THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5747, 30 August 1879, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

ME. HUNTER AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Mr. Hunter last evening addressed a meeting of the electors at the Princess Theatre, Tory-street. There was a good attendance. On the proposition of Air. McKenzie, Mr. Moeller took the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate, asking for him a fair bearing. Mr. Hunter, who was well received, said it bad always been his good fortune to obtain a patient hearing, and this he had had both at the Athenaeum and at the Adelaido-road Theatre. He was therefore convinced that the audience that evening would receive him in the same spirit. (Loud applause.) Before proceeding to general topics he wished to refer to one topic on which he did not seem to have made himself very clear. 'The Post had written about him, and had stated that he had omitted to inform them on the question of the franchise. This was a mistake of the Post, as he had referred to that question at length on the occasion when he addressed the electors at the Athenaeum. [Mr. Hunter read the extract on the point in question.] His principle had throughout his career been to fully state his opinions on all topics of the day, and this principle he should maintain to the end. (Mr. Hunter read portions of the Electoral Bill, that was withdrawn by the Government, on the subject of the extension of the franchise.) It was impossible that he could speak more clearly or frankly on that subject. (Applause.) The Bill might have been the law of the land but for the Government itself ; and he hoped he had satisfied those present, and his friend of the Evening Post , that he had supported the fullest possible extension of the franchise so far as it had been brought before the House. Ou this point he was prepared to stand or fall, and should certainly continue to support such a Bill if brought forward at a future date. (Loud applause.) Mr. Hunter then proceeded to speak briefly on. the topics of the day, which were so fully dealt with by him at his first meeting. Speaking of the separation of Mr. Ballauce from the Cabinet, he said he thought it was quite time that a Minister should be treated better than to be shown to the door by a servant. The country should not be governed by a single man, but by a Parliament, a Ministry, and a Governor. (Applause.) He objected altogether to such autocracy being introduced into New Zealand as had been exhibited by Sir George Grey. (Applause.) On the question of the Te Aro Reclamation Bill, he narrated what action had been taken and what he himself had done in the matter. They would give him credit for doing the best he could for New Zealand, independent of any bearing it might have upon his own private affairs. (Cheers.) He had always done the best he could for the colony, and he should continue to do so. Speaking of the introduction of capital in the country, Mr. Hunter instanced the fact of the telegraphs in England being owned by private companies. On the subject of Wellington being the capital of the colony, the candidate narrated how Edward Gibbon Wakefield had from the map of the colony selected Wellington as the capital of the colony, and how he had previous to that been in Canada and America, and then expressed his opinion that the heat thing which could happen for English capital was the establishment of colonies in which it could be advantageously employed. It was to be regretted that Captain Hobson had chosen Auckland as the capital, but Wellington having afterwards been selected by commission, and being undoubtedly the most central place in the colony, possessing as it did, too, so many other advantages, they ought strenuously to resist any attempt to remove it. (Loud applause.) In conclusion, Mr. Hunter thanked the audience for their attention, and said he would bo very happy to answer any questions that might be put to him. One or the Audience : Is nobody but an elector to put a question ?

The Chairman said only those could ask questions who were able to take part in the election.

In answer to questions, Mr. Hunter said if a petition was presented to Parliament to make the Te Aro Reclamation the property of the City of Wellington he would support it. He looked upon that land as belonging to Wellington, and any fair and equitable Government ought to transfer it to the city ; and it ought to be given to them. He would be happy to present a petition on the subject, and to give his hearty support to any Bill that might be introduced with a view to carrying it out. If the honorarium had not been put on the paper by the Government the House could not have voted for it. If in the House at the time he would not have voted for it. He was not in favor of the whole of the members of the Upper House being selected from the Lower. (Mr. Hunter here explained that he would be glad to answer any questions, whether put by electors or nonelectors.—Applause.) If he found it necessary he would vote for a re-iinpositi«n of the duty on timber—not as a protective duty, but as a revenue duty.

Mr. Knigge moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Hunter as a fit and proper person to represent Wellington in Parliament. He thought those who had studied his speech must have come to the conclusion that they could not do better than elect that gentleman. (Cheers and hisses.) The motion was seconded by Mr. Distant, who said they ought to return candidates who would try to improve upon what had been done in the past, for it could not be denied that they had not been well represented. If they put two untried colts in harness they might depend upon it that they would kick over the traces. (Applause.) Mr. Hunter was a tried man, and he hoped they would do their duty by returning him as one of the two candidates to be now elected.

The motion was then put, and declared to be carried almost unanimously.

