THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2361, 28 October 1881, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

Mr W. F. Pearion met the electors of the V:ow hill district on Wednesday night in the schoolroom. About sixty were present, and Mr Budding occupied the chair. After repeating his speech, as reported at East Oxford, several questions were asked and answered to the satisfaction of the meeting, judging from the hearty applause. Mr Ashworth proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Pearson, and, m doing so, said that he was pleased with Mr Pearson’s a ddress that evening, and in esying that he thought ho expressed the feeling of those present, This was seconded by Mr Parlane, and carried unanimously.

MR WEBB AT LYTTELTON, Mr S. R. Webb, one of tho three candidates for the Port constituency, addressed the electors in the Lyttelton Oddfellows’ Hall last night. The hall was well filled, and on the motion of the candidate Mr Adam Ohelmers, who had presided at the two previous meetings, took tho chair. Mr with considerable humor, introduced Mr Webb.

Mr Webb opened by saying that he hoped they would find something fresh in what ho had to say that night. After some preliminary remarks, Mr W ebb said he had been charged' with being in league with the Hon. B. Richardson, who was present, and who is also a candidate for the representation of tho Port. Mr Webb denied in tott that ha wasin any way connected with Mr Richardson. He was an independent candidate, as they knew him to be as one of tbeir representatives in tho Borough Council. He now came forward as a Liberal. Tho first action he would refer to was that of Mr Allwright in connection with giving his vote for the Hon. E. Richardson as against Sir George Grey. The candidate then gave a history of tho case as brought before the petitions committee, and said that with all Sir George Grey’s faults “ he loved him still,” and Mr Allwright should hai% given the benefit of the doubt to Sir George as the prisoner then before that committee. He was not going to defend Mr Richardson, but he was of tho opinion that the supporters of Sir George Grey should have had another chance to record their votes. He believed Mr Allwright acted consistently, but some people’s consciences were elastic. He then spoke at length on tho Parliamentary career of Mr Allwright, and said he himself had voted for Mr Allwright to support the Liberal party, and he should not have deserted that trust. Ho would go to Parliament, if elected, unable to support the present Government, because the Hall Government he oould hardly thick had any sympathy with the working classes of New Zealand. They bad certainly carried Liberal measures, but they had done so to aggrandise themselves. Mr Hall, everybody must know, had not previously been a man for the working men. We were, he said, not indebted to the Hall party for the measures that had been passed, but to Sir George Grey and his party. Tho Triennial Parliaments Bill he took to be the strongest plank in the Liberal platform. He then spoke of the effect of the Bill. He thought “ Hansard ” might be done away with safely and with benefit to the country, as the two papers the Government and the Opposition paper—would give between them a sufficiently satisfactory account of tho proceedings at Wellington. It returned, he would always support the Triennial Parliaments Bill. Some of the members wanted to sit in the House for ever. He would vote that some of them should sit for over— i.e , outside the Government buildings. Mr Webb then spoke at considerable length on the subject of manhood suffrage, and avowed it at his principle that every man should have a vote, without respect to his position in a pecuniary point of view. He did not ask that plural voting should be exactly done away with, but in local bodies the limit should be placed at three votes. He then spoke particularly of paying borough rates, and the time at which they fell due, considering the winter season should bo substituted for the summer season, times being better then. In Parliamentary elections he was in sympathy with those who voted to have but one vote. More of tho national spirit should be imbued into the representatives in the House. There was too much of the feeling described in the scriptural account of Esau Belling 11 his birthright for a mess of pottage.” As to taxation, in lieu of the property tax there should be a land tax and an income tax. Property on the shelves in business houses had already paid both duty and taxes before. Such property should not again be asked to pay taxes. Land was always increasing in value, while property, such as stock-in-trade, machinery, and so on, was always decreasing ; therefore, land was the proper thing to tax. He thought a land tax would break up the land monopoly, and thus open up the country for settlement. A man was always willing to pay a tax on what he was deriving profits from, and therefore would not object to an income tax. Lawyers and doctors had been described as the bloodsuckers of society, and he thought that was not far out, however uncharitable 'such an expression on his part might be. An income tax would bo the right thing to catch them. He was in favor of giving tne poor man his beer without the duty now upon it. Though a teetotaler, he was not advocating intemperance, but he would rather have seen that tax put on landed property. Had tho Government been really the friend to the working men they would have done so. He was in favor of a tax on shipping, and he also thought that land tenure reform was a necessity. Ho would limit the holdings of land, and thereby crush tho monopoly of the country which was so apparent in Canterbury, and almost as much so up North. He would cut up tho large runs judiciously, making provision for the purchase of the stock upon them. The Civil Service reductions, he thought, had been made most unfairly. Outside labor had been, in his opinion, brought down in value by tho action of the Hall Government. Artisans in Lyttelton, outside of the Civil Service, he know were reduced as a consequence one shilling per day. Tho big salaries, from the Governor down, should have been reduced first. Ministers salaries and so on right down—those who did little and got much, leaving those who got little and did the real work alone. Where was, he asked, their representative when the 10 per cent, reduction was passed ? He was on his way to Lyttelton, he had said, but ho should have acted more straightforwardly, and have, before he left Wellington, paired, declaring himself opposed to any such reduction. The pay of the employes on tho Canterbury railways had been spoken of by Mr Allwright as inflicting an injustice. Ho found up North that the men were paid the same as they were hero. He should not like to live on 6s per day himself. He would, it returned, vote to increase the pay from 6s per day, but as far as tho charge of inequality was concerned it was not sustained by the estimates, which could bo seen at his store in London street, should anyone present wish to look at them. The petition for tho gaol employes was, he believed, sent, not to Mr Allwright, as had been stated, but to Mr Richardson, who looked after it. He was not advocating _ one side or tho other, but believed in giving honor to whom honor was due. As to tho freights and faros on the railways, he tariff was too high, and should be reduced so as to encourage traffic. He thought a Board of Management, as suggested by Mr Richardson, would, it good men were selected, be a good thing. The Board of Reference, in respect to the complaints of civil servants, was also equally needed. A free trade policy, in his view, should be guided by a sense of fostering local industries, but not so as to raise tho prices of goods to the consumers. In tho matter of steam communication he would not be in favor of subsidising a line of steamers to Great Britain to the extent proposed at tho last Parliament. Mr Webb then supported the views previously expressed by Mr Richardson as to the prospect of the possibility of a lino of steamers starting, induced solely by tho trade between this colony and Great Britain, As to local option ho (the speaker) was opposed to compensation to disallowed licenses, while he was_ a strong cupporter of tho local option principle. He thought also that the bankruptcy laws wanted amending. Lawyers required some attention, and something was needed in tho way of law reform. Men whom he knew had been “ let in” by lawyers; in fact, that seemed to be their whole business. Sir George Grey’s Practitioners Bill, ho believed, would have accomplished a great reform. An elective Upper Honse was one of his favorite reforms. Tho present Upper House had dona good service, he admitted, but on principle ho was in favor of the people themselves always choosing their representatives. The day of hereditary succession, he thought, had passed, at least was fast passing in the old country,

