POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 117, 7 November 1911, Page 2

POLITICAL.

THE EGMONT SEAT. j By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. , Opiinake, Last Night, j TIIO Hon. T. Mackenzie met the eleo-I tors at Rahui road school this afternoon. There were some 2-j persons present, and the candidate was most attentively listened to. Mr. W. Wi'lloughby was voted to the chair, and Mr. Mackenzie, in the course of his remarks, dealt very fully with the. land question, lie emphasised the fact that he was an ardent freeholder, and none had worked harder than he had in respect to that aspect of the question Mr. Mackenzie also referred at length to the West Coast native leases, niii touched upon dairying matters, in addition to replying to some "of tlie criticism that had been levelled against the administration. A number of questions, dealing chielly with respect to the success that had attended the establishment of dairy herds of deep milking strain at the State Experimental j Farm, wen; a-ked and answered. The j meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr. Mackenzie, moved by Mr. I J. Uothery, and seconded by Mr. D. Penwarden, «.nd a similar compliment to the i chair, • ' 1

The most interesting portion of 11011. T. Mackenzie's Eltham speech was in reference to the High Coinmissionership (says the Wellington Post) an Opposition journal). He declared indefinitely that Cabinet hud not considered the question of appointing him. and it >vas his belief that he could be better employed for some years in helping to build up the agricultural 'industry, lie was reorganising the Department, and he had excisions in mind. We share Mr. Mackenzie's belief in this matter. He has been at paints to get an intelligent. useful knowledge of the varied activities associated with his portfolio, and his aim is to be .something much better than a Minister to perfunctorily sign bundles of papers. He is working on plans to improve the productive power of some larfte trad* of poor country; lie is well aware of the importance of bettering the educational machinery to equip young men for life 011 the land; he is watching a wide horizon for new openings for this country's produce. In brief, his policy, which can lie supported by evidence, is to increase the quantity and quality of this country's primary produce. Such a worker is well worth a place in any New Zealand Ministry,

THE PATEA SEAT. Mr. O'Dca had a crowded meeting at Kakaramea on Saturday night, Mr. E. Gilshnan presiding. There was at the commencement some attempt at obstruction from a few at the baclc of the hall, but the speaker's address was too solid for them, and the obstruction soon ceased. The candidate was accorded a very lieartv vote of thanks, 011 the motion of Mr Curteis, seconded by Mr. Ilcrlwrt. Mr. Curteis, in speaking to the motion, said that 110 one who knew Mr. O'Dea would deny that he was a man with progressive ideals, and it was such a.man they wanted to represent them in Parliament. A large committee of ladies and gentlemeri was formed aifter the meeting, Mr. lvcrrisk being appointed chairlnan, and Mr. secretary .—Contributed-. " -■