THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 4617, 1 December 1875, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

mm MMMMOMSWM w SIR CRACROFT WILSON AT COLOMBO ROAD. Pursuant to public intimation, Sir Cracroft Wilson mot the electors of the Heathoote District in the Schoolroom, Colombo road, at 8 o’clock lost evening. There was a numerous attendance. Sir CuACROrT Wilson proposed that the chair bo taken by Mr Wm, Wilson. The motion was carried by acclamation. The Chaieman said ho had very great pleasure indeed in taking the chair, and he hoped they would again express that confidence which they expressed in Sir Cracroft Wilson some time ago. Sir Cracroft Wilson had been a good representative. He had acted honestly and consistently on the various questions with which ho had to deal, and had always displayed a very manly independence as a member of the House of Representatives, and he (the Chairman) trusted that, at the forthcoming election, he would receive a continued expression of the confidence of the electors of the Heathoote District. He would now call on Sir Cracroft Wilson to address the meeting. Sir Cbaceoet Wilson, vrho was received with cheers, said he had got in the first place to thank them all for coming there that evening. His thanks, too, were due to the Chairman and School Committee for allowing him the use of the schoolroom for the meeting. One great benefit they should derive from Laving good school buddings was, that they would have good rooms to meet in on all public occasions like- tho present, as he had no doubt they would always be at disposal for such purposes, (Hear, hear.) Ha was now going to touch on a subject which was a painful one to him, but tho results of which he had not got over. When he left Canterbury, he was suffering from influenza, and he was advised not to go away, but it was not in his nature to stay away when his public duty demanded that he should go. Therefore he proceeded to Wellington. He sat up in the Assembly night after night, and at last his friends advised that a medical, attendant should be called in. He returned to the House as soon as he could, and continued to fight out public affairs as well as he could, but he regretted that his health did not permit him to say so much in the General Assembly as he could have desired. If he did not say much on this ocoation, he hoped they would excuse him, bearing in mind that he was really and seriously ill. The legislation of last Session, as they were well aware, tended towards the Abolition of the Provinces. When he last addressed them, the proposal was, that the North Island Provinces should be done away with, and that the South Island Provinces should remain as they were. At- that time, he told them that it was possible the Provinces of Canterbury and Otago might remain for two years, When he went up to Wellington, some hon Members had a conference. They found that the financial condition of Westland and Nelson was such that they could not exist without receiving very large subsidies. Under those circumstances, the question arose—What are we to do with them? It was the general feeling that it would be far better to do away with all the Provinces, instead of giving large subsidies to Nelson and Wellington. This, therefore, accounted for the change which had taken place in the programme of last year. It was evident that Provincial Institutions could exist no longer. There were no funds at disposal to go on with this system of double Government and extravagance, which had hitherto been the case. He was not going to praise the General Government for economy. The General Government had been just as guilty of extravagance as the Provincial Governments had been, and more particularly since tho inauguration of the Public Works scheme. He had always strenuously opposed what were known as political railways, but to no effect, He would give them an instance of this. application was made for the construe*xon*of a raUway between Pioton and ahis proposal was mode m 1861 and waß referred to a Select H ’ e d ■ohat railway, and in Coins' bo, he was hacked oy the report of Committee. The railway m not tb' - a uanetioned; but as soon as the jiaiiwav and p ub ii 0 Works Scheme was iaf grated, this was one of the first lines that fras sanctioned. There were of course two voles hanging to it, and they could well understand that the sanction of those in power was easily obtained. They had railways made in Canterbury which ought never to have seen sanctioned. He would instance the ease of the Eaiapoi and Eyreton Railway, which would never pay, until it was carried away far to tho Westward. But at tho time - was sanctioned it was only contemplated to extend from Eaiapoi to Byreton. This was Mother instance of the extravagance of the General Government, in consenting to the construction of railways that could not possibly prove remunerative. He saw abuses wound him ; abuses spoken of openly from man to man, and when he tried to get these abuses swept away, he was met with every possible obstacle. These abuses he perceived not only in the manner in which affairs were conducted by the General Government, but ?y the Provincial Government as well. Tho ■oor.our had been done to him last Session in J iie Provincial Council of being asked to join ‘be Executive ; but if he had known what he would have to go through, he would never have accepted the position. He did not, as hp before said, desire to praise either the Projjnei.il or the General Government. Both Governments had been guilty of extravagance, und it now behoved the people to go in for economy. Let them show to tho people at Home that they wero a prudent people, p-conomy they must practise, and their Memopra in the Assembly must strenuously oppose t,J p system of extravagance that had been "- ln C! on in the past. He did not wish to -rouble them with figures, as they were a very ory subject; but if they bore in mind the ? nl °uat of their indebtedness, and their annual •ocome and expenditure, they must come to ltl ° conclusion that the affairs of the Colony ®«Bt be managed more economically than ntherto. The Native Department must, lor example, cease to exist in its present expensive form. The number of hangers-on in bat department was something enormous. It was said that the pacification of the Maoris an accomplished fact. Now, ho did not how far to believe this. The whole etT iir was clouded in mystery, and where there Was mystery there was always doubt. If, however, ail this mystery and humbug, which ■- a d characterised tho Native administration, were to go on, the extravagance must cease. Gnu thing which they would derive from Abolition was, that there would be no mixing ep of accounts, no political sections going to the House of Representatives and scrambling the money that was available for appropriation. The people must insist on economy

