THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 451, 24 November 1875, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

MR BESWICK AT KAIAPOI.

On Tuesday evening Mr Joseph Beswick, a candidate for the Kaiapoi electoral district, met the electors at Monk's Kaikainui Concert Hall. About 100 persons were present. On the motion of Mr Isaac Wilson the Mayor was voted to the chair. The Mayor (Mr E. G. Kerr), said the meeting was called by Mr Beswick to address the electors, and he hoped that they would give him a patient hearing, no matter what their opinions were. He then introduced the candidate.

Mr Beswick, who was well received, said most of them were aware that twelve months ago he was a defeated candidate for this seat for the General Assembly. Owing to his coming forward on that occasion at a late hour, he did not receive that support which he had anticipated, but now several who were then pledged had promised to support him, and the addition of several fresh names to the roll, induced him on this occasion to come out to contest the seat against all comers. [Cheers.] It might have occurred to them that it was unnecessary for him to address them —perhaps he had already done so too often; but there were several reasons, and some cogent ones, why it was necessary for him to do so. One was, that he was not going about the country to collect the opinions of the electors and then trim to suit particular parties. He had sketched <>ut his plan, on which he would stand or fall in the election. He was not going to speak from notes, nor was he going to make them any absolute pledges whether they chose to elect bim or not. Say what they might it was pretty certain that provincialism was dead. [Hear, hear.] He was sorry for this, but if it could have been fought over this session he would have been found under the provincial banner. So far as he could gather however from the several supporters of provincialism, no efforts would be made to revive it in its late form. [Hear, hear.] The Abolition Bill, although passed, had not quite become law, still there was no possibility of revoking what had been done. It was unlikely that if even the House of Representatives repealed the Bill, the Upper House would be likely to change its decision. There was in fact no doubt but the provincial institutions under which they had lived were dead, but he felt sorry the people who had destroyed them had not clearly sketched out what ihey meant to put in their place. He believed that out of this election would spring a class of men of all parties, who would meet on one common platform and take up the question of organising a scheme for local self government that would do away with the matter which might have been thought ob jectionable in the Provincial Governments. Any member going fresh into Parliament he considered could not sketch out a plan of Government to which he could pledge himself to in the hustings, as it would take years and years to build up what they had just lost, These were his views on that point, and should they return him, though he still had his provincial proclivities, yet he would go in without any bitter feelings, such as were raised among the members of the last Parliament in its last session. If elected he understood he would go in to meet on the same platform the ultra-pro-vinciahst and ultra-centralist, and all deter-' mined to do their best to carry on good Government. [Cheers.] While looking to this there were one or two other questions; namely, he did not think the people of that province would be satisfied to allow the waste lands of the Crown to pass out of their control. They would not be willing to throw the proceeds of the waste lands to the North Island provinces, who knew little of their value, or lease them at low values to large proprietors. Provision must be made that the waste lands should remain open, and no reserves made to shut them up to persons already on the land. [Cheers.] This being his view as to what should be done in administering of these lands till 1880, yet it might not be known to many that the squatters had a positive right to hold the land so long as they paid the rent. This was a legal opinion given on the question. It was asserted that nothing could be be done with the runs in 1880, even if the squatters paid the rent. Should that be the case, he considered that a few years before the time alluded to the position of these tenants ought to be ascertained, and assessors appointed to assess the runs at the values at which they should be let at that date. [Cheers,] It would be difficult to arrange a general assessment unless this course was pursued some months before the leases fell in, so that arrangements in case of letting might be made with the squatters to allow them to dispose of their stock. Whilst jealous to guard the squatters from injustice, and not to take their property in an arbitrary way, he would warn the electors not to return too many squatters, so that the land should be so dealt with as to be sold for a nominal price, or let it fall into the hands of large proprietors. [Cheers.] There was one subject of many others in which they were all interested—that of education. Much had been said of an universal system, and should he be returned he would advocate the introduction generally of such a system as that in force in the province, because he considered no other system had been found to work with such a measure of succegs. It might be difficult to carry it out, but this was the plan on which the system of education in New Zealand ought to be based. In regard to other matters, there was a question which came before them at this juueture—the having a-local candidate to represent their interests, which hitherto might not have been always possible. Now that provincial institutious were to be abolished, and members were to be gathered together in Wellington to decide on public matters, and appropriate the public funds to different districts, it they elected any member he ought to be a man of local knowledge and sympathy. [Cheers.] They talked about log rolling in the past, but in the next Parliament there would certainly be more than ever. r Voice— -" Be a Dad J ob -"] Ye8 ' il would be a bad job, but they might depend on it what he was telling them was sure to

