THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2395, 6 December 1881, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

Mr Enys addressed a meeting in the schoolroom at the Kowai Bush on Saturday night. The chair was occupied by Mr Walls. This being the first meeting held at the plaoe, between thirty and forty were present. Mr Enys addressed the meeting at length, and was well received. Mr Macmillan, at Mr Enys request, also attended and addressed the electors. A vote of thanks was passed to the candidates for their attendance, after whioh Mr Enys proposed, and Mr Maomillan seconded, a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Mr W. White, jun., addressed the electors of Sydenham last evening at Waltham. Mr Langdown oocupied the obair, and there was a full audienoe. Mr White repeated his former speech, and at the close of it answered a number of questions. Mr Woodhouse moved, and Mr Clifford seconded that a vote of thanks be recorded. Mr Miller proposed as an amendment that the word confidence be added. This being agreed to, the amended resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr Mollraith will meet the electors at Amberley on Thursday, at 7.3o.—Messrs McMillan and Enyo will address the eleotors at the South Malvern township on Wednesday, at 7.30 p.m.—Mr S. P. Andrews will address the electors nt the Mnsio Hall to. morrow evening, at 7.30. —Mr Pilliot will speak at the schoolroom, Bingeland, at eight o'clock to-morrow evening.—Mr Clark requests the eleotors to meet him at the schoolroom, Selwyn street, this evening, at eight o'clock. — Mr J. E. Brown will address the electors at St. Albans Library, at eight o'clook on Wednesday.—Mr H. Thomson will meet the electors at the Mueio Hall on Thursday evening, at eight o'clock. —Mr Williams will hold a meeting at the Heathcote Valley schoolroom on Wednesday evoning.—Mr Treadwoll will address the electors at Waltham this evening.

MB LOOKHEAD AT LEEBION.

Mr Lockheed, oeo of the candidates for the representation of the Selwyn district, addressed a meeting of the electors at the Town Hall, Leeston, last evening. The hall was well filled, and the chair was occupied by Mr John Bennie, who briefly introduced the candidate.

Mr Lockhead, on coming forward, was greeted with cheers. He said he was glad to see a large meeting. He might say he came forward because a number of the electors asked him ; but to the last he was very backward. But, knowing how many men were placed on the roll on account of the residential suffrage, it was as well to givethe ploughmen and laborers a chance of voting, Which they had never done before. That was why he oame forward. Another reason was that at a pnblio meeting held in that hall some time ago the Opposition tried to find out about candidates for the ooming election, but tho other party thought fit to burk that meeting. ["Yes; no;" and confusion.] If not burked, it was brought to an improper ending, and he thought at that time it was a fine opportunity for criticising the acts of the Government, and to see who should be brought out for the new session of the Parliament. It was said it was not fit to do so, because the Hon. John Hall was Premier and they Bhould be proud to be represented by such a gentleman. [Cheers, and a Voice —"So we are."] But he had heard words not very respectful from the lips of that gentleman, and it struck him that the Promier was no better because of bis position. It was not finished there, and the Promier gave them a lesson on haymaking. [Confusion.] He thought the present Government must feel very humiliated sitting on their presont seats. Ho thought thoy never had a policy of their own, but simply passed the measures they found prepared for them slightly tinged with a Conservative touch. The Hon. John Hall had twitted the Opposition that they had no cry with which to go to the country, hut the only cry the Holl Government had was an ekctivo Upper House. The Premier was very cautious about even hinting at a policy, and saw what the people thought of it first. It had been 6oid tho Government desired to get credit for rotronohment, but there was no crodit in stopping public works, discharging some oivil servants and half-paying others. If they had brought out some scheme of Public Works it would have been hotter. Although oonteating this election, he must not be thought a thick and thin supporter of the Grey party, but if returned—[A Voice —" 'Tis to bo hoped you won't" (cheers)] —he thought there were good liberal gentlemen on both aides of the House, and he hoped he should find a party he could support. He would now speak on the Hon. John Hall's platform, and show where they differed. That gentleman was going to have the Upper House elected on tho property vote, but he thought all should have a voice in its election. That House is elected principally for law making purposes, and it is not property only that should make the laws, but a man's well being should bo

