THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1640, 19 August 1887, Page 2

THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

MR PU KNELL AT TINWALD.

Mr Purnell addressed a meeting of the eleotoro at the Templar Hall, Tinwalo*, yesterday evening. There was a good ilfcondance and Mr F. Shearer occupied the ohalr. At the close of the candidate's address sever a' questions ware asked and answered. Mr P. Lewis moved that a hearty vote of thanks be given to the oindidate for hU address, remarking that he (Mr Lewis) intended to support Mr Parnoll but he disapproved of votes of oonfidenoe. He thought the ooontry had had enough of Sir Julius Vngel, and that it was timo our systeoa of Government was simplified In the manner proposed by Mr Purnell Mr J, A. Oayglll, m seconding tha vote of thank*, said that tbn present contest reminded him very much of the previous one between Mr Walker and Mr Wason. On that occasion Ashburton was io strong * for Mr Walker that the faithful few who supported Mr Wason, Hire the Covenanters of old, had to meet almost In secret and speak with bated breath. A month or so ag j it was almost treason to suggest that Mr Wa'ker should not have a walk over. But he was glad to see that ft different feeling was ciming over the electorate. Mr Purnell had had tho mind to oonoelve and the courage to plaoe clearly before the elootors the real issue before the country. The Government, by the dis* solution, asked the oountry to go to the ballot box and say yea or nay to their tariff proposals. And though now Mints* tera finding ih»t the electors win la real earnest on the Bubjaot of retrenchment sought to divert attention from the real laoae."?, by raising the cry of protection, danger to education, return of Atkluion and so forth, he trusted the electors of this district would refuse to be hoodwinked ; endin the dliobarge of their solemn dutleii at the ballot box would remember that m this contest they were not called open to deolde whether Me Walker waa not an exceedingly and deservedly popular man, or whether ha had not served his district well m the last Parliament, but whether they were going to help m sending the Ministry baok to the House with a majority ho that they might force their tariff proposal! on the oountry. Should the Ministry so back with a majority the position would be thi-, that it, would be their duty to reintruduoe their tariff proposals for £325,000 uit ra taxation and they would have a right to call on their supporter! to oarry tho measure. As to the other questions with which Mr Purnell had dealt In his speech, he was sure that they would agree with him tbat on returning that gentleman they would not only be returning a member who oould give uttora ico to their voice on the taxation proposals, but also one who had the ability to sre clearly and grapple firmly with any matter that might be brought up The motion was oirrled unanimously, and after a vote of thanks htd been given to the Chairman the meeting dispersed. A Committee was afterwards formed to ensure Mr Purnell's return.