THE ELECTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1630, 6 September 1887, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

MR BOXTON AT GERALDINE. Mr S. Buxton, one of;- the' ...can-' didates for the Rangitata seat r ad• dressad the electors in the Oddfellows' Hall, Q»rildine, on Friday evening hut. The hall was packed, and the meeting proved one of the most orderly that has taken place there during the' present election. In the absence of Mr P-. EL Pearpoint, Mr Maul in was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate, who was listened to with the utmost attention from beginning toend. INTBODUCTORT. Mr Buxton, who, on coming forward, was received with applause, expressed tho pleasure it gave him to see so mauy there to meet him that night. There was prubtbly a variety of reasons why so many of them were present, but ho hoped they would give hitn a pntient and attentive hearing. (Hear, hear.) He was not an old politician, and he would ask for their sympathy and attention while he endeavored to explain his views to them. (Applanse.) He had as a rule made a few remarks as to himself at the commencement of his meetings. He was not ac-

customed to stand before them to speak on such important events as those he was about to address them on. He was to a great extent a stranger to many of them. Had he been an old politician who had stood before them on previous occasions he would not have needed to say anything about himself. He had been in Ne« Zealand about 21 years last January. During that lime he had resided about nine years rear Obristchurch, and about four years at West Milton, from whence he had removed to the Rangitata Island, where ho now resided when at home. He could assure them he did not feel very much at homo that evening. He had been a tenant farmer for about 20 years in the colony. As a man he was pretty well known about Canterbury. He had not travelled very much, and had been in no other part of New Zealand since he landed. He thought that as a man he could stand before them without, feeling ashamed of his character. (Hear, hear.) ! Evor since ho ewe to the coloDy he had j been what he would call a working farmer, very often worKing for others. H» had never been in a v«ry high uosition, and had never had much wealth, but had always been able hitherto to pay 20j in the . £. He had never lost a great deal of money, as he had never had a great deal to lose. (Langhter.) He was thankful to say h« had never lost much of other i people's money. He looked upon hi*neelf as an honest man who had tried in an honest way to get an honest living as well »s he could. He was now occupying a farm of some 1400 acres on the Rangitata > Island, and as an employer of labor he was not ashamed to meet any man that he had ever employed. Some of those 1 present had work-id for him, while others * had not, but he was not ashamed or afraid ' to meet any man that had ever worked for him or sat at his tnble. (Applause). Hi - had dono business with merchants, and dealers, as they knew a man occupying a - farm of that szo would have to do, both • in Ashburton, Timaru, and Torauka, since he had been in that neighborhood, and lie

had done some little business in Geraldine. He was not ashamed to stand before any bufiness men with whom he had dealt with 'regard to his character, and he was not afraid to meet aay question th«y might auk while standing before them offering his services in the very important matter no.v in question. He thought ho had said enough as to his good deeds, and as to hi? bad ones he was not going to tell them anything about them. (Liughter.) He did not nay he bad no faults. He had some faults, which they perhaps knew, but he did not wish to ba reminded of them. If, however, there was anything very serious in his character, he was open to crittciam on that ground. They all knew that if there was anything wrong in a man's character when he stood for Par-

liament out it came and was lifte.i up on hiah. He thought this was quite right. If a man *ns guilty of low, skulking actions in private li r «, there was nothing wrong in letting the people see what sort of man they rere going to send to Parliament. So if they had any faults to find with him they were quite we'come to ask qupstians, -and h« wou'd clear himself if he could. (Hear, heir.). Ho was not quite a volunteer in coming forward. He had been invited by a great many friends, nnd the matter had been pressed very heavily upon him for about

three weeks bsfors he consented to stand. He was so hesitant about this important matter t hat he scucely knew how \o doolie, but he asked his friends thsir opinions, ant asked himself a great miny questions about the important matters that he was likely to come before the public upon, and fter listening to the pressing invitations and receiving a nu-merously-signed requisition ho decided to stand. There had been a good many rumors about his corning forward befo r e he had done so. Some said at first that ho was going to run a r>ice with Mr Bolleston. Others said that Ve was a fiiend of Mr RollastoD, and would not come out. He could assure them that he did not come forward as a friend of Mr RM'eston's, and when once he had made up his mind forward it was his determination to go to the poll, let the con- I sequences be what r they might. (Loud applause).

