POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 137, 5 December 1911, Page 7

POLITICAL.

i MR. OKEY AT ALBERT ROAD. M'r. Okey addressed the electors in the Albert road schoolroom on Saturday I night. There was a good muster of | farmers present, besides a number of ladies. The speaker, whom the chairman! Mr- J- Hal!) briefly introduced to the meeting, received an attentive liearI ing, touching on the now much-discussed | questions of the day, such as purity of I seeds, road requirements in the backblocks. double-pay to high officials, and many other matters. Perhaps that which more directly.appealed to those present ■ was his reference to the possibility of a farmer purchasing .and sowing a pound of Californian thjstle or ragwort seed with each hundred pounds of grass seed lie might sow. The absurdity of such a Bill was apparent to those present. One question onlv having been asked and satisfactorily answered, a vote of thanks to Mr. Okey for his address and also of renewed confidence in him was carried unanimously. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. MR. FORBES. Mr. W. Forbes addressed the inmates of the Old 1 People's Home at 5.30 last evening. Mr. Williams was in the chair. 1 The candidate received a vote of thanks and confidence. The old people also gave the candidate three cheers. He also addressed the electors at Westown at 8 p.m., Mr. H. Marfell being in the chair. Mr. Sanson' proposed, and Mr : B. C. Davies seconded, a vote of thanks. Mr. Forbes answered a question to th effect that he was in favor of full civ!! and political rights for civil servants, an.: dealt exhaustively with the boot trade. MR. JENNINGS' CANDIDATURE. Mr. Jennings, who has returned from a tour of his electorate, does not look any the worse for the strenuous time he has put in during the last five weeks, having bad to accomplish in this time what others have taken much longer to get through. He feels quite sanguine as to the result, notwithstanding the extraordinary attitude taken up by some | persons during his election. As a sample of the methods adopted, a paragraph appeared in a certain paper in which the name of the late Mr. W. 11. -T. Seffern (the candidate's uncle) was dragged up in connection with what was a purely private matter. To show the policy of distortion and misrepresentation that is going on, the Liberal Party are being blamed in certain quarters for the state of the school at Pio Pio and other matters, which are purely local bodies' administration. This has been brought up repeatedly at various politi-_ cat meetings throughout the electorate. What are the facts? The Minister of J Education granted to the Auckland Education Board a «um of money for the purpose of erecting a school at this place, i This sum was placed to the credit of | the Auckland Ilarbor Board over twelve months ago. and the school has not yet been erected owing to some differences amongst the residents as to the site. This is a typical ease of dozens of instances which might be quoted where local administration is the, ruling power; yet this is the sort of thing used as an argument against the Liberal Party. Tt is obvious that this is simply a question of local administration alone, so far as education and. in many instances, where road and bridge matters come into question. y.. that since returning to Xortli Taranaki he noticed in one of the papers a statement that the starting of the railway from Te Koura to Ohura, and also the supply of cows to settlers at Tangitu improved settlement bv the Crown Lands Board of Taranaki, were only electioneering dodses on the | part of the Government. These views i i are not shared by thousands of residents in the King Country. MR. JENNINGS AT TIKOKANGI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. W. T- Jennings addressed a fairly well attended meeting of electors in the Tikorangi Hall on Saturday night, and was- accorded an attentive hearing. He prefaced his remarks with a reference to the arduous work entailed in carrying on an election campaign in such an extensive constituency as Taumarunui. especially during the rough and unseasonable weather lately experienced. Mr. Jennings spoke on lines similar to that of his opening address at Waitara some weeks ago, and which was fully reported the Daily Xews. He warmly resented the alleged misrepresentations of the aims, ideals and work of the Liberal Party, and referred to the various beneficial measures which have been placed upon the Statute Book during that party's term of office. The candidate briefly touched on the coft of living, and complained of misrepresentation in comnection with his remarks on the high price of butter, which were merely a suggestion, and if not practicable, -well, there was an end of it. In reference to the Government providing cows for settlers in the Tangitu district, Mr. Jennings explained that these settlers were in a peculiar position, as although they had felled bush and now had the grass, yet the conditions under which they held their sections were such that the State Guaranteed Advances Office would not lend on them! Mr. Jennings also touched on the matter of roading and the enormous cost incidental thereto in the dificult back country, such as the Tanga-rak-iu gorge ;ui<l other similar places. 