THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2378, 16 November 1881, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

MR J. D. ENYS, AT SPRINGFIELD.

Mr J. D, Enys addressed the Coleridge electors in Springfield schoolroom on Saturday night. There was a good attendance, and Mr O, Rodfern, chairman of the Malvern Road Board, was voted to the chair. Mr Enya briefly explained to the audience his reasons for contesting the election with Mr McMillan. He had heard it rumored in the district that he was not g:ing to fight it out with Mr McMillan, but he intended to go on with the contest, and though he and Mr McMillan were the best of friends, he hoped that he should head the poll. He was, he knew, a squatter, or, as he preferred, a runholder, and he had come armed with land laws and fencing ordinances, but at the same time he was a farmer. He here read clause 20 of the Land Act, which provided for the cutting up of runs into blocks of not less than 500 or more than 5000 acres, when the leases fell in in May 1883. He knew that a map was being prepared for the furtherance of that law, and ha said that many years ago he, as a member of the Provincial Council, had voted for an Act, which was passed in the Council, to prevent the gridironing of the country. Ho was one of the members who bad been instrumental in getting the water race through the district, and many other matters of importance, and would always be glad to further the desires of the inhabitants as far as practicable. He had not gone into the Licensing Act thoroughly, as it would require a long study, and it was a difficult question to grapple with. It resolved itself into the question of an elective bench. He thought this wrong, but as the Act was passed it should have a fair trial. The old licensing bench had certainly tended to raise the standard of the public houses, and had been very beneficial in that respect. In regard to the 10 per cent, reduction he{was of opinion that if it had been returned to one it should bo returned to all. The local government question was a most difficult one to grapple with. He would like to see the Road Boards that had a common interest made into a larger Road Board, and men elected as members who thoroughly understood their work. He thought by this system it would save disputes as to drainage, He was against members having free passes, and had voted against it in the Provincial Council, but thought that members should have passes when about to look after any work, and that a system could easily be arranged to meet bis views in the matter. Provided he was elected he would do his best for the district. He was well acquainted with its requirements, as be had been in it so long, and had seen it grow, and thought in that respect he was best fitted to represent them. As regards the new railway tariff the main alteration was in the long distance rates, which did not affect them favorably, as they were not a great distance from their market. He would have an independent board to manage the railways, and he thought that the railways would be better managed than at present. He was strongly opposed to political railways, such as the Eyreton branch. The Upper House had not always acted as he could wish, but he did not think the country was yet ripe for a change. The election of the Upper House in Victoria bad produced a deadlock. He was proud of the Volunteers who had gone to the front so willingly to assist the Armed Constabulary, and he would be in favor of their receiving a capitation grant. The Native difficulty was nothing new, and was not to be attributed to the Hall, Grey, or any individual Government. The land now in dispute was confiscated after a war in 1865, according to custom. Promises had been made repeatedly of restoring certain portions, and these promises had been evaded by the several Governments. He was of opinion that the present Government deserved support for its late action in the matter. If he was returned, although member for the Coleridge district, his knowledge of the colony at large would be beneficial to him, and, as they were all aware, he was well up in Parliamentary forms. Ho wished now to refer to a matter which was almost outside the business of the meeting, and that was Mr McMillan’s re-election as a member of the Selwyn County Council. Though opposing Mr McMillan as a representative, he would like to see him (Mr McMillan) re-elected to the Selwyn County Council, as in that capacity he had done really good work, particularly in regard to the water-race. He regretted the action of the Acclimatisation Society in introducing the small birds, but approved of the introduction of trout, as that was certainly not an evil. He was sorry that the Small Birds Act was thrown out. He differed entirely with Mr McMillan in regard to the removal of the seat of Government to Christchurch, as he considered the expense, for one thing, was too much for the country at the present time, and he thought that if members could go to their homes on Saturday nights they would be inclined to prolong the session. He considered Cook’s Straits was the natural division of the two islands, and the proper place, and though he would not tie himself to say Wellington, still he preferred that town. In answer to questions, Mr|Enys stated that the Gaming and Lotteries Act was simply humbug. He did not consider the Fencing Act a squatters’ Act. He was not run by'the Trust and Loan Company or any other company, nor by the squatters, but was thankful to say he was clear of all companies. The present Act repealed the Oanterbmy Fencing Ordinance. By the new Act Crown tenants were placed on exactly the same footing it a freeholder in regard to fencing. He would be in favor of a direct steam service, but was net willing to pay £60,000 or £"0,000 per annum for it. He would bo glad to see a traffic bridge over the Kowai if the treffio was sufficient, but thought that a matter for the Road Boards or the County Oouno”. He was prepared to carry out the present system of education, but the Bible should be read where a majority were in favor of it. [Applause.! He should like to see it restored, but great interests were at stake. Ge was of opinion that country schoolmasters had too many standards to teach. He would like to see a clause inserted in the Act, granting power to committees to allow of the Bible being read in schools for those children whose parents desired it. His run was reserved by a proclamation of Sir George Grey’s, the object being to prevent the land being bought at too low a figure. Tne country in the Upper Wrimakaiiri bad been open for twenty-five years, and scarcely any was sold. The clause referring to the division of rvns did not lapse on May Ist, 1882, ea many suuposed, for the Act provided that it should come into force with respect t} the waste lands of Canterbury after that date. He was perfectly ignorant as to whether any communication had been received from the Hon. J. Hall by any elector of the district in regard to this contest, Mr Jebson—Had the Premier written to Mr Gerard, telling him that Messrs Enys and McMillan are to be careful not to split their votes and let him (Jebson) in ? If this was the case it was an interference with the privileges of electors, and the election was a farce.

