POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 131, 27 October 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE CHALMERS BEAT. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Dunedin, October 20. ill - G. S. Thomson has notified his intention to contest the Chalmerg seat as a Labor candidate. MR. ASTBURY AT MANGiATOKI. On Wednesday evening last .Mr. Astbury gave a political address. .Mr. Wright was voted to the chair, and presided over-an audience of some 50 or CO. In his opening remarks tiie chairmn mentioned that it was unnecessary to introduce the candidate, who was so well known, and a, personal friend to many in the room. llr. Astbury opened his speech by remarking that it was in tha<t hall lie had first spoken 15 years ago a's a political candidate, and at a subsequent election had a majority of the dsu k i's votes of two to- on?. Since tli; 11 t'iic- feeling of the district must have changed, so that the number of his votes had lessened, but his pontics had not changed. He proceeded to show the audience this by explaining the meaning of Conservatism and Liberalism, ami that he adhered to the latter, especially since he had found throughout the yiars that Liberalism stood for the benefit of the masses, and not for any particular class. This was brought out by happy illustrations.

Mr Astbury then gave a really ex. cellent critical survey of the. doings of tiie Reform Parly, touching upon native leases, the Royd Gariick appointment, Westport Harbor Board, political bribery with regard to seats on (he Legislative Council, the famous prospectus of the lion. Allen, vindicating the truth that Liberal surpluses were genuine, and other matters.

Although speaking in a stronghold of the Government, the meeting was extraordinarily quiet, not an interjection of any kind being made during the address. At the close no questions were asked, and the chairman, on asking whether anyone wished to heckle the candidate, received tile reply that they were waiting for the next time Mr. Astbury i oinie round, wlien lie would receiva ,1 broadside, and not have a leg to stand 'on. "Ah," said the caniidate, "but I have concrete fonmhtion? !" (taught: rl.

The meeting concluded with Die customary vote of thanks to the candidate and to thfi chair. lAfterwards a committee was formed to help along Mr. Astbury'g intorcsts.—fpecial corxe.ijiondent.

THE STRATFORD SEAT. Mr. \\. 11. Hawkins. Liberal candidate for Stratford, opened his campaign in the country districts on Saturday night, by addressing a large 'and representative meeting at the Kohuratalii Hall. lie dealt with the leading political questions, including finance, revenue, expenditure, land, State enterprise and banking. His speech was a severe criticism of the Tory administration. For two hours the candidate carried the meeting with him, and lie was frequently applauded. Two separate resolutions were carried unanimously, amid applause. The firjt was: "That this meeting ha 3 no confidence in the Afasscy Government"; and the second, "That this meeting accords Mr. Hawkins hearty thanks for his ab'e and lucid address, and hopes he will top the poll, and also expresses entire eon- : fldenc# in the Liberal party and the leader, Sir Joseph Ward."