THE ELECTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1619, 11 August 1887, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

MR F. FRANKS AT. TEMUKA.

Mr Francis Franks, one of the candidates for the Gladstone seat, addressed a meeting of the electors in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Tuesday evening. The hail was well filled. At 8 o’clock tile chair was taken by Mr K. F. Gray, Chairman of the Town Board, who briefly introduced the candidate. In doing so he remarked that the candidate was no. stranger to them, as he lived iu their midst, and had been before them at the last election, when they had accorded him a fair hearing. He trusted they would give him as fair and impartial a hearing that evening. There was he believed another candidate yet to address them, and a fifth had b-en mentioned as thinking of coming forward. Mr Franks, who was greeted with applause, said he had asked thorn to meet him that evening in order that they might have a little talk over family matters - (laughter)—or rather, perhaps ho ought to say political and other matters in which they were interested. They were about to commit the management of the country into fresh bands, as a new Parliament was to be elected, and it was for them to say whether they wanted a change, or whether they wore satisfied with those who had conducted their affairs in the pa-it. If they were satisfied and had confidence in thorn, there would be vary little difficu'fcy in the way, as they were all re-oligible for re-election. He would gl'aaca very bristly at the different subjects, as ho had printed what he wishod to say to them, and it was chiefly for the purpose of allowing them to question him on subjects which he had omitted to deal with that he was there that evening. Ho would first deal with the PRESENT STATE OF THE COLONY. Ho did not think his commg forward at the present time and offering his services required any excuse or apology. He thought they were thoroughly dissatisfied with the present state of-things, and were anxious for a change. , New Zealand was in a vary unhealthy state. Trade was at a standstill, and moo out of employment,-and each one was looking at his neighbor and asking “ How long is this to go on 1 ” It was for them to say whether they should have a change, and what that change 1 should be. This was the reason he, was before them now,' and it was the same reason that he was before them three years ago. At that time he came forward too late, and he was glnd that many did not throw their votes away on him, and that his etanding did not injure the prospects of the other candidates. (Applause). He went through that contest to the-end. He said lie would nnt be late nest time, and now be was present again because he thought they wanted fresh blood. He was anxious to see New Zealand prosperous and happy. It was a fine country —there Was none finer under the sunr—rich, and fruitful; the climate was grand, and the population young and strong and able and willing to work—vet, in spite of all this they were suffering under a great depression. They had lost confidence in one another, trade was stagnant, there was nothing doing in business—but there was no reason for this. He asked them to'consider what was best to do, and when they they had made np their minds do it. He did not ask them to return him, but Ist them return a man who would do the best for them and for the country. (Applause). Ho thought the great cause of the difficulty was the locking up of a great portion of the agricultural land in BIG ESTATES. Men were asking for employment. They said “ Give ns a, piece of land that we may work on it.” It, was .from land that all our wealth comes. (A voice: And beer.) Very little was got on* of tho sea, and so the whole of what they wanted must come out of the land. The man who plants a potato and digi five, or sows a bushel and reaps thirty, creates wealth. It was the common gift of all men. The land should be the common property of the people, and they should have it so that they could create well t!i. (Hear, hear.) He wonlrl show them how the land was held in the colony. There were 90 large estates in the Middle Island, and he thought there Wore about the same in the North Island. These 90 estates comprised 2,280,000 acres. But to come closer, home, in South Canterbury there’ were 16 largo estates, comprising' 437;000 acres, or an average of 27,000 acres each. The Levels Estate, comprised 80,000 acres. Farenra 20,000 acres, and the Hakateramea 30,000 acres, all belonging to one Company—a total of 130,000 acres. Then there was Mr Rhodes’ estate at the Bhinoliffh of 10,000 acres—(bowls) and McLean’s at the Waibao of 60,000 acres, 17,407 persons hold 47,705,322 . acres in big estates. , He was going to ask them whether if was. not desirable I that these.big estates should bear a share 1

