MR S. JULLY AT METHVEN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1272, 5 June 1884, Page 2

MR S. JULLY AT METHVEN.

Mr S. Jolly, the working man’s candidate for the Ashburton district, addressed one of the largest and most orderly public meetings over held in Methven in the schoolroom last night About 200 people were present, and Mr R. Patton was voted to the chair. He briefly introduced Mr Jolly, asking the audience to give a fair and impartial hearing, such as was always accorded to candidates for political honors in Methven, and that after bis address he would answer the usual questions.

Mr Jolly briefly stated his reasons for asking the working men’s suffrages, and strongly urged them to be united and send men of their own class to represent them, as at present they were misrepresented. He did not approve of either Sir Julius Yogel or Mr Montgomery’s policies, and if the former gentleman was returned he would bring the colony to a state of bankruptcy by borrowing.' Hf would be in favor of giving a grant to Catholic Schools, as that body provided the schoolhouses, and only asked for a capitation for all scholars who passed the examination by the Government Inspectors in certain standards. He then gave a resumd of his speech at Ashburton, quoting figures very copiously to prove his assertions, and concluded by complaining bitterly of the manner in which he had been treated by the local press, and that if returned he would put a tax on all newspapers, and if the district papers did not give full and true reports of all political meetings he would give them and the reporters, for making speeches for candidates and misleading the settlers, 14 years. After paying a tribute of praise to the Southern papers, the gentleman resumed his seat amidst great applause. In reply to Mr Jones the candidate said he would be in favor of lowering the beer tax. He would advise all to get a comfortable home and be independent of it.

Mr Compton: Would you be in favor of the Government purchasing the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks railway ?—Tea, for it is not fair to the producers to support feeders for the main Jines.

Mr Jones : Would ycu .try to reduce the duty on tobacco ?—Tes, and on many other things.

Mr Harold : Are yon in favor of abolishing the honorarium to members of the Legislative Assembly ? I am in favor of abolishing both the Legislative Council and the honorarium and having elected Governors, and, if the other colonies wsuld agree, to have one Governor-General appointed for the Australian colonies by the .Queen. Mr Harold : Are you in favor of a National Bank of issue ?—Yes.

Mr Farr : Are you in favor of more immigration ?—No. Mr Harold: Will you support Sir George Grey?—Xu some things, but we want younger men. He belongs to the old school. I will support any Liberal Government, and am going in in a straightforward and honest way. Mr Compton'; What is . your opinion of the Oxford and Temuka lines ? They should be carried through settled districts, not round- by the hills to suit .the squatters. Mr Comptou: Are you iu favor of more borrowing ?—I would borrow L 30,000,000 in London at 4 per cent., and pay off present loan for which we pay 8 per cent. Mr Compton: Would you be in favor of the Government defraying the cost of water-races?—Yes; for they have been the means of selling large areas of land. Mr Jones:—flow will you work the coal mines if you stop immigration ?—1 cau assure you if the mines are started plenty of man will come without paying their passage.

Mr Harold: Are you. in favor of pensions?—Not unless a man was maimed for life in the execution of his duty in th® public service. Mr Jones; Would you take the appointment of Minister of Mines ?—I consider I would make a better Minister than the. present one.

Mr Rowao proposed and Mr Quinn seconded a vote of thanks to the candidate.

Mr Compton proposed and Mr Pooock seconded a vote of confidence 'in him aa the representative for the district. Both motions were carried by acclama_tio».

Mr Jolly briefly acknowledged the compliment and proposed a rote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried, and the meeting adjourned.