THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8247, 13 August 1887, Page 5

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Mr H. Allwright, one of the candidates for the Lyttelton electorate, will address the electors on Monday evening at 8 p.m., in the Oddfellows’ Hall.

A requesition is being numerously signed in the Geraldine district, as an addendum to the one already forwarded to Mr S. Buxton, Rangitata, asking him to stand for the Rangitata electorate.

The Hon the Premier addressed a crowded meeting on Thursday night in tho Leeaton Town Hall. He was listened to with marked attention, and was frequently cheered. At the close of his address a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded him by acclamation. Owing to the railway arrangements in connection with the Hunt Club Steeplechases, Sir Robert fdid not reach Leeston until after the time announced for his meeting, but he was driven straight from the station to the Town Hall, where he must have felt exceedingly gratified at the crowded audience, especially as a large number of those present were ladies, who had not been deterred by the pitiless hail, rain, and sleet that accompanied the sou’wester.

On Thursday afternoon Mr E. Moore addressed the Kaiapoi Natives at the Eunanga House, St Stephen's, the Eev. J. W. Stack most kindly acting as interpreter. The chair was taken by Mr Tehoka, and Mr Moore spoke at some length on general topics and matters of special interest to the Natives. At the conclusion of the speech the candidate said, in answer to questions, that he would support the present Government, if they brought down the measures they profess to favour, but the Maoris must not expect him to support any bad measure. He was not coming forward in the interest of Major Atkinson. He would have much pleasure, if the opportunity offered, to take charge of their petition to the Government, asking for some amendments in the Native Lands Act. They might depend upon him to assist them whenever possible. He would bo pleased to come up and see them from time to time, so as to obtain a thorough knowledge of their grievances. If he was away from Kaiapoi, he would attend to any letter they might send him. Mr T. Green moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Moore for his satisfactory speech. This was seconded by Honi Maaki, and carried unanimously. Mr Moore proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and another to the Eev J. W. Stack, both of which was carried by acclamation. Our Waimate correspondent writes: — Another candidate is announced for Waimate —Mr W. Euthcrfurd —who claims to be a2l years’ resident in the district. He is a commission agent in Timaru. The other candidates, Messrs W. J. Steward, John Manchester, and C. V. Clarke, have pretty well finished their first round of addresses to the electors. Mr Manchester seems in most favour, not so much from his abilities as a speaker or debater, but from his common-sense, practical, business way of looking at questions. It is generally conceded that if returned ho will vote honestly and conscientiously on all public questions. He is a man of some intelligence, and in the management, both of his own business and the business of local bodies, has displayed considerable foresight and prudence. Mr Steward, as a supporter of the present Government, has a good deal to contend against, and the fact that he lives now in Ashburton, tells considerably against him. His persuasive and eloquent appeals to his audience generally "fetched” the working classes, with whom he is somewhat of a pet. Mr C. Y. Clarke is indefatigable in his efforts to thoroughly reform the whole community, and reminds one of the Pokey, Quocks, and Bobber class of politicians. He addressed a meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Waimate, on Thursday night, and the audience had what might bo called a " high ’old time ” of it. Mr Clarke, after stating that he was no orator nor yet well up in " high flown eulogy and pathetic pathos,” made a very grandiloquent start with his speech, but got stuck, and had, amid tremendous merriment, to resort to the "written testament.” The caligraphy was somewhat difficult to decipher, and frequent stoppages were necessary to get the hang of the written words. Flour bags, eggs in both fresh and decomposed states were flying in all directions, but the candidate and the local reporter, who was ensconced behind a protective barrier, were about the only two in the hall who escaped. The Mayor, who presided, was struck with a flour bag once, and several missiles, in the shape of eggs, whizzed uncomfortably near the speaker, and, striking the back of stage with a squelch-like sound, ran down in streams, to the beautification of the stage scenery. Some disgusting chemicals were distributed throughout the hall, and when a heavy cannonade set in from the vicinity of the doorway sll the occupants of the front benches beat a hasty and ignominious retreat to the ante-rooms, where, safe out of the line of fire, they listened to the candidate. Once the candidate gave up in desperation and blowing out the stage lights retired with the Chairman, who seemed to enjoy the fun. The lights were, however, re-lit, and the candidate persuaded to come back and brave it out. He consented to this and the fun grew apace. Questions of the most ludicrous character were put to the candidate and were all answered in good faith. A vote of thanks for the address and full confidence in the candidate as the most proper person to represent Waimate in X’arliameut was carried unanimously, every hand in the room going up for the motion.