>f th« burden of taxation. They badjto jsar a share now, but not a fair share. Hie owners of the big estate* would not luffer by it. They would hare a little loss to jut by, but their children would not have to ;o without boots or their wives have to itay at homo for want of clothes because jf n tax ot Is psr acre on uncultivated land. (Hear, hear.) Ho would tell them :iov they got these big estates. Sir John Hall was responsible above all other men in New Zealand for locking up land in big estates. When he was in the Canter- 1 bury Provincial Council he made laws which allowed capitalists to get these big estates. 1 When the big capitalist* were in power they made laws to-suit themselves. -He introduced,the system, of preemptive rights. At that time the Government were very glad for rnnhplderq to take up the land at all, especially in South Canterbury, ‘owing to the big rivers. To secure these innholders so that they might make the land their own and prevent othsrs from coming- and Inking up the prime pieces, Sir .John Hall originated the “pre-emptive right” system. For every mile of fencing on' these ions they were allowed a pre-emptive right over 100 acres. For every shepherd’s hut they had a pre-emptive right oyer 60 acres. The meaning was that no man could go and applying for the land without letting the runholder know, and the latter had the privilege of saying whether he would have it first. If i man applied* for a piece cf land he had to deposit'the value of the land, and was then told there was a pre-emptive right over it, and to call at the land office in a month. Whenhe called again in a month he would find the runholder had bought 20 acres. The same thing was repealed again and again, so there was no chance of the mao.getting a farm there. He, then alluded fo‘the well known- “ gridironing” process, which he said was introduced by Sir John Hall. The process was simply taking up numerous 20-acre blocks, leaving 19-acre block# between them which no mao could buy unless they were ;eubmitted to auction. Sir John Hall got his magnificentestate in this way. He had heard it said that Sir John Hall had once 100,000 acros, but Captain Sutler told him (the sperker) that he now had only 17,000 acres, and .some of it very poor land at that. (Laughter.); Ih Canterbury there were 92 runs comprising 2,700,000 acres. The leases of these rims terminated in 187.9r-(A voice : - and the next Government will have : to deal with these leases. There was a very strong organisation at work at the present time in order to got back into office,Sir John Hall, and he wanted them' to consider what his actions had been in . the past, and what they were likely to bo. in the future. He was most to blame, for locking up big estates. Ho and. Major Atkinson together had always worked in the interest of the moneylenders and monopolists, and banks. This organisation was Working very hard to get these men back to power. Ho might aq it at once. He alluded to the Reform League, (Loud laughter and applause.) They were at work at Christchurch and other places to get those men back to power. They were ashamed to own it. They bad one particular candidate 'ihere, and that one particular candidate’ ‘was going to be run to ; the .bitter, end. (Applause.) Before he quitted' the’ subject of the runs he would say they were too big. They were ,so large that, not only were the rabbits doing mischief but soph of the sheep had gone wild and Government had had to pay for destroying them, (Loud laughter, and cries of “No.”) In the Kaikoura district, in the north-east of Canterbury, the Government had bad 8500 wild sheep destroyed since 1885 at a coat of Is per head. This,year to thednd-of March 5260 had been destroyed at a cost of £3627 lls Bd. These were wild sheep got into the scrub, and as the runholders could not control them and. they spread disease the Government bad to 1 have them destroyed. The first great’cause of the depression was the locking up of the land in big estates. The next cause was OUR INDEBTEDNESS. We are over head and ears in debt; On the public debt we have to *pay every year over £2,000,000 as interest and’ sinking fundi and this all went out of the colony. It comes to £5,500 every;day. Their National debt was £33,000,000; Public bodies like the Tiraaru and" Oamaru Harbor Boards, etc., owe £5.616,273, £32,000,000' was owing on mortgages, and, uncovered £20,400,000, making in all over £91,000,000. Not another country in the world-showed such an.enormous debt in proportion to population. The, total yearly interest on . this was £5.824,402. This interest'divided among 600,000 people came to £ 10- per head ; the taxation to £6 per head per annum. The public debt per head was £54 15s lid, and the total debt per head was £l5O. The taxation per head in England amounted to £3 per head, here it was £5. The imports of New Zealand amounts to only £7,500,000 and the exports to £6,351,532—0ver a million difference between the imports and exports. Then the Gastonia duties a mounted to to £1,500,000. ; The total income of the country was £3,746,946, and the total expenditure £4,500,000, so they were going to the had at least £2,000,000 a year. Thu Property Tak realised £326,276, and the beer duly £55,105, Where was the money to govern the country to come froth! Customs duties -were falling at the rate of £124,000, because they had not the money to spend. Railway receipts were falling,off at the. rate of £157,813, and the land revenue was only 1 oneninth of what "it was in 1876. If they were, ta, put a shilling,tax,per acre on the big estates it would -bring Jin £2,400,000, and that,rWOuld help them. (Loud applause.) Another groat cause of the difficulty was', the" Government, ex- - penditiire. . The Government of NeypZealand had been in receipt of large sums of money, and had , become extravagant. The expendi.' lire of 1 the Government was £2,144,654, just’2o times, what it-was in 1860. They must retrench; They must open up the land and allow people to go upon it. If they could get men into Parliament" who would .legislate, in l the; Interests of the people they would soon make a difference. As to settlement there was the Levels estate. He had'got hil eye upon that especially. (Laughter and hisses.) They all knew that the Government had a right to take the lend at 10 per cent, above the Property Tax valuation. The valuation put upon the Levels estate was £6 per' acre. ; If; this was taken over by the Government at £6 10a : per acre and cut up into say 200-acre farms it would make homes for 650 families, and this would tend to make things 'prosperous for ■ - < ■ ■ ■ ; 3

all descriptions o! tradespeople., But thi Government to take this over must sa] they intended to do so within two months as after that the right would expire. Hi thought.it should be the aim of thei representative to get this time extended > bo that the Government could take that land and throw it open fo settlement. Ir twelve months every piece ef that lane would bo applied for. (A voice: Not at £6 Ids per acre). Ho wat coming to that. He would let them gc upon the land at 6s 6d per acre, 5 per cent, on the cost price. He was sure that any man with 4 good constitution could make a good living on a 200 acre farm at 6s 6d per acre. (Applause). He felt a strong partiality to the farmers, because thsy were the class that made wealth; All other classes of industry were simply—(A voice; “Loafers.”) They were not that, but they did not create wealth. They simply lived on exchange, and when they became too numerous they became a nuisance. (Loud laughter). He would encourage the farmers by every means in his power. He would reduce the railway rates for the carriage of grain, etc., even if the railways did not yield so much. In America they carried the grain at oneniuth of what was charged the farmers in New Zealand. He however, that the railways would pay if the rates were reduced.

CHEAP KONST. He Would help them again with cheap money. The farmer could not pay Bor 10 per cent., and it should be the object of the Government to enable the farmers to get cheap money. This led him to the other question of a " NATIONAL BANK. Money was very scares in New Zealand, simply because of' the great drain yearly to pay interest upon borrowed money. If they had a State Bank it would equalize the currency, and money would he more plentiful. Let the Government institute a State Bank of Issue, and issue paper money. The people would be just as willing to use the Government paper money as they were to use that of the Banks, and all works could be carried on with this tender as they were at the pre* sent time with the Banks’ paper money .The issue of paper money by the banks. should, however, be stopped. The Qo» vernment shou'd be the only parties to issue this. Mr Franks went on to read an extract from a newspaper ot what had

been done in various countries by the issuing of-paper by the Government. He instanced particularly a market that had been erected in Guernsey. The estimated cost of the market was £4OOO, and they issued 4000 pieces of paperj with which the con‘.Factors were paid, and in their turn the men and tradespeople were paid, and so they answered the purpose of cash. Thus the Hal! was completed and let for shops, and brought in an annual rental of £4OO. The pieces of paper were then burnt by the Government at the rate of £4OO per year till they were all in and destroyed ’ by the Government, and the Income from the market was devsted to pub’ic purposes. He could not see any reason 'why this sort of thing could not be done in New Zealand, Suppose they wanted to rebuild the Temnka bridge the same thing could be done, and in the end the paper money destroyed, and there would be an end of it. There was nothing' in it that would prevent them establishing a State Bank, and the issue of that would be tbe currency. Tho idea had been mooted in New Zealand 20 years sgo, when Sir E. Stafford advocated it. Bnt he was in advance of the times, and nobody would listen to him. Now it was coming before them again, and they were indebted to Mr Twomev—(lood applause) for BO’persistently advocating it. He (Mr Franks) said all' honor to the man, whoever 1 he might be, that worked for the good' of the country. (Applause.)

THE RAILWAYS. He should next compare their railways with the railways of other countries. Our 1617 miles of railway C3st £12,500,000. Id Victoria in 1884 the profits of the railways paid the,whole of the interest on the public debt: except £300,000. In New South Wales the profits of the railways did the.-'same with the exception of £220,000, and in Queensland with theexto’taj}ways only paid £300,000 towards £1,727,000, leaving the rest to be paid out of taxation. The railway receipts of this colony were also falling off very much. In Victoria the receipts of the railways had exceeded the Estimates by £300,000 t

RETRENCHMENT. Now.let. them consider where they could curtail; expenditure. He would reduce the Governor’s salary, by £SOOO * year. Theycould .not reduce the present Governor’s salary, but they could cut off a great many of his allowances, and begin a lees salary with the new' man; He believed, hdwever, that if they went to the present GdVerttotf and told; him how badly off the people were and that they could r not pay the large sum, he would offer, to t&ke less. He would probably tell them that he could not find it in his heart to take so much, and he would reduce it himself. (Cries oC“ Not he,” “ No, no,” “Von wouldn’t, would you ? ” and some other sc“ptical remarks.) He (Mr Franks) would reduce the Premier »nd Colonial Treasurer £IOOO a year each, would do •way with the Minister of Justice and •Iso of Mines, reducs five Ministers from:£l2so to £750, and the Ministers’ travelling/ expenses to one quarter what; they were now. He would take off ~ the honorariums of the Legislative Council altogether, reduce the 91 membera £SO each, and ho believed a reduction could be made in the cost of the Civil Service of say £4500. Then he tbpnght Hansard, which cost £6OOO a year, copld, be. done away with. (Applanso.) Thjsh there was defence which cost 6s 2d per. : head, or £185,000. He thought £85,000 could bo saved there. A lot of of mis' amount was spent in fixing up ju>pguns.‘ (Loud laughter.) They had

jWtnp some at Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, and other places, as if they wars going to be of any service at all in the event of a ship of war coming up and tham popping a’*>y at it. (Laughter and Biar, hear.) A ship of that kind would BtaWd’bff three mile*, where they could •afr see iti like theTemuka Rifle target and Jmej w'on'd not hit it in a month. (Roars i cfda’ngh'ev.) Then they should do away the Native Land Courts, which cost £83,000, and w*r« not wanted, and the San Fi-ancisoo Mail Service, £28,000, wlVjch was a luxury they could not afford. ]3e"did not. know whether it would he advisable to reduce the number of mem ben as the ooo.stitaencies would become

' larger and not bo easily worked. He thought, however, they could save about £264,700. (Applause.) FARIT GOVERNMENT. Then he would like to see all party Government done away with. It did not answer in New Zealand. They had the use of only about half the members in (he House. The metnbera did not consult as to what was the best to be done for the benefit of the country, but it did not matter what measures were brought forward the sole aim and object of the Opposition party was to get the Government out. (Applause.) He would like to see this done away with, and the members when they mot elect their Speaker, Colonial Treasurer and Secretary, and the different Ministers, and these should hold office for the three years, or as long as Parliament lasted, (Applause.) That would do away with so much squabbling. They would then consult together and be just the same as the Boad Boards and other public bodies, and it would be a far better system of Government than Party Government. (Applause.)

TEOIECTION. He now came to the question of whether they should have Protection or not. He would give them his views upon this, and they could not do better than look at some of the countries where they had tried Protection. Those persona who advocated Freetrade would generally be found to be interested. They were importers, merchants, bankers, etc. He could not go into this question as he would like to, but he had some clippings which he would read them, and let them judge for themselves which was the most desirable. When America was dependent upon Great Britain England discouraged their manufactures. This went on for years. When the war with 1 America broke out an embargo was placed upon the shipment of goods to America. America had nothing to resort to but to manufacture for herself, and this was done. When the war was over Lord Brougham advised the English manufacturers to glut the American market with their goods, even if they sold them at a loss. This was done, and the American industries were swamped. In 1824 the Americans first tried Protection, and it continued for four years, during which time the country was more prosperous. But one of the States complained of its inability to manufacture its own goods, and declined to pay the higher price, threatening to secede from the Union if the duties were not reduced. So President Clay, who hated anything like a breaking up of the Union, took off 10 per cent,, and the next year another 10 per cent, was taken off, which practically meant Freetrade. Freetrade was tried for 14 years, during which time the distress in the country steadily increased. Protection was again adopted in 1842, and lasted for five years, when the country again became prosperous. The Californian gold mines then broke out and yielded 110.000. dollars. This was distributed all over the country, and people lest their heads. They had no time to think of industrial pursuits, and imported everything they used. The gold did not profit them much, for again there were soon large numbers of men out of employment, and then came the great panic in America, when nearly ad the Banks in the States collapsed. After that they had had the Civil War, and since tke war they had had 20 years of Protection. He asked them to look at America now. Ho did not think that she would go back to Freetrade. America would not admit anything now without paying a high rate of duty, while she, supplied England with a large number 'of articles, including wool, wheat, and other farm produce, while England’s farmers were starved off their farms, and soma of the farms ware turned into sheep-walks. America was now paying off her National Debt. at the rate of 3,000,000d01s a month, and would soon have tho whole paid off. Another protected country was Germany. In 1873 Bismarck reduced the Cufltoms duties, and Germany had six years of Freetrade. During those six years the export of iron fell of from 2j million tons per annum to 1 million and an eighth, 210 furnaces were blown out and 10,000 hands were thrown out of employment. In 1879 they resorted to Protection, and they had three years of it. In 1882 the yield of iron was 3.000. tons in the year, and wages increased 17 per cent. Victoria was another protected country. It had been the making of Victoria. They would see a very marked difference between Victoria and New South Wales. Victoria had a considerably less area than New Zealand, and yet were supporting a population twice as large and all were prosperous and happy. There was a great cry in New Zealand just now that the protection dnties would increase the prices. It might do so at first, but not for long, as as soon as the industries of the country flourished they would know what to do with their boys. Labor would go up and they would have goods cheaper than they otherwise would. The Government proposed to put on five per cent. This would mean to a farmer using say 20 pairs of boots, 6» ; say he spent in woollen goods £l2, that would mean 12s; leather and harness say would be 10s ; other things, say 10s ; making a total of £llßs. They should take the duties off those things they could not produce in the colony and pnt it upon those things they could produce, and so keep tho money here instead of sending it away to find employment for other people, (Hear, hesr.) The savings could bo made say on tea for one.family, SOlbs at 4d, 16s 8d ; sugar, 3001 b at £d, 12s 6d ; rice, 521bs at £d, 2a 2d ; coffee, 52lhs at 3d, 13s ; pepper and mustard each 121 b at 3d, 6s ; total, £2 10s 4.d. They would thus put on a possible inc r eaae of £1 18s, and save him £2 10s 6d. This would be a re'easo to the farmer rather than a burden. Look at the

KAIAPOI WOOLLEN FAOTORT. This was the greatest industry in Omlerburv. it emph'ys 700 hands, and pays £33,000 a year in This was one factory. He knew Kaiapoi thirty-three years ago when it was in the height of its prosperity, before the connection of Christchurch with Ly’telton by rail put the ‘‘ kibosh ” ou it. (Laughter.) The sp°aker went on to spent of the waning nf its prnspeii'v 1 ill the starting of the Woollen Factory. That induatiy now paid £25, ; 00 f->r wool cash down on delivery. The company made a point of t: is and said that farmers had not to wait seven months for account sales. They p od £1650 per annum for colonial coa'a, £>-50 f r colonial soap, and £250 j for oil, making a total of £63,000

i por year paid to the farmers and ; tradespeople of New Zealand. He asked them to think of that. Kaiapoi was now one of the most thriving places in the whole of New Zealand. (A voice ; What about Temoka.) He was glad to hear them mention Temuka. What would it bo if they had a factory like that, or the paper mill they so nearly had! A little protection would have done that and they would have had the mill in Temuka. But the report that Mr Hayhurst had to bring back of the Malaura mil] disheartened them, and so they had not got it. He hoped, however, they might do it yet. (Applause.) A little protection would do the Temuka Flax and Fibre Company a deal of good and allow it to get upon i's legs. (Hear, hear.) The next question was

THE SCHOOLS. The highest average attendance for one quarter was 81,6 GB; there were 1,020 teachers, with an average of 80 pupils each. Of secondary schools there were 25, with 121 teachers and an average of 21 pupils each. For the maintenance ot these schools there were some very handsome endowments of land, and these would shortly bring in a very handsome revenue but at present they only bring in £100,600. £60,000 of that went to the Secondary Schools, and £40,000 to the Primary. The coat was about £1 per head for the whole of the population of the colony, or £5 5s 3d per head for each child attending the schools. This was a large sum, and he was quite sure the Government would see their way clear to make some reduction in this. He thought one way would be to raise the school acre from five to seven years. Some people thought that £90,000 could be saved this way. He could not

say as to that, but he thought that seven years was quite soon enough for a child to be troubling itself about book learning. He considered il was far better to have a healthy child at 7 than a clever one. Then they had 13 Education Boards, costing the country £IO,OOO a yeat. He thought the School Committees should do the whole of the work aod that it was a humbug to have these Committees to do the dirty work of the Boards. (Loud laughter). With regard to BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS. He did not care to speak upon the subject. He always had been of the opinion, and was so still, that it would be Impossible to satisfy all parties, and that the only way was to have the Education by tho Government free, and not to introduce anything sectarian into it. If it was the wish of the people, that the Bible should be read in schools, they had no right to say no. It was the Book of Life and when it was desired it should be given to the people. (Applause).

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. With regard to grants in aid of Catholic Schools. He had thought over this question, and he could not but see that they were; entitled to that claim. They were contributing equally with the rest of the community towards the support ot the State Schools while at the same time they wore maintaining their own schools. Therefore the State Schools were of no direct benefit to them. He would be in favor, if the schools were open to an inspector, of giving them a grant equal to that they contributed towards the State Schools, that is, what it would cost to educate those children. There was no doubt they were saving the Government a good deal of money, for. if they bad to be educated the Government would have to provide more school accommodation and teachers, fHear, hear), He i'lustrated the justice of the claim by supposing that four farmers should agree to irrigate their land, sharing the cost equally! One, however, afterwards found a spring on his property that obviated the necessity of irrigation oh it. The others would hardly ask him to share the cost of what was no use to him. (Loud applause).

CONCLUSION. He had now gone over the principal topics, and would now give his reasons for not being able to follow either of the two leaders held up to notice. The papers said they must declare either for the Stbut-Vogel or Atkinson Government. ; He would not follow either, , but would follow any man that would do his best for the good of the country. _ If any man was doing what he conscientiously believed to be the best for the good of ; the country he was with that man heart and soul. Wi'h regard to Sir John Hull and Major Atkinson, they more than any other two members in New Zealand had worked into the hands of the moneyed ' men and large capitalists and landowners. They had done more than any ether two men to give them a monopoly of the land, and had never scrupled to lay the burdens upon the people, and they did not seem to care a pin how much ranch burden was borne by the people so long as they could work iuto the hands of those people who put them in office. (Applause.) Sir John Hall was the maker of the pre-emptive right, and then used it himself. There used to be maps printed showing how Sir John Hall’s estate had been obtained. Then, again, he increased the duties on the Customs from 10 to 15 per cent., and Major Atkinson would have introduced the compulsory insurance, by which every young man was forced to contribute about 3s weekly towards his keeping in old age. They abolished the Land Tax and established the Property Tax instead. The Land Tax would have touched the pockets of the wealthy classes ; the Property Tax was a tax upon industry. The Kaiapoi Wollen Factory had to pay £390 a year for taxes on machinery and wool. This industry should be encouraged by every possible means, without having to pay tho Property Tax. The Property Tax osly brought in about £500,000. Putting a tax upon the big estates would do away with tho Property Tax, would leave the

farmers and industries free, and would bring in a very nice sum, (Applause.) The Hsll-Atkinson Government, too, had always been partial ‘to the large landowners. In 1883 the Assessment made upon the Levels properly was reduced by £20,000, and nothin": was said about it. It never came into the Assessment Court, but it was simply said that the Assessor had put too much upon it. Next year it wis reduced by £12,000, but the Atkinson p irty could not be blamed for this, as it was done by, the Court, He could not follow S ; r .In ins Vogel because he whs an extravagant man. Ho dealt v i l h millions

as most people dealt with hundreds 5 therefore he could not trust hint any longer, (Dissent). If he remained in power there must he a restraint put on him. That was why he, could not support him. He (the speaker) hoped there would be

enough members returned to represent the people, and to carry out the objects of the people. He would leave them to choose whom they would of the candidates. If they wanted the representative of weahh and power, there was a man ready-made to their hand. (Hear, hear.) If they wanted a newspaper-man, they had got him, too—(loud applause)—and if they wanted a—(a voice: Brewer)— well, a brewer, they had got him, too. (Loud laughter.) He urged them to think what they were going to do, to make their choice accordingly, and on no account to allow anyone to alter their decision. He hoped they would by all means put the best man in.

Mr Franks spoke for an hour and three quarters, and sat down amidst loud applause.

qpbstiohs. The Chairman then said the candidate was willing to answer questions, and some were immediately handed up. These ware not signed, and after consulting with the candidate the Chairman rose and said it would be much better if the questions were signed. (Cries of “Certainly,” ”No, no,” etc.) The Chairman t The candidate says “ Yes,” and I think every man who wishoo to ask a question should have the courage to sign hie name, (Cheers and howls), Mr Leach thought that the Chairman and candidate were in the hands of the meeting, and the meeting should decide what should be done, Mr Franks sail if Mr Leach liked to call a meeting he was at liberty to conduct it how he liked, but he could not allow Mr Leach to nsurp his place on this occasion. He thought it only right and fair that persona who asked questions should sign their names, as he would want to look over the queitiom after-, wards,

Mr J. Tethoridge ; Would you bring in a bill to punish brewer* for using other than pure malt and hops in the making of beer, seeing the asylums cost the country so much P (Great applause and laughter).—Mr Franks (scratching his head with both hands, and affecting to bo nonplussed) wished to answer all questions, and hoped they would hit home, but they had come upon him with such an onslaught at the start that they had upset him. (Laughter). Ha would not bo in favor of beer being made with pure malt and hops, as he believed they would not drink it, but he certainly should try to make the Inspectors of Adulterated Articles do their duty in a more satisfactory manner than they did at present, the food and drink analysed so that the public should have drink and food offered to them wholesome.

What is the matter with your leg that you keep scratching it f (Great laughter.) —Mr Franks said he was not aware of it, but supposed it was natural consequence i if a place itched it was quite right to scratch it. (Great laughter,) A scratch was a luxury sometimes. Two questions were then handed up that the Chairman thought were too frivolous to ask. Mr Franks said he had-no objection to answering any sensible question, but not those put out of mere curiosity. (Hear, hear) Mr Jas. Carrs If elected would you be in favor of bringing in a bill to prevent the Salvation. Army from parading the towns with bands and torchlight processions, to the annoyance of the public, and to the danger of those in charge of horses f—Mt Frank* did not think such a bill was necessary. They had a Municipal Council which was quite capable of dealing with the matter if they thought it was wrong. (Hear, hear.) Mr H. Williams s Would you be in favor of opening the Milford lagoon to be fished with nets, as I believe several working men could get a living by this means, who are now debarred f—Mr Franks said he certainly would not. The Acclimatisation Society had been doing good work, but what was the use of stocking the rivers with.fiih if they were to go and oatoh and sell them wholesaler He certainly did hope, however, that when the rivers were well stocked . all the present restrictions would be removed, so that they might all go and have a day’s fishing when they felt inclined. Mr Frew : (1) What is your opinion of Mr Salience's bill for putting people on the land, and appopriating money for the working of the scheme P and (2) Do yon believe there is a living secured to these people on their holdings P If so, bow is it provided 7—He did not believe in Mr Ballance exceeding the amount appropriated. He did not think it advisable to settle people on small section* that they could not, get a living out of, and where there was no work He thought the settlements would prove a failure. He didn’t believe in perpetual leates. He thought the freehold system the best.