MR ROLIESTON. He wou'd like to aiy a few words about Mr Rolleston. He was as they kn«w a migbbor of his (Mr Btix'on's), and a good one. He had h*en trented with the greatest kindoe«s as if lie was the equal of Mr Rolleston. He lud nott he least f.uijt to fiod with Mr Rolleston a.va gentlemw. On the contrary he hid nlwavs received tin greitest kindnftHß. Mr Rollflßton had

invited him to his house, and had nnt at his table. Ho h»d no f..u't to find with bim as a gentl<-nnn, bot at the same time his riaws and Mr Rolleatoo's did not harmonise. F >r die pant th'ee years he (the spssker) had beso c«iefully reading H«nnard, nnd had watched tin vnrioiis movements in the Hou*e of Parliament as well •« he could, and he thought he a*w a g 'eat many errors <»nd faii'ii. Th a y knew v«rv well thnt he *a» once a supporter of Mr RolleHton's, and once work»d for him to got bim returned for parliament. However, rui«4 he had r«ad and thought over H*us4rd his viawn d ff-red from Mr Itolleston'a considerably, and he was som3wh«t drawn from liis esteemed friend in his political view's before he was invited to come forward. On this acooanthei

made up .his mind to come and the election with bis friend, so that it should not go altogether by default. He had beard that Mr Rolleaton had said tint he had .promised to support him in tllg - election in the beginning. Mr Rolleaton must hate misunderstood him it he sail so. He (Mr Buxton) never heard him say bo, but he had heard it. He never promised such a thing. Had he pro* raised to do so he would have stuck to his word like a man, and gone right on with him to the pell. (Applause)^. 4 He did not intend to' say anything more about Mr Rolleston than he could possibly help. Of course while one was in particular faror with a man one looked ore* a great many faults. They knew the old saying that Jove hid many a fault. But when they turned away from that man and his views tbey saw a great many faults that they could not possibly see before.. He might say he had seen a great many faults in bis friend, bnt he should try to be as lenient with them as he could when he mentioned them. When ha made up his mind to run this election he saw Mr Rolleston upoa the platform of Rangitata. Me told him he was just off to Temuka to run a race with him. Mr Rolleston looked at him very

earnestly, and "Oh, indeed. Then let me tell you you wont win.". (Laughter). His (Mr Buxton's) reply was that many a batter man than he bad run in this in* port»bt race and not woo, and if he ran against Mr Rolleston and was a little beI hind it would be no disgrace to him. He had nothing particular to say' against Mr Rolleston's statements, As regards his figures he bad no intention of entering into them. " They were not much in his line. He had become so confused with the figures that had come be* fore him since he had began in this matter that he did not know what to say about the figures that were presented in the political* statements made by various members. They were so confl toting and contradictory that they had puzzled him many times, and if anybody present could understood the figures of the various legislators as placed before them in the newspapers he must be a wonderfully clever man indeed. (Applause).," He nothing particular to go upon but the]

utterances of several men, is be was not behind the screen, and judging {rem them he did not think that things were quite as bad as Mr ltolleston bad paiated them, On cne occasion at the Rarigitata Island Mr Bolleston's political speech was much milder than it was at another piiice, whore he had heard him. At the RangitaU he (the speaker) listened with some degree of pleasure, but with a great amount of surprise, to Mr Rollenton's speech, which seemed to be principlly madeup with finding fault with the transactions of Government. He did it in rather a {gentlemanly manner at the ißangitata, and he (Mr Buxton) was I Chairman for him upon the occasion. The Chairman: of the School / Committee stout'; refused to preside, and I consented. After tho meeting was over, nnd Mr Rolleatoa was thanking him for having presided, he (Mr Buxton) had Baid he did not expect the honor of being Chairman at thai meeting, seeing that the Chairman of the School Committee was there. He said, however, that'; if' he came. out and contested the election would ask Mr Bolleston to take the chair for him. In a fsw days it got to Mr Bolleston'o ears that he (Mr Buxton) had been called upon to stand. Mr Bolleston uame to him and asked him if it was true. The speaker said very

likely it was—Ue was thinking seriously about it, A conversation took p'ace between them and Mr Rolleston seemed in a very gentlemanly maimer to say that it was not likely he could withdraw, but he (the speaker) could, as he h«d not g*»ie so far as Mr Bolleston. He Bbowed him (the speaker) what he waß likely to be exposed to, and said that if he stood be would cause him (Mr Rolleston) to trot round again, and that would be a serious expense. [To Mr Coltmaa : Jit is a fact, sir, you look rather hard about it, but it is a fact.] (Load cheer*.) Ho did not think he was saying anything disrespectful of Mr Rolleston ; if he did think so lie would not say it. Mr Rolleston came to their* meeting on the Monday night at the] schoolroom, and for three hours he stood there and gave utterance to such remark* about the Stout-Vogel Government as caused him (Mr Buxton) to be completely surprised. He was surprised to listen to such remarks at his friend's meeting. He did not thiok he would have raade.such remarks if there had been a reporter there. That was bis opinion. However, he had heird and read a good many strange remarks about the Stout-Vogel Government, arid he had heard some strange remarks about the Hall-Atkinson Government— and he had read some strange things about both parties. When he had looked upon these remarks as a man he had wondered where

the truth of the matter was to be found. One side seemed to blame the other side for being; deceitful to the community and quite the wrong kind of men to legislate for the future welfare of our country, and both sides were the same in this respect. As he looked at this he thought it a very sad thing. If both sides wete speaking the truth it wai a sad state of. things to think that they had among their legislators a number of men who were, trying

to feather their own heVs. If they were npeaking the truth it was Bid, and if they wer« not speaking the truth it wis sad. The opinion he had come to respecting these wild statements was that he did not think it was intended *o nnke out that the other side was utterly •deceitful and unworthy of support, but both sides wanted to show that their own side was the most honorable, and,,above all things, that the people should rota for them. {According to his id< a th-re were a great many Members of Parliament who were honorable and worthy gentlemen, and were „of the highest class

