ELECTION NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2360, 25 August 1887, Page 2

ELECTION NEWS.

Major Jackson at Hamilton.

Major Jackson delivered his first address to the electors of Waipa in the Public Hall, Hamilton, last night. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. Over a hundred voters were present. The Majors speech was received with repeated cheers, and as only two questions were asked it was manifest tho meeting was in full accord with the speaker. Mr S. Davis moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Major Jackson as their representative. This was seconded by Mr H. M, Salmon, and on being put it was carried without a dissentient vote. Major Jackson returned thanks, and moved the usual vote to the chair. A , full report of the speech will appear in ■ Saturday’s issue.

Mr Wkyte at Waotu. Mr Whyte visited Waotu on Monday last, and held a meeting in the evening in Mr Harnett’s large mom. About forty persons were present, amongst whom were several ladies. Nearly all the local electors were present, as well as throe who had come from Lichfield, apparently with the intention of influencing the meeting in Mr Russell’s favour. Mr Barnett was voted to the chair, and conducted the meeting ably and impartially. Mr Whyte spoke for about an hour and a-half, and was listened to most attentively, and frequently greeted with applause. He touched upon most of the important matters now before the public, and his views appeared to be entirely in accord with those of his audience. At the close of his address Mr Ashley proposed a hearty vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr Whyte. This was seconded by Mr Karl. Mr Freeman, of Lichfield, then proposed, as an amendment, a vote of confidence in Mr Russell. This, however, failed to find a seconder, and the vote of confidence in Mr Whyte was put and carried with acclamation, a large number of hands being held up in its favour, whereas only one local elector and the three above referred to held theirs up against it. Mr Whyte then moved a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman. This was greeted with applause, and thus cloged the best and most numerously * attended political meeting ever held in Waotu.

Mr Whyte at Oxford. On Tuesday evening Mr Whyte addressed the electors of Waikato resident in and around Oxford. Notwithstanding the heavy rain, a large number were present, Mr Rose’s large room being crowded to excess, several having to stand outside the door. Mr King presided, and introduced the candidate in a few appropriate remarks. Mr Whyte then proceeded to lay his political views before those present, and in doing so he spoke for nearly two hours. He was listened to with evident interest, and was altogether very well received. At the clone of his address, in which he dealt with most of the important political matters now before the electors, a vote of confidence was moved and seconded amidst applause. The Chairman then asked if there was any amendment. This elicited no response, and the motion was put and carried by an overwhelming majority. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.

Mr Whyte at Lichfield. Mr Whyte met his supporters at Lichfield and neighbourhood last Saturday evening, and again on Tuesday, and after going through the roll it was evident that here onr old member would poll at least four-fifths of the available votes in this district. The supplementary roll will contain a large number of names, and thus our voting power here will be largely increased. Information received from Waotu and Oxford also showed that in those places Mr Whyte must poll an equally large majority.

Mr- Grill at Te Aroha. The election campaign was opened here on Monday evening by Mr. Gill who addressed the electors to the number of about one hundred and fifty, in the Public Hall. Mr. 17, Pavitt was voted to the chair and in a few appropriate remarks introduced the candidate, for whom he bespoke a patient and impartial hearing. Mr. Gill on coming forward met with a hearty reception. He commenced his address by referring to the present election, and a second session of Parliament which, he was sorry to say, was likely to cost the country some £30,000. Although a comparative stranger in Te Aroha he was not so in the colony, as he had been connected with the civil service for 23 years. A report had been circulated that lie was a Tauranga man but he wished to disabuse the minds of those present on that point. He hold no land at Tauranga but owned some 730 acres 10 or 17 miles from Te Aroha. Referring to the questions now before the electors of the colony, he said he was opposed to the present Government, not as men, for he had a high opinion of some of the members of the Ministry, but in respect of their measures. He disagreed with the policy of the Native Minister. The Native Lands Administration Bill was a mistake, and the best proof of it was that the natives themselves were opposed to it. Neither did he altogether approve of the land legislation of the Government. There had been much talk about the nationalisation of land, but he did not agree with it. He believed in giving every man the right to acquire a freehold. During the last 12 years there had been many attempts to legislate on land, but he believed Sir George’s Grey’s bill, which cave to leaseholders the right also to purchase on certain conditions, was the best that had yet been introduced, and he would give it his warmest support. Speaking of retrenchment, Mr Gill said he was not going to wail over the difficulties in which the country was at present plunged. Looking at the advances the colony had made during the last twenty years, and the progress it was likely to make during the next twenty years, he had perfect faith as to the future. Still immediate retrenchment was most necessary, and he thought largo savings might be affected by reducing the salary and allowances to future Governors; by reducing the number of Ministers; by dispensing with the Native Department, which he thought might be swept away altogether; by curtailing the expenditure for defence purposes and education. With reference to education no man placed a higher estimate upon its value than he did, but he thought the benefits now being received, were not commensurate with the expenditure He would economise by abolishing all Central Boards whose duties he believed, could very well be performed by local bodies. He did not approve of the present system of higher education, which seemed to be most largely taken advantage of by those who are in good circumstances. Many persons were of opinion that the annual expenditure of of the colony might be reduced bythree or four hundred thousand pounds. He (Mr Gill) did not hope for any' such large reductions, but he thought that a total annual saving of from 1130,000 to f 130,000 might be effected in the various departments. With regard to further borrowing, he did not think it could at present be altogether done away with, for he thought it would be advisable to raise money to complete works already half-finished, but he was strongly opposed to borrowing for the purpose of commencing new works. Referring to the mining interest he felt some diffidence in speaking about, knowing so little of the subject, but he was aware of its importance, and if returned he would be found working with the goldfields members for the advancement of the industry. His knowledge of Te Aroha and its requirements was not sufficiently great to speak authoritatively on local matters, but he had visited the Hot Springs Domain and he thought it only just a fair share of the money expended on the Thermal Springs of the colony should be spent here. If returned it would be his endeavour to secure this Another local matter he would refer to was the extension of the jurisdiction of the Thames Harbour Board, which he was afraid had been granted as a reward for political services rendered last session. He thought it a great hardship that this should have been done without the consent of the settlers in the districts affected. In concluding, the candidate said he had no grievance to ventilate and no selfish ends to serve. If returned, he would serve his constituents faithfully, and would act as one man ought to do to another, The address was received with frequent marks of approval, and on . resuming his seat Mr Gill was loudly an- i plauded. Replying to questions put to : him, ho said he would work with the gold- • fields members in securing a bonus for the j introduction of improved appliances for , the treatment of ores. He would pledge ; himself to try to get the railway completed <

