THE STRATFORD SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1919, Page 5

THE STRATFORD SEAT.

MAJOR HINE'S MEETINGS. Major Hine addressed one of the best political meetings held in the district, at Durham Road, on Tuesday evening. Mr. Simpson occupied the chair, and the audience took a keen and enthusiastic interest in the address. At the conclusion, votes of thanks and confidence were cacorded the speaker, only one diasentieht voice being heard. Major Hine addressed a representative audience at Te Popo on Tuesday afteruoon, receiving an attentive hearing throughout the address. Mr. Knox, jun., occupied the chair. The usual political questions of the day were dealt with. At the conclusion of the address, a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his interesting and instructive address, was moved by Mr. Aldridge, and carried. MR! MASTERS' MEETINGS.

Stratlimore turned out in goodly numbers to hear the Liberal and Labor candidate on the political questions of tho day. Mr. Masters was in good form, and the seventy electors present accorded him an enthusiastic hearing, the speech being punctuated with outbursts of applause. At the conclusion of tho meeting, Mr. G. Lamplough moved, and Mr. H. B. Kidd seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried unanimously, amidst cheers, called for by the chairman, Mr. J. Dromgool. Mr. It. Masters addressed an attentive audience of over twenty electors at Makahu on Tuesday afternoon. His thorough grasp of matters dealt with was received with marked appreciation, culminating in a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence in him as the most suitable representative for the district, moved by Mr. M. Ford, and seconded by Mr. Mann. ! PATEA SEAT. LABOR CAMPAIGN. At Kai Iwi, on Tuesday night, Mr. Fitzherbert addressed a very large meeting, and met with a splendid reception, the meeting concluding with cheers for Labor. * At Westmere dairy factory, in the morning, he addressed a meeting of suppliers, and met with a good reception and much promise of support. Mr. Jack Townsend, of Wanganui, organiser for the Shearers' Union, by advertisement in our columns, urges all shearers in the Patea electorate to vote for the Labor candidate, Mr. Fitzherbert.

Mr. H. Lawrence, of Mosstown, carrier (a nephew of the famous British Labor leader, Mr. Ben Tillett), will address meetings at Mosstown and other centres in the southern end of the Patea electorate in support of the candidature of Mr. Fitzherbert. Mr. Lawrence is wellknown in Labor literary circles under the pseudonym of "Saint George." MR. MORRISON'S CAMPAIGN. At a meeting of the Patea Freezing Works and Waterside Workers' Unions, the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting resents the unconstitutional tactics of a misguided few, acting upon their own initiative, in nominating a candidate for the Patea seat, thus splitting the Democratic vote. We refuse to associate ourselves with Mr. Fitzherbert's candidaj ture, and more solidly confirm our former I pledge of supporting Mr. Morrison's candidature, and wish him all success 011 the 17th."

EGMONT SEAT. SPEECH BY MR. WILKINSON. HIS POSITION EXPLAINED. (By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) Mr. Hawken, the Reform candidate for Egmont, and Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, last night addressed one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings held in Eltham. Mr. G. W. Tayler (the Mayor) presided. Mr. Wilkinson, who was received with applause, said that he wished to state Ms awn petition ia. regard .to the £»*•.

ent contest, incorrect statements having made this necessary. They must not think that because he was retiring that he did not appreciate thogreat honor o! being their member. He had retired solely for business reasons. His private affairs demanded his personal and immediate attention. Had ho continued, in Parliament he might have suffered severe loss. The inducement given to represent the people in Parliament was not sufficient. The £3OO, less taxation, *vas the lowest honorarium paid iu Australasia, and was altogether inadequate. The salary paid Ministers of the Crown, and particularly the Prime Minister, were ridiculous in the extreme.

