EGMONT BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 84, 26 August 1912, Page 6

EGMONT BY-ELECTION.

EGMONT BY-ELECTION. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Government candidate for the Egmont seat, opened the Campaign last Friday evening, when he gave an address to fully forty electors at the Fraser road school. He was given a hearty reception; aid 'hid remarks met with keen appreciation. At the close he was accorded an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, and after a. strong working committee had been formed was warmly cheered as the gathering dispersed. Mr. A. L. Campbell presided. The candidate detailed the circum- ! stances of the by-election and regarded I it an honor for the Government in ad- ! dition to opening up a new phase of ! politics for the party in power to elect j a member of the Opposition to fill an important position. He referred to the election of 1908, when he met with good support, although not then the selected' candidate. He was now the selected candidate and fully expected to win the contest for the Reform Party. There had been a misunderstanding as to whether he or Mr. Dive was to stand in the interests of the Government, but Mr. Dive's withdrawal now made the position clear. At the 1908 election, he polled over 1000 votes, and for the second ballot threw in his support for Mr. Dive, thereby materially assisting the party, and Mr. Dive now returned the compliment.

Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that the Reform Party's elevation to the Treasury Benches was an cveilt of importance and that the by-election also had an important bearing—practically all New Zealand looked to Egmont to endorse the party's position. He proceeded to show that the Reformers stood for sound government, and in contrast detailed the many irregularities in vogue under the regime of the late Government. The platform of the Massey party was under review, and the urgent need for methods of sound finance, improved conditions for land settlement, and an elective Legislative Council were particularly advocated by the candidate. On the land question, he was a freeholder, and had ajways been so. He urged that the Reformers only could deal satisfactorily with the leading political questions he detailed to- his audience. When previously before the electors lie outlined some desirable alterations, nearly all of which had or were about to become law. Under the former Government, as he pointed out at the time mentioned, the money for sale of Crown lands was credited to revenue returns; under the present Government these amounts would he set aside for further purchasing lands for settlement. He also contended strongly for a system of compulsory military training, whereas Ms present opponent (Mr. Astbury) then expressed disapproval of the scheme. Continuing, Mr. Wilkinson said he was against boys being gaoled and military detention should be substituted. I[e advocated a Board of Commerce to control monopolies, also the establishing of a system of reciprocity between New Zealand and Australia to deal with questions such as_ old age pensions, coinage, civil service, and united action on questions of defence. ITr outlined the proposals of the Massey Government as thoroughly Liberal, inj stancing such schemes as homes for farm ! workers, finance for local bodies, and I other advanced legislation to be introduced shortly. I! eplyincr to questions, Mr. Wilkinson said he favored the bare majority on licensing issues, but was not personally a prohibitionist. On the motion of Messrs. Jennings and Saunderson, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr.'Wilkinson was carried . unanimously.—Contributed.