THE WAIPA ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1879, 22 July 1884, Page 2

THE WAIPA ELECTION.

Mr Lake at Cambridge West. Mb K. Lvkk addressed the electors of Cambridge West, Pukekura and Pukerinm in the Pukekura school-house on Saturday evening last. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr John Fisher. Mr Lake, before entering upon his addiess, excused himself for his delay in addiessmg the electors of that district. Ho had also been unable to call upon the settlers personally. This he hoped they would excuso when they took into con sideration the extent of the district, his many other engagements, and the comparatively short time at his disposal. The candidate then proceeded with his addiess, which was in the main similar to that already published. In referring to the native land question, he stated that unless some new and better legislation were introduced, the country would, sooner or later, have to face the question of a community of native paupers — a dangerous faction of dissatisfied people. He strongly approved of a tax upon all large blocks of land held for purely speculative purposes, and upon which no improvements were carried out, but the value of which was yearly enhanced by the labour and capital of the struggling settler. These statements were received with much applause. Mr Chas. Tuck challenged the candidate's statements respecting the paupeiNing of natives by the present system of native land dealing. He would ask Mr Lake if he could name any one block that had been bought by " land jobbei-,"' as Mr Lake had bjuu pleased toteimthem, under the pi esunt land laws, by the sale of which the 01 lgmal native grantees weio likely t" be made paupeis ? Could Mr Lake tell the meeting of one single block that had been purchased in which ample reserves had not been laid off? Mi Lake in reply said he had no peisonal knowledge of native land dealings, nor did he intend to. In speaking as he had, he had denved his information from what had appealed in reliable public prints as the statements of men who were an authoiity on such matters. Mr Mitchelson, on a recent occasion when addressing his constituents, instanced a case of a block of 40,000 acres, the original piice of which was 4s Gd an acre. By the tune all the claims i for survey, agents' services, and other incidentals were settled, the nathes found they had to go and sell anothei block to clear themselves. Mr Tuck asked if Mr Lake was not aware that the Trust Commissioner would not pass a deed until it was .shown to him that the natives had got ample leservea left tolive upon ? Mr Lake expiessed himself as not fully satisfied with all that Mi Tuck had <-tated, wlieicupon Mr Tuck replied that Mr Like did not know the Ant. Mi Tuck was pioceeding with further explanations, \\ hen the chairman inteipo^ed and called him to oidor. Mr Lake t>aid he was quite satisfied whatever the present law was i expecting natives and their lands, that Mr Biyce's new bill was a great improvement. The good that Mrßiycehad effected in the past showed them that what he now pioposed doing could be idled upon a-» the best m the interests of both raceo. Mi Tuck Raid that it was not Mr Biyc^'s legislation that pie\ on ted the nati\ es alienating all their lauds. That law was in force before Mr Biyce took ofh'co, and had bjon in opeiation since 1573. In leply to other questions, Mr Lake said that the question of absentees as etpeiienced so stukingly in Cambiidge West was asouiceof gieat tumble and annoyance to road boards. In country distucts they weie gradually clearing them off. It was high time that some legislation, enabling load boaids to deal with the pro perty of absentees without so much cost to the ratepayer, was introduced. Any measure dealing with this> matter would have his hiippoit, and he believed the suppoit of all load boaids. In Cambridge We-st they had a laige number of acres co\ered with fui/e, which spiead to othei impiovod land and they had no remedy foi this. The law should allow the boaul to cut the furze, and change the cost against not done the piopeity. By stopping free education at the fourth standaid, the country it was estimated would save £50,000, which was not to be sneered at. Mr Lake, in reply to another question said he had never stated that he would support the general policy of the present (lorn nment, including the Native Land Bill. He would suppoit the Measuie.s he had leferied to, no matter what minis tiy bi ought them forward. But with the present Ministry, he saw the be&t chance of these measures being carried out. He would not support any measuie giving special ad vantages to any paiticular section of the people in the matter of education. He did not think that hotels kept piuely for the accomodation of travelleis should pay as heavy a, license fee as other houses. He thought the powers of l'censing committees and the power to legulate license fees should be vested in one or other of 'the local bodies. Ho would not be prepared to suppoit a measure, biinging the Propeity Tax exemption undei £500. He ceitainly would not suppoit a proposal to make ll less than £200, in ca-^e it should be found necessaiy to i educe it. Beveial questions which have already been dealt with by the candidate and a number of iirelevant questions weie put and disposed of by the candidate. A vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr Lake was cariied almost unanimously, there being only three hands held up in f,u our of Mr Tuck's amendment, that a vote of thanks only be accoided the candidate.

Mr Lake at Paterangi. Mr Lake addressed the electors of the district in the old school-house, Paterangi, on Friday evening. The night being dark there were only about twenty persons present. Mr Newland was voted to the chair, and in a few well chosen remarks introduced the candidate, and Mr Lake spoke for upwards of an hour touching on all the piincipal questions before the county, namely, Education, Land Bill, Federation, Separation, Trunk Kailway. &c, In answer to questions put by several electors, Mr Lake said he was in favour of a Propeity Tax and to some extent an Income Tax ; he was in favour of changing the age when children should be bent to school to seven yeais in cities ; he was not in favoui of reducing the honorarium to £1 per day while the session lasted : he was not in favour of the present licensing Act. A vote of thanks aud confidence was proposed and earned unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. — (A Correspondent.) Mr John Fisher, chairman of Mr Lake's committee, inserts a notice in another column in answer to Mr W. M. Hay.

Major Jackson at Cambridge West. Major Jackson addressed the electors of Cambridge West, Pukekura, and Pukerimu in the Pukekura school-room last night. There were about 40 piesent, and the chair was occupied by Mr E. B. Walker. The candidate, who was well received, delivered a long address, dealing principally with the native land question and Mr Bryce's bill. He read the paper signed " Roto " (which he thought should nave been printed " Rot " instead), and replied to the various statements therein contained. The questions asked were similar to those already dealt with. Mr Tuck proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Major Jackson. Mr Jno. Gnce seconded. Mr Jno. Fisher proposed as an amendment a votp of thanks only to the candidate for his very able and interesting address. Mr E, Allen seconded. There was some difficulty experienced in counting, and the numbers recorded we» doubtful. However, the amendment was carried by about ten votes. The Major, in thanking those present for their vote of thanks, said it was the only occasion upon which he had not received a vote of confi denca.

Mr J. S. Buckland will bold his first sale of farm produce, --farm machinery, implements, furniture, &c., at the new bazaar, Cambridge, on Saturday nex£. He requires to purchase by that; day' two double-furrow ' ploughs and a strong mowing machine. i,~ " , - '- •< ' /'Mr, John Knox will, at, .the Hamilton Auctions Mart ori ! Saturday,*next,-c6ntinue the.sale of F,CotMell's 'drapery,' clothing, grgQcrics, »l?o/