POLITCAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2576, 2 November 1893, Page 1

POLITCAL.

The main rolls were out of the printer's hands yesterday, and when the supplementary rolls are finished the Government will be in a position to issue the writs. Parliament, which at present stands adjourned to November 9th, will first have to be dissolved, and within seven days the writs mußt be issued. Under the Act they arej|snow returnable in 21 days. It is noticeable that although forty days only from ~0Be" coming into force of the Act are flowed for the electors to make sure thal-that they are only on one roll the tim<=Kexpired on Oct. 29th, and in many cases ft must be impossible for the electors to see the rolls. It is not expected that there will be any need to take action under this section, as the provision for striking off electors who do not vote will effectually purge the rolls in this respect. ;{ Mr W. P. Reeves, addressed a meeting of electors at Christchurph on Monday day night, nearly three Jihousand being present. A .motion, by an g thanks Mr Reeves for his address, expresses entire confidence in him, and pledges itself to do all it can to secure his return. Mr J. lvess is a candidate for Marton against Messrs Stevens (Liberal) and Lethbridge. He supports the Government. The Hon. John McKenzie addressed the electors at Naseby on Tuesday night. He said that it was no fault of his that he had to contest the Beat with a gentleman who represented the Naseby portion of the electorate. He commenced by defending the actions of the Government. When they took office the country could not be said to be prosperous, as the population was fast leaving. Since they had been in office they had abstained from going to London to borrow, and had made the name of the colony respected everywhere. He defended the Government from the attacks of the leader of the Opposition. It was due to him that the women's franchise was passed. He denied that the Land for Settlements Bill placed too much power in the Minister's hands. He could not act till the purchase Board recommended, and he was limited to £50,000 in a year. The Bill was necessary. He defended the co-operative system. He asserted that the land tax had relieved the small farmers. He denied that the Government were slyly borrowing. He claimed that the Government had done much for the agricultural industry, enumerating the dairy industry measure and other Bills passed in their interests, while a department was now established to give information and advice. He then went on to indicate what the Government proposed if returned to power. Settlement on Crown lands would be pushed ahead, laud would be acquired ifor settlement from the natives in the North, and by purchase for closer settlement in the South. They would abstain from borrowing in London, and keep the finances strong by fair and honest'taxation. If the people demanded reduced taxation they would have to borrow, and this the Government did not think desirable. With the exception of two or three lines of railway, they could pause in railway construction, and go in for roads and bridges.to open up land for settlement. If railways were constructed benefiting private lands these lands should pay part of the cost on the betterment principle, The Government were determined to deal with the question of cheaper money for farmers and producers, and if returned to power would not be afraid to deal with local government reform. Mr McKenzie was well received, though there was dissent,, interruption, and cheers. A vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried by a. large majority.