being exercised by the Colonial Government, and this they could do through their Representatives. It was a very easy thing to select a wrong man. (Hear, hear, and laughter). He thanked the gentleman for that" hear, hear," but if anyone could point out a single wrong he had done, or selfish vote that had been given by him during his connection with the Legislature, ho would be prepared to answer the person who did so. Ho supposed it now behoved him to say something on the Abolition Bill. That measure had been opposed by a party who for the most part—three-fourths—was composed of men who were personally and pecuniarily interested in the continuance of Provincial Institutions. Now, it was usually the case that a minority bowed its head to a majority, instead of wasting public time and money in obstructing business to subserve a purpose in which their pecuniary interests were at stake. Tho honorarium was increased last year, and last Session several hon Members talked against time. Now, so long as such a state of things as this existed, the Country could not prosper. He would not describe many of the scones that had taken place during the discussion on the Abolition Bill, but he wished to make one thing public. It was this. When he entered tho House in 1861, a Standing Order existed to the effect that any hon Member, daring the progress of a Debate, could get up and insist on the question being put. The Speaker was bound to put it, and the votes were thereupon taken. Now, it seemed a very arbitrary power to place in the hands of any hon Member—namely, to compel the cessation of a Debate—but he must confess that after what he had witnessed last Session, he was inclined to think that the Standing Order he referred to was a very good one. The Government had a largo majority, but it was evident that unless some compromise was made the Session would never come to an end. (Laughter.) It was proposed that the final decision on the subject should be put off until ' next year. The minority insisted on this, and it was evident the Session would never terminate unless their demands were acceded to. The result was a compromise. Now, compromises in Parliament were very objectionable, but in this case it could not be avoided, owing to the rules of discussion. The Bill was passed; but it was agreed between the majority and the minority that it should not come into operation until after tho meeting of the new Parliament. The Bill was passed and assented to, but it was not to come into operation until after the first Session of the new Parliament. Before leaving the Abolition Bill, he would like to mention a matter of a personal kind. During the discussion that arose on that measure, the hon Member for Selwyn had taken occasion, during his (Sir Cracroft’s) absence, to make some remarks concerning him, and he had telegraphed down to the Canterbury papers that he (Mr Eeeves) had given him a dressing-down, and that he was afraid to come to the House while he was speaking. Now, he (Sir Oraoroft Wilson) begged to say that he never knew that Mr Reeves was going to speak, and he was not in his place in the House because ho was too ill to attend. He might say that the blame and praise of Mr Reeves fell on his (Sir Oraoroft’s) ears alike, and would not influence him one way or the other; but as he said, a telegram was sent down to the Christchurch papers to tho effect that " Mr Eeeves gave Sir Oraeroft Wilson a tremendous dressing, He knew it was coming off, and through fear he stayed away.” He repeated again that the praise or blame of Mr Reeves fell upon his.ears alike, but as to his being afraid of Mr Reeves, could any of them, he would ask, remember listening to him (Sir Cracroft) when a plan was got up to pelt him with rotten eggs one night in the Town Hall, and at which a greater man than Mr EeovesrOrosbie Ward—attended ? He (Sir Cracroft) was on the platform, shewing a caricature. He then bearded Orosbie Ward, and was he now to bo told that ho was afraid of so puny a man as Mr Eeeves, who was no comparison to Crosbie Ward P It was really laughable. [A Yoioe: “ Go to business.”] He hoped that however many faults they might see in him—and he admitted candidly that he was full of them—they would not say that he was afraid of any human being. (Laughter). Oh, yes, he was afraid of an abusive old woman. (Laughter). If he met an abusive young woman he had his remedy, but if he met with an abusive old woman he ran away from her. (Laughter). One thing he was afraid of—that was of telling a lie. Could they believe for a moment that he had stayed away from the House because he was afraid of the dressing he was going to get from Mr Reeves ? He never knew that Mr Reeves was going to speak. How could he know when Mr Reeves was going to speak? he had known that Mr Beeves was going to abuse him, he would have taken care that he abused him before his face. (Hear, hear.) Having said this much on a personal matter, he would proceed to touch on the question of Education, and more particularly in connection with its administration in this Province. He supposed they all knew that when the Provincial Government resolved to do away with the Board of Education, it was account {of the extravagance that been For instance, the oard aßke d for £1350 for the erection a Bchoo i maßter - 8 house in Timaru. Th- Btrucb him aB being exceedingly rems : . Kablej conßidering that the Diocesan S* dod limited the amount to £350 tor erec tion of clergymen’s houses. ,*hen he referred to the Board, he was told that the Board wished that the Master at Timam should take in pupils. He (Sir Cracroft) said, " By all means let him take in pupils, but he is not going to accommodate them at the cost of the people of Canterbury." (Hear, hear.) This was only one of the many instances in which extravagance had been indulged in by the late Board of Education. In point of fact, they scattered money right and left, without