The Wairoa Bell AND Hobson County Gazette FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24th.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 225, 24 November 1893, Page 7

The Wairoa Bell AND Hobson County Gazette FRIDA Y, NOVEMBER 24th.

Mr E. G. Button, candidate f~r Auckland city, and a man of acknowledged ability, speaking on tne Liquor question said;—He had been asked his views on

the liquor traffic and the preseut Bill. He

thought the Alcoholic Liquors Control Bill a sham, and would favour its repeal at the earliest opportunity, ''Applause) It was not until yesterday that he had become acquainted with the clauses of Sir Robert Stout’s Bill, He saw it contained a measure for the poll for local option and election to take place on the same day. Thac removed a great difficulty from his mind. When the local option polling took place by itself, only a fraction came forward. He thought a great question should not be decided in that way. He did not believe in local option being carried by a bare majority in that way. But that difficulty was removed by Sir Robert Stout by which the full strength of the roll would probably record their wishes, 1 Mr J M Shera, another candidate for the City, and who at last election was supported by the 1 quor traffic, said in his speech, — ‘He wished to refer to a new political power that was growing up; and one too that was dangerous. In the last days of the Parliament it was an open secret that the brewers of the Colony had determined to fight this election, also that they had to put down large sums of money for that purpose. (Applause). That was an open secret in the House, the brewers’ object being to return throughout the Colony, men who would be puppets of their own. (Applause) He wished to warn the ladies that these nominees of the brewers, if sufficiently powerful next parliament, would carry an amendment to the electoral laws, to take away the franchise from them. (Applause). Let them be not deceived ; that was thejquestion underlying this struggle. He advised them to find out who were the nominees of the brewers, and to record their votes accordingly at the ballot box. (Great applause). But wherein consisted that power? Was it possible that three or four men in Auckland could return who they pleased ? The reason was they had obtuined a power that was dangerous to the State, and it behoved every lover of his children and his country to grapple with that power. (Applause). This is testimony from well-known sources outside oi the ranks termed extremists, or even the Temperance party. It is an undoubted fact that the Licensed Victuallers throughout the Colony are making great efforts to secure the return of members favourable to their traffic, and are spending a lot of money in the furtherance of their object. The Victuallers in their agitation are prompted by personal and selfish ends, for all they seek is the protection of their pockets and the right to continue their trade even against the wish of the majority of the people. The Temperance Party, on the other hand, simply ask that the control of the traffic shall be placed in the hands of the people, and in so asking they cannot be said to be actuated by any selfish or monetary purposes. We mention this matter on the eve of the election because in both the Marsden and Bay of Islands electorates the Licensed Victuallers are working hard in favour of those candidates who are opposed to the majority of the people (to whom they are looking for election) being given the control of the liquor traffic. The only candidates for these two electorates who are willing to trust the majority of the people with the Direct Veto are Mr Trounson for Bay of Islands and Mr Harrison for Mars den The question of prohibition is not effected by this election for all that the Temperance party ask is that parliament shall refer that question to the people to be decided as all other questions are by a majority vote. We urge upon all electors to vote soberly and conscientiously on Tuesday next. Heed not the the loud talk of those who by a reckless extravagance of unproven statements would endeavour to make you believe black was white. Thinkers are wanted more than talkers for Tuesday. A lot of loud talk is indulged in at election times and it might not be out of place to remind talker? that while they talk some are thinking. Then talk wisely.

W. Tatarariki Esqre’s verses on * The Regiment that never was listed,’ will appear next week. ‘ Wanderer’s ’ notes on the Candidates for the Bay have only just reached us and it is quite impossible for its to insert them

this week. T.ie same must be said of the verses on ‘ Truthful Joe.’ to the tune of

• Jeremy Diddler.’ The mail leaves at eleven this evening and we are pushed lor time, owing to a heavy pressure of work.

Mr James Trounson addresses the electors at Dargaville tomorrow evening and at Aratapu on Monday evening.

Mr James Hartison is announced to speak at Tokatoka ana Arapohue tomorrow, and at Kopuru and Redhill on Monday.

A man named Vich was today fined £2 at Dargaville for unlawfully styling himself a doctor. The accused is a Swede who has been residing at Toka Toka.

