THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

THE WRITS ISSUED. [ LAST NOMINATIONS DATE By Telegraph.—Press Assoe'ation. Wellington, Last Night. The writs for the general elections, both European and Maori,-were issued to-day and the enrolment of electors therefore ceased at 0 o'clock this evening. The writs fix December Bth for the, final day for the receipt of nominations for both European and Maori electorates. Previously it was announced that the European nominations would close on December Oth. The election days are unaltered—l6th December for the Maori elections, and 17th December for the European constituencies. The writs are returnable on 20th December (European), and 9th January (Maori). TARANAKI SEAT* MR, SMITH AT KENT ROAD. . ■ ! There was an attendance of 40 at Kent Road last evening, when Mr S. G. Smith addressed' the electors. Mr. J. R. Rowlands was voted to the chair, and, in introducing Mr. Smith, said "the latter had studied the requirements of the people who had sent him to Parliament, particularly the farmers, and he had fought for their interests. He especially referred to the successful efforts put forth by Mr. Smith in connection with obtaining justice for the butter pro* ducers of the country by the removal of the imposition indicted by the operations of the equalisation fund. Mr. .Smith, who spoke for over an hour, dealt with political questions on the lines of his previous meetings, and at the conclusion was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. A meeting of Mr, S. G. Smith's committee was held yesterday. The ladies met in the afternoon, and fully arranged required organisation. The general committee met in the evening. j ■ STRATFORD SEAT. MR. MASTERS AT ROWAN. Mr. Masters addressed a well attended meeting at Rowan on Thursday night, and had an excellent reception. The candidate spoke for one and a half hours to an attentive audience. He dealt with many questions affecting the farming community, especially with the shipping trusts. He explained that Sir Joseph Ward and his party had distinctly stated that they would have nothing to do with the extreme Labor section, yet, for some untold reason, some of the Reform crowd were endeavoring to mix the Liberal Party with'the Bolshevik type of Labor. A number of questions were asked and at the conclusion of the address a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was passed in Mr. Masters, a large majority of those present staying and forming a committee to assist Mr. Masters' candidature. HON. J. B. HINE AT KAIMATA. A large and enthusiastic audience greeted Major Hine at Kaimata on Thursday evening. Mr. G. Giddy occupied the chair, and, throughout, the speaker was accorded an attentive hearing. At the conclusion of the address Mr. Capper moved, and Mr. Thorby seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker and expressed the confidence of those present in him as the representative of the district in Parliament. Both motions were carried amidst cheers and acclamation.

THE DEFENCE QUESTION. HON. J. B. HIKE'S VIEWS. Tn referring to the defence question, at Kairaata on Thursday night, the Hon. .1. B. Hine said Sir James Alien, the Defence Minister, had in a statement advised that camps be instituted and that all youths over the age of 19 years should be compelled to put in four months of the year in training. This matter has never been before Cabinet for discussion. There was no doubt that the present territorial system was very unsatisfactory to all concerned, and was also very expensive and wasteful, because it was not effective. There was no doubt it was necessary to have some defence, and he would sooner go out of office than say that they could do without defence. The youths of thi3 country must be trained to defend their kithand kin in the event of attack. Mr.. Massey did not agree with Sir James Allen's proposal, and the latter modified his view* considerably, and now' has made it three months' training in three years, and this at a time when it was most suitable for the young men to go into camp. There was no doubt that militarism made a man of a boy, and if any of them had made up their minds to go to the dogs they would do so, whether there were camps or not. The Government intended to be more discreet in the selection of officers for the camps, and this would get over all the'difficulties in connection with the camps, and also all objections raised against them. Sir James Allen's recommendations had been brought down when the country was at war, and not, as now, when we were at peace. He considered the defence question should be above party politics, as it was for the good of the whole country, and not any particular party.—Record. MR. ASTBURY'S CAMPAIGN. At the Town Hall, Kaponga, on Thursday evening, there was a good attendance of the supporters of Mr. D. L. A. Astbury. A strong committee was formed to further his interests at the coming election. Delegates of Mr. Astbury's committee from the outside districts were present. The meeting was very enthusiastic, satisfactory reports being received from every part of the district. FARMERS' UNION QUESTIONS. A series of questions were submitted by the Farmers' Union to all candidates, and, so far as Mr. Masters is concerned, they have been answered as follows: The candidate is in favor of the optional tenure of land with right of purchase. He would certainly oppose any form of taxation that would work out inequitably either to the farmer, or to I any trade or calling. He would resist | legislation or action preventing the receipt jf tht market prigea, vol«g{ thert

is evidence of exploitation, or injuriottt effect of trusts or combines. He wontt advocate and support legislation to pit* vent force, coercion or intimidation _ to . be used with the object of interfering , with the free and safe carrying ©a M lawful occupation. Ho was advocating, right throughout his campaign, legislation being at once enacted to keep the meat and shipping trusts from getfiiw a stranglehold of New Zealand industries, and he would oppose the railway tariff being used for the purposes of protection. * I ' TARANAIvI ELECTORATES. • ' TO-DAY'S MEETINGS. Mr. S. G. Smith.—Vogeltown School, at 8 p.m. Mr. G. H. Buckeridge.—Brooklands, at 8.30 a.m.; Okato, at 8 p.m. The Hon. J. B. Hine.—Norfolk Road, at 8 p.m. Mr. R. Masters.—tyglewood (band to* tmifla), 2 p.m.; Pukeho Hall, at 8 ftti. Mr. 0. Hawken.—Riverlea, at 8 p.m." Mr. Astbury.—Rotakare School V Mr. W. D. PowdrelL—Gpaku. A reminder is given that Mr. Suelcen idge will meet his country supporters and those in New Plymouth who can a» tend, at the Soldiers' Club this aft*£ noon at 2 o'clock. THE WAIMARINO f By Telegraph.—Press Association; '' Wellington, Last Nighty Mr. Shortland has retired from thl ' YVaimarino contest owing to illness. ROWDY ELEMENT SPOILS A . MEETING. " Auckland, Nov. 87. A portion of the audience which afc tended a political meeting held in the"'" city to-nigbt by Mr. Jolly Thomas, ft* ' form candidate for Auckland Central, was in lively mood, and the was quite unable to deliver hit speech. ' < owing to the continual intemptkM from one quarter of the halL TttUhK ' terrupters appeared to bo more or IHA youths bent on entertainment, and when the meeting closed the candidate had said little or nothing of the speech whjoh lie had prepared. UPROARIOUS RECEPTIONS. Mr. Fred Pirani, Liberal candidate far Wellington Central, is having tome uproarious meetings. On Thursday fiignjt he had difficulty in speaking. "Education is the most important' • question of all," said Mr. Pirani. "Oifft the country a proper education system, - - and we won't have hoodlums like those in the back of the hall." (Interruption.! A woman elector, who announced tha® s she was "a domestic servant," cants* . ■ some interruption at this point. She wanted to discuss a question of rett. Another lady had something incoherent to say abojit children, and was angry when Mr. Pirani remarked that no cMK dren was enough for a person who intet-. ruptnd public meetings. The candidate said lie did not blame the people wfeo interrupted. They were merely Bho#ing their lack of knowledge ana think* - ing capacity. In reply to this, {the noisy section of the meeting counted Mr Pirani out several times. He hoped that when the present U#t« . ernor-General went Home, it would lie possible to use the vice-regal resident* to house the homeless.