POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2511, 3 June 1893, Page 3

POLITICAL ADDRESSES.

Sir Robert Stout addressed a meeting of electors at Murchison on Tuesday evening, and received a unanimous vote of confidence. He addressed a crowded meeting at Cape Foulwind on Wednesday evening, when a unanimous vote of confidence was enthusiastically passed. Sir Robert addressed a meeting at Addison’s on Thursday afternoon. A vote of confidence was carried, about 12 hands being held up for an amendment for a vote of thanks only. He addressed a crowded meeting at the Institute at Charleston the same evening and was enthusiastically received. A vote of confidence was moved by Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Flanagan, M.L.C., and supported by Mr O’Connor, M.H.8., and Mr tieeves, and carried unanimously amidst applause. a Mr James Mills, M.H.R, addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents on Wednesday night at Port Chalmers. The colony, he said, was In a prosperous condition, due mainly to increased production and the finance and taxation of the Atkinson Government. Referring to the female franchise, he said he personally approved of giving the electoral right to everyone. He generally approved of the labour legisation, and would support the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, with a compulsory clause. It was a mistake to assume that the Government had a monoply of interest in Liberal legislation. Many of the Opposition were equally intererested, and these labour measures had been dealt with irrespective of party. It was probable that he would not be a candidate at the General Election, as he would be away from the colony for a considerable portion of the succeeding year. A voba of thanks and confidence was carried, and an expression of regret recorded at the apparent nesessity of Mr Mills severing his connection with the district for some time. Mr Freeman R. Jackson, chairman of Mr Carson’s election committee, addressed a large meeting of the electors on behalf of the Opposition candidate (Mr Carson) at Wanganui on Thursday evening. A large number of ladies occupied the gallery. He was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr W. Canoross, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at Mosgiel, on Thursday night, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. The Hon. G. F. Richardson addressed a meeting of his constituents at Mataura on Thursday evening. Aj ter a reference to the recent deaths of “ our great public men of the old school —Sir Harry Atkinson, Sir F. Whitaker, and Mr Ballance,” and expressing Approval of the appointment of the Hon. J. G. Ward to the Colonial-Treasurership, Mr Richardson proceeded to criticise the recent utterance of Ministers, especiaFy tdat referring to financial matters. He claimed that the taper ng-oif policy regarding the public works expenditure ended in 181)0-91, and that since that date there had heed a steady increase,but ont of borrowed money and not out of revenue. He advocated the exemption of taxation on improvements, and thought that the colony should take advantage of its present flourishing condition to go openly and honestly into the London money market for a loan of £1,500,000, the bulk of which should he spent on opening up new country, mainly by roads and not by railways. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. The Hon. Mr McKenzie addressed a crowded meeting at Ashburton on Thursday night. Ti*o Hon W. C. Walker was chairman. Mr McKenzie’s speech was mainly on the lines of his speech at Palmerston, claiming for the Government the credit of obtaining the large surplus they were able to show with the smallest amount of unauthorised expenditure. He defended the taxation and land policy of the Government. The Land Bill was the most liberal the colony ever had, and effectually prevented speculative purchase, the shutting up of freehold land and the aggregation of laud in the hands of individuals. He touched on village settlements and the improved farm question.' Speaking of the latter he said that he had 40,000 acres offered to him, but a large area was either in out-of-the-way places or too dear. If he failed to get land at a fair price he would apply to Parliament for permission to take the land by arbitration. The rest of the speech ranged over subjects previously dealt with, and he gave an assurance that the future policy wouldbe the same as when Mr j&iilance as at the head. The Financial Statement to be introduced would show that it’was possible to carry on the colonisation of the colony without going on the Lqhflon uiarkqt, or building political railways, op other'uhprodubtiVb works, and when they left office the colony would not be able to say that the Government had added but leaseued thei? burdens, Le§ia-

ation was projected to deal with Maori auds, and in the opinion of the Ministry one Minister should be on the Railway Board, and the Board should be responsible to Parliament. If the people of the colony were ready to give women the franchise it was the duty of the Government to help on the movement. A most enthusiastic vote of thanks and confidence in Mr McKenzie and his Government was passed unanimously.