THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3248, 29 November 1881, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MB,. SUTTON AT PUKETAPU,

Mr Sutton addressed ' a well attended meetiug at Puketapu on Monday evening. Mr Bennett was called to the chair. The Chairman said that in many cases per« sons occupying the position of Chairman were careful to state that they did not necessarily support the speaker. In his case this was not so. He had been with his friend Mr Sutton in the Provincial Council, Road Boards, and the County Council and believed lie had made a most efficient member. In the House he had taken his part, had worked honestly and effectively, and he believed the electors would again return him. Mr Sutton, who was received with great applause, thanked the electors for turning out in such numbers on such a stormy night. He had come there to talk politics, to tell them what he had done upon leading questions of the day, and what he intended to do. He claimed that he alone of the three gentlemen who had represented Hawke's Bay had been consistent. On the last occasion he addressed them there he was accompanied by Captain Russell, and they were agreed apparently upon all public questions at that time; but times had .hanged, and men had changed with them. He now found Captain Russell quite unable to tell any of his meetings what his opinions upon taxation are now except the nicely rounded sentence, which may mean little or nothing, property must pay its fair share. Mr Sutton again proclaimed himself a thorough supporter of the property tax, as he believed, if the exemptions were done away with, it would be the most equitable tax possible. He expressed an opinion that those who talk about land and income tax had not gone into the question at all, and he believed the cry was one of a class who were entitled but. did not like paying. These. gentlemen say we are improving settlers, you must not tax us ; go to the man who does not improve; even if you confiscate his land leave us alone. He thought the income tax unsuitable, and it would be much more unpopular because much more inquisitive, while it would let the wealthy in some cases go free. He instanced the case of one gentleman, the Hon. Mr Tollemache, who last year paid £1600 property tax. This gentleman could not be taxed under a land or income tax, because he held no land, and though he received income in the colony, it was all paid in London. He would like to know what class of men were to pay more than they do now, as if it was intended to raise the same amount, and some where to be relieved, it followed that some were to be taxed more. He complained of Capt. Russell's action about the Representation Bill, and said that it was impossible to show that if the course he urged had been adopted, serious results would not have ensued. He would give natives the same rights as ourselves when they assumed the same responsibilities, but not till then. (Applause.) Ho showed that the population of the colony was 583,801, and the entire population of Napier and the districts of Waipawa and Hawke's Bay 18,058 ; that the division of the colony into 91 equal districts gave 5867 electors as the quota of each district, and three one-eighth of a hundred members for the whole. We had now three European members, and we were better without that eighth of a bunded than have ourselves virtually disfranchised. He had supported the present Ministry, and while they did as well as they were doing he should support them. He thought Mr Bryce a really good man, and complimented the volunteers for the way they had turned out. He hoped Mr Bryce's opinions in reference to native land dealings would be given effect to. He would oppose the introduction of Bible reading in schools, and when he came before them again he should, he hoped, still be able to say he had satisfied his supporters. It was a satisfaction that none of his opponents could complain of anything except that he was not one of them. He warned them that class representation might lead to class taxation, and he co»fcended that he had in the past and would in th« future work for all classes, so that as far as legislation could do it this country should

be a place where any man with care and energy might hope to reap the reward of his industry. Mr Sutton resumed his seatamidst loitd applause. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr Sutton was carried. . In acknowledging the vote Mr.Sutton urged strongly upon all present their duty to vote, and if they thought he had done his duty in the past, and was likely to do it in the future, he asked them to say so at the ballot box.

MR W. C. SMITH AT ORMONDVILLE. Mr Smith addressed a large meeting in the school-room on Monday evening, Mr R, Russell in the chair. He traversed the same subjects as those dealt with in his speech at Waipawa, and in a speech of some two hours duration was attentively listened to, and appeared to have his audience with him. Ha said he would oppose any attempt to tamper with the Education Act, and strongly advocate a bonus towards tho establishment and maintenance of free libraries, which were more especially needed in the Bush settlements. With regard to the property tax, he believed ifc was calculated to prevent improvements, and bear hardly on industrious settlers, and by taxing and retaxing all merchandise, already heavily taxed by Customs duties, it would fall more heavily on consumers than was fair and right. He was in favor of a graduated land tax, exempting, however, three hundred acres and under, and explained how such a tax would work. He was strongly in favor of a large reduction in the Customs duties on all the necessaries of life. He desired to assist in the abolition of nominated Land Boards, which in the past had pressed hardly on bond fide settlers, and to have a Board elected by the people. He believed in government by the people for the-people. He strongly urged the immediate completion of the railways, and the opening up of roads. He dealt exhaustively with the question of county government, the policy pursued by the Waipawa Council, and the efforts he had made and was making to obtain justice for the Bush districts. Questions were invited, and a large number were asked and answered apparently in accord with the views of the meeting. A vote of confidence was carried, three for the amendment (thanks only), and some sixty for the vote of confidence. Thanks to the chairman, and three cheers for Mr Smith, brought the proceedings to a close.

