Coromandel Election.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4846, 22 July 1884, Page 2

Coromandel Election.

MR BRODIE. A meeting of the Coromandel electors was held in St. George's Schoolroom last night.

Mr Brodie, on rising, said that he should place himself in accord with his audience, and denied that he was a nominee of the Auckland Central Committee; he was a nominee certainly, but he was the nominee of the diggers of the Thames, Goldfield. He had been a working man all his life, and was now prepared to take his coat off if required. In placing his platform before them, he would say that Sir George Grey had helped to educate the' people,—Major At. kinson was a hard-working and honest politician, but was not responsible for his associates. He was in favor of a coalition between Grey and Atkinson. The South Island want money. Three millions of money had been borrowed, but how much had been spent on the Thames? Five millions were about to be" borrowed, and he should endeavor to get sonic of it, if returned. He would go in for constructing the Thames-Aroha railway, prospecting, and industries. He would advocate thoroughly prospecting the district, and constructing aerial tramways which would help the profitable treatment of low >grade quartz. He would encourage every local industry by admitting duty free every article we could not import, and raw material required for manufactures. Would help the continuance of the San Francisco Mail Service, and so keep Auckland the port of call, instead of allowing it to be made Wellington or Port Chalmers. He was in favor of a land and an income tax. He was opposed to insular separation^ would advocate the deduction of the number of members of the Souse of Eepresentatiyes and make the Upper House elective. Believed in manhood suffrage and could not see that plurality of votes was just. He thought that an annual payment for expenses should be made so that a poor man could be a candidate as well as a rich one. Before money is borrowed by Parliament, a schedule should be presented shewing how it is to be spent. Had not the money spent by the County Council been distributed how would they have felt during times of depression. In ariswer to questions Mr Brodie said —He considered the election of County Chairman should rest with the ratepayers.—He would advocate local representation on the Board of Education.-—He Would also try and get a local representative on the Waßte Lands Board.—Would endeavor to get for the lessees on Block 27 the freehold of their sections.—Would support the endowment of the charitable institutions of the colony.-;-Was not a nominee of the Central or any other Committee.—Was in favor of a School of Mines for the district; had' already taken steps in that; direetion.-r-He. would be in favor of the boundaries of the electorate being altered, so that this portion of the Coromandel constituency should be tacked on to the Thames,. with another member,—Would be opposed to the granting of large areas in the way of gum leases.—Was in favor of Eire Brigades receiving the same privileges as Volunteers. —If returned, he would assist the Thames member in obtaining assistance for proa--1 peoting in the district.—Was not in favor of immigration until ample provision was made for surplus population.—ln reply to Mr Douglas, Mr Brodie said he had no letter regarding the connection of Mr Cadman with the Auckland Central Committee.—Would endeavor to have the Miner's Bight fee abolished. Mr D. E. O'Sullivan proposed that Mr Brodie was a fit and proper person to represent the district, and possessed the confidence of the meeting. He had watched the candidate, and was satisfied with him. In reference 4b tire letter spoken so much about, the_ speaker h.ad in his possession a letter to the effect that! the Central Committee in Auckland had decided to run Mr Cadman. ; V v Mr A. Brace seconded, .; Mr O'Sqllivan tl^ea placed f ia. the hands of Ihe Chairman a letter from the Qovernm.ent Central Comoiittee in Auckland to the following effect :—^Byani directed by the executivecommittee to; inform you that they have decided to accept Mr Cadman as a Government supporter, but have resolved to take no aotive steps at present.—F. W. Efui*' hon. see. Auckland Electiong Committee,"

and upon it being read there was some excitement. The Chairman put the motion of confidence, which was carried by 73 to 3. Mr Brodie heartily thanked them and moved a vote of teanks to the Chairmao.