MR L. M. LSITT'S CANDIDATURE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14111, 2 August 1911, Page 12

MR L. M. LSITT'S CANDIDATURE.

A LARGE DEPUTATION.

A large deputation of Christchurch. North electors -waited on Mr L. M. Isitt last evening with the request that in view of his candidature for the North Christchurch seat at the forthcoming by-elwition, ho should lay before those present a brief outline of his views,on sonio of the political questions of the day. v Mr C E. Salter was voted to the chair. Mr C. Reginald Ford, in explaining tho objects of tho deputation, stated that most of those present iwere well acquainted with Mr Isitt as a public man, while a largo number of them wero personal friends, and what was desired was that he shoukt give them some idea of the stand he would take on tho various questions now before the public. (Applause) Mr Joseph Willis said that those present had met in a friendly and informal fashion to hear Mr Jsitt's political views. Mr Isitt, in replying, said his first duty was to thank them all for the honour they did him in asking him to succeed such a man as the late Mr T. E. Taylor. They knew what a blank Mr Taylors death had left in his own life, they knew what an estimate Iμ , had formed of Mr Taylor's genius and his ■worth, and, holding such thoughts, he must regard it as no mean compliment that they should ask him to fill tho place of the late member for Christchurch North. During the last twenty-five years he (the speaker) had been urged again and again to become a candidate for Parliament, but up to tho present time he had always held that nis work was rather outside on the platform than in tho precincts ' of the House. He had no political ambitions, but he had an intense desire to do anything in his power to advance the cause of the people. (Hear, hear.) He ' did not hesitate to say that when he stood by tho bedside of *Mr T. E. Taylor and saw the marvellous fortitude and spirit he manifested in his last hours lie realised that tho only thing worth living for in his day and generation was to do what he could to help his fellowman. During the last few days he had been approached time after time, and urged to stand for Parliament because he was one who had been associated with Mr Taylor from the outset of his political career. He had at last consented to do so, and was now willing to leave himself in the hands of his friends. Naturally, they would ask him what his political views were. He had had many arguments with Mr Taylor, but on all important political questions they were practically of the same mind. (Hear hear.) Ho had before him a number of subjects that had suggested themselves to him, almost, as it were, on the sour of the moment. He was opposed to any further sale of Crown lands; ho was absolutely against it. He was in favour of the leasehold tenure, with the right of periodical revaluation. He was for the tenant's absolute right to improvements. He favoured limitation of area of holding, based upon the value of the land held, and of an increased graduate! land tax. He-was in favour of an elective Executive Council, and of the initiative and referendum. He objected strongly to the idea that there should be no further public borrowing; it seemed an extraordinary proposal to him. for borrowing was as legitimate on the part of the Government as upon 1 the part of private individuals, if it was for purposes of development and did not affect the soundness of the concern's financial position. Also he questioned the giving of full political rights to all State employees. The whole p.roposal was designed for the benefit of tho • State employees, but it might tend to bring into being & , State machine whidh would be neither for their benefit nor for the benefit of the State, but to, the injury of the latter. He did not I think that the meeting would demand! a • full explanation of his political opinion, which could be left until meetings had beon arranged. He would wish it made clear that he would sign uo pledge and enter into no compact with any party. He would go to the House only as one who was free from any compact with any Government or party; he would go there to listen to the Legislative proposals as they wero brought forward, and would rote upon them as his mind thought fit and his conscious directed. Ho would go there only in full libortv. (Loud applause.) Mr R S McKenzie spoke in support of Mr Isitt's candidature. The chairman explained that the meeting was distinctly not a No-license J 1 *!"? , wa ?., a P oli t'eal meeting. Mr Isitt if elected would make politics hw mam object. The no-liceuse issue had no bearing whatever on the matter as the liquor question rested entirely with the referendum. The meeting then went into committee and an executive and other committeesi wore elected to assist Mr Isitt's candidature. APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT. Yesterday afternoon Mr J. H Newlyn, Registrar of Electors for Christchurch North, informed a

"Press" reporter that he had tliat day received upwards of seventy applicaVons for registration. There would bo no time for sending formal notice to those whose names appeared upon the roll, and he wished it made clear that change of address, if the voter was still a resident of tho district, would not interfere with his right to vote.