ELECTION MEETINGS.

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

ELECTION MEETINGS.

MR. MERVYN. Mr. Mervyn addressed a meeting of the electors of Cly-de, at Hawthorne’s Cly-do Hotel, on Monday evening last. Mr Hazlett was voted to the chair. Mr. Mervyn said he was opposed to the financial scheme of the Colonial Treasurer, ns it was based on false principles, and he considered that, instead of launching out such large schemes the Government ought to have initiated a stern system of retrenchment in departmental expenses. He would support the construction of a light line of railway from Dunedin to Tuapeka, and of roa ! s in the disturbed districts of the North Island. Ha believed in the liberalization of the land laws. Was opposed to the principle of giving land for the construction of railway's. He expressed himself in favor of Government, aid being given for the construction of water races ; of compulsory education ; and of the abolition of special goldfields taxation. He believed that, as the Provincial Council had renewed the squatters’ leases they w-ere bound to give them compensation if they opened their runs for settlement. He objected to the provision that one third of the land fivdared into Hundreds should be fit for settlement; and was in favor of disposing of land on the deferred payment system, due regard being paid to the mining interest. He would support a measure to tax unimproved land, and would oppose the granting of fresh leases to the squatters. After a few questions had b-en answered a vote of thanks was accorded to the candidate. A similar vote to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close.

MR. FRASER. Mr. William Fraser addressed a meeting of the alectors of Clyde on Tuesday evening last at Hawthorne’s Clyde Hotel. Mr. Hazlett occupied the Chair. The candidate, who was well received and listened to attentively, recapitulated the views he had previously expressed, and in answer to questions stated that he Was not altogether in favor of compulsory education, although he should like to see every child in the Colony educated. He did not think there was enough land open for sett'emrnt, and would always endeavor to give facilities for requiring land to bona fide settlers. He would support a system of modified Provincialism, with road boards in the country districts. In regard to Separation, he expressed himself favorable to financial separation, though he did not believe they would get it, hut not to territorial. He was of opinion that there were plenty of blocks of two thousand acres in the province which contained one third agricultural land. Regariing the throwing open of Messrs Gregg and Turnbull's run, he could only, say that he would advocate the throwing open of laud when it was required for bona fide settlement. Ho was also in favor of taxing unimproved lands to prevent the acquisition of large blocks by capitalists, and agreed that blocks thrown open should consist of good agricultural land. He was not in faver of free selection before survey. A vote of thanks to Mr. Fraser for his address was proposed by Mr. Haatie, and seconded by Mr. Grindley. Mr. T. Stanbrook proposed aU amendment that Mr. Fraser was a fit and proper person to represent the Dunstau district in the General Assembly. Mr. Hawthorne seconded the amendment when on being put was lost. The original motion was then put to the meeting, and carried by a small majority. MR. HCGHES! After Mr. Fraser's meeting on Tuesday bight had concluded, Mr. M'Pherson was Voted to the chair, and Mr. Hughes proceeded to address those present. Mr. Hughes agreed generally with Ml, Vogel’s financial scheme, provided it was considerably modified. Flo had been consuite I by the Colonial Ministry in reference to the amount required for the construction of Water-races on the goldfields of the colony and had estimated the required sum at £2,000,000 ;■ but ho supposed that) in order to reconcile conflicting interests, the Government had found it necessary to place only £BOO,OOO on the estimates, He was an advocate for. the construction of railways j but ho was opposed to the appoint*

ment of an Immigration Agent, as, until an extensive scheme of public works was initiated, there would bo no employment for immigrants brought into the country, and would strongly support the initiation of a scheme of public works. He thought the declaration of hundreds on the goldfields detrimental to their interests. It interfered with the operations of the miners, prevented settlement, and destroyed grazing rights. He would declare extensive commonages, provided compensation was paid to the run-holder, and was in favor of the agricultural lease system. Provincial institutions were too costly for the country, but still he would like to see somethirtg better before attempting "to abolish them. He believed the true solution of the native difficulty would be the breaking up of. the Native Department, and »treating r the Maoris the same as Europeans. Would of course support a reduction of the gold duty. In reply to questions, Mr. Hughes pledged himself to advocate the throwing open a large area under the 10th Section of . the Goldfields’ Act. He would join a Government ifheTound oneshe could agree with. He was not in favor of a poll-tax on Chinamen. Was in favor of continuing a subsidy to the Melbourne steamers to bring down iho .Suez Mail, though support, ing the San Francisco' service. If elected for the General Assembly lie would stand for'the Provincial Council for the Dunstan district. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Hastie,' seconded by Mr. Grhvdley.was accorded to the candidate for his speech, and a similar vote to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close. MR. SHEPHERD. Mr.Shepherd addressed a meeting of electors at the Clyde Hotel on the night of Wednesday, Mr. D‘Cifuochie-in tkechair. Mr. Shepherd, who was well received and frequently interrupted by applause, repeated a number of the remarks made by him on the hustings in reference to the squatting interest and the candidature of Messrs. Fraser and Hughes. He expressed himself in favor of free selection with deferred payments and improvement clauses ; advocated Separation either financial or insular ; would reduce the duration of Parliament from to three years ; considered a change i* the Legislative Council absolutely necessary ; was in favor of manhood suffrage ; would not interfere with the Chinese at present in the country-; hut would tax articles they cohdsume so as to make them bear their fair share of the burdens of the colony ; and consideredthe introduction of Chinese would he fraught with disastrous results. Replying to questions, Mr. Shepherd pledged himself if elected to use his utmost endeavours to enlarge the Dunstan Commonage. He would support the Provincial system till Separation had heed and then would propose one province for the whole Middle Island ; ho thought the Government of New Zealand the most expensive in the world, but did not attribute its costliness to Provincialism- He would limit the area of land one man could take up to three hundred and twenty acres and every- man who took up land should be compelled to fence and cultivate it. Hewas favorable to theabolitipn of the gold duty and the establishment of a mint; also a reduction in the rental of mining areas from L2 10s. to 10s. per acre. Mr. Hastie proposed—That Mr. Shepherd was a fit vnd proper person to represent the Dunstan District in the. General Assembly. Mr. Beck seconded the proposition, which wa4 carried unanimously amid loud acclamation. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chair and the meeting dispersed.