consideration. (No, no; and a Yoice: “What has this to do with the General Assembly ?”) The subject of Education had a great deal to do with the General Assembly, and he had touched upon it because he believed that some questions would be put to him upon it. In 1873, Sir Julius Yogel brought in an Education Bill for the whole Colony of New Zealand, and that Bill was thrown out by those who were of opinion that Education, like other matters, should be left to' the Provinces. There was no doubt, however, that the time would soon arrive when the General Government would have to deal with the subject of Education, Reverting to what he had previously been saying, the late Board of Education had committed very great extravagance in the erection of school buildings. There was quite too much ornamentation about them, and tho present Government saw that a stop must be put to the extravagance that was going on. He had always been a friend of Education, and hoped to see Education imparted to every child in the Country, but he could not shut his eyes to the extravagance that was going on and allow that extravagance to continue. No one had a greater desire to see the cause of Education spread, and schools established all over the country, but he could plainly perceive that they were proceeding at a rate of extravagance which the Province could never afford to keep up, and, therefore, it was resolved by the Government to which he belonged that a proposal should be made to the Provincial Council to do away with a Board which had acted so extravagantly, and which had no real responsibility to the people who had to pay the money. That Board, as .they knew, was abolished, and it was proposed to appoint a thoroughly efficient Secretary for Education, at a proper salary, to administer the Department. Eventually, it was decided that there should be a Minister for Education, and acting on the decision of the Provincial Council, that officer had been appointed since the Session rose. A great deal had been said in respect to what should bo done in 1880 with reference to the runs. The term “ squatter ’’ had very frequently been used. He was opposed to the term “ squatter.” He had searched American history for a definition of the word “ squatter,” and he found that a squatter was a man who went and settled on land, and that until he was found out by the Government he lived scot-free upon it. This was the only definition he could find of tho word “ squatter,” and ho believed that it was tho right definition. But bow could it be said that the term could

be applied to the rnnholdera of Cantefbuyy who paid ia certain rent to the Government for the land in their occupation, instead of remaining there rent-free until, as the American term implied, they were found out by the Government P As to tho disposal of the runs in the year 1880, all he oould say was, that he would be prepared to do what was right and proper. (Hear, hear). Let the matter be decided by disinterested persons. (Hear, hear, and cheers). He would warn them of this, however—that it would bo exceedingly inadvisable to split up the runs into very small areas. They would thereby do a very groat deal of harm, and encourage people to enter on speculations which Xfould eventually ruin them. It was as easy to manage a run of 20,000 acres as it was to manage a run of 6000; the expenses of the latter would be as great as the former. The result was, that they oould not pay. The holders of these small runs would find that they oould not go on; and their runs must of necessity fall into the hands of large holders. He gave them his word of honour it was not all gold connected with sheep-farming; there were very great risks attending it. If he chose to risk his money in a speculation, was he to be blamed if he succeeded? Certainly not. Nobody said a word about his making money out of his freehold at Cashmere, but the moment he made any money on wool, they said “Oh,” and shrugged their shoulders. He did not believe for one moment that in 1880 any injustice would be done so far as the runs were concerned. At the dole of last Session, a constituency in this Province asked him to come forward for it. He told the gentlemen who were deputed to wait on him, that he had been twice elected for the Heathoote District, and that he would not desert that District until he was perfectly satisfied that they wished to have another man to represent them. (Hear, hear.) He did not think he should occupy their time at any further length. If he had not been sufficiently explicit, he would be most happy to answer any questions that might be put to him. (Hear, hear.) In reply to questions, Sir Cbaceoft Wilson said the next Parliament would last until 1881, and therefore the question of the runs must be decided before the termination of that Parliament. He had stated that he was perfectly willing that the decision of the matter should be left to disinterested persons, but this was not a reasonable deduction, as Mr Johnson said, that, therefore, the electors ought not to retarn him. He had voted against the Board of Education Bill, because it was a fraud and an underhand proceeding altogether. He thought that Mr Thomas Russell, who was a director of the Bank of New Zealand, had had a great deal too much to do with the government of the Country. He had often and often expressed himself to this effect, and had given offence, even, in many quarters in consequence. (Hear, hear.) There were many in that room who knew that he had often and often reprehended the conduct of Mr Thomas Russell, He would most decidedly be a representative of the Heathoote District, if elected, and not of the Bank of New Zealand. (Hear, hear.) Ho had never supported the New Zealand Bank in any one of the iniquities that had been committed. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He had not yet made up his mind as to what must be done in the matter of the taxation of the Country, Customs duties must not be increased, but if further taxation were required, it must be either raised from property or income. He considered that the Customs duties had reached their limit. Property and income, he thought, ought to bear the increased taxation. He was a free trader, and ho only hoped he could see our produce go to the other Colonies free of charge, and their produce coming to New Zealand free of charge. (Cheers.) He would not be a party to buying fresh land for a railway station in Christchurch. He was convinced there was a sufficient area at present, and he would not consent to the purchase of any land for the mere purpose of creating “jobs.” He had land in Manchester street, but he bought that land some years back, and would sell it to the questioner at a valuation. (Laughter.) With regard to the question as to whether the Upper House should be elected, he would not say it was a bad plan, but they must bear in mind that the Upper House would have more power than now if it were an elective body. He was in thorough doubt as to whether it was advisable to make the Upper House elective. He thought, as was the case in other Colonies, that it would lead to a collision between the two branches of the Legislature. If the question came up, he would give it his best consideration, but at present he was not quite decided as to which would be the best—a nominated or an elected Upper House in New Zealand. The Native Department and Civil Service were much greater than was necessary, and if maintained at their present rate, all he could say was, that the Colony could not afford it. The subject of triennial parliaments was one to which he had not yet given, any consideration. He would say to every constituency >< Get the best and most honest men you can find.” As to the question whether property benefited by having an educated people, of course it did benefit. He thought everybody should share in the expense of forwarding the cause of Education in the Country, Property ought and must contribute. Property contributed now, but whether it should contribute more, and to what extent, was a question which would hereafter be decided. He had thought that the Volunteer movement was being carried on so badly that ho could not help coming to the conclusion either that they were too bad for him, or he was too bad for them; therefore, he left the Volunteers. So long as Sir Donald M'Lean was at the head of the Native Department, mystery would be the order of the day. He thought it would be better for the country, if the Militia system were introduced and maintained, but he would ask what Ministry would remain six weeks in office which proposed that the Militia should be called out? He had always been an advocate for the Militia being called out, because he believed it would lead to greater efficiency amongst the Volunteers, knowing that if they were not Volunteers they should have to serve in the Militia; but it was useless to talk of calling out the Militia, because any Ministry that proposed it would not and could got long remain in office. He was not a good accountant or a very strict man at figures, but he could tell them that it had been calculated that the expense of a run, if well managed, was half-a-crown per sheep ;’ that is, if they had a large number. He declared that he could not on his run keep more than one sheep totwo acres,and that a merino. If they kept cross-bred sheep they would have to give a greater quantity of land per sheep. If every sheep cost 2s 6d a-piece, he would ask them to put the two things together, and they would arrive at an estimate of what the runs were worth. There would be some land which would be cheap at 3d an acre for the next ten years, and some which would be dear at 3d. On some land four acres would be required for each sheep. He did not know whether it would not be a good plan to put the runs un to auction, but he had not given the matter that full consideration which would enable him to express a decided opinion. He believed large sums were given for runs at times when they were not stocked, and when the price of wool was high. But now that the runs have been stocked and turnips have had to be resorted to, the price had lowered. It was an exceedingly difficult question. He would give the question, as he said last year, bis best consideration, and would deal with it unselfishly. (Hear, hear.) This he repeated now. In any scheme that might bo proposed, he would do his best to see that justice was done to everybody. (Hear, hear.) Anyone who proposed a plan for making the registration of votes more simple would have his support. He objected to the present plan of registration. It was a very cumbersome one. If they wished to put the runs up to auction, let them do so, provided it was done by honest, unselfish men, and let them avoid cutting them up into small blocks, which would prevent any man getting a living out of them. He had not made up his mind as to the best method of dealing with the matter, and he did not know at this moment what would be tho best mode. Whoever assessed the runs ought to take improvements into consideration, and there were hundreds of other things which would have to be taken into consideration in dealing with the matter. Ho would

pledge himself to this—that when the question came up for decision he would do his best to see justice done, and to ensure that the people of Canterbury should not be robbed. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He would try and do his utmost that Canterbury would not be robbed by anyone, whether ho was a brother runholder or brother freeholder. He had voted for the Bill giving tho lodger franonise, but that Bill was thrown out, and another had been _ passed, which was the miserable, abominable thing now in existence. It was not half so good as the first Bill, which was brought in by the Government, The Bill now in existence was, he believed, brought in by one of the Shepherds. He was not inclined to give any protection to any manufactures, save giving a handsome bonus for their production in certain quantities, but he was opposed to their permanent protection. He would not be a party to such a thing, because he believed that protection would be ruinous to the Country. (Hear, hear.) He would give a handsome bonus, but no permanent protection. Sir Julius Vogel had violated all tho rules of public service by deserting his post. He had no right to go Home. He had drawn salary to a very considerable amount. Until Sir Julius Vogel fixed accounts with the Colony, he would oppose any further grants of money to him. He did not attribute any dishonesty in the matter, but what he said was that Sir Julius Vogel had been drawingaiargeamount by way of salary to which he was not entitled. He had voted for the San Francisco Mail Service, because the Colony had been committed to it by its accredited agents, and hon Members could not help themselves. He thought, however, that they should have a cheaper service, and that the boats should go along their own Coast. He was not in favour of the proposal for two Governments—one in the North and another in the South. There could not be two New Zealands; to become a prosperous Country, the people (os well as the Islands) must be united. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The Chaieman stated that if any of the other candidates wished to address the meeting, Sir Cracroft Wilson desired him to say that he would be most happy to bear them. (Hear, hear.) Mr Fishbe said it had been his intention to address the meeting, but, as tho hour was so late, he would defer doing so until another occasion, unless it was the feeling of the meeting that he should goon. (“Not to-night.”) He would meet them on a future occasion. Mr Hall moved—“ That this meeting, having heard the political sentiments of Sir Cracroft Wilson, desires to renew its continued confidence in his fitness as the representative of the Heathoote District in the General Assembly, and assure him of its continued support.” Mir King seconded the motion. Mr A. Saundebs complained of the indefinite nature of Sir Cracroft Wilson’s address. It was so indefinite, in fact, that he would not even vote for a resolution of thanks, much less a vote of confidence. He would not support any runholder who was not at qnce prepared to say what he would do with the runs in 1880. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The resolution was then put, and declared by the Chairman to be lost on the voices. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. MR BLUETT AT ASHBURTON. Mr Bluett, Member for the Coleridge District in the General Assembly, met the electors at the Somerset Hotel, Ashburton, on Monday night. There was a large attendance, and Mr Donald Williamson was voted to the chair. The Chaieman, on rising, said he had no doubt those present would accord the same patient hearing to Mr Bluett that they had given to the other candidate, and recollect that however much they might differ in opinion with any speaker, they were very much indebted to men of ability for coming forward to represent the various Districts, and giving their services for the good of their adopted Country. (Blear, hear.) He had great pleasure in introducing Mr Bluett to the meeting. (Cheers.) Mr Bluett, who was received with applause, said he had first to apologise to the electors for not calling therix together earlier, but they were no doubt aware that for some time past, indeed, ever since his return from Wellington, he had been busily engaged in agricultural matters. He had been a judge at two agricultural shows, and an exhibitor at two others, but now that he was before them, he hoped that as the Chairman had said, they would give him a fair and impartial hearing. He intended to state in a perfectly honest and straightforward manner what his opinions were on the various questions of the day. He would do so clearly and distinctly, so that hereafter no mistake whatever could occur. (Hear, hear.) What he intended to say, ho would, if they did him the honour to return him, carry out to the best of his ability. (Hear, hear.) In 1872, after Mr Karslako resigned his seat in order to go to the Old Country, the then electors of Coleridge, some of whom were present that evening did him the honour to return him as their Member to the General Assembly. He was then a young and untried man, but he went up fully intending to do the best he oould to promote the welfare, not only of the Coleridge District, bub also of the Colony, and though he had not succeeded in everything he undertook or tried for, he had done many things for the District. Whenever he had been asked by an elector or a body of electors, to do anything for the District, he had done it. Whether it was to obtain a post-office, a telegraph office, a branch railway, or anything else, he had done his best both in the Provincial Council and in the General Assembly, to obtain it for the District. Some little time ago be was told that a meeting had been held in the Ashburton District by several gentlemen who had laid down certain articles of faith, which must be believed in by a candidate, or he would not get their support, We 11, he was not there to tell the electors that he would do this or that, and then, if he was returned, go and do something else. Whatever he promised them that evening he would carry out to the beat of his ability, neither was he prepared to bind himself down to this creed or that creed. He would state hie opinions straightforwardly, and if they were satisfied he would ask them to vote for him, and if not, to vote for the best man they could. (Hear, hear.) Before he proceeded further he would like to make one or two observations with regard to one of the candidates, who, he was sorry to see, was not present. He referred to Mr Wason, who for some time past had been canvassing the district, and had gone about telling the electors it was his (Mr Bluett’s) intention to retire, and that as be (Mr Wason) held similar views he would ask them for their support. Now, he never told Mr Wason that he intended to retire. Mr Wason came to him at Dnnsandel one day, and asked him if he intended to come forward again. He replied that he did not know, and that there was plenty of time to think about it. He asked Mr Wason hia reason for asking the question, when Mr Wason said, “ If you do come forward I intend to do so.” He again replied that there was plenty of time to think about it, and that he would let Mr Wason know his decision, but before he had time to think of retiring, even if he had any intention of it, he saw Mr Wason’s address to the electors published. The other day, at a meeting in Christchurch, Mr Wason said he was sorry ’ that he had misunderstood him (Mr Bluett), and so he thought it was only fair that he should explain that it was all a misunderstanding on Mr Wason’s part, and that the statement made to the electors had not arisen from anything that he had said to Mr Wason. With that explanation he would leave Mr Wason alone. He had not heard from any of the candidates or ascertained from their speeches on what grounds they had come forward to oppose him. Of course they had a right to offer themselves for election, and he had no reason to find fault with it; but in private life, before any one dismissed a servant it was usual to give a reason for the dismissal. So far as he knew, he had, with one exception, fulfilled the promises he made to the electors when they returned him three years ago. There was only one thing he had not done, and this was, that after each Session of the Assembly he had not been able to go round and meet the electors. But he thought they would he reasonable enough to forgive it. 1

