MR J. GRIGG AT SOUTH RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1308, 19 July 1884, Page 2

MR J. GRIGG AT SOUTH RAKAIA.

Mr Grigg addressed the electors at Rakaia last evening. The Town Hall was well filled, but a very large propor-

tion of the audience were of the larrikin class.

Mr Coster took the chair and introduced the speaker, and hoped that a fair hearing would bo given. The speech was of a very similar nature to those previously given at the different centres. Before any questions were put to the candidate one of Mr Ivess’s strong supporters handed up a resolution to the effect that Mr Grigg was not a suitable man to represent the district ; he had to retire amidst groans and hisses. Replying to questions Mr Grigg said:— ‘ I am in favor of having the West Coast railway. We can have it made by a syndicate if suitable terms are agreed to by the Government. I think the people generally are not fully aware of the importance of making this railway, but I am sure it would be of great service to the West Coast and this portion of Canterbury in particular. The cost of living on the West Coast would be reduced some 40 per cent, The laborer would be the first to benefit from the construction of the line, and next the producers.”—Replying to further questions, Mr Grigg said he would certainly be in favor of taking away the free passes on the railways from the labor gang if the Government is meant. —If elected he would certainly represent one portion of the district as well as another, it was with that object that he had come forward.—He was certainly not a nominee of the Bank of New Zealand. He thought that institution, if it interfered in the contest at all, would have sought a more, pliable representative. He had not been, and never would be, the tool of any one. He would not support a coalition between Major Atkinson and Sir George Grey.— He would not be in favor of putting a duty on coal from other countries. —He would not tax the many for the benefit of the few.—Female suffrage was quite right in municipal districts, A woman should have a leg al right to vote there, but not at elections for the House of Representatives. The best of women would not ask for that vote. —He was not in favor of further borrowing to any extent for a Government to spend the money as it liked, but would be in favor >■£ borrowing with reasonable safeguards for any special work required.—[A gentleman from near Lauriston here caused a good deal of confusion by insisting on being heard, and had to be requested to sit down or be turned out. He thought the latter the best plan and took his seat.} —He would dou le the tax on all useless curs, but would let shepherds keep, say, two dogs at half the present rate. —He was not in favor of running Sunday trains. He considered that all workmen were entitled to their Sunday’s rest.—He would be in favor of making a railway to Sodtown if that would sweep away all the sod towns from

New Zealand.—Two acres of land was not enough for a man, he would let him have 50 or 100 acre son easy terms.—He was in favor of taxing sheep once, b-t

not twice. Do not tax them first as property and then as sheep.— not knowing the locality of > bin’s Ford, he could not say if a bridge was required. That was a matter for the County Councils to take up, and if it was found desirable in the general interests of the districts it should be butit. I

Mr L. Mangham proposed a hearty

vote of thanks to Mr Grigg for his address and to the honest and clear manner in which he had answered their questions. This was seconded by Mr Lyttelton. An amendment proposed by Mr Murphy that Mr Grigg is not a proper person to represent the district, was seconded by Mr MoAnnulty. Only five hands were hel d up for the amendment, and the resolution was carried almost unanimously. Three cheers were then given for the candidate, and after passing the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting closed.