THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2328, 22 October 1908, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE GISBORNE SEAT.

AIR. CLAYTON AT T-E ARAI

Despite heavy rain, there was a good attendance at To Ar.ai Seliool-hou-se last evening, when Mr. W. Lissant Clayton, tho Opposition candidate, delivered an address to tlio electors. Mr. C. E. Gibson presided. The candidate made a trenchant criticism of the Government policy on tho lines of his Patutahi speech, and his remarks were frequently interrupted by applause. At the conclusion of the address, several questions were put to the candidate and satisfactorily answered. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Cox, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Clayton for his address. Mr.„ Clayton addresses the electors in His Majesty’s Theatre on Friday oveiling next. : MR, DARTON AT FRASERTOWN. o . [Si’koial to “Times.”] WAIROA, Oct. 21. Mr. G. EXDarton addressed a large number of electors at Erasertown last evening. Tho candidate,' who dealt with tho principal questions of the day, was accorded an .attentive hearing, and at the conclusion was accorded a vote of thanks. THE NATIVE MINISTER. It is exjf&etcd that the Hon. James Carroll will reach Gisborne on Saturday next, .and will open his election campaign early in the following week. [Press Association.] A REPLY TO THE PREMIER, PALMERSTON N., Oct. 21. Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, delivers a speech in reply to Sir Joseph Ward at Feilding on Monday next. ELLESMERE ELECTORATE. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 21. Air. R, Heaton -Rhodes, the sitting member and Opposition candidate for the Ellesmere seat, addressed a lar-gely-attended meeting in Leeston last night, and was accorded a favorable hearing. He supported land settlement a post audit, annuities, and the freehold. A hearty vote of thanks was passed.

THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

AUCKLAND, Oct, 21

The Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister for Education, addressed a crowded meeting of electors at Grey Lynn to-night, and was accorded an enthusiastic reception. He defended the policy "of the Government and his own actions as a Minister and member for Grey* Lynn at some length, and received an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Referring to the To Oranga Home, he said bo had never ordered tho Hogging of .girls and was not aware of it until after it had taken place.

DUNEDIN SOUTH SEAT

DUNEDIN, Oct. 21

Air. W. Fleming, a candidate for Dunedin South, addressed the electors in South Dunedin to-night. He stated he was a candidate in the interests of Labor, and was a sti-ong supporter of the Government. He advocated freehold tenure of land, and said lie was opposed to monopolies of all kinds. Air. Fleming advocated an increase in the number of Ministers. At the request of the candidate no vote was taken.

SOUTH CANTEBBURY CAN 1)1-

DATES

TIAIARU, Oct. 21

Mr. W. Jeffries, Opposition candidate for Geraldine, who was among tho defeated at the last election, addressed the electors at Tennika tonight, declaring himself a keen follower of Air. Massey.

Air. -G. Koller, working carpenter, tho Political Labor League’s candidate, addressed about 200 electors tonight, chiefly workers (a wet night probably kept down the attendance). He read the League manifesto, and proceeded briefly to expound its contents in a quiet- methodical way, and answered numerous questions. He was frequently applauded, and a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. THE ASHBURTON SEAT. ASHBURTON, Oct. 21. Air. J. D. Gobbe, Labor candidate for the Ashburton seat, delivered an address in the 'Oddfellows’ Hall this evening, in- which he generally denounced tlio policy and administration of the present Government as inimical to the interests of the workers. Ho specially protested. against tho present immigration policy and against the system of borrowing and expenditure. Ho thought the Arbitration Act was going to cause a lot of trouble and that it would prove unworkable. He felt that compulsory aribtration would never work. He objected to the constitution of tho Arbitration Court, and complained of the draughtsmanship of' Bills. He favored Mr. G. Laiirenson’s idea for a new capital site, and- believed in complete nationalisation of the lands of the Dominion. * THE AVON ELECTORATE. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 21. Mr: AY. Tanner, who has represented the Avon constituency continually sinco IS9O, addressed a meeting last night. He said ho would continue to support the Government in-Thoir present policy. He received an excellent hearing, and was accorded- a voto of thanks, cheers being given for him at the close of the meeting. Air. George She at, Opposition candidate for Riccarton, also addressed bis first meeting of electors, and was accorded a vote of thanks, THE GERALDINE -ELECTION. TIAIARU, Oct. 21. . Air. T. Buxton,. Mayor of Temuka, opened his campaign as Liberal candidate for Geraldine at Temuka last night. About GOO electors were present. The candidate, had a gpod hearing. Ho . -declared himself generally in accord with the policy of the Government, and defended their finance •and progressive legislation, and took an optimistic view of the future of t-,brv- Dominion. '

A LABOR CANDIDATE

DUNEDIN, Oct. 21

■Mr. R. It'./Douglas, Political Labor League candidate for South Diuledin, bad a good meeting last night, and received a vote of confidence.

