MR WALKER AT GREENSTREET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1651, 1 September 1887, Page 2

MR WALKER AT GREENSTREET.

Mr Walker met tfie eleotors of the Aahburton Forks district at the Sohoo'room on Tueisday evening last, when about 50 persons assembled to hear Mr Walker give his views on political matters. Mr w. Sutherland occupied 'the otialr. ' Mt Wallrer epokd f6r" up wards of an hour and a half, and during the'obarse of his speech treated upon all the subjects ! of interest at the present time, andPexplained hia actions' daring the late Parliament to : the' satisfaction 1 of 'all' present. 4 He said that It had been aald of him that he was an out-and out Stout- Vogellt4 but he coald assure his supporter's that while ho believed that tha present Government was one of the best we had ever had, and while It continued, an.* •bowed •«

earnest desire to do its duty to the country, he had supported It, yet ho had reserved to himself the right of voting against them when he considered Ministers' measures were illadvlaed, or not In &!■ opinion conduolve to the welfare of the colony aa had been shown by his voting against them on several occasions, and if the electors at the next election showed their copfidence m him, by electing him, he should pursue the same course— a statement which, met the approval of all present. Most of the ■peeoh was a repetition of what had been given elsewhere, and after thoroughly explaining the policy of the late Ministry, and expressing himself willing to answer any questions, oonoluded amid great applause. Mr Hale asked Mr Walker his views on tho present Educational system, Mr Walker laid that that was a matter he had Inadvertently omitted to touch upun. He believed m the present system and deprecated any attempt by wouH-be economists to Impair so important a part of oar Plate policy. In saying so, he did not mean that it was free from defects or that the Act was administered as free from extravagance as could be wished, and he should if returned to Parliament, and it was found any beneficial change could be effected In the system, support any such change. With regard to lt« alleged costly Batare, he showed that compared with the other colonies oar system was not so expensive and oompared favorably with them. With regard to the growing tnd tnereulsg vote for it every year he said, that it was occasioned by the greater number of children attending the schools acd new schools r i>eing built In fresh districts, while the cost per head had not luereued, and therefore, full value was received for the increased expenditure. Mr Anderson asked several questions regarding Mr Ballanoe's unauthorized expenditure irhioh Mr Walker disposed of very effectually. Mr Anderson then entered into a rather lengthy discussion, amid much uneeemly interruption by come of the audience, on the merits of Freetrade and the demerits of Protection. These were also satisfactorily answered Mr Walker. After noticing the vague way In which tome new aspirants for political fame put forth their ideas of Government, how they were going to regenerate the country by an entirely new process of party Government and'referring to the famous attempt of Mr Thomson, of Olutha, Mr Walker sat down after having been occupied m speaking and answering questions nearly two hours, Mr Miller then proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Walker for his very •ble and satisfying address, and hoped to tee Mr Walker at the head of the poll. Mr Hale seconded, and on being put to the meeting, the motion was unanimously and enthusiastically carried. A vete of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.