.or legisators tney could expect to find m New Zealand. He had a : high opinion t( himself of a great imny of thnse gen*!«m n n, and he thought they could not spare a great miny of them under any consideration whatever They needed culture and educat-d gentlemen in the Housemen who were able to combat with the rarioua mutters of weight and importance •* that men like himself, for instance, could not deal with. Therefore he had a better opinion of th»se members bj far than they had of each other. (App'au e.) Mr Uollestbii's speeches appeared to be made up of finding fault with the men 'hot he (the speaker) thought a very great deal more of than his (Mr Rolleston's) friends, lie had read some ipeeob.es of Sir John {Hall, to be .more

' : mild and calm than his friend Mr Rollesion. These men seemed at a loss to find • anything better, to bring before the conn--1 try than

BBTRENCHMKNT. This was their great remedy. He did not. hear quite so much about this matter now as at the beginning. - At the first, however, it seemed to be tho principal theme for the benefit of the country. He thought retrenchment needed looking at very carefully. He thought they might retrench too much for their good. He quite believed there must be some retrenchment in various parts of our Government, and in other matters connected with our country. Retrenchment must be parti* culsrly watched, and done with the greatest care and thought. As to retrenchment, hs had generally said a little about retrenchment; of the farming community. He was aware this had not much to do with politics, strictly opes king, He would like to say a few words about this, as he had been to some extent misunderstood »bout statements he had made upon

this particular point. He would like to explain himself a little more fully. As a farming community he thonght they had retrenched to the lowest. He knew something about this particular branch of life, and he thought they had retrenched to the very lowest—as low as they should do. He bad stated tbatthere were men to be fonndjwbo were willing to woik for 10< per week and their food rather than walk ..about without work and looking for it. (A voice: They're dear at thit.) Not

that the men considered it a fair price ; neither did the farmer that employed them consider it a fair piice. He had been understood to say that men were working for 10a pir week and were thankful for it. He had cot meant that they were thankful to e;et it and would be satisfied with working for 10s pr week. He knew tbia was not a fair wage for the labor rendered, but he mentioned it to show the sUte of affairs among the working men willing to work. He know it was a fact that there were mea who would rather take 10s per week and their food than walk about without work. He knew those things fer a fast, as did also several others. It was a pity, and Bhowed that something was wrong, and he should like to sea things improved in that direction. (Loud applause.) He had said tbia to show that they had retrenched too much. They had done so by necessity and not by choice. If he himself were pnt of work and seeking for employment be would rather work for 10s per week till he could get something better thin go without wotk at all. There were also men around them offering to work for 5s per day. He did not consider this sufficient. It was not a fair price. He hed been called to account for this. He said that twenty years ago men had 8s par day for eight hours' work. But 63 per day now was.quite equal to 8s per day then. He maintained that if men could get constant work at 5s per day now, taking into consideration the price of food then and now, tbey would be pretty nearly as well paid now as then ; but men could get 8s per day then without much trouble, and they.could afford to pay for food, and had not to go far for wrrk. He maintained that twenty years ago wages were better for working men than they were now. They needed! not to go very far then to have offered to tbem a 60-acre seotioo for the price they would now have to pay for a 5-acre Bection. The land was open to them then, and a tnau with any means had a better opportunity then than he had now. Thus as farmers they had retrenched too much. They had paid off their men when they

would ra l her hnve kept them, and had to ' pay to landlords and mortgagees money that they would have rather spent in wages. Some of them had had to get into debt to such an extent that they could scarcely keep their farms in profitable condition and in the order they would . like -to do. He had been speaking to a gentleman in the Ashburton d>'atnct on th b matter who hud got a good farm without any encumbrance. He said to Him Yon have got a good farm which you value at £6 per acre. How much will it

tako to work that farm 1 The price was ; given. Can you make that farm pay 7 per cent, on your capital ADd outlay, and maintain your family. The answer was No, by no means j it would not par 5 per cent. Thus by his own showing it was not paying as it should do. He hoped the next movement would be upwards and not retrenchment by farmers. (Applause.) He nculd.now say a little about the .'■■■".'.■■'■ CIVIIi SEBVICE. As he hvi done before he should like to commence at the bottom instead of at the top.' He did not think it advisable to retrench among the civil servants at the very lowest point, tlnre musi be a line drawn somewhere. He had been a civil servant, and held the honorable position .of Postmaster-General of the Rangitata

Island. (Laughter.) When he determined to stand for Parliament he at once had to resign bis position of a civil servant of the Crown. For bis duties he received the munificent salary of per day. (Liughlte"r.) He did not think it would be advisable to retrench upon that. (Loud laughter.) Then the platelayers on the railways got only 6s Sd per day, and often had homes and largs families to keep. To , his mind it would he cruel and wrong, * and injurious to the public generally, to interfere with their pay. (Hear, hear.) Hb' thought they should draw the line at those servants who were getting ICa per day. The men who worked for 10s p;r day and six days a week wore, he thought, the men who did the hard labor in the Civil Service. It would be unfair and niireasotable to retrench on that amount.