be the case. What did the members of the Bay of Islands or Southland know of Canterbury ? With such men, therefore, who had no 'ocal knowledge of the various districts, it was necessary that their member should make himself as agreeable' as possible to get their votes. [Cheers J He gave them his word he would make himself as agreeable as possible. [Laughter, and cheers.] As an instance of the unacquaintance with works in progress, he need only ask the electors if they knew anvthirg of the expenditure goiDg on at Wangaroa or the race at Hokitika, on which some £IOO,OOO was likely to be expended. A local member must have their sympathy, aud his heart, he might assure the electors, was with them. As there were, he understood, a long string ot questions to be put, he need not detain them, but would simply say that he possessed a large share of the confidence of the district. In going over it he was' informed he had this election to receive a tremendous thrashing. He had made up his mind that so far as that district was concerned, if he was refused at that election he would not come forward again. [Cheers.J From the little canvass made he would inform some of his friends who were a little downhearted that he had met with considerable success, and his fortunes appeared to be again on the wheel. [Hear.l Should he be returned he would go to Parliament unfettered. These were his opinions, about which there couid be no mistake. He called this meeting to explain this, and although some advised him to go on the provincial ticket or the central ticket, he had decided to take his own platform, and wished to be returned on the principles, that had made this country so influential and prosperous. | Cheers.] In reply to questions, the candidate said to Mr A. Balch, he had heard lots of rpports that some of his old supporters were going to desert him, but, with the exception of one, it was untrue. Had been told that Mr J. Macfarlane was going to abandon him, but as he had consented to take the chair at his Rangiora meeting, the electors might there ask him whom he intended to support. To Mr R. Woodford —He could not tell the acreage of waßte land available for agricultural purposes; possibly his questioner might get the information at the Institute library. ToMrH. Anderson— The Education Ordinance was one of the best in force withm tfie colony. There was an inequality in the household rate, as between Moore of Glenmark and smaller householders. The system of rating was open for improvement. To Mr Pashby—He was glad the question had been asked regarding election of members of the Upper House. Unless, however, the consent of that branch of Parliament was obtained, he didnotseehow the matter was to be altered at present. Had carefully considered the matter, and it would be seen that the members of the Legislative Council were free from influence, being a nominated body, jet at the same time as Gladstone said of the House of Lords, the Council was rather "up in a balloon" — namely, out of the world. He should prefer to see the members elected for a term of years, and would vote for that if it could be arranged. To Mr Woodford —Should like to see the public of the province interest itself in the question of letting the runs in 1880, and discuss the best way of arranging the letting. To Mr Anderson—Could not say how the compensation to the squatters should be arrived at; he expressed no opinion on the disposal of the land ; wise men ought to look well at the matter all round. To Mr G. H. Blackwell—The matter should be gone into two or three months before the lands were to let. From his experience the letting by tender of the education reserves was better than putting them up to auction. Was in favor of a re-adjust-meht of the education household tax. To Mr J. W. Ellen —As he had not been in the Provincial Council for some time he could not speak on the question of the Fencing Ordinance. If elected, as he should represent an agricultural district', he would consider it to their interests to become acquainted with the law and their requirements. To Mr Balch —The river, like all public works, would b • under the control of the General Government, and as a natural highway of incalculable value, he should try to get the Government to use one of the steam dredges on it to improve the navigation by the intercolonial and interprovincial vessels, and restore the traffic which it used to have. The opening of the river would in no way interfere with the railway. If the people would all pull together they might have it done. The connecting link of the Eyreton with the Oxford Railway was another matter he would endeavor to have carried out. On the opening of the river he pointed out that a little trade might be opened with Fiji and other islands, and they might depend on it that if one thing on earth should have more of his attention than another it would be this. [Cheers.] To Mr Blackwell— Would support the expenditure of a sum to connect the Eyreton and Oxford line, for it was at present useless. 1 o Mr Woodford— The land laws would remain much the same, and he trusted the principle of free selection would never be abandoned. To Mr Robb— Education under the General Government, he took it, would be managed as in Canada or Victoria, by a Minister such as the Minister of Justice. [Hear.] To Mr Isaac Wilson—Was generally in favor of free trade and a reciprocity treaty between the colonies, so that Queensland could send here its sugar, and Adelaide its wines, receiving in return our oats, but if the colonies taxed our imports, he was in favor of taxing theirs. To Mr Anderson— Of course New Zealand was bound to tax goods imported from Victoria. Local manufactories, he thought, had not been benefited by protection, for in protecting an industry it was taxing the community. To bolster up a company euch as the Distillery Company started in the colony, was found to have been a general failure. The chairman asked if any more questions were to be put. Mr Beswick said if there was no other question there was one thing he would pledged himself to do. In a district with a roll of 915 electors, he considered there ought to be a second member—one for each of the centres, viz., Kaiapoi and Rangiora. At the risk of his being re-elected, he would i promise this. He had not cared to make a long

speech, but to tell them honestly his views, and if probed they could not get more out of him than they had done. He moved a vote or thanks to the Mayor for his conduct in the chair.

As the meeting was rising, Mr R. Hopkins moved, Mr A. Balch seconded—" That this meeting has confidence in Mr Beswick, and pledges to support him in this election. Carried unanimously.

MR WASON AT IiAKAIA,

Mr C. Wason, one of the candidates for the Coleridge district, addressed the electors on Monday evening at Robinson's Hotel. There was a good attendance of electors. Mr Mackie was moved to the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate. He requested those present to give Mr Wason a fair and impartial hearirg. [Hear.] Mr Wason, who on rising was heartily received, said that he came forward because he considered that class representation was a mistake, and further than this he objected to the course which had been pursued of their going out into the highways and byways of the district to get a member. They had before them in him (Mr Wason) a local man in the strictest sense of the word ; one who had during his residence amongst them done all he could to advance their interests.- Therefore it was that he thougt.t he bad a good claim upon them, and if they approved of his opinions on public questioDß, which he would now proceed to lay before them, he asked them to give him their confidence and return him as their representative in the Assembly. [Cheers.] Of course the great political question of the day was provincialism versus centralism, and it was a most important thing that the constituency should rightly understand from anyone seeking their suffrages what his opinions were, given in an unmistakeable manner. [Cheers.] He would at once state that he came before them as a centralist. There were two remedies proposed, viz, centralism, and a division of the islands- with a sort of Federal Legislature at Wellington. This latter scheme neemed to him rather hazy, and the propounders of it were not quite clear as to what it really meant. After considering the matter he had come to the conclusion to stand forward as a centralist, and this because he considered that good Government would only be found under that system. Provincial legislation was all very well some years ago, but now they wanted a scheme which would enable them to get their wants attended to without the intervention of provincialism, which reminded him of the middleman of old Ireland—one of the greatest curses that ever came to a country. If centralism meant the destruction of their rights, he should be as great a defender of provincialism as any one ; but the decay now apparent in 'provincialism had come from old age, and he considered that the cry which had gone forth for their destruction was called for. The last stage in their seven ages had come, and like Shakspeare's description of the last stage of man, they had come to be sans every t hi ng. Therefore bo went for centralism, because he thought that the time had now come for the removal of the Bystem of provincialism. He did not consider it fair that they should be called upon to rate themselves for the making of roads to lands not yet bought. He considered that it was only right that the Government should return to the district a fixed amount of the land fund raised therein. This 1 e considered was right policy, and in this I e was supported by two able men in the country, Messrs Stafford and Stevens, In Hansard he found that on this subject th' s gentlemen had advocated this principle. H would read short extracts, as follows : Mr Stafford, in the course of his speech, B aid—" I cannot understand how that log rolling will arise from a measure whose object was to give to certain localities a certain fixed portion of revenue, not merely an annual revenue, not a revenue to be obtained by that little bye play which may go on in a lobby, but a revenue absolutely ind pendent of votes or change's of opinion in this House. A revenue dependent solely upon a permanent Act as inflexible in its provisions as the Constitution Act itself." On another occasion, Mr Stevens said—" It was mainly because of the positive security to outlying districts for a fair amount of land fund, that he did not think it advisable to vote altogether against the Bill." This was what he (Mr Wason) wanted to see. After deducting a certain proportion for Road Board and municipal grants, they were told by the Government that there was a certain sum for allocation, but even if this were so they would have other districts coming down on them. This was not what he should contend for, but rather that they should have a fair share of the land revenue. Again, he contended that the system of handing over £1 for every £1 raised, out of the consolidated revenue, was a most vicious one, and one which he could not see at all the use of. The Road Boards and municipalities were, be thought, quite competent to deal with the local wants of the colony, and the Government might also create large County Boards to deal with the larger questions of the day. He would now refer to the propositions of a party, which had a head and tail but no body, which proposed to divide the colony into two p irts. If they were a debating society he should be very happy to discuss the matter with them, but as practical men he could not think that they would care for his discussing the matter, but he would give it his earnest attention, although he considered it was impracticable. A second party proposed to have a Federal Council somewhere, with legislatures in the two islands, which he thought was a most mischievous and impracticable proposition, as it would at the first create a great deal of jealousy between the various parts of the colony. He there fore came to the conclusion that he would be prepared to consider the proposition to divide the two islands, but still the claims of the public creditor must be regarded, and the withdrawal of one name from their bill would seriously impair their credit. He now came to the subject which he approached with considerable diffidence, not from want of confidence that he should be able mosl satisfactorily to give his views on it, but from the fact that he was represented by some persons as not being a fair arbiter, because he was interested. They would of course gather from what he had said that he referred to the dealing with the runs after the year 1880. Now it was, in his opinion, too much the fashion for gentlemen speaking on this subject to say that " they would see the interests of the public protected," that 'they would do the best they could for the public," and such generalities. [Hear, hear.] jtie (Mr Wason) did not intend at all to

