THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2349, 13 October 1881, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

MB CHARLES CLiBK AT SYDENHAM. Mr Charles Clark addressed the electors of Sydenham at the Public School on the 12 :h. There was a very full attendance, the room being crowded to excess.

Mr J. T. Brown, Mayor of Sydenham, occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate. Their member would be the first representative of Sydenham, which had been fitly described as the " Model borough of New Zealand," and it waa incumbent upon them to seleot as their representative a gentleman who would uphold the good character which the district had previously borne. Mr Olark, who was received with cheers, said—Mr Mayor and brother electors, though I oannot say that I am quite unaccustomed to publio speaking, unfortunately my addresses have not lately been of apolitical oharacer, and I must, therefore, claim some indulgence ta-night whilst I endeavor to place before you my opinions on several questions in which we are all interested. But before I proceed to do so I would ask you to bear with me for a few moments whilst I say a word or two in referenoe to mjßelf in years gone by. I feel it necessary to do this, because there are, probably, many eleotors here who have been in this colony, comparatively speaking, only a short time, and they might not give me any oredit for faithful services rendered in the Provincial Council of Canterbury, and also in some other matters. I landed in Canterbury in the year 1856, and I sat for some years in the Provincial Council as one of the members for the Lincoln district—then a large electorate —and during that time I served on numerous committees, and I labored most assiduously in pushing on the formation of roads, bridges, drainage works, and railways, also improvements to Lyttelton harbor and other public works. When in the Council I also acted and voted in an independent manner. One instance of this was when Dr. Turnbull and myself stood up alone to oppose a renewal of the squatters' leases and privileges, proposed to be granted to thsm at a mere nominal rental; and further, I propounded a scheme, which I submitted to Mr Orosbie Ward, whereby the großs injustice of the preemptive right system could have been wiped out. I was on Mr Mooihouße's oommittee in the year 1857, when he was first elected Superintendent of Canterbury; and during his second contest in 1866, which lasted over four months, I acted as honorary treasurer to his committee, and whilst his opponent spent, I believe, from seven to eight thousand pounds, I was able to effect considerably more than a 10 per cent, reduction on that cost, for I collected only about £I2OO to cover all our expenses, and out of that sum I saved off the accounts sent in eighty guineas, whioh I forwarded to Mrs Moorhoute as a memento of the contest. With your permission, sir, I will now briefly refer to some of the measures passed in the last session of the General Assembly. The Bepreoentation Bill, which I consider a fairly good measure, wiil come on again by-and-by, and more stonewalling will probably ensue. I believe there is a gross omission and injustice in this Act in not granting votes to leaseholders, and this must be remedied. I wonder what the leaseholders in the cities of London and Westminster would say if they were to be disfranchised ? Bepresentation should be on the basis of population. The Railway Construction Bill, I believe, will be of immense servioe to the colony, and I intend to render all the assistance I can afford towards the West Coast Bailway, whioh will enrich both Canterbury and Westland beyond expectation. As regards the Licensing Bill, I don't think it by any means a perfect Act, and it's so ponderous that I have not been able fully to digest it. The elective Bench I am sure is a mistake, but I see no objection to the local option clause, provided that if by a district vote you abolish an established house against which there has been no complaint you pay compensation. The Corrupt Practices Act goes, I think, rather too far, and we were not so bad as to require such an Act. I am told that a candidate may be sent to gaol or heavily fined through the act of an unprincipled agent cr eleotor. The Lottery Bill is in some respects simply ridioulous, and should only belong to Quail Island, or to the island of Juan Fernandez, after Bobinson Crusoe and Friday had left that settlement. We now come to the future, and my opinion on some things necessary are as follows :—l. The railway tariff should be reduced, as if it were so a largely increased traffic would accrue both for goods and passengers, but especially in respect to the latter. 2. Direct steam communication should be fostered between England and New Zealand. The frequency of steamers coming to and fro must of course at first be limited to eur means, but I feel sure that any outlay we can possibly afford will yield us a hundredfold return. 3. All local industries and manufactures should be encouraged and assisted, for without the faotory chimney and the busy workshop we cannot advance in material prosperity. I think it would be fair to grant protection on all articles that can be produced here at an equal figure and quality. 