Speaking of Mr Bradlaugh’s ejection at Homo from the Home, he said tha», while he differed from that gentleman in hia views, he was with him in hia determination to take the aeat the people had declared him entitled to. He wished, therefore, that in this colony the Affirmation of Oatha Bill had passed. Ho believed if the Governments of Now Zealand had given the Maoris their rights there would be no Native difficulty. If Mr Bryco precipitated a war here he would bs extremely sorry. The West Coast railway, he hoped, would be constructed, but ho preferred that the Government should do it instead of a company. Hs thought that, as regards political railways, the Horn Major Atkinson was responsible for most, if not ail, that had been constructed. In a matter which concerned the seafaring population, namely, the establishment of a lighthouse at Kaipara, he thought the Government had acted most shamefully, and that lives had been sacrificed through a consideration of money. Mr Allwrlght had done what he could in that matter, and deserved the thanks of the sailors in the effort he had made. Mr Webb then spoko of the respective claims of the other two candidates, and, after answering some questions of minor importance, sat down amid prolonged cheering. A vote of thanks and confidence in him was declared carried by the chairman, who remarked that a good many present had not voted. Mr Webb moved a cordial vote of thanks to Mr Chalmers for presiding at the meeting.

MB CUNNINGHAM AT ASHLEY. On Wednesday evening Mr J. A. Cunningham, a candidate for the Ashley district, addressed about sixty electors in the Ashley Bank schoolroom. Mr F. Croft was voted to the chair.

The Chairman said the candidate wonld lay his views on political questions before them, and he trusted that as ho was well known, having lived among them many years and had taken a very active interest in local matters, they would give him a fair hearing. Mr Cunningham, who was accorded a good reception, commenced by saying that he regretted he laboured under tho disadvantage of a severe cold. It had been stated that little importance was to be attached to requisitions and canvassing, and in tho main ho agreed that the electors should bo free in every way to use the power of voting, but he might just say, en passant,, that but for the requisition handed to him he should not have come forward. While ho came out with soma relmetance, he would nevertheless, if elected, do his utmost to promote and guard tho interests of each portion of that influential electorate. Upon such an occasion it was perhaps justifiable to play a few tunes on a person's own trumpet. For many years he had served them as a member of the school committee and other local committees, the Boad Board and County Council, and rested upon a consciousness that he had gained the confidence of everyone. He now found himself one of several candidates in this contest, and trusted that the fight would be conducted fairly. Ha intended neither to do nor say anything to the detriment of his opponents, but he desired to caution the electors against giving any credence to such reports as had been circulated to the effect that “ he (Mr Cunningham) would have no support except in bis own district, and if he continued in the contest it would let Mr Pearson in.” He believed he had as good, if not better chances of election, than any of them, if all hia supporters came to the poll. Holding that no man would be likely to benefit his district it ho went alone to the Assembly, but must attach himself to some party, be might as well say that the state of parties in the House was about equal, but considering that liberal measures had been promoted by the present Ministry, and that it had not only by the Representation Act and other measures benefitted the country, but had shown a disposition to economise, be intended to give it his support. While the first-named Act had brought down the representation to every one, the Corrupt Practices Bill reduced the cost of elections so as to allow any elector of ability a chance of election without fear of being forced into heavy expenses. The Hall Ministry had satisfied the public that they were cot slow going, but were disposed to open up the country for settlement, and had promoted the extension of roads for that purpose. By means of the “ Crown Lands Guide,” which afforded information of tho lands not sold, it would bo seen where lands, and of what quality, were open for sale, with maps of the localities in which situated. Touching the land question, although Government had opened special settlements