KIHIKIHI: MR. KIRK WOOD'S CANDIDATURE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4198, 27 January 1871, Page 2

KIHIKIHI: MR. KIRK WOOD'S CANDIDATURE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

On Monday, the 23rd instant, Cnrboy's hotel was filled with a number of electors, and a public meeting was convened, of which James Henderson, Esq , w.is cuosen the chairman. Mr. Henderson then 1 ose, and iv an appropriate bpeeeh addressed the meeting, «md introduced Mr. Rirkwood as a candi- : date for their suffrages. — Mr. Kirk wood said I the native question was the first and paramount question of the day. Of what use was the fostering of native industry to them wheu they could not sleep safe in then- beds ? He went on to express his views on Protection, and would not put a tax on wheat ; he would put about £2 a ton on flour until sach time as we could grow sufficient wheat to meet our own requirements. He would give a Y>o>yas \t> aid *&*& <t<a\\9fcmc.*\.cya ot tLcrax mills, in preference to eiving a bonus for the manufacture of a certain number of yards of tweed. Bread first, clothing after. He would, by constructing mills in Waikato, keep the money that is now going for freight for the conveyance of flour to the Waikato, in tho pockets of the people. He knew that more than £500 was annually sent out of Cambridge for the article of flour alone : and that, too, in one of the finest wheat-growing districts in the province. The construction of' flour mills would give employment in turning the grain into flour, and would also kiep the bran and sharps in the district to rear our bacon, instead of sending to Belfast and other paits for that article. With regard to education, a country that would not support a general system of educa tion would tnakeno permanent progress. The General Government should take the matter up. He, for his part, would make atteu dance conpulsory. Respecting highway rate, he would make the rate a permanent debt, ; and, as regards the Waikato, he knew the waste land belongs to ibe General Government. The G-overnment should aid in the opening up of direct lines of load for defence, fie was also an advocate for the construction of railways in the Waikato. With regard to the Permissive Bill, it was an absurdity to allow nine-tenths of the people to interfere with the liberties of one-tenth ; he would not allow half a dozen old women to interfere with, and coerce, the liberties of men. In conclusion, he said that if elected he would go to the House as a free and independent member. He wanted no billet from the Government. He had a farm at Tamehara ; he would return there after the session, and be found ditching and ploughing his land ; and should his constituents at any time wish him to resign, he would only be too happy to do so in favour of a better man than himself. — A desultory conversation ensued a8 to the disadvantages and advantages of the importation of wheat and flour, after which Mr. P. Corboy addressed the meeting, and said that he concurred with Mr. Kirkwood on most points. He would propose Hugh Kirkwood, Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent the Waikato in the forthcoming Parliament. The proposition was warmly and heartily seconded by all rising together, promising their support and interest to Mr. Kirkwood. — A vote of thanks was then tendered to the chairman, and the meeting separated after giving three cheers for Hugh Kirkwood, Esq., and a cheer for the prosperity of the Waikato in general, and Cambridge and Kihikihi in particular.