THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1627, 4 August 1887, Page 2

THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

* last night Mr W. C. Walker addressed i meeting of the Ashburton electorate m he Town Hall, South Rakaia. The attendance was good, and the tudience attentive throughout. Mr E. P. Coster (chairman of the Rond 3oard) ocoupied the chair, and briefly ntroduced the speaker. Mr Walker expressed his pleasure at seeing so many piesent, especially as this yas the first time he had appeared on a Rakaia platform. The address was a resume of the ono ie (Mr Walker) had given the previous jvening at Ashburton. During the jvening the speaker was loudly applauded. QUESTIONS, Would Mr Walker be m favor of do?ng iway with the portfolio of agriculture ? — No, he would like the matter to receive more attention, and develop into something a deal more useful. He thought the Government might do a great deal with experts m the matter of irrigation and other matters, and proving what really could be done with our lands. What was his opinion on the Land, Property, and Income Tax ?~ He believed the Property Tax to be the best and fairest. Taxes, although disagreeable, must be made, and the preßent system was working well. If elected, would you endeavor to influence the Government to do away with the Hakaia and Asbburton Forks railway rate, as the railway is now a good property, and an important feeder to the Government line?— He had done all m his power to have the matter settled He believed there was a prospect of no rate being called m future, but at anyrate he would do all m bis power. What is your opinion on the special trains and steamers used by the Premier and other Ministers ? —Believed them not to be excessive, aa the present Ministers had visited all parts of the colony to find out the requirements of the country more than their predecessors, and he thought thiß better than staying so much m Wellington Do you think a very large saving might be made m Education without impairing the efficiency by merging higher education with primary, having all subjects now taught m the High Schools taught m the primary schools?— He thought it was not possible, but he could not speak is an expert. He thought the methods were not the same. He was m f a voi* of economy if the present system was not impaired. In reply to a verbal question, he thought it quite necessary for members to take refreshments either hot or cold m the House. There was no abuse made of Bellamys, and each member paid for what he had and coßt the country nothing. Mr C A. C Hardy, m a short speech, proposed a very heaity vote of thanLe to Mr Walker for his addrcs* and a vote of eoDfidence on him as a representative. Ha hoped that if there was any opposition' Kakaia would roll up to a man and would vote for Mr Walker. Mr Broadhent, had much pleasure m seconding the motion. He was sure Mr Walker was an honest man for he had an honest face ; ho was straightforward and carried out h ; s promises when made, and if he made a mistake he admitted it and was not ashamed of it ; this was the sort of man wanted m the House. The motion was carried unanimously with loud applause. Mr Walker thanked the meeting, and proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was oarrled by acclamation.