POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 93, 10 October 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

Til 10 PARNELL SEAT. SIR JOHN FINDLAY'S CANDIDATURE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Sir John Findlay, Government candidate for IVrnell, opened his campaign here to-night. There was a large attendance -and a large number were unable to obtain admission. The Mayor ol Parncll (Mr. It. .S. Briggs) presided. Sir John 'Findlay was greeted with, prolonged applause, mingled with hoots. Touching references that had been made to the fact of bis being an outsider, he said he was a native of New Zealand and the fellow citizen of all Xew Zealanders, ami he hoped to 'bo treated in the same -spirit and not as an intruding alien. He had worked in the Legislative Council for the last five years and in the Ministry, and he did not think that his labor had been devoid of good results, but he felt that in a democracy a public man's authority and influence if to be effective should be based directly on the will of the people. (Applause.) He stood for what he believed to be the cardinal principles of progressive Liberalism. He advocated setting up a board of six members representing employers and employed in productive and non-productive industry .to take the place of the Arbitration Court, and to inquire into the relationship between work and wages and the cost of living. Dealing with land settlement, he stated that it was proposed to settle large areas with people who 'by working part of the time on roads and railways could help to make 'both ends meet, such lands being available either to individuals or to associated settlers. Thus families could obtain collectively the advantages now obtainable by them as individuals, lie also advocated the hastier settlement of the native land question, and spoke of the improving prospects of the Xortli Island. It had been alleged that the South Island had been favored more than the North, hut the Government was going to let the past be, and make a fresh start.

He replied to a large number of questions, and the following resolution was then put: "That this meeting is of opinion, after hearing the able speech of the candidate, that he is a fit and suitable person to represent the electorate ol Parnell in Parliament, and that this meeting accords him a hearty vote ot thanks and confidence." An amendment was offered (the terms of which were not indicated), but was declined, and the motion was declared carried on a show of hands.

MR. MASSEY AT LEVIN. Levin, Last Xight. Mr. Massey addressed the electors of Levin tonhdit. and met wifih an enthusiastic reception, lie .attacked the Government., and contended that its policy was to avoid carrying out necessary reforms that were contentious Land reform, native lands, Legislative Council reform, public service reform, reduction of taxation. These wore important reforms, but no indications were given in this session's Budget that they were to be dealt with. The Budget was remarkable for what .it did not contain and not for what it did. The system of public works- in New Zealand was archaic and a failure, and resulted in railway construction being too expensive, and the cost of rimming the railways was greater than it ought to be. If works of this description were done by machinery, such as iron navvies, the men's work would be made easier and wages improved. He complained of delay in introducing to New Zealand the Canadian system of audit. It might mean voluminous returns, but seeing it was practicable in Canada, with its population of seven millions, surely it was practicable in New Zealand, where the population was only one million. In a short reference to the Dreadnought gift, he said Sir Joseph had misled the editor of every New Zealand newspaper, and in this way stifled criticism when the gift was- offered. In the light of later events Mr. Massey was doubtful if reasons of State or even of patriotism were a reason for the offer being made. A motion was carried that Mr. Massey be thanked for his address, and that the time lias arrived for the present Government to be turned out of office.

An amendment conveying a vote of thanks only was lost by a majority of about two to one. Only a small portion of the audience voted on either proposition.

WELLINGTON EAST. ADDRESS BY DR. NEWMAN. Wellington, Last Night. Dr. A. K. Newman, Opposition candidate for Wellington East, addressed a well attended meeting to-night. He advocated turning the Government out, as its administration was extravagant, and it wasted public monies. Back country lands should be developed and as much money should be kept in the country as possible. All remaining lands should 'lie leasehold. He said the graduated tax had been of great benefit to the country.

WELLINGTON NORTH. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. E. ,T. Carey, Labor candidate for Wellington North, addressed a meeting of electors to-night. He advocated the establishment of a State ferry service and State colleries, further sale'of Crown lands, a State bank with sole right of note issue, the abolition of the Legislative Council, the establishment of the "right to work" principle by legal enactment, graduated income tax with supertax on unearned incomes, and maintenance of free, secular and compulsory education. He said the arbitration system had not failed, but the President'of the Court, being shackled by law and preeedenl, had failed to realise the signs of the times. Consequently the workers had been driven from court. Tt was very necessary that there should be an alteration in the presidency, not because this would cure altogether what was complained of, but upon the principle of "anything for a change." Unless something was done the arbitration system would "go bung."

THE IMOCARTON SEAT. fhristchurch. Monday. ~Slr. U C. Sullivan, president of the Canterbury Trades and Labor Council, will prnWrfy be the Labor candidate for Bifcarton. MR. ALLEN AT SHANNON 1 . Wellington, Monday. At Shnnnon on Saturday Mr. James Allen a meeting in advocacy of tbe Opposition iplatfonn. The .ct-oii-cral tenor of tbe address was that'"the most notable legislation passed' during the Ward administration had been passed with the aid of the Opposition Partv, ami was therefore to the credit of Parliament, and not solely to the Want Government. .He refuted the statement made in the House reeeretly that (Mr, 1 Massey), if ."Premier!, would s<4l all Grown lands at the original value, his policy in this direction re-

ferring only to the lease-in-perpetuity lands. Mr. Allen was accorded -a hearty vote of thanks.

THE TARAX-AKI SEAT. In response to pressing demands from Government supporters in every part of the electorate, Mr. C. E. Bellringer lias decided; to contest the Taranaki seat with the sitting member. Mr. Bellringer will not commence the campaign uwtil Mr. Okey return's- from Wellington at the close of the session.