ELECTORAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2582, 16 November 1893, Page 2

ELECTORAL.

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MR A. E. G. RHODES AT TBMUKA On Tuesday morning we were obliged to hold over Mr Rhodes’s remarks on local matters. The following are a condensation of them: — One of the principal local matters be had inquired into was that of the VOLUNTBEKS’ LAND CLAIMS. He found that the volunteers in other parts of the colony were sending in claims and having them admitted, and that the refusal of such claims in Canterbury was due to a misreading of the law by the Land Office officials. He considered that this error of the officials should not cause loss to the men who would have applied if the mistake had not been made. As to Colonel Fox’s eepoet. It was very wrong that such a report was published; it could never have been intended. Colonel Fox recommended —with regret —that the Ashburton and Temuka corps should be disbanded. He (Mr Rhodes) did not agree with this. The Temuka corps was almost as conveniently situated as Timaru, and he would not approve of the corps being disbanded as long as it maintained its , efficiency. (Applause.) He also referred to the PAEK BOAED QUESTION, ; recommending that the three local bodies ■j should be represented on it, but also that I there should be some nominated members 3 to represent the public at large, and see 3 that the public recseation ground was not i filched away in the interests of the rate--1 payers, as a portion of the Dunedin domain had been taken for a cemetery, and part , of that at Christchurch for the hospital. . He would mention just one more matter, b and then leave others to be brought out by 3 questions. He would alter his stand to 1! some extent with regard to b education. 3 He would now say that he would keep the L present Educacion Act in its entirety, as far as possible. Hitherto he had supported i Bible-reading in schools. He now saw the y utmost difficulty in carrying out anything y of the kind, and he was not now prepared i to support Bible-reading, if it was to be s anything like a pass subject. He would i say that he would support the present 1 system as it stands more strongly than he r had done before. (Applause). QUESTIONS.

KJ JtH& X XVS.L* £>• Mr Rhodes then resumed his seat, and the chairman invited questions. A large number were put and replied to as follows : Mr Twomey .- You say that the expenditure this year has been increased. Is there not a large amount of that put down for the expenses of the general election and other items of the same nature 1 Mr Rhodes said it was so, but there were similar items last year, such as the taking of the census last year. Mr Twoiney : You say that the loan conversions increased the annual charge for interest. The Honorable Mr Ward says that the conversions resulted in a saving of over £53,000. Mr Rhodes said he only referred to the £500,000 Imperial debentures. Mr Twomey said it was unfair to take one item, and pointed out that the loan conversions had led to saving of over £53,000 according to the Hon. Mr Ward. Mr Rhodes said he was not aware Mr Ward said so. Mr Twomey : On what authority do you say that the Ministry pledged themselves to appoint to the Legislative Council only members pledged to support the female franchise ?—Mr Rhodes: On the authority of Mr Saunders. Mr Twomey: Oh, only hearsay evidence. Would such evidence be acceptable in a court of law 1 Mr Rhodes objected to the suggestion that Mr Saunders’s evidence would not be taken in a court of law. Mr Twomey made no such suggestion. He merely asked would hearsay evidence be acceptable in a court of law 1 (Applause). Mr Twomey : If you are not afraid that the women will not vote against you, how is it you sent circulars to your friends asking them to place on the roll the names of ladies known to be favorable to you? (Great laughter and applause).—Mr Rhodes hoped they would not consider him such a fool as to ask women who were known to be opposed to him to put their names on the roll. (Applause). Will Mr Rhodes oppose all grants to denominational schools, and also oppose the introduction of Bible-reading into our public schools ?