POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2124, 13 November 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Mr A. E. G. Rhodes addressed the electors of the Geraldine district in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Geraldine, on Tuesday evening. There was a crowded meeting, and two or three ladies were present. Mr A, White, Chairman of the Geraldine Town Board, occupied the chair, and introduced the speaker, who was received with applause. Mr Rhodes said he scarcely needed to introduce himself, as he had lived in South Canterbury all his life, and had had the honor of representing the adjoining district, consequently he was well known amongst them. He was now before them as a candidate for their suffrages at the general election to be held shortly. Mr Rhodes then went on to address the meeting, delivering practically the same speech as at Temuk*. He received a very good hearing and was frequently interrupted by applause.

Questions having been invited at the conclusion of his remarks, he stated in reply to Mr- J. Grimsey that he was not prepared straight off to mark out a better scheme of distributing charitable aid. He thought, however, that what was wanted was thorough local supervision. As far as the Government Local Bills on this subject were concerned, he had simply, opposed them right through, as, while keeping the present system, they were cutting off Waimate and leaving Geraldine to bear the burden of nayingthe charitable aid of the Timaru district without the help of Waimate, In reply to Mr Shiers he said that although opposed to the present system of Party Government, he would not be in favor of a change for at least the next three years, as he considered such a change should be. well threshed out by the electors before an election.

In reply to Mr Dobbie he would not be in favor of putting or Id per lb export duty on woolly skins seat away to London to be dressed. He thoqght the farmers had quite enough burdens to bear already through the

customs and other taxes, and he was not in favor of adding to those burdens by putting on export duties. If they put an export duty on woolly skins in South Canterbury they would have to follow it up with an export duty on timber in the North Island. As to Government lending farmers money at 4s per cent, they could not do it, as their loans cost them 4 per cent when all charges were paid, and they could not afford to let the money out to farmers at the same price. He would be very glad to do anything to help to bring down the price of money, but the only way to do so was to induce capitalists to come here and so make money plentiful. However, if money got cheaper the price of land would go up, so it would amount to abeut the same thing. Replying to Mr Kraus : He was in favor of Government dealing liberally

with brigades. There was a small sum upon the estimates two or three years ago to be expended on fire brigades and he supported it, but it was struck off. As to compelling the insurance companies to pay towards their support he did not believe in class legislation of that sort. It would be very difficult to allocate what companies should pay in certain districts, and if they had to pay it would simply increase the cost of insurance.

Replying to Mr ft biers; He could not say whether the cost of renewing the railway lines with steel rails was paid out of loan or out of revenue. Practically the additions to railways had been paid out of loan money. That was, all bridges, the renewals of buildings burnt down (such as the postoffice, Ac.,) had all once been charged to loan, but during the past three years a good deal of that had been put to revenue, but he could not say as to the renewals of steel rails.

Mr Shiers said it appeared men that the railways were not paying the money they were supposed to. Mr B. H. Templar asked if the candidate was in favor of the proposition to charge 1 per cent, upon the unimproved value of the land. Mr Ehodes thought it was absolutely impossible to say wbat was the unimproved value of the land. If they included the bush land of the Nortn Island, that would practically escape. He did not think it could be done. In reply to Mr Maslin he said the reason why he voted against the proposition to spend any more sums on immigration was that the only immigration that had been carried on during the past two or three years had been assisted immigration; that was, people here could pay towards bringing out their relatives. If the Government cut down the rote they would have had to pay for the contracts they had already entered into. A number of nominations had been sent in and the money paid, aad no doubt their friends in England who had been nominated had given up their situations and made their preparations to come out, and it would be very hard on these people to be cut off, and he had voted accordingly. This was net reported because the Committee of Supply was not reported fully, only the main speeches. In reply to Major Moore he said he was strongly in favor of supporting country corps of volunteers, and utterly opposed to their being ignored. Unless they were recognised they must fall through. He thought it was a great hardship they were not allowed to go to the large camp at Christchurch. If they did not go there they should have camps in their own districts.

An elector drew attention to the fact that the Government had called tenders for a twice-daily mail service between Oran and Geraldine instead of a four times daily service. The service could also be performed with a spring cart instead of a coach if the contractor so decided. Did Mr Rhodes consider that a proper retrenchment ? -—Mr Rhodes said the Government intimated at the end of last session that they could not retrench any farther unless they did away with some of the proper facilities the public should have. He did not think the country was prepared to go to that extent yet. He certainly was opposed to any retrenchment by which important town towns like Geraldine should be inconvenienced.

In reply to Mr Pearpoint on the same subject he said he would telegraph the following morning and endeavor to get the mail service to Geraldine kept as at present; Mr Maslin said the specifications for the mail service bad been worded the same for the past four years, but the public were indebted to Mr Mundell for carrying four mails instead of two mails.

Mr Pearpeint pointed out that this time they could be carried by a spring cart if the contractor chose, Mr Rhodes said it was not his fault, He was not their member, and had not interfered with their business. It elected he would make himself acquainted with the wants of the district.

Mr Hammond asked if Mr Rhodes was in fayor of compelling squatters to provide proper accommodation for their shearers. He gave instances of the abominable accommodation provided at many places. Mr Rhodes said that as they were now legislating for the health of the public he did not see why shearers should not be looked after as well as the employes in big towns; He thought the £abor should make provision for this.

In reply to Mr Hammond he said be did not consider the railway commissioners had had a fair trial yet.

In reply to Mr Maslin as to whether he would support local option, he said that as far as he could understand the present licensing laws the public bad the power now to close the hotels if they were not wanted. All they had to do was to put in a licensing committee that would close the houses. That had already been done in New Zealand—the only thing was to educate the people up to it. Some people said he had voted against the pledges he gave last election. 'I he fact was the matter never oame before the House. He thought it should have done so that they might have seen where members stood, but although there was an absolute majority in the House pledged to local option they never had the bill discussed. If they had been in earnest they could have done so.

No motfe questions being asked Mr J, Williams proposed, and Mr W. King seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Rhodes for his address. Mr H. P. Jones moved as an amendment that a vote of thanks and confidence he given. Mr Rbedessaid he would prefer a vote of thanks only. He had not represented them, and he would be quite as well pleased with a vote of thanks, and their expression of confidence in the Ballot box.

The motion was earned amidst applause, and the usual compliment to the chair terminated the meeting.