POLITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 15 November 1911, Page 3

POLITICAL

MR. HOGG AT MASTERTOX. By Telegraph—Press Association. Masterton. November 13. Air. A. \V. Hogg, M.P., who has not yet quite recovered from a serious illness, opened his campaigu to-night, when he addressed a crowded audience in the Town Hall and met with a good reception. He announced himself as an Independent candidate, and stated that he had lost conlidcnce in the Government. He regarded the. Opposition, however, as retrogressive. He strongly opposed compulsory training, and advocated the remission of duties on necessaries of life. The candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

Mil. MASSEY AT EKETAHUXA. Eketahuna, November 13. Mr. Massey addressed a meeting of about GOO people in Eketahuna to-night and had a very enthusiastic reception. He claimed his to be the only party that had a platform before the country at the present time. The Government had no platform and no more backbone than an oyster, or a phonograph that would play any political tune. Referring to the five million loan. Mr. Massey said that the details were not yet available, but some of the items of the cost were known. There was £50,000 to the underwriters (30s per cent, discount), or on the whole loan. .•€75,000. These two items made £125,000, and with other items and concessions brought the cost of the loan in Mr. Massey's opinion to £300,000. Referring to the Mokau case. Mr. Massey said that the Government should have purchased the block. There was a provision that the leasehold interest could be taken at valuation. It was one of the worst transactions that ever took place in the historv of the country. Dealing with the system of voting public money, Mr. Massey said one man in his (Mr. Massey's) electorate went over his head and over the head of the Minister for Public Works to the Prime Minister, and the money wa.s placed on the Estimates. No money should be placed on the Estimates except on the application or approval of the local bodies. It was resolved, "That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr. Massey for his able and lucid address mid that this meeting is of opinion that in the interests of the Dominion the time has now arrived for a change of Government." There was only one dissentient voice and the meeting concluded with vigorous cheers for Mr. Massey and singing "For he's a jolly good fellow."

THE ASHBURTCW SEAT. Ashburton, November 13. Mr. W. Nosworthy, M.P., the. Opposition candidate for the Ashburton scat, opened his campaign to-night, when the Theatre Royal was comfortably filled'. After setting forth the necessity for an Opposition and for party Government and giving instances of the usefulness of Mr. Massey'g followers to the' country in the past, he reviewed the Opposition platform, taking each plank in extenso, and criticising at the same time the Government's policy, or, as he preferred to call it, the Government's lack of policy. He was always moderate in his condemnations and at the close was warmly applauded and accorded the usual vote of thanks.

THE MANAWATU PEAT. Palmerston X.,- Xovernber 13. Mr. Buick, M.P., addressed a crowded meeting at the Opera House to-night, the Mayor presiding. In opening . his electoral campaign and replying to Mr. McXab, ho remarked that-if he (Mr. Buiek) did not do more in Parliament in the next ten years than Mr. McXab had done in, his thirteen and. a-halfiie would be prepared to retire. Referring to the statement that Mr. Massey had not-been approached to join the Ministry,. M r -.. Buiek said that lie believed Mr; Mnssey'.s statement when he said he was.. He (Mr. Bniek) said that he hadn't been two months in Parliament 'when' lie was asked if he would join the Ministry in coalition to keep down the' working man. (Laughter). He was approached by a supporter of the Government to ask if he would coalesce with the Government party to fight the* Labor interests. (Voice: They were pulling your leg!). He replied that he would rather ten' times have a Labor Administration than the present Administralion. for he knew what Labor would do,, and he didn't know what the present Government would do. He criticised the Government over the Macdonald case at Rarotonga and the employment of the Chief Justice, condemning the priuciple of judges receiving more tlian their salaries. ■ 'Tor God's sake," he pleaded, "let us have our judges pure." .He condemned the presentation of ,a' Dreadnought by Sir Joseph. Ward as bombastic hysteria, but would not obioct to fifty Dreadnoughts IF they were needed/ . Referring to the Mokau case, lie said Sir .1. G. Findlay and Mr. Dalzie!l dominated everything, and there was a suspicion that some people had worked a point. Mr. Buick denounced the Budget as a conglomerated mass'of verbosity.-' A vole (if thanks and confidence Was declared carried.

THE TAIETII SEAT. Dunedin, November 14. "NTr Johnson, candidate for Taieri, ad : dressing a meeting at Mosgiel, favdred increasing the graduated hind'• tax •'ii'S 'thf time hail arrived when large blocks tiiii-t be c-ut up. Tf tlie State could not buv out the shareholders in the Dunk of New Zealand a State Dank should be established. THE WATRAU SEAT. Blenheim, November 14. Mr Duncan, member for Wairau, addressed a large meeting last night, and was awarded a vote of thanks and confidence. Tie declared him-elf still a Liberal .independent, agreeing with th" flnvernnient in some things, but opposing it in regard to extravagance of administration, closer land settlement and other matters. I Ml?. El ELD AT OTAKI.