—Mr Rhodes said he would. He had already answered the question in his speech. Is Mr Rhodes in favor of a State Bank 1 —Mr Rhodes said he would support any measure which would be carried out with success, but would not support Mr Twomey’s scheme. (Laughter). It is said on very good authority that the Editor of the Prohibitionist has your pledge in writing to support the direct veto. Is that true, and do you intend to abide by that pledge I—Mr1 —Mr Rhodes : I have given no pledge to anybody, and certainly I think that my views are well-known in this direction. Would Mr Rhodes be in favor of a legalised eight hours bill ?—Mr Rhodes: The eight hours is established already as a day’s work, and I do nob consider that legislation is necessary in this direction. Woul i Mr Rhodes be in favor of the proposal of the Government to borrow in England, and lend in Hew Zealand to farmers at a cheap rate of interest ? Mr Rhodes said he did not know that that was a scheme of the Government. In fact, Mr Ward, in whose department that would be, said that further than issue notes he would not go. The Government had about £4,000,000 of money in the Publio Trust Oliico now, but they lent only a small amount of it. They collared it themselveo. Mr Twomey: Was it not the Atkinson. Government collared these funds first ? Mr Rhodes : I do not know. Mr Twomey: I do. What I object to is you try to make it appear that the present Government was collaring everything.(Applause). Mr Rhodes objected to Mr Twomey’s commentories. He should confine himself to questions. Mr Twomey: You predict that we shall have a fall in the revenue. Is not that a re-echo of the galloping to deficit cry ? Mr Rhodes denied that he had ever said the Government were galloping to a deficit. Mr Twomey: Did not the Atkinson Government collar the sinking fund the same as this Government has done ? Mr Rhodes said Mr Twomey did not know what he was talking about. (Laughter.) The previous Government did not. They collared, but did nob put it in the public works estimates, Mr Twomey: Oh! they collared bub did not put it in the public works estimates. A distinction without a difference. (Great laughter.) Did not the late Atkinson Goborrow two and a-half millions ? "Vr Rhodes •, No,. Th '-y only borrowed £1*000,030, and left £7IB,OQQ behind them, They had to borrow to meet tihe huge deficit, left over from the Stout-Vogel adminisfra, tlon. Mr Twomey : What was the amount or the deficit ? Mr Rhodes said he could not remember. About £300,000. Hr Twomey : Will you permit me to explain it ? Mr Rhodes: Yes. Mr Twomey: The Stont-Vogel Government in 1835 asked for an increase of taxatio-, but the House refused, and cried keep the Ministry in and thf ir m<a ures out." The result was that in 1887 they had a deficit of £1)2.000. This was the huge deficit. When Sir Harry Atkinson took oliice in 1887 he was warned that he must increase taxation to make provisions for j)h§ deficit and the falling revenue, but h e V a S supported by freetraders like Mr Rhodes, v ho would nob allow him to increase tho

customs duties. The result was that in 1888 Sir Harry Atkinson had a deficit of £512,000. Mr Rhodes was glad Mr Twomey had admitted that there had been a large deficit. Mr Twomey: But it should not be charged to the Stout-Vogel Govern meat. It was twelve months after they left office. Mr Rhodes; It was not twelve months. Mr Twomey; Sir Harry Atkinson took office in 1887 with a deficit of £92.000. This had increased to £512,000 in 1888. Mr Rhodes: But it was not twelve months. Mr Twomey : Now, Sir Harry Atkinson borrowed £1,000,000, and raised £1.000,000 of the North Island Trunk Line Loan of £3,000,000, and also raised £512.000 worth of debeiiuires. Was not that 2§ million pounds. (Great laughter.) Mr Rhodes said the money had been already allocated. Mr Twomey: Was not the Atkinson Government advocating a loan when they left office, and did not Mr Rhodes pledge himself at the last election to support a loan to settle peOj le on the land, make roads and bridges, and purchase native lauds. If a loan was necessary three years ago, is not Mr Rhodes surprised that the present Government had not raised any loan since ? (Great applause).