THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6075, 19 September 1881, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

CAPTAIN PORTER AT WAIROA.

Iby telegraph.]

(from our own correspondent.)

Wairoa, Saturday,

Captain Porter addressed a meeting of electors in the County Hall this evening. There were about 120 people present. Mr W. F. Shaw, the County Chairman, presided, but disclaimed any connection with| the candidate, saying that he was perfectly unbiassed at present. Captain Porter said he merely met the electora as a preliminary measure. He would return again and place his views fully before the people. He now simply visited the district in order to ascertain its local requirements and to make acquaintance with the settlers. Ho touched on local matters, leaving colonial questions to another time, as Parliament not being prorogued candidates were not in a position to give decided views on many important subjects. Wairoa, he said, had many associations in conjunction with Giaborne, but he recognised that a local candidate would have stronger claims. It was certainly the fact that Tauranga had been severed from Gisborne at the expense of Wairoa, but what could not be cured must be endnred. In course of time, when Wairoa was sufficiently strong, it could claim severance from Gisborne. He considered on the whole that the district would be in a better position than before, as the Napier representatives would always co-operate with any candidate that might be returned for the GisbornoWairoa district. Mr Locke had telegraphed through an address which appeared in that day's paper, embodying his (Captain Porter's) own ideas, and. had in a measure jumped his claim as regarded local government matters. He coinplmented the Wairoa County Council on their careful administration of county affairs. He favored rating Crown and native lands, and felt sure that such a measure would only be a question of time. He held that they could not possibly do

without local bodies in outlying districts, and in his opinion the county system was preferable to provincialism. There was always a certain amount of gratification in spending one's own money, and that gratification could be better obtained under the county system than under provincialism. Speaking of road construction, he mentioned that Parliament had voted largo suras of money for road works, and he advocated that the money should be gpent through the County Councils, the surveys being undertaken by tho Govern-

rnent. He hoped that the coach road between Gisborne and Wairoa would soon be made and a mail service subsidised. Wairoa required opening up, and then it would become the outlet of a large district. He hoped tho local bodies of Cook and "Wairoa would always cordially cooperate. He advocated the establishment of small settlements, even if small blocks of land had to be given away as an inducement . for settling. This would make adjoining lan d far more valuable. In matters of general policy he was essentially a Liberal. It was, however, a difficult matter in New Zealand to define Liberalism, as there were no real distinctions as at Home. At all events he was not a Radical, and certainly not a Conservative. He would generally support the present Ministry, as tli9y seemed to devote a fair share of public works expenditure in the district. But independently of that consideration, the Ministry had taken up many liberal measures and had brought into law many of the measures introduced by Sir George Grey. Ho regretted that the Roads Construction Bill was dropped, as he thought it would have suited this locality exceedingly well. He instanced the bridge at Gisborne as a work that could have been built under it. Referring to separation he said he believed that would be a test question next session, and he would Btrongly oppose it. He could not support Sir George Grey's Local Government Bill. He preferred extended powers being given to County Councils, provincialism being a rotten stick. Speaking of waste lands administration, he said that Mr Rolleston's bill would detach Cook county from Auckland, and attach it to Napier, with a representation of two members for Gisborne and three for Napier. He considered that unfair, and suggested that Wairoa should have a member. In fact, he preferred each county having a special representative on the Board. He would Btrive to simplify all matters pertaining to native lands, considering himself fully competent to deal with that subject. He considered the Civil Service as a whole badly treated, owing to no fixed system being adhered to, and political influences interfering to the detriment of the service. As to the Legislative Council he did not believe in that Chamber vetoing measures passed by the Lower House without giving any reasons. The Council simply represented wealth. He considered it should be elective. Touching on the candidates for the East Coast district he said that Mr M'Donald's actions spoke for thenselves, and the electors could judge Mr Locke and himself, both running pretty well on the dame ticket. He regretted opposing Mr Locke, as possibly Mr M'Donald would slip in between them. He (Captain Porter) had been employed as a Land Purchase Commissioner at £600 a year, and he had now nearly wound that business up ; another nine months would complete it. He had decided to leave the Government service and Btart untram' melled of all ties as a Government servant. He had been told he was very foolish to leave the service, but that was his business. He claimed a thorough knowledge of the district, and believed he would be able to fairly represent it

Replying to questions, Captain Porter said he had retired from the last general election on patriotic grounds, but did not feel called on this time to sacrifice himself again. He would go to the poll. He favored natives having to pay rateß. Captain Porter received a vote of thanks.