ELECTION NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2551, 23 October 1890, Page 2

ELECTION NOTES.

<t • Mr J. Taiaroay of footlwill fame, will be a candidate for the Southern Maori district. There are four other candidates m the field, including Tvnati Parata, tho sitting member. Napier, October 22. Sir Robert Stout delivered* lengthy address to a large audience at the Gaiety Thcateo to-night. The -first part was devoted to a broad view of the policy of the Government for the last three years, which he claimed was totally opposed to their promises. He strongly.advocated no more sales of Crown Lands, snd dopre, catcd sudden changes m the fiscal system, saying that any changes m taxation should be cautiously approached »nd gradually carried out. It was ridiculous to suppose as much could be got out,of a land tax fas the present property tax produced without m j uring country settler** which was the thing to be avoided. He ■ suggested a Board of Conciliation m cascflj | of disputes between the Railway Commissioners and servants the men to appoint their own member, the Commissioners another, and , the Minister of Public Works to be Chairman ; if successful the principle to lie, extended to disputes between Government contractors and their men. A resolution was passed thanking Sir R. S.tout, and asking him to re-enter tho political arena. In returning thanks, Sir R. Stout said ie was very unlikely he would comply with the request, as he had duties to his fanaily and clients as well as to his country. Dunedin, October 22. At a general meeting of the Farmers' Union, held to-day, Mr G. M. Bell presided, and there were twenty-six delegate* from various Clubs and Associations. After disposing of the constitution of rules the political platform of the Union was considered, and after discussing each plank at some length,the following planks were finally adopted : (1) The reduction and amendment of tho Customs tariff so as to make it a tariff for revenue purposes only; (2) intercolonial freetrad? as regards • the natural products ' and the manufactures of the colonies; (3) the reduction of railway charges, rates of freight, and fares for wool,, prodace, live and dead stock, manures, lime arid other fertilisers, merchandise, and passengers; 44) retention by the State of the ownership and management and working* of the railways. Probably other planks will be added to-morrow. A motion m favor of cheap money was withdrawn after slight discussion. A motion m favor of the retention of the property tax as against a land and income tax with a reduction of the exemption to £200 was discussed and consideration adjourned. The annual meeting will be held to-morrow.

Dttnbdin, October 23. Mr C. Buckland definitely contests Waitaki.