POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 22 February 1905, Page 6

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Mr. W. Chambers, who has announced himself as a candidate for the Parnell seat at the general election in Novembar next, gave an address to the electors in the Oddfellows' Hall, Parnell, last evening. Mr. W. Thomas presided, and there was a fair attendance. The candidate declared himself to be an independent, stating that he would ally hiniself to no party. He was in favour of Bible-reading in schools, but thought that on account of its complications the question should be referred to a referendum. He supported the local option system with an absolute majority decision in place of the three-fifths now ruling. The land laws required serious amendment, and if the natives would not open up the 2-h million acres they possessed in the North we should take them from them by conquest. Every -«an should have the opportunity to own his own freehold, but it would be better to wait for the report of tie Royal Commission before * dealing with the matter. The Legislative Council shoxild be reformed by each electorate returning one member to it as well as to the House of Representatives. A Council of old women would be better than the present. He went on to declare that the present Ministry followed the policy of spoils to the victors, railway road vote 3 being spent in districts of the right colour. In answer to a question as to whether he was a prohibitionist, a moderate drinker, or a brewer's man, the candidate said he was not a rabid prohibitionist. Prohibition was a good thing, but should not be forced down any man's throat. He would suport a bill to enable women to sit in the Upper House. We had 45 old women there now. He would give the ladies the opportunity, but would advise them not to try. He favoured the leferendum and the increase of the poll tax on Chinese. "Let them go back to China," he said; "we don't want them here." Asked as to the Hare system of voting, Mr. Clambers said that he knew nothing about it. He was also unacquainted with the single tax question, but he would give his views of these matters later.

On the motion of Mr. G. Coates, a vote of thanks was accorded the candidate for his speech. In thanking the audience the candidate promised to study up polities, and in six months' time he would have abundance of wisdom.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.