POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 75, 19 September 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES. WELLINGTON CANDIDATES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. Mr. A. L. Herdman. M.P. for Wellington North, addressed a meeting at Wadestown this evening. He criticised the Government's administration much on flie lines of his speeches in Parliament. He said the Government had survived its usefulness. There should be n Public Service Board to control the Civil Service, which had worked well in Australia, lie criticised the railway administration, and argued that each mile added last year had cost £24,842, or £4730 more per mile than was the case in the previous financial year. The retrenchment of two years ago showed the Government's incompetence, for if the civil service had been eflicieutly administered no men need have been driven out into the streeti. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, a candidate for Wellington suburbs and countrv, addressed a meeting of electors to-night. He generally supported the Government's policy. He said the Government should run steamers to carry coal from the State coal mines. He* advocated medical inspection of school children. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed.

-Mr. F. Jr. B. Fisher, JLP. for Wellington Central, addressed a meeting of liis constituents to-night. He outlined his political views much' oil the lines of his speech in the Budget ilohatG in Parliament. Jlc declared himself in favor of compulsory military service. He said the proposed increase in the Graduated Land Tax- should start at a lower limit than £IOO,OOO. ,He received a vote of ' thanks and confidence. THE HON, .1. A. MfLLAPi'S IVTKXTTOXS. Christchurch, List Xight. The subject of his rumored retirement was mentioned to the Hon. J. A. Millar when he arrived in Christchurch last evening from Dunedin. Mr. Millar then said that political capital was being made out of the report that he intends to retire from active politics. He repeated that lie was determined to contest the Uunediii West seat against allcomers at the approaching election. As far as his subsequent intentions were concerned, he would be a candidate for the seat at the following election, if he thought that necessarv in the interests of the country, and'if the electors desired him to oiler himself he was prepared to offer his services to the constituency as long as he thought the interests of the country would be served by Ins remaining in polities. That state merit referred to the coming and sue-" cecding elections. ° WEST COAST SEATS. According to the Grcymouth correapondent of the Christchurch Press the U est land election light began in real earnest on Wednesday night, when a monster Scddou rally was held at Hokitika. The proceedings were of a most enthusiastic nature. Mr. Michel who is again opposing Mr. Seddon, is on the warpath," and his party intend sparing no eirorts to secure his return The S.eddonites are equally determined, and a very strenuous contest is expectF" l ' Buller, Mr. James Colvin will most likely have a walk-over. The bone of contention there is the licensing question. ° THE RAGLAN SEAT. Mr. ,T. C. Dromgool, master of Pukekohe High School, is resigning to contest the Raglan as a Government suppose*. ~ 1