THE ELECTIONS.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 219, 21 February 1866, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

The first public movement in connection with the rapidly approaching eleotions, took place Saturday, 17th, -when Mr. C. R. Marten, one of the candidates tor Riverton, met the electors, resident in the Waianiwa division of that district, to explain his political views. The meeting was well attended, and Mr. James Wdson, Speaker of the Provincial Council, was called to the chair. The Chaxriian having opened the proceedings, Mr. Mabten addressed the meeting at considerable length. He remarked that at present he was the only agricultural candidate in the field, whereas, there were four squatters, of whom only one (Mr. M'Neil) belonged to the Province of Southland ; he was himself, he'believed, to be opposed by a gentleman from the neighboring province. He differed from those who thought it immaterial whether or not all our representatives were squatters. Such had been the case hitherto, and it was owing to the strong pastoral interest in the General Assembly that the Land Act was passed, to which (raising, as it did, the price of land to £2) we were indebted for our long embarrassment, and to the same interest we owed the delay in passing the only measure for our relicf — the reduction to £1. He therefore considered the agricultural interest ought to be represented, as although not necessarily opposed to the pastoral, the squatters generally contrived to bring the two into collision, and they might do as much mischief as ever, if not by raising the price of land, at least by throwing obstacles in the way of free selection. The squatters would naturally be in favor of paying our debts by a land-tax rather than by sale of land ; the latter course would, on the contrary, be advocated by the agriculturist. Mr. Marten then spoke for some time on the question of Separation, entering into the history of the movement, and the arguments in its favor, pointing out its urgent necessity, and the injustice of our being still called upon, despite our own pressing difficulties, to contribute to the expense of a war in which we had no more interest than the North Island had in our railways. He mentioned the various schemes, viz.: — federation, and integrity of the provinces, &c, expressing himself in favor of a central Government in each island, with municipalities. He warmly denounced the proposal of annexation to Otago ; remembering, as one of the early settlers, the treatment Southland had formerly received, and the gross breaches of faith on the part of Otago, when Mr. Macandrew was Superintendent. He thought the idea should not be for a moment entertained. The offers of Messrs Macandrew and Yogel were bo absurdly lavish, and beyond their power to fulfil, that it was evident they were merely intended as a bait, and even could they be oarried out, the result would be to plunge us still further into debt. Mr. Marten then read and commented upon various portions of Mr. Stafford's speech, strongly condemning the proposed income-tax, and urging that as long as an acre remained unsold, taxation should be avoided. An income-tax would chiefly press on the farmers, who expended their incomes in improving their land, and thus adding to the prosperity and progress of the colony ; it would aot as a check to settlement, and probably ruin the country. Mr. Marten finally said that he was aware he had to contend against strong local influence, but having entered upon the contest, he intended to stand to his colors and fight it out to the last. The foregoing speech was listened to with great attention, and those present frequently testified their approval by warm applause. The meeting ended with the usual vote of thanks.