THE STRATFORD BY-ELECTION

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1920, Page 5

THE STRATFORD BY-ELECTION

MR. MASTERS' CAMPAIGN. There were 48 electors present at Mr. Masters' meeting at Tarata on Friday evening, the address being on much the same lines as at previous meetings The audience listened most attentively, not one interjection being made. Several questions on matters dealt with by the candidate were asked, the questioners being very interested to have the speaker's vip\vs well understood- At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Masters, the mover being Mr. Hartigan, the seconder Mr. Ilogan. Mr. O'Shannessey, a returned soldier, presided.

A committee of 22 members was formed at Bird Road on Friday night for the purpose of furthering Mr. Masters' candidature.

MR. HIKE'S- CAMPAIGN. Mr. J. B. Iline'a district workers had a field day on Saturday last at Stratford. There was a gathering of 100 members of district committees, and encouraging results were obtained from the delegates present. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Hine and other speakers. Mr. and Mrs. Hine motored to Inglewood lator and met the district workers of Inglewood in the Inglewood Parish Hall. There were 185 present. The organisers addressed the gathering, nnd Mr. Hine also gdve a stirring account of the campaign.

An Inglewood correspondent writes stating he endeavored to explain the position regarding the increase given to raihvaymen. He challenges anyone to disprove the following statements:—ln 1919 married men in the minimum wage were receiving fls per day, plus .Is per day bonus. Mr. Massey increased their wages to 12s per day, but .Mr. Hine forgot to, state that Mr. Massey cut off the 3s bonus. The single men were receiving fls per day plus 2s Od bonus. Their wages were also increased to 12s per day, but the 2s fid bonus was also cut off, leaving them with a nett increase of sixpence.

In vindication of the repute of the people' of Inglewood and district, another Inglewood correspondent protests against the aspersion which he says was contained in the final paragraph of our report of Mr. Hine's Inglewood meeting, which stated that the meeting brolFe up in disorder. He asserts, from personal knowledge and from inquiries of others present, including the foremost supporters of Mr. Masters, that the word "'disorder" in condemned as wrong. He claims that citizens there are soberaided, and not likely to break out under the mild excitement of a political contest.

An Inglewood ''Elector" writes stating that our report of Mr. Hine's Inglewood meeting omitted to mention the fact that the candidate had to apologise to a questioner in regard to a statement he making in the course of the address. Mr. Hine said Mr. Masters had got Mr. Smith going round the back country and putting locals in the papers to Mr, Hine's detriment. When asked what authority he had for making fliis assertion, Mr. Hine strenuously denied that he had made it; and it was only when a reporter handed him a paper proving that he made the statement in question that Mr. Hine said be must have made it, but would withdraw it.