The Press. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1890.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7720, 27 November 1890, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1890.

Sraca we last discussed the Chriafcelection a nev candidate for the of the district has made bis appearance in the person of I|>. J. Teppbtt Smith. This geqtjejaarij hitherto unknown in political matters, has already produced a most favorable impression ail over, the electoral district, He epfeaka with grass vigor, and has clear' and

independent oa all questioned ITccupying the> attention of the jmbllo 5 at the present! ,fiine. is more, Mr. Smith not only holde Independent views on such matters, he haa also the; courage to give expression to them* of tiny quite regardless of the* probable efteofc which his replies may have upon his audience, v His atmightfon»ard, independent attitude has already won for rhim a wide circle of admirers. ■ He, is evidently a man of the people, with large 'sympathies' for their legitimate demapjdg, while he is, eaually clear and decided regarding ' schemed put forward in the' interests of the working classes, bub when examined are in reality seen to be more disastrous to them than to the, people against whom they are aimed.- Mr. Smith will have nothing to do with measures having for their objects the confiscation and plundering of those who haye been fortunate to save SQine money. He is opposed to all such schemes on the ground that they are unjust and therefore immoral. At the, same time •he gives convincing reasons why, from a merely utilitarian point of view, they 6ught £ to ; be rejected in the interests of those on whose behalf they are advocated. - 1 Turning to a few of the questions touched upon in Mr. Smith's speeches, we find that he holds strong views on the rights and privileges of the laboring classes. Hβ is a warm friend of Unlops rightly conducted, viz., on the ■ lines of intelligence, honesty, and integrity. On the land question he speaks with: no uncertain sound. While approving of the present land laws, he is prepared to see them in some ways amended, so as to make them better workable in the advancement of settlement. The great object of the colony ought to be to get people on the land and make it productive, and he therefore thinks it would be unwise to tie the people down to any one system. As a matter of course, Mr. Smith is opposed to- looking ilp land for' speculative purposes, but he is not prepared to support a policy of bursting up or confiscation. As to acquiring private lands for settlement : purposes Mr. Smith points out that, while this must be done where necessary, it is most important that stringent precautions should -be taken against the danger of jobbery and corruption. He favora, and we | think rightly, the plan of dealing with each purchase by special i Apt* Coming to the question of taxation, Mr. Smith gives convincing reasons for opposing a land or income tax, and in addition points out that it would be highly inexpedient, in the present financial condition of the colon*, to make any rash experiments. In this lattev respect he agrees with, the great Radical leader, whose advice on this important question ; appears to totally disregarded by the majority of the members of the party he seeks to guide. On the education question Mr. Smith holds firmly to the present Act. He recognises the vast importance to the future welfare of the Colony of the continuance of a system wbioh gives to the children of all classes an equal opportunity; of raising themselves by , , ability and industry. He will oppose any attempt to destroy the system by curtailing the standards, or by granting aid to denominational schools. He will even oppose the Bible ; being introduced into the publio schools for the same reason. As regards party matters, Mr. Smith has indicated perfeotly clearly the line he is prepared to take. His attitude, indeed, without any declaration on his part, can be easily understood from the tenor of the speeches he has been delivering. He will support the party, of prudence and justice, and will oppose the party of recklessness and confiscation. It is not difficult, therefore, to predict on what side of the House he will be found voting, when the time comes for a trial of party strength. : In former articles we have endeavored to show why the electors of Chriatchurch should give their votes to certain candidates and decline to vote for others. In the approach • ing contest those who believe in sound and prudent Government will have an opportunity of r& oording their opinions by voting for ! the two candidates whose speeches 1 have proved that they are the exponents of such views. In Mr. Humphreys, as we have before said, the electors have a candidate who - has already been- tried, and who has proved himself worthy of the truet 1 reposed in him. While exercising his own c judgment?, <jh«& haf fc«pdj jthat he c was "doing "his 'duty to his constituents and the colony by supporting ? generally. , the measures of Hbhe - Administration. The. majority of tihe electors of the cMrj^himib-'tfi^brfij^ ibeUeve, that they" have a duty to perform in returning Mr. Humphreys to the new Bouses not ionlj- on the ground-of hie past services, but from a conviction that they will have in him a representative in whom they can thoroughly trust to act conscientiously in the „ best interests of this colony. In: Mr. TttPBTT Smtth; also, they haye ■ a candidate who, although new : to politics, has shown that he has a grasp of the questions of the day wnich should be of great service in the House. Aβ we have shown above, Mr. Smith is intimately acquainted with, all the bearings of the political problems now- being discussed, and, what is more important still, hasarrlved at sound and reasonable conclusions regarding them. We hope; therefore, that the Ohristchnroh electors will return both Mr. Humfhbbtb and Mr. Smith to the new House, and thus show to the rest of the colony that they are resolved, as far as they are concerned, that the -aSairs ofjfcw Zealand shall cpufcinue to be conducted on safe and prudent lines.