ELECTION ITEMS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2678, 19 October 1881, Page 2

ELECTION ITEMS.

MR SAUNDERS AT K ALSO UR A. Mr Saunders addressed the electors of Cheviot at Kaikoura last night. The meeting was largely attended. In reviewing the work of the past session Mr Saunders referred to three important measures passed, viz., the Redistribution of Seats' Bill, the Corrupt Practices Bill, and the Licensing Bill. He considered the Government was indebted to the Opposition for carrying these measures. The Licensing Bill was more generally supported by the Opposition than by the Government. The Representation Bill was naturally passed, in consequence of the Opposition believing it was to the benefit of the country and the colony at large. He considered that the passage of the three Bills named sufficiently relieved the session from any such stigma as barrenness. Witn respect to local government, be said it was most desirable that a change should be made as soon as possible, so that money raised locally should be retained in the district, obviating the necessity of sending the property tax to Wellington, there to be struggled for and obtained by the strongest representatives. He was solely in favor of a free national and undenominational system of education. Greater facilities should he offered to settlers to secure the occupation of Crown lands, and everything should be done to retain population in the colony. He strongly disapproved of the restoration of the 10 per cent reduction as most unwise under the present financial condition of the colony. The Colonial Treasurer had professed to take off half the property tax, to make things easy for himself. This was a most unwise step, as it would have to be restored, and eventually increased, in addition to the imposition of further taxation, before the colony could be extricated from its difficulties. He admitted that in restoring the 10 per cent, the Government had done so with the full concurrence of three-fourths of the House, and therefore that might be held to justify their action, but it did not make the matter less melancholy to him when considering the finances of the colony. The restoration of the 10 per cent to the higher paid servants was the more strongly to be condemned. He announced himself as free to choose whom he would support. A motion of confidence and a pledge of support was carried in Mr Saunders by a majority of eight. Mr Mcllwraith, of Waiau, is announced as a candidate for Cheviot.