THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

THE TARANAKI SEAT. A REFORM CANDIDATE SELECTED. At a meeting of the New Plymouth Reform League yesterday, Mr. <i. 11. Buekeridge was selected to carry the Government banner at the forthcoming election for the Taranaki Beat. Mr. Buekeridge is organiser for the Farmers' Union, a member of the directorate of the Farmers' Co-operative Society, in the formation of which he took a leading part, and haß been acting as organiser in connection with Mr. I'owdrell's campaign for the Patea seat. Mr. Buekeridge was until recently a resident of Eltliam, but shifted to Hawera a few months ago. It is understood Mr. Buekeridge has accepted the nomination, and will commence his campaign forthwith. He is regarded as a Tcady and effective platform speaker, and for the past few years has, through the Farmers' Union, been striving to bring about a better understanding betwen Labor and the fanners. MR. S. G. SMITH AT HUIRANGI, There were about fifty electors at Mr. S. G. Smith's meeting at Huirangi last evening, over which Mr. J. H. Smith presided. The address was on similar lines to those af; other parts of the district, and at the conclusion the candidate received a hearty vote of thanks. THE WAITOMO SEAT. MR. JENNINGS' CANDIDATURE. Considerable interest is being taken in the Waitomo election, as shown by the fairly large gathering at the meetings held by Mr. Wi T. Jennings, M.P., though settlers are exceedingly busy with shearing and milking. At Pukearuhe, at an afternoon meeting, Mr, Waterson proposed a vote of thanks atyl confidence in the member. At Wainui, in the evening, Mr. R. Piggott, chairman of the Clifton County, presided over a good attendance, and at the conclusion of the address Mr. moved a vote of thanks and renewed confidence. At Okoke, Mr. Darke presided over an afternoon meeting, which was well attended. The customary vote was proposed by Mr, Jones. The meeting at Uruti in the evening was largely attended, Mr. Richardson, a returned soldier, presiding. At the conclusion, Mr. Hager proposed the customary vote, which was carried by acclamation Mr. Jennings is receiving as warm a welcome at this end of the electorate as he did at the other. JTHE LABOR CANDIDATE FOR PATEA Mr. Patrick Buckley Fitzherbert, whose candidature as official labor candidate 13 announced, is a solicitor practising at New Plymouth, and the president of the New Plymouth branch of the New Zealand Labor Party. He formerly had a branch office at Hawera. Mr. Fitzherbert comes of a political family. His grandfather, Sir William Fitzherbert, was superintendent of the Wellington province in the days of the provincial districts. Later he represented Wellington in the House of Representatives, and was appointed Speaker of the Lower House. At his death he was Speaker of the Upper House. His father, Air. H. S. Fitzherbert, who was also a lawyer and at the time of his death a Stipendiary Magistrate, was a life-long supporter of the Party in the days of Ballance and Seddon, when the Liberal policy stood for forward progressive legislation.—Hawera Star.

TO-DAY'S MEETINGS. Mr. S. G. Smith.—Waiongona School at 8 p.m. Mr. W. T. Jennings.—Mahoenui, at 2.p.m The Hon. J. B. Hine.—Midhirst, at 8 p.m. Mr R. Masters.—Tuna School, at 8 p.m. Mr. 0. Hawken.— Rawliitiroa, at 8 p.m. Mr. Astbiirv.—Rahotu. Mr. T. M. Wilford.—Hawera Opera House, 8 p.m. Mr. W. D. Powdrell.—Westmere. Mr. Morrison.—The meeting fixed for Mokoia has been postponed. PATEA SEAT. THE REFORM CANDIDATES. The Hawera Star is informed from an authoritative source that the question of whether Mr. Pearce or Mr. Powdrell should stand in ■ the Reform interest for the Patea seat, which had been referred to Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and two assessors, was to have been con> sidered on Saturday night, but as both parties desired to submit further evidence, Mr. Wilkinson intimated that lie would have to withdraw, as it would take some days for each side to collect its evidence and he had to leave for the north at an early date, and wu'd be absent for some time. Tiie Star is informed from other sources that Mr. Powdrell's Kolii meeting was postponed at the last hour to enable him to attend the conference in Hawera, but Mr. Peiirce did nor attend or produce evidence as agreed with Mr. Massey. Mr. Powdrell had, before announcing his candidate, offered to take a ballot, giving Mr. Pearce a start of 25 per cent, of the votes. If the voting did not come up to this margin he would retire. Later, Mr. Massey suggested a conference of committees, consisting of eleven representatives from each side, made up as follows: Two from the Wanganui end, one from Waitotara, two from Waverley, two from Patea, and four from Hawera. j\ll the committee met, with Mr. Massey as chairman, but it was found that Mr, Pearce had not given his committee any powers, and A deadlock was the result. Eventually, the committee agreed to arbitration, subject to Mr. Pearce's consent, after Mr. Massey had put the positionThe second resolution was that both candidates be asked to withdraw in favor of ■«, new candidate. Mr. Powdrell's committee agreed to this and informed Mr. Massey that Mr. Powdrell would stand down; also he would pay half of the new candidate's electioneering expenses if ncceßsary, but, when seen, Mr. Pearce refused absolutely. After Mr. Massey seeing Mr. Pearce the following wire was received by Mr. Buckeridge from Mr. Massey: "Pearce consents to arbitration, although not quite as suggested by conference.' I have therefore appointed Wilkinson as arbitrator, subject to his consent, and suggest that Hunter and Grainger act jas assessors with him, candidates to glvs.ev&ttPgt asd p&jwfewu*

