THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3249, 30 November 1881, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

CAPTAIN RUSSELL AT CLIVE.

Captain Russell met tbe electors at West Clive in the school-room last night. Mr H. Handyside in the chair.

Commencing with a reference to the many stories in circulation concerning his private affairs, Captain Russell said he had not bought 40,000 acres of land at Is 6d per acre. The block that he bought he paid more than 3s per acre for, and he had only re-sold a portion of it. There was neither any truth in the story that he had obtained a military grant of 600 acres. He had been offered 400, but he took 125, which were equal in value to the 400 acres. He denied having neglected the interests of old soldiers. After referring to native affairs, and to the rating of native lands. Captain Russell disagreed with the opinion expressed by the Premier in relation to the Legislative Council, though he thought the Council might be remodelled. If the Council were m&de elective ifc would soon lose its character for impartiality, and become more like the Lower House. Some people proposed that if the Council were made elective there should be a high property qualification, but he could not agree to that. If ifc were an elective Council all sections of society should be represented in ib. He believed in men being nominated 'who were celebrated in. law, physic, or had served their country, but who, though possessing brain power, had nofc the gift of oratory, and wer. unable to make their way in an election contest against those who had less sense but were more garrulous. In the present Council there were many who had done good service for years past, but were now too old for the work. He would prefer to see the members nominated for five years, a certain number of whom should drop out year by year. By that means the power would be placed in the hands of the Government of the day. As the Government represented the House and the House the people, they would thus have a tolerably good Council in accordance with public opinion. He also considered that the Council should be paid the same Salary as the members of the Lower House. The reßfc of Captain Rtissell's address was mainly taken up with the consideration of the Representation Act, and to tho

representation of the natives, in w T hose special members he did not believe. Replying to a question, he said he did not believe in the separation of the colony. A vote of confidence was carried as against a vote of thanks on the conclusion of the address.