—Mr Rhodes said he could not say that the Atkinson Government advocated a loan. He favored a loan for the purposes named, but he denied that the present Government had not borrowed. Would you be in favor of amending the present Liquor Bill in the principle of a simple majority deciding without reference to the unpolled, and are you in favor of compensating the publicans whose licenses are not renewed under the present or any other Bill ? —Mr Rhodes : I do not consider that it would be fair to grant a bare majority to decide this question. It would not be fair, after having given the right of closing the Lecnsed houses to the electors, that a committee should afterwards step in and close the homes whether they were conducted well or not. I have always voted against compensation, and shall do so in future. Mr E, Lee wanted to know whether companies paid legacy duties like private individuals. Mr Rhodes said they did, because each shareholder had to pay legacy duty on his own share. Mr Lee also argued this point at some length, and urged that charitable aid cost £IOO,OOO a year. Would you refuse to go to Parliament if only elected by a simple majority I—Mr1 —Mr Rhodes: I am quite prepared to go on a majority of one. Arc you in favor of alter ng the Electoral Act in the direction of making it more convenient for shearers to record their votes ; as it is at present there is not one in fifty that could comply with the conditions ? I have always voted for measures which would make it most convenient for shearers, and not only shearers, but ronseabouts, &c., &c., to accord their electoral right in the easiest manner. Will Mr Rhodes, if elected, do his best to secure a uniform scale of salaries to teachers throughout the colony ? —Mr Rhodes : I am not aware what the scale of salaries in this district is, but I presume that the Education department make their funds go as far as possible in this direction. Is it true that Mr Rhodes has ordered 150 perambulators to give to the Temuka ladies for their vote ?—Mr Rhodes: No. I have not even got one myself, but I am glad that trade is likely to be so good in that direction. Mr Rhodes being pledged not to vote for any alteration of the liquor law during the term of the last Parliament, did he not break that pledge by voting for the then existing licensing districts in the very first division that was taken on Mr Seddon’s Liquor Control Bill ? Mr Rhodes : 1 certainly considered that the present committees were too extensive for Licensing Districts, and I voted against the measure, but it would have entailed a very large expense if new divisions and new rolls had to be formed. Is Mr Rhodes of opinion that any honest, honorable man could give his support and vote to a bill right through committee, and then vote against the third reading of the same bill ? Mr Rhodes-. In committee I was bound to vote against various clauses, and I always vote ia accordance with ray known principles. Have you the conscience to expect women to vote for yon after you voted against giving them the power to vote ? Mr Rhodes said he had. He did nob think it would make any difference. CONCLUSION. The votes of thanks, etc., reported in ou last issue were dealt with, and the meetia terminated at about half-past ten o’clock. AT PLEASANT POINT. Mr Rhodes addressed a meeting of electors atthe Assembly Rooms, Pleasant Point, on Tuesday evening. Mr Cartwright in the chair. The Hall was incapable of containing all the people who assembled. There was a large assemblage of ladies, who seemed anxious to assert their new privileges, and appeared to take a great interest iu° Mr Rhodes’s address. The ground covered by the candidate was much the same as that gone over the evening previous, There were numerous questions asked, the majority of which referred to the Alcoholic Sale Control Bill, and the candidate at some length explained the strength of the Bill, trying to impress upon his audience the actual fact that they had already obtained Direct Veto. Mr Rhodes was also asked if he considered it right for Civil Servants or schoolmasters to takv part in political matters, his answer to this being that he did not think it was a question of right, but that he thought it would be a dangerous thing for those persons themselves, and it really was a matter for their own consideration. A vote of thauksand renewel confidence was moved by Mr A. Moe, and seconded by Mr John Grcig. An amendment, curtailing the vote to thanks only, w«s moved by Mr J. Bishop, and seconded by Mr W. Andrews, and on the chairman putting this amendment 9 hands were held up. The original motion was then put and carried by nearly tho whole assembly. A vote of thanks to the chairman, and three cheers for Mr and Mrs Rhodes, brought the meeting to a close. MR R. M, CUTHBERTSO N. AT SCOTSBURN. Mr R. M. Cuthbertson addressed a