THE NOMINATIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1636, 20 September 1887, Page 2

THE NOMINATIONS.

BANQITATA ELECTION. The nomination of candidates for the Raogilala seat took place at (he Courthouse, Geraldine, at noon, on Friday, Considerable interest was taken in the event, and for some lime before (lie proceedings commenced people began to gather around the hustings that bad been erected outside the courthouse, until about 100 were present. The candidates dr w lots as to the order in which they ahouli be nominated. Punctually at 12 o’clocp Mr G. Jameson, the Returning Officer for the district, ascendad the platform. Ho asked for a fair and urintmupted hearing for all parties. He also read the clause in the Election Act, 1881,.tinder which the election wai held, and the advertised polling places. He then slated his willingness to receive the nominations.

Mr. William Palmer was nominated by Mr J. S, Waite, and seconded by Mr N. Dunlop. Mr S. Buxton was nominated by Mr F. R. Flatra id. In proposing Mr Boxton Mr Flatman proceeded to give bis reasons

for so doing. He thought they wanted n mixture of all classes in the House, the same as they had on local bodies, wh*'e the sys'em was working well. He spoke as a farmer, and said the eleclors-Jiad now the power of sending one of class to represent them. He did Dot see they would he doing any injustice- to Mr Rolleston if they sent Mr Buxton to Parliament, as Mr Rol cston hid told him that if they did shut him out at the elec'ion he would get in there somehow b'fore long. He advised them to Kolles'on on*, and he be'ieved they then be doing more good for the country Inn by shutting out Mr Buxton. m. differed from Mr Rolleston in his views upon education. Education was a glorious •liing if they could afford it. He did not think, however, that they could afford to go beyond the 6th standard education. A Girls’ High School in Wellington had

just been completed at a cost of £SOOO. Thecolony were laboring under a great depression, and yet bore was £SOOO spent upon a Girls’ High School there. He thought this was a reason why Mr Holies* ton should be kept out. He thought too, that his persistent following of Major Atkinson was a reason why he should be kept out. He thought a man of Mr Rolleston’s ability and experience when he saw that his constituents did not care for Sir Julius Vogel and detested Major’Atkinson, should come out and form a Ministry himself, and not blindly follow Major Atkinson, If he bad done that he (Mr Flatman) behaved he would have been returned without opposition. He would put It before those present in a plain way. If one of them bad a farm or other business with a manager for it, and he managed it in the way that Mr Rolleston had managed their political affairs, they would very soon get rid of such a manager. He thought they shoald put in a new lot of men, and flog the others out of Wellington with a cat-o’-nine-taila. (Loud applause.)