After spending some three or four months in Wellington, and two or three months at the Provincial Council, it was but reasonable that he should have a little time to look after his own private business. Therefore ho thought the electors would not bo so unreasonable as to lay great stress upon his not meeting them after each session of the Assembly. He was informed that, at a meeting held the other day, one gentleman, though asserting that he did not intend to come forward as a candidate or take an active part against him (Mr Bluett), had wound up by saying that there was one candidate who, by all means, the electors must keep out, and that candidate was Mr Bluett. (Laughter.) The reason given for this was, that he (Mr Bluett) was a blind follower of Sir Julius Vogel. Now, he would show them that he was not a blind follower, but he was proud lo say that he had been a supporter of Sir Julius Vogel, and he would like to ask them where their railways and bridges would be if it had not been for the policy initiated by Sir Julias Vogel in 1870. Where, indeed, would their railways, bridges, and general progress have been if Sir Julius Vogel had not been here. He was not going to say that Sir Julius Vogel was perfect, and he would shew them that when he (Mr Bluett) differed from him he tackled him like a man and opposed him, [A Voice: “ Right.”] About two years ago Sir Julius Vogel and the hon Mr Reynolds attended a Postal Conference in Melbourne, and there pledged themselves to prevent the importation of stock from England for two years. As soon as he heard of it he took steps in the Provincial Council to prevent them from doing this, and also took action in the General Assembly with the same object. He told Sir Julius Vogel that he oould not support him in the matter, as he considered it would be doing a great wrong to the Country. He pointed out to him there was no guarantee that at the end of two years England would be freer from disease than it was at that time, and that from the great precautionary measures which had been adopted in England, England was freer from disease at that time than it had been for many years previous. Sir Julius Vogel said he (Mr Bluett) might do as he liked, but that he and Mr Reynolds had pledged themselves to stop importation for two years. He told Sir Julius Vogel he would do his best to get the Bill thrown out, and when it was introduced he was the first to speak against it, and succeeded in getting it thrown out. A Bill was then introduced to prevent the introduction of disease among stock into the Country. He helped to frame that Bill, and it became law. That was one instance of what he had done, and he could mention others. He obtained a telegraph station for the Rakaia, and in 1874, when the State Forests Bill was introduced, he spoke in support of it, because he thought it would be a great advantage to the farmers oh the open plains of this Province, if large belts of trees wero planted as shelter for their crops and cattle. He had no doubt that such a measure would have tended to greatly increase their crops, and would in other respects have proved a great advantage to them. He did his best with others to get the Bill passed, but they did not succeed. With regard to the future, he might tell them plainly and distinctly that he was an Abolitionist, and he wished to explain the reason why. Provincial Institutions were all very well in New Zealand some years ago—in the early days of the Colony, before railways and telegraphs were established, and powerful steamers travelled from one port to another—but now the case was quite altered. It was just as easy now to govern the people of New Zealand, who only numbered about 300,000—which was about equal to the population of a small county in England—as it was to govern them in the old days by Provincial Councils. He thought none of them would say that, with such a small population as 300,000, they required one paternal Government and nine small Governments, with Superintendents, Speakers, Members of Provincial Council, messengers, and officials of all kinds, who, under the old system, were necessary, and all knew were expensive. It was on the ground that Provincial Institutions were unnecessary that he had supported the Abolition Bill. In his opinion, it would be just as easy to manage general affairs from Wellington by telegraph as it was to manage the Post and Telegraph Departments in the different parts of the Country. There could be no doubt that Provincial Institutions bad done good service, but he was not there to admit that they had done so much good as some people gave them credit for. For instance, great credit had been given to Provincial Institutions for public works, bridges, &c., but he would ask them how, within the last few years, so much money had been received into the Provincial chest. It was not by means of what Provincial Institutions bad done, but was entirely due to the high price of wool and grain, together with the Public Works and Immigration scheme, and if Provincial Institutions had been destroyed five years ago, when that scheme was initiated, the Country would have been thousands—he might almost say miUions—of pounds in pocket at this moment. Some of |the candidates had told the electors that they had done this and that for the farmers’ interest, and though he was not there to enumerate all that he had done, still he might say that ever since he had been in Canterbury he had devoted almost all his time to improving the position of the farming interest. But other interests had also to be looked to. He might tell them candidly that he had nothing to thank the squatters for, as, at the last election they had, with a few exceptions, voted against him ; yet he was not going to tell the electors that he would go up to the Assembly to sanction any injustice to any particular class. [Hear, hear from Mr TosswilL] It mattered not to him whether it was the farmers or the squatters, because if either