4. As regards the property tax, this Act has worked better than many at first imagined it would, and I was glad to think all mortgage money was taxed. Still I am rather inclined to think an income tax may by and-bye be fairer for all. 6. Drainage is a matter of serious import to Sydenham ratepayers, who are but slightly benefitted. I fear there is no help for what hae been done, but we must watch matters very oarefully, and set our face againet future loans. Railways should year by year be pushed forward in various directions into the country, thus finding employment for labor and effecting a permanent good. The New Zealand Railways paid 31 per oent. last year, and we should on no account, dispose of them as hinted at by some. Any loans we obtain should be for as long a period as possible, that present colonists should not be called upon to pay principal as well as interest. Immigration "of laborers we have for the present enough of, and I hope as publio attention in England is being directed to this colony as a farmers' home, we shall get practical farmers here with a little ready capital. As we cannot hope to separate from the North Island a looal Board should be instituted, composed of a few well-chosen gentlemen, who should have power to act up to a certain mark—thuß saving the vexatious delays, and the present unsatisfactory method of referring everything to Wellington. I may be expected to say a few words about the late railway strike. No doubt in this unhappy matter the arlizins thought they were not being fairly treated, and acting under very bad advice struck work. I am told the strikers were picked men, highly effioient in a certain olass of work, and valued their services, no doubt rightly, at a higher rate than that which generally prevailed. Both masters and men were too quick in temper, and the unfortunate result is that good skilled workmen are out of work, and the Government are not so well served. Although tho Government have not promised to do so, I trust that as soon as possible thoy will take these bands on again, and so heal all difE oulties. The ooniuct of the strikers, I consider, was very praiseworthy, for instead of creating disorder and attempting to molest the men who were taken on, they behaved in a quiet and orderly manner. Now a few words in reference to the present Government. I must give them credit for having aoted well in many respects during their tenure of office, and it is only fair to remember that they had, like many of us, difficult times to faoe, but as they are so very careful up to now to withhold the slightest traoe of what their future policy is to be, I most distinctly refuse to pledge myself to them in any way. Should their policy and future measures be oonceived in a liberal vein, meeting the requirements of the times, they shall have my support ; but on the other hand, if they halt in fear and trembling, having no policy whatever, and only seeking by concessions on all sides to retain offico, then I will pin my faith to others, who will doubtless be prepared to forward the busim ss of the country in accordance with tho spirit of the age. As a friend of mine in a general way once remarked, " We don't want a Government who can only straighten bent sixpenoes." In conclusion, gentlemen, I would only say that if my views meet with your approval, and you think you can trust me, I shall consider myself highly honored if you faror me with your confidence. If elected as your representative, I shall considerit my duty to meet you in gocd season and give an aooount of my stewardship. If, however, you should return my present opponent, or anyone else, having lived amongst yon for twecty-fivo years in peace with all men, I certainly shall not lose my temper. (Mr Clark resumed his seat amidst loud cheering.) In answer to questions, Mr Olark said it was not a fact that he had been asked to stand by Mr Hall. Unless the measures of the present Government were in the direction

of what be considered! progress, he wou;:. act support Ihem. He did not come out as a nominee of the Government, and had nothing whatever to do with tbei:;. He cared notning for Mr Hall, for Mr B illeston, or for any other member of the Government. With regard to plural voting, he did not see any objection to a man having more than one vote. If a resident of Sydenham ovned property at Ashburtonit was only right that he shou'.i have a voice in declaring whether a shopkeeper cr I a farmer should represent his interest in respect of that property. He did not agree with plural voting being carried too far. He was in favor of the large runs being cut -p. Being a land agent, he was surprised that such a queetion should be asked him. [Laughter.] In his opinion the existing land laws offered sufficient inducements for farmers to come out from the old country. Firmer* in New Zealand matii> a living, while in England they did not. In answer to Mr JjLn 7>e, who asked if he could " swoar en the Bible " that he was not standing in the Government interest ? Mr Cisrk a;id he tad already dittir.ctly stated that he was not a nominee of the Hull Government. He hid never ha:? any transactions with Mr Hsl:, r.cr wis he likely to have. And with regard :e the rur.holdors, he had offended thsm in the pact in his tfforis to pioltct the public interests. Being asked to name the other constituency for which, itrccrding to his advertisement, he had been asked to stand, Mr Olark said he had been requested to contcs!