Mr W. S. Maslio seconded Mr Buxton’s nomination. He (Mr Buxton) had the qualities that were essential in a statesmaa, namely, honesty and straightforwardness, and though be had not had the same advantages perhaps in regard to education as Mr Rolleston, he would make good use of his education, and would try to serve the electors faithfully and well, He thought Mr Rolleston had lost a great deal of his political individuality by being mixed up wiih parties in the House. An important question had been asked him in the Oddfellows' Hall, Geraldine, viz. : If Major Atkinson, being a Protectionist, brings forward protection measures, would Mr Rolleston, being au avowed Freetrader, sever his connection with Major Atkinson ? The reply bad been that Major Atkinson was bis political bead, and if returned he would go there as a follower of Major Atkinson’s. That was the question now before the electors. Did they approve of Major Atkinson, aud did they approve of Hall and his policy with regard to the landt He (Mr Masliu) thought ho was only reiterating the opinions of those prenent when he said they did not approve of the past actions of these political leaders. On the question of effecting retrenchment in the educational system, Mr Rolleston had said that it might possibly be done by arranging for one Committee to have the supervision of several schools. Mr Maslin oontmdecl that this was an answer that a child who knew anything of the working of the Education Act eould see the absurdity of. Either Mr Rolleston did not know what be ought to have known, or else he was trying to throw dost in their eyes, which was very unbecoming on the part of a gentleman of Mr Rolleston’s standing. Mr Rolleston told them of the deficiency of the present Government, but he did not tell them of the deficiency of his own Government. The Hall-Atkinson Government made a sweeping reduction on the salaries of tho Civil servants, while they took a larger share to themselves. The present Government only brought the reduction down to salaries of £l6O per year. All above that was reduced per cent. Mr Rolleston had uli-o been going about the country saying the honorarium of 200 guineas was too much, but he took tho 200 guineas for only a few weeks’ work, sod then when tho money was safe in his pocket came down to his constituents and said the 200 guineas were too much. (Laughter). He believed if they returned Mr Buxton to Parliament they woold have an honest member, who wodld do his best for the benefit of the district. He bad much pleasure in seconding Mr Buxton’s nomination. The Hod. W. Bolleiton was nominated by Mr John Grigg. In doing so Mr Grigg pointed out the importance of the event which had brought them together, and Loped that tho choice about to be made by the electors would be a wise one. A little over two years ago the present Government had been elected with a majority, and now a short time ago the representatives of the people ha 4 considered that that Government was not fit to represent the people, hence the dissolution. He then went on to speak of the events that -brought about the appeal to the country, Ihe teturu of Sir Julius Vogel to New Zealand, and the circumstances which had led to his being elected to power. He spoke of the removing of the charge for charitable aid on to the shoulders of the Local Bodies. He stated that Sir Julius Vogel had no stake in tho colony with the exception of a £-acre section he had purchased for the purpose of constituting himself eligible for Parliament—(A He has got in and you can’t get him out.) —and would only remain so long as he could get something for himself and friends. Ho spoke of tho protective duties, stating that by that tariff a man would be compelled to pay 5s or 6a more for hia boots than he did new. Hi stated that the effects of the proposed tariff would be to draw capital away, and thus make it worse in the long run for the working classes. Mr Grigg went on at some length to compare the actions of the Hall-Atkinson and Stoul-Vogel Governments, to the depreciation of the latter. Tbejonly remedy, he staled, for such a state of things was to return to the House of Representative able men who understood the task of governing the country, and who would be able to make an attempt to pull ihe colony out of the mire into which it bad got. Such a representative was Mr Rolleston, who bad never been beaten, and he hoped the Rangitata district would not disgrace itself by allowing him to be beaten this time. (A voice ; He will be though). Mr Rolleston, he said, bad been brfore them for the past 25 years as a politician, and he (Mr Grigg) did not believe a clearer-headed man existed in New Zealand. fApplvnse), He was sure the electors would use the same common sense in this case as they did in their ordinary business transactions, and would elect a capable man to reprerent them. He bad much pleasure in proposing Mr Rolleston to represent the electors of the Rangitata district.

Mr’R. ii. Pearpoint seconded th» proposition. For himself he totally opposed Sir Julius Vogel, and quite agreed with Mr Gr'gg that lie bad only come out to New Zealand for bis own benefit. did not wish to say anything about the other two candidates. Comparisons were odious, and be thought it would be o 'ions on his part to compare t!se other two with Mr Rolleston. At present the country Deeded men who understood something about politics in order to bring it out of itspresent state. Neither of the. other

two candidates, by their own statements, knew anything of politics, He thought there was not a man in Ne« Zealand of such unblemisl ed political character as Mr Rolleston. They had trusted him in the past and found him not wanting, and he urged them to trust him again. (Applause). The Returning Officer here called for a show of hands in favor of each candidate. The result was as follows W. Palmer ... ... 0 S. Buxton ... 21 Hon. W. Rolleston ... 28 The show was declared in favor of Mr Rolleston. Mr Flatman then, on behalf of Mr Buxton, demanded a poll, which was granted. Mr Palmer then came forward, and, addressing those present, reiterated his reasons for coming forward, and his views upon the present political aspect of the country. These have appeared in these columns before. Mr Buxton followed. He said he

wished to say a few words about Mr Roileston’s seconder. He bad stated he was a new chum, and he (Mr Buxton) thought he looked like cno. (Laughter). It appeared to him (ihe speaker) that the seconder knew very little about men. He wondered if he knew as much about men as he did about sugar. (Laughter), Mr Rolleeton’s proposer had bad a good deal to say about Sir Julius Vogel. The speaker did not know very much about Sir Julius Vogel, but if Mr Grigg knew only as much about Sir Julius Vogel as he knew about boots he knew very little. (Laughter). Mr Grigg had said the Protective duties would compel them to pay 5s or 6s per pair more for boots than they had to pay at present. He ridiculed the idea, and said it would have to bo n tremendous tariff to cause such a difference. Mr Grigg had said New Zealand was only a large farm, and that if they consumed all they produced they would have nothing to pay their debts with. He (the speaker) thought if he had a large farm worked by his own family of volunteers he would surely have something to send away to pay for his boots and shoes. He was in favor of a medium protection, and would rather have that than a tremendous debt. People said that they wanted men of polities! knowledge to represent them in the House, He pointed out that it was these very men of political knowledge who had allowed the ship of State to drift on to the rocks that she was now amongst. He did not claim to be a man of such political knowledge or education as Mr Rhodes or Mr Grigg, but he claimed to be a man of fair intelligence, who knew a thing when he heard It, and was willing to do what ho thought was right and fair between rich and poor. If they sent him to Parliament ho would use his influence as an honest and true man for the interests of hia coßatitueots. It was nob the weight a man had in House, but (he side upon which that weight was used that would tell upon the country. He was not the man to be bought with the smiles or gold of others, but would do what

ho believed to be right to all concerned, and if Sir Robert Stout or Sir Julius Vogel did wrong he would bo one of tho first to teil them of it. It conclusion he aaktd them to vote for him, and let hia opponents see who killed cock robin. (Applause and laughter). Mr Rolleston then cirne forward. Ho said ho was pleased at last to bo upon that platform as it hud taken a long time to get there, and ho was also glad tin campaign was drawing to a close. Ho had been going about the country trying to instruct the electors on political matters. He had not said one word about his opponents, but he had to thank them for giving him (Mr Rolleston) the utmost attention. He (Mr Rolleston) had not gone about the country repeating private conversations—he would have felt a sense of shame upon himself if he bad—nor bad he gone about giving lectures upon natural history about the spider and the fly, the monkey, etc. He had not dealt with all

the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, and tried to demonstrate to the electors that he was qualified to deal with the small birds’ nuisance, (Laughter.) This had amused Mr Buxton, but he (Mr Ro’> leston) could not take up bis time with it. He wished to thank the electors for tho kind way in which they had met him at hia meetings. Also to thank his proposer and seconder for the manner in which

they had referred to him that day. Mr Grigg had taken a good deal out of hia mouth, aod said it in a much better manner than he could have said it himself.

He also wished to acknowledge his indebtedness to Ihe Press representatives of the district for the faithful way in which they had reported whut had fallen from himself and others during the campaign. They wonld pardon him paying a little attention to Mr Buxton. Mr Buxton had been all along an intimate friend and supporter of his (Mr Rolleston’s). He now came forward as the champion of the working classes and a supporter of Sir Julius Vogel. He (the speaker) wished them to understand that he did not come forward as a supporter of Sir Julius Vogel, nor was he coming forward to support any one class as against the other. He had respected his friend Mr Saxton, and still respected him. Mr Buxton had said that ho had made statements at meetings where there were no reporters that he would not have made had there been reporters present. Ho had now advertised meetings and would take the opportunity of repeating these statements at places where reporters would no doubt be present. Mr Rolleston then went on to cause considerable amusement by 1 pointing out wbat he considered the weak portions of Mr Buxton’s address. He also dealt with one or two remarks of Mr Eiatmsn’s in proposing Mr Buxton. He said be wrs looked upon by many in this district as tho fquatter’s man. He cou'd assure them that the squatters did not look upon him as a squatter's man. (Laughter). Ho was decidedly a man that stuck for fair dea'ing in the land laws. There was not a man in New Zealand who had done more for bringing about the present state of the Land Lews than himself. Mr Buxton had told the people a few points with regard to the Land Law*, which ho Mr Rolleeton ventured to toiok had been borrowed from him. (Laughter). Mr Bux'oa was not at all in favor of a borrowing policy, not nt all. (Laughter), They bad all beard the tale of ihe jackdaw that arrayed itself in the feathers of t ! >e f fiic ck, (Laughter). He believed w'.nn he (Mr iiotleston) had shown the electors how [ much Mr Buxton k >ew about it, he (Mr

Buxton) would not have a feather left. Mr Buxton posed as the friend of the

working man, and Sir Robert Stout had had the assurance to say that the policy of the Opposition was to reduce wages. He (Mr Rolleston) asked them if he ever reduced wages. (A voice : “ Yee, of course you did.” Laughter). No, lie did not. He believed in a fair wage for a fair day's work. Mr Rolleston went on to deliver a telling and amusing speech and concluded amidst hearty cheers. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, proposed by Mr Rolleston and seconded by Mr Buxton, was carried by acclamation. The proceedings, which were of the most orderly character throughout, then terminated.

