THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 99, 19 August 1879, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

* MR SNELSOX AT FOXTOS LAST NIGHT. Mr G-, M. Snelson, «">ne of the candidates for the representation of Manawatu, addressed the Foxton electors at the Public Hall la9t ovening. Considering the small amount of publicity the meeting had received, and the uncertain state of the weather, the attendance was very fair, about 70 persons being present. E. S. Thynne, Esq., J.P.i wasvot3d to tho chair. The Chairman said ha had as a friend consented to preside at Mr Snelson's meeting, but did not therefore wish to be legardei as a supporter. He asked the clsctors pvesent to refrain from pledging themselves until all the candidates had expressed their views. He called on Mr Snelson to address the meeting. Mr Snelson was received with applause. He said he felt some reluctance in coming forward, owing to the able men who were opposed to him. They would not, however, expect from new blood what they would from men of greater experience. He thought the time had. come when a local man should be returned, and as he had taken a great interest in County, Highway, and loc.il matters, he had a strong claim upon their suffrages. He stood on the Liberal platform — not that Liberalism which was being hawked about the country as clap-trap, but that which would tend to the progress of the country. He accepted the programme contained in the G-overnor's speech, viz , Triennial Parliaments, exten sion of the suffrage, and readjustment of the representation. These great questions had been taken up by all parties, and whoever best carried them out, and administered the government in the ablest manner, would have his support. Mr Johnston.as an absentee member, had been as good a man as they could get (applause), bub the district had suffered in his hands. It had not received its fair share of public expenditure, and was kept buck in consequence Foxton was a noticeable example of this. He referred to the harbor endowment question, and said Itfr Johnston had allowed 25,000 acres of splendid land to go from Foxton by defuult. When Sir William Fok said that land was within 30 miles of Wanganui, and should go as an endowment to that port, their member did not raise hia voice against it, although it was over 100 miles from Wanganui. All Manawatu was interested in the progress of the port of Foxton, which needed an endowment, and could not be improved merely on the light dues. Manawatu had been, during last Parliament, unrepresented, as during the last two years its member had only spoken twioeon Mana watu questions— once on Foxton as a port of entry ; the other occasion on a Palmerston matter. This showed the necessity of triennial Parliaments.as they oould then send a man about his business who did not look after their interests. He favored manhood suffrage with a residential qualification, and a readjustment of the representation, as Manawatu had a greater right to two representatives than either Wanganui or Taranaki. If Mr Johnston had done his duty, Manawatu would even now have had two. He thought the land laws should be improved, and the deferred payment system brought, more generally into use, ac it had worked well. He would try to get the line pushed into the Murimotu country, and on to Auckland via Taupo. This line would prove a great boon to the port of Foxton, and he would heartily support it. The Liberal reforms would tend to the progress of the country, and would receive his heartiest support. On the railway junction he would not dissemble his views. He b lieved if the line came to Foxton it would do no good to the place.but on the contrary would be an injury. (Laughter.) The dis* trict railway to Sandon he supported heartily as it would be a great benefit to both districts. He thought the, railway would do more good to Foxton by not touching at the town. (A voice — Would you take the line to Feilding?) No, he would not. (Laughter.) He had said but little on this question, but would add, he believed the jail way would be an injury to Foxton if it ran into it. He had made a brief speech. He was not a man of words, but of deeds. The same energy and conscientiousness he had displayed in the smaller spheres of government he had' moved in, would mark his action in the greater, if returned, as he hoped and trusted he would be. The Liberal policy would commend itself to all the colonists. The voting power was evenly distributed. Feilding district had about 420 votes, Palmerston district about 432, whilst South Manawatn had 460. He had been asked to retire, but intended to fight it out, as his right to represent them was equal to that of his opponents. If returned, he would seek the general gwxL He deprecated the local jealousies, which were a mystery to him, and came to Foxion first to show them he was prepared to place iin plict reliance upon the electors. Their interests were identical, and if elected he believed they would have no cause to regret their choice. (Applause.) In answer to questions, Mr Snelson said — He would oppoie the Maori dual vote ; he thought owners of land should keep their cattle within the enclosure, and prevent the train killing them ; he would support the Government measures, and so long as their administration was good, would retain them in office. Their past administration had been, faulty, but they should start with a clean sheet, and if they again mismanaged things, he would vote against them. He would vote for the repeal of the land tax, but thought a property tax (exempting small holdings), the only fair substitute. He would not vote to put the Government out at once. He could not answer whether he would Bupport the merging of Highway* districts into Counties,

if tho subsidies consod. lie would vote for tho subsidies being retained. He thought 30 per cent should be allowed the country (iv tho readjustment of representation), upon towns like 'Wellington ot Wanganui. Upon tho motion of Mr (hay, seconded by Mr Perroau, a vote of thanks was accordod to Mi- Snelson for his " short but pithy speech." Mr Snelson returned thanks, and proposed a similar on.pliment to the Chairman, who in responding, oxprossed tho hope that all the mooting s would be equally orderly. The proceedings then terminated.