generalise, but to state at once boldly and frankly his opinions on the suljnct. Though holding a small run, he miyht say that he had been th ; greatest upholder in the Coleridge disuict of the interests of the farmers He meant to state most de idedly what he meant in this matter, and he said that he should advocate the putting up of the runs to auction, as a fair and equitable method of ascertaining the value of the runs. [Cheers.] He should support the retertiou of the price of the Govrnment laud, because he did not think it fair to those who had borne the heat and burden of the day having men coming in after them, and buying land at a lower price than they had. Therefore he should oppose any reduction in the price of land here. [Cheers. j He now came to the subject of education, which in his opinion was the most important subject of all. There was every probability of the General Government bringing forward a measure for the whole of the colony, and he did not agree with the statement that the same educational system would not apply as well to the Middle Island as in the North. He wad an advocate for State secular education, not a free education, for he did not believe in this, but an education which should be given by the State, and secular in its nature. They must remember that the rising generation w ere those who would be the arbiters of the destiny of the colony, and therefore he said that this should be a charge which should be first attended to, and that the public should co operate for the education of their children, and not be left as a charge on the land fund. He advocated com pulsory education because there were persons who would, unless compelled, by a higher power than their own would rear their children like pigs in a stye. Again, education must be secular, because on matters of religion people would fight to the last gasp. Therefore he would vote for education being State, secular, and compulsory. He would now refer to some remarks made by Mr Tosswill at Courtenay, when he had said that "However, he would now give them a reason why they should not elect Mr Wason. His friends had industriously circulated the report that he (Mr Wason) was a farmer. Now he (Mr Tosswill), on turning to the return he held in his hand, found that Mr Wason held a run of 13,179 acres. [A Voice —" A large farm ] It was true that Mr Wason had large freeholds, but still he did not think he could with truth be called a farmer. Besides this, he (Mr Tosswill) had heard of a letter sent by Mr Wason's paid agent to a squatter in that, district in which he said that it was of the last importance to the squatting interest that he (Mr Wason) should be returned. Another candidate for their suffrages, Mr Wason, had thought it necessary (or his agents had) to post up a certain division list on the education question with regard to the increase of contributions to the schools as a reason why the electors should not vote for him (Mr Tosswill)." He (Mr Wason) wished to conduct this election on the principles of good ( faith, and in the best spint,.but he must say that Mr Tosswill's statement was quite unfounded. He would desire to call their attention to the fact that the representative of one of the largest squatting companies in the district, or perhaps the province, Mr Neil McLean, was a candidate for the district himself, and also that Sir 0. Wilson, Messrs Coster. Brett, and others, firm s |at(ers, were supporting Mr Bluett. [Checs] This certainly did not seem like as if he (Mr Wason) was brought forward by the squatting interests. As regarded the posting of the division lists, referred to by Mr Tosswill, he might say that he knew nothing whatever about it, but he had received a letter from a friend of his to the following effect:—" The last session of the Provincial Council was prorogued on June 19th, and on July 9th I got 1000 copies of the division list on the education question printed, and I havp been distributing them ever since. I am not aware that you or any one else had the slightest idea who got them printed. Mr Tosswill is, however, very unreasonable in his complaints. He cannot surely object to people being made aware of the fact that he takes every opportunity of voting against the education system, and yet he Is always trying to make people believe that he has education at heart." [Mr Tosswill—" Name who signs it."] He (Mr Wason) would not tell Mr Tosswill. It was a private letter. He had now, he thought, touched on all the points of public interest, and should be happy to answer any questions which might be apked He only desired, in conclusion, to ask them to elect him, because he had their interests at heart, and because he should—thanks to his forefathers—go to that Parliament, if elected, without being obliged to hang on to the skirts of any Ministry for office or pay. [Loud cheers.]

