POLITICAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 2999, 23 September 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL.

at TBIiEOEAPH—r-RESS ASSOCIATION. NAPIER, September 22. Mr T. J. Thompson, Mayor of Hustings, delivered his first address to the Hawke's Bay electors at Hastings to-night. He enid he was a Liberal, but would support measures not men. He was in agreement with the land for settlement policy, and favoured the optional system of '■tenure with the opportunity to acquire the freehold on terms which lie specified. On the liquor question he favoured a colonial poll. The candidate received a vote of 'thanks. ELTHAM, September 22. Mr C. A. Wilkinson, Independent Opposition candidate for Egmorit, opened his campaign last night. He dealt exhaustively with finance, especially interest charges and taxation, and alleged that largo sums had been improperly debited to borrowed ■■ money. He said he favoured the uni- " versal military training of youths under twenty-one yeara, the encouragement of volunteering, and the ■ establishment of a navy in conjunction with Australia. He announced that he was a prohibitionist, and 1 that he favoured a bare majority, but hot Dominion option. He opposed free trade, Iho present - of valuation and charitable aid, and was a strong freeholder. Ho criticised warmly the Opposition caucus which selected Mr B. Dive for the >seat, chiefly on the ground that it ' was not representative and the chairman had no political otanding. t WOODVILLE, September i2. Mr J. C.« Cooper, Opposition candidate for Pahiatua, addressed a large meeting here last night. He was well thanks.