ELECTORAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2584, 21 November 1893, Page 3

ELECTORAL.

- MR FLATMAN AT TEMUKA. The following are the questions replied to by Mr Flatman at Temuka on Thursday evening, and which were crowded out of our last issue : How was it that the Government, whom you say you support, employed a man like Mr Lundon, who received 7s 6d per acre for land purchased from the Maoris on behalf of the Government, and only paid 4s 6d per acre for such land ? Mr Hatman : I do not know anything about Mr Lundon or this transaction, but if it is true, and you send me to Wellington, I will Lke au'e there are no more Lundons employed. (Applause.) If Mr Flatman proposes to close all the licensed houses in Temuka, can he tell us how much more per cent, the ratepayers would have to pay in order to keep up the revenue of the town board to the present or necessary figure ?•—Mr Flatman : I never proposed such a thing. The gentleman who asked the question was quite mistaken in thinking I did so. (Laughter and applause.) Is it true, as stated in the Government Gazette, that the unspent balance of the Public Works Fund on March 31st, 1893, was about £330,000, showing that since the last administration went out of office Government had spent the balance of £718,000 received from their predecessors, £316,000 from the Sinking Fund, or over a million of borrowed money, besides appropriating £200,000 for public works from the general revenue ? If this is true, how do you propose to carry on public works in future without a lo in ?—Mr Flatman had no doubt that what was stated in the Government Gazette was true. With regard to the latter part of question, he had no doubt the gentleman who asked the question wa. nard of hearing, as he had dealt with the matter in his speech. If he would go with him (Mr Flatman) to Pleasant Point he would repeat it to him again. (Laughter and applause.) Would Mr Fiatman support such financial or conversion schemes as the present Government has been guilty of, namely, in paying £585,000 in gold for £500,000 of 4 per cent, debentures, when in order to bny that gold they had to raise £650,000 in 31 per cent, debentures, which will entail a loss to the country of nearly £150,000 and an increase in annual interest of nearly £2750 ?—Mr Flatman : We don’t admit it on our side. It is possible, however, that there is something in it, as there is said to be a shortage of gold. I have feltit myself. (Great applause). Is Mr Flatman in favor of denominational grants ?—Mr Flatman : No; he had stated distinctly he would leave the education system as it is. (J pplause). As a candidate for the suffrages of this electorate, what would you consider a fair day’s wage for a laborer ?—Mr Flatman : I have been giving 6s a day, and for u orse cutting I generally give what men ask. Is Mr Flatman prepared to go in for complete prohibition, and if not in what particular is he prepared to go beyond the present Bill ?—Mr Flatman said it was for them to say whether they would have complete prohibition or not. Were not the exports for 1893 £220,000 less than those of 1891, if so, where are the boasted results of so-called Liberal legislation ?—Mr Flatman said he believed the gentleman asking the question was quite right;. the shrinkage was caused by the shrinkage in the price of their principal exports, but still the Government held its own for all that. Does not the present Alcoholic Liquor Control Bill refer the matter direct to the people 7—Mr Flatman : No, not as regards total prohibition. A bare majority can now close 25 per cent of the pubiichou^es. Mr Seddon states that he holds documentary evidence that it was the wish of the late Mr Ballance that he (Mr Seddon) should succeed him as Premier. If this be true, why does he not produce the evidence / —Mr Flatman : That is Mr Seddon’s business; not mine. Are you in favor of the Contractors Lien Bill, and will you explain its advantages or otherwise ?—Mr Flatman said he had not got the Contractors Lien Bdl, but he had no doubt it was a step in the right direction. Are you in the hab : t of giving away boots except at election times, and are you aware that such action might be considered a breach of the Corrupt Practices Act 1— Mr Flatman said as far as the boots are concerned he did not care about locals being put in the paper about his private business, but if they thought he had oah given a pair of boots away in his lifetime they had very little idea of his sympathy for those who had no boots. (Applause). Can Mr Flatman reconcile his conscience to following the lead of Mr Seddon, who stated at Feilding on October 13th, that during the present Administration 2 to 1 persons had been settled on the land more than any previous Administration, when the official returns give the following figures:—lßß9, 2392 persons; 1890, 2034 persons ; 1891, 1881 persons; 1892, 1953 persons ; 1893, DBO persons /—Mr Flatman said that when he found Mr Seddon not speaking the truth he should promptly till him about it. Is the present Government a nonborrowing Government ?—Mr Flatman : I put it down as such. Would you favor a dual vote for property owners /—Mr Flatman said for the House of Representatives, no. Is Mr Flatman prepared to oppose a loan for Public Works?—Mr Flatman would consider the question to see whether it would benefit the country, and if he believed it would he would support it. Is Mr Flatman prepared to support a Ministry, who spoke against the publi ; buying large estates, but which contained a member who bought a large estate from the Maoris which ought to have been purchased by the Government ?—Mr Flatman said if he was supporting the Government, and he found it doing improper things he would soon give them a piece of his mind. Do you think the present constitution of the Upper House is satisfactory? And i not how do you propose to alter it ?—Mr Flatman: That has been answered in my speech. Do you consider it fair that a man with £6OOO lying at a bank at 5 per cent, should (both he and the bank) be exempt from taxation, while a farmer with the same amount invested in land contributes heavily towards taxation.—Mr Flatman said this was a Conservative fiction. Who would be foolish enough to let £6OOO lie i?j the bank at 5 per cent, when he could let it cut at 6 per cent, and get £6O for it 1 thus enabling him to pay £3O taxation, and make an extra profit of £3O. Do you think it right to pay members of the Upper House £BOO, which they could not accept without special legislation ? Mr Flatman was not in favor of any money being paid in an illegitimate way. Does Mr Flatman think that it was justifiable of the present Government to largely increase the gross debt of the colony, taking the present advantage, but making a much heavier obligation for a future generation ?—Mr Flatman said he believed the Govefnmenji had ‘effected, a c’avipg of £76,000 pdd to the country, and therefore he did not see that the Government had acted improperly. The other Eiarty, however, had increased their debt y three millions, Is Mr Flatman sufficiently well Informed in the general and political history of the times to tell us whether any Englishgoverned country has a more stringent Alcoholic Sale Bill than New Zealand / Mr Flatman said he was not; it took him all his time to look after his own country. Does Mr Flatman consider it xminopil of the present Ministry tq charge the colony ydth lodging expenses, \vheq‘ the colony Already provide, and still has to keep up mihisterial rendepces which the Ministers tip not cpc'upy I— Mr Flatmqp said if there was nuy waste o| public money ho would k it,

Are women allowed to be put on the roll to serve as jurors at the Supreme or District Court ? —Mr Flatman: This is a question the questioner ought to pay 6s 8d to have answered. If elected will you support other prohibition members in putting Sir Robert Stout at the head of the Government ?—lf elected he would follow the leader who had the largest majority. He would do his best to prevent any disruption in the Liberal party. Would you be iu favor of enforcing the law of punishing candidates who bribe the electors.—Mr Flatman certainly would. No one would be harder on a candidate who would bribe an elector. If he had his way candidates should button-hole no one. Are you in favor of altering the Education Act that female teachers may receive the same salary as male teachers when they do exactly the same work. —Mr Flatman was in favor of it. If teachers were the same as regards classification, he did not see why they should not get the same salary. AT PLEASANT POINT. Mr Flatman addressed a meeting of Pareora electors at Pleasant Point on Friday evening. After his address a number of questions, for the most part similar to those put at Temuka, were replied to, and Mr Bishop proposed a vote of thanks to, and confidence in, Mr Flatman, and this was seconded by Mr Andrews. Mr Wreathall proposed an amendment of thanks, but no confidence, Mr Halstead seconding the amendment. On theamendment being put it was lost, and the motion of thanks and confidence was carried by a large majority. AT WOODBURY. Mr F. R. Flatman addressed the electors at Woodbury on Saturday evening, when the schoolhouse was packed to the doors, and lady electors were largely represented. Mr J. Jobberns occupied the chair, and introduced the candidate. He said Mr Flatman had been a resident in their district for a great many years, and held many public offices. As a candidate for Parliament he had met with very good support at Temuka and Pleasant Point, and he (Mr Jobberns) asked a good hearing for Mr Flatman at Woodbury. Mr Flatman on rising was received with loud applause. He said one reason why he was there that night was because he was a candidate in the Liberal interest, and another reason was because it had been said outside his own district, where he was strange, that he (Mr Flatman) had such a bad name at home that he would not get a hearing. For these reasons he trusted to the electors’ generosity and presented himself early before them. (Applause.) They had no claim upon each others’ votes simply because they were neighbours, and he believed in every man voting according to his own opinion. If he had men in his employ he never attempted to influence them to vote for him against their will. He tried fair argument, and if that failed he never had been known to resort to coercion. (Loud applause.) Among other things Mr Flatman touched 011 the Noxious Weeds Bill and said that he felly believed Mr J. McKenzie’s explanation at Naseby, how this Bill had been brought in, when it should never have come before the public. As far as he could see, Mr McKenzie had always carried out his Bills in a manly way, and they had always been properly framed. On the local government question Mr Flatman said the Government proposed to bring in a Bill to alter our local government system. He (Mr Flatman) could lay claim to much experience in local government. For the past 20 years he had been returned as a member of the Geraldine Road Board ; he was also a member of the Tiraaru Harbour Board, and amember of the Timaru and 'ladstone Public Works Board. His knowledge in local affairs would give him some weight in speaking on this matter if he were elected as a member to represent the Pareora electors in the coming Parbament. He did not know how the new Local Government Bill would be framed, but there was a suggestion that there should be one board to collect all rates and distribute the money amongst the working bodies beneath it. He thought the Government intended to frame the Bill probably iu that way. On the native laud question, he thought it the proper thing that laud should be reserve i for landless natives. Speaking personally he said Mr Rhodes, his political opponent and himself were the best of friends. The worst thing he knew against Mr Rhodes was that he was a Conservative. At the same time he (Mr Flatman) was in the field, and wanted to win the election, which he could not do without the support of the electors. When they had finished the election, whichever way it went, he hoped all would be as good friends as they were before. He wished, and he was sure that his opponent also wished, that their election would bo so well conducted that it would be an example to New Zealand. (Loud applause.) Dealing with the Bill for the compulsory purchase of laud, he referred tj the return of 1893 asked for by Sir John Hall, which showed that for laud valued at £7B per acre the owner had asked £93, or £ls above the taxable value, and he maintained that if land could have been bought at a fair price this Bill would never have been brought in. For settlement purposes ho would be iu favor of securing the very best land the/ could, or of making the areas bigger and the rents cheaper, so that a person could make a living on jt. He denied that under this Bill the Minister for Lands would have power to take a poor farmer’s bjt of land and give it to anyone he liked. (A voice: “ But he has the power.”} Nq,' fyo liaci not the power, for pyery ppm A right to 1000 agree of firat class laud, wb^ 1 ' would be worth no doubt £l9 peracr,, Ito a l so a man COuicl have 2000 acres of second class land, and the right to choose on whicn part of m* Estate lie would reserve it, Fov part he (Mr Flatman) would bp Perfectly satisfied with 1000 acres of first class laud. But a kind of garbled yarn had beau stuffed into the landowners that if they owned only about 200 acres of land they could be thrown out of it by the Government. . In reply to questions Mr Flatman said if possible he would favor paying 011 the working average instead of on the strict average. This would be much in favor of the country schools, qud increase t heir incidentals, VVajj iu favour of asking Govcrn’nqqt to grant a vote for scholarships. At present, as the scholarships were, it was unfair to primary schools, there being only one scholarship for every 500 children. The scholarships should be so arranged that a child would not be rejected for ono failure, but could work his way up, so that the poor man’s child could become a lawyer or a doctar as well as the wealthy man’s child. Would not tax old bachelors over thirty thirty, unless they al&o, taxed old maids over thirty, ( Laqgtfier.) For the man might wo, Oj hut if the lady said “no,” it was all ago. (Loud laughter). The residential qualification would alone satisfy him for Parliamentary elections. Did not know whether there would be a third party iu the new House of Representatives. Thought the railways were working • t present a little better t than they used tv, but there was, still

room for improvement. It was now unnecessary for anyone to stamp a wages receipt. Mr C. Jessep moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Flatman as the fit and proper person to represent the Pareora electorate. In his (Mr Jessep’s) estimation, Mr Flatman was one the most practical and most useful public servants they had in the district. (Applause.) Mr R. Hammond seconded the resolution. He had known Mr Flatman a good many years, and found him to be a thorough Liberal in all his actions. The motion was carried unanimously. WINCHESTER. Mr Flatman addressed a very large and orderly meeting last night at Winchester, and was received very enthusiastically. _ A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by acclamation, an amendment of thanks not finding a seconder.

Mr Rhodes addressed a meeting of the Pareora electors at Hilton on Thursday. There was a good attendance, and Mr O. G. Bradley presided. At the close of his address Mr Rhodes answered a number of questions. Mr J. Skinner moved, and Mr Pawson seconded, a vooe of taanks to Mr Rhodes for his address, and confidence in him as their representative. Mr Crowe moved a vote of thanks only, which was saconded by Mr R. Bennett. The motion was carried by a large majority. Mr Seddon arrived at Greymouth on Friday morning and had a very cordial reception. He came on by train and was nut at Kumara road by the Mayor and councillors and presented with an address. He drove through Gcldsborough and Stafford and was enthusiastically received at both places. He had a big meeting at the theatre in the evening, about one thousand people being present. He spoke for three hours but disclosed very little fresh of the policy of the Government except that he indicated that it would be necessary to make the Legislative Council elective. At the conclusion a motion of unabated confidence and wishing the Liberal party success in the present election was carried unanimously amid cheers. Mr Seddon left on Saturday morning for Christchurch, and will visit several towns in. the south. Mr Ward, the Colonial Treasurer, spoke at the Bluff on Friday night. He devoted a good deal of his time to a reply to Mr G, F. Richardson’s criticism of the Government’s finance. He said that one point was always forgotten by the Government’s critics, namely, the savings by the conversions over the whole periods of the loans, which would be £2,052,380. He claimed that by the last release of sinking fund securities, the colonial debt had been reduced by £96,000. Mr Richardson’s statement that the transaction cost £30,000 in interest was incorrect, as there was a balance 01 £305,000 of debentures yet to be sold. Mr Richardson had assumed that all had been disposed of. The sales so far had resulted in a loss of only £I4OO under par. If all were sold at 96, the loss would be only £15,000, not £30,000, as Mr Richardson had stated. He contended that the Government were justified in the course they took, as they had determined not to borrow, and the money was wanted for public works. Had it been borrowed it would have cost the colony five times more than they were now paying. The interest payable on loans was considerably less than when the Government took office. He denied that it was the intention of the Government to extract £IOO,OOO from the people, free of interest, by the issueof postalnotes, or that they had any intention to create a State Bank. A vote of confidence in Mr Ward and the Ministry was carried by acclamation.

We understand that Mr E. G. Wright had a very warm time of it at Orari on Thursday evening. Rotten egging was indulged in rather freely, and we are informed that Mr Wright was kept a prisoner in the school house till early the next morning. This is most unbecoming conduct on the part of those concerned. A little fun in the shape of friendly banter is good enough in its way, but Thursday evening’s performance, if all we hear is true, is carrying things much too far. Whatever a candidate’s views may be he should at least get fair play, and exemption from the fear of bodily injury. Mr W. S. Maslin addressed the electors on the Ashburton side of the Rangitata last week and had over flowing audiences and good support. The Geraldine Liberal Association met on Friday evening and unanimously decided to support Mr W. S. Maslin as their candidate in the Liberal interest.

Nominations. For the Pareora seat, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes was nominated by Messrs E. H. Brewer, A. Frew, and S. Clinch ; Mr F. R, Flagman, by Messrs E. Waddell, J. §iip, and A. Agnew. Pqr the Rangitata seat Messrs E. G. Wright, W. S. Maslin, R. M. Outhbertson, and 1. R. C. C. Graham were nominated. Messrs W. Hall-Jones and E. G. Kerr have been nominated for the Timarp seatMr Seddon was nominated fqr the Westland seat on Friday. Messrs Fish, Gourlay, Pinkerton, Earnshaw, Haynes, Hutchison, Nicol, and Gore have been nominated for Dunedin City. Messrs G. W. Purnell, J. Oathcart Wason, John McLachlan, and G. C. Wafiy were nominated for Ashburton, Auckland Sif Gqgrge Grey, Messrs Thqmpson, Tudehope, Napier, Button, Orowther, Shera, Fernandez, and Vaile. Wellington City—Sir R. Stout. Messrs G. Fisher, Travers, Vogel, Duthie, Bell, and Fraser. Hawkes Bay—Captain Russell, Messrs T, Tanner, and W. C. Reardon. Christchurch —Messrs M. Davie, EGeorge, R. M. Taylor, W- ?■ Reeves, E;. Sandford, J. O’Brien If oar e, J. S. Evison, G, D. Bradbury, G. H. "Smith, W- Rohan, and W- 'W. Collins; “ ' Lyttelton Messrs B. Bslakq,. & M. Douglass, J. Joyce, and S- Wi-lA* Palmerston M?§§K» hr ' gnd F, Snelson, MatttiJ’-- -r G, Munro. **•-' ' ..j, —Messrs Richardson, McNab, —* Christie. Mr Ward is the only nomination for Awarua, and is certain to have a walk-over.