' Than ihey went high And higher up. But > here he wag almost.at a loss, as he did not understmd properly the work they had to do, and he would like to know something before he stated where ha thought retrenchment should be made in respect to these servants of the Government. He thought that in th» v rious positions of "" the Civil Service man should be paid according to the work and iesponsib'lity laid upon their shoulders by their position. There were some who deserved more than ' others. His friend at the back had said that 10s per we« k was plen'y for some men. He did not think it was sufficient for'any man that did a fair day's work for . bin employrr. Ths Civil Servants should be paid according to their work, and he would like to he»r from thosn who knew about »h*ir w rk before he sai i where retienchmont shun d take place. THB HONORARIUM. With r gurd Co the borioranum. There had bceu a gre-t cja-»l paid ab ul it, and there were very few but said th»y would

■ out it down to £l5O. He would not bo one of them if they elected him. He ■ weald not bo in favor of catting down the honorarium of the ilepresentatives. He did not think it at all too mueh. That was if ;fhey wanted to have a few farmers and mechanics sent to Parliament to assirit 'in the reprosentation of the country. In the first place they had to canvass the district at the time of the election, and this was a considerable expense. His honorable friend, Mr Rolleston, hud ftated j to somebody that it had cost him already £SO. It had been said that he (Mr Buxton) had said that Mr Kolleston had told him so. That was a mistake. He had aever said that, but that Mr Rolleston had told a gentleman it had already cost him £SO io going round to contest the election. If it had cost him £SO already he could tell them as a fact that Mr Kolleston told him that if he (Mr Huxton) came out he would have to trot round again. There would be £IOO of hie honorarium. Before be (Mr Bnxtony decided to come forward he asked the opinion of two Ashburton merchants upon the subject, and they said if he had two or three hundred pounds to spare he might as Well go into it. If it cost that much to ctyntost the election what were they to get for their labor and troubla 1 If the.y sent him up he should vote for the £2OO so they could please themselves. (Applause,)

THE MINISTERS. He thought there was justifiable reason for retrenchment with the Ministers if they got £I2OO and had homes found for them. He thought they should at least find themselves homes. They should also have « smaller salary. He believed, however, that when Parliament met again these gentlemen wonld be willing to have a part of their salary taken off to meet the present times, He thought when Parliament did m«et again they would have % batter Government and better regulations than ever New Zealand had seen btfore. He thought the members whether old or new would see their way clear to. make retrenchment wherever it was ri:»ht and just. He thought if those gentleman saw that they were receiving more than they ought to do, and that the general public thought so too, there would be retrenchment made.

governor's salary. As regards the Governor's salary, be had very little faith in retrenchment there. It might or it might not be. However, h 9 had aßked Mr Rolleßton if there was any probability of the Governor's salary being reduced. In reply, he said he did not see why it should not." He (Mr Buxton) s*id, " Do you believe it will be ; do you believe that there is a probability of its being reduced." Mr Rolleston said, " I don't'see why it should not be." He (Mr Buxton) said, "I should like you 10 answer my question, sir. Do you think there is a probability ?' The reply was.that there was an amount of difficulty in dealing with it. They would have to get the Governor's sanction, and then the sanction of the Imperial Pari anient. It seemed to him (Mr Buxton) that there were so many difficulties about it that it was a question if it would be done at all. But in the Rangitata schoolroom Mr Rolleston tried to show him and his neighbors that it was only rensonable and j.ij»ht that the Governor should have £SOOO taken from his salary. He (Mr Rolleston) gave hiß reasons in thin way : You know, he said, it is not right for such Inrfye amounts to be paii to gentlemen to got up banquets for members of Parliament—to entertain'them at gorgeous banquets. Gentlemen, ho said, can you think of being at work here in the held and money being taken from your hard earnings to get up these gorgeous banquets to antertain the members of Parliament 1 Why his (Mr Buxton'«) friends looked at him so earnestly, as if to say, "No Mr Rolleston, we don't think it is right, aDd you will be the gentleman to put a stop to it." But he (Mr Buxton) could not repress a smile, and Mr Rolleston bethought himself, and said, " I have been to some of these entertainments, but it was only etiquette and civil to go, but I assure you I did not feel very comfortable there." (Loud laughter). Now, gentlemen, just a moment. This waa very nice, but really he should have liked it if it bad been in a little better form. It would have suited his mind better. He thoughti when he heard Mr Rolleston speaking, if he could have seen him in some of those beautiful banquets, sitting in an easy chair, with his legs crossed comfortably one over the other, a glass of sherry or champagne in bis hand, and perbups a cigar in bia mouth, he would have said "You look very comfortable it any rate." (Loud applause and laughter.) These were tha thoughts that were going through his mind at the time that gentleman was speaking of the retrenchment of the Governor's salary. He thought a good many of these statements were made for the purpose of making tho electors think they had got the right man before them to send to Parliament. (Applause).

