Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1890. Mr Stevens' Address.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 4 November 1890, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1890. Mr Stevens' Address.

At last we have the views of another candidate to represent this constituency, publicly expressed. Mr Stevens comes before the public with good credentials, he i.s acquainted with public life, having been a member of the Honso of Representatives for an adjoining electorate, he is well known

as having been a very energetic business man, and is a property bolder in this distr ct. Ao one has more right to seek to be its member, but [ WiUther he is w?mted will be lefo for polling day to d.'i;orinin3. His policy I is not Vcsry strong, but he affords a refcsh : ng contrast to the labour candidate, by the absence of anything like tli3 audacity in suggesting that ho alona is the colony's guiding star. He likes neither Sir Harry Atkinson or Mr liallance. Small blame to him we say fjr th? 33 suns opinions, bat still supposing those are the only two, he does not relieve our mind as to what he will do. He is wrong on one very important point, so wrong, that though we believe he would make a good representative, we cannot recommend his election for that reason. Pie says that there is no real Freetrade and he cannot therefore be a Freetrader. We hold that if we cannot get Free-

trade at present, we, as countrymen are bound to insist on Freetrade at the earliest possible moment, and we have no business to return one who is not a Freetrader. Mr Stevens deserves credit for his outspoken views on some points, especially as regards the Catholic vote, with which we agree with him, and compensation to publicans, with which we are not at one with him. His land policy bears the stamp of consideration, and we are altogether with him on the Education Question. We believe the public will insist on one of two things, either to reduce the cost of the primary system or else lop off the upper secondary system. We think they might do something with both without harm. His suggestion as to the- imposition of a tax on those who at present escape under the property tax is well worthy of consideration. We believe that Mr Stevens views will be in accord with a great many within the electorate, and we would I infinitely prefer to see him in the House to Mr Pi rani, but we have been steadfast in advocating Freetrade, and we would, under the present circumstances of the country, support those holding this faith. Had no Freetrader been in the field we feel sure that Mr Stevens would have been returned, as it is styled in racing parlance " hands down.""