Mr Lake at Te Mata.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1874, 10 July 1884, Page 2

Mr Lake at Te Mata.

Mr Lake addressed tho electors at Te Mata on Tuesday evening at 7.50. The weatlier and roads were very bad, which prevented many people attending ; nevertheless, there were nearly thirty present. On the motion of Mr Bregman, Mr Helier Biie was called to the chair. Mr Lake delivered an address almost similar to that above published. Mr Billington wanted to know if it was suggested to alter the Education Act in favour of any paiticular denomination would he oppose it ? Mr Lake replied that he certainly would. Mr Billington wished to know if a bill were brought in to make Sir Julius Vogel refund two-thirds of the £27,000 he collared would Mr Lake support such bill ? Mr Lake : Yes, certainly, if there was any chance of getting it. The Chairman asked if Mr Lake was in favour of settling land on the deferred payment system ? Mr Like replied that in some countries it was a failuie, and our experience of it in New Zealand, though small, had not been in its favour. In reply to a question re the nationalisation of the land, Mr Like stated that so far as it was identical with confiscation he was opposed to it, but could see no reason why a system of perpetual leasing, with a fixed tenure on fair lent, should not be tned alongside the present system of freehold purchase. Ho believed if a sudden stop were put to the purchase of freehold a large number of the best class* of emigiants would not come out to New Zealand. He for his own part, would never have corns out had he not been able to purchase fieehold. On the subject of the retrenchment Mr Lake stated that Major Atkinson had made it one of his strong points, and ho was ceitainly in favour of cutting down expenses &o long as efficiency was not impaired. Mr McCracken wished to know if the candidate was in favour of free emigration ? Mr L ike replied he was not that the present system of nominated emigration should only continue. Mr McCracken asked if Mr Lake would support a bill reducing lavvycis charges. Mr Lake replied certainly. But he had little hope of seeing it. Mr Billington asked if Mr Lake thought it proper that the Government should tax poor settlers to support lazy loafers calling themselves unemployed. Mr Lake replied, certainly not. But, that the Government should see that there was no actual destitution. Mr McCracken proposed and Mr Galvin seconded that a vote of thanks and confidence be accorded to Mr Lake. Mr Bregenan proposed, and Mr Nicholson seconded, that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Lake. On being put to the meeting the oiiginal proposition was carred almost unanimously. This concluded the meeting.