THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

MR. S- G. SMITH'S CAMPAIGN. , - AT OKATO. During last week, Mi'. S. G- Bmitlfl addressed several meetings along the) coast On Tuesday, he had a very en« thusiastic meeting at Okato, orer 60 being present, including many ladies, Mr. R. F. Roobuck was voted to the chair. Mr. Smith spoke for over an hour on similar linen to his previoue ad« dresses, and on resuming his seat wa» loudly applauded. Only one question was asked. Mr- J. S. Fox propowd: "That this meeting accords Mr. Smith • hearty vote of thanks for his interesting and lucid address, and expresses renewed confidence in him as our representative in Parliament." Thla was seconded by Mr. P. O'Sullivan, and on being put tc» the meeting, was carried with enthusiasm. AT NEWALL ROAD. On Wednesday evening, despite the extremely wet night, some fifteen elector* attended at the Newall Road School to ■■ meet 5 Mr. Smith. Mr. J. Ducket presided. During the course of hie ad* dress, Mr. Smith referred to the question i of national indebtedness and taxation, and at question time he ww asked several questions regarding these important matters- A hearty vote of thanks to the candidate and to thej chairman concluded the meeting. AT PUNGAREHU. At Pungarchu, on Thursday, Mr. Smith had a most enthuaiaetie meeting, over 70 being present, many coming from a distance. Mr. Smith spoke for over an. hour and a half, during which lie referred to many of the important questions dealt with during the past ees* sion of Parliament, and made brief men-' tion of the taost important planke of hie policy. Hi 3 references to the successful efforts to have the Opunake-New Plymouth railway authorised were very enthusiastically received. Numerous questions were asked concerning loans to local bodies and harbor boards for housing workers, matters concerning soldiers, recognition of the Legion of Frontiersmen, and other subjects, alt of which wero answered satisfactorily. Mr. M. Fleming proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Smith for his able and interesting address, and expressing confidence in him as representative of the district in Parliament. This was seconded by Mrs. Good in, and declared carried, amidst enthusiastic applause. AT PUNTHO. On Friday evening, Mr. Smith ad* dressed over 25 electors in the Puniho echoolhouse, Mr. Thomas presiding. The candidate spoke on similar lines to those of the previous nights, 'and, after answering several questions satisfactorily, was accorded, with acclamation, a hearty vote of thanks for bit most interesting address. TO-NIGHT'S MEETING. Mr. Smith speaks at Huirangl to* night, at Waiongona to-morrow night, and Bell Block on Wednesday night. MR. MASTERS AT WAINGONQORO. There was an attendance of 20 in the Waingongoro school on Friday evening to hear Mr. Masters' views on the political questions of the day. The address was listened to with interest, and at the conclusion Mr. Remnant moved, and Mr. Keegan seconded, a vote of thanks for his address, mid confidence in him as a representative. The resolution was carried unanimously. The chair was taken by Mr. Morrisey. HON. J. B. HINE AT PUKENGAHU. An enthusiastic audience of about 25 greeted Major Hine at Pukengahu on Friday evening. The speaker gave an % interesting and comprehensive address which was listened to attentively. Mr. Mehrtens presided, and at the conclusion of the address a hearty vote of thanks was moved by Mr. Christofel, and carried unanimously. MR. HAWKEN AT AWATUNA. (From a Correspondent) Between 50 and CO electors met Mr. Hawken at Awatuna last week to hear his views on the various political questions, ' especially as they affected tho farming and country community. Mr. M. Barker was in the chair. He stress, ed the point of the nation's indebted* ness to the returned men. Mr. Hawken snid that he was against land aggregation and the holding of too much land by any one individual. He could Sot see that proportional representation Wat any good only to big centres. . In dealing with profiteering, Mr. Hawken was of opinion that instead of regulating the farmers' products the Board of Trade should have regulated the middleman'* profit, 09 the imposition of the. butter tax was essentially a class tax, and he quoted from the N.Z. Times, in which they claim that the Treasury had been robbed to bribe tho farmers on the eve .; of an election. . The speaker showed ■"■ to the satisfaction of his audience that ! tlie Reform Party had refunded to the dairy farmer* that which should never have* been taken from them. In reply ■"; to questions, Mr. Hawken said he did not agree that a State Rank could add ! one iota of wealth, and suggested great- *- er production as more beneficial than mere paper currency. A motion of thanks was unanimously carried, and ft Btrong committee formed. LABOR CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS. By Telegraph.—Pres* Association. Te Kuiti, Nov. 22. ' Mr. F. T. Broom's candidature in the "; Labor interests for tho Waitomo seat is . ■ i withdrawn. No other candidate has yet - ; * been selected, . ? ' i THE OAMARU SEAT. , :\ Duncdin, Last Night. , | Mr'. Macpherson, Liberal candidate jij for the Oamaru scat, addressed a well J attended meeting of electors at Pal- J merston on Friday evening. Discussing . | the policies issued by Sir Joseph Ward -J and the Premier, he said there was not ii a great difference. Ho favored the Lib- v'jj eral leader because ,he was backed by a ;'■ ■) record of forty years. Land legiila- ;■ tion showed tinkering. The Reformers ■; were responsible for aggregation on an . >-.J alarming scale. He cemtfemned the mod- /J dling and bungling of the Government || in connection with the renewal of the -a contract with tho Imperial Government. v| Mr. Massey's failure left tbe producers -| Without a market or a place to put their '$ produce. | Large combines of merchants were «• •■ j sponsible for the cost of living, which I would never be reduced' until they did % away with these criminal monsters. The ' i wheat question was bungled through ,\\ lack of business. He favored a concen* il- - on public works to complete the /l main lines, v