THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2386, 25 November 1881, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

The following are the number of electors on the various town and suburban Parliamentary rolls :—Christchurch South, IGSB ; Sydenham, 1921 ; Christchurch North, 1867; Slanmore, 1701 ; Heathooto, 992 ; Avon, 798 ; St. Albans, 710. Total, 9947. The nomination and election of a member for the Southern Maori district took place ot noon, on Thursday, at St. Stephen’s Native school, Kaiapoi. Mr Alexander Mackay, Returning Officer, presided, and, after reading the writ, called for the nomination of candidates. Hori Kere Taiaroa was proposed, and there being no other candidate nominated was declared to be duly elected. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer concluded the proceedings of the first of the General Assembly elections in this district. On Wednesday evening Mr Pearson, a candidate for the representation of the Ashley district in the general Assembly, met the electors at Ohoka. There was a good attendance. Mr W; Taylor was called to the chair. Mr Pearson explained his views at some length, and refuted several statements which had been made misrepresenting his opinions on public affairs, Mr Dixon also addressed the meeting, and Mr Guild spoke on some of the questions of the day. On the motion of Mr R. Hopkins a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr Pearson. A similar compliment to the chairman concluded the proceedings, Mr James Guild met the electors at the Stoke schoolroom on Tuesday evening, about sixty electors being present, and Mr Anderson in the chair. Mr Guild explained his views in a clear manner and answered various questions satisfactorily, after which an unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings. An advertisement from Mr J. T. Matson announces that he has no intention of contesting the seat for Avon. It is reported that a third candidate intends to contest the Kaiapoi seat, but there seems no doubt about Mr Isaac Wilson’s return. Some capital has been sought to be made out of a case in which some of the men at the Woollen Factory, with which Mr Wilson is connected, were discharged for alleged misconduct, but were reinstated by an appeal made to the directors and their agreeing to forfeit a week’s pay to the sick and accident fund. Those who are intimately acquainted with the circumstances approve of the directors’ action in the matter. It ia probably gratifying in these times to find a candidate acting as be thinks right, irrespective of whether the votes of his employes might be for or against him.

ME J. T. FI3HKE AT WOOLSXON. Mr J. T. Fisher addressed the electors of Healhcote last sight at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Woolston. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr F. Jones, who briefly introduced the candidate. Mr Fisher, who was well received, said that when he last addressed them he had the honor of representing the largest constituency in the colony, but since then portions had been cut off and given to Stamnore and Sydenham. Ho desired to take the opportunity of thanking the electors for the confidence they had hitherto reposed in him, and which he thought he had justified by his actions. He had not thought it necessary to wait for a requisition before coming forward, as, if he bad done so, it might have implied a consciousness of having failed to merit their approval. Another reason for seeking their suffrages was, that hie first appearance in public life was in connection with this district, and gratitude for past favors would stimulate him in his desire to serve them. It had been put forward by some of his opponents that he had done nothing for the district. He carried the Heathcote Bridges Bill through the House, and it was not his fault that it was not passed by the Legislative Council. A member could not manufacture wants for bis district in order to annoy a Government, and ho had to thank the electors for not having urged upon him the advocacy of matters which he could not conscientiously undertake. When in office he had obtained a survey of the railway to Sumner, which had been reported on favorably by the Koyal Commission; but the undertaking seemed to have fallen to the ground, and he supposed a tramway would be constructed. It had been said that he had not done sufficient in the matter of tho Sumner bar, but it seemed to be forgotten that the bar was under the jurisdiction of tho Harbor Board, and it was out of his power to accomplish much in that respect. When last before them he said he would like to see some change in local government in the direction of decentralisation, TheEoads Construction Bill was brought in by the Government to meet the question of local government ; but it was very defective for the purpose. The Board proposed to be constituted by it was most objectionable, as it would give opportunities for purchasing political support. The other provisions of the Bill were equally unsatisfactory, as they required local bodies to go to Wellington for funds. The Crown Lands Eating Bill he also disapproved of. He was in favour of the present system of free, secular, and compulsory education, and was opposed altogether to the introduction of tho Bible into the schools. The Representation Bill, as they wore aware, was stonewalled for many days until the Speaker and Chairman of Committee had to interfere. He agreed with the Nelson members up to a certain point, but after finding that their efforts would be useless, they should have withdrawn their opposition. It had been said that he himself was a stonewallor on that occasion, but that was not true, as he had worked with tho supporters of the Bill. It was time that an alteration took place in the representation. Tho Licensing Bill had occupied a great deal of the time of the House, and should have a fair trial. He had received a letter from the Good Templars, asking certain questions. Tho first was whether he would give tho Bill a fair trial, and this ho would answer in the affirmative. Tho next question was whether he L would support proper inspection. This, of course, he would do. Then he was asked about the bottle license, which he had always opposed. As to compensation, if the license of a properly conducted house were taken away by the will of the people, compensation should be granted. It should bo sufficient for a man to furnish tho plans of his house when applying for a license instead of having to build it first. [Cheers.] He had not altered his previously expressed opinions with regard to railway management. They should not keep up a high tariff in Canterbury in order to pay for non-productive railways elsewhere. Tho traffic should not be driven on to the roads, for tho maintenanca of which tho people were also taxed. The question most attracting public attention at present was that of Native affairs. Te Whiti had always had tho reputation of being peaceable, but tho Natives throughout had been acting under his influence —in fact, they would consent to be skinned if he required it. Ho would read to them a quotation from his speech on this snbjectfrom “Hansard.” [Extractroad]. His action in this matter, if elected, would depend upon tho facts that were laid before Parlioment. If, as had been stated at the trial, the reserves had not been pointed out to the Natives, that should be done, and justice should be meted out to them tempered with mercy, all promises made being faithfully fulfilled. The country could not afford to keep up an expensive armed force on the West Coast. The volunteers deserved great credit for the part they had taken in the recent Native proceedings. He opposed the Gaming and Lotteries Bill, because ho thought there was too much of the “ goody-goody ” about it, and it attempted what was impossible, namely, to make people virtuous by Act of Parliament. He thought he had now referred to all the subjects requiring attention, and would be happy to reply to any questions which the electors

