WAIKATO ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3000, 6 October 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO ELECTION.

MR W. A. MURRAY AT HAMILTON.

.Mr W. A. MuHKAV. a candidate for the vacant Waikato seat, addressed a meeting of Iho electors in the Hamilton (Le On-sne's) ilall last night. There was a attendance, about 1">0 being present. In tho absence of His Worship the Mavor, who was unable to attend, Mr J no. l'arr was voted to the chair and introduced tho candidate.

Mr Murray, on coming to the front, was received with loud applause He said that he came forward as the representative ol the people, not to a«k them for their voles, but to olfer them his services. If. had been represented to him that the railway employes would not. be able to register their votes, and he had placed himself in communication with the Department. He had received a telegram from the Department, stating that facilities would be afforded them to vote. A rumour iiad been circulated that he had said 4s per dav was sufficient for a working man. This was not true, and had doubtless been circulated in order to poison him with his friends, the workingmen. He advocated broad principles, and would do the right and brave tho consiliences. He regretted that requisitions had been circulated broadcast through the district asking tho electors to pledgo themselves to vote, and not only this, but the lists had been published in tho local paper. He did not, wish to fetter the electors in any way. Ho had been told that the reasons why these requisitions had been sent round was because it was thought desirable to clinch the votes. He referred to the meeting at Ohanpo when Mr Lake was chosen <is a candidate, and compared those who had to do with it with the two tailors of Tnnlev-st.ro 't who tried to govern tho affairs of England. Mr Murray said ho was not self-selected as had been currently reported, but. had come forward at the request of a large number of settlers, who had asked him to receive a requisition, but ho had refused to do so. lie then referred to the Bryce epi-ode aud Mr Bryce's action during the present election in terms similar to the statements he had made at his other meetings and as reported in previous issues. When in the House for a period of eleven year; he might say that his influence was not second to that of Mr Bryce, notwithstanding the statements of Tim Waikato Tnn«. Mr Murray then went on to deal with general subjects, speaking in terms similar to his previous meetings which have been fully reported in these columns. He touched on : Taxation, simplification of local government, freetradc and protection, railway system, Vaile's scheme, education, and native lands. During the sneech Mr Murray was frequently applauded, and on concluding ho said he would be pleased to answer any questions that might be put to him. Mr Keen asked why some people had four votes for a mayor and others only one. Mr Murray said for the election of a mayor only ono vote was allowed to one individual. (Mr Keen : It's not. John Knox has four; when Coates went in there were four). Mr Murray said not having been engaged in politics lately he was not able to speak on tho recent legislation as he might wish. He had howevar always made it a rule at the conclusion of a session to give his constituents an account of the work done and the action he had taken. During the whole time he hart been a member he had always met with the approval of his constituents. He thought that the Shop Hours Bill and other measures of this kind should bp provided for by locil legislation. Mr Murray said he was not in favour in the present stato of the finances of tho colony to make the position of members one for political adventurers to scramble for, but tho lunorarium should be sufficient to enable a poor man to be returned. If the £240 was forced on him he would not touch more than the £150. He had always marie it a point in his political career in the past to keep a strict account of his parliamentary expenses and after deducting these and pay for a man to do his work in his abense, from the honorarium he had devoted tho balance toward local charities, libraries, and like institutions. Mr Murray said the Life Insurance Department is supposed to be managed apart from political influences. The only way to enquire into the institution was by a Royal Commission but ho did not sare for these commissions. If, however, any ono insured made any complaint as to the working ho would do his utmost to have enquiry nude. If there is anything wrong with the Department the sooner it is looked into the better.

In reply to Mr Haywood and others the candidate said all lands should be treated in the same manner and if tho Government and the natives did not clear the furze they should be amenable to the same laws as private landowners and Europeans. Me advocated the land being used and if individuals or the Govern men t did not improve their lands they should be sold out. He was not in favour of the land being taken up in large blocks and left unused. Absentees should be taxed on their own values, as their properties were improved by the improvements of their fellow settlors. If thoLuul Tax were distributed Ideally It would not be so bad. He wished to free the improving settlers from taxation, but to impose an extra tax on nonimprovers. Ho was not in favour of the country paying taxes to support the town. Frooholds should not be granted in the towns, but only in the country, and thii would tend greatly to attract people on to land. Mr Manning: Are you in favour of land nationalisation?

Mr Murray: lam in favour, not of land nationalisation, but land utilisation. Land is a sacred trust, and if a man does not make a proper use of it, it should be taken away from him. A man who owns more laud than he can profitably work should be taxed on his own valuation, and Made to sell tho land if he does not pay the tax. This should not apply to small holders. He was uot in favour of giving tho psople the land, as a great many did not want it, but wanted others to f;o on it for them. He was anxious to s,-o a yeoman class in this colony, a small class of freeholders, the absence of which led to the down fall of ancient Rome.

Mr Hobb3: Is not perpetual lease as good as freehold ? Mr Murray : Yes, if these leases are not terminable. The perpetual lease is a very good system, as it enables a settler to utilise his money in working tho land. The land laws in New Zealand afford moro advnntiges than any others that i know of, but are open to dummyism. Mr Peacock here related his experience of the early militia settlers, who were granted land for nothing. Ac soon as the rations which ware granted had been used up, they sold their land for next to nothing and drank the proceeds, and then went back to the back slums from whence they came. It was nonsense to talk of giving the people the land ; they would just do the same with it again. Mr Murray said he was in favour of as little taxation as possible. If people have paid for land and are using it you have no right to take it away. The chairman said so far ho was pleased with Mr Murray, who hold most Liberal views. He had received letters from various parts saying that Mr Murray was safe, and it only remained for them to do their duty in Hamilton to return him at the head of the poll. Mr Murray would not accept a vote of confidence, and ho liked him all the more foi it.

Mr Keep proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Murray for his address. This was seconded by Mr Castleton, and carried by acclamation.

Mr Murray thanked the doctors present for their vote, and said that if he were returned it would be as the choice of the people. He had been charged with being independent, and ha hoped they would all bo independent. He wished to see nioro of univorsal brotherhood, and everyone should try to accord to others the same as they expect for themselves. Ho trusted they would all bo able to unite, and, under Providence, do their duty to the country aud their fellow-men.

A vote of thanks to the chair closed the rt.eetinj,