THB PROPERTY TAX. I The Property Tax and a Graduated Property Tax were, ho thought, the great questions of the present day. The Property Tax, he thought, wis just and fair. YVbat they understood by property wae the wealth of the country, and it seemed only fair to place an equal amount of tax on a'l properly. The £SOO exemption seemed to him to be equally right and just. There were som« who looked at the present property fax as being unjust and wiong. It certainly tvxedthe industry of a man. For instance, here wera two men each occupying a farm. One was a very industrious man, tilled his f*rm well, and kept everything in the beat of order. By hia hard work, *kill, and carefulness he tnnde his property va u*ble to himself and tl e community at large. He enhanced the value of hi* property by hi* industry ; he hnd the value, and that value is taxed, and in that way it looked junt and right. His noigiibor living beßide him was a Bort of lazy, thuf'te-s fellow, who lived in a dilapidated dwel ing that he took no pains abou'.audal'owedeveryihingtogo to ruin. His property was not valued nearly so high, because it was not w.uth so much. I The man that took c»re of his farm wis 'taxed for his industry, whilst the Inz/ fe'lovr went almost free. Now this at first looked unjust, and it did not at first look right tr> tax the industry of a m in. Yet in the right, of the present, it was not unjust but right. The progressive property tax he thought in many instances came up.in the simn level, but there wer< a few ways in which it seemed to him wrong. For instance, a gentleman holding property to the value of £2500 had iii

the first place the £SOO exemption taken from him and had to pay an increase upon the present tax. He thought at first this looked wrong, and that the whole thing would ha better if 'he whole thing wore altered to a land and income tax. If sent to Wellington he was not going to have it all his own way there, but would stale his views like any other man. He knew very well there were a great many gewlemen better able to judge upon this matbr than himself, but he gave his views for what they were worth. I

IHE LAND LAWS. As to the present land laws and freehold tenure : A freehold tenure proper was in many respects preferable. Almost every many liked to have a freehold I tenure of a piece of ground—that no man had a right to put him off in any sense of the word, and it was generally argued that this formed the best tenure. However, there was a great deal to be said against the freehold tenure. He had known quite a number of persons in his time who had bought a good farm in the early days, and by thrift and industry had cleared it off. When the Public Works policy was in fall Bwing, and everything was making such rapid progress, these properties became very valuable, and he had known a number who had been tempted to sell their freeholds at a good price, and going further into the country

lay out their money in more extensive farms, which they were unable to pay for ; and thus they lost their all and were now working for wages in their old age. If they had had a tenure that would not have allowed them to part with their land they would have been in a far better position today. They had been induced to part with their freehold tnd had lost everything. However, the people of this colony had the privilege of buying land and calling it their own, and the country to-day was suffering to a very grunt extent because of this liberality. Gentlemen had come, to New Zealand—large capitalists—and had invested that capital, and had gone to England and other parts of the world, and to-day the people of New Zealand were paying millions of money to absentees, who were spending tho hard earnings of New Zealand's sons of toil in England, on the Continent, and in other parts of the world. They had to send millions of monsy from New Zealand to pay interest on the public and private indebtedness, and this was injuring our country. Had the land been let upon perpetual lenses years ago it would have been much better for New Zealand. They were groaniDg beneath a load of debt and they ecnrcely knew how to lift their heads or move themselves in this most beautiful country, because they had sold the land, while gentlemen were leaving the country and spending the hard earnings of New Zealand in other pnrts of the world. (Loud applause.)

LAHD ACQUISITION. As to buyinsr the land back which had been thus bought up. It had been said it would be a good thing fer the working c!a?seß if these lands were bought back, and the working men placed upon small holdings. He had his doubtß .upon the Bubj?cr. If this was likely to become law it would be gr<»itly abused, and the land would cost so much to buy that the industrial classes could not work it profitably and they would not be much better off. New Zaaland land had become too dear. The millions of money spent five yeara ago in public works gave a fictitious value to the land. Peo.do rushed to get a small piece, and land became too high to be profitable to settlers in New Zealand. They were so many thousand miles away from markets that they could not get sufficient remuneration for the aon3 of toil of New Zealand, who were toiling upon tho land. They did not like to see the prices going down—they like to see them rise—but when they rose too high they became oppressive to the poor, the tradesman, the statesman, and everybody else. When he was in England property was worth very much more than it was now. It was worth about half now, and in many instances not half, what it wis than. The oppression had become so severe at Home that the people bad to fly to other ports of the world to gain their living. TLey did so, and wrent north, south, east and west. He to'd some of the farmers when h« was leaving

