THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 10152, 3 November 1896, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Mr A. 0. Begg' wil; speak at the Public Hall’, Korth-eaet Valley, on Thursday. Mr H. S. Fish will arrive jn Dunedin on the 7th inst., when he will issue an address to the electors. "

At a meeting of the Waikouaiti Temperanoe Political Committee at Port Chalmers on Saturday afternoon, the question of parliamentary candidates came up for ,discussion, when the following was adopted ! “That this Temperance Political Committee of Waikouaiti, while not committing themselves as a committee to any political candidate, sympathise on temperance grounds with Mr A. Thomson, and urge electors not to squander the temperance vote.”

Mr J. J. Ramsay addressed the electors of Waikouaiti at the Otaken Schoolhouse on Saturday. The evening was, stormy, but there was a fair attendance. Mr W. Garr occupied the chair. On the motion of Mr John Bain, seconded by Mr Henry Bishop, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate. . .

A largely-signed requisition was presented to Mr Dutliie yesterday pressing him to reconsider his decision not to seek re-election for Wellington City. In reply Mr Duthie said that to come forward again would mean a sacrifice, and he would like to have been excused on account of business and family affairs. However, if nobody could be found within the next few days who would come forward, and his business affairs would permit it, he would endeavor to contest the seat. Ho could not give a definite answer at once, and he was nob in a position at the present time to take the platform. If he was assured that Mr Bell was also to be a candidate, and contingent on no one else being found, he would, within the next few days, give a definite answer., Mr John Hutcheson, one of the candidates for Wellington City, addressed a crowded meeting at the Opera-house last night. He said he had no desire to enter politics, but holding that it was necessary labor should be represented he came forward in the interest of his fellow-workers. The question resolved itself into one of Ssddon or Russell, and though he .would be a loyal supporter of the present Government, which he thought would be the Government of the future, he would not be a servile follower. Party government, he thought, had its faults, but until the country was educated up to an elective Executive party government must continue. He was opposed to Prohibition by a bare majority, and also to the Private Benefit Societies Bill, but favored the old age pensions scheme. The Asiatic Restriction Bill would receive the Queen’s assent, and a sharp eye should be kept on the increase of Asiatics in order to ascertain if the increased poll tax was sufficient. He advocated the Eight Hours Bill and the classification of the Civil Service. He supported the present education policy, with an extension to night schools. The candidate was well received, and at the conclusion a unanimous veto of confidence was carried and three cheers given. Mr H. J. Boswick, Mayor of Christchurch and a candidate for Christchurch City, addressed a meeting last evening. He declared himself an opponent of the Government. Ho praised the Hon. J. M‘Kenzie’s land settlement policy, but preferred the freehold to all other tenures. He was in favor of the maintenance of the present education system and of old age pensions, provided the scheme applied to all. He thought tho disposition of the loan money very unfair to Canterbury. He opposed tho referendum and elective Executive and Prohibition, and thought the Upper House should be elected on a modified Hare system. A vote of thanks and confidence was declared carried, but numbers of the audience maintain that there was a large majority against it. Mr W. "W. Tanner, member for Avon, addressed a meeting at Phillipstown last night,. He warmly supported the administration of the Government, and declared himself in favor of an elective Executive and a reform of the Upper House. A vole of thanks and renewed confidence was carried.

Mr C. Mahoney, head-master of the Fairfax School, will be a candidate for Bruce in tho Ministerial-Prohibition interest. Mr Buchanan declares that the member for Riccarton is “ the most distinguished political acrobat in New Zealand,” and that “he turns his coat as often as he winds his watch.” Save us from the candid friend.

The following is copy of a telegram which Mr J. George has received from the Premier ; —“The Government with pleasure accept you as their candidate for the Wakatipu seat in the Liberal interests. Will do their beat to secure your return. Wish you every success. Am fully convinced your return to Parliament would be in the interests of the Wakatipu electorate and the colony generally,—R. J. Seddon, Wellington.” The Premier addressed a very largo meeting at Waverley last night. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried.

Negotiations are said to ba now pending between the Bruce Prohibition League ana Mr Auld, of Waitahuna, with the object of getting him to stand for the Bruce electorate in the interest of the Prohibition party,— ‘ Bruce Herald.’ Mr F. M. Lester will speak at Ravensbourne on Wednesday evening. Our Lawrence correspondent wires;—“ Mr C. C. Rawlins is definitely announced as a candidate for the Tuapeka seat at the coming election. He speaks at Blue Spur on Monday evening.” ADDRESSES THIS EVENING. Cm - .—Mr A. H. Burton, at Public Hall, Northeast Valley. Caveksham.— Mr A. Morrison, in the Caversham Hall.