POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 9 December 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE STRATFORD SEAT. The groat meeting, held in the Town Hall, Stratford, on JYiday evening last, when the Liberal candidate (Mr W. H. Hawkins) delivered his second address to the (doctors, was a distinct triumph both for the candidate and the liberal party. The speaker held the audience for over two hours, and covered a wide political area. Judging by the tone of the meeting and round after round of applause, it is pretty safe to predict that the Reform party is in: for a pretty big surprise on Thursday. One .of two venturesome Reformers who attempted to disconcert Mr Hawkins received a severe handling, much to the delight and approval of practically the whole crowded meeting. The chief results of the meeting are the discomfiture of the Reform party and the correspondingly jubilation of the Liberals. At the conclusion a large number of questions were asked and answered. The usual (votes wera parried a-midst prolonged cheers and applause. The reception given to Mr Hawkins and the triumph scored must have delighted that gentleman. The meeting concluded amid ringing clicefs for Sir I Joseph Ward and the Liberal party. I There has been for some time a difference of opinion between the two politi- ' cal factions as to which of them had secured the Town Hall for polling eve. The lessee of the hall granted the use of the Hall to Mr W. Hawkins, who had booked the Jiall as far back as the 21st November, paid the fee and received a receipt. The Reform party then claimed that it had hired the hall some time previously. At his Friday night meeting, Mr Hawkins went fully into the whole question, and declared that he had a legal and moral claim to the hall, lie was determined to use it, and refused to be "jockeyed" out of his rights by the Reform party. On Saturday last, however, the Registrar of Electors stepped into the arena and claimed the hall on the grounds that he wanted to prepare the building for polling. As he has a statutory right to do this, Mr Hawkins has been left without a hall prior to polling day, and is compelled to speak in the open air. The only other suitable building is the picture theatre. Til is lias been secured by the Reformers. Considerable public indignation has been aroused against what -is considered an organised attempt on the part of the Reformers to block the Liberal candidate from speaking on the eve of polling day. Anything savoring of the ''boycott" is resented by all fair-minded electors, and' tlicre is little doubt but that this attempt to suppress his speech has materially strengthened the chances of the J Liberal candidate. The vigorous fight put up throughout the electorate by the I Liberal candidate has surprised the Reform leaders and while they in the beginning of tin; contest considered their chances rosy, they are to-day realising that they are up against a solid 'proposition. The general opinion in Stratford to-day is that the Liberal party will just about snatch a victory on polling day. Friday night's meeting was indeed a revelation.—Contributed.