TE AROHA ELECTORATE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2867, 27 November 1890, Page 2

TE AROHA ELECTORATE.

MR VESEY STEWART AT CAM-

BRIDGE,

BJIr Vesey Stewart addressed tlio electors in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Monday evening. The hall was well tilled the address being listened to most attentively. Mr Jno. (iwynneth occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate. Owing to there being a meeting of the Farmers' Club, our reporter was not present at the commencement of the address, however, the following is a synopsis of what transpired alter the opening remarks. Mr Stewart said he did not share in the belief of the rosy state of the finances ot the colony, as depicted by many of the leading politicians. He thought New Zealand as a county was second to none, but the enormous national debt was sucking the life blood of the colony and causing neinbers to flee from its shores. The Propertytax was keeping capital away, and he was ill favour of abolishing it, but what was to be substituted iu its place? He favoured ail Income-tax on all incomes of over £150 per annum, people would not then bo able to invest their money in Australia and live in this county without paying a fair share of taxes. Major Atkinson said no further reductions could bo made in the public expenditure without sacrificing conveniences, He thought it their duty to forego, if necessary, many conveniences, and pay their way. After March next all the borrowed money would be expended, and thero would oe no more loans, for ho did not think British capitalists would furnish funds for them, oven if wanted, so what was required would havo to come out of the pockets of the ratepayers. When he first landed in the colony he was a firm adherent of Freetrade, but he had now altered his opinion on the matter. Free-trade did very well in England, where they were nearly all consumers, but it was different in the colony, and he thought import duties were necessary to encourage local industries. He quoted a case of a Wellington firm of saddlers who formerly imported all their stock, but now manufactured their wares in the colony and, owing to the import duty, wore able to compete against English goods. The National Debt ot America was enormous a low years ago, but in the course of a month or two it would be wiped out, and it had all been dime by import duties. Education, he contended, should bo free, misectariou and compulsory, but should only bo carried as far as tlio fifth standard ; if more than that was required tho parents should pay for it, and not the ratepayers. He was in favour of extending tho franchise to women, and did not seo why they should not be admitted to the House of Representatives. He hoped he should not be taxed with bribury and corruption in asking the ladies to advocate his cause, for ho knew what an mllucuje they had over the men. He thought the Nattvo Ollico should be wipod out, and that free trade in Maori land should be allowed. He would tax Maori land. In the North Island there were twelve million acres of Maori land still held by Natives, ft might be asked how they were to collcct the tax. He would sell tho land for tho rates, reserving sufficient to keep the natives from heing pauperised. (A voice : " Daylight robbery.") He would enlarge tho scope of County Councils, and would let them manage the Education, Harbour, licensing, and numerous other Boards, whiuh now caused so much trouble and expense. Ho believed, by this method of local self-government that £150,000 a year could bo saved on oflicors' salaries. Tho liquor question should remain as at present. He appreciated the acts of those worthy persons who fought against the liquor traffic, but he was a free agent, and ob. jeoted to anyone directing what he should put down his throat. He would bo t\o party to introducing (.fio Maine ljqu.ir law into Now Zealand, He was anxious to seo the railway from To Arohato tho Thames completed. It would requiro English capital, but it should be obtained on the security of the line itself. Ho thought tho Government should givo a portion of laud adjoining the line, subject to very stringent regulations as to settlement. Mr fcjtewart finished his address by referring to his opponent ftfr W. S. Allen, and insinuated that M r Allen (.lionght lie had a British pocket borough that, on a future occasion, he could hand over to one of his uonti.

4-t the close qf t|ju address Islr Stewart, annwerpd a nu)i|bui' uf questions, after wlijuli, pn t|)o morion of Me jj'prrest. seconded by Mi' IS. Hewitt, a vote uf thanks was accorded liim. 'flip usuaj coippliment to the chair closcd the ptocuediiiftH, Mil ALLEN'S CANDIDATUIiE. Messrs Buttle and G'ox had a pond meeting at Greerton on Saturday, Capt. Kerr in the chair. A vote of confidence in Mr Allen was passed. Jjir Uok ijvsr 300 electors 011 Motidiiy -at Tauvanga. It was the best ofectiml'meetfng"that Inu-been held here yet, Mr Lun'don, the Mayor, ill the 'chair. Ureat enthusiasm was 'displayed, and the large'number of Mt Allbn's Supporters-in this placo are confident of his siitcess. Mr Buttle 'has! gone to' Katikati and Tairua.' 1

COLONEL ERASER AT CAMBRIDGE. Colonel Eraser addressed the electors of Cambridge in the Public Hall 011 Tuesday livening. The hall was well iilled, and at Uie close of the meeting he was accorded a vote of thanks.