T7ie General Election.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 63, 12 September 1887, Page 4

T7ie General Election.

MR. MENTKATH AT TITK OPEBA HOUBN. Mr. Monteath addressed n n f ting of the cloctorn of To Aio, for the third timo in the present contest, at tho Opera House on Saturovening. Councillor .T. Young occupied the obair. In opening his Bpcerh Mr. Menteatb Biiid that ho preferred to refrain frotn making any allusion* to his opponent, but Mr. Frasor, in his speech, had reforrcd to him in a manner that seemed to call for a reply. Mr. Fra^er liad accused him of inconsistency, in that ho now condemned tho purchase of tho district railways whereas ho had voted for tho second reading of tho Bill. The fact was that when tho Bill was introduced he was assured by Sir Julius Vogel, tho leader of the Opposition, and other prominent politicians, that tbobill itself was perfoctly harmless, but that everything was to bo dopondent upon the report of the Commission, which would bo circulated a day or two after tho hocoikl reading, and that mombers could tlion ploaflo themsolvos whether or not to support tho purchase of the lines. On that understanding ho voted for tho socoml reading, but after tho Commissioners' report was put beforo tho Hoiiho ho determined to opposo the purohaso of every mnglo lino, and ho subsequently voted njjalnst them in oloven divisions in committees, and finally against tho third reading of tho measure Mr. Mentoath proceeded to analyse some of the fofituros of his opponent's last address. He thon dealt at length with the questions of land toi.uro and taxation. Ho severely critic-iced tho details of expenditure of tho vjllnsfu settlement voto. la conclusion, ho put it to his hearors that tho isauo to be decided in tho present election was whether the country was in favour of an inoreaso of taxation, or whother it would insist upon snoh economy in the administration of public affairs as would raise its credit abroad to the position whioh it occupied before the present Government deproßßod it. Several questions having boon answered, a voto of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr. Mentoath, on the motion of Mr. J. 0. M'Korrow seconded by Mr. Carter. Tho usual compliment to tho chairman terminated tho proooodings.