THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1919, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

TARANAKI SEAT. MR. SMITH AT WAEEA. Mr. S. G. Smith addressed the electors at Warea last night. About 40 were present, Mr. T. Julian being voted to the chair. The speaker dealt with the main political topics of the day, and in particular to the present-day high cost of living, which the vast increase in duty was to a large extent responsible, a lew questions wero asked, and on concluding a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Smith. The motion was proposed by Mr. Glentworth, and seconded by Mr. H. Corbett. MR- BUCKERIDGE'S CAMPAIGN. Mr. Buckeridge met the suppliers of the Hurford Road factory yesterday morning, and had a good talk with them. There was a little hostility at the outset, but this apparently soon disappeared, and the meeting terminated with a vot3 of thanks to Mr. Buckeridge, and confidence in the Government. Mr. G. H. Buckeridge held a successful meeting at Kent Road last night. There were about twenty-five present, and' Mr. Rowlands presided. Tire candidate'apoke for about an hour and a half on the lines of previous addresses. n« was accorded a vote of thanks. Subsequently a committee was formed. , Owing to repeated requests from the county districts, Mr. Buckeridge has to repeatedly alter his programme, the latest being from Tarurutangu, which will take place on Thursday, December 11, at 8 p.m., Carrington Road school house being put off to Friday, December 12th, at 7 p.m., and Omata Hall the same evening at B.SO p.m.

THE STRATFORD SEAT. MR. MASTERS AT MIDHIRST. On account of tlie large attendance fifty or sixty people were unable to gain admission to the hall in Mldhirst on Wednesday night to hear Mr. Masters. The candidate dealt exhaustively with the question of disposal of the Dominions primary products during the war period, and pointing out that losses which had accrued to tho producers for their exports through the incompetence of our politicians. He stated that he was out for a free and open market to secure for the farmers the full value of their labors. In reply to a question by Mr. Mcekan, he stated definitely he would not vote for. a no-confidence motion if moved by Mr. Holland, irrespective whether it was moved against the Reform or the Liberal Party. He would strenuously oppose the Extreme Labor Party at every turn. At the conclusion, Mr. H. Adlam moved, and Mr. K. Hancock seconded a motion of confidence in Mr. Masters as being the most suitable person to represent this farming community in Parliament. The resolution was carried unanimously and cheers were heartily given for the candidate. Mr. P. Harkness occupied the chair.

. HON. J. B. JUNE'S MEETINGS. A representative audience of between 50 and 60 greeted Major Hino at Waitui on Wednesday evening, the usual topics being dealt with. . Mr. Bakewcll' occupied the chair, and the speaker was accorded a good hearing. At the conclusion of the address, votes of thanks and confidence in Major Hino ; as the representative of the district in Parliament were moved by Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Mackinder, and carried unanimously. Major Hine addressed an audience of about 30 at Lincoln Road on Thursday evening, Mr. Sanders occupied tne chair and the speaker was listened to attively. At the conclusion, the usual votes of thanks and confidence were moved by Mr. J. Young and carried unanimously.

PATEA SEAT. MR. FITZHERBERT AT HAWERA. A ROWDY MEETING. Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert, the official Labor candidate for Patea, addressed a crowded meeting at the Grand Theatre, Hawera, last night. Mr. P. O'Dea presided. The speaker up to a certain stage was J frequently applauded. He upheld the platform adopted by the* Labor Party, but he said he would not support Holland or Semple' if they were disloyal. The Labor Party was going to enable every man to get a home, and lie would have a chance of getting the homo he was living in. There would be no j second mortgage cither. His party I stood for the small farmer, and for the sharemilker, who should be enabled to | own the farms they worked. He believed in State enterprises, including a State Bank. A new State Bank should be formed, and people should be induced by means of lectures to support State concerns. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Massey aimed at making all State institutions a failure. He was in favor of the liquor traffic and horse racing. It was beer and beef that had built up England. The people of this country wanted horse racing, and they were going to have it. At the conclusion of the speech, a number of questions were asked, and the proceedings became rather noisy. The candidate's answers were greeted with applause by one section, and drew howls from another section. Asked if he would stand down if a motion was carried against him at the meeting, Mr. Fitzherbert replied that he would stand down if they could get the wholo of Mr. Morrison's supporters and the whole of his own supporters together, and then carry the motion against himHe was twitted With the attitude of Holland and Semple towards the war by a returned soldier;, who said that if they had had their way not one dr'aft of reinforcements would have left New Zealand to relieve the boys at thp front. Mr. Fitzherbert justified himself by saying that he had been at both ti.e South African and the late war. A vote of thanks to the speaker.ard confidence in the Labor Party was moved, pud on beinir put there was great disorder, shouts of "Ayes" and "Noes" coming from >oll over the building. The chairman . declared the motion carried, amidst applause and cries of dissept The • chairman refused to take an amendment, and declared the meeting closed-