POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 155, 26 November 1914, Page 2

POLITICAL.

tiie otaki seat. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. 'Levin, November 20. Last night, at the King'!) Theatre, Mr. I John Robertson, Labor candidate for Otaki, addressed a well-attended meeting, and had a good hearing. He criticised tlie Government's land policy, and said that aggregation was going on, and gave local instances. lie was in favor of State shipping and a State bank, and adversely criticised the Government's labor policy. He denied that there was a bargain between himself and the Liberals. He favored the nationalisation of hospitals and main roads, a bare majority on the liquor vote, and was against the Bible in schools and a local navy. He was not in favor of the present defence scheme. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

MR. DAVEY RETIRES. Christclur.-c'.;, Xovember 25. Mr. T. IT. Davey, member for Cliristclmreli East, has decided to withdraw from the conte?'.. He says that he made a mistake at t.;e opening meeting, when he declined to state how he would vote on the no-confidence motion. He now states that he never promised to support the Reform party on such a motion.

THE STRATFORD SEAT. Each succeeding meeting of the Liberal candidate, Mr W. H. Hawkins, provides additional proof that Liberalism in the Stratford constituency is coming into its own. On Saturday night at York road, Mr Hawkins addressed a big meeting, and at its conclusion was lustily cheered. On Monday night, the Midhirst hall was crowded out, it being by far the biggest meeing yet seen in Midhirst. The party and candidate had every reason to be gratified. Mr Hawkins carried the meeting with him for over two hours, and was frequently applauded. Mr TTarkness presided. At Kainmta on Tuesday evening, over CO settlers assembled in the hall and listened to Mr Hawkins' address for two hours. Mr Capper presided. At all the meetings, a number of questions were asked and answered.

The usual complimentary votes were carried at all the meetings. One of the features of Mr Hawkins, meetings is the long distances settlers travel to hear him. In many instances settlers travel to the second and even third meeting. Polling day will launch a surprise on the "Reform party.—Contributed.

TAUMARUNUI SEAT. i Mr Shortland, Independent Reform candidate for the Taumarunui seat, is now speaking at this end of the electorate. The first meeting is at the Clifton Hall, Waitara to-night. ITis Worship the Mayor will preside. Mr Shortland came to the Dominion from Plymouth, Devon, in 1880 with his father, the late Dr Edward Shortland, at one. time Nature Secretary of New Zealand. Mr Shortland is the author of several popular works and liis book, particularly written for settlers, namely, the New Zealand Family Lawyer, has been well noticed, not only by the press of New Zealand, lmt by such a high authority as Mr T. F. Martin, Counsel to the Municipal Association.

MR .HUGHES' CANDIDATURE. The settlors of thp Manaia district are Riving CMr Hughes a send-off, which is to take the form of a banquet. Owing ! to the function, Mr Hughes lias to postpone his Taurutangi meeting until a later date.