from Te An.ha to Paer.ia, and wnild <n dcavmir to Ret the work .started at the Te Aroha end, liclicving it c.uld he dune more cheaply thereby. He would assist in getting the road made by Thompson's track, as it was a work of great importance not only to Te Aroha, l«it also to Tanranga, Opotiki, Whafcafane and other places on the Bast Coast. He would endeavour to get the powers recently granted to the Thame- Harhoar Hoard rescinded. Could not promise to ask Government to assist in maintaining main roads in the district as if once introduced the principle would have to tie applied all over the colony. Would be in favour of einisiwcring Municipal Councils to borrow for important works socti as water supply under the Government Loans to Local Ihsiies Act. M ould Keep the present land bill in force until a better one was introduced, for he believed in the Village Settlement System though not in the way which I loveriiiuem, had carried it out.—Was in favour of nominated emigration, but not of assisted emigration. Thought tin; pro|iert.y tax was a fair one so long as it did not touch improvements—Believed in local option, and in over man having a vole—Where public bouses were closed he thought that if compensation could be fairly demanded it should be paid by Government. Am a free trader, but believe tint in a new colony there may lie industries that require protection. Am not in favour of female suffrage. Am in favour of raising the school age to six or seven years, believing the compulsory education of children of tender years to be detrimental to parental authority. Am of opinion that education should be free, secular and compulsory. Would not exclude the Bible from schools, but would have it read after or belore regular school hours to children of parents so wishing. There beingno other questions put, Mr C. Carnes proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be tendered to Mr Gill for his able and satisfactory address, and that the confidence of the electors be 'proved at the ballot box. This was seconded by Mr K. Michael and carried unanimously, amid much applause. Mr Gill expressed his gratitude for the patient hearing accorded to him by the meeting, and finished by proposing the usual compliment to the chairman for the satisfactory manner in which the proceedings had been conducted. The opinion is generally entertained that this meeting has greatly improved Mr Gill's position in this part of the electorate. Mr Gill at Waiorongomai[llV TELEGRAI'H.-OIVX COKItESCONIIENT.] Te Aroha, Wednesday. Mr Gill addressed the electors of Waiorongomai, in the Public Hall there, last night. Over a hundred persons were present and Mr H. McLiver was called to the chair. The subjects touched npon were much the same as at Te Aruba, the previous evening ; the address was very favourably received, and a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr Gill.

Eotorua-

[BV TELEGRAPH.—OWN COKItKSPOSHEST.] UoiOKl'A, Wednesday.

The natives in the Uiiwera Country have decided to record their votes at the coming election. I was at Matapna Roatuhuna last election day, and out of at least 400 natives, who were present, only three votes were recorded, and these were natives visiting these from Xapicr. the chiefs and Tohungas Riving the reason that it was against their religion to vote at all.

Sir George Grey at Christchurch. [by telegraph.—press association - .] Chris-•ui'ltCH. Tuesday. Sir (leorge Grey addressed the Christchurch electors in tint Theatre Koyal this evening, which was densely crowded- His speech lasted nearly two hours. The subjects which he dealt with were village settlements, which he condemned ; education, in which departmental retrenchment could be effected; and retrenchment generally. He advocates a reduction in the salaries of Ministers, and was in favour of an elective Governor. He got a fair hearing, and a vote of thanks was carried nem dis, the proposer of an amendment being refused a hearing after one hour’s attempt.

[RY - TELEGRAPH. —OWN - CORRESPONDENTS. Te Akoha, Wednesday.

Tn-night, in the Town Hall, Mr James Mackay will address the Coromandel electors resident here.

I’aeroa, Wednesday

Mr James Mackay has received votes of confidence and thanks at each of the following placesWaihi on Saturday, Wangamate on Monday, Waitekauri and Owharoa on Tuesday afternoon and evening. He speaks at Te Aroha to-night.

(nv TKI.EGit.Vrif.—PRESS ASSOCIATION*). 1 jt'M.s, Wednesday. Mr H. Sansnm contests the Foxton seat with Mr J. Wilson.