THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9562, 31 October 1896, Page 8

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MR MEREDITH AT ASHLEY.

On Thursday evening Mr R. Meredith, a candidate for Ashley, addressed 110 electors' at Ashley Bank schoolhouse ;. Mr W. G. Whitesidca presided. Mr M>:r.KuiTn stated he had obtained the following grants last session :—Waiau-Kai-koura road, £100; Hannier Plains, £2000; Waiau railway bridge, £500; Cheviot roads, £500; Kowai-Loburn road, £300; Clarence Bridge, £200; Oxford bush roads, £300; roads to Crown lands, Kaikoura, £3000 ; Ashley bridge, £1000, altogether a total of £8400. So that, in addition to endeavouring to keep a grasp of the political questions of the day ho had not neglected local matters. (Hear, hear.) The}' M-onld also recollect his securing reserves near to Mount Grey. (Applause.) After six years' experience he concluded there was room for improvement to prevent waste The effete opening ceremony of the Assembly, firing of guns, and even the Speech, which wa3 not the Governor's own, and which he had no more to do with than the King of Timbuctoo, could be done away with, and tho lengthy debate on it avoided, besides the debate on the Address-in-Reply. In addition to this, there was a long financial debate and discussion on the no confidence motion, where one debate would have answered tlie whole purpose and saved much time. He would like to see the business of Parliament conducted on commercial linos, and less time ■ wealed, largely by the Opposition. When I tho Works Statement of 1895 came down the Opposition loudly complained that the Government would not give time to discuss I public affairs, yet the last financial debate I collapsed through the uegieet of the Opposition and absence of it* leader at Hutt races and his lieutenant at Auckland, aud a no confidence debate follow*! to give the Opposition nn opportunity to air its eloquence. In the debate on the Works Statement the leader of the Opposition was also absent from the House during the whole debate. I Reform in procedure wa3 necessary, and the energies of members should be devoted to the good of the country. (Applause.) THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. The one question that overshadowed all others in the session was that of the Bank. ! He explained the proceedings taken, and gave details of the position and report arrived at by the Committees. He observed I that Mr Watson was iiiied £500 for contn- ' macy. The Council's Committee, he said, exonerated the ex-Treasurer from- having any personal interest whatever in the bank- | ing legislation and vindicated his honour and reputation from the aspersions of those who had tried to hound him out of politics, but he considered he should have resigned ' when the House met. His resignation, Mr Meredith said, was iv possession of tlie Premier a week before the decision, given by Mr Justice Williams. The Premier, however, considered that as the question of the Ward-Farmers* Association was sub jitdiee it would be unfair to prejudice Mr Ward's case by intimating the resignation till the decision of tho Judge was given. A Banking BUI embodying most of the recommendations of the Committees was passed: but as by the Council clauses were introduced to liquidate certain accounts of the Colonial Bank, these were disagreed to and tlie Bill fell through. The House felt it had a sickening of Bank business and was not likely to purchase anymore Banks. The opinions of financiers in the House was that I the Bank was the strongest in the colony and its future bright and hopeful. I (Applause.) OLD AGE PENSIONS. The question of Old Age Pensions was now within the region of practical politics.* In Germany it was in operation and was being considered practicable by Hon. J. | Chamberlain. New South Wales had set up an enquiry regarding it. Ho explained what had been done by Parliament, and the prospect of the Bill introduced. There" was a wide divergence of opinion as to who should participate in it, whether it should be for alt or only for those in needy circumstances. To provide for all would require a sum of £500,000, but to apply it to those whose means did not exceed £52 a year, plus 10s a week, £150,000 would be required, which, from 3_ per cent, on totalisator tickets, 3d a gallon on-beer, a tax on billiard tables, tickets for operas and entertainments, fines for grog selling, a tax on accumulated wealth, and a saving of 25 per cent, on charitable aid, would give enough funds to do justice to the aged. (Applause.) LAND SETTLEMENT. The advances to settlers had conferred a ..boon_|jh>settler8 f Htaklhg: up loans, and the 'farmers Would be grateful for the same. To the 14th £941,127 was authorised and accepted by applicants, while £824,212 advanced to that date was interest bearing. He trusted the management of this fund might justify the Government in reducing the rate of interest to 4_ or even 4 per cent. ABill had been passed increasing the maximum of loans to £4000 for ten years at 5 per cent, without sinking fund, but the principal might be reduced at each half-yearly payment of interest by any. sum of £5 or multiple of £5. He praised the action of the Hon. Minister of Lands on his vigorous land policy. Land for settlement — 160,913 acres—had been purchased at a cost of £649,535, the colony paying 3_ per cent, for the purchase money and the settlers paying 5 per cent. The land had been mainly acquired in the South Island and Canterbury, several estates .being under negotiation at present. This district, lie held, required a still more vigorous land settlement, and could settle a quarter of a million acres within the next two years. The estates having been fairly acquired no injustice was done to owners, as the full value had been paid. The system was largely taken advantage of in Germany and France. He pointed out it had settled 1000 persons on Cheviot, on which there were six schools required, ninety miles of road formed, and the contract let to erect a hall to hold 500 persons. He referred to the allotments to village settlers at Medbury, Oxford, 4c, which had been at first too small and were increased through hia efforts. THE RAILWAYS. The Minister of Railways had been complimented on his administrative abilities, and the fact that revenue exceeded expenditure of £2 16s per cent, on the capital in construction of 2014 miles. The recent constructions had been made without recurrence to loans. Reductions made on passengers, stock, timber, manure, &c, last year reached £43,000, and there was a shortage on carriage of wool and grain, but for which the lines would have returned 3 per cent. A Bill had been passed to classify i 4378 railway employees, and was. likely to I give every satisfaction. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. . I Reform of the Legislative Council he j thought could not be longer deferred, as the Council in the last six years had obi structed the passage of several useful mea- ! sures. The nomination mode of filling Council vacancies he held to be objectionable. He wished to see the number restricted to thirty-seven, and elected for six years, two of the present electorates'returning one Councillor, or an alternative system would be to allow the House the first ten days of the new Parliament to elect half the Council on a condition that all candidates should have been members of the House for one or two Parliaments. During the session the Canterbury College Bill had passed, which he fully explained as giving the public representation in the affairs of the College. THE LOAN. ; He explained the question of the raising of the million loan. He considered a mistake was made in hurrying it down at the close of the session of a moribund Parliament, and both spoke and voted against it, holding the question of raising a loan should have been remitted to the country to be considered at the general election,-as he considered there were now sufficient railways to meet requirements. The question of buying Native estates could have stood over, and the influx of capital to goldfields did away with any necessity for £200,000. Money must be had for roads and bridges to S've access to land as settlement went on. ipital had been made out of an unfair statement ot, the "public debt, but the increase of £4,928,581 he contended had been on reproductive works and almost all with the concurrence and assistance of the Opposition. He explained the votes to which the increases referred. MISCELLANEOUS. He then spoke on the Usury and Master and Apprentices Bill, and denied that any socialistic measures of the Government had driven capital away, of whkh then never '

was a greater abundance than now. Socialism, he contended, was the betterment of the people by regular work, fair wages, good homes and schools, and the general improvements of tho environments of life. Capital in land or in money was protected and secure, the law of the land being a careful watch dog.. The earnings of the people had as much right to be protected as that the laws should ensure the full value of their labour. When the Conservatives had power no cry was raised that tlie honorarium was excessive, nor were members accused of mercenary motives. The Liberals were not as a rnle overburdened with wealth to defray the expenses of an election, while the Conservative candidates for Parliament could get their coffers replenished by the National