The County Clerk this morning received notice from the Government to the effect that £4OO was now available for the approaches to bridge over the Tangowahine Creek and asking for plans to be sent for approval. Also a similar letter concerning the vote of £2OO for the Maropiu-Kai Iwi road. The Aratapu Brass Band have decided to play out on Tuesday evening, elect-on day. Perhaps they remember that * Music hath charms to still the savage breast ’ and are prompted by a desire to soothe the many ■ isappointments which electors will meet that evening while waiting for the results from the various booths. We are making arrangements to have the election results sent to us as prompt as possible on that evening and hope to be able to satisfy our friends. The Cricket ’matches for tomorrow are, —Aratapu v, Mangawhare on the latter’s grqnnd ; Aratapu II v. Tatarariki II on the latter’s ground. The Annual Wes eyan Soiree held at Aratapu last night was an immense success in every way. More next week, A gentleman from Whangarei informs us that Mr Harrison will ieceive strong support in that township, almost amounting tj a block vote. Mr James Harrison announces meetings with electors for Tokatoka and Arapohue on Saturday and Kopuru on Monday. See advertisement. At the request of the Kauri Lodge of Good Templars the Rev. Joseph Blight has consented to preach a Temperance sermon at Aratapu on Sunday evening next, Tire before named Bodge invites the attendance of all temperance friends and will be pleased if the Rechaiiites will attend in regalia, A correspondent sends the following for the information of electors :— ‘ In a speech given by Mr Thompson in the Good Templars Hall on October 4th, 1890, he said, ‘ There is not the slightest wish or desire amongst the electors for a change in taxation. With the party who were for ever howling about a land tax lie had no sympathy. The property tax was the best. Those who hold those opinions ought to go on the land and such men never should be sent to Wellington. He who thus tries to fool the electors will find his mistake.”

We publish elsewhere reports of Mr R. Houston’s meetings at Aratapu and Dar gaville. Mr Houston’s reply to the charge of having neglected this portion of his elect orate was very weak : to quote the amounts voted to each county in the electorate this year only, when he knew that for two previous years “his county had received - comparatively nothing was very like a deliberate attempt to deceive his hearers. No complaints are made of the amount voted this county last session, but the votes now granted were asked for, and promised us, three years ago and it is asked why we got nothing till the eve of a general election. In one or two other points Mr. Houston laeked boldness in touching upon important poinis, but we leave the electors to deal with him at the ballot box.

The recent heavy rains have been very severe on the roads, and another slip has occurred on the Waikara road, in the same place as the former one. Some solid work is necessary to put this road in a safe state. The water has been sweeping over the read

at the Aratapu Pound and nnless something is done there the road will require a heavy expenditure. The Kopuru Sunday School Anniversary services are to be held on Sunday next ; Rev. Joseph Blight preaches in the morning and Mr W. T. Stevens in the evening. Special hymns have been prepared by the children for the occasion. On Monday evening a musical entertainment will be given by the river talent, and the children. Parents and friends are asked to support the school in this effort and show their sympathy with the work carried on by the teachers. The present Government are not so liberal as their predecessors were in allowing the public to learn the results of the elections. They evidently intend to monopolise the wires and will only allow the press to use them at high rates. Our application for any concession has been refused. At last election there was no difficulty. The public will be anxious to hear the results so we shall do our best to serve them in spite of difficultiss. The telegraph offices will be open from 7 p.m. on Tuesday to 2 a.m. on Wednesday . The ‘ Herald ’ speaking of Mr J. M. Dargaville, says— : Politics to him are a mere means to 'an end—the end usually being himself. He blows his bubbles one by one for the amusement of the electors, and if they gain him votes he cares not whither thev float, or when they burst. He can blow you as many as you please, and he can blow them all shapes and sizes and all manner of colours. He is all blow. Just now Mr Dargaville for the purpose of securing the votes of the gumdiggers is blowing stupendous bnbbles of denunciation of th'e Austrians and other aliens who have gone on the gumfields. But only last year he was blowing quite as vigorously in their favour. A Beuefit Concert iu aid of Mr Day and family was held last Friday evening in the Aratapu Hall. The ladies and gentlemen of the district, as well as the Brass Band gave ready and willing assistance so that a really good programme was presented. The weather was against a large attendance, but the effort has been very help fnl as may be seen by the following statement which has been furnished'by Mr. E. Phelan, honorary secretary to the committee who took the concert in hand.— ’Gross takings £8 2s 4d. Expenses (hire of hall) 12s 6d. Nett proceeds £7 9s lOd. The Committee desire to tender their sincere thanks to all those who kindly assisted in the evening en'ertainment, erpecially the Aratapu Brass Band who kindly contributed several selections, and also to the Wairoa Bell for free printing and advertising.’ The * Herald ’ says “Mr Trounson is one of the best men who conld be chosen to represent a Northern electorate. He is thoroughly familiar with the wants of the whole district. He has attained to a good position as a farmer in the North, and is well able to contend for the attention that it ought to receive. He has a strong sympathy with the gumdiggers, who hare fall confidence in him. Last week we published the report of an interview held with him by a representative deputation of gumdiggers, at which Mr Trounson showed an accurate perception of the position, and also that he knew precisely what wonld be the best for the industry, and how it might be made to conduce to the permanent good of the country. As to land holding he thought the freehold tenure of land should be preserved for those who preferred it, but that liberty should be given to take up land on other systems, so that persons with small capital could devote their money to make a good start. In general politics, Mr Tronnaon is opposed to borrowing under any pretext, and insists upon the colony living within its means. ‘ Legislation,’ as he says, * should be progressive, but not revolutionary,’ and this may be taken as his political motto. Mr Trounson is indeed specially well qualified to represent the largest district in the North. He knows thoroughly every industry carried on in the district he is a candidate for ; he has no axe to grind for himself, he is independent in position, and in all his relations. His speeches have shown also that he is thoroughly capable, and that on no subject i$ he an extremist or 1 faddist.’ ”