Mr A. Q-. Wright: Seeing that we have, got a moneyed man, a newspaper man, and a brewer before us, will yea please tell ns which has done the most for the advancement of the colony ?—Sir Franks said he did not think the moneyed men had done much for the colony, but they had monopolised the best part of the land, and loaded the colony with an enormous amount of interest. Regarding newspaper men, he was not very partial to them. He classed them with lawyers, who went into Court and argued on the side on which they were engaged. One must be wrong. He instanced the opposite view# advocated by the Lyttelton Times and Press. Regarding their own paper, three years ago jt favored Mr Rolleston ; now it opposed him. Yet Mrßolleston was Mr Rolleston still. (A. voice: “ What about the : Village Settlements ?") Mr Pranks then sat down, but cries of '• What about the brewer ?” and " Which is the best man ?” arose. Mr Franks said that the Chairman had told him that he had forgotten the brewers. The brewing trade was a good one once, but the olovernment had entirely destroyed it, and he did not- think there was a brewer in the colony but would get out of the business to-morrow if he could; The brewing interest was not to be. despised. It utilised a largo quantity of grain and employed a large number of people. (Loud cries of “It wastes it," howls, groans, and uproar.) Mr Franks: Well, they could have their opinion and ho would have bis. It used a large quantity of malt, and thereby benefited the farmer. It did no harm. If a man got drunk on colonial beer be would say he was a glutton. The brewing trade was a very important one in the Old Country. He instanced Burton-on-Trent, in Staffordshire, where the brewing interest employs hundreds of thousands of men, (Voices: “Draw it mild," and “ Dear me.") After a few remarks, he concluded by stating that the brewing trade was a good one, and should rather be encouraged than decried. (Dbsent.) Mr D. Q, Oleghorne: If sent to Wellington will you bring in a Bill causing all members to bo muzzled ? (Laughter)—Mr Franks said they sent their members to Wellington to express their opinions freely and deliberately. They did not require muzzling. Mr Oleghorne explained that a mistake had been made. Ho did not mean members, he meant “ dogs." Mr Bolton : Are you io favor of Sir Geo. Grey's Bill enabling a plaintiff or defendant appointing any person to aot on his or her behalf in Courts, instead of having to employ a solicitor, who mn-y perhaps be careless in hie duties or may not h ve the brain to conduct the case P—Mr Franks said he was in favor of that in the lower Courts,

Mr Gwe : If you do not believe in perpetual leasee, how about your scheme for cutting up and leasing the Levels Estate at 6 per cent, interest P If you were to sell tbs land might you not have to bny it back again f —Mr Franks laid he would allow anyone who took up a section to buy it as soon as he could, butjwould not allow anyone to have two holditige, Ur Gsees Suppose you purchased the Levels Estate as proposed, would you regulate the rent of the land in accordance with qnality or situation P and, if so, how would you arrive at a fair valuation ?—Mr Franks said he would take the assessment value. The best land would be 6i 6J per acre. Inferior not eo much.

A number of questions were handed up which the Chairman said limply affected Boad Boards, and it would be waste of time to put them. (Cries of “Don’t put them,” “ Smoke oh,” “ Undoubtedly,” etc.) The Chairman then invited anyone to come forward and propose a motion, and, after a considerable pause, Mr G. Bolton went on the platform and, amid some confusion, proposed a vote of thanke to Mr Franks for his address, He thought he was undoubtedly entitled to it. He would not say he was going to support him, but he had made a fair speech. He then praised Mr Franks’ attack on Party Government, Mr Cant ssoonded the motion,

Mr David Leach, who was greeted with loud cries of “ Order,” etc., said ho had an amendment to propose. After a few remarks, he proposed—" I’hat while thanking Mr Franks for his address, as he is a Liberal candidate and there is already a Liberal candidate in the Held, this meeting cannot support him.” Mr Q. Edgar seconded this. Mr Twomey hoped thae the amendment would be withdrawn, It seemed to him that the amendment had been propoied by his friends, and he wished they would withdraw it and give Mr Franks a vote of thanke, for he certainly deserved it. Mr Franks might yet help him. It was his wish that his friends should not interfere with any other candidate at all. (Hear, hear, and applause.)

Mr Leach declined to withdraw his amend* ment until he had explained. Ike Chairman then put the amendment, when seven hands were held up for it, and the motion was put and carried. Mr Franks then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation, and the meeting terminated,

MR BOLLESTON AT MILFORD. Mr Bolleston addressed the Bangitata electors at the Milford School on Tuesday evening. Mr Guild occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance. Mr Bolleston spoke for over two hours, and received a very attentive hearing.

