THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 459, 3 February 1871, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THE NOMINATION. The nomination of candidates (or the representation of the Dunstan district in the General Assembly took place at the Court-house, Clyde, at noon, on Tuesday, the 31st January. The Returning Officer (Vincent Pyke, Esq.) read the writ and the advertisement fixing the date of nomination, and called upon the electors to nominate candidates.

Mr. George Facile proposed Mr. David Hunter Mervyn. Mr. Paterson, seconded the nomination.

Mr. J. D. Feraild proposed, and Mr. B. E. Dagg seconded Mr. William Fraser Mr. James Hazleii nominated ME J John Hughes. The nomination. w% seconded by Mr. J. C. Chappie. Vj / Mr. Barlow proposed Mr. Luther Shepherd. Mr. Marshall®* seconded the nomination. There being no other candidates the Returning Officer called upon the candidates to address the electors.

Mr. Mervyn said that he had So fully explained his views the previous evening that he deemed it unnecessary tlien to occupy the time of those present With a-lengthy address. Herelied on his past conduct as member for tile Mamilievikia district, and stated that it. was his conviction that if they returned a man who had no experience in the General Assembly his services would be lost to the constituency for the first two or three sessions. Mr. Fraser had no intention of making n long speech. He had held several meetings, and intended to visit every part of the district for the purpose of explaining his views. Ho demurred to the statement of Mr,

•Mervyn. that if a man who had r>o experience in the General Assembly was returned his services would, for a considerable time, be lost to his constituents, He flattered himself that he could, on entering the House, bring as much influence to bear as any of the other candidates. He expressed himself in favor of Vogel’s financial scheme, and he was of opinion that a great deal of the opposition shown to it was purely of a personal nature. He did not wish to make any remaiks relative to the other candidates, as their merits or demerits did not make him any better or worse, but he would remind the electors that he did not come before them as a stranger. If they elected a representative who Was a non-resident he might* for the next five years do what he pleased and go where he listed, and they would have no guarantee that he would fulfil his promises. He (Mr. Fraser) was a resident amongst them, and had been for years past and he would usk them if he broke his pledges how could he come hack and face those of his constituents with whom he would becontinually brought in contact With. A statement had been made by Mr. ■Shepherd, that he (Mr. Fraser) had voted against free selection and deferred payments. He would not condescend to place his word against Afr. Shepherd’s, but, would read the division list on the. question (Mr. Fraser read the division list which showed that he voted with Mi - . Shepherd. In reference to a report which had been indnstriouly circulated that an association of squattters had been ■formed for the purpose of returning men devoted to their interests—he could only say that he had not been honored with the confidence of such association, and was Unaware of its existence. The residents of the districts knew liis character, and he left the matter confidently in their hands. (Applause.) Mr. Tin "lies thought it due to himself and the electors that he should state his reasons which induced him to come forward. One of the candidates had widely circulated a report that he had been brought Forward by an association of squatters. Ho cave such report a flat and unqualified •denial. He knew of the existence of no political association in the Province, with the exception of the Southern League, and he did not belong to it. He further state 1 that no money had been given him for electioneering purposes. and that the only reason why he cafne forward was, that he was requested to do so by some residents of tli e Hiinstan. He considered anyone capable of making such statements ns he had referred to unfit to represent any constitueny. He would not detain them long with liis political views. He would support a modification of | Air Vogel’s financial scheme, as he considered it impossible for the Golonv to go on as it had been doing for the past eight or nine years. He would support the construction of light railways, the throwing open of land fur settlement under the agricultural lease system, had advocated large •commonages for goldfields, and separation.

In answer to questions Mr. Hughes said that he could not. say then whether ho would come forward for the Provincial Council or not; that he came forward as an independent candidate, and that he would resign if presented with a requisition, signed hy a majority of the electors of the distiict. Mr. Shepherd said he came forward as a candidate to represent the miners, who, he was proud to shy had shown many proofs of confidence in him. He did not come before tbo'm a stranger, as he had represented the goldfields in the Provincial Council for the last four years, and he dared anyone to come forward and say he had at anv time voted against the interests of the ■goldfields. He asserted that Messrs. Fraser and Hughes were Punning together on behalf of the squatting party. In reference to the statement nude by Mr. Fraser, that he (Mr. Fraser) had voted for free selection he would state that the squatting party took the sting out of the resolutions on the land question, brought forward "by him last session, had rendered them Valueless—and Mr. Fraser then came forward and said he had voted for free selection,; whereas he had lent his assistance to defeat it. He did not mention Mr. Hughes’ name as having been brought forward hy the squatting party, but he "(Mr. Shepherd) drew t,he picture so graphically, that Mr. Hughes had taken it to himself, and if . jfc’ cap fitted him ho could wear it. had been told on reliable authority jpThat if he (Mr. Shepherd) had not be a candidate, Mr. Hughes would not have stood The squatters, he maintained, had leagued themselves with the North Island members—the former giving the North Island the

greater portion of the proposed loan, fhr thepurpse of securing th eir runs. ’The Immigration and Public Woiks A ct, as passed, gave £3,S 1 00.000 to the North Island, and £\. 500,*000 to the "South. He considered the figures ought to be reversed. He thought £3,000,000 would not be too much to upend in the construction of water races. He was not in favor of spending money on immigration as there were enough poor people in the country already. He considered he had claims on the constituency. He had served them faithfully for four years, and had successfully, advocated many things for them. He was essentially a

minors’ advocate, and contended against the intense selfishness of squatters’ who, because hey had a few scabby sheep considered themselves gentlemen. He did not go to Dunedin to do the “ heavy swell" at the Club, hut to work, and would rather shake hands with one miner in Princes street, than twenty squatters. In conclusion, he felt confident that whoever defeated him would have a close run for it.

in answer to a question Mr Shepherd said he had received a letter of thanks from the Corporation, thanking him for his eflbrts to get a gaol erected at Clyde.

Mr Hughes said, that the fact of Mr. Shepherd standing for the district had nothing to do with his candidature. When he made up his mind to come forward Mr Shepherd was contesting the Wakatip seat, aWI it was hot until he (Mi-. Hughes) arrived at Alexandra, that ho heal'd of Mr. Shepherd’s defeat.

My. Friisoi- saul he wvs going in to get elected himself, and knew nothing of the candidature of Air. Hughes. The Returning Officer called tor a show of hands, which w-as declared in favor of Air Fraser. A poll was demanded by Mr. Mervyn. The Returning Officer stated that the poll would take place on Tuesday, the 7th instant. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer terminated the proceedings.