meeting of electors at Scotsburn on Saturday evening last, Mr R. Thevv being in tho chair. At the close of the address a few questions were asked, and a vote of thanks was accorded the candidate. AT THE HINDS. At the Hinds on Monday evening Mr Cuthbertson was given a vote of thanks. AT ORAM. On Tuesday evening Mr Cuthbertson addressed the electors at the Ora-i School jioiT.se. Mr W. El wards was in the chair and about 70 or" 80 electors were present, including several ladies. The candidate vyas <riven a fair hearing, but some persons present were either antagonistic or were on for some fun. At timet the meeting was very orderly, but at other times it got. 60 ba 1 that the candidate bad to demand a respectable hearing. Interruptions and. cat calls, etc., were frequent, and when Mr Cuthbertson introduced the liquor question someone set up a hissing noise and trampling of feet, find some illtimed remarks w ere made. When Mr Cuthhe^— was emphasizing that he * - ‘' oon ” . x.°- never yet PSeatom uao revenue would be made up if the drink traffic was suddenly swept away, a voice asked “ Yvherc does tho reveqqq cqrqe frqra now ? Mr Cuthbertftqn replied 1 that the drink revenue came it'rom the license' levied on alcqholio |iquorq. Tl;e candidate, i q conclusion thanked the audience for the fair hearing t&ey had fivea him, and said it was only

natural for them at times to indulge in a little humor. On the chairman throwing the meeting open, for questioning the candidate. An elector asked : “If the hotels were closed vvoahi you allow us to make our owu wee ( rop of liquor ? ” —Mr Cuthbertson, personally. bad not the slighest objection (loud laughter), but if the prohibitionists succeeded in closing the hotels, they would, take fine care that people would not make liquor themselves. At this moment a number of men rose and left the building, and it looked as if the candidate would not receive a vote of thanks. The question was then put: “ Are you in favour of breaking the power of lawyers, commission agents, &c.” Mr Cuthbertson : You know I am a lawyer myself (laughter). The Legislature have taken great care to tie us down, so that if we make any infringement of the law we are sufficiently punished. Ido not understand why commission agents want breaking in. A voice : “ You will have to pay six-and-eight-peace for this directly.”—The elector questioning : “ Why I ask the question is because it takes a lawyer to catch a lawyer, and no other man can do it.” (Laughter and applause.) On the motion of Mr Latimer, seconded by Mr Breadly, junr.. a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Cuthbertson for his address.

Mr Flatman visited the Pleasant Point district last Thursday, and as a result a strong and influential committee of 30 electors has been formed to secure his return. The committee is thorough 7 representative, and is well organised. The electors of the Point district are determined to send a Liberal member to Parliament to aid the present Goverment to carry out their splendid programme—and Mr Elat man is the .Liberal candidate chosen. The Premier was accorded an enthusiastic reception at Napier on Tuesday evening, when he spoke for ; two hours and forty minutes. A vote of thanks, and confidence in the Government, was carried amidst loud and enthusiastic cheering. Some Returning Offices are advertising November 21st and others November 20th as the latest dat; for receiving nominations. The Act says “ seven clear days,” and following the precedent of a Christchurch, election case, it is held that November 20th is the last day upon which they can legally be received. The Clerk of Writs holds this view. Mr Thomas Bracken, formerly member for Dunedin Central, announces himself as a candidate for Wellington City. He stands or falls on the question of denominational education. He favors the retention of the Railway Commissioners and compensation to publicans for loss of licenses. The Hon. G. P. Richardson addressed the electors at Wyndham, Southland, on Tuesday evening, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. He spoke in opposition to the present Government, and defended the actions of the Atkinson Government. Major Steward addressed a meeting of the Waimate electors in the Waimate Library Hall on Monday evening, and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. He spoke at length in support of the measures and actions of the Government.