POLITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7929, 19 September 1905, Page 2

POLITICAL

SPEECH BY SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL, NAPIER, Sept. 18. Sir William Russell, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at the Princess' Theatre, Bastings, to-night. He# was well received by a very large gathering. He took occasion to deny, the rumours that he would either be called to the Legislative Council, or, at the last moment, retire from the contest for the Hawkc's Bay seat in favour of some other person. There had been no suggestion of appointing him to the Upper House since he had declined the honour twenty years ago, and neither for fear of any foe, or to favour any friend, would he withdraw, ! from a seat to which his constituents had elected him tfor thirty years. Referring to the voucher incident, he expressed his very great pleasure [that the Premier and Captain SedI don had emerged from the inquiry, with their honour absolutely unsullied. He deprecated very strongly thrf system of political warfare which was based on attacking a man through his family affections, and he felt it was the duty of Parliament and tho country to guard jealously tile fair i lame of their public men from being uselossly and unnecessarily assailet He spoke in favour of the leaseholders under Government 'lteing granted) the optaon of their freeholds if thev wished. He also touched upon rail-' way matters, and advocated an alteration in the constitution, which at ■ f, I )SCSCIIt time left too much powen in the hands of. one man.