"A POLITICAL ORPHAN."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1908, Page 3

"A POLITICAL ORPHAN."

MR. WRIGHT AT BROOKLYN. Mr. R. A. Wright, who is contesting Wellington South, spoke at Fullford's Hall, Brooklyn, last evening. There were present 87 persons. Mr. Mills presided. The candidate described himself as an independent opposer of the present Government, but explained that in being an Oppositionist, he was no reactionary. Ho thought he was a man that had had some little character, but his opponents made him thinjv that he had committed every crime in the political code, except murder; and lie was glad to know that he had not been adjudged guilty of that. Mr. Wright most strenuously condemned* Government nomination of members to the Upper House. He would say frankly that he would, if retuined, vote against the present administration. " Now you know the worst," he added. He did not believe in " Yes-no " politics, but refused to be dragged under the chariot wheels of any one party, when, in his opinion, that party's administration was not making for justice and right. He had had no political blessing from any party, and if no party had repudiated him, there was certainly none running him. He was absolutely a political orphan. He was not going to delude electors by promising them impossible things. There was too much of that sort of humbug, and he would be no party to it. If the constituency wanted him it would 1 be shown at the ballot box. If a Government member voted he must vote as he was told. This would not suit Mr. Wright. The candidate then went on to criticise the Government's borrowing, which he held should be avoided as much as possible, and more so than it was at present. Loans should not bo raised to meet depreciations of public works — such as railways, but these, once started, should bo self-supporting. Mr. Wright feared that, unless the Government were watched by a strong Opposition, it would become tyrannous, and" he drew a dismal picture of the political tyranny of Russia and Germany. The Upper House should be- elected by the public on the basis* of one member to four united' electorates. Indirect taxation on the commodities 'of life should be reduced as much as possible ; Government valuations of land should not be based upun "fancy" prices, but the real worth of the land ; greater economy should be exercised in administration ; and, if necessary, salaries of members of Parliament should be reduced — certainly not increased. A vote of thanks and confidence was adopted, an amendment to the effect that thanks only should be given, being lost on the voices.