Associat'ou, and he quoted a return showing that Association contributed £109 to the last Christchurch election. He expected that £100,000 possibly would be expended in trying to prevent the return of the present Government to power this election. While ono gentleman could find £50 for the Brunner Relief lie could find £500 for the National Association, and funds were thus forthcoming in order that persons of wealth, greedy and grasping, might stuff the Public Service with men from England, and stretch oat its fangs like an octopus or say " Of all the hnmau family 1 think I am the best, May Providence take care of mc, And Sr.mbo take the rest." (Laughter.) He reviewed the good which Litieral Governments had'-done in various ways, and before giving it up the public, in the words of Sam Wellcr when asked if he was dissatisfied with his situation, said to Mr Pickwick, should ask " I want to know if you are a-going to "provide mc with a better." (Loud applause.) In reply to questions, Mr Mkbkbith said he bad not inspe-jted Pomahaka and could not say whether it was a success or not. He could not say what extent of Pomahaka Mr M'Ken/.ie was putting under turnips. He was in favour of the Elective Executive. Clubs should be under tho same control as hotels. He wa» iv favour of *no license " being named by the Vote of three-fifths. He considered that the monopoly granted to sell drink could fairly bo taken awafv by those who granted it. *He advocated liberty in the drinking of tea, beer, or spirits. He approved of children going from the primary schools at Standard-VI. under a free system into the secondary schools. The control of the latter could Ire greatly improved, and managemeut expenses economised. He would have no objection to Justices of the Peace being elected. He did not agree with the questioner that all Justices should be removed and more Stipendiary Magistrates appointed. Mr J. Kllwood moved a vote of thank 3 and confidence. Mr ScuDDer seconded the motion, which was declared carried. Mr Meredith returned thanks. A vote of thanks was moved to the Chairman. A call, which was rather feebly responded to, was raised for "three cheers for Dick Seddon," after which the meeting terminated.

The Hon. W. Rolleston addresses the electors of Riccarton at the Riccarton schoolhouse at 8 p.m. to-day, instead of next Tuesday as previously announced. A largely attended meeting of the friends and supporters of Messrs Lewis, Beswick and Donnelly in the approaching election for Christchurch, was held last night in the National Association Rooms. The different sub-Committees for working the wards, &c, were appointed, as also an Executive Committee. * It was decided to ask the National Association to allow the use of their rooms for a Central Committee Room. It was resolved that Mr Donnelly be asked to address the electors on Thursday evening next. After disposing of a great deal of business the meeting adjourned until Tuesday evening next at the same place. A meeting of the Executive Committee was subsequently held, when a number of matters of detail in connection with the election were dealt with. The United Canterbury Liberal Electors' Association held a meeting in the Industrial Association's rooms h\3t rugdit. There wa3 a good attendance. Mr lurk, the President, was in the chair. The meeting was called to hear the report of the Committee appointed to interview candidates, and to decide upon Whom the Association were going to nominate. Mr J. M. Twomey, of Temuka, who was present by invitation, declined to be nominated, and in doing so briefly reviewed the legislation of the present Liberal administration. After expressing regret that Mr Twomey could not see his way to be nominated, the meeting passed a hearty vote of; thanks to him for his address and presence. Captain Marciel and Mr Cullen also briefly addressed the meeting and declared themselves strongly in favour of the present Government. Messrs Collins and Ayers, who had been invited to attend, did not put in an appearance. The questions which had been submitted to the candidates were read and the answers thereto, and a lengthy discussion resulted in the following resolution being carried unanimously : — " That this Association heartily supports the nomination of Messrs Collins, Cullen and Marciel, and that the Liberty League be informed of the decision and of the desire of this Association to work in harmony with the League to secure the return of the three candidates mentioned." Delegates were appointed to convey thi3 to the Liberty League. At the weekly meeting of the Christchurch Prohibition League last evening over 200 members were present. After correspondence had been dealt with the following resolution