that the day would come when the sonß of toil who were leaving would turn round and pour their produce into England, and bring down the price oE f.roduca and the value of the land. They laughed and said " they can go to Australia and New Zealand, they cannot hurt us there, but we do not want them to go to America. We are afraid of America, but we are not afraid of Australia and New Zealand." He had only been in New Skaland about two years when the first shipment of grain was sent from Sout.bbridge, aod they all knew what millions of tons were now landed annually upon the shores of Great Britain from the productive soil ot New Zealand. The return of oppression had now come upon the heads of the farmers, who were at one time almost like lords, and the farmers at Home now did as a great many did in New Zealand, and worked upon their farms, while the statesmen who were landholders did not get what they formerly did in the way of rent. The knd had come down. In New Zealand it was too dear, but he did not think the acquisition of these large rune was likely to be of benefit to the people just yet. His idea was that the land now open for seleotion could not be much brtter dealt with than by perpetual leases. It would be muoh. better for the whole community. They had now hundreds «f men walking about without labor and land lying idle and not being worked. Land doing nothing and laborers doing nothing, ani if th«y could get the men upon the land to work it and keep themselves they would be doing a grand work. (Loud applause.)

JBBETBADH AND PROTECTION. He was quite satisfied that ihey needed Protection, and must have it. It was absolutidy necessary for the country if it wars to prosper. (Applauae.) NotbiDg which could be produced in our own country must be allowed to coma in free. Ihey must have Protection upon tbes» items of food and clothing which they could produce and manufacture here. It would not do to allow of goods to be-imported here to their huit. Supposing tbe peo, la of Geraldine had to pay a trifl) more for their things, it wouli stdl be better for tshem to do 80, and keep the money in the township among themselves, than take it oui of the town, the Bime thing applied to the whole of the colony. He kn.-w a large family a Home wbo work.d on that prin- ; ciplr, and prospered -»m z They wanted to havo the induslri-s of' the aqlony fostered, and he was in favor of Protection, (Appl.uge.)

FABir •OTEBNMHKT. As to Party Governments, he thought ha had been somewhat mietnken with respect to this. He had thought it would be better if theso Party G-overnment could be done away with, but after muoh thought ho had come ta the conclusion that it was at present impossible. Thersfore he would not say muoh about it. To his mind Sir John Hall, Sir Bobert Stout, and Mr JBallanoe were the most trustworthy legislators they oould trust the affairs of the oolony to, as leaders at the present time. Sir John Hail and Major Atkinson were gentlemen of great ability, J eduoation and talent. Perhaps Major Atkinson was one of the best fiaanoiers in New Zealand, but, judging from their past history, his Government were not likely to be of suoh advantage to the oountry as the Stout-Vogel G-overnment. Therefore be declared himself in favor of the Stout-Vogol Government in preference to the HallAtkinson Government, (Loud applause and oheere,) There were a great many reasons why he should support that party, but he supposed they were known to most in the room. THH HUMBBB 02 BBPRESENTATIVBS .

He had thought a good deal about this, and he was of opinion that they had too many. From what he oould see, he fancied 51 would be sufficient to represent them. It appeared to him that the system of government was too expensive, and he thought it could be managed with far lets members. It had been urged against this that a poor man oould not represent the people in Parliament if the number was lessened, The expenses of canvassing would be so great as to almost shut the poor man out of Parliament. He would like to ask how many poor men were in i Parliament now t Not a great many. Ho did not think they would have many lest in then than now, when there were 91 members. The contesting of an eleotion oould be managed oheaper if the electors would take a little trouble to meet the candidates at some central spot. They would then not have so muoh expense in canvassing, This little matter could be easily arranged. At present a candidate was bound to go to every little place, or lose the votes and friendship of his supporters. THE LEGIBLA.TIVS COUNCIL. With regard to the Legislative Council, a great many people thought it should be done away with altogether. He did not that it should. Their salaries might be cut down, and their number reduced to 30, as quite sufficient. But these were matters he did not properly understand, and did not profess to be competent to judge properly as to the number of men who should compose the Upper House, or the number that should be in the Lower House. (Applause), THE BUNS.

The leases of the rung whioh would fall in in 1890 wai a matter of muoh importance, and he thought this was one of tho burning questions of the day, " What will be done with out runs in 1890 P" He thought that these runs should be oarefully examined, and that the parts fit for settlement should be apportioned in farms suitable for small holdings and farmers settled upon them for a very nominal rent. If this were done it would be to the advantage of the community at large. The parts only fit for pastoral leases should ba let by lot or auction, so that they would be very muoh more open to the public than at the present time. He was informed that a great many of these were let for from id to l£d per aore. A great many men with small means would be glad to take small holdings of good soil. (Applause) He had not oome before them with very sanguine expectations that they would return him to Parliament, but he asked them to do so. He had a great deal of confidence in many of them, but at the same time some of them were opposed to him. If they eleoted him he would try to deal with everything that came before him in Parliament in the same manner as ho had dealt with any business transactions that he bad passed through hishauds during tho 21 years he had lived amongst them. (Loud applause). He would further state that as far as he understood himself he would not be caught with the smile or bought with the gold of any of his superiors. (Applause). He would use to the bast oi his ability and judgment all his powers for the welfare of Now Zoaland, and he would try and do all he could to promote its interests by word and deed. He looked upon New Sfcaland as the grandest country in the world, and he would tell them oandidly that he would rather be in New Zealand without a shilling in his pooket than he would be in the grand Old Country they talked so much about if they landed him upon its shores and gave him £SOO. (Applause).

BDUOATIOK. He was. reminded that he had not spoken npon education. Ha thought it would be dangerous to interfere, with the present National System of Eduoation whioh he looked upon as a very sound and sensible system of education. He looked upon the education of their childron as being one of the most important things that they as a people had to look to for the future of New Zealand, and he would not do the least thing that would mar that great and honorable system. It was working rery well, especially primary eduoation and he would not be in favour as far as he could understand it now of iaterfering with it one iota. He had his doubts about seoondary eduoation, but as he did not profess to be a very educated man he did not think he was the right'man to judge of the system of seoondary education. However, it ■eemed to him to oost far too muoh and he thought great retrenchment might be made in seoondary eduoation. However, if he was sent to Parlfament he would hear the pros and cons of this great and important movement, and make up his mind for yes or ho, but could not say just now. He could not point to any particular thing he would like to have altered just at present in the educational system of New Zealand. (Applause ) Before sitting down he would like to read them a rather disheartening letter sent to him by one of the candidates. He hoped the audienoe would give him their sympathy in the matter. The .letter was to the effect that " seeing the writer and Mr Buxton were both contesting the present election as supporters of the present Government, the writer thought it would be the proper course for Mr Buxton to withdraw, as there was not the slightest ohanoe of his being returned against the wrier, seeing the lattar was to obtain the support of the whole district." The letter was sighed "William Palmar, M.H.8.," and the reading of it threw the audienoe into convulsions. Mr Buxton said ha had another little matter to mention before he sat down. Ha had been misrepresented in rather an amusing way. It was an amusing mistake but it had got into the papers wrongly in Aehb rton. On Saturday night last a gentleman was going to his (Mr Buxton's) bouse when he met Mr Rolleston in the train, who said "Give my respeots to Mr Buxton, and ask him ' Who killed oaok robin ?'" The mistake with regard to this was made in this way. When in Aahburton he asked the electors to send him to Parliament, and said if they do so he should be something like a boy he knew in the Old Country. The boy l»id a long tram of grain upon the ground and went behind a fenoe and watched till the sparrows came down.and lit upon the grain, and when he ant a g>odlj number of them there he fired and killed a. uqmher of them. Going to pick them up he found amongst tbein a little robin red breast, and all knew t Datl in the Old Country a red I breast was alniott sacred among the boy*. Hd [pioked up the robin, and was very sorry,

stroked it with his hand,repefcting several times " Poor little robin, I am sorry you are dead." At last he said " Well, robin, it serves you right, you should have kept out of bad oom pany." He told them in Ashburton that if they tent him to Parliament and left his friend behind he (Mr Buxton) would jmt strokejhim downand say, "Poor Mr Kolleston, you should have kept out of bad company," (Loud laughter and applause.) Mr Buxton, who was most cordially reoeived, sat down amidst continued applause.

QtrEIXIOKB. The Chairman then invited anyone present to ask the oandidate questions. An elector: Do you approve of the financial proposals of the present Government?— Mr Buxton: Not altogether. There are some items I think which would have been altered if they had been allowed to go into Committee. But as a rule lam dooidedly in favor of them. If you had been in the Houbo how would you have voted upon Major Atkinson's amendment upon the Customs duties debate P —Mr Buxton: I should certainly have been in favor of the matter being brought into Committee. Mr Quin: If 30 members are sufficient for the Upper House, how would you reduce I them ? Would you let them die off, or how P —Mr Buxton: As far as I can understand it I think the only plan would be to let the n quietly die off. (Laughter.) Mr Quia: If returned would you support an eight hours' bill if brought in.—Yes* I would be in favor of voting for the Eight Hours Bill, but at the same time if you or any other man liked to work upon your own place more you oould do so if you liked. (Laughter.) Mr Stokes wanted to know if Mr Buxton would be in favor of a Bill being passed making it illegal for any bank or company to oharge more than 5 per cent. At present if a mine was found, say at EJskahu, it was impossible to work it owing to the high rate of interest to be paid, (Deafening cheers) Mr Stokes you must do it. (Laughter.)— lrfr Buxton: I will do my best for your interests and those of every other man, Mr Quin : Would you be in favor of the Government selling the railways, or handing them over to non-politioal boards?—Mr Buxton: I think they are muoh better as they are. If they were handed ovar to a non-political board it would be a very great expense to the oountry, and as far as I oan judgo I think tnere would be little or no improvement. (Applause). Mr Darlow : Would you vote for the proposed ohange in the eduoation system ? That is making the sohool age seven instead of five, or lowering the standard from six to four. —Mr Buxton: I oertainly am not in favor of any ohange in the education system. I said that in my speeoh. (Applause.) Mr Quin: Would you be in favor of doing away with Bellamy's at Wellington ? Mr Buxton: I deoidedly should if it is not needed.