WELLINGTON SEALS

WELLINGTON, Oct. 21

Last night Mr. F. M. Fisher opened bis campaign ,for Wellington Central. He bad a good bearing, and was given .a vote of confidence. /Mr. David McLaren, Labor candidate, spoke to a large gathering. He was well received.

Mr. F. T. iMoore, a Wellington Suburbs candidate, spoke at The-chief item in his platform is a' State bank. A vote of confidence was passed. Mr. R. Hogg, Socialist' candidate for Wellington South, addressed a fairly large meeting at Newtown. At the desire of the candidate, who was given an attentive bearing, no vote was passed.

A LABOR CANDIDATE. -

DUNEDIN, Oct. 121

Mr. R . R. Douglas, .Political Labor League nominee for Dunedin South, addressed a meeting at South Dunedin to-night. There were about 600 people present, and the candidate was accorded .a very good reception. He said he favored the referendum with initiation; and also the nationalisation of lands and means of production and distribution, lie regarded tlie second ballot sis the means adopted by the •Government to overcome some difficulty concerning whiehit had not taken the public into its confidence. He received a vote of thanks and confidence by a large majority. MR, MOSS’ STATEMENTS. AUCKLAND, Oct. 21. Speaking- at Ilemuera, Mr. Moss, candidate for Parnell, read a letter from an ex-hotel keeper, who. had made certain allegations of bribery in regard to the transfer of an hotel license, stating that acting on his solici-® tor’s advice he requested Mr Moss to discontinue action on his behalf publicly-.and privately, and asking for a return of all his papers.and documents. Mr. Moss added: “There' it is; you can I .draw your own conclusions.” _ - THE PATEA SEAT. HAWERA, October 21. Mr. Major, the Government candidate, spoke at Hawera last night, strongly supporting the Government, and declaring the financial position of tlio Dominion thoroughly sound. He replied at length to Mr. Pearce, Opposition candidate. He defended the dairy regulations, and asked the people to support him again, because — and lie would say this openly—lie might get a portfolio. He would not think of Parliament if he was going to remain there in tlie position of private member for many years. He explained that tlie reason he was put off the House Committee was because he voted against the late Mr. Seddon when on t-lie Education Committee. Mr. Allen wanted a substantial amount taken for superannuation from the consolidated fund, and Mr. iSeddon objected to that because it would reduce the surplus. Mr. Major' - " thought Mr. Allen’s proposal a sound principle, and supported it, and by voting that way a lot of trouble was caused. A vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried.

A 'CANDIDATE - BAULKED. DUNEDIN, Oct. 21. Mr. Tyndall, schoolmaster at Blue Spur, applied to the Education Board for a month’s holiday-to contest the Bruce seat. A motion that leave be granted, conditional on an approved substitute being provided, was negatived, being supported only by the mover, (Rev. P. B. Fraser, .and the seconder, Mr. Israel. A CANDIDATE’S COBH EOT lON. WELLINGTON, Oct. 2l Mr. George Winder "writes to the “Post” : “Seeing a very serious statement in connection with the finances of the colony in your report of the proceedings of my meeting on Monday night, and also that the Premier has referred to them at liis Feilding meeting, I take this early opportunity of stating emphatically that the statement was never uttered by me, tint the statement oil finance was entirely the remark of the chairman, and no one was more surprised than myself to hear such a serious statement made.public. Had I such intor—illation on financial matters, I certainly would be very cautious before uttering it, as it would be very in-jurious-to my own interests as well as to all citizens. While regretting tho statement has been made at my meeting, I am pleased to have the assurance of the Premier (and I am suro it will do a lot of good) that the local stringency in financial matters will be so soon cleared away. I telegraphed to the Premier to the above effect early this morning.” WELLINGTON PROSPECTS. [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, October 20. The election campaign will not be at its height here for a week or more. Large numbers of electors are enrolling and the polling is certain to constitute a record for the city and suburbs. The keenest and the bitterest contest is likely to be the one between Mr. Fisher (the present member) amL the lion. Mr. Hislop (Mayor of the city) for the general scat. There are 7849 electors already on the roll hut it is too early to predict which of the candidates is likely to bo successful. The tissue in the Southern seat; will also be doubtful. It is, however, quite oil the cards that Mr, Herdman, the Opposition candidate, will win the North seat, as lie is receiving support from quite unexpected quarters, and lie is a better speaker than Mr. Izard, the present member. Mr. Bolton, the third candidate, is also likely to poll well, so a second ballet may bo necessary to decide the final issue. There are no fewer than 9437 electors on the roll, and it is quite witliin the bound's of probability that second ballots will be required for all three of the city seats. For the South electorate, Mr.- Barber, the sitting member, is likely to bo successful. For tlie: new suburban seat it is too early to predict who is. likely to bo victorious, but one can". venture to prophesy

that Mr. Wilford will again win tlie Mutt scat, and that Mr. Field will once,.more be returned for Otaki. The Government loas an officer on the wharf looking after the enrolment of seamen.