The General Election. MR JOHNS AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1467, 26 November 1881, Page 2

The General Election. MR JOHNS AT HAMILTON.

Mr Johns addressed the electors at the Court-house, Hamilton, on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance, and the proceedings were most orderly throughout. The chair was occupied by His Worship the Major. Mr Johns, who spoke for about fortyminutes, reviewed the prinoipal political questions of the day, his speech being for the most part, a recapitulation of those delivered at other places. On the subject of education, he was of opinion that higher education was a luxury, and should be paid for as such, though he heartily approved of a system of scholarships, by the aid of which the brighter among the children would be enabled to develope the talents which they possessed. After touching on the land laws, custom duties, taxation, protection, public works, the constitution of the Legislative Council, the Highways and Counties Acts, the candidate criticised the action of the present Government in regard to the 10 per cent, reduction and other matters, and claimed that all the liberal measures which the present administration claimed to have carried, owed their origin to Sir George Grey and no other. He referred briefly to the other candidates, and complaiued that Mr Whitaker had used his influence to upset the old Rangiaohia Board. He strongly deprecated any such interference by a member on questions of a purely local nature. He expressed his willingness to answer any questions put to him. Mr Martin Brown wished to know whether the Government had refunded the 10 per cent, to the railway employe's. Mr Johns said the Government were not in the habit of making refunds. Mr Brown : But, my dear man, they have refunded it. (Loud laughter). Mr D. D. Hyde wished to know whether the candidate would support the sons of old colonists, by giving them grants of land, so that they might occupy positions as good as those of their fathers, when the Utter " dropped off." Mr Johns would not promise to do so, but he would endeavor to see that old colonists got as much as new coiners. What he desired was that everybody, rich and poor alike, should be placed in a position to acquire land. (Hear). That was the keystone of his whole policy. Mr Hammond asked if Mr Johns would pledge himself to go to the poll. Mr Johns said he was a man who never undertook what he was not prepared to carry out. Ou the motion of Mr W. Jones, seconded by Mr G. Edgecumbe, a vote of thanks was accorded the candidate, and a similar compliment having been paid the Mayor for presiding the meeting terminated.

Mr F. A. Whi taker will address the electors at Ngaruawahia this evening ; at Ohaupo on Monday, and Raglan on Tuesday. Mr Johns will address a meeting at Cambridge West this evening. Mr Me Minn will meet the electors at Te Awamutu this evening. Mr J. B. Whyte will address the electors of Waikato at the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East, this evening, and at the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Monday evening next. Sir George Grey wilt address the electors of Waipa in the Hamilton Public and Volunteer Hall on Friday, 2nd December, at 8 o'clock.