THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1922, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S PLANS. ANSWER IN A WEEK. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Nov. 2. Interviewed when passing through Dunedin for Christchurch, Sir Joseph Ward said there was nothing in the reports beyond that he had promised to give a reply within a week to a request that he should contest the Invercargill seat. PAHIATUA SEAT. Pahiatua, Nov. 2. Mr. A. McNicol, Reform member, opened his campaign at Ballance last night. There was a good attendance. He said that three years ago he was returned to give loyal and unwavering support to Mr. Massey. Where he stood three years ago he stood to-day. He stated that if production was to be increased it was essential that a safe Government should be returned. With regard to soldiers’ settlements he urged that in special cases a reduction of the valuation should apply and postponed payment. A unanimous vote of confidence was carried. MR. WILFORD’S OPPONENT. Wellington, Nov. 2. Mr. H. D. Bennett, Reform candidate for Hutt, opened his campaign at Lower Hutt last night. He said the electors were entitled to ask where the line of demarcation between Reformers and Liberals was to be drawn. In the interests of the whole country the Reform and Liberal Parties should be driven into one camp. Mr. Bennett expressed confidence that the country could recover its prosperity more quickly under Mr. Massey’s leadership than any other. He described as a tragedy the flirtation of the Liberals with the Labor Party and asked where would the country find itself if one of the principal parties intrigued successfully with the Socialists to gain the Treasury benches. The Liberals would not survive the misguided step they took in the negotiations with Labor. ine candidate was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. Christchurch, Last Night. Mr. W. P. Devereux, Reform candidate for Christchurch East, addressed a good meeting to-night. He advanced many reasons why the Massey Government should be returned to power. He said many working men had told him: “We are supporting you, but mum’s the word.” Was it right, Mr. Devereux asked, that working people should find it necessary to exhibit such secrecy. He believed he would poll more votes than the other two candidates put together. He would support an increase in the present education vote. He received a vote of thanks and confidence.