of these, or in fact any section of a community, suffered unduly, the whole Country would suffer more or less. (Hear, hear.) He would tell them distinctly what were his views with regard to the runs, and he wished to be distinctly understood. In his opinion, some considerable time before 1660 the runs should be classified, and a fair value placed upon them by competent men appointed by the General Government. When they had been classified and re-valued the tenants should be treated as any of the electors, or he (Mr Bluett) would treat a tenant. So long as the tenants had paid the rents and done their duty to the runs they should have the first refusal of them at the increased rental. If they refused to take the runs again, then the latter should either be let by auction or put up to tender. Those were his views with regard to runs, and he spoke distinctly because, if the electors returned him, be would act by what he said that night. If they did not return him, he would go hack to his farm and do the best he could for himself. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He would now say b few words about Education. In his opinion Education up to a certain point should be perfectly free, and in order to secure this, there should be larger reserves than have already been made for Educational purpsoes. As he had said, Education should be free up to a certain point, and if parents wanted a higher education for their children, he thought they should pay for it themselves. (Hoar, hear, and cheers.) He might say, as it had been stated abroad that he voted for increased taxation on parents for their children attending school, what were his reasons for doing so. It was because the Government of the day came down and told the Council that large sums of money had been expended above what were authorised; that they wore in difficulties; and that the only way to relieve them was by increasing the school fees from 5« to 10s per year for each child. Those wore his reasons for voting for the increase on that occasion. Now, if [ any of the electors had any fault to find with him for not having done his duty in the . Assembly, he hoped they would honestly and i straightforwardly get up and tell him now. ( As he had said, none of the candidates in ] their speeches had found fault with him, and ( Mr Tosswill, in answer to a direct question from him, had said he could find no fault ( with him. Mr Tosswill. : I cannot recollect having - said anything of the kind. Mr Bluett : I asked yon in the trairi, and ( that was the reply you gave. ] Mr Tosswill : I do not deny it j but still I ( must say that I do not recollect having said t so. i Mr Bluett : Well, I certainly asked you i

id the train it you found fault with anything 1 had done in the Assembly, and you said, you bad no reason that you knew of for doing so. Mr Tosswill again repeated that he did not remember haying said what was imputed to him. Mr Bluets then proceeded with his address. He said, a year or two ago he assisted the member tor Ashburton m the Provincial Council, Mr Studholme, in getting a grant of £20,000 for road purposes in the District, and in every other way he had voted steadily and carefully for promoting public works throughout the Colony. In the General Assembly, about two years ago, he was the means of getting a Bill passed, empowering the Province to borrow £IOO,OOO for Harbour works in Lyttelton. Mr Macandrew, the Superintendent of Otago, had a motion on the paper for something like £76,000 for Harbour works for Port Chalmers, and he immediately went to Mr Peacock, who, as member for Lyttelton, he thought was the best man to take the matter up, and said that, considering the great inconvenience shippers were put to in this Province, he thought a similar amount ought to be asked for for harbour works in Lyttelton. He asked Mr Peacock if he would give notice of a motion on the subject, and Mr Peacock replied in the affirmative. Mr Peacock did so, and asked for £50,000, but eventually a Bill was passed for £IOO,OOO for wharves and for better harbour accommodation in Lyttelton, He did not think therefore that, as their Member, he could have done more for them in this direction. There were several other things he had tried to get, but when they remembered that there were over seventy Members in the General Assembly clamouring for something in this District, and something in that District, he thought the electors ought to be glad of what they had got. One mistake th( District made, and by which the electors cul their own throate as it were; that was, at almost every election a new man was returned, (Laughter.) The consequence was, that th( member went up to learn like a school-boy and just when he had learnt the run of the ropes they kicked him out. (Laughter.] Well, that was not the way to advance the interests of the District, or to get what the; required. He had very little more to say, bu if any questions were put to him he woule be glad to answer them. If the electors re turned him again, he would do his best fo: the Coleridge District and the Colony at large He was not there to tell them that he was th farmers’ friend, or the squatters’ friend, bu that he would do his best for the community at largo. (Cheers.) In reply to questions, Mr Bluett said he was hot in favour o the system of pre-emptive rights, and woul not vote for their continuance. If a property tax was agreed upon, he would levy it on th £2 per acre value of the land, and would no tax improvements. If taxation becam necessary, he would prefer an incom tax to any other, because he con sidered it the fairest one they couli adopt. If they taxed the land, some person would be sure to escape, but an income ta would reach all. He would not, however, ta any income below £3OO per annum. (Cheers, As he had said on a former occasion, it wa deplorable that religious instruction should b left out of their system of Education; bu where there were so many different creeds, a in this Province, he thought that a pure! secular system of Education was the only on they could fairly and justly adopt. (Cheers. As to making inquiries into the accuracy c the Government statement, which he had sai induced him to vote for increasing the schot fees from five shillings to ten shillings pc year, be might say that he made it his bueinec to do so before voting for the increased feei and he found that there had been a larg