POLITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 133, 27 November 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL

THE PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Prime Minister left Auckland for New Plymouth to-day, and returns to Wellington o» Wednesday. THE TWO LEADERS' VIEWS. Auckland:. Last Night. The Premier is confident that bis party will be successful at the general elections. Discussing the prospects of the Reform Party on Friday, December 7, the. Leader of the Opposition (Mr. W. F. Massey) stated that judging from bis information, there are no -less than 24 Government seats in danger, while there! are only five Opposition seats thait can be regarded as doubtful. Commenting on this estimate this afternoon, Sir Joseph Ward said that as a general principle, a party leader does not give out the expected results in detail prior to a, general election. "I am quite satisfied," lie continued, "that the information obtained by the Leader of the Opposition must either be from a very unreliable source, or else buoyed up with false hopes to convey a favorable 'impression and to excite the sympathy and .support of all places that are in doubt. From the information I have received, I can say that if 24 Government seats are in danger then upon that basis of assumption, all the Opposition seats are in greater danger. I think tba.t will be found to be about as accurate as the information that Mr. Massey has received from the source to which he refers. In the ordinary course we must Wait until attw election day to learn who is more correctly informed. My own opinion is that we are going to win some seats from'the Opposition at the present elections."

MR. JAMES ALLEN. Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. James Allen addressed about 400 electors at Palmerston South last s night in reply to the Prime Minister and also in support of the Opposition candidate. He said if the people wanted to clean New Zealand's politics, thei right thing to do Was to make a change. He read a telegram from Mr. W. H. D. Bell stating it was absolutely untrue that he was opposed to Old Age Pensions. Mr. A 1 leisure nied that he ha<l at any* time injurea' the credit of the Dominion, or that he sent away any Parliamentary returns, etc., to England or elsewhere. If these rtiturns were calculated to do damage to the country's credit, that damage was being done by their inclusion' in the official year book. Mr. Allen's speech dealt with most of" the subjects) referred .to in the Prime Minister's recent speech at Palmerston, and was well received. The following motion was carried by acclamation: "This meeting thanks Mr. Allen for his able address and 1 welcomes Mr. Lee as the Reform candidate."

OTAGO SEATS. Dunedin, Last Night. The following candidates have been nominated in connection With the general election: For Dunedin North, Mr. J. M. Thomson; Clutha, Messrs. A. S. Malcolm and G. Livingstone; Otago , Central, Messra. R.' Scott, J. Bennetts, and W. D. Mason; Chalmers, Mr. J. T. Johnson. \ WELLINGTON SOUTH. Wellington, Last Night. Dr. A. E. Couzcns and Mr. R. A. Wright were nominated yesterday for Wellington South. CHRJSTCII rRCH SEATS. Christcluireh, Last Night. Hie following have been nominated:—■ Messrs. L. M. Ikitt and J. E. Petherick for Christcliurch North; Mr. R. Whitinc for Christdmrch South, and Mr. w" Davcy for ChrWchurcli East. Messrs. J. McCombs and J. 0. Jameson have been nominated for Avon.

CORRUPTION. To the Editor. Sir, No Opposition candidate has so far made any more damning indictment of the corrupt methods of the Ministry than that quite unconsciously made by Messrs Bcliringer and Berry' in declaring that Mr. Okey was unable to get even an interview with the Premie- 'n connection with the petroleum bonus, but they, being of the approved political color, were successful, being in due course ushered into the august presence of Ministers. This in their ignorance they call ''Liberalism," and the incident, if correct, is deplorable, but, which is much worse, is the servile state of mind of men who can apparently glory in this miserable state of political affairs. It is a travesty on the word Liberalism for Ministers to claim to be its exponents when they stoop to enquire into the political opinions of those who wish tc meet them on business, but unfortunately this has become the custom, and at Waitara some, few months ago that very courteous gentleman, the Minister of Public Works, in replying to deputations, began his remarks with, ''l 'spose you're all Oppositionists." What a delightful country it would be if everyone were an exact replica of the Hon. Roddy!

In connection with the notorious dairy regulations of 1008, now happily defunct, the Daily News, in a leader lately published, referred to wlnat it termed a "trick," and the Right Hon. Sir..loseph Ward, Bart., frequently refers to the "bogus" dairy regulations. Mr. Bell-ringer also mentioned the matter, assuring the dairy farmers that their fears are groundless, and in this he is quite right as the united front shown by the dairymen three years ago effectually sc-ttled the dairy regulations, which wore hastily withdrawn. I have before me as I write a copy of those regulations, and which are not bogus at all, but are as reported from the Stock Committee of the House of Representatives and laid on the table by leave and bear the imprint of John Mackny, Government Printer. Now, Sir, the identity of the author of those regulations in wrapped in mystery for Mr. McNab, who held the portfolio of Agriculture at that time, has disclaimed the honor, as likewise did Mr. Gilruth, who was then Chief Veterinarian, so also did the ollice boy who was cruelly and maliciously credited with the authorship, it has therefore been suggested that, as Mr. Bcliringer has so clearly demonstrated the utter futility of Oppositionists attempting to even approach Ministers, possibly you can acquire the desired information for the benefit of your readers, many of whom are unfortunately outside the pale I am. etc.. TIKORANGI.

[Wo, refer to this matter in our editorial columns.—Ed.]