WAIKATO ELECTORATE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2994, 22 September 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO ELECTORATE.

Mil W. A. MURRAY AT CAMBRIDGE. O.v Saturday evening Mr Alurray addressed a meeting io the C-i.iibri Jge Public Hall. It was sunposed to be a meeting of the electors of the Waikato constituency, but at no period were there more than ten electors present, and the total could not have exceeded thirty-live to forty. Major Wilson occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the candidate.

Mr Murray thanked those present—at that time 21—for the zeal they had displayed in coming out nn such a wet night to try and improve the conduct of public affairs of the country. He regretted the loss the colony had sustained through Mr Bryce's retirement, but trusted it would only be temporary, as the country could not alford to lose the services of honest men. If they thought fit to return him as their representative and anything lie did displeased them, they had only to express their disuleasure, and he should at once resign ; he should try to do his duty irrespective of party or persons. His speech was very similar to the one he delivered at Hamilton on Friday, which was noticed in Saturday's issue, so we cannot devote much space to it. He was very severe upon the members of the House trying to raise the honorarium and make it secure against creditor), which he said was tantamount to making the House an asylum for fraudulent debtors. Re railways, ho was not in favour of Vaile's scheme, but would do away with much of the classification and make the matter as simple as possible. Farm produce and manure ho thought should be carried at 50 per cent, less than other articles. He said tho reason Mr -M ixwell had been appointed a Iliilwa.y Commissioner was because ha was related to some of the governing bodies in Wellington. He deprecated the appointment of the present Speaker of the House and the Chairman of Committees, the one being a newspaper man and the other lawyer. He thought the oue-inan-one-vote system would be most unjust in county elections, as it would tend to cause all the money upon road i, etc., to be spent near the centres of population.

Replying to Mr Forrest, he said he was in favour of the taxation of the previous Government rather than the " mongrel nondescript " proposals of those now m power. He would also be in favour of the number of members being reduced to 50, as tiie business would be done better.

Mr James Forrest moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Legislative Council for having thrown out the " Payment of Members Bill," Ha said he had always been u Liberal, but those now in office were too liberal for him with other people's money. They had been returned on the retrenchment ticket, and yet they had cheek to holp themselves from the public purse. If such a proposal had been made previous to the general election, not ten of those members would have been returned. For the first time he had felt the necessity of having a Legislative Council, and he felt they deserved the thanks of the country at large for the action they had taken.

Mr Murray said tie had gruat pleasure in seconding Mr Forrest's motion, for lie considered the attempt to raise the honorarium au iniquitous proceeding. The motion was then put and carried, only one dissenting. (The motion was wired to the Speaker of tho House yesterday). Mr Murray was aceordod a vote of thanks, and after a similar complimeut had been paid to the chair, tho meeting terminated.

Hon. John Bryce will arrive in Waikato bv train to-day, going direct to Oliaupo. Mr John McN'icol will adjourn his sale in order to allow those attending to meet Mr Bryce and welcome him back to his old constituency. In the evening Mr Bryce will uroceed to Hamilton, and will attend Mr Lake's meeting in the Public Hall at half-past seven. It is expected that during the evening Mr Bryce will shortly address the electors. On his arrival at New Plymouth en route for Auckland on Friday night, Mr Bryce was accorded an enthusiastic recoption, and was presented with an address. (BV TKLEtiKAL'II.— OWN fIOIIUKSI'ONDKNT.) Auckland, Last Night. The Hon. John Biyco was here to-day, en route for Waikato. Speaking of Mr Perceval's appointment, he says it was a mistake to appoint au inexperienced lad to such an important position as AgentGeneral.