SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1919, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

TOUR-IN AUCKLAND PROVINCE, ] '(Special to Daily News.) 1 Hamilton, Last Night. The leader of the Liberal Party, Sir Joseph Ward, continued his tour of the Auckland province on Saturday, but owing to the extremely bad weather conditions he wag unable to complete the itinerary that had been mapped out Tor the day. This had provided for addresses at Hamilton, Tauranga and

Rotorua. A start was made from Auckland Jshortly after fl a.m. and Hamilton was J reached at 10 a.m., at which time Sir Joseph Ward was scheduled to speak at > the Town Hall. Upon arrival, however, « it was discovered that Bomeonc had, < without any authority, sent word ' through from Auckland to the effect * that the party would not reach Hamilton until about 11.30 a.m., and as a re- : suit the time of the meeting was altered to noon. Despite this fact the news ' that Sir Joseph Ward had arrived i spread very quickly and at 10.45 a.m. the accommodation at the Town Hall was taxed to the utmost. The leader of the Liberal Party then entered the building and received a most enthusiastic reception, being cheered most heartily. In a speech of an hour and a half he outlined the Liberal policy, which was well received. Sir Joseph, in the course of his speech, said the railway employees had not yet received their D 3 list, without which they did not know where they stood as regards pay and classification. They certainly should have been advised before now, as the matter was of great importance to them. He had also received several letters enquiring what the position of the.P. and T. bonus was. He could only say that he held the opinion that the pronii«e made to the employees should be fulfilled. At the conclusion of his remarks a motion of thanks and one of confidence in the Liberal Party and in Sir Joseph Ward as leader was carried unanimously. THE JOURNEY CONTINUED. By this time, the climatic conditions I had become much worse and the consequent difficulty in speedy travelling, taken in conjunction with the unavoidable delar at Hamilton, resulted in the party being some two hours behind schedule time when Matamata was reached. It was then realised that to continue the trip to Tauranga that afternoon was impossible, so, very reluctant at having to alter the arrangement, , a start was made for Rotorua. The roads bv this time were in a terrible condition, and at two points on the road ', the party had to leave the car and help to assist it on its way. Rotorua was reached at 8 p.m. and the meeting was commenced at 8.13 ! p.m. The entrance of Sir Joseph was the signal for an outburst of applause ! and cheers. His speech, which was fre- , quently punctuated by applause, was listened 'to attentively, and at the eonelu- , sion a vote of thanks and confidence ', was carried without one dissentient voice. The meeting was said to have been the largest and most enthusiastic i ever held in the thermal region. A snecial request was then received by \ the Liberal leader that he should ad- ' dress a large crowd at the picture the- ! atre, where the people had waited for some 30 minutes in the hopes of hearf in" Sir Joseph. He responded and an ~Mr . K? of «ome half hour's duration was 1 delivered, and at the conclusion a mo--5 tion on the lines of the other resolutions was carried amidst cheers.

SIR JAMES ALLEN. A REPLY TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Christ-church, Last Night. _ In the presence of a large and enthusiastic attendance at Southbridge last ni"ht, Sir James Allen replied at length to"the speech made by Sir Joseph Ward at Leeston on Friday week. Sir James predicted a surplus at the end of the financial year. In regard to Sir Joseph Ward's attitude upon the oratuitios question he interpreted it as a deliberate bribe to try and secure the soldiers' votes. In regard to the politico 1 situation, Sir James expressed the opinion that Mr. Massey would go hack with a majority, but if Sir Joseph Ward, with Labor support, defeated the Government, the country would be faced with another election or a Reform-Lib-eral Coalition. In that event they would be faced with the difficulty of two men. one, Mr. Massey, recognised as the leader, and the other, Sir Joseph Ward, wanting to be the leader. • Sir James was accorded a vote of thanks for his address, followed by cheers for him and Colonel Rhodes, the audience singing, "For they are jolly good fellows."

EOMONT SEAT. MR ASTBTJRY AT MANATA. Mr. D. Astbury addressed a largely attended and enthusiastic meeting on Thursday night, when he was accorded a vorv fine reception. Mr. J. J. Meldon presided. The address was on the same lines as at Eltham, and his two hours' speech was well appreciated by all present. He sympathised with Labor, and believed that all Labor should receive its just due, bijt he condemned the extreme section of the Labor Party. Ho would, if returned, endeavor to work for the good of the whole people. Men and women were of more importance than wealth, and he would strive for the benefit of men and women, independent of what religion or trade they belonged to. At the conclusion of the address Mr. A. H. Christie, moved a,hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Astbwy, and confidence in him as a representative for Egroont. The motion was carried unanimously, and three cheers were given for Mr, Astbury, and for the Liberal Government. THE WAITOMO SEAT. MR. W. T. JENNINGS' CAMPAIGN.

(Special to Daily Xewß.) Te Kuiti, Dec. 13. Since speaking at Waitara on November 20 Mr W. T. Jennings has addressed fifty-eight meetings in his electorate. The roads being good, enabled much to be done by motoring. Last night there was a good attendance of nine settlers at Waitangnru. Wet weather has now set in and some of the unbridged streams being impassable, the Marokopa trip had to be abandoned. The member lias had good attendances at most meetings and has received favorable receptions. The rain that has set in was much wanted in the lower King Country and thi Wftikata.