THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

TARANAKI SEAT.

MR. SMITH AT FITZROY. T!io Fitzroy Hall was well filled last night, when Mr. Smith addressed a meeting of the electors, Mr. Roy Parkin beinjr voted to the chair. The candidate was well received, and had a most attentive hearing. Referring to the High Commissioner's Office in London the speaker said lie had made soiue very close enquiries into the matter, and from the information stopplied, he was satisfied that one of the most glaring cases of wasted opportunity, and the waste of thousands of pounds a year for which the Reform Government was responsible, was the completely out-of-date High Commissioner's office in London. Men who had come home from the war were in many cases most bitter in their complaints as to the poor position which New Zealand holds in London compared with other outposts of the British Empire; and these men resented the way in which tlia Dominion was completely overshadowed by Australia and Canada. One returned soldier in particular who knew London before the war, and who lias just returned home from a somewhat lengthy stay there, informed him (Mr. Smith) that although New Zealand had a betjker office in a more suitable site than was the case six years ago, practically nothing was made of the opportunities, and we were "very small fry" indeed when Canada and Australia asserted themselves. New Zealand had a prominent office in the Strand (one of the busiest streets in London), but in the evening when the street was thronged, one always found the New Zealand office closed with the blinds drawn. A little further on, however, could be found Australia House a blaze of light, crowds closely packed round the windows filled with advertisements of tlie various industries of the country. There was a splendid free picture ehow where excellent views of Australia were shown, and official® there to talk about Australia and distribute literature. Canada did the same thing. New Zealand must wake up, and be out to equal, if not excel, the efforts made by other countries.' In reply to certain rumors circulated, Mr. Smith stated emphatically that if 1 any members were Returned Who Were j adherents of I.WAV,-isra or '.kindred spirits, he would be absolutely and strongly opposed to them. On the motion of Mr. Hawk in, seconded by Mr. O'Dowd, the candidate was accorded a unanimous voice of thanks, and 1 renewed confidence. MR. BUCK BRIDGE AT HILLSBOROUGH. ' Mr. G. H. Buckeridge had a very successful meeting at Hillsborough last night, there being about 30 present. Mr. Harry C. Sampson presided, and dissociated himself from the Mr. Sampson who presided at another political meeting in an adjoining district. Mr. Buckeridge, who epoke on the lines of his other addresses, was given a very good hearing. There were no questions at the end, and a rote of thanks was accorded the speaker and confidence expressed in Mr. Massev. Subsequently a meeting of supporters was held, and a strong committee fojmed, Cheers were given for the candidate.

THE STRATFORD SEAT.

MR. MASTER'S CAMPAIGN. , (From a Correspondent.) The Pohokura school was comfortably filled on Tuesday evening, when Mr. Masters placed his political views befor« the electors at Pohokura. Among matters dealt with was the present administration of the Advances to Settlers* Act. Mr. Masters claimed that the present Government party had shown a want of sympathy in the administration of this legislation, and quoted instances of settlers who were paying nine per cent, interest to sundry institutions for loans on their farniß, and although ample security was offering they had been turned down by the Department. The lastyear the Liberal Party were in power 4610 applications were granted and advances totalling £2,101,300 were made. With the advent oof the Reform Party advances immediately began, to decrease, until last year £353,463 only was advanced to 984 applicants. At the conclusion of the meeting Mv. Hellier moved and Mr. Dawson seconded: "That this meeting thanks Mr. Masters for his businesslike statement of his political views and expresses its confidence in him as being a suitable person to represent the district in Parliament." Mr. Pitcaithly presided. Residents of Te Wera and surrounding districts met Mr. Masters in the hall on Wednesday evening, the hall being packed. Mr. D. Kemp presided, and in introducing the speaker expressed the opinion (.hat if Mr. Masters' success in business and local body life could be taken aR any indication, he would make an ideal representative in Parliament. He himself had been a supporter of the Reform Party, but he was doing all hj« could to secure the return of the Liberal candidate. Mr. Masters was given an attentive hearing. Mr. Pentelow, in moving a vote of confidence in Mr. Masters, stated that he also had been a supporter of the Reform Party, but he had seen the error of their ways, and he hoped to see Mr. Masters returned to Parliament. Mr. O'Neill seconded the resolution, which was carried amidst applause.

E3MONT SEAT.

ME. ASTBURY'S MEETINGS. (From a Correspondent) Mr, Astbury's meetings inland from Blthara are being well attended, and keen interest is being taken in the contest. Committees are formed in every centre, and the work of organisation proceeds apace. Mr. Astbury is putting a large, amount of energy into his campaign, and is making substantial headway, even where Mr. Wilkinson formerly scored large majorities.

PATEA SEAT.

On Tuesday night, although raining heavily, Mr. Powdrell addressed a fair attendance at Ngamatapouri, Mr. J. Jones in the chair, and on Tuesday morning addressed ajneetiag ia Peat's

wpolshed. On each occasion he was fcc*' corded a hearty vote of thanks. Mr. Powdreli addressed a welkattaocd meeting at Kai Iwi on Wednesday; evening. There were upwards of MW electors present, presided over by Mr. Collins. The candidate's address Wi» well received, and the usual Tote of} thanks accorded. TARANAKI ELECTORATES TO-Djbf'S MEETINGS. Mr. S. (T Smith.-rWarea HalL at 8 p.m. Mr. o. H. Buckeridge.—Hurford Soad factory, 8.30 a.m.; Kent Road schoolhouse, 8 p.m. The Hon. .T. B. Hine.—Ruapuha. 8 p.m.; Strathmore, 8 p.m. Mr. R. Masters.—Bird Road, 8 p.m. Mr. 0. Hawken.—Te Eoti. , Mr. Astbury.—Omoana Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert—Hawera} (Grand Theatre) 8 p.in.