MR PALMER AT ORARI. Mr W. Palmer addressed the electors of the Rnngitaia District in the Orari schoolhouse on Monday evening. The younger portion of the community had made great preparations for giving him a warm welcome, and anything in the shape of eggs or flour was at a premium. As soon as, the schoolroom was opened the larrikin element began to pour in, and it was evident that a rowdy meeting was on the tapis. Several gentlemen were proposed as Chairman, but declined the honor. Finally Mr Goodey, of Temoka, was induced to accept the position. In introducing the candidate he appealed to the audience to assist him (the Chairman) in keeping order. He asked for. a fair hearing for the' candidate. . Mr Palmer then stated that some people were, of the opinion that he had been brought forward and bribed to stand by Mr Rolleston. He could assure them that such was not the case ; Mr Rolleston ; had cothing to do with him, and he intend«d to carry the election to the poll. Mr Palmer then went on with his speech, but a shower of flour and eggs was rained, on him from the doorway. The Chairman seized a blackboard that wag standing near and placed it as a shield between him and the throwers, to the immense amusement ot everybody.; Prom his retreat he occasionally thrust out his head to reconnoitre the enemy, and to show the audience that he was still there, as the latter were making anxious enquiries of “ Where's the Chairman ? The flour and eggs continued to pour in at the candidate till , an elector took a blackboard and tried to barricade the door. This, of-course, was resisted by the larrikins, and a struggle ensued. The i clatter caused by the board, and the shouts and Series of the besieging party, accompanied by the crashing of miniature shells in tbeishape of eggs, and the : heavy thud of the bags of flour, made a j din more easily imagined than described.! Next a shield was formed with the blackboard and a desk behind it to protect the speaker. This having been done the Chairman remarked “ Go on, Mr Palmer. Show pluck.” (Laughter). The shield proved of very little use, and finally 'the stalwart form of “ The Village Blacksmith” was seen to rise and Mr Coles adopted the sensible plan of shutting the door, oyer which he kept guard like a sentinel and for some time a certain amount of quiet was obtained; broken only by the howls nf the besiegers outside and a few jocose remarks by those within. The latter at last increased loan interruption,and the Chairman again begged for a fair hearing for the candidate. They were, ho sta‘ed, all of an equal power there and they should be careful how they used it. If they elected Mr Palmar he would be a real “ thistle ” in the side of Mr Rolleston, and if elected he would at least do no more barm than many of those who were at present in the House. This appeal had the desired pfiVct and Mr Palmer finished his speech, shook the floor out of his chair and sat down amidst applause. The Chairman then said the candidate was willing to answer questions. The first was “ Does Mr Pa'mer know how many rotten eggs are laid in store for him 7” (Lond laughter). Another fusilade of flour and eggs, which was expended upon both speaker and Chairman caused the latter to aver that if order was not , kept he would not stop. Another question was banded up, but before it could,jbe read

such a storm of the missiles arose that the Chairman left the chair, This was a signal fora general melee, during which flour and eggs were freely used, and out of which the combatants came appearing like millers, and more than one was seen wiping the dust out of his eyes, bevcral attempts were made to keep the assailants out, and restore order while loud cries ofChairman ” resounded on all sides. Finally a large ball struck Mr Palmer, covering him with flour. This was too much for him, and seizing his hat he lowered his head, charged through his tormentors, and disappeared into the darkness. The meeting finally broke up in the utmost disorder.

Sir Gfeo. Grey addressed a crowded meeting aft Napier on u/ouday evening, and received quite an ovation. Ha spoke against the Government.

The Hon. Major Atkinson addressed a public meeting at Wellington on Monday evening, and was accorded a veto of thanks, two or three of those present dissenting. S» denied the charge that the Opposition wished to reduce wages or import Kaffir labour j or that his Government had been most ex travagant in borrowing. He held that a graduated property tax would drive away capital. Speaking of retrenchment he said he did not consider the salaries of ministers or the honorariums of members too high, but he thought they most be reduced. The education system should not be altered, The public works should proceed slowly, but there must be no further borrowing next session. The Premier, Sir Eobert Stout, addressed a crowded meeting at Lyttelton on 7 uesday evening. He commenced by saying ho was there to endeavor to put the policy of the Government, and also of the Opposition, clearly before the electors. From what he could understand, the policy of the Opposition was that it differed aoosrding to th« views held in each district on the all-im-portant matter of retrenchment. He dealt at considerable length on economy in the Civil Service. He had figures before him, and he would challenge any Opposition member or any newspaper to deny that his Government bad effected a saving of £83,000 excluding non recurring votes. Each district was crying out for retrenchment in some other district. With, regard to . local industries he submitted that local industries had increased rather than decreased. If they were freetraders they could not object to the importation of Kaffir labor. It was for those present to say whether this was to •be a great colony or whether it was to be simply a wool and wheat producing and merchant maintaining colony. Sir Robert defended the graduated property tax proposed by his Government, and submitted that it was only.fair. About 7000 of the richest taxpayers of the colony would bo effected. He could show those present that his Government had done more in the matter of land settlement than any Ministry who bad yet been in power. A hearty vote of thanks to Sir Robert S out and oonfionoeiu tu the Government was passed amidst cheers, and the meeting pledged itself to support any candidate in the Government interest. Sir Julius Yogel addressed a large meeting at Dunedin oh Tuesday, evening. He defended the Government, and urged that whether in borrowing or extravagance Hall, Bryce, and Atkinson could give him points. A vote of thanks was paaa«d.