Mr J. G. Wilson at Foxton.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1893, Page 2

Mr J. G. Wilson at Foxton.

— » The following questions were asked and answered afc Mr Wilson's meeting, on Monday : — Mr Hurley— Has Mr Wilson calculated liow iriuch money £80,000 interest represents in borrowed money. Mr Wilson— Ths figures are taken from Mr Ward's statement, though they do not appear quite correct. Mr Perreau — Would you get the Main Trunk Auckland line pushed through ? and get the Government to bridge the large rivers. Mr Wilson - 1 have always done my best to get the river bridged and still wou ddo so. I hope to see the Main Trunk Line pushed on. Mr Perreau— Do you think assistance could be obtained from Government to assist County Councils. Mr Wilson— There is an Act in force. Mr Terry — In event of the present Government being defeated and Sir Robert Stout became Premier, what position would you take. Mr Wilson- That greatly depends on what Sir Robert Stonfc proposed. Mrs Timmins What is your opinion on Education. Mr Wilson - 1 believe our present system is an excellent one. It ought to be upheld as much as we can, and our children should be all taught together. There is a great number of children not being educated in the country though the towns are very well served. However, in the outskirts, in the country you will find numbers of children receiving no education at all, and I would do all I could to help them. Afc present our Education Board has only £200 to build £5000 worth of schools. It is every one's duty to see that every child is educated. At present we are not paying half enough money for this matter. There are. close by, 2o or 80 children receiving no education at all. I say we ought, in towns, where there are a number of children, give a capitation so that we might rid the congested state of the public schools, and by these being supplied we should have money to devote to buildings in the country. It is not a matter of principle, but expediency. Mr Ray -Would you vote in favor of State Aid to Denominationalism. I Mr Wilson — I am not in favor of Denominationalism, but to assist the views I have set forth I would vote | as I have said ; I am not in favor .of giving any particular denomination a grant. Mrs Timmins — Are you in favor of Bible reading in, schools. ! Mr Wilson— l am not in favor of it, though I believe that religion is absolutely necessary to develope n nation. Some people believe that simply reading the Bible in schools I would-achievG that object. Thinking "differently, I would be sorry to see that Book read in schools. I think we might give clergymen the right to have a particular half hour, letting it be optional by the wish of the parents as to who should attend. Mv W. Stewart — Would you vote for a Bill giving people Local Option without compensation. Mr Wilson — The question should not be a matter of moment now as the Bill passed gives local option but no compensation. By the Bill it certainly seems, however, that thp pnblichouses willnot be closed. Mr Stewart — Would you be pre-

voters polling. M r Wilson — Certainly., As.l have pointed out How impossible it is to get un election under the present proposals. I would not have only a half to poll, but would ask for a three-fifths majority. Mr McCloskey— Would you be, in favor of repealing the Gaming and Lotteries Aft; " Sleeps.-' 1 Mr Wilson I do not agree in legalising sweeps. Mr Border Are you in favor of sending women to Parliament. Mr Wjlson- Not ill tHe iiieah'tiiiie. Mr Heiiuessy — What is your opinion of the proposed LevinGreatford railway. Mr Wilson— l have always furthered that railway, It is also considerably in my interest. I have offered to give my land and take shares if it goes to Eakariki* Mr Stansell— Are you in favor of pensioning schoolmaster^.Mr Wilson -Had not thought of it at present. Mr Spring— Are you in favor of pensioning broken down publicans and wine merchants; Mr Wilson— t think they are able to ensure themselves.Mr Howati • Are jroti in favor of abolishing the totalisator. Mr Wilson — No. I am not in favor of doing so. I believe every man and woman must have some excitement. It takes a different direction in different people. We have riot so much sport here as in the Old Country, and racing was a harmless amusement when properly conducted . With racin* we are bound to have a little gambling and we should have the best form of ifc. If we have bookmakers we have a good deal of swindling' if we have the totalisator we have much less. The totalisafcor we have under our own guidance and therefore I approve of that form.