MR RHODES AT PHILLIPSTOWN.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7724, 2 December 1890, Page 6

MR RHODES AT PHILLIPSTOWN.

Mr R. H. Rhodes, a candidate for the Heathcote seat in the House of Representatives, addressed a large meeting of electors in the Schoolroom, Phillipstown, last evening. The room was crowded. Mr Ludwlg Bergh, Chairman of the Linwood Town Board, presided. Mr Rhodes, who was loudly cheered on rising, stated his intention if elected of acting fearlessly and Independently in the support of measures for the welfare of the people. He was In favor of coutlnuiug a policy of economy and prudence. He deprecated further borrowing on the London market, and if money was required at any time, it should be borrowed within the colony. He was in favor of the railways belae used for the benefit of tbe settlers, and said that if taxation could be reduced, It should first be taken off the necessaries of life. He urged the importance of encouraging permanent settlers, and spoke of the benefits of the tourist traffic to the colony. He was in favor of a reciprocal tariff with Australia, and spoke against thesubstltutlono. alandand Income taxfor the property tax. Was it fair, he asked, that when tbey were trying to encourage people to go on the land that tbey should at once put a special tax on them? He referred to the land question, ahd said one of che first things that Parliament should take up was the amendment ot the Land Act, so as to prevent duinmylsm. He was against confiscation of the large estates, and was favourable to the Government purchasing those estates that were standing in the way of settlement by special Act, the money for the purpose to be raised within the colony. He was in favor of the education system being maintained and considered by tampering with it they would run the risk of breaking it down. He was in favor of members of the Upper House being nominated for a period of five, seven or ten years, but considered that they should be free from the fear of election. He touched upon the labor question and considered that tho to men who were dismissed should have a chance of reinstatement, as they were mostly good workmen. He was in favor Of Unions properly constituted and managed, and considered that arbitration was the best means of settling trade difficulties. If elected he would go to che House with the desire to do the best for all classes. '...-,

Mr Rhodes was applauded during the delivery and at the close of his address, though at times a great deal of noise aad interruption went on. . In reply to questions Mr RHODES stated he would enquire whether the' cost of using the telephone could not be decreased, with a view to bringing it In to. more f-eneral use. He was not in favor of egalising consultations within the colony, and if people were fools enough to send their money out of the colony they deserved to lose it. He was in favor of early closing, and the only hardship he could see was the closing of small shop, in the suburbs. He was in favor of a man getting a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. He was not in favor of a tax on bachelors. He would do nothing to impair the present condition of the education system. He did not think there were sufficient scholarships for the primary school children, and he would do h is » best in that direction. He thought* that as the Lincoln College -fees had been:' lowered it would be much more useful in tbe future. He was in favor of technical instruction, bat doubted whether the Lincoln College endowments could be taken for that pnrpoae. He saw by the late telegrams that General Booth had got a grant of land in Western Australia for bis colonisation scheme. He thought General Booth was entitled to great credit for tbe work he bad done lv reclaiming the masses—(applause)—but he thought they need not trouble themselves about his scheme, as they must first settle their own people before they brought others out. He pointed out that out of the absentees some were men who had sent out money here to invest, which had been the means of reducing the rate of interest, but if they caused that money to be withdrawn the rate of interest would go up. If a fair scheme was brought forward to get at other absentees he would support it. He was not in favor o! any sweating machine, and considered the railway hands should have a holiday on Sunday. (Applause.) Tbe State fixed the rent under the leasehold system at periods of thirty years. The property tax did not fall on working men. He believed tbey should do what they could to encourage volunteers by fixing the capitation by statute. (Applause). The requisition he received to come forward was signed by all classes. They could not dismiss the Railway Commissioners until their term of office was up. He thought they might give the electoral suffrage to those women who at present had a vote for municipal bodies, but the time would soon come When they would have to give them universal suffrage. (Applause.) He was not in favor of Pyke s BIIL. (Applause.) He did not think the railway servants who were constantly employed were over paid. They ought not to put in a man who was likely to break his pledge. The dismissed railway servants should be given a fair chance of re-instatement. (Applause.) He was not in favor of a progressive tax of any kind. He was in favor of seamen's representation. Tbe Railway Commissioners acted harshly In dismissing che members of the Railway Executive with less than twenty-four hours* notice. (Applause.) A man should have a choice of tenure on which to take up the Crown lands. He thought it a hardship that a child who received a scholarship should he debarred from taking advantage of it owing, to the cost of books. He considered the luxuries and not tbe necessaries of life should be taxed through the Customs. Mr Rhodes received an attentive hearing during the time he was answering the questions, and his replies were received with approbation. ' Mr FaosTicK moved a hearty rote of thanks to Mr Rhodes, and said that the more be heard Mr Rhodes the more satisfied he was that Mr Rhodes was the proper man to represent them. (Applause and dissent.) What they wanted waa staunch, true, and good men., (Cries of " Tanner.") The chief matter of interest la the election was the question of Conservatism and Liberalism. If- he were asked who was tbe truest Liberal in the room he would say it was Mr Rhodes. (Cheers and dissent.) The meeting became very noisy, a number of boys and youths at the back ot the room being the chief cause of the disturb* Anee. |Mr Pros tick continued, amid uproar, to say. that the reasons why they should support Mr Rhodes were because he was

nerfectly independent and wasa-colonlal clearly. He boned they would *he#M*n*lr appreciation SSfrßhoc.es' desire to ftwward and S for the country by returning blra to EtoJrfthepolL (CheersauddWt.) MrTT. Taylor seconded the motion, which was carried by a considerable majority amid chees-s for Mr Rhodes and connter cheers for Mr Tanner. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. *