THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3336, 30 September 1911, Page 7

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

BAY OF PLENTY' SEAT. MR. DEL AUTO UR. AT OPOTIKI. [.SPECIAL TO TIMES.] OPOTIKI, Sept. 29. Mr Harry deLautour, the Refdrm Party’s candidate for - the Bay of Plenty seat, opened liis campaign at Opotiki last night; when he addressed a very Large and appreciative audience.; "Tho Mayor, Mr'R.E. ElliotF, presided. _ Mr deLautour, who was repeatedly cheered, predicted the defeat of the Ward Government at tlie general election, stating that the reign of autocracy was at an end, and that true liberalism was coming into sway. From the -North Cape to Bluff the people were saying concerning the Government ‘ ‘put them out.” ... Mr deLautour severely criticised tho Government’s financial methods, and Native land policy, and! strongly advocated the opening up and settlement of idle Native lands as a. means of increasing the imputation and revenue. He declared that the pakelias had been made packhorses for the Maori, instancing a case in liis own • experience at East Cape, where the white settlers, by their reading and other improvements, had Sit £1,500,000 into the pockets of the aori. . He showed 1 that idle Maori lands amounted! to over 5,000,000 acres, and proved to the' satisfaction of the audience that the Native land policy has prevented l Opotiki and Wliakatane from becoming- ’ large towns. He. spoke strongly in favor of the freehold, and declared that there is no unearned increment so far as the backblocks’ settlers are concerned. He also criticised tlie nominative system in regard to the Upper House, S ! ir Joseph Ward’s acceptance of a baronetcy, and the gift of a dreadnought without consulting Parliament, and declared that these proved that the present Government was undemocratic. . ' He quoted Mr' Fowlds’ statement in support of this contention, and charged ministers with using public money for party purposes. At the conclusion of liis address Mr deLautour • was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, which was carried 1 amidst cheers. Mr deLautour has toured a great part of the electorate, and is well-pleased with his prospects of success 1 , many people who voted for the Ward administration last year having promised him their support. THE WALLACE SEAT. AN OPPOSITION CANDIDATE. £PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.! INVERCARGILL, Sept. 29. Mr Allan Carmichael is definitely -announced as an Opposition candidate for Wallace at tlie general election. Mr Carmichael is a well-known farmer in tlie district.