POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 105, 24 October 1911, Page 4

POLITICAL.

THE STRATFORD SEAT. Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., announces thafc be will be a candidate for the Stratford scat again this election. Me opens his campaign at Stratford on the 31st inst. Mr. J. McCluggage addressed the electors at Strathmore on Friday night lust, the hall being well filled Vlr George Calvert was in the chair, and' in introducing Mr. McCluggage, said he was well known to all of them as a farmer and business man. The candidate was well received, and spoke on similar lines as at Stratford. His knowledge of the Government land policy surprised many. He also dealt with the Dominion debt, and said the Opposition put the position very unfairly, and said, •Why don't they tell the people there are nine millions of the Dominion debt lent to farmers and small settlers at tlie low rate of interest of 4 1 /, percent" He also stated that if it had not bee,, for the Advances to Settlers office, two years ago, when there was a very .uvafc tightness of money and the banks "were cutting up their overdrafts, many 'small tanners would have had to sacrifice their stocks and probably their land to pay ofl the bank. Mr. McCluggage also stated he would always support a progressive policy for the fading of the country. At the conclusion of the address, Mi. Coyne moved, and Mr Diggms seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence' to Mr. McCluggage, and confidence in the present Government. Tim vote wag carried unanimously. A vobw of thanks to, the chair terminated the argest political meeting ever held at Strathmore.

PATEA SEAT. Mr. O'Dea had a well-attended meeting at Meremere on Friday night, Mr. J. Curie presiding. The candidate spok« at considerable length on Customs taxation, contending that the people did not benefit by the remissions in Custom* duties, and that drastic steps should be taken to deal with* monopolies. He received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation. Mr. O'Den had a splendid meeting at .Manutahi on Saturday night, the hall being crowded. Mr. M. O'Sullivan presided and m introducing the candidate referred to the fact that he was an old Manutaln schoolboy, and that Mannlahi should be proud of him. The candidate spoke at length on old age pensions, saving that lie was in favor of increasing the amounts paid, and strongly commended the granting of pensions 'to widows. -The greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout the meeting. At the conclusion several questions hearing on monopolies and the defence system were asked and satisfactorily answered A vote of thanks and confidence proposed i>7 Mr. A. Cameron and seconded • by Mr. Lurne was carried by a large majority. At the conclusion three "cheers were given by the audience for "the. young colonial," and three for the chairman. A strong committee was formed afterwards, with Mr. (/Sullivan, chairmim and Mr. Cameron secretary The settlers of the Aim Aim block, thirty miles behind Kai Iwi, have asked Air. O Dea to address them, and he ban consented to do so. This will mean a strenuous journey, the road being only .1 bridle track for-a great part of the way.