MR. C. W. PURNELL AT RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1637, 16 August 1887, Page 3

MR. C. W. PURNELL AT RAKAIA.

Mr C . W. Purnell addressed a meet ing of electors m the Bakaia Town Hall last nlg'it. Mr E. S. Coster, chairman of the South Rakaia Road Board, was m the ohair. From 80 to 100 electors were present. Mr Parnell, who was warmly received laid there were two or three gentlemen m that part of the distriot who seemed to think that they bad a vested right to dispose of the votes of the Rakaia eleotors »l they pleased, and tbat all they had to do was to say J* Rakaia, vote for euch a t r such a candidate "and the Rakaia electors would rush to the poll ia a body and vote for that candidate He believed, however, that the Bakaia electors would Elve a fair consideration to his views and f they approved of those views would vote for him notwithstanding that these political shepherds had ordained that they should vote for his opponent. He also protested against tbe interference of the Government In this eleotion. Sir Julius Yogel was about to be brought to Ashbnrton to make a political oration for a very obvious pupose. If a candidate were sot able to fight his own political battles wlthont the aid of foreign auxiliaries he was hardly the man to fight the battles of the constituency In Parliament. Mr Parnell then prooeeded to deal with the topics treated In his A.hburton address, and, referring to the Rakaia Railway rate said that while he recognised that there were- difficulties connected with the question, he should be prepared to vote for the removal of the rate.

The oandidate was frequently applauded during his speech and sat down amid hearty cheers.

In reply to questions Mr Purnell said that he was not ln favor of an elected Legislative Council, but thought tbat the Councillors should not hold offioe for lie bnt for a term of yearß, and tbat the number of Councillors should be lim' ted to half that of the Lower House. He strongly disapproved of assisted immigration of working men at present, ss tbe labor market was already overstocked, He was not In favor of an elective Governor, as that meant separation from the Mother Country.

Mr Gee moved that a vote of thanks be given to the candidate for his address, wbioh was seconded by an elector and carried unanimously, and after a similar compliment to the Chairman the meeting dispersed.