ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1922, Page 5

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR. LIBERAL-LABOR ALLIANCE. NEED FOR STRONG GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Papakura, Last Night. Mr. Massey received a great welcome at Papakura to-night, when he made his second speech in the election campaign. He dealt at some length with the character of the political parties and the relation* ships one to the other. He referred td .statements by Mr. Holland and his followers in the House that the policy of their party was revolutionary socialism. He also quoted statements by Mr. Wilford and Mr. Holland regarding a proposal for the Liberal and Labor parties to join with the object of putting Mr. Massey out. Mr. Massey emphasised the necessity for the country to return a strong Government with a majority over the two other parties. It had been said he was trying to make capital out of the “loyalty” stunt. He had previously said the choice was between Sovietism and constitutional government—between the Union Jack and the red flag of Sovietism. He denied he had doubted the loyalty of the Liberal Party, and he said there had been an attempt to mislead the country on that point. Reverting to the proposed alliance between the Liberals and Labor, Mr. Massey said negotiations for that combination had been carried out by the Hon. George Fowlds and Mr. P. O’Regan, the two leading single-taxers of the Dominion. A combination between revolytionary Socialists of the type of Mr. Holland and others, and single-taxers like Mr. Fowlds and Mr. O’Regan, would be remarkable, said Mr. Massey, amid laughter. There were two points in which the Reform and Liberal Parties differed, and they were proportional representation and a State bank. The former was impossible with the country quota, which was necessary. If a State bank was established it would have to acquire the interests of the shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand, which would be costly. The Government had the balance of control in the bank and received a revenue of nearly £600,000 from the bank. He made a comparison with the Commonwealth Bank, which returned nothing to the State. Mr. Massey dealt with Imperial preference, and said he believed the day woqjd come when there would be free trade in the Empire and a tariff against outsiders. On the question of defence he said that within the next two years the crusier Chatham would be replaced by an oil-burning cruiser, which the Imperial authorities were to build. It was proposed in future to expend £500,000 on naval defence instead of £i250,000 to £300,000 as at present, but not until finance improved. Mr. Massey said it was the intention of the Government to give tenants of Crown lands the freehold wherever pos- ► sible. He believed there would be a sufficient majority neA.'t Parliament to do this. There wari a. sufficient majority last session, but time did not permit to put it on the statute book. It would be open to industrious settlers. The prospects were good for the Dominion. Dairy farmers were already promised 50 per cent, more than at this time last year, and we were going to see wool continue to rise for the next two years. Mr. Massey then reviewed his platform published three years ago, and claimed, that all the promises were carried into effect or were being proceeded with. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried amidst rounds of cheers. WANGANUI SEAT. Wanganui, Nov. 6. Mr. John Coull, Reform candidate for Wanganui, opened his campaign securing an excellent hearing from a very large audience in the Opera House. He supported Mr. Massey as the only possible leader for New Zealand. Wanganui, Last Night. Mr. W. A. Veitch, the sitting member, opened his campaign to-night. He ennounced himself a supporter of the LiberalLabor Party. ’ He received a vote of thanks. THE TIMARU SEAT. Timaru, Last Night. Mr. F. J. Rolleston, Reform candidate for the Timaru seat, opened his campaign to-night with a very largely attended meeting. He gave general support to Mr. Massey's platform, but deprecated the present party system, stating that though a Reform supporter, if elected he would retain his individuality in the House. He was accorded a very favorable hearing, and at the close a vote of thanks for what was described as a splendid address. f MR. GTRLING’S PLATFORM. Blenheim, Last N’ght. Mr. W. J. Girling, official Reform, addressed the Wairau c’cctors and was well received. He opened with a comparison of the various political parties, and ytated that the difference between the Liberal and Reform manifestoes was that a State bank and proportional representat l on were advocated by Mr. Wilford. He condmned the extreme Labor platform as being mere class legislation and not practical politics. He criticised the financial methods of the Government, particularly the expenditure on the railways and the Post and Telegraph Department. He eulogised the Government’s education legislation, care of soldiers and care of the workers. He touched on local matters in regard to public works and land policy, and expressed his determination to work, if elected, for a Strait ferry service and the completion of the South Main Trunk Railway. He stated that, though a Reform candidate, he reserved the right of freedom of speech and vote on any question, but would, on a noconfidence motion, vote to keep the Massey Government in power.

