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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2320, 13 October 1908, Page 2

AIR AIACDONALD AND THE FREEHOLD.

AVhile commenting upon Air AV. D. S. Alacdouald’s speech at Ormond we mentioned that the candidate had not made his position upon the freehold question clear. A report since forwarded of Air. Alacdonald’,s meeting at Rakauroa appears to throw some light on the point. On that occasion Air Hutchinson asked the candidate if he would vote in favor of giving L.I.P. tenants the right to obtain the freehold on the original valuation, plus the difference of interest between O.R. and L.I.P. holdings. Air. Macdonald replied that in his opinion the Government

would loso nothing by doing so, and if | tho 'Govornmont woro an favor of granting tho privilege, ho would support it, but ho would not vote for \i measure to that effect if it wan liostilo to tho Government. In this reply Air Macdonald' has given, with charming candour, tho koynoio to his parliamentary cundidatliro. lie behoves in tlio freehold, for ho is a thoroughly practical farmer and understands tlio question, but ho considers it much more important that tlio AVard party shall bo kept in power than that tho settlement of this country shall be proceeded with upon tlio only method that is likely to prove permanently successful. If returned to Parliament it- is evident that Air. Alacdonald will vote for no measure if it bo “hostile to tlio government” no matter what his own personal views or tho wishes of 'his constituents. It is for the Bay of Plenty electors to riiako up their minds whether this is tho class of candidate to whom tlioy will entrust the wolfnro of their interests and thogo of-the Dominion as a whole.