11l- al-o referred to the native land question and tlie rating of native lands, defence and reform of the Legislative Council. In concluding an interesting address," Mr. Jennings claimed that he had fulfilled the pledges given at the last election. and he felt that although many of his hearers may be in the opposite political camp, vet they would admit that he had carried out the duties devolving on him as their representative in a fair and impartial manner, and he asked those of his old friends who were satisfied with his actions - to again asist him ill attaining the position at the top of the poll which he confid. ntly anticipated oil December 7. Tn reply to Mr. -T. W. Foreman, Mr. Jennings stated that the Wailomo County Council would binefit by the amount of over C'.MIO by virtue of the amending of the N'at ive Hating Act. 11)10. Mr. Foreman slated that it had been said that the Wailomo County Council had actually received that amount, but on inquiry he had received a telegram saying that the rate cards had only just been i-sued. Therefore it was highly improbable: in fact, it was impossible that any local body could at that time have benefited, as far as actual receipts were concerned, by the operation of the Act. as the rate was only just, struck. Mr. Jennings said he did not imply that the actual cash had been received but that it was safe; and would be received in the course of the year. Tn replying to further questions. Mr. Jennings s-|ii| lm wa- in favor of grantj j■' >' I'.f if cllold : ill iact. ■ he would give that right to all lessees / <if native lands, and also to all Crown I tenants, except in the case of the cnIdowment lands. lie was in favor of extending the life of Parliament to four years, as elections were the cause of unrest and much ill-feeling. He fa,.„ ° 11

compulsory military training, but the Act must be administered carefully and I with much tact, and. in regard to the Dreadnought gift he considered the Born ii i on was not contributing more than lier fair share in the defence of her trade and the common needs of the Empire. Questions having been disposed of, a hearty vote of thank.s was unanimously accorded to Mr. Jennings for his interesting address, and a similar vote to the chairman (Mr. J. Hirie, jun.) concluded the meeting. MPv. JENNINGS—AN APPRECIATION. States the Auckland Star of December 2, 101-1: "Few members of the last Parliament should feel so safe in their seats us Mr. W. T. Jennings, for few have deserved so well of their constituents. Mr. Jennings is one of the best known and most widely experienced members of the Lower House, and his past record as a journalist and member of the Legislative Council helps to explain his long continued political success. The Taumarunui districtly, widely scattered and in parts almost inaccessible, has always, required a particularly energetic and enthusiastic representative, and Mr. Jennings has certainly never spared himself in his efforts to promote the welfare of his constituents, and to -keep closely in touch with every .portion of this widespread electorate. The defeat of Mr. Jennings would be a serious loss to Parliament, as well as to Taumarunui, but, happily, tlieie is no need to contemplate it." . MR. C. Iv. WILSON'S CAMPAIGN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. C. K. Wilson, the Reform candidate for the Taumarunui seat, arrived >y the mail train from the north on Saturday night, and immediately proceeded to Lepperton, where he addressed a packed house. He received an excellent reception, and his remarks were frequently- applauded. He evidently had his audience entirely with him. Mr. Wilson was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, and the meeting broke up ■with hearty cheers for the candidate and the .Reform Party. On Monday morning Mr. Wilson addressed the electors at the Onaero factory, and in the afternoon spoke at Huirangi, and at both places his reception was most gratifying. MR. JOSEPH McCLUCCIAGE'S CAMPAIGN. Tlie settlers at Makahu turned out in force at midday on Saturday to hear the political views of the Liberal candidate. Mr. A. Coyne wa.s