Levin, Tup-day. Air. Ticlil. the pitting member fot Otaki, addressed ttic- electors in Levin la=t night. ITo dejdored the tendency] fo allege political eorruption. ami contended Hint all the charges against tiic (lovormwoiii had failed. lie v. t .it buck I to -how that allegations of this nature had been made over a long period of years and always disproved. The fir-t instance was that in which John Ba!]:inee was accused of having peddled inferior watches at big prices amongst soldiers in the Maori war. That was lira.-!- <!«-» .. 1,; i' there followed a lone list (.1' i-iiarges against other memhers of the (government and private members. He quoted the Bun Tuckcharges amongst others. Once the libels v.-i ill -o far that a notor'ons sheet was broadcasted containing liinds not only 011 members, but on their wives. AH these, had failed, and the latest lifl'rt been so ineffective that to-

day the Government and ils party still stood firm ami untouched. He said that if returned to Parliament he wanted an absolutely free hand, but as long as the Government extended anil developed its polity he would faithfully support the Government. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, an amendment of thanks only being thrown out, A VVANGANUI CANDIDATE. Wellington, Tuesday. The Post understands that Mr. Vcilch. engine driver, and president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, has resigned from the service, and will contest Wanganui seat at the general elections.

THE TARAiJAKI SEAT. Mr. C. E. Bellringer will speak at Frankley road on the 28th inst., instead of the 20th as previously advertised. A CORRECTION. In our report of Mr. Bellringers meeting at Oakura yesterday, it was stated that a vote of thanks and confidence in the Administration was passed. This j was not so, we having been wrongly informed. A vote of thanks only was passed. We make this exportation at the instance of Mr. Bellringer himself. I

-MR. FORBES AT TARURUTANCI. Mr. W. Forbes addressed the electors at Tanmitangi on Tuesday evening. 1 here was a iittendancc and the candidate received a most attentive hearing. Mr. ,T. Martin occupied the chair. Mr. Forbes spoke on the same lines as at New Plymouth, and his hearers seemed to appreciate his remarks on the different questions . The candidate remarked that both the daily papers had endeavored to throw dust in his eyes. Ho was surprised at the Herald trying to frighten the electors by saying that a split in the Opposition might put the Government candidate in, and explained that with the second ballot the Clovernment candidate would require to get over one-half the votes recorded in order to win. Everybody knew that was impossible. If Mr. Okey and himself got an equal share of the. Opposition vote* the first time they would all go to the Opposition condidatc in the second ballot. He said he was not surprised at the News' feeble attempt to pull him to pieces, nor at what he described as its "absolute failure to do so." He continued: "One thing I am pleased to be able to say is that the Daily News docs not represent the good judgment of the. electors of the Taranaki electorate. It only represented the shallowness of its own little world." ,The Herald, continued Mr. Forbes, was for Mr. Okey, the News for Mr. Bellringer, but the electors were quite capable of judging for themselves, and he did not grudge either of his opponents the support of the Press. It was the support of the people he was seeking, and was quite sure he would get it. A vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. H. Letts, and seconded by Mr. J. Giddy, brought a most successful meeting to a close.

MR. HIXE AT STANLEY ROAD. Mr. Hine addressed about forty electors at Stanley road on Saturday' night, when he had a really good meeting. His remarks were greeted with frequent applause, and at the close of an interesting address Mr. Weller moved, and Mr. Ouppy seconded, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr. Hine," with renewed confidence in him as their member: On being put to tlie meeting, the motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. W. Saywell, brought a most successful meeting to a close.

THE' PATEA SEAT. Mr. O'Dea during'the latter part of last week visited the backblocks. He spoke at.Whenuakura, Mr. Hurley, .senr., presiding, and had a. splendid reception. i'_u Saturday he vjsited the Moeawatea district, about twenty . miles behind Wavcrley. After speaking to-night (Tuesday) at St. John's (Wanganui), on Thursday he visits Ngamatapouri and the country behind Waitotara. On Saturday lie visits the Ahu Ahu; Block, and speaks in Messrs Burnett Bros.' ..woolshed at Te Tuhi. He .commences the ; second round at Arafhoho on Tuesday, 21st inst., if the boat-shed cai\ be secured for that date.—Correspondent. ■

