POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 124, 16 November 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

■e» ■ . | THE WATHI SEAT. j By Telegraph— Press Association. Waihi, Last Night. Mr. Nisbet Mcßobie. the Reform Party's candidate for Ohinemuri, opened his campaign here ls>st night. He addressed a large audience and was accorded a good hearing.

THE PREMIER AT GREENHILLS. j Invercargill, Last Night. | (Sir J. 0. Ward to-day addressed meetings at (ireenhills and Makarewa, and to-night at Waikiwi, where the hall was crowded, lie spoke for two hours, his speech following the lines of his previous ones. Votes of thanks and confidence were passed at all the meetings. Sir Joseph Ward goes north in the morning express, and has great confidence in the result of the election.

THE WEST LAND SEAT. A HOT CONTEST. I Hokitika, Last Night. The Westland election is being con-, tested with an intensity of interest prob-' ably unknown iu any other part of the Dominion. Both candidates, the sitting member (Mr. T. Y. Seddon), and his opponent (Mr. 11. L. Michel), are speaking nightly to large audiences. This evening Mr. Michel spoke at Hokitika, the Princess Theatre being taxed to its utmost capacity, while large numbers were unable to gain admittance. It is estimated that the gathering numbered about a thousand people. In the course of a vigorous speech of nearly two hours' duration, Mr. Michel declared himself to be a straightont Liberal, and while prepared to give the present Government general support, he would not be whipped into line against his convictions. The candidate, who has always declined a vote of confidence at any meeting, was accorded a vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. j It is generaly believed that the contest will be a very close one. Mr. Michel* is contesting the seat for the third time against the sitting member. In the byeelection immediately after the death of the late .Premier, Mr. T.'Y. Seddon defeated his opponeift by 724 votes. The general election in 1908 was much closer, the voting being Seddon 2830, Michel 2720.

THE HON. J. A. MILLAR. I "IF SIR JOSEPH WARD RETIRES," Dunedin,-Last Night. I The Hon. J. A. Millar addressed a meeting of electors in-the Garrison Hall last evening, when the building was packed to the doors. In opening his remarks, the speaker said he had got to the second highest position a man could I get in this country, and it was his am-| bition if anything necessitated a retirement of Sir Joseph Ward from the leadership of the party, to offer himself to the' party as its leader. , \ THE PUBLIC DEBT. He challenged the Opposition to bring forward any specific instances where the Government had been extravagant in I their expenditure, and stated that they) must borrow money if they wished to ; open up their country. He answered the) charge of alleged bribing of railwaymen by increasing their wages, and quoted a' letter from the secretary of the New'' Zealand Locomotive Engine-drivers and' Firemen and Cleaners' Association, wishing him luck in the coming contest. I Mr. Millar stated that the Govern-' ment was the first to make provision to' pay off their loans, and stated that ttje sinking fund now amounted to a million and a half, and was being added to year-' ly at the rate of £130,000, and that in l 7a years the accumulated fund would be' sufficient to pay off their loans. Speak-! ing for himself, he was in favor of a three-fifths majority on the licensing I question. i The Minister dealt ■wt considerable length with the Acts which had been introduced by the Government to assist the workers, and at the conclusion of the 1 address was accorded a vote of thanks) and continued confidence, amidst cheers and counter cheers. I Mr. Millar was not heard at his best, , saving a severe cold and being in bed, most of the morning. He was subjected to some interruptions, but on the whole' had a very good hearing. ' Mr. Hine had intended-to speak to the electors at Pukengahu next Wednesday ut one o'clock, although it would have boen difficult to arrange. Ths I ukengahu people, however, have informed the member that they will make a point of attending his meetings at th nearest place, thus obviating the necesmt.v of a special journey for him.