The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1908. MR. CLAYTON AT PATUTAHI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2327, 21 October 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1908. MR. CLAYTON AT PATUTAHI.

Mr. Lissant Clayton has every reason to be gratified with the reception accorded him at Patutahi where ho opened' his political campaign last night. There was a very .fair audience for a country settlement, and the meeting was decidedly sympathetic from beginning to end. One mista’ke was made by the candidate at the close of his address when lie apologised for a. hasty preparation having marred the effectiveness of his address. There was no call for any apology, for Mr. Clayton presented his views on the-most important political questions of the day with a lucidity that made them decidedly interesting and with a force that carried conviction. His earnestness and obvious - sincerity are characteristics which will always command for him throughout his campaign sympathetic attention, but Mr. Clayton also' shows by the subject matter of his address that he is a close student of political subjects, and in this is distinct from the numerous bands of voluble politicians: who pick iip their knowledge upon political economy from the streetcorners. As the . selected Opposition candidate, Mr. Clayton’s speech was naturally devoted to a criticism of the Gov’enunout policy, but iir following

out these lines his methods were very distinct from those of tho bigoted partisan. His criticisms were scrupulously fair,- and the tone 01. his address was such as we should like to see maintained by all tho candidates throughout the campaign. On the land question Mr. Clayton did well to* draw the attention of the electors at this juncture to. tire socialistic ideals of the'present Government, which was only prevented in 1896 from, intro-, ducing tho ..wedge of land nationalisation by tho strenuous work of. the Opposition. What Messrs McNab and Fowlds were unable to do then will most certainly be attempted later on if they think at any time the people will stand it. The weak points of the present renewable lease system;were emphasised, and Crown tenants will appreciate the force of Air. Clayton’s warning in regard to “exhausted improvements.” But when all is said and done the keynote to the satisfactory settlement of this country, is that it slvall be based on the right of every Crown tenant being able to look forward to the time when he shall be able to acquire his freehold. Under such a system a man will feel that he is really working for himself and his family, not for some fortunate successor, and he will put forth his maximum effort. On this plank Air. Clayton leaves no room for misunderstanding ; he is a freeholder to the backbone. His instancing of the recent grazing' runs scandal as showing the insecurity of leasehold tenure should be ani effective answer to those simple-minded persons who occasionally tell us that the leasehold is “every bit as good as tlxc freehold.” In this connection the address given by Air. G. J. Black at- the close of the candidate’s speech was most instructive. To quote Mr. Black’s own words, he “spoke as a farmer to farmers,” and the fact® adduced by liim were illuminating . Wo should imagine that with such a case to speak upon Ah*. Black could safely mount the public platform in* any town in tlio Dominion and repeat the challenge lie laid down last night for anyone in the audience to face him on the platform and endeavor t-o justify the action of the Government. The Government policy in regard to the Maoris was shown by Ah*. Clayton to lack all the elements either of statesmanship or of common fairness, and the “taihoa” methods of the Government were capably exposed. The candidate’s remarks upon the kindred questions of population and defence showed that he has a keen perception of the urgency of many subjects of national importance which the Government has in the past given little, or no consideration to. During tho course of an address lasting less than an hour and a half, Air. Clayton managed to cover a good deal of political ground, but there were several important matters left untouched which might fittingly occupy attention in a “reform” speech, and they will probably receive consideration at some of his future gatherings.