ELECTION ITEMS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2692, 4 November 1881, Page 2

ELECTION ITEMS.

Mr Postlethwaite met the electors of the lower Rangitata division of the Geraldine electorate on Wednesday evening, in the North Orari schoolroom, the room being well filled. Mr Totton was voted to the chair. Mr Postlethwaite explained his views to the meeting, after which a few questions were put to him, which he answered to the apparent satisfaction of all present. A vote of thanks and confidence was unanimously passed. Last night he spoke at Orari, to a numerous audience, and received a vote of thanks and confidence, the resolution pledging the meeting to use their utmost endeavors to secure Mr Postlethwaite s return, A vote of confidence was passed by a large majority to Mr Wakefield, at Hilton, on Wednesday night. The Hon Colonial Treasurer addressing his constituents at Patea, is reported to have said regarding the general future policy of the Government —that the expendituro on public works would be prosecuted as quickly as the finances of the colony would permit. Free trade and protection were now simply theoretical questions, but in the meantime the Government endeavored- to shape the Customs

duties to relieve and encourage local manufactures, which wore absolutely necessary for a great country. With regard to local government no fresh forms were wanted, but more funds to carry out fuuctions. More freedom should he given to the public to say which kind of local government they would have, since local government was money. As the lenses in Canterbury fall in the land will be cut into small blocks and sold on deferred payments. He was in favor of a national system of education, but he would assist sucli denominations as are prepared to build their own schools. The property tax would continue as reduced by half for this year. With regard to local industries he hoped working men would carefully preserve the eight hours’ system of work.