for the benefit of immigrants, the opportunity ought also to be afforded tho sons of settlers to have the same privileges in being able to obtain land as the strangers. It was a matter for congratulation that the control of the finances of the colony was in careful hands, and it was an error to speak of the Government in this respect in harsh terms, for while anxious to bring about economy, they did not appear to do so in any niggardly way. He did not intend to bo so presumptuous as to say “if Mr Hall endorses my views I will support his,” but so far as at present could be seen he would give hie Ministry a general support, reserving to himself the right to vote for any good measure that might be promoted by either tho Ministry or the Opposition. It was an axiom with him, moreover, that in some instances the liberty of the subject and freedom of speech on the part of minorities ought to be heard so long as they were contending for the public good, public safety and morality. He was favorable to the protection of landed estates; while the majority must rule, they should, on the other hand, be careful in this as in other matters not to rule unfairly. Alluding to the selling of the large estates, ho could not help referring to Mr Pearson’s views, whi;h appeared to bo wildly wrong. The idea that the Government, after selling tho land, might re-purchase it and sell it back again, was a scheme as wild as it seamed to be impracticable. If land owners, on receiving their Crown grants, had found the back of their documents endorsed “ the Government shall have power to re-purchase this land st a valuation,” they would simply hand tho grants back and leave the country. No one would buy land on such terms, and it was repudiation of the worst kind to deprive the people of their land in this way. He was favorable to a gentle pressure being brought to bear on the lend owners to cither pay towards public works or probably sell out their larger estates. [Mr J. Hay-Barolay—Tnose are Mr Pearson’s views.] Mr Cunningham thought that Mr Pearson’s views went in the direction as stated. [Mr Hay. Barclay : “ No.”] Mr Cunningham—Well all he could soy was that tho gentlemen who represented the newspapers in that district reported the speeches very accurately, and it was clear by the reports of Mr Pearson’s speech that his idea was to have the large estates bought up and sold again. Going on to speak of the franchise, he said that they were aware it amounted virtually to manhood and it was an easy matter to obtain the qualification to those who had some interest, though of course the swagger was not included. There was some difficulty, to hia mind, in reference to plural voting. They had been informed by Sir George Grey that by attention to his’ interests a voter might get hia name on about ninety rolls in the colony, but the fact is that now ho is limited to voting on three. Supposing the voter was on tho lists for Ashley, Ellesmere, and Timaru, ho might not be able to vote in the three places ; indeed it was probable he would not, but in the case of a%oter who was on tho North and South Christchurch and St. Albans lists he could easily vote in the three districts, and thus tho country voter was handicapped against the town voter. Dual voting he looked on in tho main as inconsistent, and there was tho difficulty of making it quite fair. He objected to tho abominable waste of time in stonewalling, and he should bo in favor of putting it down with a strong hand. Ho should regret to do away with “ Hansard,” as it was the reflex of the expressions in the House, and showed the country who woro tho useful and tho non-usetul members. With the revision of speeches by members for “Hansard” he entirely disagreed. It was not his intention to make any lengthened remarks on the incidence of taxation, as ho did not claim a speciality in the matter of finance. Tho pro- ( perty tax was tho fairest and most just to tho country districts, and the exemptions wore fairly satisfactory. It was his desire to see threshing machinery exempted from its operation, and on all classes of agricultural implements a fair allowance made for depreciation. He did not see that there should be any objection to an income tax as reaching professional men, for the reason that the income of tho farmers on their property was taxed, while the other was practically exempted. He should not discuss tho important question of protection further than to at present say ho was not favorable to an increase in the customs duties. It appeared to be a shame to admit Australian flour and grain, when they

