TARANAKI BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1918, Page 4

TARANAKI BY-ELECTION.

j HON. D. H. GUTHRIE'S MEETING. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, arrived in New Plymouth by the mail train last night. To-night he will address a meeting of electors at the Inglewood Town Hall on behalf of the Government, and to-morrow night he wiH give an address at the People's Picture Palace, New Plymouth. So as to ensure that seats would be available for country electors who had tc> travel some distance in order to attend the Hon. D. H. Guthrie's meeting, in support of the National Government candidate to-morrow evening at the People's Picture Palace, the committee had decided to make admission by ticket only, until five minutes to 8. As, however, the Minister prefers that no tier kets shall bo issued, the committee desire it to be (known that the decision ad to admission by ticket has been counters manded, and, that no seats will be reserved, soN that those desirous of securing admission should attend earlyMr. J. S. Connett will speak at the Old People's Home at 230 this after* noon.

MR OONNETT AT WESTOWN. At Westown last night, Mr. Connettj was accorded a most enthusiastic recep-: tion, there being about 70 electors pre-i sent, Mr. Ruebe presiding. After hearing the candidate, the meeting gun Mm a unanimous rote of thanks and con' fidenc?. « MR. SMITH'S CANDIDATURE,

Mr. Syd. Smith addressed between, 000 and 700 people in the Opera Hoiise at Ingle Wood last night, Mr. Young pie j siding. The candidate answered nnnttrous questions to tlie satisfaction of those present, and he was cheered and applauded throughout the meeting. On the motion of Mr. Lumsden, seconded by Sir. Beadle, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in 'Mr. Smith was carried, without a dissentient voice. One of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings of railway men ever held in New Plymouth took place *t the social hall on October sth, Mr o*Shw presiding. Mr S. G. Smith, the demo* cratic candidate for the Taranaki Beat, addressed the gathering and received a most attentive hearing. His speech was on the lines of that<already reported but with special reference to the conditions of .railway men generally. At the condition, he was accorded a hearty vote of tfi&b&Mtajf unbounded confidence in him as the representative of the men he has worked with so ■Lmonioualy for the past years, fltny apologies wera receivectvior unaJßtable attend« ance and good. for Ibis success next meeting closed with cheej^^^^^Haith. THE Loud' ct^^HHHHHHHrBe- 1 fence 'Mini the trotes of soldiers at the by-election. , Taranaki men at present in camp have been granted leave in order that they may vote on Thursday, but they are not being provided with travelling warrants. They argue that this means depriving them of their votes in many cases. The Defence Department is advised, on the other hand, that the issue of travelling warrants would be a breach of section 220 of the Legislature, and might is* validate the election. It appears that the Government has no power to place a polling-booth outside the electorate. The difficulty might have been overcome by providing the soldiers with absent voters' permits, but this step seems to have been overlooked. Sir James Allen, who is at present in the South, is due hack here on Wednesday, ibut, apparently, it will then foe too late for him to move in the matter. ' ' [PASSES ISSUED TO MEN IN CAMP. At a late hour last night, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie received a telegram stating that warrants had been issued for free railway passes to reservists in camp entitled to vote at the Taranaki by-elec-tion, leave of absence having also (been granted. * <