Mr Jebson said he desired to ask Mr Wason if Mr Wynn Williams was the professional agent of Mr Wason in the conduct of this election.

Mr Wason said that Mr Wynn Williams had stated in answer to a question from him (Mr Wason) that he would support him, as he agreed with him on the Education question, but he could not act professionally for him.

Mr Jebson then asked Mr Wason whether Mr Wyun Williams as his paid agent, had circulated division lists with his name and that of other candidates underlined or had employed other agents to do so. Mr Wason replied that he was not aware that the division list had been so marked. When he saw it it was not so marked. As regarded the other part of the question, he had already answered that fully. In reply to a question, Mr Wason said that he thought that if every man who had his name on the rate roll had a vote—that was as much as they could expect to have. If this were done, the number on the roll for this district would be 2000. He thought that men should not have the trouble to go and register their votes. The Governmeat were only too ready to put persons' names down when taxes were required, and this system he should like to see carried out as regarded the franchise, tlespecting manhood suffrage, be could not quite go the length of that, because he did uot think it was fair to those who had worked and toiled for years in a district that a man who might be here to-day and gone tomorrow should have the same privilege of a vote. As regarded land on deferred payments, he thought that if carried out they would simply be making a number of slaves to the Government in power. He was certain that it would be better for a man to go to agents and get land with a small cash payment. As regarded •irrigation, he should only be too glad to see this carried put, but it appeared to him that it was perfectly absurd to attempt to carry out such a thing

because the cost would be too great. As far as regarded the supply to settlers ou arid plains of water for themselves and stock, he was quite with them, and would be prepared to support any feasible scheme for this purpose. [Cheers.] As regarded letting runs by tender, he was opposed to this, because it opened up an avenue for fraud and log-rolling. By means of putting the runs up to auction, this would be the fairest way of ascertaining the value of the land, otherwise they would have the Government, with a large number of parasites and followers, coming in and getting the land at their own price. [Cheers] No further questions being asked,

Mr Tosswill asked Mr Wason's leave to address the electors, which being granted, he did so at some length, mainly recapitulating the arguments used by him at Courtenay, and also replying to Mr Wason on the little personal matter spoken of by him. Mr Jebson also spoke at some length, after which

Mr Brown proposed—" That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr Wason for his address, and also expresses its confidence in him as a candidate for the Coleridge district.". Mr Allen seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

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