Mr Mitchelson at the Three Kings.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 202, 30 August 1887, Page 5

Mr Mitchelson at the Three Kings.

Mr Edwin Mitchclson delivered an address to the electors of Eden last night in the Three Kings schoolroom. There was a fair attendance. Mr J. W, Carr presided. Mr MifcchcLson referred to tho present depression, and expressed himself in favour of a cessation of the borrowing policy until they could borrow without increasing the burdens of the people. Taxation should not be increased, and every possible means should bo taken to place people on the. lands. Local industries should also be fostered and retrenchment be carried out both in the number of members and the amount of their honorarium, and also in the Civil Service Department. He believed in giving the Special Settlements a chance, but did not agree with paying money to . support settlers on tho land. He thought that free trade was a mistake unless it was universal. He advocated a differential duty in favour of the members of the British Empire. For about six months in the year, while their own fruit was in season, they should protect it against the imported article. The rest of the year he would lot in foreign fruit free.

In answer to questions, Mr Mitchelson stated (1) That he'would vote against the property tax a3 soon as ever it could be abolished, and if more taxation was necessary he thought it should be raised on land and incomes. (2) He was not in favour of any special tax. (3) If the railways were his own property, and he found that ho was working them at a loss, he would discontinue tho non-paying lines, and regulate his rates according to circumstances. (4) Although he favoured the 'Frisco service, he would support the cheapest and best, whatever it was.

Mr Walters proposed, and Mr Lennard seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Mitchclson. Mr Tiplady moved, and Mr Connolly seconded, a vote of thanks only. The motion was carried by a large majority. In reply to ft .statement made by one of the electors, the Hon. James Williamson said that' there was very little chance of England going back to protection ; but out here, unless they supported their factories, it would be impossible for the rising generation to learn habits of industry, and the power of turning their education to account, it was not the best thing to do, but it would enable their children to compete with tho rest of tho world. A vote of thanks was then accorded the Chairman, and the meeting separated. '