THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13520, 31 October 1911, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE WANGANUI SEAT. Mr. Mackay at Wanganui East To-Night. Mr G. E. Mackay will address the electors in the Town Hall, Wanganui East, this (Tuesday) evening,: at 8 o’clock. Mr Mackay’s committee held a well-at-tended meeting last evening, Mr G. Spriggens presiding, when a large amount of campaign business was transacted. - Mr. Veitch at Aramoho. Mr W, A. Veitch, Labour candidate, addressed the electors', at Aramoho last evening, the hair being full. Mr. W. A. Luxford presided, and in a few remarks very eulogistic of Mr Veitch, introduced, that gentleman to the audience. _ Mr. Veitch spoke upon the . lines of his recent addresses, claiming that a change, of Government was desirable, and advocating the Elective'. Executive as a remedy fgr “one-man rule.” He severely criticised the Governments attitude on the, land question, advocated- a State Bank, extension of the powers of the Arbitration Court to enable it to do something to regulate the cost of living, abolition of the “country quota,” an increased' graduated .tax on big’estates, a ■tax..,onunearned increments and absentee ownership, and full political rights to public .servants. He also urged.,the need for better roads and the cutting up of big estates in this. district, and condemned , the Government’s attitude over the Guyton Street and Aramoho tramway crossings. He: said that, owing to the difficulty of obtaining land,; many recentlyarrived immigrants were already leaving for Australia, and. went on to say that the Government. had not kept its pro"mises to crush monopolies, instancing the sugar monopoly, the Standard Oil Trust, the timber and the banking monopolies in support of his contention. He claimed that the only way to regulate these monopolies was by State competition, so that the profits made by the people would be expended on their behalf He accused the Government of political patronage, and urged a minimum, ‘wage of 9s a day in State employment, saying that many private firms paid better wages than- the Government did. Concluding, lie declared that the Labofir movement was not a Wild, revolutionary one to plunder the community in the interests of pick and shovel men, but conserved the interests of all. The shopkeeper, equally with the shopman, was the victim, of monopolies of various kinds which the Labour party wanted to destroy. The country wanted a more Democratic and enlightened programme, and the Labour party offered a platform that was not in the interests of any . one section, but of the whole community. No questions being asked, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Veitch , on the "motion of Mr A; McLeod, seconded by Mr T. Litchfield, -the meeting closinp with a vote of thanks to the. chair. A ' strong local committee was , afterwards formed, which will meet on Monday evening next. Mr Veitch’s central committee meets to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, in the Druids’ Hall.''; •> . ■■ ' ; ;■ ! Professor Mills To-Night. Tliis evening, in; the :Onera Holistviat 8 o’clock. Professor W. T. Mills, M.A.. will deliver an address on the aims and aspirations of the Labour Patty. Professor Mills-has been a. close student -of economic questions in many countries of, the world, and is well-known as a speaker of remarkable power, so that a large at-' tendance may be expected. A silver coin .collection will bo taken at the door-to defray expenses. THE PATE A SEAT. Mr. Pearce’s Candidature, Mr G. V, Pearce,. the sitting member for Patea, opens his campaign at this end of the electorate to-morrow (Wednesday), evening, when he speaks in the A.B.C, Hall, Aramoho. He speaks at Brunswick on Thursday evening, and ’ at Eapauui on Friday. Mr. O'Dea’s Candidature. Mr P. O’Dca, speaks at Kai livi this ("Tuesday) evening, at Eapanui on Thursday, and at Mosstown next Monday. NORTH DUNEOLN SEAT. Trouble In the Labour Camp. , (Per United Press Association.) , DUNEDIN,’ October 30. Mr A. E. who was asked by thp Labour Representation Council to retire from the contest for Dunedin North, writes to the papers contradicting the statement that he is in bad health. He: quotes certificates from three medical men that 'they can find no trace of Organic disease, and that he is apparently in good health. Mr Barclay announces hia intention to "stand for the seat under any circumstances. At a meeting of the Labour Representation Council to-night, it was decided to take no part in the. Dunedin North election, the Hon. J. T. Paul being unable to accept nomination by the Council. DATE OF ELECTIONS. The Tranaki News understands the elections will take place on the 29th November or 6th December, probably the former.