CAPTAIN RUSSELL AT PETANE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3255, 7 December 1881, Page 3

CAPTAIN RUSSELL AT PETANE.

A meeting of some thirty electors was held in the school-room on Tuesday evening, Major Richardson in the chair. Captain Russell, who was suffering from a sore throat, said he had nothing new to say; and that if private matters were brought forward at elections we should come to bowie-knives and revolvers as in America. He believed the sugar and blanket policy, which he believed to have been inevitable, had now come to an end, and that in future the natives would be treated as ourselves ; a policy he strongly advocated. He considered that no one Crown grant should be granted of native land exceeding one thousand acres. All lands on which the Government had made advances should be bought, Although the South Island was opposed to this course, not understanding the difficulties existing here. Either Road or County Boards should be abolished, and only one uniform valuation made and one rate levied. The chairmen of the Road Boards should constitute the County Council. He believed the money levied by the Hawke's Bay County Council had in its expenditure been guided by the voting power, and his own and the Petane district had not had their fair share. He defended his vote on the Representation Bill at some length, and stated it his opinion, that the principle of population as the basis of representation was absolutely wrong ; be would do his utmost to have the natives placed on the roll, if returned, so as to obtain more voting power and get a fair share of the new loan. With reference to taxation his views had been described as vague, be was not an advocate for the repeal of the Property Tax, his views were very similar to his opponent's and lie recommended them to return the most influential man. Machinery should be exempted from taxation, though so far from being a protectionisthe was a free-trader pure and simple. The proposal of putting a tax xipon the wealthy was unfortunately usually received with cheers, but such a tax would in the end fall on the poor, taxation itself should be reduced to its lowest possible limits. The cry of the working man was in bis opinion the greatest nonsense, he said unhesitatingly all could grow into wealth, and political measui'es would not help any one class more than another. If returned it would be as a moderate supporter of the present government, but not pledged to all measures they might introduce. He maintained such requisitions as they had signed, and for which he thanked them, were perfectly justifiable. He concluded amidst some stamping of feet and on Mr Twigg's motion, seconded by Mr Yillers, a vote of confidence was declared carried, and a vote of thanks to the chairman brought a most orderly meeting to a close.

(by telegraph.) Wairoa, December 7. The Guardian declares for Captain Porter against all comers. It is expected that Mobaka and Mahia will give a block vote for Captain Porter. Mr S. Locke denies Mr Allan MacDonald's statement that he is a director in tbe new Auckland and East Coast Coast Land Company. He states that his name was put on the directory without his knowledge. Captain Porter's Gisborne committee are confident of success. At Frasertown last night a meeting ot Allan McDonald's supporters was poorly attended. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried. Wangantjt, December 7. Mr Watt, one of the candidates for WaDganui, addressed a large meeting of electors last night. A vote of thanks and confidence was moved and seconded, which was followed by an amendment of thanks and no confidence. Mr Bryce, who was present, was called for by a section of the audience, and came on the platform. Great uproar ensued, cheers and hisses mingling. Cries were raised of He's not an elector.' * Ministerial influence,' ' Undue influence,' ' Turncoat,' and a hearing was refused. The chairman after obtaining silence, ruled that Mr Bryce, not being an elector, was not entitled to speak. The amendment was carried. Auckland, December 7. Mr Laing has retired from tbe City \West contest. He was not on any roll in nhe colony.