THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

TARANAKI SEAT. MR. BUCKERIDGE'S CANDIDATURE. Mr. Buckeridge, the Government candidate, had a strenuous day yesterday. In the morning he addressed about 40 BUjjj-j pliers to the 35gmont Y Village factory out* .side the building*; When he received £ Vote of thanks, also a vote of confidence in the Government ,l "'. • Later, he spoke to a number of work* meu engaged in road work on' thtf Junction Road. At 12;30, he metabeut 100 railway employees at the railway goods sheds, and had an important chat with them. In the afternoon, about thirty ladies attended a meeting, at which plans were made for the organisation and canvassing of the townLast evening, Mr. Buckeridge spoke at Lepperton, the hall being packed to the doors. Mr. Hillier presided, and the candidate spoke for two hours. Ho was given a hearty reception, and at the conclusion a few questions were asked. Mr: J. 0. Taylor proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Buckeridge for his address, and confidence in the Government. This was seconded by Mr. W. Old, and carried unanimously. The meeting closed with the giving of three cheers for the candidate. MR. SMITH'S MEETINGS. Mr. Smith addressed a meeting at the wharf yesterday, and at the conclusion of his speech he was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Mr. Smith addressed a well-attended meeting of electors at Oakura last evening. . Mr. W. K, Morris presided. He dealt with the Opunake-New Plymouth railway, the removal of the operations of the equalisation fund, defence matters, and taxation. No questions were asked, and at the conclusion, Mr T. Smart proposed, and Mr. P. McCabe seconded, that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr. Smith, and renewed confidence in him as representative of the district. This was carried unanimously. Mr. Smith speaks at Fitzroy to-night THE STRATFORD SEAT. MR, MASTERS AT WAITUI. On Tuesday evening, the LiberalLabor candidate addressed a large gathering at Waitui, the Hall being crowded, Mr. McMahoa presided. Mr, Masters dealt with a 'urge number of topics in a forceful manner, ?nd, at the 00-vtasion, was accorded the usual vote of thanks. HON. 3: B. HINE AT BIRD ROAD. Major Hine addressed an audience of about 30 electors at Bird Road on Tuesday evening. He spoke on the usual lines and received an attentive hearing. Mr. Crowe occupied the chair, and, at the conclusion of the address, votes of thanks and confidence in Mr. Hine as the representative of the district in Parliament, were moved by Mr. Willis, seconded by Mr. Hill and carried unanimously. EOMONT SEAT. MR. HAWKEN AT MANAIA. Mr, Hawken, the Reform candidate, addressed an enthusiastic meeting of ladies in the Qouncil Chambers, Manaia, on Tuesday afternoon. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded him. Later a strong committee was formed, with Miss Patterson as chairwoman, and Miss M. Campbell secretary, to further his candidature. Mr. Hawken will be supported by the Manaia branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. MR. ASTBURY'S MEETINGS.

Though the night was inclement, n number of ladies and gentlemen attended to hear Mr. Astbury at the Mata Hall on Tuesday evening. The Liberal candidate has the name of being a good speaker, and .holds his audience's attention throughout. Ho is very outspoken on the question of military camps, and, as ft farmer, points out the danger that lies in the adoption of Sir James Allen's proposals, his remarks being always received with applause, PATEA SEAT. MR. MASSEY'S REQUEST. UNHEEDED BY MR. POWDRELL'S COMMITTEE. Within the past few days, states' the Star, a telegram was received by Mr. Powdrell from the Premier, asking him to stand down, as the seat was imperilled to Reform by the continuance of his candidature. The telegram made so strong an appeal that Mr. Powdrell decided to consult his general committee and to tako their decision. On Tuesday, a conference was held in Waverley to consider the position. There were 38 present, and 10 were accounted for. The following resolution was adopted: "That this fully representative meeting of delegates of Mr. Powdrell's committees from the whole electorate, aft°r having read the telegram received by Mr. Powdrell from Mr, Massey, unanimously adhere to the decision already come to by the district committees, that Mr. Powdrell's committees absolutely refuse to allow Mr. Powdrell to withdraw from the contest, and although Mr. Massey has endorsed Mr. Pearce's candidature this meeting is convinced that the only hope of retaining the seat for the Reform party iB for Mr. Powdrell to contest the seat, as Mr. Pearce has lost the confidence of the electors, and has.no possible chance of winning it at the forthcoming election." It was ordered that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to Mr. Massey and to the newspapers for publication. MR. POWDRELL AT WAITOTARA, Mr. Powdrell held a meeting at Waitotara on Monday evening, Mr, Graves in the chair. About 100 persons were present, and the usual vote was passed. A MISUNDERSTANDING CLEARED UP. Writes Mr. Alex Hunter, chairman of Mr Powdrell's committee, to the Hawera fctar:— A lot of Minital i» beina made out by

