POLITICAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1178, 15 May 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL.

The election for the Thorndon seat, Wellington, resulted as follows: —Newman, 636; Bunny, 379; Dwan, 121. There was great excitement throughout the day. Mr Dwan retired, and gave _ the novel reason for doing so (according to an exchange) that the electors had ‘ sold ’ him on a previous occasion, and now he intended to * sell ’ them. At a meeting at Gisborne, on Thursday night, all present were favorable to the candidature of Sir Julius Vogel for the East Coast. There were throe candidates for the seat, and two of these have expressed their willingness to retire in Sir Julius Yogels favor. The third, Mr Rees, in an interview with a Star reporter, at Auckland, stated he will oppose Sir Julius Vogel for the East Coast at all hazards. He will be an uncompromising opponent of the present Government. At the meeting a letter from Sir Julius Vogel was read, explaining h.s uaHsof the political situation. I.i it* ho goes minutely into the present depression and its causes. He asserts that the main cause is the uncertainty and disquietude caused to property owners during the past few years by the various taxes and proposals for taxes, so that confidence in the value of property has much decreased. He explains that at considerable length, and as a remedy would abolish the property tax, believing that some other taxation is desirable, which shall not have such disastrous indirect effects. Among other subjects he asserts his belief that in the matter of education an equally good article could be got at much less coat. In telegraphed replies to inquiries re Native matters, Sir Julius Vogel says, * I have not closely followed the Native land policy alterations. Before leaving I favored a Bill by which the Government were to act as agents for the sale of Native lands, charging a commission. How far this is practicable now 1 can’t say. Ido not think in good faith the Government can resume the old preemptive right. lam strongly of opinion that the Natives should be treated honorably and justly, but at the same time it may fairly be questioned whether they should not in some shape contribute to the cost of railways which, passing through their lands, make them of great value. The question is involved in considerable difficulty. lam profoundly anxious to ses the North Island settled, as it is capable of supporting an immense population. The whole colony is interested in promoting such settlement.’ [Sir Julius Vogel, who has been confined to his room with gout since he arrived in Dunedin, feels himself now much better, and expects to be able to get about in the streets in a day or two.] There is some talk of inviting Sir Julius Vogel to reserve himself for the Thames. If he should do so, Sir George Grey, who beat him the last time ho stood for that seat, will also be asked to stand.

The member for Coromandel, Mr J. Cadmnn, has addressed his constituents, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. IJj will remain with the Opposition.

Mr Stevens addressed a large meeting of his conlituents at Marton, last Monday night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. He declared that during the ensuing session he would act as an independent member. Mr Allwright addressed his constituency at Lyttelton, on Tuesday night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. He said he would not vote to turn out the present Government till a better could be substituted, though the present Government had deteriorated since the departure of Sir John Hall.