amount of unauthorised expenditure; in fac some £12,000 or £13,000. He thought, alsc there were very few who could not pay th increased amount, and should think it a insult to tell the labouring man that he couli not afford to pay 10a per year for the educa tion of each of his children. (Laughter.) I was a good deal under 3d per week, and i any man earning the wages that were paid i this Country was not able to pay 3d per wee for each child, he could not understand il He did not say that he would fix the fees a this, because he held that there should b large reserves for educational purposes. H voted for the fees last session of the Oounci simply and purely because the Governmen were in difficulties, and because the forme Government had not made sufficient reserve to provide for the education of the childrei of the Province, which was no faul of his. He had nothing at all to d with that. He was certainly in favour of railway to Mount Somers, and bad spoken t the Minister for Public Works on the subject but the hon Mr Bichardson told him, as h had told others, that the Government hat made up their mind not to sanction anothe inch of railway being made until the trunl lines through the Provinces were completed Ho would impress on the meeting, however that he had asked for the Alford Forest line (Cheers.) He could not explain the clauses o the Fencing Ordinance, because the latter ha< been so patched it was almost impossible ti tell what it really meant. He knew that Si Cracroft Wilson brought in an amended Bil in the Provincial Council, but it was throwi out. When Provincial Institutions wer finally abolished, he hoped to see an amalga mated one passed to apply to the wholi Colony, and the same with other Ordinance! of a similar kind. (Cheers.) Wher Provincial Institutions were done away with he would have time to spare, and would b< perfectly willing to come and meet the elector! of the District after each Session of th( Assembly. - [A Yoiee : “ What about the Agricultural Shows ?”] Well, Agriculture Shows were very good for the Colony—(hear hear.) Daring the last sitting of the Parlia ment he was called away on account of iUnesi in his family, and the very night he returned a Bill to restore the Canterbury Board ol Education was introduced into the House reeking wet from the printers, and though ii had been talked about, scarcely a Membei ku&W anything of il. Well, he objected to it and he would tell them his reasons. In the first place, he had no objection whatever to a Board of Education, but he had a great objection to the members of that Board being nominative, as giving great political powei into the hands of the Superintendent, and that, too, on the eve of an election. As a proof, too, that the promoters of the Bill were not sincere in what they wanted, he might state that a friend by his (Mr Bluett’s) side, got up and proposed an amendment to the effect that the Board should be elective, but they would not agree to it. He said in the House that he would support the amendment, and if the promoters of the Bill had been sincere, they would have accepted it. If the members of the Board were to be elected from the various parts of the Province, he was favourable to the Board being reestablished, but he objected to a Board nominated by Mr Montgomery and the Superintendent, more especially on the eve of an election. It was in Committee that he spoke as he had stated, and discussions in Committee were not always reported. To go further, he might say that the amendment be had referred to was, in fact, proposed on his suggestion. He was not in favour of an elected Legislative Council, because he thought the present system better. The plan ofj electing Members of the Legislative Council had been tried in Australia, and was not successful. He would not be prepared to vote for manhood suffrage. Every man with a sod whare or a hut could have a vote under the present system, and he thought that was a low enough qualification for all purooses. (Cheers.) He did not believe in Mr Stout’s motion for selling no more Qovernnent land, as he considered such a proceeding would be downright folly. When Mr Stafford was in power, he did not call the Ministry ‘ a set of miserable office-seeking wretches,” ind any report to that effect was false. He lever used such words either to Mr Stafford ir his party, or to any individual whatever. Cheers.) He had never seen any such words .ttributed to him in the papers. No more questions being asked of Mr lluett, Mr W. B. Tosswill proceeded to address he meeting. He said, with reference to what dr Bluett had said as to what passed between hem in the railway train, he wished to state hat he could not have said he had no ault to find with Mr Bluett for bis conduct a the General Assembly, because ha was

directly opposed to Mr Bluett on the important matter of Abolition. He then proceeded! to express his views on the political situation, daring which ho referred again to the subject of a property tax, on which he was questioned at a previous meeting. He said he wished to be clearly understood on this point; He held that in Colonial taxation, improvements on. land should be taxed, but that in local taxation they should not. Mr Alfebd Saundee3 next spoke, severely criticising Mr Bluett’s conduct while Member for the District, moro especially for his neglect in not calling the electors together oftener, and in voting for the increase of the school fees, and for his action with regard to the Board of Education. Ha concluded a strong speech by moving—" That, in the opinion of this meeting, Mr Bluett has not represented the District efficiently in tha past, and therefore is not likely to do so in tha future.” Mr Weigh seconded the motion. Mr Beown, who had taken an active part in putting questions to Mr Bluett, moved—- “ That this meeting thanks Mr Bluett for his past services, but does not promise to support, him at the forthcoming election.” Mr Quill seconded the amendment. The amendment was put, and lost by a large majority. The motion was then put and carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed tha proceedings.

MrH. W. S., Melbourne.—My dear friend,—Tout tell mo that I must be very happy in getting rid o£ those headaches to which I' was, like you, so frequently subject. Make use, as I did, o£ Qeimault’s Guauana, and yon will wonder at its marvellous results.— Jhn. Smith, Liverpool. [Adyt.]