ASHBURTON ELECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1277, 11 June 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON ELECTION.

Mr Wason atLismore.

Mr Wason addressed a meeting of electors in the Lismore schoolroom last evening. Mr Welshman occupied the chair, and there were between thirty and forty gentlemen present. Mr Wason, during the course of his address, strongly condemned the immigration policy of the Government, and referred to the large number of children growing up in the colony who would shortly leave school for the labor market, and would fully satisfy the demand Referring to the proposal to abolish one of the local rating bodies, Mr Wason suggested that the County Council should alone collect the rates, and after deduction of the necessary official expenses distribute the balance to the B jards. He hoped to see the powers of the County Council much enlarged. At the conclusion of the address, a number of questions were asked. To those not already reported, Mr Wason made the following replies : —lf another loan was raised he would endeavor to obtain for this district a fair share of the plunder, although ho thought such lines of railways as that connecting Oxford and Temuka should be constructed by the locality benefited.—There were no public funds, in the ordinary acceptation of the term, devoted to higher education. The revenue from certain reserves which had been saved from the rapacity of the General Government was devoted to this purpose, and he certainly did not favor the alienation of these reserves from the provincial district and the application of tho proceeds to General Government purposes. He thought the time had arrived to set aside that brotyd colonial view of such matters, and look out for themselves. —He would support the distribution of the Government account amongst the different Banka doing business in the colony, but ha thought vested interests were so strong that there would be very little chance of disturbing the present arrangement.—Ho was not at that moment prepared to suggest any amendments to the Gaming and Lotteries Act j

but it appeared to him to be unnscesarily severe. Any drastic social measure created contempt in the minds of the people, and unless a majority favored and gave their moral support to a law, the country was better without it. Mr R. Campbell proposed, and Mr Alfred Raine seconded, a vote of thanks to the candidate, which was carried by acclamation, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings..

Mr Jolly at Mount Somers.

Mr Jolly addressed a well-attended meeting of electors at the Mount Somers sohoolhouse on Monday evening. Mr Jolly reiterated the address which has already been reported, and on resuming his seat was loudly applauded. In reply to questions put to the candidate by Messrs Easton, Williams, MoLimont, Edston, Todd, Stott, Hood, Borrows, Edson and others, he said that he would favor financial separation between the Itorth and South Islands. He thought that unoccupied land should be taxed, ancf he had confidence in the development of the West Coast coal.. He was opposed to women voting on any questions. He would object to members of Licensing Committees receiving a fee of two guineas a month. He hoped that there would be no necessity for a soup kitchen at Mount Somers, He would favor the reduction of the railway tariff and the connection of the Mount Somers and Methven rail*ways. He thought the duty upon tobacco should be reduced. He was in favor of a good secular education which should be made compulsory. Ho would tax sporting dogs,and exempt sheep dogs. He would support grants to public libraries as he thought every one should study politics. Ho was in favor of the eight hours movement and thought the working, men should drink less beer, study and exercise common sense.—Mr James Rutherford proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Jolly, which was seconded by Mr Harvey and carried by acclamation.—On the motion of Mr Jolly a vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman.