ELECTORAL NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 7307, 3 September 1887, Page 2

ELECTORAL NOTES.

The ‘ Lyttelton Times’ is glad that New Zealand possesses one unselfish politician iu the person of Mr 0. J. Hodge, who “ has only done what every candidate—except the independent and purely selfish candidate—professes himself, in theory, anxious to do ; that is, he has thought of his cause and not himself. The difference between Mr liodge and the vast majority of other candidates is that he has acted up to his principles, while the others wax exceedingly wrath if such a proposal is even hinted at.” Just so. Mr Leonard Harper affirms that he is as much a supporter of the Ministry as ho ever was. He therefore supports Mr Reeves’s candidature for St. Albans, because the latter was an advocate of retrenchment, which we needed. The character and credit of New Zealand had to be maintained, or else *ve should suffer in the Loudon money market. In fact, if we went into the market in less than some years to come we should receive a slap in the face. The people had not only to retrench in all directions, but put their hands in their pockets and contribute towards the revenue.

The retirement of Mr Gibbs from the Motueka contest is believed to have strengthened Mr Hursthouse’s chances materially. Mr Joyce, the Ministerial candidate for Lyttelton, told an audience .at ilealhcotc Valley that if he were returned and Sir Robert Stout were defeated for Dunedin East he would resign his seat in Sir Robert’s favor.

MrJoblin (Ministerialist) is the seventh candidate in the field for Akaroa. Mr Bevan was an out-and-out supporter of the Tariff which proposed to place an inordinately heavy tax on miner’s’ gum boots. Yet he had the hardihood to tell the miners of Rimu the other night that if the additional taxes had or have to be imposed they (the miners) will not have to pay them. “ The extra duty will fall on the storekeepers.” We shall not be surprised if this attempt to hoodwink the miners does not cost Mr Bevan his seat.

Captain Mackenzie had a large meeting at the Tapanui end of the Waikaia constituency on’Thursday, and received a vote of confidence. Replying to a question re the Bible in schools, he said that Sir R. Stout was no longer a Freethinker, but had turned a Methodist.

A large meeting of Mr Carlton’s Committee was held at Mornington last night, and great satisfaction was expressed at the progress of the canvass.

Mr 0. J. Hodge has gone to Naseby to commence bis canvass against Mr Mackenzie.

At ameetingof MrO. J. Hodge’s Committee last evening, it was unanimously resolved—- “ That this Committee regret the retirement of Mr Hodge; but seeing that his retirement is in the interests of Protection, this Committee would urge the members to seriously consider the advisability of supporting Dr Fitchett.” Mr James Mills addressed a well-attended meeting at the schoolhouse, Purakanui, last evening, Mr Dugald M‘Lachlan in the chair. Mr Baird proposed and Mr Alston seconded a vote of confidence, which was carried almost unanimously. Sir R. Stout will be unable to visit Invercargill next week, but will endeavor before nomination day to comply with the request that he should address a public meeting there.

It is alleged that there has been indiscriminate roll-stuffing at Waihemo. It is asserted that a number of leaseholders figure on the roll as freeholders. Mr Borebam has withdrawn from the contest for the Cheviot seat.

Mr John Crewes announces himself as a candidate for Sydenham in the Opposition interest.

It is reported that the Opposition will put forward a candidate to oppose Mr Seddon for the Kumara seat. Mr A. C. Campbell is mentioned as a probable candidate. Speaking at Wallsend on Thursday evening, Mr Petrie qualified his remarks in reference to the Greymouth Harbor Board, saying that in his opinion all nominee bodies are fraught with corruption. He said if the members of the Harbor Board had asked him for an explanation in a proper manner he would have given it to them, but when it was rumored about town that they intended to “fleece” him, ho would not! be bullied or coerced. If not elected to Parliament he would resign, as it gave him no pleasure to sit on a nominee body. If returned, he would try to make the Board elective. He received a unanimous vote of confidence.

Mr Baldey, a candidate for Hokonui, declared that he would be in favor of creating a pension to keep Sir Julius Vogel out of the country. Sir George Grey had a most enthusiastic meeting at Gore on Thursday night. Speaking of retrenchment, he said he thought that fully LIOO.OOO might be cut off 1 the expenditure, and advocated a reduction of members, and the Governor’s salary. The number in the Council could be reduced, or, better still, the Second Chamber could be got rid of altogether. The Native Department could be abolished, and considerable reduction be effected in the military expenditure and the Civil Service. The number of Ministers could be reduced. He believed we should appoint our own Governor ; and, referring to the proposals of the Govern-_

raent to raise additional revenue, he urged , that every means of retrenchment should ; first be exhausted. Sir George Grey spoke at Milton last night, and reaches town this evening. , , ~ The political rowdies are growing bolder. Their treatment of A. W. Palmer (detailed elsewhere) is simply an outrage. At Broadfield on Wednesday night, Mr Alfred Saunders was treated to a shower of stones, one of which struck a person who was talking to the candidate. The previous evening a meeting of his came to an abrupt conclusion through a somewhat similar display of rowdyism, Rumors which have found their way Into circulation during the past few days lead to the belief that, after all, the Tuapeka seat is not to be allowed to go unoontested, Mr James Bennet (Rae’s Junction) has been waited on by a number of electors and asked to allow himself to be placed in nomination, but he oould not see his way to comply with their wishes. Mr Fraer has also been spoken to on the subject, and it is not at all improbable that he will be placed in nomination against Mr Brown when the day arrives. He has been promised a larce share of support at Waitahuna.—‘Tuapeka Times.’ TO-NIGHT’S MEETINGS. Mr Boirg’a suppoiters meet in the drill-shed, Anderson Bay, at eieta% lo form a committee.