MR J. C. WAS ON AT ALFORD FOREST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1270, 3 June 1884, Page 3

MR J. C. WAS ON AT ALFORD FOREST.

*. ; * Mr J. 0. Wat an addressed a meeting of electors -in the schoolroom at Alford Forest last evening. Mr W. T.. Chapman occupied the chair, and there was a fairly good attendance. ... Mr Wason was very well received, and delivered an address substantially the same at that given at Methven on Tuesday last. He intimated his willingness to answer any questions, and resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr Fagan ashed Mr Wason whether he would be in favor of imposing a reasonable tariff 6n such goods as could be produced in the colonics 7 Mr Wason replied that, if elected, he would favor such a tariff as suggested by Mr Fagan. Mr Fagan asked if the candidate would favor a tax upon all unoccupied land. Mr Wason said that he thought all land was sufficiently taxed under existing laws.

Mr Fagan asked if Mr Wason would be in favor of an elective Upper House. Mr Wason thought that a change must shortly take place in the Constitution of the Upper House. He would vote for the salaries of the members of the Legislative Council, as he thought it improper that the Ministry should be able to bestow a pension of L2OO a year upon whomsoever they pleased. Mr W. T. Chapman asked*if Mr Wason weald support a Bill giving every person, male and female, above the age of 21 years, a vote on local option and in the election of Licensing Committees. Mr Wason thought that in nine cases out of ten a woman’s opinion was of more value than that of a man. It had been ■tated that only the lower class of women used the privilege of voting when granted, but the London >chool Boards had shown t.bin to be incorrect, as on these bodies women had done much good. He would be in favor of giving women votes, and would prefer universal to manhood suffrage. . Mr H. Knight asked if Mr Wason would be in favor of the Government taking over the Rakaia-Methven railway, and extending the same in the direction of Mount Somers. Mr Wason replied that, the Government had so interfered wi h this line for the benefit of the Company, that they were morally bound to take it over in justice to the district. It should be joined with the Mount Somers'line. An elector' asked if Mr Wason would retire in favor of Sir Julias Yogel if ro••quested to do so 7 Mr Wason assured the meeting that he would not for one moment entertain the idea of retiring. B e was determined to go to the poll. Mr Gerard Coward was of opinion that a considerable sum of money might be raised biyi placing a tax of L2 per head upon useless dogs. Mr Wason thought that the County Council should be able to tax all useless dogs, and exempt useful ones. Mr Andrew Macfarlane proposed “ That this meeting has every confidence, in Mr Wason as a fit person to represent thin district in Parliament, and that this meeting pledges itself to use every effort to secure Mr W*son’s return.” Mr Macfarlane said that Sir Ju'ius Yogel alleged that he had a claim of L 7.000 against the Government, and there was no doubt, that as soon as this was secured he would bid them good-bye. ■ The proposal was seconded by Mr H. Knight, and carried. . Mr Wason thanked the .meeting for their patient hearing and the vote they bad passed. If elected he would do all in his power for the good of the district. Personally ho had nothing more to gain from the position he sought than the honor. Perhaps it was not a great honor to be a member of the House, but someone -must do the work, although the duties could only be performed at great personal sacrifice, discomfort, and inconvenience. With regard to Sir Julius Vogel's candidature, he (Mr Wason) thought that none of his friends would wish him to retire in that gentleman’s favor. If Sir Julias was elected another ten millions would be raised and squandered, population would be increased by immigration, and wages would be reduced. In fact the return of Sir Julias Vogel to Parliament would speedily involve the Country in bankruptcy. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.