POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 87, 3 October 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

OPPOSITION* RALLY AT PALMERSTOX NORTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. The Opera House was crowded this evening for the Political Reform Party's celebration of the third anniversary of the local Re-form League. Mr. Massey said lie did not propose making a political speech, as lie was returning before the election to do that. At the instance of Mr. Newman, ho answered several questions regarding 'the Opposition's intentions if returned to power, questions which Mr. Newman said were being continually asked hiiu jby electors. In reply, Mr. Massey said he was the first ito propose advances to workers anil advances to settlers. Tie had .suggested over and over again lending the fourteen millions in the Post Office Savings Bank to settlers. He supported the first Old Age Pensions Bill, but opposed the second because the late Mr. Seddon said he would have ta v curtail the road votes and reduce salaries. No one in his party ever objected to the measures. They all favored reasonable limitation of area. His party would reduce taxation, reduce the cost of living, but they would not reduce wages. A series of short speeches from ail other members were in the same tone. All eulogised Mr. Buick, who was characterised as one of the ablest fttid best respected men in the House. Mr. Massey that on his return to Palmerston he would deal with the Mokau business. Mr. Seott referred to the three southerners, Messrs. McJfab, Mackenzie and Sir ,T. (!. Findlay, contesting northern seats, and hoped' they would be -sent bock to the south. He admitted the first two were good men, but were on the wrong side of the House. I The meeting closed with cheers for [Mr. Massey and Mr. Buick.

THE TAURANGA SEAT. Rotorua, Last Night. Mr. Robert King, of Te Puke, has announced himself as a candidate for Tauranga in the Government interests. THE PATEA SEAT. The New Zealand Times, commenting on the Liberal prospects for the Patea seat, says:—Mr. O'Dea is making good! progress in the Patea ele:torate, and the impression is gathering force that before his opponent appears in the field the contest will be as good as over, and a very big Liberal victory scored. Mr. O'Dea scored well in his opening addreßS at Havera a few evenings ago, and better still at Patea. At both places large committees have organised themselves and are working energetically on his behalf. He has shown himself to be a speaker of very considerable aibility and vigor, thoroughly downright. He has made a very good impression indeed. Mr. O'Dea addressed a very large meeting of the men engaged on the railway deviation works at Mokoia and the bridge works at Manawapou last week. This was in addition to the regular advertised meeting. Mr. J. Potts presided. Mi'. O'Dea spoke mainly on railway and I labor matters. At the conclusion he was i accorded a unanimous vote of thanks I and confidence.