a certain section of Mr. Pearco's rap* porters, namely, thajt Mr. Powdrell if it mainly prompted by personal and jii- ~'*!\ vate spite in opposing Mr. Pearee for ,-% the Patea seat at the coining election/.' | Now, is* it fair or honest on their pjut | to keep reiterating that inaccuracy in! .{/! the face of solid, genuine fact? When Mr. Pearee's supporter! realised 'fs that there was not the ghost )Qt3l!ijj| chance of his defeating Mr. IfOltiHCjSl sooner than lose the seat for the Basil!! form Party they looked out and IbuXifr'M selected Mr. Hawken. MiCJSPowdreU fM-'JI simply not thought of because tain domestic reasons. ■',™ ing the hopelessness of MrJlßeaTO #inf '■% ning tlie seat, it was decided to call * -.$ public meeting of the Reform Party b* 'wadvertisement in the ' Wangafim - a Chronicle, Patea Press, '• and Hawer* ,'',;? Star, to lie held in Hawera, when in ti> '"'-ji sponse over fifty supporters ■were pre- ?' sent. After discussing the situation it ;J was finally resolved by the meeting w '% take a secret ballot to choose between., •'% Mr. Hawken and Mr. Pearee, when Jfiv: "*> Hawken received 28 votes and Mr.t' ? Pearee 21. Knowing that Mr. Hawken) ; had declined to stand against Mr. PeitCM -.. what was to be done? Was there anp'.l hope of Mr. Pearee giving wayf PewkS haps, they aigued, if a deputation d<tt!f ; | Reform supporters interviewed him toA-dE pointed out the hopelessness of gettjhjJl him returned, he might stand down fa 'M his popular and long-standing frfttflj '? Mr. Hawken. A deputation was «fc ."•■ cordingly appointed to interview jfr Pearee and place before him the few ' position of affairs, but when approft&ed V be cavalierly refused to entertain molt only Mr. Hawken, but any otter • nominee whom they might choose. Pb»v i. session nine points! How dare they ■■ dispute his prior right? Etc. Here wa» a qnandry. What was to be dotet Then as a last resort Mr. PowdreH's ' name was fixed on. Would Mr. PoWdrell stand? His wag the next name to Mr. Hawken's on everyone's lips. Subsequently a wire was dispatched to Mhj Powdrell asking him to meet a dapui tation. Up to the meeting with that' deputation Mr- Powdrell had not the n\ motest idea of contesting the Patea ataib Lot that be clearly and distinctly under-4 ' stood. Wlien at last, after consider*' able hesitation. Mr. Powdrell finally! agreed to stand if a requisition signed' by a large and influential number of Reform supporters requested him to do so, which was accordingly done. In the face of those indisputable fact* is it fair or honest to keep reiterating that Mr. Powdrell entered the contera for pure, personal spite 1 ? \ ... . i OROUA ELECTORATE. ' By Telegraph.—Press Association. Feildittg, Dee. 3.' The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister ofl Lands, sitting member, has been nam-! inated for Oroua. Mr. E. Tunnicliff' is the official Labor candidate, and there - are no other aspirants. GISBORNE LABOR CANDIDATE. Gisborne, Dee. 3, . Thomas Brindle, Labor nominee, ad-' \ dressed a large meeting last night, out* \] lining the Labor platform, and received '.' a vote of thanks and confidence, THE GISBORNE SEAT. Gisborne, Last Night. Sir James Carroll, Liberal candidate jj | for Gisborne, gave his first address at.* Gisborne to-night, before a very large '* audience. He advocated a vigorous pubI lie works policy for pushing on railways ■ I and roads, but he did not blame the Na» '■ tional Government during ita term of [office for the slackening off. He also' advocated the boat service being given to soldiers. He favored taking land eompulsorily, if necessary, for soldiers' settlemcnts. A State Bank was also one of the reforms for which he stood, as well as the nationalisation of the mines. Bet* ter educaitonal conditions and .better salaries for teachers were also required. Referring to the breaking up of the coalition, he defended Sir Joseph Ward's action. He received a vote of thanks. AN ABSENT CANDIDATE.

Auckland, Last Night Mr G. H. Gunson, Mayor of Auckland, who is absent in America, and is stand* ' Ing for tbe Roskill seat, announced by ** cablegram that ha is standing as a Progressive Independent candidate. He it' not committed to, or'under any dblun-t tion to, any political party, but ho is in ;' accord with the political programme Is- '■ sued by Mr. Massey as being in Agree* ' ment with the principles for which hj« ————— y QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES. Wellington, Last Night. Representatives of the executives of the New Zealand Educational Institute, tha ' , Federated School Committees' Association, and the Education.Boards' Association, met to-day and considered replies ', so far received to questions jointly issued '-' by these representative educational bodies .' * to candidates for the election. Over a : , hundred candidates replied, the great ;■ majority favoring all the proposals sub- ' : mitted. ;; TARANAKI ELECTORATES. v TO-DAY'S MEETINGS. ; Mr. S. Q. Sraith.-Efosroy Hall,' at S '\ p.m. ' . ■;*. Mr. G. H. Bnckeridge.—Fraitkley 84.' '"" factory, 8.30 a.m.; Smart Boad Free*- \ ing WoTkB, 12.30 p.m.; Hillsborough Hall, 8 pm. The Hon. J. <&, Hine.—Lincoln Boad,. *'< at 8 p.m. Mr. R. Masters.—Finnerty Boad School i at 2.3t> p.m. Midhirst Hall, 8 two. , t -- Mr. 0. Hawken.—Oeo Hall. .';,} Mr. Astbury.—Mangamingl HalL ■'■ Mr. W. D. Powdrell.—Kobi ' . ' * Mr. Morrison.—Whakanwra. ;: