THE THAMES SEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 277, 22 November 1899, Page 2

THE THAMES SEAT.

Mr H. J. Greenslade, one of the candidates for the Thames seat, addressed a crowded meeting of electors, including a large number of ladies, in the Masonic Hall, Coromandel, on Monday, Mr IX. H. Harrison presiding. Mr Greenslade was accorded a good hearing. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved, also an amendment. The motion was declared carried amidst applause. Mr Greenslade also had a good meeting at Tapu on Saturday evening, where he received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr James McGowan addressed a well attended meeting of electors in Ritchie's Hall, Kuaotnnn, on Friday evening last. Mr Bennett, manager of the Waitaia mmC, presided. Mr McGowan said though elected as an independent candidate he had since been led to the conclusion that to be of use to his district a member should be either a ■supporter of the Government Or a supporter of the Opposition. He was himself independent now to a certain extent, that is to say, he held himself free, in so far as pledges were concerned, to express his opinions as he liked. In his representation he had always acted on the principle that it was better to support that policy ■which should most nearly approach his desires. No change of party or Government would influence his opinions. The whole trend of the legisla* tion of the Liberal Government Was towards the greatest good of the greatest number. In answer to questions Mr McGowan said he was not in favour of goldfields being tied up. Every new goldfieid should be opened in _. small areas for a period, until the I ground was well prospected. "Later on capital should have a chance. He knew of no such thing as forty-two years' protection. The limit was six

months. He was in favour Of getting claims developed. When a company J who had spent a lot of money required to raise fresh capital he would be m favour of them getting protection, n they could not raise capital they ought to throw the ground open to tributers. He was not in favour of the Receiver of GOldfieldS Revenue collecting residence site rents twelve months in advance and of issuing summonses m case Of delay in payment, althougn he would point out that it was in the hands of the Auditor-General, and the Receiver acted on his instructions m ,eh matters. He thought thai, when the property was there time should be given to pay rents. He favoured a subsidy to the Mariposa Company to sink a deeper level. If he Kapa, mine was held without employing tho proper number of men the Minister ot Alines should be approached by the Miners' Union. Mr McGowan was accorded a vote of thanks. _ very large audience assembled to hear Mr H. E. Taylor's electoral address at Knaotunu on Monday night. Mr G. W. Horn presided. Mr laylor said he had been invited to stand for election by the Thames working-men, who were supporting him now, as they 'had done before. He affirmed that he never, at any time, stood in the interests of any temperance society, nor had any Such body ever invited him to stand; this notwithstanding what might be said in opposition to him. He desired the temperance party to have a free hand, and vote for him or not as they liked. He refused to follow any particular mail; he believed in measures, not men, and would carry out liberal measures. He would have the mining laws more justly administered. He believed in manning the ground and prospecting it. He thought capital should be given justice, but he did not believe in looking up land and keeping oil: prospectors. They had never had a just expenditure of money in the electorate. His views as to prohibition were that a man should vote, according to his. conscience, and no other way. He was against, compulsory vaccination. Asked if he would give up his ecclesiastical duties if elected. Mr Taylor said he had no ecclesiastical duties. Asked if he were in favour of aid to private schools, he said he was not. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Taylor was carIried by acclamation.