THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2323, 16 October 1908, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

EAST COAST MAORI ELECTORATE MR. A. T. NGATA AT GISBORNE. Mr. A. T. Nigafa, iM-P., a candidate lor the East Coast Maori electorate, arrived from Wellington by the s.s. Tallinn on Wednesday morning, and met the loading Maoris of the Gisborne district .in the grounds of Mrs. Carroll’s residence at Waikanae. After tho forma] speeches of welcome, tho candidate, who was received with evident signs of appreciation, rose to .speak. He said he did not intend to deliver an electioneering address, socalled. He came merely to feel the pulse of the people of Gisborne, and to ascertain whether they were propared to favor him with their confidence for another term. He had prepared a pamphlet containing an epitome of that part of the political history of the Dominion which affected the Maoris for the past three years. To save . his throat, ho would refer them to the pamphlet, copies of which he would distribute. He would, however, supplement the pamphlet by supplying information on the work of the last three weeks of tho session which has just- closed. The speaker took his audience with him through a maze of legislation affecting the Maoris, and at tho conclusion of his remarks, he asked for an extension of their past, favors.

Tile meeting passed an unanimous" vole of confidence, and drafted the following resolution, signed by thirty of the. leading men. and women of this district : “Tins is to notify all tribes residing within the East Coast Maori Electorate, that we, the heads of clans, families, and districts, in the Turanga County, whoso names appear below, are unanimously of the opinion that Apirana Ngata, represent the East Coast Maori Electorate in Parliament, and we hereby announce that the large district of Turanga will support no other candidate. We therefore urge those tribes outside our sphere of .influence to join issues with us, and support Apirana Ngata’s candidature.” Mr. Ngata expressed himself as highly pleased with the result of his visit. He returned South again by the evening boat. THE PARNELL ELECTORATE. CANDIDATE’S SENSATIONAL STATEMENT.

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. Mr. Moss, Independent candidate for Parnell, created a sensation when addressing a meeting last night by producing a declaration signed by an ex-hotelkeeper, alleging that money had been paid to the Licensing Committee to secure the transfer of a license. The hotelkeeper asserted that eight years ago lie had ail hotel in a country-district, and desired to transfer the license to another centre in that district. He had financial dealings with a firm of brewers, who rendered him an account, including three items of £2OO each and one of £IOO. He alleged lie was informed that this £7OO had been paid to secure the approval of the Licensing Committee to the transfer of the license, and being helpless, lie had to consent. The head of the brewery firm was a man of standing, and lie hoped the rumor -would be proved to bo without foundation, but if lie could do so (Mr. Moss) would be so pleased that he would give £2OO to any charity the chairman chose to mention. He was sending the ex-hotelkeeper's declaration to the head of the brewery firm for denial.

