RIVERTON ELECTION.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 229, 16 March 1866, Page 3 (Supplement)

RIVERTON ELECTION.

The first public movement in connection with the rapidly approaching elections, took place Saturday, 17 th, when Mr. C. E». Marten, one of the candidates lor Rirerton, met the electors, resident in the Waianiwa division of that district, to explain his political views. The meeting was well attended, and Mr. Jame3 Wilson, Speaker of the Provincial Council, was called to the chair. The Chaie3lAlT having opened the proceedings, Mr. MartejS" addressed the meeting at considerable length. He remarked that afe present he was the only agricultural candidate in the field, whereas there were four squatters, of whom only one (Mr. M'Neil) belonged to tho 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 tho case hitherto, an.d it w&g 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 j 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 Grovernment 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 Hacandrew and Yogel were so absurdly lavish, and beyond their power to fulfil, that it was evident they were merely intended as a bait,, and even could they be carried 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 act a3 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. The election of a member of the House of Bepresentatives took place at Riverton on Monday, sth March. No interest appeared to be felt, and only two or three electors were present. Some delay occurred on account of Mr. Marten's proposer and seconder not having arrived. At length a gentleman present demanded that the election should proceed. The returning officer said he was afraid he could not legally stay the election. Me. Marten agreed with him. He regretted the unfortunate occurrence, but as his proposer and seconder had evidently mistaken the hour, and as the very few electors present were in the opposite interest, he could of course do nothing. Me. Nubse then proposed Mr. HanMnsoa as a fit and proper person to represent the District. Mb. Creeab seconded the nomination, mentioning that Mr. Hankinson, was opposed to separation. Me. Hankinsox thanked the electors who signed his requisition for the honor they had done him. As he had not sought it, he trusted they would acquit him of disrespect in not canvassing them personally. He should go up to the Assembly without formed opinions, except as to separation, to which he was strongly opposed. He deprecated any antagonism between the pastoral and agricultural interests. He greatly regretted that Mr. Marten should have been accidentally placed in such a dilemma, and felt that gentleman, had not had a fair chance j he should have been happy to have himself proposed him, but his supporters objectad to it, and he felt bound to comply with their opinion. The returning officer then declared Mr. Hankinson duly elected.