Mr Macarthur at Awahuri

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 11, 5 July 1884, Page 3

Mr Macarthur at Awahuri

♦ The schoolroom at Awahuri wai crowded last night with electors wh< were desirous of hearing Mr Macar thur's views on political matters. •Mr Weightman occupied the chair and 'introduced the candidate in a neal speechMr Macarthur said that he neve] before had an, opportunity of address . ing ah- Awahuri audience, bat promisee ■ that ;if he were returned as theii ■ member he would do so at least once •■• -a year; He went over the same f£ ground already traversed in his re*f "'ported speeches, but on the subject oi I' education, he said that he would not bid for the Catholic vote by making promises which he knew could never be fulfilled. When speaking on the subject of the railway tariff, he quoted the American system of grain carrying, by which fanners 1,000 miles away from a port of shipment paid the same freight as those only ten miles away. The railway companies made their profit on the back freights for articles of luxury, &c M which found a market in the new towns and settlements which invariably spring up in conntry opened up by the railway. He blamed our Government for the hard and fast rules laid down re white pine charges, and showed how they had burked a very promising local industry -here from the dread of favoring «one . district more than another. The Government had been very lax in en- . couraging local industries. All our egga were in one basket. We had only wool and grain to depend on, when a hundred other means of revenue were smothered for want of a little encouragement. He believed in free trade to a certain exent only, but local industries should be protected in their infancy. At the conclusion of the address Mr P. Stewart asked if he would support the appointment of a Minister of Agriculture. Mr •Macarthur — Yes. Mr P. Stewart — Would Mr Macarthur vote for the abolishment of members' railway passes. Mr Macarthur — Yes, except during i the session. Mr McDonald — Have you a scheme to support or propose whereby the Government can carry out the intention of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Mr Macarthur — I have such a scheme. The Government should raise s special loan to be repaid by the Road Boards, who would borrow according to their several needs and pay a low rate of interest. He would support a. system of borrowing to complete the central lines of railway, but would oppose forming political j lines. If the Government of the day ■ refused to carry out his scheme, he would not feel himself obliged to vote against them. In the matter of the Foxton-Sandon tramway, he did not approve of the Government taking it over. The work had been begun by a local body and they should finish it. In reply to Mr Stewart he said he would extend the franchise to females, if they were widows or the owners of separate properties. In reply to Mr McDonald Mr Macarthur explained the position of affairs in connection with the repairs needed by the Awahuri bridge. He would support the establishment of a daily mail service between Awahuri and Feilding. A number of other but unimportant questions were put when Mr McDonald moved for a vote of confidence in the candidate, and Mr Knight seconded. Mr Campbell moved as an amendment, That a vote of thanks only be passed, and Mr P. Stewart seconded pro forma. The Chairman put the amendment for which six. hands were held up. He then put the resolution for which seven hands were held up. He deolared the amendment carried, probably having erred in his counting. A vote of thanks to the Chairman cleared the proceedings.