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

_ GOOD MEETING IN THE SOUTH. By Telegraph.—Press Association* Timara, Last Night, Sir Joseph Ward arrived at Temuka from the south by the express. Ho spent an hour at a Methodist garden partyi and visited the Bramwell Booth Boys' Home. At night he addressed a crowded Steeling at tha Dominion Theatre. Many; were unable to obtain admission, find people were present from all parts of the surrounding district. The Deputy-Mayor,. Mr. Cartwright, presided. Sir Jflwph Ward was received with cheers on ettter* ing, and at the conclusion of a two hours' speech he was again cheered, and ghea, a unanimous vote of thanks and Confidence as Leader of the Liberal Party. He spoke vigorously, and had a syttpa-; thetic hearing. He outlined the pwicyi of the party, as sketched in his muMfe*-! to, and he said that if he was returned!' to power, that policy would be carried! out. The country needed a progressive > Government to enable it to meet the great obligations resulting from thenar, and he claimed that the Liberals atone could furnish the necessary stimuln* to the energies of the people to enable ffcemi to go safely through the very aitJcaV period. He asked that the Liberal* be judged by their record of beneficial Beas-t; ures placed on the Statute Book, and' which no Reform Government dare re*< peal. <(! He denied that he was a wild national-' isex, but he would apply the principle on sound business lines. Though forattrly against a State Bank, circumstances had so greatly altered that he now deemed it desirable. The same applied to the ooal mines. The trouble with the mfoer* could be settled by giving decent floating and superannuation. He was frequently cheered during the address. Sir Joseph Ward goes north to-morrow, speaking at Geraldine on the way.

THE HON. J. A. HANAN. Jnvercargill, Last Night, The Hon. J. A. Hanan opened his came paign at tho Municipal Theatre. There was a largo attendance. The candidate dealt in a general way with politloaltopics, and expressed approval of most Of the planks of Sir Joseph Ward's progrMUne, advocating a State Bank, an increased graduated tax, increment taxation, and a return to the pre-war Territorial system. Dealing with the cost of living, he declared that Professor milter's schema dealing with the value of tha sovereign should be given a trial . He said ho had been, asked if ha would take a seat in the present Government if offered one, but he declared he would not) On a no-confidenco motion he would Tots to put the Liberals in power, but ha would not take office in any Uovernttimt where the Ministers were not selected purely for their qualifications. He favored an elective executive. He also Stated that he would not take a portfolio unless he had complete control of the department and (he monies of the department A vote of thanks and confidence waa car* ried, with a fair body of dissentients.

THE OTAKI SEAT. Wellington, Lest Stent. Mr. A. J. R. Isherwood, candidate for Otaki, held a meeting at Upper Butt to. night. Mr. P. Robertson, who p»aid» ed over a large attendance, explained that the candidate was suffering from heart attack and probably would not be able to speak very long. Mr. Isherwood then rose and said he was standing its a Liberal, although he was not supported by the Liberal Party. The candidate denied a statement alleged to have been made that he\ was the nominee of the liijiior trade. -At this stage Mr. I&berwood announced he was too unwell fto proceed, but he would address the electors on a future occasion. The meeting then terminated. DISGRACEFUL TACTICS. MR. PIRANI INDIGNANT. Condemnatory reference to the noisy receptions that have been accorded him at his meetings was made by Mr. P. Pirani, Lihcral candidate for'-Wellington Central, in addressing a meeting of women at Wellington on Wednesday afternoon. For three nights, he said, lie had been subjected to interruptions that were a disgrace to the decent people in the audience. "Three nights are sufficient," continued Mr. Pirani, "and I will show that element, if they are so-charmed by my voice that they turn up at my meeting at the Alexandra Hall to-morrow night, that the law in New Zealand is sufficient to protect a candidate at an election meeting. The people would lose their self-respect if they 'allowed the state' of things that has existed in this electorate for' many years to obtain any longer, and I am gointf to prove not only my fitness to represent the people here, but to give a lesson to that JSad element.

"I will show them," continued Mr Pirani, "that if they want to play these games they will have to play them at the meetings of their own so that they may judge how far their*. Sunday evening instructions are carried* out at other meetings during.the Week. There arc ladies and gentlemen who would have too much self-respect to attend nich rowdy meeting!?. It is utterly impossible at a night meeting to go into a number of social questions that I intend to raise, and I have decided they can be better ventilated at a meeting of this sort, when disturbing elements of one kind Rnd another do not interfere with the free utterance of my opinions." The candidate declared that daring his experience in public life he had address* ed about 1800 public meetings, but he had never before witnessed what he had seen in the Wellington Central elfctorate. Rowdy meetings must be stopped, and he was determined that he should' be given a fair hearing.