POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 6 December 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

SIR JAMES CARROLL AT ASH- i BURTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. )_ Ashburton, Last Night. The Theatre Royal, which holds one thousand people at a pinch, was badly | overcrowded to-night, when Sir James . Carroll ad-dressed 'one of the finest | political meetings ever held in Ashhur- j ton. Many were turned away. The j Mayor presided. Sir James Carroll was received with continued applause. He said he proposed to deal with the political principles and parties, leaving personalities to Mr. Massey and his friends. He proceeded to contrast the Government and the Opposition. On one hand was a constructive policy embracing a bold grappling with the problems that are still I perplexing other lands. On the other hand nothing but obstruction and destruction. The fact that the Liberal party had held the confidence of the people for 20 years, and had survived the fire of criticism, was proof positive that the Government was doing its duty satisfactorily. The Opposition had nothing j to offer but the shreds and patches of the Government's policy, which, as now pre-, sentod, was adorned and decorated as a new policy. He ridiculed Mr. Maesey's manifesto, -which he said was devoid of real practical suggestions. The only definite thing in it was the optional freehold, but he pointed out that this was part of the Government's policy which included the the freehold, oc-

cupation with right of p*ehasc, and six other forms of tenure, tie •utlined the cardinal 'features of the rest of the Government's -policy, and 'his remarks were appreciatively received, applause being frequent. He referred in humorou* terms to the local political situation.. and though he admitted that Mr. No&-' worthy was likely to win at the firsk ballot, he put in a strong plea for the •ohesion of the party and to vote for whichever one of the three liberal candidates who had to fight out the finish at the second ballot. At the conclusion a motion thanking Sir James Carroll for his address and expressing confidence in the Government was carried by acclamation, amidst cheers.

THE PREMIER'S WINTON MEETING. Invercargill, Last Night. Owing to the confusion at the conclusion of Sir Joseph Ward's Winton meeting last night, the reporters present were unable to ascertain who moved the vote of thanks and confidence. On inquiry to-day, it was found that the motion was duly proposed and seconded and that the Mayor declared it carried on a show of hands. MR. MASSEY AT PARNELL. Auckland, Last Night. An ovation, immoderate in its enthusiasm, was tendered to the Leader of the Opposition and the Reform candidate for Parnell by a huge meeting of Parnell electors to-night. The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic among the political gathering in New Zealand. Many were unable to gain admittance to the hall. In discussing the letter addressed to Mr. McNab by the Hawke's Bay shareholders in the Mokau Co., Mr. Massey said the letter was so cunningly drafted that it was almost impossible to found a libel action upon it. He asked for a definite charge and that the men who signed the letter should say where he had told the falsehoods. Either they must prove him wrong or take the chance in the Supreme Court. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried amid cheers for Mr. Massey and Mr. Dickson. THE TARANAKI SEAT. MR. C. E. BELLRINGER AT INGLEWOOD. Mr. C. E. Bellringer, the Government candidate for the Taranaki seat, addressed a crowded meeting in the Parish Hall, [nglewood, last night. Mr. G. W. Bennett (Mayor of Inglewood) occupied the chair. The candidate was accorded a cordial reception, although there was an attempt at interruption on the part of a few, some of whom were not electors of the district. Mr. Bellringer dealt at length with the charges made by the Opposition, and pointed out that in every case when similar charges had been made, the parties making them had found that they recoiled. He outlined the policy measures that the Government had already passed, and indicated the policy to be carried out in the future. In conclusion, he appealed to all Liberals for complete unity of action on the day of polling. Numerous questions were asked and answered, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks was accorded the candidate on the motion of Mr. Jas. McNeil Adams. A similar vote to the chairman terminated the meeting.

MR. W. FORBES' CAMPAIGN. Mr. W. Forbes yesterday afternoon addressed the ladies in the Good Templar Hall, and at the conclusion was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mrs. Lewis, seconded .by Mrs. Bocock. At Low»r Mangorei last night he addressed a large audience in Mr. White's residence, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks to the candidate and confidence in the Opposition was carried on the motion of Messrs. McCormick and Pienwarden.

THE TAUMARUXUf SEAT. MR. JENNINGS AT WAITARA. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Waitara, Last Night. To-night the Clifton Hall, Waitara, was packed to the doors with a large | and enthusiastic audifnce on the occasion of Mr. Jennings' second campaign speech. The chair was occupied by Mr. \V. F. Jenkins, Mayor of Waitara. Mr. Jennings, on rising to speak, was accorded an ovation, which lasted for several minutes. He said that since he had addressed them last he had traversed the electorate from end to end, and no one could be more glad than himself that the end was in sight. Ho drew attention particularly to the campaign of distortion and misrepresentation which was such a feature of the Dominion newspaper. These tactics degraded politics, and lie maintained that iiiey were grossly unfair. Coining closer home, lie .regretted very much to say that the sectarian element had been dragged into the contest by certain people, with a view of damaging his chances, but the attempt would recoil on the heads of those who made it. He did not think it possible that in the 20th century such contemptible tactics would be resorted to, and 'by those, too, who ou»ht to know .better. However, he was confident that the majority of electors would not .be iiillueneed .by" such methods. Mr. Jennings then dealt at some length with the native land rating, the Mokau deal, and other matters on similar lines to those of Ids previous meeting He felt sure that they would not pals him over in the face of his past performances and lie was quite content to leave himself in their hands. , A large number of questions were asked the candidate at the conclusion of

his address, to all o£ which ho gave satisfactory replies. | On the motion of Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. F. J. Brabant, a hearty vote of thanks and continued confidence in Mr. Jennings as their representative was enthusiastically carried. A similar compliment to the chair concluded one of the most enthusiastic mecty ings ever held in Waitara. As Mr. Jennings was leaving the hall he was accorded three rousing chews, and throughout the whole meeting the audience were with him.