THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD. REPLIES' TO RECENT CRITICISM. , By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward, at Waikiwi to-night, replied to Mr. Massey's and Sir Jame3 Allen's criticism of his Winton speech regarding the Supplementary Estimates. He stated his figures were quite correct and included the extra amounts in the Appropriation Bill and other Bills nut stated in the Supplementary Estimates or the Appropriation Bill. Sir Joseph Ward stated lie had nothing to no with the Estimates or. the Budget proposals for the current year. He concluded thrt Budget was up to March ,11, 1919, and it left a surplus of £3,070,773. Sir Joseph Ward said that in one item alone lie urged in the House a reduction of seven millions. He had never in his experience known anything approaching the enormous liabilities now submitted by way of loan proposals. Regarding the use of the surplus of fifteen millions, Sir Joseph 'Ward declared it was wadness to think of raising even half the necessary loans in the country, anil If that surplus was; kept as a sinking fund, three times its amount could be raised in Britain or America at a much smaller discount than if there was no sinking fund. . ,!>.■ Dealing with the charge of electioneering in regard to the gratuity, Sir Joseph Ward said the Premier got authority for £(10,000,000, and now declared that only a quarter of £30,202,000 outside the ordinary expenditure was required. Why was it necessary to ask Parliament for sudi a hugo sum if only a quarter could be spent? Replying to the Hon. J. G. Coates in regard to the post and telegraph war bonus, he said the decision to appoint someone to inquire what was promised by him as Postmarter-General was unique in the history of the country. He agreed that if a bonus was paid to the post and telegraph officers it should also be paid to officers of other State departments, giving equrl treatment to all lower paid men of the publie service, AMBITIONS OF LABOR. Dunedin, Last Night. The Hon. J. T. Paul, Labor candidate for Dunedin South, addressed a large meeting of electors this evening. He explained many of the planks of the Labor Party's platform, and asked for a trial for a Labor Government, as the Reform and Liberal had both failed to give satisfaction to the people. In reply to an interjection, he said the Labor Party might not get into power this time, but it would be returned in such numbers as to show it was a constructive party which understood the people's requirements. He also expressed a belief that the next election would' not take place uiree years hence, but perhaps one year hence. He was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence. THE GISBORNE SEAT. Gisborne, Nov. 17. Mr. W. D. Lysnar has announced himself as a candidate for the Gisborne seat in response' to a large requisition. He will stand as an Independent on two conditions: (1) That should the work affect the sight of his remaining eye he will resign; (2) that he shall have permission to visit England at an early date Sir James Carroll has also announced his candidature.

THE RICCARTON SEAT. Christehurch, Last Night. Mr. Witty, M.P., Liberal candidate for Riccarton, opened his tonight. He said that from the ashes of the old Liberal Party there was going to spring a new Liberal Party, which would do better work even-than the oil, and would be a benefit and & blessing to the community. At the same time he was not tied hand and foot. He had refused positions in the Ministry because he refused to be absolutely tied to any party. He would sooner be out of the House for the rest Of his life than join the extreme Labor Party under any conditions. A vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried almost unanimously. THE WAITOMO SEAT. Mr. W. T. Jennings, M P., has had a most remarkable week since leaving New Plymouth on Monday (writes a correspondent). The cordiality and enthusiasm shown him must bo very gratifying to the indefatigable member. He took part in the unveiling of a memorial stone to fallen Maoris at Te Euiti on Tuesday last with the Hon. Dr. Pomare. It was an occasion, from the solemnity of the Maoris, that one could not readily forget. The obelisk cost the Maoris £4i>o. " At Ongarue, on Wednesday last, Mr. Jennings declared a bridge over the river open for traffic, Councillor P. Sims presiding over a large gathering of settlers. In the evening, a banquet in recognition of the member's service to Taumaniuui, was held in the Theatre Royal, "Major Steadman presiding. Three clergymen of different denominations, and the Labor candidate for Waimarino joined in paying tributes to the old war horse. On the Thursday night he was greeted with a packed attendance at the People's Picture Palace, Mayor C. Pindlay presiding. At the conclusion of his address and many questions, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Jennings as the representative for Wait.omo was passed on the motion of Mr. Howarth, B;A., seconded by Mr. Mahcr, a representative of the workers. At Otorohanga Town Hall, Mr. Ilenner, chairman of the Town Board, presided over a large gathering. At the conclusion. Councillor Willis proposed a vote of thanks and confidence, which was seconded by Mr. Goldthorpe, and carried unanimously. . ME. C. K. WILSON'S CAMPAIGN. Mr- C. K- Wilson opened his campaign, so far as this end of the Waitomo electorate is concerned, at Waitara last evening. To-night he speaks at, Tikorangi, to-morrow* night at Urenui, at Okoke at 11 a.m. 011 Thursday, and Pukearulie at 3 p.m. 011 the same day. PATEA SKAT. The Hawera Star understands that a conference is to be held during this week with the purpose of removing the difficulty which at present confronts the Reform Party in the Pataa eUctorate.