MR BUXTON AT SOUTH RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1651, 1 September 1887, Page 3

MR BUXTON AT SOUTH RAKAIA.

Mr 8. Baxton addressed a meeting of the Beugitata electors at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr E. 8. Coster, Chairman of the Road Board, occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Baxton, on ruing, said|he appeared that night as a stranger to the district, and ha had no doubt those present would like to know lOmethloß about himself. He had been over twenty yean m this colony, engaged m {arming pursuits. He had no previous Parliamentary. record, and therefore he conld nor be charged with any faults there. Although not known well m this locality, be was veil known m other parts of the Rangi* tata electorate. He could meet every man and woman m New Zealand without a blush, M he had always born a good character and paid his way honestly. The important position he now looked forward to gaining had caused him much thought and loss of sleep, but after three weeks consideration he had made np his mind to comply with the wishes of a numerous host of friends. With regard to Mr Rolleston he (the speaker) had no wish to speak m any way detrimental to that gentleman. They were near neighbors, but did not agree m matters political; At one time he had agreed with Mr Rolleston's views, but after much reading, hearing, and thinking, he had at last decided to be one with the Stout-Vogel Government, and was now a faithful supporter of that party. He (Mr Buxton) liad never promised to support Mr Bojlcston, and that gentleman was mistaken m nuking the statement. Had he (the speaker) ever made such a promise he would have stock to his colors through thick and thin. Ha would. not refer to the figures which had been the subject of most candidates, as fee was not well enough up m the matter. He was sure that the figures whioh bad appeared m the public prints were most astounding, apd he could not for a moment believe that many of the remarks made by various speakers with regard to the Financial Statement were true. Mr Rolleston, at one of his meetings, had spoken for some.twc hours, and during the whole time it had beec nothing but figures. He (the speaker) wan rare such statements would never haee beec made had a reporter been present. If elected tie would no. be a blind jollower of apj Government, for there might be some thing* m which he oould not honestly do so, but fit would do the best he could for the wholi colony. The Atkinson party could not brinj forward any feasible policy. Mr Buxton was listened to with attentioi throughout, and at times was loudly applaudeoi At the conclusion he laid he had beei unintentionally misreported at Aahburtoi with regard to " cock robin," at anyrate, h meant to say that if he (Mr Buxton) wa elected he should say, " poor Mr Rolleßton, i serves you right, you should keep out of ba company," (Whenttbii little anecdote wa being told someone m the hall let loose i sparrow, which flew on to the stage to the fq? 61 jihe speaker, ' ' m reply to the Rev H. Collins, Mr Buxtoi said be would be m favor of giving a rea majority of the people power to rule that n< more public-house licensee should be granted »nd even to cancel the present ones.— He wa m favor of ladies having voting powers, bu not of their beiag admitted to the House.He was not m a position to reply to th question re bridge at Dobbin's Ford, andh thought it unfair to ask it under oiiß^rj circumstances.— He thought it much bette to rob a poor man of his beer than HUI children of their bread.— He should like t hear Sir Julius Yogel's statoment withregar to his claim against the State, before givin on opinion, but if ho (Sir Julius) waß just! entitled to anything he would vote for ii being paidj Mr Morrow moved, M^hat a hearty vote i thanks and" confidence In Mr Buxton 1 passed, and that this meeting pledges Use to vie its utmost endeavours to ' secure h return." Mf John McLean seconded the motion Wbioh was carried unanimously with cheers Mr Box 1 on thanked his audience for theii attention, and moved a vote of thanks to thi fi^ir which was carried.