TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2373, 24 September 1887, Page 3

TE AROHA.

II'KO.M OL’lt OWN OOURKSI’ONBKST.I Tk Akoiia, Friday. Captain Kkiui addressed the electors here in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance, over one hundred persons being present. Mr L). •!. Fraser was called to the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate, for whom he requested a patient and impartial hearing. In commencing his address, Captain Kerr made reference to the fact of his being a stranger in this part of the district, and to his coming forward at so lata a period. He had been requested to stand by a largo number of electors in the locality where ho resided, and had consented because he believed that over a great portion of the district neither .Mr I Jill nor -Mr Kelly wars considered as suitable persons to represent the constituency. Had .Mr (1. Vcsey Stewart come out, he (Captain Kerr) would not have stood, for he believed that gentleman, if returned, would have done good service toallpaitsof the district. The candidate then passed on to the principal questions now before the country. lie believed the present (Jovernment would not long exist after I’ailiaiocnt assembled. There would probably be a new combination, which might include some of tlm old Ministers. It would be a mistake, he thought, to return cither a decided supporter or opponent of the present (»overnment. The member for the district should be entirely independent. Referring to retrenchment, he believed that the lioveminent had necn unfairly treated with regard to their policy in this inspect. It was wrong to make retrenchment a paity cry, as all (Jovernments appear to have been pretty much alike in their expenditure, .-Vs regards education, he was of opinion, speaking generally, that money could not bo more satisfactorily spent. I’nmary education should not be interfered with, though in the higher branches the cost might bo shared by parents. In providing scholarships and in technical education, he thought more might bo done than hitherto. Respecting defence works ho considered the outcry on the score was not justifiable. These works were most necessary, and in carrying them out the t Jovernment had used the money well. Re I’rotcction he held to the opinion that it was right to foster the manufacture of articles that could bo produced in the colony, but ho was not in rav-our of imposing heavy duties on things that could not bo produced. On all articles of luxury he would impose heavy duties. With reference to land legislation he thought all native lands should bo put on the market, and that greater facilities should bo offered for settling on Crown lands. Nothing was made out of the latter at present, and it would almost bo advisable to give them awav in order that the country might be settled, lie thought Mr Reliance should be allowed to mature his village scheme, but yet believed that many of the settlers in districts far from any markets would eventually bo placed in a serious position. Though ho would adow Mrßallanco to do this ho considered that that Minister was not justified in committing the (Jovernment to an expenditure of TOO,OOO. In the matter of railways, there had been a great deal of mismanagement, and they ought to have yielded much larger returns. He would like to see a commission appointed to make a thorough investigation, and also thought that Vaile’s system should have a fair trial on some section. Respecting local works, lie did not see how, in an extensive district, a member could make himself thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of every portion of it. It was the duty of the local bodies to make their wants known, and of the member to see that they were attended to. Th« mining industry, he considered, should receive every encouragement. No reduction iu expenditure should he mode m respect of it, and Government should vote a certain sum for prospecting in this and other districts.

A number of questions were put to the candidate his replies to the most of them being, in substance, as follows. Ho would not vote for retaining the present Government in power. Was not in favour of further borrowing under present circumstances for any purpose. Thought that money to finish uncompleted works ought, be raised in the colony. To attempt just now to borrow outside of it would bo a fatal mistake. He would vote against the Government because their general policy had not been satisfactory. In their dealings with native lands, with Customs duties and in excessive borrowing their policy was wrong, and in holding on to office after their budgets had on two occasions been torn to shreds they had pursued an undignified course. A few other questions were ©sked principally, relating to local matters *jut the candidate’s replies were not received with much favour. On the motion of Mr J. Mills, seconded by Mr M. Hotchin a vote of thanks was accorded to Captain Kerr for his address, but before the question was put to the meeting a very large number had left the hall. . . . ... ~ The proceedings were closed with the customary compliment to the chair.