POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 99, 17 October 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

DUN ED IN SOUTH SEAT: By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Air. .1. E. MacManus, Labor candidate for Dunedin South, addressed a very large meeting at St. Kilda to-night. He advocated that no further Crown lands be disposed of, and stated that the Labor Party favored the ibursting up of large estates and of progressive land value tax. It also supported the Town Planning Bill and the establishment of a State bank with a State note issue, of a State ferry and collier services, and of competitive State factories. He received an attentive hearing and at the conclusion of 'his address received a vote of thanks for his address, and stated that he did not desire a vote of confidence. WELLINGTON CENTRAL SEAT. Wellington, Last Night. IMr. Robert Fletcher, Liberal candidate for Wellington Central, addressed about 800 electors to-night. He said he allied himself with the Liberal Party, 'but didnot pledge himself to any particular man. He believed the land question was the most important question .before the country. He advocated a higher progressive land tax and taxation of all land values, which would promote settlement and bring down the present high rents. He supported the new defence system, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. THE PARNiELL SEAT. Auckland, Last Night. Interest in the contest for the Parnell seat has lately been increased (by the overtures made to Mr. Massey to stand against Sir John Findlay. The condition of Mr. Moss's health has 'been such as to cause his friends and supporters to fear that it was asking too much of him to go to the poll. Before, however, Mr. Massey would consent to become a candidate for the seat, he insisted upon consulting the electors of Franklin. The latter, together with Mr. Massev's election committee, met their member and official organiser of the Opposition (Mr. Martin) at Papakura this afternoon. After discussion a resolution was carried to the effect that the meeting considered better service would be done to the Opposition cause by Franklin keeping iv> member, leaving him free to render assistance in other electorates during the committee's campaign. Mr. Massey, it is accordingly understood, will not stand for Parnell. This decision he conveyed to a large meeting of Parnell electors this evening. The position now is, therefore, that Mr. Moss remains the Opposition candidiite, and that, should he be forced ; by ill-health to retire -from the. contest, another candidate, to be selected by a committee set up at this evening's meeting, will take his place. PATEA SEAT. i Mr. O'Dea mot with a splendid reception at Maxwelltown on Saturday night, the hall being packed. It was the largest : political meeting held there for many i years. Mr. W. Morrison presided. At ;! the conclusion the candidate received >' a vote of 'thanks and confidence, there ■ being only one dissentient voice. As ! Mr. O'Dea left for Wanganui he . -was accorded a hearty send-off, with -1 three ringing cheers. A strong commit- -) tee has been formed at Maxwelltown, . | with Mr. W. Morrison as chairman and i Mr. W. Hills as secretary.