WAIPA ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2352, 6 August 1887, Page 3

WAIPA ELECTION.

Mr Campbell at Te Awamutu,

[l'ltOM oun OWN cohiiesponhent]. Mn Gamfukli. met the electors of Waipa on Thursday evening in the hall at Te Awamutu, about eighty being present. Mr Walton was voted to the chair and introduced the candidate, who, on coming forward, was received with applause. The address was practically the same as ho delivered in Hamilton. The four great planks in his platform, he laid down as retrenchment, judicious protection, railway reform, and land settlement, He strongly favoured Mr Vailu’s railway scheme, and hoped that gentleman would be returned to Parliament, when he would be able to obtain tlie necessary data to effect reform in the rates of freight, which lie could not obtain now. 110 was not a protectionist, nor an absolute free trader, ho thought our iron and prospoctiic sugar industries should be protected against foreign competition. He gave these two as instances. Ho believed in reciprocity. His views on retrenchment in the Government and Civil service were given, as reported in his Hamilton meeting ; was in favour of free education stopping at the fourth standard, after that parents should pay for their childrens education. Ho thought that absentee owners and others, who held their lands locked up and unimproved, should be compelled to sell to those, who would work the land. Ho thought tile sole management of the railways should be put in the hands of the manager, who should be held responsible. He thought it a piece of impertinence on the part of many of the old hands to try and get back to Parliament again. They had been weighed in the balance, and found wanting. He would say as a great man of old once said, “Get yon gone, and give place to better men.” In reply to questions, he did not cast a slur on the late representative for Waipa. He said in his remarks that if people looked in Hansard they would see who had supported the late Government. Those were the men who should not be sent back. He did not allude to the late representative, whom he believed to he a good and honest man. Would reduce the Council to 30 members, and the House to 00, hut not less. In reply to a question as to what was to be done with those children who were smart, and passed the fourth standard at 10 or 11 years of age, and who, if free education were stopped at that standard, would bo left to run about the streets, and got into mischief, Mr Campbell said that as a community we could not take this matter into

consideration. If children were clever enough to pass that standard at such an early age it would ho an inducement to parents to pay for their further education. (Applause). Would like to see Mr Bryce in the next .Ministry. Would be in favour of making free grants of land to people who would emne and settle on it. If the case of retrenchment were applied considerable reductions could be made in the taxation but not all at once. If two millions more wore to bo borrowed be could not see how any reduction could be made as there would bo extra interest to pay. Hid not know about prohibition, wo had it practically in local option, which put the power in the peoples hands. Would support anything that could be done to reduce that trade. The people had the power, if they chose to exercise it they should do so and not expect their representatives to do it. Was in favour of a land tax but did not think any alteration should be made in the income tax. Would not bo in favour of any change in the Properly Tax except in the matter of land which should bo taxed on its original or unimproved value, but ho would bo willing to sink his own ideas for the sake of the people. Ho would be guided by thorn. He would do as his constituents instructed him. He thought''a member should consult his constituents before doing anything important. Was most decidedly not in favour of Sir Julius Vogel being in the next cabinet, but it his constituents wished it he would submit. Did not think a man was divesting himself of his manliness by voting as his constituents wished him to so vote. As long as a member was allowed to remain in Wellington ho should receive his honorarium even though his constituents were not satisfied that he had kept to his pledges. At this stage, as some were leaving the hall, he wished to say that ho was going round the electorate expressing his views, and he wished the constituency to say at. as early a date as possible whether they wished him to continue in the field. That could bo done best by forming committies who would ascertain in the usual manner what amount of support he was likely to receive. Ho was not anxious to go to Wellington, and if another man with equally large views were found he was quite willing to retire. He objected to bribery in any form, and if a man said he would vote for him for a glass of beer he would not give it. Some little time having elapsed and nothing being said, the chairman said Mr Campbell had asked for an expression of opinion. His opinion was that they wanted a man with more backbone. One who was not easily led, and who had judgment enough to see for himself and act accordingly. Mr Campbell said that those who knew him best, know that he was by no moans deficient in determination. He bad back bone enough not to vote if he thought the matter was wrong, and having formed opinions it was not easy to turn him. On the motion of Mr Bridgman, seconded by Mr Hunt, a vote of thanks to Mr Campbell was carried. The usual vote to the chair was also carried. Tire chairman’s remarks about back bona tickled the risibility of the audience pretty well, and after going out people could be beard enquiring very affectionately of their friends as to the state of their backbones. One man got off a fearful pun on the name of Mr Campbell’s district. He asked a friend if he could “raise er back (Razorback) bone,” Tiro friend is still in the doctor’s hands. Joking apart, Mr Campbell should know (as ho requested as early as possible) that he docs not stand the least show at this end of the district anyway. No one doubts his sincerity, but too much pliability in a candidate will not suit the people at the present juncture.