POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 10 December 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL.

THE LIBERAL LEADER. FINAL FLUTTER IN THE SOUTH. FINE MEETINGS IN SOUTHLAND. By Telegraph,—Special to Daily News. Gora,'Last Night. The final campaign flutter was given by Sir Joseph Ward to-day, the Liberal leader concluding his magnificent series of meetings at Gore, where he spoke to a crowded audience, in the Town Hall, about 1500 persons being present. No party leader has over carried out such a strenuous campaign. Ever, since the rising of the session, Sir Joseph Ward has been travelling night and day, often addressing as many aB four meetings in a day. His tour in Southland has been carried out under adverse weather conditions

j The Liberal leader left by steamer at 6 o'clock this morning for Stewart Island, where he addressed the electors in the local Hall, speaking for an hour, leaving directly afterwards for Bluff. He attended the Invercargill Show in the afternoon, concluding a strenuous campaign, and a unique tour, in Gore. In the course of his speech at Stewart Island, Sir Joseph referred to the at-' tempts being made by his opponents io make political capital out of the fact that he was often absent from his electorate. He pointed out that all his interests were in Southland and it was usually taken as a compliment by a constituency that their representative should be selected for a leading pos*tion in politics. The duties devolving upon him as leader of the Opposition necessitated his constant absence frcn± his electorate, but lie had never neglwted his district. During the election campaign three years ago it was charged against him that he got too much for his constituents. It was the first time he had ever known or a member being opposed because he had bean able to do too much for his district. (Applause). At the conclusion of his speech a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried with enthusiasm. The motion expressed the hope that. Sir Joseph Ward would be restored to the position of Prime Minister as the result of Thursday's poll. I As the special steamer drew away from the wharf, hearty cheers were given for the member for Awarua. At Gore, Mr D. L. Poppalwcll presided over the largest political gathering ever held in the district, and this despite a counter attraction, Mr G. J. Anderson addressing a meeting in a hall opposite. On arrival at the hall, Sir Joseph received an ovation, r,«md after round of applause being given in the most enthusiastic manner. 11k» proceedings commenced with a short uddress by Mr Mehaffey, the Liberal candiatc for Mataura. When Sir Joseph Ward rose to speak the demonstration given on his arrival in the hall was repeated. The applause was so heavy it must have been disconcerting to Mr Anderson in the opposite building. In opening, Sir Joseph called attention to an advertisement in the local paper which asked the public to beware of an outsider, and persuading the electors to attend another political gathering in the town. (A voice: "There's fifty over there.") This remark was received with , hilarious laughter. "Well, I am here," said Sir Joseph amidst renewed laughter. He said he had had unmistakable evidences from all parts of the country showing that a strong Liberal feding was permeating the whole Dominion. (Applause). There was no mistaking the signs. There was a vast difference between now and three years ago, "a,nd I'm coming in again," "he added, the remark being received with a great demonstration of approval. The present Government were in a place to which they had not been voted by the people They occupied the Treasury benches owing to the merest fluke, it was due to the action of those who had forgotten their duty to the people. (Applause).' The "Reformers" had been able to gat hold of newspapers all over the country, but lie did not believe the people would j be misled by the statements made, in the I Conservative papers, which were not in I sympathy with the requirements of the , people. The "Reform" Press was going along in the wake of public opinion. , (Applause). He dealt trenchantly with . finance, showing that all the extraI vagant charges and innuendoes levelled j at his administration bv Mr Allen and other members of the Cabinet had /alien to the ground. The Conservatives had failed to make their political marble good. (Applause). Sir Joseph dealt with the various political matters of the day on lines of former addresses, and outlined and explained the Liberal policy. At the conclusion of his speech, Mr W. Aitken moved, seconded by Mr Driscoll, "That this great meeting of 'electors of Gore and surrounding districts in the Mataura electorate thanks Sir Joseph Ward for his able address, congratulates him on the great fight, he lias put up against the Conservatives, expresses, every confidence in him as leader of the Liberal party, and sin-. cerely hopes that as the result of tomorrow's poll the Liberal' party, and sinSir Joseph Ward in command, will be returned to power. This meeting also thanks Mr Mohaffoy for his address, and we pledge ourselves to do all in our power to put him at the head of the poll to-morrok. The motion was carried unanimously, and with the utmost warmth. The final meeting of the campaign and the finest political gathering ever hold in Gore closed with cheers for the Liberal leader.

A NEW FACTOR. THE VOTES OF THE EXPEDJ- ' TIONARY FORCE. Wellington, Last Night. In to-morrow's election there will be a new factor which may possibly alter or modify the results as announced on the night of the election. This is the vote of the members of the expeditionary forces at present on active service. Under the special legislation of last session every member was entitled to vote as an elector in the district where he resided before enlisting. As these votes number some ten thousand, and will be counted as absentee votes after the day of the election, when the official scrutiny takes place, to-morrow's results cannot be accepted as final, especially in cases where contests are close. It'will probably be two or three days before tin; actual results are known.'

iIR. ASTBURY AT OPIWAKE.

There were about 200 electors present at Mr. ]>. L. A. Astburv's meeting at Opunake on Wednesday evening. Mr. lAstbury followed on the lines of his previous speeches, obtaining a patient hearing, with the exception of one or two interjections. At the conclusion a vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was moved by Mr. Guy, seconded by Mr. Heath, and carried by acclamation, the meeting closing with hearty cheers for Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Aatbury.