DR. HOSKING AT PATERANGI.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 468, 1 August 1899, Page 3

DR. HOSKING AT PATERANGI.

On Friday last Dr. Hosking met the electors at the Patcrangi flail. The evening being wet prevented many from attending who would otherwise have been present, and only about fifteen persons put in an appearance. Mr Germann occupied the chair. Dr. Hosking spoke for over an hour. He said he believed in a contest because a poll was necessary on account of the licensing question. There were too many men in the House. Twenty men could do the business better and in less time than now. He belonged to the Progressive Liberal Party, but would not hand himself soul and body to any party ; he would act independently, if necessary. He would rather die than commit a wrong. Continuing, he compared the present state of the colony with ten years ago, and said we must be grateful for signs of prosperity ; but he did not attribute these to any Government. The present party in power would be returned at the next election, because the Conservatives could not manage the Government as well as the Liberals ; they had not the brains. Capt. Rußsell could not be compared to Mr iScddon. Mr Rolleston was a better man than Capt. Russell, but he was nearly a converted Liberal. He (Rolleston) was quite in accord with the Government with regard to the land laws, and by the time the next election was over he would be quite converted. He thought that the Conservatives liked their whisky too well to vote for prohibition. He was a teetotaller and a prohibitionist, but he did not see why people should not have liquor if they wanted it. With reference to the sale of liquor in the King Country, he thought if the people there would have liquor they ought to get it good and not adulterated, the Adulteration Act should be enforced. He considered a bare majority right in voting for license, and a three-fifths to abolish licenses. If the Conservatives got into power they would repeal the Old Age Pensions Act, the Advances to Settlers Act, and the Land Act. They did not want the people to Bettle on Government land ; they wanted to sell their own land at a big profit. If he could he would burst up all the big estates in the country. With a surplus of £500,000 it would be an easy matter to pay the old age pensions, which would be about £200,000, and the balance be carried forward. (A voice: Why do they want to borrow one and a-half millions!) Oh, that is for special had now put his views before the-jflß' if tue Y <*id not ''^ e them, weli, a - n could do the other thing. TifP' /hftirman desired to state that Captain Russell had said on several occasions that he would not repeal the Old Age Pensions Act, and with regard te placing people on the land, the Government should not place people on land who had no means, no experience, no roads and markets; it only meant disappointment and failure. In reply to questions the candidate said : He thought that they should not stand aloof from federation. He would like to look into the Orchard and Garden Pest Act before he could say whether he would support it. He did nob take any steps some time ago to prevent a license being granted in the King Country. A vote of thanks was accorded the speaker. —(Own Correspondent),