k:ooght into consideration alio. Mr Hall spoke of making use of our credit at the end of the year. ["Speak up."] He would now read them a short extract from a speech of Mr Batemnn'a on the indebtedness of the colony. [Bead.] After that he would approach the system of borrowing with great caution, and be did cot think there was much chance of getting the money. If he could carry a policy of his own in the House—[Laughter and derisive ohecrs] —he would be very careless in borrowing money, as others would have to pay it. ("Oh!"] Mr Hall encouraged local industries in his way, ho (the speaker) in his way. Mr Hall was a Protectionist, he was a Free Trader. All the legislative statesmen —the cleverest, the best —and political economists, agreed that the best way of improving the industries of the people was to allow them to bo guided by pma'e enterprise into the channel that would lead them to being extended ; bonuses should be abolished, and then capital would not be led and locked up in unprofitable speculations. He was satis fled the bonuses would not do that good in fostering new industries that was expeoted by the colony. They were sufficiently energetic to start anew, and that as soon as the oapital and labour would pay by what they received. Now the only thing loft for a bonus is to encourage people to start industries before they will pay, and the tendency to draw capital from profitable to unprofitable uses is not right; and to be told that such means will increase the wealth of the country is very foolish. He would now prooeed to give them his Looal Government Bill. He thought the time had arrived when all the land in the colony should become common property, and that Oounty Councils or some such bodies must bo elected by the property vote, who should have the management of all public works, and be charged with the construction of the same, leaving to the General Government only its legislative duties and its judicial arrangements. It was unfair that the people should be charged with the cost of constructing public works, and it was also unfair that property voters should have a voice in the elections of tho General Assembly, whose duties should be education, Crown lands, and to forth. He wished he was as good a special pleader as the Hon. John Hall, whore views on Crown lande settlement he endorsed. The Native question was a delioate one to handle, and he believed every word uttered by tho Premier absut tho treatment of the Natives, but he thought one thing should have been done that was not done, which was to have offered them their lands back again. He thought the Hon. John Hall would like to put his foot on triennial Parliaments, and extend it to four years, except he (the speaker) was elected, in which case ho would thick three years long enough. [Cheers and laughter.] He thought three years quite long enougn, but would rather have annual Parliaments, because the people could get up in the political questions of the day. Ho did not think the property tax so fair as Mr Hall tried to make them believe. He had put his own ideas plainly to all he met, and they gammoned they did not understand him. For instance, if a man invested £IOOO in 500 acres of land, in a few years that land is worth £SOOO. Was it fair that £IOOO in hard cash should be taxed like this £IOOO in tho land ? Tho public works has improved the one, but not the other, and hs therofore contended it was an unfair tax Ho believed in Hare's system of voting, but if his (the speaker's) Local Government Bill became law it would not be necessary, and it would stop log-rolling. He had endeavored to explain his views on different subjects that came under his notice, and they had known him a long time, and knew he would do the best he could if elected to the House of Parliament.

In answer to questionsMr Lockhoad would give the Maoris all the land they wanted to settle the dispute. His reason why property holders should eleot the local bodies, and not the Upper House, was justified by one affecting property and the other the people. He would give all men votes for the House of Representatives. He objected to all taxes on personal property, of which he considered the £IOOO he had quoted a portion. He would leave the Education Act as it is, only adding capitation grants to children taught at home in cut districts if certified by the inspector. He did rot know what mortmain meant —did it pertain to the Medes and Persians. He thought the Church in New Zealand had too much land. He would be in favor of reducing the exemption limit of the property tax below £SOO. [A Voice—" Oh, there's a working man's friend for you."J Every man and woman should have a vote when his Bill was passed. £ Laughter.] At present it was in a orude state, and he could not promise to have it printed and circulated before polling day. He objected to the game laws, and thought hares should be allowed to be shot. Had be been in the Provincial Council he would have voted against tho High Schools grant, whilst he must consider if the Agricultural College is worth the money spent on it. He would not reducß the railway fares on Wednesdays to the single rate as on Saturdays. He would not extend the Southbridge railway across the R&kaia, nor yet bridge that river at Dobbin's ford. He would not alter the dog tax. As to taking tho Customs duties off raw materials and taxing made up goods he would arrange his tariff as near free trade as possible. Ha did not know tho Premier's salary, nor did he think it likely he would be asked to become Premier. He would take the railways out of tho hands of the Government, and place it in the hands of the property holders, or a Board elected by thorn. He would give leasehold property a vote. He did not know about the Licensing Bill, but if a publican lost his license through the | people petitioning against it, the petitioners should compensate the publican. He would not reduce the tariff on railways paying more than 5 per cent., because they ought to make up for the lines that do not pay. He would exempt all money from taxation that was aoquired before tho property tax was levied. This money was property, but it oculd be got at. He defined real property as what could bo shifted about. He objected to a nominated and preferred an elected Governor. He would not take the tax off colonial beer. He would pass an Aot to do away with long speeches in the House if he got there, as that would suit him to aT. [Roars of laughter.] He would increase the duty on tea if it would make servants economical. It was not consistent to tax articles produoed and consumed in the oolony, but it was consistent with a free trade to tax colonial beer, because it was necessary for purposes of revenue. Mr A. L. Glasson moved, and Mr John Small seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Lockhead. Mr J. Baldwin moved, and Mr J. MoLachlan seoondod, that a vote of thanks only be aocorded. The Chairman first put the amendment, and subsequently the resolution, and declared tho latter carried. A vote ef thanks to the chair terminated the meeting, in which tte larrit:n clement was very predominant.