THE EG MONT SEAT. HON' T. MACKENZIE AT OMOXA. On Friday eveiiing ilic Hon, T. Mackenzie, addressed' the c'lectdrs at Omona. There was a large attendance, tlie room being filled, and, Mr., McWilliams was voted to the ghair. At the conclusion of Mr. Mackenzie's.'remarks, the chairman addressed ,the meeting, and said that those present, had., been privileged to listen to the speech of a statesman. It was a speech that was calculated to raise hearers to a higliWilevel of thought and patriotism by V««3.oir : of the manner in which the dift'ejejits (questions of tlie day had been, deal t'wifch'.r It took them into ii region of thought'to which they did not often gain access . It was especially valuable a tithe pne.scnt- time, as it went largely into the.-maimer of improving conditions of cultivation, and 'i lie transit, distribution and. .marketing of produce. Continuing. Mr. McWilliams said lie had observed,' too/ with satisfaction the entire abseiicS of personalities —an innovation Was appreciated and which been the case in previous elections. - The speaker concluded his remarks,'by observing that he regarded Mr. Maekei)zio as a man whom it w.is an honor for any district lo have representing them, and a man whose services at tlij* p period could not be spared lo the country Mr. S. King, in moving the customary vote of thanks to the speaker, said Mr. Mackpnzie was the type of. man the electors had been lookjng for. He knew tenants of back settlements, and the experience he himself- had had in this respect put him in sympathy with the backblock settlers. In addition to this, he had the ability to understand, and the power to give effect ■ to ..what was required Mr. Mackenzie had had a long and useful public career., and the speaker hoped the country would show that they could appreciate such, practical experience and knowledge, especially the commercial side, in connection.with markets, etc. Tlie motion was carried With acclamation, and the usual compliment to the I chair concluded a most successful meeting. On Saturday Mr. Mackenzie spoke at Moeroa at about 1 .p.m.. when Mr. McWilliams again occupied the chair and there was an excellent attendance. Jn the evening he spoke at Mangamingi before an audience of some. TO persons, when Mr. S. S. King, a member .of the

County Council, presided. The candidate spoke for about two hours, and at the conclusion of his address answered a number of questions, and a vote of thanks to the .speaker and to the chairman concluded the meeting. TIIE POSITION REVIEWED. To the Editor. Sir, —As political steam is gradually rising, vitli your permission I will proceed to add a little fuel to the furnace so that the pressure jniage of Liberalism will regislr-v such a sLinng indication in Taranaki on the day of the election as will tend to return a majority of mem hers who support the policy of the present Government. I have carefully listened to the addresses of candidates supporting both sides of politics, as well as having read the speeches made in other parts of the Dominion, and though I have always been a Liberal I may state that the arguments uf both sides are always viewed with an open and unbiassed mind. A few days ago f listened to the speech of an Opposition candidate in which he stated that the Opposition Leader (Mr. Massey) was too weak. Iha .<v heard the same remark fall from the lips of other Opposition supporters, and the question I put to the electors is this: If the supporters of the Opposition believe that their leader is too weak, what is likely to be the result of the change of administration which tho so-called Reform Party is clamoring for? Should it not ibe plain to electors that if the change takes place and the administration is placed in the hands of a weak leader, the electors might expect nothing ; short of cliaos and retrogression? T feel some\yhat sorry for the Leader in question. Nevertheless, having my quota of interest in the welfare of this Dominion, any risk which might be entailed liv a change from the present Administration to one which is apparently weak does not appeal to me, nor do I think the position will appeal to the average com-mon-sense elector who wishes to see this fair Dominion make the progress it is sure to make under a progressive and Liberal Government. Let me here set out the increase of the Savings Bank deposits during the past '2O years. The amount of deposits for the year 185)0 was £3.137,102, while for the year lf>lo I the deposits were £15,C21,1ft1, an increase of approximately twelve ami a half millions sterling. Now I claim that the above position could not have been obtained if what the Opposition say is true, viz., that the Government is not progressive and tiiat they have outlived j their usefulness. It must be remembered that the Savings Bank deposits is one of the true barometers of the pro-1 gress and thrift of the masses of the ' | people and the lnigo increase of the de-1 | posits goes to show that the people have been prosperous and have been assisted in their endeavors by go(jd management of this country's affairs. The increase of the Savings Bank deposits in the fu- | turc can only be maintained by careful | administration, and any Government can and will make or mar the position of prosperity. Let me now take tho position of capital in this country. Is it not a fact that the Opposition have in past years stated in the House that legislation then being enacted would drive Capital from our land? But what do we find—that those statements were rash and ill-considered, and have not been borne out by ultimate evidence. Now, Sir, at the present time, while the Opposition are crying out that the country is going on the rocks, proposals are on foot to invest huge sums of money in the development of our natural resources. Are these financial people scared by the bogies which have been vaUed by men who ought to show more patriotism instead of continuously cryi.ig out about corruption,. bribery and maladministration which they have been utterly unable to prove during all the years that they have been trying to attain office by a means which will not appeal to electors now or in the future? It has admittedly been a long, long pull lof tho Opposition boat, but not sufficiently 7 strong to make headway against the I tide of public opinion which is quite able i to define which is the best team to play ' the political game. Do the Opposition I imagine for a moment that the London I groups of capitalists are ignorant of the the laws and government of this Dominion? And yet these men are satisfied to invest large sums of money in the , development of our resources. The administration of this country's affairs is no.doubt well known to these flhanciers. and the conclusion naturally follows that •they have confidence in that administra- . tion. They believe that the present Government is Liberal and likely to wisely legislate in the best interests of all concerned. Let electors remember that our own capital is not being driven-away and that instead of the old belief of the Opposition being realised, huge sums of foreign capital is coming in which goes to show that our opposite friends are now and ever have been in errror. ! "Thanking von in anticipation,—! am, etc., ' H. W. JAMES. Tnglewood, 13/11/11.