Mr Enys stated that he had had no communication from Mr Q-erard or the Premier on the matter, and protested against Mr Jebson ashing questions concerning matters about which he knew nothing, and to which ha could give no answer. Mr Jebson was proceeding to address the meeting, when the chairman called him to order, and told him to confine himself to asking questions. In answer to Mr Colthart, Mr Enys said it was unfair that runholders could impound a farmer's cattle off an unfenced run, and charge damages and mileage, but this was remedied by the Fencing Ordinance. He would support Mr Hall's Government, as he considered they were doing the best for the colony generally, but would not follow any man if he thought he was wrong. He thought that the Government was right in adopting their Acts as they thought they could pass them. Their condition was better than that of a previous Government who had thrown out an Act for the Registration of Electors because they could not carry a certain clause. Mr McMillan, with Mr Enys’ permission, here addressed the meeting. Ho said he had compared the new tariff with the old one, and that, with the exception of sheep and cattle and long distance rates, the now tariff was very little improvement on the old one. As regards grain, it was worse ; for if sacks contained more than four bushels, the charge was a rate and a quarter on each sack. The rates for coal, grain, minerals, Ac., were not lowered at all. A promise had been given for a substantial reduction, bnt that promise had not been kept. Mr McMillan hoped that his supporters would not confound this election with the election for the Oourty Council, as Mr Enys had been returned for that without opposition. Mr Henry Sails stated to the chairman of

the meeting that he intended to contest the election with Mr McMillan and Mr Buys. In answer to Mr Mcßae, Mr Enys said he should like to see justice administered with greater facilities and at a much lower rate, and that if the Aots were made to read simpler, the lawyers would not be required so often. He believed that J.P.’s had been appointed without sufficient enquiry as to their fitness. Mr Eae proposed, and Mr Coltbart seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Enys. Mr Jebson said he would support the motion, but at the same time it was to be regretted that both candidates had left the question of our present position and future prospects untouched. The population was decreasing every day, whereas the taxation was increasing. He regretted that Mr Enys had failed to give them any idea of the higher branches of politics. He had not yet made up his mind, but by Monday he would let the electors know by advertisement whether he himself intended to stand tor the district, as he had been requested to do so by many friends. The customary vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.