TIMARU. The nomination of candidates to represent the Borough of Timaru in Parliament took place yesterday at the Courthouse. After Mr Howley had formally read the writ authorising him to hold an election, Mr David Stuart nomiuated Mr Richard Turnbull as a fit and proper person to represent the Borough of Timaru in the House of Assembly aod in doing so desired to disclaim any hostility to his friend Mr Kerr. Mr Hodges seconded the nomination. Mr W. Moody nominated Mr Edward George Kerr. Mr Donald Maclean had great pleasure in seconding the nomination. The Returning Officer now asked if there were any further nominations, and none coming forward a call was made for Mewis.

Mr Mewis came forward and gave bis views u,mn matters political and general and barmaids in particular, and then expressed the regret he felt that his finances did not allow him to deposit the £lO demanded by the Returning Officer. He, however, was confident that if the electors subscribed the amount they would not lose it, as he was sure to be returned. Mr Mewis then made a tour through the crowd and succeeded after much trouble in collecting three shillings, with which ho retired to one of the spare rooms of the Court. A show of hands was then taken which resulted in favor of Mr Turnbull.

Mr Kerr demanded a poP. Mr Turnbull then came forward and stated that on this the fifth occasion on which he had come before them as a candidate for their suffrages he felt the same spirit of confidence that he had ever done. He considered tho present system of nomination an anomaly and a violation of the spirit of the ballot, and for a simitar reason he had refrained from addressing them on many ocoisions or of personally canvassing for their votes. Ha had refrained from doing this in no spirit of self-confidence, but because he did not desire to violate in any way the spirit of the billot. He warned them that if the Opposition was returned vote by ballot and Triennial Parliaments were in jeopardy, and quoted Mr Ormond’s speech at Napier in support of his contention. Mr Moody had told them it was time for a change, but he would remind them of a saying of Abraham Lincoln’s —“ That it wasn’t safe to swap horses in the middle of a stream ” —and it was certainly unwise tp trust inexperienced persons at a critical time like the present. He then wont on to say that the reason such interest was being displayed by the Opposition in the present eleetion was because the ensuing Par’iament would have to deal with some three million acres of Canterbury runs, and the various Banka and Mortgage Companies were so interested in the future of these runs that it was a matter of vital importance to them that a certain class of men should be returned. He then briefly referred to the Progressive Property Tax, and denounced the Timaru Herald in most scathing terms, in that it had never put before the people a fair statement of the measures before tho House. He stated

that it had not only dissiminated its own garbage, but had collected the garbage of other papers. It was an insult to the people of Timaru. It reminded him of the adjutant bird, the Asiatic scavenger. Like it there was no source too foul from which it could collect the garbage. Once before he had said that Urn Merald got its meat by evil speaking and its drink by lying aod slandering. Once it had at its head a journalist of ability, a gladiator among journalists, who, when he dealt a blow, did so as with the paw of a lion ; now that they had to deal with a mere savage they could afford to laugh at it, its worst blow was but the stroke of an ass. Mr Turnbull made some further remarks in the same strain, and concluded by expressing his intention of meeting the electors on Saturday, when he would bs prepared to support tho wisdom of the policy pursued by the present Government.

Mr Kerr on coming forward expressed a hope that the electors would bo gratified at the exhibition of Mr Turnbull as a showman. He had indulged in a lot of low comedy, and only wanted the dogs and a monkey or two to have made the farce complete. There had been no politics whatever in his speech. It was simply a tirade of abuse. He then attacked the Evening Mail, a paper which he said was subsidised by Mr Turnbull. Ho (Mr Turnbull) deserved to be treated with contempt, for he could not come before them as a gentleman. As a scatterer of filth he was an adept. He (Mr Kerr) challenged him to point out one improper artie'e in the Herald. He had never used the Herald as a vehicle for puffing himself up. Mi Kerr then expressed his views on several statements that had been made about him, and denied emphatically that he was the nominee of the Political Reform Association, of the Herald Company, or of the squatting interest. Ha was in favor of retrenchment, but would not attempt to reduce the wages of the laborers or of employees in the Postal Department. He also expressed himself as being in favor of railways being managed by non-political boards. In conclusion he said that Mr Turnbull had by one of hia customary hanky-panky tricks robbed him of hia chance of speaking at length, as a number of his hearers Wl)U ld have to return to their work, bnt he would address them again on Friday at the Theatre. A vote of thanks to the Returning Officer terminated the proceedings. There was a large attendance, and a good deal of party fesl'ng was displayed.

Maj ir A'kinson and Mr McGuire were yesterday nominated fo' the Kgmont seat. The proceedings were disorderly, and the show of hands was in favor of Mr McGuire.