mijjht deeire to put to him. [Loud cheers.] In answer to questions, Mr Fisher said he voted against the stoncwallerg. He would be glad to do anything ho could which would assist in opening the Sumner bar. He would be in favor of the appointment of a set of Bailway Commissioners for each provincial district to hear the complaints of the men, as at present there were too many “ rod tape ” obstruction*. He was opposed to the Drainage Bill of last session. If the country could afford it he would support the payment of a capitation grant to the volunteers. He would not be in favor of hanging Te Whiti, as he did not think that chief had done anything to deserve such a fate. If it could be done without ony inconvenience resulting he would be in favor of doing away with the monopoly of the carrying business in connection with the railway at present enjoyed by Messrs Hey wood and Co., at the termination of their contract. He was in favor of encouraging local industries, either by taking off duties on the raw material or imposing reasonable protective rates. He was not in favor of the property tax and believed in a land and an income tax. Prisons ought to be made selfsupporting if possible, but not to such an extent as to interfere with trades outside. With regard to the West Coast railway, if the Government had the money for the purpose it would be the best thing they could do to carry out that work, but as they had not the means, encouragement should be given to undertake it. It would bo a very good plan to have an Upper House elected by the people according to Hare’s system. He opposed the leasehold as well as the freehold qualification, believing there should be only one vote. He did not see why a leaseholder should not have a vote as well as a freeholder, but as he was in favor of only one vote he would oppose the leasehold qualification. He considered that Sir George Grey had initiated all the liberal laws, which would not have been carried but for him. He (Mr Fisher) supported thosa liberal measures, though they were carried through by the Hall Government. The reason why Sir George Grey did not carry the liberal measures was because he went out of office. He had not the opportunity of carrying those measures, as his Government, while in office, was constantly badgered with want of confidence motions. He was opposed to female suffrage. Women had quite enough to do without going to the poll to vote. When the pastoral leases expired the runs should be cut up into allotments of suitable size and sold by public auction. Mr Bamford moved a vote of thanks and confidence to the candidate. Mr Dunbar seconded the motion. Mr Morgan moved as an amendment—- “ That a vote of thanks only be accorded to Mr Fisher." The amendment was seconded.

A show o£ hands was taken, and the chairman declared the amendment carried. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting. [phkss association telxgeams.J NAPIER, November 24. Henare Tomoana, William Rodgers, Wi Pere, and Paretini Ngota were to-day nominated for the East Coast Maori district. Mr Tomoana made a long speech on the model of those delivered by European candidates. Ho advised the Natives not to put any more land through the Court, advocating a purely Maori Court. Mr Ormond has addressed the electors throughout the Waipawa districts, a vote of confidence being everywhere passed by very largo majorit : es. Messrs Dutton and Russell are both addressing electors in different places, and votes of confidence are generally passed, Captain Russell seeming on the whole to be best received. Mr Smith, the working man’s candidate for Waipawa, obtained a vote of confidence by a large majority at Waipawa. Ho opposes the property tax, and advocates a progrecsive land tax to cause the gradual subdivision of large estates, though he repudiates the “bursting up” policy. Mr McDougall, another carpenter, is now in the field for Napier. Very little interest appears to be taken in the town elections, but a great deal is felt in the Hawke’s Bay and Waipawa. TIMARCT, November 24.

Mr J. S. Gibson has consented to contest the Timaru electorate for the Assembly. Mr J. Clements, a candidate for Waimate, received a vote of thanks last night.