Mr Quinn: Would you be in favor of doing away with the present bankruptcy laws r—Mr Buxton said in answering that he would like to know what would be an impovement, If any possible improvement was brought before the House he should certainly be in favor of it. The previous alterations had not always been improvo ments. He would like to see the laws improved. Mr Baxter: Would you be in favor of amending the Limited Liabilities Aot so that the direotors of a Company who mortgaged a property might be liable for the sum for whica :.hoy had mortgaged it ?—Mr Buxton thought not, Mr Ooltman: Would you be in favor of giving capitation grants to any private sohoolsP— Mr Buxton: My friend is well aware that he has plaoed a diffioulfcy before me. There is something in oonneotioh with that question that neods a great deal of thoughtful consideration, and I do think if we go upon what our ministers and Bible teaoh us—do unto others as we would they Bhould do unto us—there sHould be some consideration made in this respeot. But as the Education law now stands this cannot be done. But if this matter were brought before Parliament and I was there I should aot and apeuk in a way that is right and jast to all concerned, I would not be at present in favor of making our educational system denominational. It it working peaceably at present, but whether justly was a matter that should be considered by members of Parliament. (Applause). Mr Qain: Would you be in favor of doing away with members' free passes when the session is over P—Mr Buxton: Yes, for about the space of six months. If a person like myself were sent to Parliament the honorarium is not very great, and I should like to see some parts of New Zaaland to judge as to their requirements and necessities—that I have not Been, and I could not afford to travel to any great extent through the country without I had a free pass upon the railways. That would give membors an opportunity to visit any part by rail that they thought would be of advantage to see and assist them to speak when they met in Parliament. But as far as I am concerned I should never use that pass just to go to Timaru or Temuka when I wanted to go upon my own basinets, although I should be privileged to do so. (Loud applause). Mr Darlow: Would you voto for or against the prop n sal for the abolition of secondary education as part of our educational system ?—Mr Buxton i I should vote against it deoidedly. Mr Qain then proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Buxton for his address. He did not believe in votes of oonfidenoo. He thought that should be shown in the ballot box. Mr J. Dean seoonded the proposition, whioh was carried unanimously, amidst continued applause. A vote of thanks to the Chairman ter< minated the mooting, three oheera being given for Mr Buxton. MR BUXION AT WOODBURY. On Saturday evsning Mr S. Buxton addressed a large meeting of electors in this district. Mr Matman occupied the chair, who briefly introduced the candidate and solioited for him a patient hearing. In his address Mr Buxton stated he was a staunch supporter of the Stout-Vogai Ministry, The address was a resume of his speeches at other places, and elicited frequent applause, lasting for about an hour and a-hslf. At the end he stated his willingness to answer any questions they might feel desirous of putting to him. There were a very large number of questions put and answered in a satisfactory m nner. Mr Buxton said he was in favor of reducing the members of the House to 57, and the Legislative Council to3o. (Aplaute). Would not be in favor of reducing the honorarium of the House. Would support the Stout-Yo«|el Ministry, as he believed in them. The R ad Boards oould do the work of the County Oounoils. Would not be in favor of Bible reading in schools so as to interfere with the discipline of tenoning We must borrow on a small scale 13 as to complete works in hand. 4 Urge number of unimportant questions were asked and oqsworsd. The meeting passed a hearty vote of thanks and oonfiienoa in Mr Buxton, who was listened to through >ut with great attention! There was, only am dissentient to the o.f confidence. Th» usual vote of thtnks to the Chairman terminated a large and orderly meeting.

MB TWOMEY AT PLEAS IN P YALLEY. Mr J. M. Twomey addressed a large meetinf of electors at Pleasant Valley last night. MrK. Brophy occupied the chair. Mr Twomey was well received, and at the conclusion a vote of tharka and confidence was pasted, MB PALMES™ THE HINDS. DIBSBAOBFUL TKEATMEHT. The corespondent of the Guardian at the Hindi, wrote on Friday as follows:—" Mr Palmer one of the candidates for the Ban* gitata seat, came to address the electors at the Hindu last; evening, but owing to his appliestion haying miscarried, he could not get the me of the schoolroom. About 8 p.m. he explained to those present the cause for the postponement of his address, when he was set upon by some eooundrelsjwbo pelted him with eggs and flour. He (Mr Palmer) was at their mercy. They followed him along the road, and every now and then dipped tussocks in water and soused him with them. The poor fellow was exhausted and thereupon sat down saying " Well, if you want to kill me, do so," I believe the men are known, and only most earnestly wish they may hava to answer for their conduct. Surely this is a case for the police to take up. Another correspondent says that "as Mr Palmer was leaving, he was chased by about a doien horsemen who covered him with showers of eggs, flour, and mud. Ho had to nss stones for self-defence."