was carried with enthusiasm :— " That this League congratulates the Canterbury Liberal and Labour Political Council upon its nomination of Messrs G. J. Smith, T. E. Taylor and H. G. Ell as candidates for the representation of this constituency in the House of Representatives, and heartily supports their candidature." Mr S. R. Webb addressed about fifty electors at the schoolroom, Upper Spreydon, on Thursday evening. In tlie absence of the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr C. E. Campbell was voted to the.chair. The candidate touched upon several questions in addition to those dealt with at Governor's Bay. After a large number of questions had been apparently satisfactorily answered, Mr David Haudisldes moved—"That this meeting thanks Mr Webb for his address, but considers him not a fit person to represent the district in Parliament." Mr Kelly seconded the motion. Mr J. Gott moved as an amendment—" That all the words after 'address' be struck out," which was seconded by Mr Hoddinott and carried, with four dissentients. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded a very orderly meeting. Mr R. Moore met the Kaiapoi electors at Clarkville, where eighty-five were present. ! Mr T. Hassall, Chairman of School Committee, in the chair. His address was listened to with interest, and at the close Mr R. Hey ward moved and Mr T. Gibling seconded a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried unanimously. Mr Moore meets the Kaiapoi electors at Eyreto'n on Monday next. Mr Mclntyre, speaking at Belfast, said that he thought the State should provide recreation grounds for rising townships before the value of the land become so high as to make such a step almost prohibitive. He also emphasised the fact that he would be the last to do anything to interfere with or injure our present system of education. He strongly approved of Mr Joyce's efforts to secure one or more training ships for New Zealand. Mr W. W. Collins' Central Committee will meet at Hobbs' Buildings at 8 p.m. on Monday. The following candidates will speak tonight:—Hon. W. Rolleston, at Upper Riccarton school; Mr J. Joyce, at Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton; Mr Meredith, at East Oxford ; Mr Recce, at McKenzie. Hon. W. Rolleston will speak at West Melton on Monday, and at Druids' Hall, Lincoln, on Tuesday. Mr G. W. Russell addressed a large meeting of electors at the Druids* Hall, Lincoln, last night, Mr Docherty presiding. After a lengthy address and answering questions, Mr Macdonald moved a vote of thanks and confidence, which was seconded by Mr Hart. An amendment of thanks only was not seconded, and the original motion was carried. Mr Wason speaks at Springfield on Tuesday next, Waddington on Wednesday, Coalgate on Thursday, Hororata on Friday, and Kirwee on Saturday. Mr S. R. Webb will speak at the schoolroom, Heathcote Valley, on Monday next; at Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, oa W«da«*.

day; and Oddfellows' Hall, Woolston, on Thursday.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.)

AUCKLAND, October 30. Mr Theo. Cooper has been requisitioned ! to stand, for the citj' electorate. NAPIER, October 30. So far no candidate is definitely in the field against Captain Russell for the Hawke's Bay seat, but the Rev. Hosking has expressed his intention of standing in the Prohibition interest in the event of no other candidate coming forward. Mr Douglas McLean opposes the sitting member for Napier; Mr C. A. Fitzroy, Mayor of Hastings, opposes the Hon. Mr Carroll for Waiapu. Wi Pere is likely to have opposition in the Eastern Maori Electorate, two Wairoa men being announced, namely, Marka Taruke and Taari Mete. DUNEDIN, October 30. At a combined meeting of the Otago Prohibition Council and the Dunedin Prohibition Leagne it was resolved to recommend the electors of the city to support Messrs A. C. Begg, W. Earnshaw and W. Hutchison for the city. The Women's Franchise League held a ballot to elect candidates for. the city. Their choice fell upon Messrs Hutchison, Millar and Pinkerton. INVERCARGILL, October 30. MrJ.W. Kelly, M.H.R-, addressed his constituents to-night, when, despite a downpour of rain, he had an overflowing audience. v He went fully into the work of the session, and with regard to the contention of his opponents that he ought to have resigned when he ceased to support the Government in toto, he challenged them to come on the platform and, face to face, state any single instance in which he had departed from the pledges he gave in 1893. There response. The meeting was at times live!, .but Mr Kelly got an excellent hearing, arm a vote of thanks and confidence was carried wi' i> lit' ■:• ■• ; ''"- - '* . *.