CHANGE IN CANDIDATES. Wellington, Nov. 7. Mr. W. H. Wackrow, being unable to contest the Rotorua seat for business reasons, Mr. C. H. Clinkard has been selected as Liberal-Labor candidate and accepted by the party. A LABOR SPEECH. Auckland, Last Night. Mr. R. F. Way, official Labor candidate for Waitemata, opened his campaign tonight. He outlined the Labor platform, and said that, the housing conditions were a disgrace to a self-respecting Administration. He contended that New Zealand was becoming more and more capitalistic,

as evidenced by the increase of the incomes of the wealthy classes. The only difference between the Liberate and Mr. Massey’s followers was that one was out and the other in. Even under the Liberal regime, Labor had to fight to get progressive measures enacted. With respect tq the war debt, capitalists drawing over tt thousand a year should be levied on to pay off the war bonds. A vote of confidence waft passed. SIR JOSEPH WARD. A PROBABLE CANDIDATE. . There is a strong impression in political circles in Christchurch that Sir Joseph Ward will decide to contest the Invercargill seat. His friends *n Christchurch aay he is very anxious to re-enter politics. TARANAKI SEAT. MR. S. G. SMITH’S CAMPAIGf Mr. S. G. Smith addressed the decW>w at Okato last night, when there was a large attendance. Mr. A. Corbett presided. On the motion of Mr. J. Carey, seconded by Mr. E. A. Corbett, a vote of thank* and confidence was carried by acclamation. A strong committee was formed to work for Mr. Smith. THE PATEA SEAT. A PECULIAR POSITION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The political position here is rathe: unique. There are three Richmonde in th« field, two belonging to the Massey fok and the other to Wilford’s. The formei two are not very docile; in fact, they won’t stay in the same pen together; whilst the other has developed formidable horns, and is tearing away at the others and their bell-wether in a way that is causing di»may in some quarters and the liveliest satisfaction in others.

Mr. J. R. Corrigan has opened the first round in vigorous fashion. He had a splendid meeting, which he very favorably impressed. He got off some good, meaty matter, and at question-time was thoroughly at home. One or two questioners found him a very hard man to corner, and as he goes on he is gaining facility: James was never deficient in confidence. In all things he touches, J. R. is thorough. He leaves nothing to chance, and he has his plans well prepared. He te out to win, and it won’t be his fault if he doesn’t do so at the first time of asking. To onlookers the contest between the two Reformers is very interesting, and, at times, amusing. Mr. Pearce is of a determined, almost obstinate, nature, and it is his dearest ambition to get. back again into the political limelight. He had a requisition presented to him bearing ovftr 1000 signatures, asking him to stand. His Reform enemies declare that the signatures are mostly those of Labor and Liberal supporters—all done with the object of splitting Reform votes and making things easy for the Liberal candidate. That is probably an exaggeration. Dixonians profess the utmost contempt for Pearce’s chances, but one or two things are happening in the electorate that show that it is unwise to write them down. In several of the country places, for instance, the question has been asked: “Why don’t you stand down for Dixon, the official candidate?” A vote has been taken, and a preponderance has invariably been in favor of Pearce. Dixonians declare these meetings are stuffed for the purpose, but, frankly, I don’t believe it. The fact is that the present member, well-meaning and honest goer as he is, doesn’t appeal to the farmer, who believes, rightly or wrongly, that he is out of his element as a member of Parliament, and that it is no kindness on the part of his friends to press him again upon the attentions of the constituents. They realise that he has done his best for them and the district, and has mastered the science of self-advertising, having practically a loan of the columns of the local paper. He is also a prohib., which puts him out of count with a good many of the sporting inclined. To be quite fair, however, it should be stated that, as the result of considerable organisation, good, enthusiastic committees have been set un in Hawera to work in Mr. Dixon’s interests. They include some old Liberal supporters who are voting for the man and not the partv of which he is a recent recruit. The voting in the town will be heavy, and will largely be divided between Corrigan and Dixon. Patea will go strongly for Corrigan, with good support for Pearce, Dixon being an indifferent third. In the country districts, the fight will lay between Corrigan and Pearce; so that, unless great pressure is exerted upon Pearce to withdraw (which is hardly likely to be effective) Reform will lose the seat. Even in a straight-out contest between Corrigan and a Reform candidate, the former would stand quite a good chance —that is, provided he showed the same ability and enthusiasm on the platform, and backed it up by the same organisation at present in evidence.

I don’t express any views upon the platforms of the various candidates. If I did 1 would have to criticise somewhat severely. I merely set down t(ie facts of the position as they occur to me and as I have endeavored to do on the occasion of former elections, for the benefit of your numerous readers throughout this province, for the Daily News is our morning paper as much as it is of those living in the northern end.