levied a heavy duty on New Zealand grain imported by them. He approved of Gladstone’s proposals for a free breakfast table, and taking duties off teasugar and necessaries. There were some articles, for instance, imported scented soap, which he hoard was subjected to a duty of 25 per cent, simply as a protection duty for some small factory. Now he protested against those high protective duties. If it was necessary to protect an industry to the extent of 25 per cent., the country was certainly not ripe for that industry. [Ohccr*.] Belative to establishing a Minister of Agriculture, he should favor that proposal. There wore many important duties which such, a Minister could perform, not the least being the obtaining for farmers prompt and reliable returns of the grain crop. As agriculture was the blood of the colony, so its interests ought to have weight and full attention. The analysis of soils, information regarding the markets of the world, and the protection of crops from ravages of animals or birds, were of sufficient importance to receive careful attention. Ho was not in favor of the local bodies or Boards having charge of railways, and was opposed to the paying lines being set off against the non paying ones or political lines, Bimutaka inclines, and so forth. It was P a kont that a lowering of the railway tariff would be an immense gain to the farmer and the Government. The passage of the Kail way Construction Bill was a great boon, and he hoped to see the West Coast lino completed in that way some of these days. Belative to direct steam communication with Bagland the sooner the service in the interests of the meat end produce trade was started the better, and if the evidence of competent men went in its favor there was no need for delay. So far as local government went, ho was in favor of letting the Counties Act alone and extending to a certain extent the powers of the Boad Boards. The cry for improved local government seemed to spring from the North Island, in which the system of the local management of public affairs was probably deficient. He would regret to see County Councils usurping the functions of the Waste Bands Boards. He should favor making the latter Boards elective. There was another point on the railway question to which he would refer. The tariff rates ought to to be differential., Where the lines were made cheaply the fares should bo lower than on the moro costly lines, and fares ought to be regulated according to circumstances. As an instance, there was the line between Fapanui and Christchurch, where competition was taking away the trade, and the Government never seemed to consider the necessity of making that portion pay by other means, and induce persons to use it. Again, some years ago, if their schools went for a picnic, they could get a train at a far cheaper rate than at present. This also wanted seeing to. Respecting the Ashley railway station, it was a disgrace that where a goods shed had boon opened there should bo no one to attend to it, and settlers' corn lying there was liable to damage from, fowls and so on. The man who came from Bangiora to attend to the shed and an occasional hand would, he thought, ra. quire as much in wages as wonld a man to regularly reside at the station. [Cheers.] Coming to the question of education, the Government had done wisely and. well in the establishment of tho national schools upon tho present basis, as it was the only plan which could succeed in a mixed and, to some extent, scattered community. While holding that the system met the wonts of the country, ha would not be adverse to subsidising any school, whether public or private, which came up to a fixed standard, and in which the following questions were answered in tho affirmative : —ls your school free ? Are its teachers competent or certificated ? Do you comply with tho Act in. giving four hours’ secular instruction on certain subjects daily ? And are you able to work under the standards ? A fair case would thus be made out for assistance, and ho should not, if there was a sufficient number of the same way of thinking, object to supporting their claim. He drew attention to the fact, that in the schools at present reference to about 4000 years of tho world’s history was omitted, and tho teaching of 1800 years of its history was limited by a conscience clause. Without professing to be an authority on the Native question, it was with feelings of satisfaction that he saw the Government taking a steady and quick means of settling that difficulty—[Hear, hear] —and he trusted they would be able without interference to settle it this time once and for ever. It was to be hoped that Te Whiti would soon be lodged in Lyttelton Gaol, and the spell by which he held the Natives broken, Regarding local option, every opportunity should be given to districts to say if a publiohouso or a certain number ought to be established. If they were not properly conducted under tho law they were liable to have the licenses taken away, and if they were well conducted and people wished to close them this might be done, but of course naturally under the condition that the owner in the latter case should be compensated. Ho favored the letting of the Otagq pastoral lands on the best terms, but preferred the plan of selling them in blocks capable of taking each about 5000 sheep. If they thought him capable of giving their affairs full representation, he hoped they would help him in his candidature, and it would be through no fault of his if they were not represented. Thanking the electors for their patient bearing, ho expressed a willingness to answer any questions.

