GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 149, 18 November 1914, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE CHRISTCHURCH CONSTITUEN-J oes. Cliristcliurcli November 17. 1 Mr Hiram Hunter, Social Democratic J candidate for the Cliristcliurcli East seat, opened his campaign, to-night. He declared that an arrangement had been come to between the Labor and the Liberal parties not to put up candidates against each other, but in Cliristcliurcli east, withoiit Sir Joseph Ward's endorsement or approval, the local Liberal and Labor League had nominated another candidate. Mr Hunter dealt with the planks in the Social Democratic Party's platform, and dwelt at length 011 the strike, stating that lie had urged the local drivers' union to con\e out. He was accorded a hearty vote of confidence. MR G. WITTY.

Mr G. Witty, M.P., opened his campaign to-night for the Riecarton electorate, before an attendance of about sixty people. His speech was a more or lesß detailed indictment of the Reform Government's administration from start to finish. He alleged that the Government's land administration had been an utter failure, and that taxation and cost of living, and borrowing, had not been , reduced as promised. He criticised the . Government for its dependence upom Commissions, and for its failure to take •the responsibility of administration upon its own shoulders. At the conclusion of the meeting ho was accorded a vote of thanks for his address, and a vote of confidence in Sir Joseph Ward and the Liberal Government was passed without dissent.

I MR G. R. WHITING. Mr 0. R. Whiting, Social Democrat candidate for Christchurch South, opened his campaign this evening. He de■clared his adhesion to a promise made at last election to vote against a motion of no-confidence in Sir Joseph Ward, and liis antagonism to the Massey Government. He dealt with a number of promises made by the Massey Government, and said these had not ben fufilled. He supported Sir Joseph Ward's maternity bonus proposals, proportional reprsentation, increase in laud taxation, to reduce the customs duty on the necessities of life, and a volunteer systm of defence instead of the present compulsory one. He was given a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.

MR L. M. ISITT. ' | Mr L. M. Isitt, Opposition candidate for Christchurch North, addressed a good 'meeting. Ho criticised the Government on its laud and financial policy, and alleged that its record was one long series of broken promises, "petty misrepresentation," and unworthy practices. He specially criticised the Government in j connection with the Huntly disaster, saying that it was guilty of contributing carelessness to such an extent as to be almost criminal. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. HON. R. H. RHODES AT SOUTHBRIDGE. Southbridgc, November 17. Hon. R. H. Rhodes, Postmaster-Gen-eral, opened his election campaign at Southbridgc to-night before a large audience. He obtained a good hearing, ( though at tiities he was interrupted by a number of farm laborers at the back of .the hall. The Minister's speech was a strong defence of the Government policy. He was subjected to considerable interruption when speaking of the strike, and said that if Sir Joseph Ward was to able to stop such a strike in two days, he was not loyal or patriotic in bottling up the secret. Replying to an interjected question regarding what the Government had put in place of the Second Ballot, the Minister said evidently his questioner would like to have proportional representation, but he would like to have the country quota done away with. He (Mr Rhodes) would approve of proportional representation, but did not see how the country quota difficulty could be got over. He spoke strongly in favor of the reform of the naval policy, and said it would be nobler on the part of New Zealand to have its own ships than to pay Great Britain to fight its battles. Referring to public health questions, he said his intention after the elections was to call another conference of superintendents of sanatoria to discuss the best means of coping with tuberculosis and pushing gn the campaign to stamp out this disease. At the conclusion the Minister was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

MR. G. W. RUSSELL AT LINWOOD. " Christehurch, November 17, Mr G. W. Russell, Opposition candidate for Avon, addressed a largely attended meting at Linwood to-night. He claimed that the present Government had broken practically all its election pledges, and quoted figures to prove the assertion that the country was running I to financial ruin. He said a great responsibility lay at the door of the present Government in connection with the Huntly disaster. He opposed strongly the Bible-in-Schools ' referendum. He said he had reeived a private letter to the effect that the men on the transports were not receiving proper food, and he considered that the Government should take immediate action in this matter. He objected to a "Tory navy," but while the war .lasted he would stand by the present defence Act. lie was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence,although considerable dissent was expressed to the vote.

THE NAPIER SEAT. Napier, November 17. Mr J. W. Venables, Reform candidate for the Napier seat, opened his campaign to-night, when he addressed about 100 electors in Wesley Hall, South Napier. The candidate spoke ■ at considerable length on labor questions, drawing attention to the beneficial measures introduced by the Massey Government. He touched particularly on the elimination of political patronage from the public service and increases in the wages of railway employees and other civil servants. Mr Venables severely criticised the policy of "the Red Federation. He exonerated the Government for the delay in connection with the construction of the East Coast railway. 'The candidate received a good hearing, and was accordd a vote of thanks.

MR JENNINGS AT TIKORANGI. Mr W. T. Jennings visited Tikorangi yesterday afternoon, when he met a few people, and afterwards addressed the Mhoo! children on "Patriotism and Love of Country." He apologised for his iri-:, ability, from private reasons, for not