voted' to the chair. Mr. McCluggage broke fresh ground in dealing with ail immensely important proposal to benefit the farmers, introduced by Sir Joseph Ward in this year's Budget. He referred to the suggestion to establish small farmers' co-operative banks, which would enable small men or small associations of men to whom credit is not readily, if at all, accessible under our existing banking system, to obtain I credit for productive purposes, or pur-1 poses insuring economy. Mr. Mc-> C'luggage, in a very able manner, showed : how this proposal would help thousands of farmers and render assistance to men and woingn who were placed upon the land which the Government proposed acquiring for that purpose. At the conclusion of the address, Mr. M. Ford moved and Mr. J. Manning seconded the following resolution: "That this meeting accords Mr. McCluggage a T.ery hearty vote of thanks and confidence, and renewed confidence in the Liberal Government." This was carried unanimously. ■Some fifteen or twenty settlers .gathered at Tututawa Hall on Monday at noon to hear Mr. McCluggage. Mr. Theobald occupied the chair. The candidate was given a very courteous hearing, and at the conclusion was accorded a very ; hearty vote of thanks. In the evening Mr. McCluggage spoke at Puniwhakau and had a large and enthusiastic audience. Mr. M. Foley occupied the chair. Mr. McCluggage spoke on the great importance to the farmer of getting the back country sufficiently opened up with good roads and bridges, and said that if returned he would make this question the most prominent in his political platform. The opening up of our back country would not only bring prosperity to the farmers, but would also re-act benefically to the towns. f{is remarks were heartily applauded. In dealing with the humanitarian legislation passed by the Government, Mr. McCluggage said that if elected he would urge on the. Government the reserving of blocks of land all through the country, the rents from same to go towards providing duly qualified nurses for the' back' country settlers. This, he said, should receive the earnest consideration of the Government. There is no doubt that Mr McCluggage has made a great many political friends in the country by his practical advocacy and warm-hearted support of anything that would benefit the settlers who reside a great way back in the country. Last night's meeting showed that in this particular Mr. McCluggage had the entire sympathy of the audience. At the conclusion of his address several questions were asked and answered satisfactorily, and the candidate received a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the Ward Government.—Contributed. MR. O'DEA'S CAMPAIGN. There was a very large attendance in the Hurleyville Hall on Saturday night, when Mr. O'Dea addressed the electors! Mr. D. Hurley, sen., occupied the cliaii the meeting was a most enthusiastic one, and at the conclusion the candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr. D. Hurley.' jun., seconded .by Mr. McDonnell. Mr! O Ilea will receive very solid support in this -district Mr. O'Dea also addressed the Mokoia branch of the A.S.R.S. and neighboring settlers, when a large audience -greeted him. Ilis .-.perch throughout was punctuated with applause, and at the conclusion he received unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. The candidate answered' in the affirmative the questions put bv the < xecutive of the A.S.R.S. The meetino- throughout was most enthusiastic. 'Mr. O'Dea will receive practically a block vote at this centre. —Con-, tributed. THE TOTALISATOR. (Published by ArrangcmeuI). To the Editor. Sir.—As a member <ii the >portiiiL' community of this electorate, i would Inobliged if the candidate:-, for Pa rlie ni"iii - ary honors here would take tin- lir-l. opportunity of replying to the following two questions, either through the medium of the Press or from [lie pi:!; I ',- platform:—(l) If elected, would yon vote for or against, the abolition of'lite totiilisator? (2)' if elected, would \ vote foe (he restoration of one-da . - ing permit* to the conn!rv rliii-s s\<!>Vm| of lhat- privilege this yeai'V : I: . above, it might be mentioned ih.it although Sir Joseph Ward. Hart, e i i S : r John Findla.v have both p'.'d'j'e.t I' selves not (o harrass re.cV ! ther' next session, it i.- eoiiiiiioii i;; 1 town that our Government candid ite is an opponent of the totalisator and aatinst horse-racing generally. TIsK wiii give him an opportunity to clear i lie matter up. Many sportsmen are making this their "ticket," this week, and candidates would be wise if they made their

policy clear on these points at the earliest possible opportunity.—l ani, etc., SPORTSMAN.