Mr B. Tracey came forward, and in vehement language urged the importance of electing a local man. He said they know nothing of Mr Pearson except that they had heard the name connected with the breeding of merino sheep. He contended that they wanted a farmer and a man of experience to support the farming interests. Mr T, White, in a more demonstrative manner, urged the claims of the candidate before them, and urged the electors not to think of returning a schoolboy or one who had not passed tho ABO of local government.

In reply to questions tho candidate said : To Mr O’Neill, he would favor a similar grant to that for repressing the rabbit nuisance to destroy sparrows. To Mr Mullin— Ho favored a commence clause in the Education Act, and regretted that the examinations should include subjects which had to be read up from Collier’s History and Hugh Miller’s Geology. Mr Free moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Cunningham, which was seconded by Mr Highwood, and unanimously agreed to.

Mr Cunningham replied, and a vote of thanks to the ohoirmau concluded tho meetirg.

[PEESS ASSOCIATION TBLEGBAMS ] AUCKLAND, October 27. Mr H. P. Farnell definitely announces himself for Rodney. At a meeting of the electors of Franklin North, Major Harris said that a hue-and-cry was raised against him for attending the Irish Land League meeting at Wellington. He attended the meeting, but disclaimed taking any part in the proceedings whatever. WELLINGTON, October 27 Mr W. .B. Edwards, solicitor, is a candidate for South Wellington. DUNEDIN, October 27. Mr Q. C. Bulloph, a Liberal, is announced for Wallace. Mr Menders intends contesting Hokonui. [feoh the own coheeseondent the of “PEESS,”] EAKAIA, October 27. Mr O. W. Purnell addressed the elector* to-night at the Town Hall, Eakaio, over 120 being present. Mr C. Maokio was in the chair. Mr Purnell spoke for an hour and five minutes in spits of his recent illness. Tho meeting was rather disorderly towards the close, but good hamoredly so. On Mr K. Davies motion, seconded by Mr L. Oxley, a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to tha candidate. ASHBURTON, October 27, Mr J. Ivess addressed 200 electors in the Town Hall this evening. He expressed himself opposed to tho Hall Government, and. advocated tho arrest and bringingto trial of Hiroki. He favored an elective Upper Houso, reduced in numbers. He would allow education to remain as it is, with tho Bible to be read after hours. A vote of confidence was passed enthusiastically.