THE BRUCE ELECTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2345, 19 April 1892, Page 3

THE BRUCE ELECTION.

The Bruce campaign was opened on Wednesday at Milton by Mr Leo Smith, who spoke an hour and a-half. He said that ho had hoard that Mr Alien would support the Ministerial policy to souiO extent, and if tho latter would giv'* * absolute and unqualified prom 1 - . ° an port M f WU* b. a, Wi M, S S Mr Ballanco m nis system of taxation, he t xVAr oniith) would retire to-morrow to save the constituency the turmoil of an election. He strongly supported the present land administration, which was tho only method of restoring permanent prosperity and putting down dumrayism. In Canterbury alone tho policy had*been tho moans of lotting 20,431 acres at a rental of £lslO, where previously 53,030 acres had been bold by one individual for £1425. The recent leasing of small gracing runs had settled twenty families on soil where previously there was only

one, and returned £B4O more to the Treasury. He warmly supported the Ministerial taxation proposals, and approved of local option on the drink traffic, but would give the publicans structural compensation and time to get rid of their premises. He favors a grant to denominational schools, with Government inspection in secular subjects. He supports the women’s franchise, and is a pronounced freetrader. He received a unanimous vote of confidence.