THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 247, 18 October 1893, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Several gentlemen connected with Church work are spoken of as likely to be askert to stand for seats at the approaching election. As we stated yesterday, the Rev. £. 0. Perry, of Avondale, is mentioned as a possible candidate for the Eden eleotorate, "should suflScienb inducament offer," and some of the Avondale electors contemplate jotting up a requisition to Mr Perry to stand. It is also said that a similar invitation is likely to be (riven to Mr George Aldridge to stand for the City. The name of Mr VV. S. Allen, of Te Aroha, is freely spoken of as a possible candidate for the City, in the interests of the Conservative and also of the anti-liquor vote. Mr Allen has declined to contest the Parnell electorato with Sir George Grey, though he is understood to be not unwilling to do so should Sir George Grey rotire. Mr Allen has also declined to oppose Mr W. F. Buckland for the Manukau, It has been stated that if the Rev. W. Birch, formerly of the Tabernacle and the Union Free Church here, were still in Auckland, a number of his admirers would earnestly request him to contest the "City seat, relying on the female and the temperance vote. Mr Malcolm Niccol, candidate for Eden, received a vote of thanks and confidence last evening at Kingsland, where he addressed a large meeting of electors. He will address the Eden electors on Friday evening at the Avondele Hall. It is stated that Mr John Brame has decided not to enter the lists for the Auckland City electoral contest. It is rumoured that Captain Crawford, of Wairoa South, may be asked to content the Franklin electorate, for which Major Harris and Mr V\\ F. Massey have already announced their candidature. Dr. W, R. Erson, Mayor of Onehunga, wes, we are informed, to have been asked to contest! the Manukau electorate, had not Sir G. M. O'Rorke announced his intention to Btand for re-election. Mr E. Mitchelson, M.H.R., one of the candidates for Eden, has returned from the South. Mr E. Withy has not yet definitely decided to contest the City, and may yet possibly be heard of in connection with one of the other electoral districts. Major Harris announces his candidature for the Franklin electorate. He will address the electors at Pukekohe Hall on Wednesday evening next. The Auckland women have nob neglected their new duty in the way of enrolling themselves as electors. Besides the 5,000 odd women already registered on the main roll for Auckland City, several hundreds of fomale eloctors have senb in claims to have their names placed on the supplementary rolls for the City and adjoining electorates. Mr Malcolm Niccol's meeting ab Kingsland last evening was well attended, a large proportion of the audience being ladiea. Mr Martin occupiod the chair. Mr Nicco) said he was prepared to give a loyal supporb to the prcsonb Oovernmenb. Some mieapprehonsion had occurred in consequence of whab he had Baid at Devonport. He considered it waß his duty to support his party. No man of sense would think of going into the Houso to be a more unit, "to sit on a rail" as it is called, but constituencies mviafc be considered and a member must be in a position to see that when monoy was being voted for many purposes the wants of hia own constituency were not neglected. He had long been of the opinion that the Eden electorate had been neglected, it bad not had any just treatment, and he pledged himself-that if he were returned as the representative, he would insist on a fairer distribution of public money in tho electorate. Referring to Sale of, Alcoholic Liquors Bill, the speaker said he considered the Bill was very faulty. He considered that the majority should rule, and ho would support an amendment in that and other directions. He also considered tho method of electing Licensing Committees was very faulty, and might lead to public houses being forced on localities where the inhabitants were in a majority against them, tie considered that the gum industry was of very great importance, and that it; had nob been sufficiently recognised by the Government or the Legislature. He was in favour of an elective Upper House, to bo elected by tho whole constituencies, so as to secure tho election of men of recognised ability and standing. In concluding, Mr Niccol paid a tribute ot praise to the late Premier, Mr John Ballance, whose death he considered a great loss to the country, A number of questions were asked and answered, aftor which Mr Sanderson proposed a votoof thanks to and conlidence in Mr Malcotn Niccol. This wa3 seconded by Messrs Gurd and Sharp and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.