After referring to the work he did while in Parliament, Mr. Wilkinson said that, generally speaking, his attitude towards party tad been one of independence. He had always claimed a fair measure of independence. He opposed tlie butter-fat levy. That levy was introduced by the Liberal Minister. Mr. Massey was the man who had removed it, and had it not been for Mr. Massey it would never have been refunded. When the wheat grower was receiving a bonus he saw 110 reason why the dairy farmers' produce should be taxed. > Another matter he claimed his independence on waß the six o'clock closing, which.had been carried in defiance of both political leaders. They had now to elect a new member. Be wished to say that he had no quarrel with Mr. Astbuiy, and was perfectly good friends with him. Whether thev elected Mr. Astbury or Mr. Hawken he hoped the new man would be given a certain amount of liberty in Parliament. They should not let him be a bondsman. If he had gone back he would have exercised a good deal of discretion. He would say frankly that in this election his support and vote would be given to Mr. Hawken. A voice: What! what! Mr. Wilkinson said he was quite safe in saying that quite a number would follow tlio same lines. He made that Btatpment ao that his position would be understood. He had had his difference-, with Mr. Massey, but never for one moment had he thought of goifig over to I the other side. At this stage, on the motion of Mr. Jacob Marx, a vote of thanks to Mr. Wilkinson for the way in which he had represented the constituency in Parliament was carried by acclamation. Mr. Hawken was also received with applause, He enlarged on many matters already dealt with, justifying the policy of the Reform Party, and criticising Sir Joseph Ward. Throughout his address Mr. Hawken was subjected to a running fire of interjections, and there was a fairly strong section against the speaker. At the conclusion a motion of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr. T. W. Owen, and seconded bv Mr. A. L. Campbell. Mr. Jacob Marx- moved an amendment that Mr. Hawken be thanked and that the question of Confidence be left for the ballot box. There was no seconder to the amendment. The motion was carried with applause, and three cheers were given for Mr, Hawken.

THE PRIME MINISTER. TOUR IN THE WAIKATO. By Telegraph.—-Press Association. Hamilton, Dec. 10. Mr, Massey spoke at Ngaruawahia to a large attendance, including many miners from Gleu Massey. The Premier was interrupted a good deal by hoots and hissing, and cheers for Mr. Jordan, Labor candidate. The interruptions continued, and Mr. Massey ordered the police to take the names of the interrupters, which evoked more hootfl. The Premier declared that the tactics of the interruptionists in this campaign were the most cowardly and contemptible imaginable. He referred to the war, roading matters, finance and shipping, but a running fire of interruptions was kept up. Mr. Massey read a telegram quoting Mr. Holland as saying that he was going to assist Sir Joseph Ward, to oust Mr. Massey, and then dictate terms to Sir Joseph Ward. The Premier added: "They are not going to get me. I would sooner leave the Treasury benches and go hack to the plough than be kept in power by these democrats."

A vote of thanks was carried, and the meeting ended with hisses, hoots, applause, and cheers for Mr. Jordan. SPEECH AT AUCKLAND. Auckland, Last Niglit. The Prime Minister delivered a political address in Grey Lynn to-night in support of Miss Ellen Melville, Government candidate for the seat. The hall was crowded to the doors, and Mr. Mas}tiy received an ovation on arrival. Miss Melville spoke first, and. towards the close of her address there were some interruptions. When Mr. Massey rose to speak, however, all interruption ceased, and his address was listened to with marked attention, with few interjections. Mr. Massey said he congratulated Miss Melville on her speech, which from a practical and progressive point of view was the best he had heard during the campaign. He proceeded on the line? of recent speeches, dealing with the cost of living, and comparing New Zealand's position with that of other countries, and outlining legislation passed last session. He condemned the Extreme Labor Party and said Parliamentary Labor Party did not represent Labor. He challenged Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Myers, or any other Liberal with the exception of Mr. Isitt to say they would not accept Extreme Labor's help to bold office. He believed the arrangements made by the Government with the Colonial Sugar Company had saved the Dominion £300,000 or : £400,000 a year. (Applause). He hoped the Government would be able tc continue the arrangement for another ter>D. A vote of thanks and confidence, carried by an overwhelming majority, closed a highly successful meeting.

WAGES AND COST OF LIVING. In our report of Mr. Buckeridge'a Oakura meeting it was stated:—"The effect of the policy of the extreme Labor Party was felt in the cost of living, which was soaring higher and higher, and no wonder when they were paying four times as much for labor as they had any right to do, and not getting anything value. He had sympathy with labirf, but their lead was all wrong, and it would be hard work to get it put right, but it had to be tackled." Mr. Buclceridge asks us to correct this. What he said was that "they were paying four times as much for some commodities and not getting value." Of course, wages have not quadrupled, or anything like it. and the miitake wai palpable.