(From our Exchanges.) Mr Lock is thus spoken of by fclie Gisborne Herald : —He was in years long past ____ intimately connected with the district in which lie is still a large property-holder, and where, as he informed his hearers on Thursday evening, he intends talcing up his permanent residence for himself and family. Mr Loeke was for many years in the Government service, having been made a Resident Magistrate at the early age of twenty-three. Afterwards he became a large purchaser of native lands for the Crown ; and from that time to this has been confidential adviser to several Ministries in respect of native matters, than whom for the purpose there is no more experienced man. It is genrally well understood that the Hall Ministry are anxious to secure the support of Mr Locke, not only as one of their staunch adherents, but because of the able assistance it is known he is so capable of rendering in questions involving native complications. It is the influence Mr Locke possesses that will make him a most serviceable member in advocating our local requirements. We believe the honor and integrity of this candidate have never been called in question, and honesty ot purpose and intention are reckoned as among his most marked characteristics.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) Wairoa, November 29. Captain Porter addressed the electors in the County Hall last night. Despite torrents of rain about sixty were present. The chair was taken by Mr Gemmell, the County Chairman. Captain Porter, who was well received, announced himself a supporter of the present Ministry, as it showed a disposition to accord justice to the East Coast. He was a Liberal, and would support liberal measures, but was free to oppose them if they were againßt his convictions. He touched at length on the native land question, proposing to cut the colony up into several districts, of which the Wairoa and Cook Counties would be one, with a quarterly circuit sitting of the court for the subdivision of land and the individualisation of titles. A registration office and registrar should be appointed for each district, in order to, simplify registration, and render the ■?****' acquisition of native land an easy procedure. The registrar should also be frauds commissioner. He supported the Crown and Native Lands Ratine Bill, but was not sorry the Government measure fell through, as it / placed a tax first on the consolidated revenue, and then on the European purchaser. He would propose that the tribal lauds and each individual's share should be ascertained, and then that one portioa be set apart to meet the rate. Mr Gannon's proposal to let the rates lie on the land till taken up was absurd, for some of the back country might not be taken up for a hundred years ; besides it f" was not fair for the Government to tax the funds of the colony for the purpose. On the subject of the ■waste lands administration he favored a board for the Cook and Wairoa Counties, each having two members, j and the Governor nominating a fifth, the chairman. Captain Porter then went into the question of assisting settlement by making monetary grants on stringent conditions to persons taking up Government land. He proposed that the Government should borrow for the purpose at five per cent., and lend to small farmers at ten per cent. Five per cent would cover the interest for which the colony would be liable, and the five per cent payable to the Government would administer the department or board, and create a sinking fund. Captain Porfer then went on to speak of the property tax, which he defended as fair, in that it reached nearly every one. He spoke of the great debt of the colony, and said that out of £30,000,000 Wairoa had got the magnificent sum of about £30,000 in > all. He alluded to Sir J. Coode's report on the Wairoa harbor having arrived, and believed we had a claim to public works expenditure in the shape of a harbor. In reply to questions Captain Porter stated that the matter of blocks of land . which he purchased for himself while in the Government service had been fully explained in the House by Mr Bryce, who exculpated him fully. (Applause.) He held five shares in the Land Company but was not a director, and did not want to be one. He opposed Bible reading in schools, and would maintain the present free secular system. As previously arranged by Captain Porter's friends, Mr G. Flint proposed a vote of thanks, which was seconded by Mr Mayo and carried. Notwithstanding the bad weather, and i' the small attendance, Captain Porter spoke well, and created a favorable impression, which is likely to hold good till +~ the polling day.—(Own correspondent.) ' Nflson, November 29. Mr Levistam, the only candidate proposed for tbe City of Nelson, was declared duly elected to-day amidst loud applause. Hokitika, November 29. The nomination took place at noon to-

day. Two candidates were nominated, Mr Richard Caldwell Reid, and Mr Gerald George Fitzgerald. The show of hands was in favor of Mr Reid. Tauranga, November 29. Mr Kelly addressed the electors at Katikati last night. The following resolution, was passed :— " That this meeting regrets that Mr Kelly should have gone to the trouble ot addressing us ; that we are pledged and mean to support the candidature of Mr Stewart to the utmost of our power, but as a matter of courtesy we wish to thank Mr Kelly for his address." Dunedin, November 29. Mr Donnelly, a candidate for the Peninsula, addressed the electors of South Dunedin last evening. He obtained a hearty reception, and received a unanimous vote of confidence. He announced himself as an independent supporter of the Government, and a strong free trader. He favored legalising the eight hours movement, and was opposed to separation. He supported the Otago central railway, and favored Bible reading with a conscience clause.