1 include questions a* to which candidate more likely to win and which haq; strongest claims on electors." Mr. Powdrell at once wired Mr, Mas* sey, accepting terms as arranged by Mh Pearce with Mr. Massey. The conference was fixed for Saturday sight, at 7.30. All Mr. Powdrell's witnesses, with evidence, were present, including men from near Wanganui. Neither Mr. Pearce nor witnesses attended ths meeting, but fresh terms were suggested by Mr. Poarce, through Mr. Wilkinson, which were not acceptable to any of the parties; so the arbitration agreed on was abortive. Some of the evidence in favor of Mr. Powdrell was as follows: That Whakamara lals't poll voted: Pearce 39, Morrison 13; total 52. Whakamara peti* tionod asked Mr. Powdrell to Stand and pledges support. There were 63 sign** tures to the petition. At Maxwefltown, conference of Reform supporters, th» voting was Powdrell 18, Pearee nil. At Brunswick, the vote was Powdrell 11, Pearce 1. A member of Mr, Pearce's committee at Westmere had wired that Brunswick favored Powdrell. lie Efettt works agree to give Mr. FowdraU 80, but agree to give 78 to Mr. Morrison In the event of Mr. Powdrell withdrawing. A petition, with hundreds of signature*, was to be presented, asking Mr. Pott* droll to stand. The petition wm*ntnrt| all of Mr. Pearce's last election com' mittee in Hawera, and almost every on* of the committee in Waverley also. At his Ngutuwera meeting lasfc day, the Star was informed Mr. Powdrell received a unanimous rote of thanks and confidence. NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES. 1 *! TO CLOSE ON DECEMBER C. / ' By Telegraph.—Press Association. 1 , Wellington, Nor. EC Ihe Prune Minister announced to-day that writs for both the Maori and European elections would be issued on November 28; nominations for European elections will close on December 6, and for Maori elections on December 8. Polling day for tho European elections will be December 17 and for Maori elections December 16. Writs are returnable for the European election on December 26 and for the Maori elections 5n January 9, THEIbULLER SEAT. „ „ Westport, Last Night. ■ Mr. D. G. O'Brien, Liberal candidate for the Buller electorate, delivered hit first address in Westport to-night, before a large and enthusiastic He outlined and supported the Liberal { policy. He did not wholly favor nationalising coal mines, as he did not think the conditions laid down by Judge Sankey in the Old Country could be properly applied to New Zealand, but heVas in favor of opening out fresh coalfields by the State under modern conditions including workers' homes andStaodern town planning, and in assisting returned soldier miners, who he did not think had had the favorable consideration granted returned soldiers in other occupations. He mentioned that a party of returned soldier miners vera endeavouring to open up a niine near Westport on the co-oper-ative principle. f Amongst questions asked was:—lf elected, would you be in favor of restor- ' ing political rights to conscientious objectors ? The candidate, amid applause, replied: Yes, if you will bring back my dead mates from France." The Mayor, Mr. Lever, who presided, had previously refused' to preside over meetings of Mr. Holland and Mr. Webb. THE GISBORNE SEAT.. 1 m ' Gisborne, Last Night. Mr. T Tirmdle, vice president of the Wellington Watersiders' Union, and organising secretary 0 f the Canterbury Representation Committee, has been selected as the Labor candidate for the Gisborne seat.

THE CLUTHA SEAT. ~ _ , „„ Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. John Christie, Liberal-Labor candidate for the Clutha sent, addretted tt Incetill S at Balclutha on Saturday evening. Ho opposed the co-opeiatfre system of carrying on public work* which must have cost million* extl*. He also opposed the wholesale destruction of forests. He contended that wheat production had heen bungled, and' he estimated that seven million bushels would require to be imported this Vwr. He was strongly in favor of a State Bank. He suggested that tie Repatriation Board should ba kept In esjfltOUcd ,to make arrangements for settlement'on | the land of anyone who had a doire to settle. He opposed floating war loans free of income tax-. He favored children up to ten years being carried on the railways free. He considered provisions should be made for the reception of men with families landing in the Dominion. He favored a modified system of nationalisation of the coal mines. He suggested issuing licences to traders With a view to stopping profiteering. He received a vote of thanks.