparent since .Mr. Scddon's death. A want of energy and decision, coupled with a tendency to hesitation and compromise, seems to have all'eeted the leading politicians of the party and partially paralysed the efforts of many formerly .active agitators. There lias been more intrigue and less organisation than there Used to be under .Mr. .Seddon's rule. Victories gained in this way are half defeats, and we predict that if different methods are not soon adopted disruption will come upon the Liberal party iuul lead to a Conservative and reactionary regime' before many yiears pass away.—Tuapeka Times. Member* of the old Parliament will doubtless express regret at the defeat of i Mr. John Stevens, who put up a g oo '' light against the Opposition candidate, .Mr. Newman, in the Ma-.iawatu contest. The late member was advanced in years, infirmity and blindness had overtaken him, lTut he displayed surprising vitality when speaking o".i the floor of the House. For the past few .sessions it li.ts been a pitiable sight to witness his entrance into the chamber, assisted by his .secretary and sympathising members. Retaining an excellent memory, Mr. John Stevens made several telling speeches. A native interpreter of :t:f veals' standing, he is, an intelligent student of native bind legislation-a' warm supporter of fairness and justice to the Maori race. Mr. Stevens' life is full of interesting incidents.