POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 126, 18 November 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP. HON. MILLAR EXPLAINS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Timaru, Last Night. Hon. Millar has handed to the Press Association the following: —• ''My attention has been drawn to the, telegraphed extract from an article appearing in last night's issue of the Wellington Post, with reference to a statement made by myself in a speech in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, concerning the leadership of the Liberal Party. How such a construction can be placed upon my words as indicated in the article in question is beyond my comprehension, and far past any knowledge of the local facts which caused the statement; otherwise it would have known accurately to what I was referring. My object' in making reference as I did to the subject was to deny publicly the report which is being insidiously circulated in Dunedin, my constituency, that there was no need to vote for me at the coming election, because I was to proceed to London after the election to take up the position of High Ckmirnissioner for New Zealand. In fact, this rumor had gone much further afield than my own electorate, and I took the first opportunity of denying that* I intended any such course, of action. In thanking my constituents for loyalty to myself, extending over a long period of years, I stated that the natural ambition of every man in such circumstances was to occupy the highest position, and that if the opportunity occurred I would.be pleased to submit myself to the Liberal Party for selection." I never dreamt my remarks would be distorted in the direction of prophesying that Sir Joseph Ward intended relinquishing his position as leader of the Liberal Party. In , fact, I know of nothing which has ever i pointed or which at the present time points in such a direction. The Prime Minister has the confidence of his colleagues and the Party, and I feel certain the coming polls will show he has the confidence of the people.."

MR. MASSEY AT WINTON. SEPLY TO THE PREMIER. Winton, Last Night, 1 Mr. Massey held a meeting at the Winton Skating Rink this evening. The building was crowded, 2000 being present and a number was unable to'gain admission. Mr. Massey met with a great reception, the crowd cheering for several minutes. On rising to speak agajn he received an ovation. His speech was on similar lines to his speeches at Napier and elsewhere. The speech throughout was liberally interspersed with applause, and at its conclusion the cheering lasted several minutes. In answer to question, he said he did not favor the removal of restrictions on letters to Tattersall's; lie would remedy grievances of railwaymcn; he was in favor of the reorganisation of the management of the Railways Department; if the cost of living kept going up at the present rate, 9s per day was little enough for a man to bring up a wife and family; he was not in favor of State control of the liquor traffic; every union now had power to cancel registration, if otherwise it would be an interference with the liberty of the subject; an attempt was made three years ago to form a coalition Ministry, and he was one of the men whose name was included.

The following motion was carried by a large majority: That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr. Massey, and that this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived when every effort should be made to remove the Ward Government from office. A big Ward following was present, but Mr. Massey had the larger majority with him. Mr. Massey was cheered, and "He's a jolly good fellow" was sung. _, "' THE NAPIER SEAT. Napier, Last Night. Mr. Vigor Brown, sitting member for Napier, opened his campaign last night, addressing a large meeting at Port Ahuriri. He strongly defended the Government policy, especially those features bettering the condition of the working classes. The meeting, which largely represented the waterside workers and other branches of Labor, carried a vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate and Government, and broke up with cheers for Mr. Brown.

Henry Hill, Chief Inspector of Schools and Labor candidate for Napier, opened his campaign this evening, when he addressed a very large meeting of electors in the Theatre Royal. He wished the electors to understand that he was under no promise to the Conservatives or the Liberals, but simply stood as the working man's candidate. Mr. Hill had an excellent hearing, and was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.

THE AVON SEAT. Christchurch, Last Night. Mr. J. D. Jamieson has announced his candidature for the Avon scat as an Oppositionist. MR. BELLRIXGER AT OMATA. There was a good attendance, considering the weather, at Mr. Bellringer's meeting last night at Omata, Mr. Meredith occupied the chair. Mr. Bellringer spoke on the lines of his speeches at Bell Block and Egmont Road. Referring to Mr. Okey's claim in regard to the New Plymouth Harbor Board Act, he showed "that the passing of the Act was largely due to the influence of and good work done by Mr. E. Maxwell in South Taranaki in overcoming the opposition at first manifested there, and to the, efforts of Mr. J. B. Connett as chairman of the Board, and Mr. Newton King. Without the assistance rendered by Sir Joseph Ward the Bill would never have passed, and Taranaki was much more indebted to the Prime Minister than to Mr. Okey for what he had done in this respect. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Bellringer.

MR. BELLRTXCIER AT EGMOXT ROAD. There was an attendance of about 30 at Mr. Bellringcr's meeting at Egmont Road on Thursday evening. Mr. F. Davy presided. The candidate delivered a strong fighting speech, and received a vote of thanks. Mr. C. E. Bcllringer will speak ai the Albert Road Sehoolhouse to-night! and at Waiongona Schoolhouse on Monday evening. MR. FORBES AT TATARAIMAKA. Mr. W. Forbes addressed a large gathering nf electors at Tataraimaka on Thursday ovening. Mr. J. J. Clyde was voted to the chair. The candidate was well received. He severely criticised the administration for failing to taper off our borrowing, and nut forward a policy which be felt wouM convince the electors that bad there been a business man at the head of affairs the population and

import and export trade would have been double wbat it is now, and instead of having to borrow V/ 2 millions on the eve of the elections the country could do without borrowing and depend on its own resources. He condemned the cooperation system, and advocated a more progressive land settlement policy under the deferred payment system. Several questions were answered, and a vote, of thanks and confidence proposed by Mr.; T. Morris and seconded by Mr. H. Bolitis was carried by those present. MR. IJINE AT MAKAHU. Mr. Ilinc addressed a small but enthusiastic meeting at Mukahu on the 14th inst. The candidate spoke for nearly two hours, and was accorded a very good hearing. At the conclusion of the address he was accorded a hearty vote of, tlianks and confidence as a worthy representative of the electorate. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.