THE GLADSTONE ELECTION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2715, 1 December 1881, Page 2

THE GLADSTONE ELECTION.

The nomination o£ candidates for the representation of the new electoral district of Gladstone was held at the Meat Preserving Company’s works, Washdyke, at noon to-day. There were about 100 electors present, and a good deal of interest was manifested in the proceedings. The Eeturning Officer, Mr P. W. Stubbs, read the writ of election and called upon the electors to nominate a candidate. Mr Eichard Buist proposed Captain James Hutchinson Sutter as a fit and proper person to represent the district. Mr J. 0. McKerrow seconded the nomination, and pointed out that if the electors returned Captain Sutter they would have a representative who would look well after their interests, Mr J. Page proposed Dr Fisher as a fit and proper person to represent the district in the General Assembly. Mr A. Wright seconded the nomination of Dr Fisher, and pointed out that he would fairly represent the interests of all classes. Mr John Crawford, of Pleasant Point, proposed Mr W. J. Newton. Mr Reginald Orton seconded the nomination.

Mr W. Warne proposed Mr David Anderson.

Mr Daniel Friel seconded the nomination.

The Returning Officer asked if any other elector had a candidate to propose. Mr Newton—Propose the lot of us. That is the best way. No other candidate having been proposed, the Returning Officer then invited the electors to address the electors if they desired to do so. Captain Sutter said the election contest was now drawing to a close, and it was necessary that the electors should look upon the matter in a serious manner. There was no scope for larrikinism. If he (Captain Sutter) were returned he should do his best to do justice to all classes. He was not an advocate for a land tax on farmers as some of his opponents had been trying to make out. He was opposed to direct taxation if it could be avoided, but if direct taxation were found to be necessary, he should support an income tax which would fall equally on the residents in both town and country. The only land tax he proposed was one on the large uncultivated estates. He would not tax properly cultivated lands no matter how large the block was. He held that the most should be made out of the land in the country, and that the people who had been brought out here should be employed. He then repeated his speech on the land question as previously reported, and his remarks were received with applause. Mr Dillon—What about Dennis McCarthy. Yes, Dennis McCarthy. He had disposed of that mythical gentleman at Kerrytown last night, He then read from to-day’s “ Timaru Herald” what purported to be an apology for that letter. He did not consider it to be an apology at all, it was neither one thing nor another. He then indulged in some strong personal remarks about Mr Belfield and the sub-editor of the “ Herald,” and answered a number of questions. Dr Fisher said ho would not detain the electors by making a long speech. The squatters‘....re a tiling of the past. They had been the pioneers of the colony and had done a great deal of good to the country, [hear, hear] but they had now been driven back to the snow line, and the laud hud been bought up under their feet. The people had a

right to be fairly represented and if returned he should fairly represent all classes.

In answer to Captain Sutter Dr Fisher said he had 50,000 acres of leasehold and 3000 of freehold in the McKenzie Country, and he was as much a farmer as any of them. Mr Newton said he supported triennial parliaments, and did not agree with Captain Sutter that parliaments should last for five years. His opinion was that if representatives did not do their duty in three years they should be kicked out. Ho then gave his views on the land question, and stated that he would speak to the electors at length at the Washdyke that evening.

Mr D. Anderson said he had been nominated and if he was elected he would represent the farmers and working men. The squatters had done good service in the past, and they ought to have justice done them now. [Hear, hear.] The previous Government had flooded the country with immigrants, and many able-bodied working men had to go about the place looking for work and could not get it. He was opposed to the introduction of Chinese into the colony. He was an advocate for the Bible being read in their schools, and he also approved of national primary education; but with regard to High Schools, he should like to see them razed to the ground. They only benefited the wealthy classes at the expense of the poor people. On the question of Public Works, he should like to see the railway charges reduced and would also be in favor of six months tickets being issued for the railways as well as for the steamers. He would be in favor of paying useful members of the Legislative Council for their work, but he would purge the Council of useless members, and would not grant pensions to them. —[Applause.] The Returning Officer then called for a show of hands with the following result : Sutter ... ' 13 Anderson 6 Fisher 5 Newton 1

The Returning Officer stated that the polling would take place at the advertised polling booths on December 9th, between the hours of 9 a.tn. and 6 p.m. On the motion of Captain Sutter, seconded by Dr Fisher, a vote of thanks was passed to the Returning Officer, and the proceedings terminated.