THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 4619, 3 December 1875, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MR FISHER AT WOOLSTOH. Mr J. T. Finher, one of the candidates for the representation of the Heathcote District in the General Assembly, met the electors at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Woolston, at half-past seven o’clock last evening. There was a numerous attendance. On the motion of Mr Fisher, Mr Dunlop took the chair. The Ohaibmait said they were all aware of the purpose for which they met, namely, to hear the views of Mr Fisher. This gentleman was so well known to them that it required him to say little in introducing him to the meeting. Mr Fisher had done more for the District than any other man without pay. He was thoroughly well known to them all, and had stood well by the District during a long series of years. Mr Fisher was present that evening to state his views to the electors, and he (the Chairman) hoped that questions would be put to Mr Fisher after he had done speaking, in order that they might clearly ascertain what his opinions were on all the important questions of the day. (Hear, hear.) He had now great pleasure in calling on Mr Fisher to address the meeting. Mr Fishes, who was received with cheers, said the first subject he should touch upon were hie reasons for coming forward on this occasion. He had done so through a laudable ambition to obtain a seat in the GoneraiAssembly, and because he had been requested to come forward by a large number of the electors. It had always been his ambition to obtain the confidence of those amongst whom he lived, and he believed he enjoyed this confidence. (Hear, hear.) As some of them were no doubt aware, he was one of the oldest colonists' here. He stepped on these shores five-and-twenty years ago, and had watfihed the progress of the Province ever since. Twelve years ago, the people of the Heathcote' District did him the honour (to elect him a Member of the Road Board, and five years ago he was returned as one of their Members to the Provincial Council. He thought this was a sufficient indication that throughout a long series of years he had enjoyed the confidence of the people of Heathcote. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He was proud of the honour, and he now came forward to seek a renewal of that confidence which they had hitherto reposed in himand if it was his good fortune to be. returned, they might rest assured that he would do everything in his power to prove that he was worthy of their confidence. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He would now give them his opinions on the important questions of the day. The first was the Abolition of the Provinces. This was a question which required very grave consideration at the hands of those who, as representatives of the people in the next Parliament, would be called upon to settle it. The weal or woe of the Country would depend on the result of their deliberations; therefore, the question must receive the fullest and most careful consideration before it was decided to sweep the Provinces away. In 1872, he supported Mr Buckley’s motion for a modification of Provincial Institutions, and he certainly thought they required modification. _ He would never, however, consent to any Abolition Bill which would not give the people of this Province absolute control of their Land Fund, after the deduction of those sums which were required as their just contribution towards the national debt. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Sooner than give up control of their Land Fund, he would go in for a financial separation of the Islands. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) A great deal of money had been expended in a half-and-half system of warfare with the natives, which had the effect only of keeping them in constant irritation. The Maori war was not carried out as it ought to have been, and the only wonder to Mm was, that the troops did not mntiniy. He believed, however, that the Public Works scheme would do more than troops could do to ensure peace with the natives, because it would have the effect of opening up and settling the Country from one end to the other. In coming forward as a candidate, he could say without egotism that in the past he had done as much, or even more, than anyone else for the Heathcote District, and that, too, without any logrolling whatever. (Hear, hear,and cheers.) The question of Education was a most important one, and one upon which soma diversity of opinion existed. So far as ho was concerned, he considered that every child in the Province should be educated, and that Education should fee free, compulsory, and purely secular. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) People said, “Where will you get the money from to make Education free?” His reply was, "Let it be taken out of the Consolidated Revenue.” (Hear, hear, and cheers.) As to the Crown Lands, they were no doubt aware that in 1880 the leases would expire. He did not consider that at the present time they were getting a iair price for the land. (Hear, hear.) Arrangements must be made before 1880 as to how the runs were to be dealt with. In his opinion they should be valued by competent and independent men, and that they should be put up to auction at the upset price that might be fixed by them. (Hear, hoar, and cheers.) In connection with this subject, a question was raised as to whether they should be split up into 6000 and 10,000 acre blocks. At the present time, he was not prepared to give a decided opinion on this branch of the subject, but, if elected, they might depend upon it that he would do that which he considered to be best for the interests of the public at large. (Hear, hear.) The question as to those to whom the franchise should be extended was one of considerable importance. He was most decidedly o£ opinion that everybody who had any property at all in the country, or any stake in it, should have a vote. Manhood suffrage he never would consent to,because he did not think that votes should be given to those who were hero to-day and gone to-mor-row. The introduction of such a system of voting would, in his opinion, lead to mobocracy, which would bo the very worst thing that could happen to the Country, (Hear, hear.) With regard to the honorarium to members, he would say at once he considered that representatives of the | people should be paid their legitimate expeniss. If ho wore returned to the General

Assembly, he would not go there to make a profit out of tho honorarium, but ho would expect to be paid his legitimate expenses. (Hear, hear, and ohaom) The question had been raised as to whether the upper House should bo an elected or a nominated body. This Country, he would remark, was very different to the old Country, where a nobility existed. In that Country, a House of Lords was all very well; but in New Zealand, where there was no nobility, he did not see the necessity for having a House of Lords. They would gather, therefore, from these remarks that he was in favour of an elected Upper House. (Hoar, hear, and cheers.) He did not think that he had much more to say to them. He hoped, however, that they would not hesitate to put questions to him. (Hear, hear.) He could not boast of any past experience in the General Assembly, but if they did him the honour to return him as their representative, they might depend upon it that be would do. his very best to serve them, as he hoped the people of Heathcote considered he had done in the past, faithfully and well. (Loud cheers.) In answer to questions, Mr Fisher replied that he was in favour of compulsory education—that is, that every child should be compelled to attend school for a certain number of days during tho year to obtain education. If children were found knocking about, the authorities should have power to bring them to school; and in the case of parents neglecting to send their children to school, fines should be imposed for such neglect. (Hear, hear.) Children should be compelled to go to the Government school of the District, or to some other school if the parents wished it. His object was to see all children educated. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) If he were returned, he should be happy to render an account of his stewardship after each Session of the General Assembly in the District proper. He should feel himself bound, first of all, to come amongst the general body of electors. There were a great many electors in Christchurch, however, and if he were asked to address the electors there or anywhere else, of course he should only be too happy to do so. He was in favour of a modification of the Provincial Council. He thought it should be an administrative body, not a legislative one. In the past, the representative of, say a stockyard, and twenty-five electors were able to come down and vote equally with the representatives of large constituencies. This was a great fault of tho Representation, He did not think that direct taxation was required just now; but if the time should come when it was found necessary to levy direct taxation, he would be in favour of a property and income tax. At the present time there was a large number of absentees who drew thousands and thousands out of the Country year by year, and gave nothing in return. Therefore, if direct taxation were found necessary, and a property and income tax were imposed, the absentees would have to contribute their legitimate proportion. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He thought that in 1880, pre-emptive rights should be purchased or given up, and that no further pre-emptive rights should be issued. He did not hold any land on pre-emptive right. He had always voted for reserves for educational purposes. He was in favour of an elected Board of Education, because he did not believe that Education could be satifactorily and efficiently carried on without it. He should consider a lodger who had been for a certain length of time in a district should have a vote. He did not think that any political matters should be done under a plurality of votes, (Hear, hear.) In the case of the Road Boards, property was very properly represented under the existing system of voting. Any man who was on the rate-roll ought to be allowed to vote for their Representatives in Parliament. Unfortunately for him, he was not interested in pastoral runs. (Laughter.) He should like to see bhe runs valued by independent people, free from any bias. He was not a class-man. He wanted to see justice done to all. (Hear, bear, and cheers.) In the past history of the Provincial Council here, the squatters had looked after their own interests, and it was only natural for them to do so. He believed that if tho Council had been mainly composed of farmers they would have looked after their interests in the same way. It was only human nature. (Laughter.) No further questions being put, The Chairman, by permission of Mr Fisher, called on Sir Craoroft Wilson to address the meeting.

Sir Ceaceoet Wilson said he endorsed most of what Mr Fisher had said, and therefore he did not think it necessary to make a speech on this occasion. He should be happy, however, to answer any questions that might be put to him. (Hear, hear.) Several questions were put to Sir Cracroft Wilson of a nature similar to those asked at the Colombo school on Monday evening last to which he replied in like terms. Mr Staples moved—" That Mr Fisher is a fit and proper person to represent the Heathcote District in the General Assembly.” Mr Attwood seconded the motion.

Mr S. S. Noall moved, as an amendment—- “ That this meeting thanks Mr Fisher for his address to night.” • Mr John Lee seconded the amendment. The amendment was put with the following result: — ■ For—l 4. Against—lß. The original motiop was carried; and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. ME BLUETT AT ALFORD FOREST. Mr Bluett met the electors at Hood’s Hotel, on Tuesday last. About forty were present. Mr Percy Cox occupied the chair, and in introducing the candidate, said he hoped those present would give him a fair and impartial hearing. Mr Bluett, who, on rising, was received with applause, entered fully into all the more important questions now agitating the public mind. His address lasted about three-quarters of an hour, and on resuming his seat, he was loudly cheered. . A number of questions were put to the candidate, and answered to the apparent satisfaction of all present. The Hon W. B. Pbtbb moved, and Mr Moboan seconded thanks Mr Bluett for his address, and for the manly and straightforward manner in which He has answered the questions put to him this evening.” Carried unanimously. Mr Bluett proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and the meeting broke up.

ME BLUETT AT EAKAIA. A meeting was held at Robinson's Hoteljon Wednesday, Deo. 1. There was a good attendance. Mr Neil Maclean took the chair, and, in introducing Mr Bluett, stated that the fact of his being in the chair would show to the electors that he had retired from the contest in favour of Mr Bluett. (Loud cheers). Ho hoped the meeting would give Mr Bluett a fair hearing. Mr Bluett repeated the speech he made at Ashburton, and already fully reported. A number of questions were asked and answered, and then Mr B. S. Coster proposed and Mr G. Aldington seconded —“ That this meeting has every confidence in Mr Bluett, and pledges itself to do its utmost to return him." An amendment was proposed by Mr Maoeat —“ That whilst thanking Mr Bluett for his address, this meeting will not pledge itself to support him at the forthcoming election.” The amendment was put and lost, and the original motion carried amid applause. A vote of thanks to the Chairman ended the meeting.