POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 95, 12 October 1911, Page 2

POLITICAL.

I THE STRATFORD SEAT. MR. McCLUGGAGE AT STRATFORD. In concluding his speech at Stratford on Tuesday evening, Mr. McCluggage said he ho(>ed that there would ,be no personalities introduced in the campaign. There was plenty of material, he said, in the broad .field of politics without that. He was, he said, a New Zealander born, and if returned would do his best for New Zealand, not forgetting Taranaki. Mr. J. Smith reminded the candidate that Mr. Hogg on leaving the Ministry had said the Government had no land policy. Could Mr. McCluggage tell them anything about the Government's land legislation? 'Mr. McCluggage: My reply to that is that I spent about twenty minutes of my speech in outlining the land policy of the present administration. I can't help if if you haven't sufficient "intake" to understand it.

Mr. James Thomson rose and, amidst much laughter, promptings, cries of "Give him a hea.ring," "Good old Jimmy," and "Sit down," sought to ask a question. "I would.like to ask our representative," he said, amidst long Liberal cheers, "if he is in favor of—

A lady in a front 'seat: Taxing bachelors! (Loud uproar.)

Mr. Thomson was unable to obtain a hearing. ' Mr. N. J. King moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. McCluggage for his able address and of confidence in him as a fit and proper person to represent this community, and also renewed confidence in the present administration. : Mr. H. 'Wilson seconded, and the motion was carried amidst acclamation.

After the meeting Mr. Thomson asked Mr. McCluggage if he would, when returned, do his .best to have the Model By-laws Bill placed on the statute book, and lie received an emphatic affirmative reply.

THE PATEA SEAT. At Ohangai, on Friday night, Mr. O'Dca liad a splendid meeting. Mr. F. W. Howard presided, and, in introducing the candidate, said he had known him for ; eighteen years, and had always found him a straight goer, and he was sure the electors would find him the same. At the conclusion, the candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Mr. A. J. Mandcr, seconded by Mr. J. E. o*Shea. A strong committee has been formed, with Mr. Howard as chairman, and Mr. Lewis secretary. At Tokoaro on Monday night Mr. O'Dea again addressed an enthusiastic gathering, Mr. F. Mills presiding. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was also passed here on the motion of Mr. J. E. Bretherton, seconded by Mr. A. Frevne. A committee, with Mr. IF. Johnston (who had previously announced himself as a. candidate in the Liberal interests) as chairman, and Mr. B. Kerrisk as secretary, was formed. Mr. O'Dea lias also addressed the Hawera branch of the A.S.R.S., Mr. T. Tra.sk presiding. He spoke wholly on railway and labor matters. At the conclusion, he wis accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. W. Vowless, seconded bv Mr. F. O'Connor. He speaks at Aramoho (which is now mostly in the I'atca electorate) next week, and also addresses the railway men specially at that place.