Messrs Hancock and Co., replying to Mr. Moss’s statement from the platform, assert that .they assisted the hotelkeeper in question to acquire a portion of the land and erect a new building, but the company had . no interest in the hotel beyond that of mortgagee holding security for money actually advanced. The hotelkeeper did receive the sums mentioned by Mr. Moss, in the course of business, but these were actual cash loan's to himself. The company did not foreclose on the mortgage 7 hut as the hotelkeeper intimated he was unable to make the business pay. the company released him of indebtedness by taking over tlie securities, paying him £IOOO, and releasing collateral assets worth about £BOO. Tlie company was now agreeable to sell the property at less than the actual cost. Tlie company’s business transaction with tlie hotelkeeper closed in July, 1906. Two or three months ago the hotelkeeper made a threat that unless paid a considerable sum lie would accuse the company as he had"done through Mr. Moss, but the company declines to be drawn into public discussion through Mr. Moss, who is probably acting as the hotelkeeper’s solicitor, to obtain evidence to substantiate a threatened action. A WAIKATO CANDIDATE. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. Mr. Allen Beil, Opposition candidate for ‘Waikato, addressed a meeting at Huntly. He advocated optional land tenure, a Dominion option poll, and the bare majority on tlie licensing question, universal superannuation, and immigration of British laborers and farmers. He preferred universal military training to the volunteer system. Socialism, lie said, was impracticable, and arbitration had been a rank failure. A vote of thanks was accorded. MR. MASSEY AT PUKEKOHE. [Press Association.] PUKEKOHE, Oct. 15. The Leader of the Opposition delivered a speech at Pukekolie to-night. He had an enthusiastic reception. He referred to the legislation of the session, condemning the Second Ballot Bill and the dairy regulations. Pie said tho issues before tho country whether men were to be sent to Parliament to support better administration, an elective Upper House, to condemn extravagance und waste of tlie public works fund, and the settlement of native lands. .Were men to be left in office who had shown themselves the natural enemies of settlers liy their land legislation and tlieir dairy regulations? Woro largo sums to he voted and unexpended, leaving settlers in mud and misery? Was the public service to be left open to improper influence in appointments and people bribed with promises of expenditure of tlieir own money? He thought youths under 21 should lie trained foy military service. He favored the conciliation and arbitration amendments, but thought they should be more conciliatory. He was accorded a vote of tlianfe and confidence amidst cheers., THE TARANAKI SEAT. [Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 15. Mr. E. Bellringov, tlie selected Government candidate for tlie Taranaki seat, addressed the electors at New Plymouth to-night. Ho reviewed tlie history of the Liberal Government, traversing tlie lines ol' popular legislation and giving strong adherence to tho policy of Sir Joseph ‘Ward, pie claimed that the dairy regulations, as amended bv the Stock Committee, were in tlie best interests of tlie dairy industry. He urged that the defence policy should be continuous from school cadets to at least tlie ago of 21, and rifle clubs eliould receive greater encouragement, He defended tlie railway ]>olicy of the construction and finishing of the main lines, and urged that Taranaki should cense clamoring for many lines in order that- all energy may bo directed jo the StratfordMain Trunk connection. Ill* defended the right of labor to combine, giving the success of the co-operative sys*em of dairying amongst farmers, particularly .in Taranaki, as an example. While a believer in the optional tenure, he claimed that the Government. by the suggest?..! means of disposing of native lands, and also by the land settlement association scheme would meet tho demand for the free-, hold. He claimed that the operation of the Advances to Settlers’ Act ill New Zealand had prevented a rise of from one to two per cent in money during the past year. The candidate

j was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. Other candidates in Dio field arc the sitting member, Mr. 11. Okey, and Mr. AY. G. Malone, who as standing as a Liberal. AN AVON CANDIDATE. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 15. Mr. G. H. R-uesel-!, m candidate for the Avon seat, addressed a -meeting of electors at Linwood to-night. Ho stated lie -was a supporter of the present Government, but would retain the right of freedom of action in necessary cases- He favored -an elective executive and reform of the Upper House. At -the close of his address, the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks . THE ELLESMERE SEAT. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. Oct 15. Mr. F. Rowell, a candidate for [he Ellesmere seat, opened his- campaign at Sprliigston last night. He declared 'himself a str light-out Liberal, and supported the vai'lr/as measures of the present Government. He was in favor of the freehold and urged that the Government should push on settlement more'.rapidly. lie advocated the purchase of land in the vicinity of country towns -for the purpose- of settling farm laborers on small,areas. On the licensing question, Air. Rowall announced him'-ol.f. arc a siipnorter of tho three-fifths majority. He contended that the South Island Trunk railway should be pu .hrd on. and that the Little River l-'ne should be. extended to Akaroa. He supported a reduction of duty on tobacco and.ammunition,- and said the Government riiould provide free schral books, to children’ up to the sixth standard. At the conclusion of h;'- address, Air. Rowell was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Air. Geo. Rennie, a candidate for Hie Ellesmere seat-, addressed a wellattended meeting at Lcer-don on Tuesday night. The candidate announ- • ced himself as a supporter of the 1 Dresent Government, and was accorded a vote of thanks. DUNEDIN'SEATS. [Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Oct. 15. .Air. IT. 1). Bedford lias been pressed during the last few days to enter the lists for D.unedin North 'it the general election, hut has definitely decided not to stand.

THE BRUCE SEAT. ' [Puess Association.] Mir/rojv., Oct. is. Mr. James Allen, M.P. for Bruce, opened his campaign at Milton tonight, when there ivas a very largo attendance at the Coronation Hall. The Mayor (Mr. J. A. Duthie) presided. (Mr. Allen, who hud a cordial reception, generally criticised the administration of the Government-, and advocated support of the Opposition as a check on hasty and -ill-considered legislation. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the speaker.