THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12645, 4 November 1905, Page 8

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

(Per Press Association),

PAHIATUA, November 3. Mr Hawkins, the member for Pahiatua, fired has. first shot in tihe political campaign at.Ballance last night. • There was >a good attendance in spite of bad weather, and the was well received. He : was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

- DUNEDIN, November 3. Mr Herdman had a crowded meeting at the" Naseby Town Hall, the Mayor presiding. He declared that his hos- j "tility to the liquor interest was due to his having been instrumental in passing a clause in last year's Bill which prevented, brewers imposing on the Premier for consent to the sale of outgoing tenants' interest dn tied houses. On the land question, which was paramount seeing that thousands of people wanted to settle, and a million acres required to be opened for settlement, the Government had no-policy. If it was the duty of the Government to resign when in a minority, surely it was more necessary for them to do co when without a policy, or even if it had one, when it had not the backbone to carry it through. The Ministry subordinated public interests to their own. Grown tenants should be allowed to acquire the freehold at the original price, plus the difference between 4£ and 5 per cent. The goodwill . belonged to the tenant, not to the Crown. No less revenue would accrue, as the capital thus obtained would bear interest. This capital should be ultilised for the acquisition of large estates, and not be padd into the public revenue. If the tone of public life was lowered, Mr Seddon was blame-able. H© hoped the Legislative Council would be maintained, but the Ministry should'make a ■wise selection of men, such as retired judges and those who had attained repute in the commercial and labour ranks. He- strongly advocated the appointment of a. Civil Services Board. He Tvould conduct his fight fairly and hopestly. He was jighting;. tiei GoywnmentWho appealed io the. cupidity^.^f the electors, while."Mr/'Massejf appealed to their aspirations; and 'Would give fcjie country pure, and reOTecrbabJe Governs,meht. He was- opposed^ t^'jiibile reading in sichools. A:'4m<^i'ari;.of;thai)iis:fo-r his, address, and censtirrngi^iin*&>r his per- r sonal antagonism to the: r^Vetriier was, overwhelmingly defeated by 'an amendment of continued confidence, carried amidst cheers.: ■ ,y- :■ i .•" .■

BLENHEIM,: November ?3. The Hon. C. H. Mills'openedihis.election campaign yesterday, • addressing ;a' meeting of settlers in :fobe Sound^.jdisi/rict, a resolution was passed that " Mr iMills is the most desirable person the district could possibly have as its representative." -•".' • . <