MR. J. B. WHITE AT HAMILTON.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2924, 28 August 1879, Page 3

MR. J. B. WHITE AT HAMILTON.

A meeting ot electors was held on Tuesday in I-eQuesne'B Hall, East Hamilton, Mr William Curmning in the chair. . . Mr Whyte said that, it having been thought advisable that the dislrict should be represented by a local man, and Mr Claud having refused to stand, he acceded to the request ot his fellow eettlers and allowed himself to be placed in nomination. His viewswere Liberal.but he was nota blind follower of any man. His policy was not different from that advanced by tho present Government, but he would go in to support the measures, not the men. He w» s a supporter ot the pi esent system of secular education, being clearly of opinion that it is the best form obtainable in the interests of the Colony. He was in favour of extended suffrage. All ought to have a vote, subject to the restrictions of a JBflnHffi residence, education, and regiirtra.

vote. He did not Bee why the natives should have more political power than his iralte neighbour. He would uphold 'plurality tof Vbtes in Highway Board airid other local electrons where moneyed interest only Is represented. He considered the fr-oxy system unfair and should only be used aOTompanied with a medical cert-, ilcate. He Was in favour of Triennial Parliaments. Circumstances change so in young countries that ine^ Dor g s^eiiltl rehlrn to constituent mor^ trc q U6n H J . i ftWl fy_ matt ,; vho | does his duty need not fctbairaid of g<&kirig'reelection, He considered the Lty_&T&_cMallure, as it 'jiostiy touched men ot mider'dle means, o'jt would be in favoftr of a Preperty Tax, which \vouftt reaohjiriciim'cs. stock and mining interests. &-c. Tte o.i.'ected to unimproved land beffigSb'd f6r purely speculative purposes, hut wotild lifco to sec it sold to bona flde men who would settle and improve it. Government lands ought to be taxed tor local works and sold on the deferred payment «ystcm. Road Boards and Counties nught to be enlarged and larger powers given them, which would in a measure relieve the Government of somo Of their responsibilities. It was of importance that the Nati.Vo Kind law should bo amended, as tho present system was only an enticement fo.r men of large means to purchase for ptfroijr speculative purposes. Not nily the than 'ot moderare means, but the Natives also, would be benefited by a system aiTordjhg opportunity of sales. At present .vCgDCiations are very expensive, and can only I be undertaken by rich men. thereby fostering lnnd rings. Tho Government shoWd act as, agents. Mr Sheohan's bilLwo. .id 'meet the caao, and gives everyone a fate chance for purchasing moderate sized lots. Ho would do all in his power to j.*sh On tho Wnikato-Thames Railway. He.beilovod the flrst contract for Hamilton end would soon he lot, and that tho bridge was ordered. He would advocate the line to Cambridge, not only as a branch line and local work, j but as a commeno ment of the trunk lino,which he ccnsidured ought to by ..oil down from Cambridge to Rotorua &t_U Kast Coast.. thoir , being no Native difficulties i'fi tho way 01-' this most useful lilla. The moiiey voted for Wai-kftto-Taranftki line was no use if ttiti railway could not be built., He would urge tho Government to declare the tfdmilton Bridge a free bridge; bridges In other parts ot the Colony were |rco whero the population was not so great i_'6r traffic so heavy. Tho tax p.essed Wsivily upon the district. In conclusion, he had already stated that he came forward at tho request of his fellow-settlers as an independent man, distinctly pled. Ed to certain measures but to no man, be ho Grey or Fos, Atkinson or Whitaker or tho parlies they represent. At the came time ho intended to carry out, a3 far as ho could, the Liberal policy as enunciated by the present Government, and to do his utmost to keep the Auckland representatives a united body in all mattors affecting tho North Island. Ho also intended to insißt upon justica in tho distribution of lands in future, and recompense for thr injustice of the past They had known him long enough to judge as to the sincerity of Ids pledges. Bis interests ahd Sympathies were identical with their own. ,lte had no office to seek, and he intended to do his utmost In the

Houafe or out '6f it dor the Colony as a whole, ;and Waikiito in particular. (Cheers.) Oa the motion of Mr Potter, seconded by Mr Knox, a vote of confidence was carried, only three hands being held up against it.