After a few words from Mr. Hunter, and three cheers had been given for that gentleman. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting, MR. LEVIN AT THORNDON. Mr. Levin addressed a large number of electors at the Primitive Methodist schoolroom yesterday evening, and was enthusiastically received. The chair was occupied by Councillor Maginnity, who introduced the candidate. Mr. Levin, in opening his remarks, said he did not propose to detain them at any length, and should confine himself to those subjects most prominent in the public mind. He was aware of the disadvantages he labored under in not being able to express himself fluently; but he held it to be the duty of every right thinking man to do what he could for his country. He had the interests of the city and colony thoroughly at heart, his object in entering Parliament being to assist in building up the future greatness of this land. He would support the Government proposal of manhood suffrage, although there were many minor items in the Bill that he would object to. One good the new Bill would confer was that it extended the polling hours. He would also support shortening the duration of Parliaments, and would favor a readjustment of representation. Wellington had not for years been sufficiently represented in Parliament, and he for one would do his best to have this mended. He deprecated anything tending to class legislation, and if the measures ho had indicated were carried out in would remove such an element of discord. With reference to representation upon the population basis, he thought we could not be too careful. It must be our endeavor to preserve the unity of the colony, and not let the extreme North or the extreme South get the preponderance of power. He confessed that the native question was past his comprehension, and he thought the matter should be settled once and for all. If we were in the wrong we should manfully confess it. He advocated ! .the appointment of a royal commission to fully inquire into the subject, and report upon it. With reference to taxation, he would favor a property and income tax as well as a land tax, so that each should bear his fair share of the burdens of the State. He favored the introduction of capital into the colony, for we must have means to make the earth reproductive. He thought the colony was drifting into extravagances that could not he afforded, aud if returned he would do his best to have the finances regulated upon a fairer system. He did not think that the beat places in the Civil Service should be pro.

vided for political services rendered. He thought Ministers when they travelled sh-.nld pay for it the same as others would have to do, and instanced the recent abuse in this respect, when Mr. Sheehan took the Hiaernoa to the North and Sir George Grey the Stella to the South, thus spending money that might have relieved the wants of many poor people. In doing this Ministers had grossly abused the power vested in their hands. He favored the appointment of a Harbor Board for Wellington. He believed the Corporation had dona what they could for the harbor, but they had enough to do to look after the streets and other city requirements. He did not think Parliament would consent to the Council becoming the Harbor Board, He thought there should he a united effort made to form a Board, so that the interests of the port would be properly looked after. The candidate concluded an able speech by expressing his willingness to answer any questions that might he put to him.

An Elector asked if the candidate would advocate a gradual and steady withdrawal from indirect taxation, so that it could be ultimately replaced by direct taxation. Mr. Levin replied that his view was that luxuries should hear the maximum taxation, and necessaries the minimum. He should he glad when the necessaries of life could be admitted duty free, but he did not think the present financial circumstances of the colony would admit of redactions being made now. In reply to another question as to whether the candidate would advocate the Government account being divided amongst the several banks, instead of being all kept in the Bank of New Zealand, Mr. Levin said he did not think any candidate should bind himself down by a series of pledges. It would, however, be his duty to see that the country got the highest rate of interest, and if it could he shown that dividing the account amongst several banks would be for the benefit of the country, he should certainly support it. Another elector asked if a majority of the Liberal party were returned, and Sir George Grey were elected as their loader, would Mr" Levin support Sir George Grey as leader of that party, irrespective of “ Greyism ” or any other “ ism.” Mr. Levin said if he were returned ho would do his best to carry out liberal measures. He had already said that he was no follower of Sir George Grey (cheers), but he would tell them plainly that he would not allow his private feelings to induce him to vote Sir George Grey out of office unless he saw a likelihood of a strong Ministry being formed to carry out the Liberal programme. In reply to another question, he said he should favor any good scheme for settling the land.

An Elector asked the views of the candidate upon the Local Option Bill, but he was met by cries of “ Go and read the papers.”Mr. Levin said his views on this subject had been fully published. He would support the Local Option Bill of 1873.

Mr. S. S. Jacka rose to move a resolution to the effect that the meeting thank Mr. Levin for his address, and pledge themselves to use their best endeavors to secure his return. Mr. Jacka was proceeding to apeak of Sir George Grey and the claptrap he had uttered with reference to the working men, when Several people rose to order, ou the ground that they had come there to hear Mr. Levin, and not to discuss Sir George Grey’s opinions. The Chairman ruled that it was quite cornpent for Air. Jacka to express his views. Order having been restored, Air. Jacka contented himself with moving the resolution, which was then seconded by Mr. Cooper. The Chairman, in putting the resolution, urged the electors to do their best to carry out their pledge until the poll closed. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. Levin having expressed his thanks for the pledge, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.