ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1922, Page 5

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

PREMIER IN SOUTH ISLAND. ENTHUSIASM AT BLENHEIM. HIS CAR PULLED TO HOTEL. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Blenheim, Last Night. The Premier visited Marlborough to-day and met with a most enthusiastic reception. He was warmly welcomed at Picton, where he addressed a large meeting. Coming on to Blenheim, Mr. Massey was the principal speaker at a Reform rally, which was the largest pubi c meeting ever held in the district, His Majesty’s Theatre being packed to overflowing by over 2000 people. The Premier received a most rousing welcome, the audience rising en masse when he .arrived, and cheering him to the echo. He received an attentive hearing. The address covered ground previously traversed in speeches in the North Island, and a few interjectors were vigorously dealt with. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Massey was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr. Massey then received a number of deputations, this taking some time, but a large proportion of the crowd which had been present at the meeting remained outside to catch a final glimpse, and the Premier’s car was hauled by enthusiasts from the theatre to his hotel. The scene of enthusiasm was unparalleled in Blenheim, and Mr. Massey was deeply impressed. He leaves in the morning for Nelson, en route to the West Coast and Canterbury. VISIT TO SOUTH ISLAND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey finished his election tour of the North Island on Saturday, and arrived in^Wellington on Sunday, completing a heavy week with a *2OO-xnile motor trip, •th’s morning he was very busily engaged at Parliament Buildings with his private secretaries and various callers, and he left in the afternoon for the South Island, to speak at Blenheim to-night. A considerable number of meetings have been arranged for Mr. Massey in the South Island, an! he does not expect to be back in Wellington until after election day, December 7. LEADER OF THE LIBERALS. TOUR OF SOUTH ISLAND. PLEASED WITH THE PROSPECTS. Christchurch, Last Night. The seating capacity at the Theatre Royal was taxed to capacity to-night when Mr. T. M. Walford delivered a political address. At the outset Mr. Wilford received three cheers. Dr. Thacker (the Mayor) presided. Mr. Wilford received an attentive hearing; it was not altogether free from interruptions, but these were not of an obstructive character. Mr. Wilford said it was gratifying to find that, no matter where he travelled, there was a great re-birth of Liberalism, and that those attending his meetings were glad to hear his remarks. He was quite satisfied to continue his tour of the Dominion, and felt there was no need to hurry back to continue his campaign at the Hutt.

OTHER CANDIDATES. TARANAKI SEAT. MR. S. G. SMITH’S CAMPAIGN. (Contributed.) The keen interest taken in the forthcoming election by the residents of Lower Mangorei was demonstrated on Saturday night by the largest assemblage of local electors ever known in the district, when Mr. S. G. Smith, addressed a meeting at Mr. Firtu f« house. Mr. Firth was elected to the chair. After thanking Mr. Firth for the use of the room, Mr. Smith held, his audience in rapt attention as he unfolded and explained to them the principal questions of the day. Applause was general when the speaker told of the efforts he and a few other farmers’ friends had successfully made to defer for further consideration the passing of the Dairy Pool Bill. After a few ques tions had been answered, Mr. Smith was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, there being no dissentient. Mr. Smith addressed a well-attended meeting of railwaymen at the week-end, when he discussed matters of special interest to members of the service.At the conclusion the following resolution was unanimously carried: “That Mr. Smith be accorded, a’hearty vote of thanks for his address and renewed confidence in him as the district representative, and assures him that his old mates are solidly supporting him.” STRATFORD SEAT. MR. J. B. HINE. (Contributed.) The Reform candidate, Mr. Hine, addressed a crowded hall at Kaimata on Friday night. He criticised the Liberal candidate for voting with the “Reds.” Mr. Hine spoke on matters of vital importance to the producers of the Dominion, lhe following resolution was proposed by Mr. George Capper: “That this meeting of bonafide residents of Kaimata express its thanks to Mr. Hine for his able address, and has every confidence in him as being the most suitable representative for them in the next Parliament.” The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Guthrie and carried unanimously. A full house met Mr. Hine in the Lincoln Road schoolroom on Thursday evening, Mr. Burson being voted to the chair. The candidate received a splendid reception, and at the conclusion of his address received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. MR. R. MASTERS. (Contributed.) On Saturday afternoon, in lhe schoolhouse at Pukeho, about 20 people cordially welcomed Mr. Masters, who in his speech dealt with affairs in which the settlers were particularly interested. He said the two chief assets at the present moment for the development of that portion of the country w’as cheap money and cheap manufactures. One or two questions were asked and answered. Mr. Hartigan proposed “that the meeting pass a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Masters and expresses entire confidence in him through his past work on behalf of the settlers of the backblocks.” The resolution was carried unanimously.

EGMONT SEAT. MR. HAWKEN’S CAMPAIGN. (Contributed.) On Saturday evening Mr. Hawken (Reform) spoke to an audience of about all electors in the Riverlea Hall, Mr Webby, chairman of the local branch of the larmera’ Union, presiding. Mr. Hawken criticised the policy, or rather want of policy, of the Opposition. He mentioned the names of old Liberals, euch as Messrs. McCallum, Vigor Brown, Witty, Hanan, Statham, Craigie and others, who had refused the leadership of Mr. Wdford Mi. Mils moved a vote of thanks, whic.i Mr. Malone seconded. An amendment by Mr. W O’Neil, of thanks and confidence, was carried, only the mover and seebuder of the resolution voting against it. The whois of the meeting, except three, formed themselves into a committee to assist Mr. Hawken’s candidature, and the. utmost enthusiasm prevailed. MR. ASTBURY’S CAMPAIGN. (Contributed.) Mr. Astbury held a very successful meeting on Friday evening last at Upper Kahui Road school, practically all the residents, about 50 in number, being present. He spoke and forcibly for a space of two hours, iieanng with all the main planks of the 1-iberal-Labor policy. At. the conclusion or a most successful address a hearty vote, of thanks and confidence in him as a suitable person to represent the electorate in Parliament was carried unanimously. Mr. T. Willcock presided.