THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES. THE TWO LEADERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 7. Both Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will address their constituents on Thursday night, the former at Waiuku and the latter at Winton. The Premier also speaks at Pukekohe the following night, while Sir Joseph Ward takes a preliminary canter at Christchurch on Monday. MR. PEARCE AT HAWERA. Before a good audience at the Opera House on Thursday, the Mayor presiding, Mr. G. V. Pearce delivered his first speech in the election contest. He explained why, in loyalty to the National Government, he had refrained from delivering political speeches, and defended his attitude towards the prohibition question, upon which he had not changed his views during the eleven years lie had been member for Patea. Mr. Pearco spoke of good points in the Reform Government's policy, and referred especially to the Housing Bill and the new Board of Trade Bill, which had been put through during the recent session. He criticised Sir Joseph Ward's taxation methods, som e of which he claimed operated unfairly, and criticised the leader of the Opposition in withdrawing from the National Government before the important question of gratuities had been settled; also Sir Joseph's' attitude towards the gratuities. Mr. Pearce expressed his opposition to the long period of encampment in the proposed territorial scheme, but favored physical drill and a few weeks in camp for military training. He thought New Zealand should contribute more than in the past towards the navy. He was against the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald's butter equalisation tax, and said that he was the only member of the Industries Committee who was against the nationalisation of coal mines, though lie was in favor of a State mine to help, by competition, to "keep down the price of coal, tt was a different thing to nationalise shipping, nn<l might break down .reononolies. He refuted Mr. Morrison's charge concerning Mr. Masse}' and the Bihle-m-schools. Finally he warned electors against the dangers of the extremists, and urged the people not to split their votes and thus open the way for extremists to get control of the country. After Mr. Pearce had finished his address he answered several o>iestio«s, and on the motion of Mr. Blake, Ivas accorded a hearty vote of thanks,ja similar compliment being accorded to the Mayor for presiding.— Star, i

THE WAKATIPU SEAT. [ Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. A. Ashworth, the Labor candidate for Hk Wakatipu seat, spoke at Alexandra pit night. He contended that both Mr,.Massey and Sir Joseph Ward had driftwl away from the principles adopted by BUlance and Seddon. He spoke strongly against land aggregation, and advocated the State ownership of the leading industries; also a State Bank. He support*! taxation on unimproved values and ad'leated the repeal of military service, f'loring a voluntary army. The candid-ft was accorded a vote of thanks and cc'Jfdence. s THE TEMt'KA SEAT. Timani, Last Night. Hr. Thomas Gunnioii. Mayor of TcI muka, will s'tand for the .Temuka seat as "an Independent, with a leaning towards Labjt."