POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 149, 18 November 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT THE BLUFF. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Bluff, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a large meeting in the Bluff Drill Hall to-night. ■lt was a wild, boisterious rainy night, but, despite this, over 600 people were present. The Mayor (Mr W. Hinchey), presided. On arrival at the hall, Sir Joseph received an ovation, and his address, which was a short one, was punctuated with frequent applause. Referring to the gift Dreadnought, Sir Joseph referred to the battleship's visit to New Zealand and the shabby way Bluff had been treated. The people in the district were not given a proper opportunity to see the slliip. They had been given the go by. However, the gift Dreadnought was in the eyes of the whole world, and this country was the only portion of the Empire to have a battleship in the firing line in the North Sea.

The speaker then briefly criticised the rferences of tjie Minister of Defence in regard to the military training scheme. Prior to the last general election Mr Allen had visited the Awarun electorate, and despite the fact that lie (Sir Joseph Ward) was being attacked by his opponent for the seat in regard to military training, Mr Allen had not said one word in regard to the scheme. "I put the Act on the statute book," said Sir Joseph, "and placed the scheme on a proper financial basis, now Mr Allen was depreciating him in regard to the matter, and he and hia party were breaking their necks, twisting their tongues, and contorting their bodies with a view to inakig out and deluding the people that they (the Tory party) were responsible for the scheme. Was that fair play? It was trying to hit a man while he was down. '"Well; I am not down, I am up, and you will see that in December." (Applause.) Dealing with the labour legislation, he declared that the workers had not got the promised "square deal" from Mr .Massey. What had happened to the Bill giving to women in woollen fac•lories a 45 hours week? It had 'been thrown out by the Upper House, which contained 1!) Massey nominees, seven of whom were rejects. "I believe we are coming back at this election," he added, amidst loud applause. They would carry out all their pledges. (A voice: And a good thing, too!) Sir Joseph said the scheme would be of prent value, and would be a (fine incidentive.

He proposed to introduce legislation to make it impossible for tlie executive of a labour union to control the whole of the members. (Applause). Members of labour uflions should have the same right as members of other organisations to control the executive. This would do away with bogus unions, and add materially to the peace and prosperity of New Zealand. (Applause.) Proportional representation would make for a better public life. The country quota could be and should be retained. Under the system there would be no sncli tiling as running additional candidates, such as was the ease now to take few votes from a man who might be considered to have a good chance of winning. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman announced amid applause that Sir Joseph had handed him a cheque for ,€IOO for the local relief fund. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, and amidst applause. The motion was moved by Dr Tarrnnce, who expressed appreciation of Sir Joseph Ward's action in Parliament during the war crisis, and the hope that the Liberal party, with him at the head, would be returned to office. The meeting ceased with hearty cheers for Sir Joseph, and boohs for his opponents.

THE TIMARU SEAT. A ROWDY MEETING. Timaru, Last Night. F. I[, Smith. M.P.. for Waitaki,, Reform candidate for Timaru, this evening addressed his first meeting at the Theatre Royal, which was well filled. The Mayor was in the chair. He had not a good reception, being continually interrupted by a section. He dealt with a few principal political points, and justified the Government action, re strike. He condemned persons for making political capital • out of the Huntly disaster, for which the Government was in 110 way responsible. He would uphold the three-fifths majority and oppose the Bible in schools. Many questions were asked amid much disorder. A deputation of Waitaki Prohibitionists challenged him for breaking his pledge not to oppose a reduction in the licensing majority. Mr Smith stoutly denied giving a pledge, and the meeting would not hear the deputation in reply. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed and seconded, but owing to the disorder could not be put.

THE PALMERSTON SEAT. Palmerston North, Last Night. Mr D. Buick, Reform M.P., opened his campaign to a packed house this evening, seating accommodation also having to be provided on the stage. The candidate principally dealt with the beneficial measures instituted by the Reform Government, which, he claimed,- would go Lack again to complete their programme, which had ben interrupted owing to the war. He was called upon to 'answer a large number of questions. A vote of thanks and confidence was earned.

MR JENNINGS' TOUR. At Huirangi and Tikorangi schools on Tuesday, Mr W. T. Jennings, the Liberal candidate for Taumarunui, addressed the children 011 "Patriotism," and "Love of Country." Mr Jennings addressed the lluiranga electors last night, and goes to Mahoenui, via Awakino, to-day.

THE OAMARU SEAT, _ _ beiinticiH, Last Night. E. P. Lee, M.P., lOr OanJSfii, addressed a meeting of his constituents at Waikouaihi on Monday night. He urgi'd the extension of the life of Parliament to lour or five years. He pointed out mat tlic Government had widened the pension scheme and extended settlement. Taxation had been increased on the wealthy, as shown by the rise in the graduated land tax. He upheld the appointment of the Civil Service Commissioners, and said the Opposition would not make the repeal of commissioners a plank of their platform. He ridiculed the idea of Parliamentary control of civil service, as advocated by Sir Joseph Ward. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried unanim'tftielly, TH'£ PREMIER IN THE SOUTH. iMifflm'MHiiiiai liiinfi Trittnri

MR C. K. WILSON, M.P., AT WAITARA.

Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., Government, candidate for tlio Ttiumurunui seat, addressed a crowded meeting at Clifton Hall, Waitara, last night. Mr W. F. Jenkins, Mayor of Waitara, presided. Mr Wilson traversed the performances of the party in power, and declared that they had improved the administration of the affairs of the Dominion in many ways, particularly in the matter of finance. He claimed that the Govern-! ment had fully redeemed its election pledges. The speaker, who was in good form, scored oil' the numerous interjectors, and his retorts were generally such as to tickle the risible faculties of his audience. At the conclusion of the address numerous questions were asked. A vote of thanks to me speaker, and confidence in him and the Government was moved by Messrs. Lewis Clare and H. Mackenzie. There was little to choose between the "ayes" and "noes," and the chairman said lie thought the "ayes" had it, whereupon the candidate thanked the audience for the vote, and obtained the usual closing compliment to the chair.

MR. D. J. HUGHES AT WAIONGONA. Mr D. J. Hughes, Liberal candidate for Taranaki, addressed a good meeting at Waiongona last night, and had an attentive hearing. Mr Connor presided. Numerous questions were asked and answered, and the candidate was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Messrs Clougli and Adams. MR. G. M. THOMSON BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS. Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. G. M. Thomson, sitting member for Dunedin North, opened his political campaign to-night. He said he considered that there was absolutely no reason why the elections should have been postponed. lie considered the Social Democratic party a danger to the community, and it ought to' be crushed. He then devoted his attention to the programme formulated by iSir Joseph Ward, and also by the Labor party. The only point where he could see the opposing parties agreed was in their desire to oust the Massey Government. He .analysed the sums for works enumerated by Sir Joseph Ward, and showed that there was little difference between the amounts allocated by him <-}iul Mr. Massey. He was not in favor of taking over the ferry service, and thoroughly endorsed the Government's action in the removal of the Parliamentary control of the Public Service.

A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed, and an amendment of thanks only, but tlie chairman made no declaration about the result of the vote.

SPLITTING THE LIBERAL VOTE. PLETHORA OF CANDIDATES IN PARXELL. Auckland, Last X'ight. , "\\ lien Mr. Briggs retired from the Panieil contest against iM'r. J. S. Dickson last week, Mr. J. J. Sullivan was announced as the Opposition candidate, and lie opened his campaign. Tlu; official Liberal and Labor organisation, however, refused to accept Mr. Sullivan, and nominated 'Mr. JVC. Gleeson to contest tlie seat. Last night, at a large meeting, Mr. Sullivan said that rather than split the vote lie would retire in Mr. Gleeson's favor, but the crowd was very insistent that Mr. Sullivan should stand. .Mr. Gleeson also addressed the crowd, but was accorded a mixed reception, and it was arranged that Mr. Sullivan would announce his decision to-night. He met a very large audience to-night, which made a demonstration of approval when lie announced that lie would go to the ■poll. It is understood now that both Messrs. Sullivan and Gleeson will contest the seat. -Mr. Gleeson contested City Central at last election against Mr Glover.

THE PREMIER AT TEJIUKA. FLYING SQUADRON FOR THE PACIFIC. Temuka, Last Night. Hon. fllasscy delivered a political address at Temuka this evening. The building was packed, over a thousand people being present. Tlio Prime Minister was in his best form, and met with an excellent reception. Long and continued applause greeted him as he ascended the platform. In his introductory remarks he referred to the death of Lord Roberts, and said the manner of ms death would impress upon the British people the. lesson of his life, that the best way to ensure peace was to be prepared for war. Speaking of the Second Expeditionary •torce sent from New Zealand, he said lie could give an assurance that the men were well to-day, and in good spirits. Dealing with naval defence, lie emphasised the necessity for New Zealand-Ho-mg her share in providing adequate naval defence in the Pacific, and urged that Australia, New Zealand, and other British dependencies in the Pacific were under a duty to place a flying squadron m the Pacific, which would be able to liold its own. Mr. 'Masscy replied in detail to Sir Joseph Ward's Winton speech, and sketched the future policy of the Reform Government. At the close of the speech lie was accorded a hearty vote of thanks ana confidence.

TILE CANTERBURY SEATS. Christcluirch, 'Last Night. Mr. if. J. Millar, Eeforin candidate for Lyttelton, opened his campaign to-ninht, when he addressed a good attendance of electors at Cashmere Hills School. He commended the action of the Government in offering the Expeditionary Force to the Imperial authorities. He supported the local navy. (Recent events had shown the advantage of that policy. He contended that the Government had carried out its pledges well, and the reforms instituted were all for the benefit of the country. ' i i Dr. Opposition candidate for East, also opened his campaign to-night. He professed himself an mit-and-out supporter of Sir Joseph !v\ ard and the Liberal policy. He sup-

ported the referendum on liiblc in schools, favored the three-lifths majority on the licensing question, and contended that the Government had failed to keep its election promises. There was a crowded an.l enthusiastic meeting of the Liberal and La»or Federation at the Town Hall la<t r ifht. Various report were submitted, which wore highly satisfactory. Mr. Hughes is to bo asked t j speak at the Good TeinpUv Hall at an early date, as the theatre 'is not available. As soon as it is, lie js to be asked to address the electors there also.