THE EGMONT SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 86, 28 August 1912, Page 8

THE EGMONT SEAT.

POLLING-DAY FIXED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Tuesday. The Egmont election will take place on September 17. MR. WILKINSON AT KAPONGA. Fully 130 electors, including a large number of ladies, attended at the Mangatoki Hall on Monday eveningUo hear a political address by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, the Reform candidate for the Egniont seat, and a splendid meeting was the outcome. In the words of the chairman (My. C. McGuinness), it was one of the best meetings he had ever presided over. There wa3 an abundance of enthusiasm taken in the proceedings, and after tliß candidate had given a racy and pithy account of political affairs the meeting launched into questions, which were satisfactorily dealt with. Mr. Wilkinson was then accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation, the mover, Mr. Watts, explaining that it was customary to leave the "confidence" for the ballotbox. Despite the lateness of the hour at the conclusion of the meeting, a large and influential committee' was formed to work in Mr. Wilkinson's interests, of which Mr. McGuinness was elected chairman, and Mr. J. Phillips, jun., secretary. Mr. Wilkinson dealt in a trenchant manner with what he termed the sham Liberalism of the Opposition, and proceeded to outline the projected reforms of his party, which were genuine Liberal measures. He condemned the excessive borrowing of the past administration, and showed that it was imperative for a halt to be called. Borrowing for reproductive works was quite necessary, but should be kept within reason. Within the next few years there were large loans falling due, and these would be difficult to renew on advantageous terms. The interest charges at the present time would probably amount to one-fourth of the sum derived by taxation in this country, so that it was necessary to go very carefully. The higher the country's indebtedness the more difficult it became to get money, and then only at a higher rate of interest. Ho spoke strongly for the freehold tenure on the land question, and detailed the proposed legislation of the Reformers, with which he was fully in accord.