GENERAL ELECTION.

Kumara Times, Issue 913, 3 September 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTION.

MR REID AT KUMARA

Mr Reid addressed the electors in the Theatre Rovftl last evening, which vims crowded in everv pact. His Worship the Mayor oocnpifd the chair, and briotfv introduced the candidate.

Mr Reid, before explaining his political views, referred to a telegraphic copy of n letter that had appeared in the West Times, which letter he (the speaker) had received from Sir Ucorge Giey, unsolicited by himself or

any of his friends. A day or two afi,r lie received one of a similar.naUi.e from r.Ue.Hou. Mi Sheehan. [Mr Ueid heiu read the original letters, and handed thorn to the Chairin »n.] H'is reason for making these letters public \Vaa in conseqneuce of a paragraph \\ f la( j aJ) _ peared in the Blumaiia Times to the Premier'n letter, but lie supposed that the paragraph was written in a spirit of joumilistic rivalry. He did not consider that the vote of want of confidence carried against (he present Government was in keeping vith I he opinions of the rnajority of the people in thecolony. ifreturued, do his utmost to support .Sir.. George Grey in carrying out liberal reforms. Having been present id. the House on sever il occasiousj he (the speaker) could form a far better opinion of the actions of the Opposition than what could be obtained from reading the speeches in Hansard. He considered the Grey Ministry far surpassed any ministry previously in o&ce in the colony. He was favorable to the Lcltid Tax, inasmuch as it would affect the lar»e land Owners, many of which members of the Upper House, and that was one reason why there was such a strong opposition to this measure. He sh'dnld support tl>e Ministry in the reconstruction of the Upper HdUse, as he considered, that as it was at present constituted, it gave the members privileges for the term of their natural life, and at the same time rendered them indifferent to public opinion. He could say with confidence, and without fear ot contradiction that the Grey Ministry had done more for Westland than any other previous-Government. They had introduced, the iron Horse into the district, built bridges over the Hokitika and Teremakan rivers"; commenced the construction of the IVtikonui water race, Kumara sludge-chan-nelj and various other public works of great benefit. He took some little credit to himself in the mining interests being now constituted as a separate department in the Government, an when the quarrel took place between the Premier and Mr Ballance, he (the speaker) advocated through articles in the "New Zealander the appointment of a Minister of Mines, and although }ie did not name any particular peison, lie considered Mr Gisborne would get the portfolio. This appointment he thought was a feather in the West Coast cap, as this was the first representative they had ever had in the Cabinet. He w is in favor of the reduction of the i-old duty by 6d per oz:; per annum. He supported the reduction of miner.! rights from 20s to 10s, and was endeavouring to gather all the statistics he could so that, if returned, he could advocate many measures beneficial td a mining community; (Applause.) He did not say he had any greater ability than, any other of the 1 candidates in the field, but he did say he was in a positiou to serve the constituency. He would refer then to the New Zealander, and they would find that no greviance or want of the Coast but what have been alluded- to in its columns. He had so advocated the interests of Westland that his contemporaries in Wellington, the Post and Times, had stated that his journal spoke of the West Coast as if it was the whole Island. He had the ear of the Government by personal intercourse, and with his double-barrelled gun, as it were", he was enabled, to fire shots either in sessidn or out of it. His claim on the Coast, so to speak, .was far from worked out, and he intended, if returned, to spend the greater portion of the year among his constituency. He was strongly in favor of the deviation of the Hokitika and Greymouth railway, and he surely was not accountable for any articles that appeared in the West Coast Times in reference thereto when he was 100 miles away. He had neither actuated or inspired the article that appeared iu that paper in reference to one of. the candidates now in ■ the" field. Just before leaviug Wellington he saw Sir George Grey in his own office, who said to him, "You are going to Hokitika; don't forget to tell the people from me that as soon as we get the .£3,000,000 loan we will carry out the East and West Coast railway." (Applause.) He would do his utmost to have the mara Education Reserve lifted entirely. The Government had brought iu a bill in this matter, which he considered a very liberal measure. He would support the making of a new road to the Teremakau bridge, and also the Renins of the track from Dillmans to the Christcliurchroadiutoadray row*. (Applause.) His views on etnftation were well known, but he may say briefly, be was in favor of secular education. If elected as their representative he would serve them faithfully; zeAlously and conscientiously. (Applause.) In answer to questions the Candidate said.-—He would support the

Local opium Bin with payment of compensation, although tie thought the Good Templars objected to that. The compensation however might be Ipft in the hands of the public, and if § of the inhabitants objected there should be no compensation given. He "was opposed to ;aliy lurtl.er itolmigration at present. Should Sir George Grey's Ministry b,e in a minority he would still support Sir George Grey, but if the Opposition took office and carried our,-the same poiicy he /would in the in the intt'ceeta i.f the Coast support ■what ever (jioveri.nveut was in office. He was opposed" to the formation of new .'Counties as he considered the present ones oujilit to be enlarged instead of made smaller.

Mr Campbell Hi.-vvd, and Mr Toms seconded, that Mr R. C. Itwrl was a i. and proper person lo represent tin electorate in the of Hvj»i-i .sent. tives, which was put by the- Chainia aud carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the ?vlayur f. presiding, accorded pn tho motion of tin candidate, tenn'iiated thp nvoi'*inr r .