Political Address.

Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 128, 29 November 1899, Page 2

Political Address.

Last evening Mr T. E. Taylor, the Government candidate for the Bangitikei sc at, addressed the electors in the Volunteer Hall. About one hundred and fifty persons were present, and Mr Taylor was frequently applauded during his address, which lasted about an hour. Mr W. A. L. Bailey was voted to the chair on the motion of Mr J. Eraser , seconded by Mr J. McLaren. Mr Taylor's address was similar to that delivered at Cheltenham and other places, and which was fully reported in a previous issue of the Star. Questions having been luvited, Mr W. G. Haybittle asked two questions regarding the purchase of the WeliingtonManawatu railway by the Government, and in doing so explained that be did so on behalf of the Feildiug Chamber of Commerce, a meeting of delegates (held iv Palmerston) from the various local bodies and institutions on the coast having decided that it was desirable to bring the question before the notice of candidates. As the result of that meeting a circular had been sent to him as secretary of the Feilding Chamber of Comiuerce, containing the question re- ! ferred to. The first was as to whether the candidate was in favor of the Government purchasing the line. Mr Taylor replied that he could not answer the question straight out as lie was not sufficiently acquainted with the finances of the colony to say whether the line should be purchased or not. The Government were the people to decide as they knew best if is would pay the colony. He could not, therefore, say he would suppoit the purchase of the line if the Government were against doing so, although he was not prejudiced against it. The second question was as to whether the candidate would urge on the Government to take immediate steps to purchase the line in view of the fact that if the purchase was not completed before Feb ruary 1901 an additional L 40,000 would have to be paid for the line. Mr Taylor raplied that his previous answer covered this question. It seemed to him that every person who had shares in the Company was trying to force the line on the Government ; he did not know for what reason. Mr Lochhead asked if the candidate was in favor of donating a trophy to the sports but the chairman ruled it out ol order as io was not a political question. There were no further questions. A vote of thanks was accorded Mi Taylor on the motion of Mr J. H. Graham, seconded by Mr Fraser.