) A CHAMPION BLUFFER. REPLY TO MR. FORBES. (Published by arrangement.) To .the Editor. Sir, —I beg you to kindly allow me sipaee in your valuable paper to publish some accusations made by Mr. Forlx'S at his meeting at llurford road on Saturday night. Being a believer in fair criticism, and the same as the majority of 'other people. I have often heard the Financial Statement criticised, but never before have I heard an M.P. or a candidate .seeking election say straight-out that the 'Financial Statement of New Zealand wn- incorrect and only crocked up by Sir .Joseph Ward to bluff the putpie. He described himself as a lighting man. To feather lvs own ,nest he said that Taranaki at present was represented by a third-class .political man, and that it wanted a real fighting man. Now. I ask your readers if they think Mr. Forbes a fair fighting mail after making these following remarks. He accuses the present Government of extravagant borrowing and wilful waste. We all know, as Mr. Forbes says, that the present national debt is £81.078,122. He forgot to say, until I pressed the question, that fifl per cent, of the sum is interest-bear-ing, and only SI per cent, dead weight. He also forgot to mention that in 1891. the year that the Liberal Government got into power, the national debt was' £36,830,350, of which SI per- cent, was non-interest, bearing. When that question was asked him, lie (Mr. Forbes) began to find out that he would soon hn-ve to contradict himself, so he lost his temper, and accused me of bringing a faked-up number of figures and questions that I did not know anything about, and raked up by a party. He said he was told two days previously,that I was going to have a lot of questions for him. Knowing that to be an absolute untruth, as I had extracted all my questions from the Financial Statement of New Zealand, I challenged him to give me the name of the party, which lie accepted to do so after the meeting, but when I appealed to him to do so he tried to shuffle out of it, and in the end said no one had told him <so—a reliable statement for a man to make that was seeking a seat in the House of Representatives ! Now, going back to the national debt, Mr. Forties said it was his'meeting, and he wanted questions, not statements, but on persistent pressing he said it was so according to Sir Joseph Ward's figures, but "they were all a bluff." When questioned if it was a fact that during the twenty years the present Government had been in power they had borrowed £42,247,772, averaging £2,111,388 per year, and 86 per cent, hearing interest and 14 per cent, dead weight, he said they were crocked up by Sir Joseph Ward to mislead the people and that the Press Association was not to be relied on. Now, I will leave it to the public to judge for themselves whether the present Government, although borrowing at a "hand gallop," as Mr. Forbes said, ii not making use of the borrowed money in a more successful way than the Opposition Government did? Any one going into the. figures will see that the money ■borrowed by the Conservative Government was 51 per cent, dead weight, while the money the present Government has borrowed is Bfi per cent, interest-bearing. Mr. Forbes also denies that £1,204,310 was lent to settlers through the Advances to Settlers, last year; yet he is trying to blulT the electors that the present Government is wilfully wasting borrowed money. In reply to one question if Hansard was proof, he said "No," as it was taken down by reporters and altered where it .suits. Touching on the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr. Forbes denied that this Department had returned the revenue that it is claimed to have done last year, as the Government had counted the whole cost of their stamps as profit. Now, if he looks up the''Financial Statement, he will find that it is stated that the revenue exceeded £1,000;000. The balance revenue over expenditure for the year amounted to £123,191 9s 5d through this department. Now, how can he prove that the cost of the Government's stamps was not counted in the expenditure? Only by saying that the Financial Statement was ''cooked" to suit party purposes. He also tries to .bluff the farmers that they are taxed very heavily through the 15 per cent, duty put on boots. The English firms make that right by putting cardboard heels with a strip of leather on the bottom; thus getting oveir the difficulty. When challenged to prove that all the boots were thus made (by cutting up a pair of English .boots I was wearing at the time, he to pay for them if they were not all leather), he owned up that only the cheaip boots were made with cardboard and thebetter class boots were made of'leather. He said I only wanted to show that I had a better pair than he. My boots cost lfis —what must his have cost? Do you think that is a fair fighting manner? lie also talks about the native land along the Main Trunk line that could have been bought for 10s per acre before the railway was opened, and then we should 1 not have .been borrowing now. He again forgets to say anything about the .big block of native land bought by the State nt 2s (id per acre along the Main Trunk line. When be was asked this question, he deliberately stood up and said it was a mere trille, away in the backblocks, but, as it happens, the railway line runs through it. Now, 1 say tills, if Hansard is not proof, the Financial State of New Zealand is "cooked" by Sir Joseph Ward to mislead the public, and the Press Association is not to be relied on, who. in ail conscience, are we to believe? I -suppose the so-called "modest" Mr. Forbes. It is a wondeir this gentleman, with knowledge and capability, is not Premier or some great judge, instead of being what he is.—l am, etc., A. WOOD. Omata, December 3, 15)11.