|both North and South Ohristchurch He would oppose any proposal to take away the river frontage and give it to the Road Boards to be disposed of to persons owning property abutting on th 6 river. He considered that all these reserves along the river belonged entirely to the people, and should ca no account be alienated, He was asked if he did not consider that the time had arrived when there should only be two sides in Parliament—Liberals and Conservatives—and when the constituencies themselves should decide when a no-confidence motion should be brought forward; and in reply, he said that in his opinion such a necessity had hardly yet existed, although it might possibly be desirable in course of time.. In answer to an inquiry whether, taking into consideration the past action of the Hall Government, he would have sufficient confidence in them to support them in the event of an adverse motion being tabled next session, Mr Clark said he would not vote against any Government unlesß some reasons were given for taking such a course. He did not see any use of getting rid of the Hall Government until tkey oould get a better one. If any particular question were brought before the House, and there were better men, he would certainly vote against the present Government. If any reasonable grounds were shown, he wonld support a no-oontidence motion. If returned, he would be entirely independent of the Hall Government. An elector asked whether the majority of the electors of Sydenham, being householders and small freeholders, and Ml Clark's interests being identified with land, he thought he could conscientiously represent the district in Parliament ? Mr Clark thought ho oould, as he had a good deal of interest in Sydenham and in advancing his own interests he would be forwarding those of his constituents. He thought an income tax would be fairer than a land tax. Everyone should contribute according to their income. In answer to a question whether he would be in favor of reverting to the land tax in lieu of a property tax, Mr Clark said that in point of fact the present property tax was a land tax On being pressed on this point, he said, Yes, he would be in favor of a land tax. Ho did not think it was right that one prop3rty should have three votes —leasehold, freehold, and residential; but every property should have one vote. He was not in favor of manhood suffrage at present, and believed that the existing franchise was a very fair one. The present system cf education met with his approval, and religious instruction in schools should only bo allowed to the extent provided for in the existing Act. The removal of the seat of Government froai Wellington would entail an enormous cost, and the colony could not afford to take such a step, at any rate for some years to come. He would favor the introduction of an Employers Liability Bill, but would only make the employer liable on neglect being proved. The Law Practitioners Act, if passed, might have worked beneficially. It might perhaps operate rather harshly upon some individuals who hod paid heavy prerc.iu.ms under the existing law, but if its effect would be beneficial to the people generally, that of course should not be taken into consideration. He was not in favor of a nominative Upper Chamber. Every public assembly should be elective. Being asked if he would support a proposal that the railways of the colony should be worked by a company instead of by the Government, he said it would he the most insane thing the colony could do to tell the railways. They were now paying 3$ per cent, and were a splendid investment. As time went on the colony would be able to pay its national debt out of the railways. He considered the present bankruptcy law very imperfect, and had no doubt a new Act would be passed next session. On the motion of Mr Lockwood, a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr Olark for his address. Mr John Lee moved—" That this meeting is of opinion that Mr Charles Clark is not a fit and proper person to represent Sydenham in the House of Representatives." The motion was seconded. Mr Forester moved as an amendment—- " That in the opinion of the meeting Mr Olark was a fit and proper person to represent the district." Mr Newman seconded. Mr Nairn moved the previous question. After some discussion the previous question was carried, forty-nine voting for it. Neither the motion nor the amendment war consequently put. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings. Mr Wason addresses the Wakanui electors at Rakaia this evening. Mr Andrews will meet the electors in the Oddfellows' Hall, on Thursday evening next. Mr W. F. Pearson asks the electors to meet him at the East Oxford Town Hail on Menday evening next. [press association TELECOBALTS.J AUOEXAND, October 12. Mr McMinn has announced his candidature for Waipa. Mr T. B. Hill is also spoken of. Sir George Grey has postponed his visit to Auckland till next Wednesday, not having recovered yet from tho fatigue of the scsßion. Mr E. Hamlin is out for Franklin North. WELLINGTON, October 12. Mr Stafford has issued an address to the electors of Te Aro. Mr J. H. Shaw, a candidate for the Te Aro seat, addressed the electors this evening. He favored a property tax ; opposed State immigration, except in cases of yeoman farmers with capital; was of opinion that the AgentGeneral's department should be abolished. He characterised the Native Department as a monstrosity, but at the same time he coincided with Major Atkinson that tho Native difficulty should be overcome once and for all. He endorsed Mr Bryoe's policy, and expressed tho opinion that had it been carried cut the Native difficulty would have been settled. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. BLENHEIM. Ootober 12. Captain Kenny notifies that, owing to illhealth, he will not offer himself for re-election for Picton distriot. Mr W. H. Eyes, formerly Superintendent of Marlborough, is a oandidate for the seat,. TIM ABU, October 12. Mr Wakefield acicueases his constituents at Temuka to-morrow evening. Very i.etive canvassing is going on for the three gentlemen now in the field to represent Gririidine. OAMAHU, October 12. Mr John Re id, oi Eidersiie, has himself as a candidate for Wuitaki. DUNEDIN, October 12, Mr M. W. Green will resign hb mi.n'.'try of the Christian Disciples congregation, in order to stand for Dunedin East. Mr J. Upton Davis is announced as a candidate for Dunedin East.