Mr W. F. Pearson addressed the Ohoka electors on Wednesday night; Mr R. Wright occupied the chair. There were about 78 present. The usual speech was repeated, and but very few questions asked, among the rest, what did he think of Mr Yerrall, his opponent. The answer was that Mr Yerrall was one of the most honest and straightforward men he had ever known. People would gamble, and ho considered the totalisator a fairer way of doing 60 than, the bookmakers. JfeT&rto^

proposed a vote of thanks and confidence, Mr W. Lynskey seconded, and the vote was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings. ME GARRICK AT FENDALTON. Yesterday Mr F. J. Garrick addressed a meeting of electors at the Fendalton school. Mr W. Boag presided, and about 75 persons were present. Mr Gabbick, who was received with applause, said that the great question before the Colony now was whether or not the electors would not necessarily turn the Government out, but at all events compel them so to alter their policy as to get the Colony out of its present difficulties. He had assisted to turn out the AtkinsonEolleston Government, in deference to a popular opinion, well grounded, as to their extravagance. He did not think that Major Atkinson and his colleagues had yet shown sufficient penitence on that head for the Colony generally to demand their return to office. (Applause.) The question for the electors was, whether the present Government had formed a just estimate of the position of the Colony, and whether their proposals were adequate to its requirements. He had no intention of interfering with the present Customs Tariff so far as it afforded protection to local industries. (Hear, hear.) He did not believe, however, that the imposition of any higher duty would remedy the present commercial and manufacturing distress. (Applause.) He thought that to restore the protective Tariff of the past would work irreparable injury both to the Old Country and the Colonies. In America Protection, though it had at first brought a period of apparent prosperity, had landed the American people in a position worse than our own. (Applause.) He quoted from an article in *' Harper’s Magazine,” by Mr Meriwether, who was of opinion, after visiting every part of Europe and America, that the English workman was better off than the workman of any other country. Under Protection the shipping trade of the United States had diminished terribly. American officials high in authority had published reports complaining that Freetrade England could take the American raw material, manufacture it, and send it back to the States, under-sell-ing the manufacturers of protected America in their own country. (Applause.) This Colony had driven a thriving trade with New South Wales as long as Sydney was a free port. Now, however, that trade had been stopped by the imposition of a duty on various articles of New Zealand produce. The export timber trade of Auckland had been virtually put an end to by the retaliatory duties placed on sawn timber by New South Wales. Supposing that the farming community of Great Britain succeeded in inducing Lord Salisbury to put a high protective duty on foreign farm produce, it would be a death blow to our agricultural interest. (Hear, hear.) Was it to be expected that New Zealand could impose protective taxation in every direction without other countries retaliating. If New Zealand manufactures had reached their present state of prosperity under the present system what need was there for more Protection. (Applause.) He found that in the shoe trade in New Zealand the greater bulk of the uppers used were imported. A great deal of imported stuff was used in many other Colonial manufactures. (Hear, hear.) The beginning of the prosperity of Victoria had been due to the large finds of gold and not to Protection. Regarding retrenchment, he admitted that the Government were putting their hand to the plough to some extent, but, he considered, not in the right direction. Eather than dismiss or reduce men in the lower grades of the public service, let them go to the higher branches. The Colony was under compact with the present Governor, but in future should be contented with some less expensive vice-regal representation. He strongly advocated the reduction of the number of members of the House to one-half. Though it was absolutely necessary to maintain the education system, it would be possible to effect retrenchment in the administration—not, however, by reducing the salaries of the underpaid teachers and those getting small salaries. (Applause.) Ho would not attempt to touch the standards —(applause)—and if any attempt were made against them he would not vote for it without resigning and placing his election again in the hands of his constituents. (Applause.) He wished to explain that in speaking of defence as a toy he had not intended to refer to the Volunteers. (Applause.) There had, however, been a good deal of avoidable expense in regard to the purchase and mounting of guns, and the purchase of land for forts, and what he might term the ornamental part of the system. (Loud applause.) Mr J. Struthers Williams moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Garrick. Mr E. M. Clissold seconded the motion, remarding that a very high opinion was entertained of Mr Garrick m Parliament. The Chairman, before putting the motion, said that he had just returned from Victoria, and found the people very prosperous. Protection seemed to suit them very well. He had also been struck with the immense hurry and bustle going on in Sydney, but things were not so very prosperous ; the people simply borrowed when they wanted, while in Victoria they did not need to borrow. The great success of Victoria was largely due to the fact that thousands and thousands of men of small means had been settled on the land under a system by which a man, even if he had hardly a shilling, could get 850 acres of land, paying a shilling a-year per acre for 20 years. He believed, to a considerable extent, in the village settlement system. The motion was then put and carried, without opposition, by acclamation. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. [Feb Pekbs Association.] NAPIER, August 12. Mr Lascelles, a solicitor, one of the candidates for Waipawa, is addressing meetings in this electorate. He is a Government supporter, except in Native matters. He strongly opposes the Native Land Act on the ground that the Natives will not sell or lease lands under it, and the settlement of the North Island will he checked. He warmly supported Sir E. Stout on the education question. WELLINGTON, August 12. Mr Edwards, a candidate for Wellington South and Suburbs, has retired. Requisitions are in circulation inviting Sir George Grey and Sir Julius Vogel to deliver addresses. The Hon J. Ballance will probably speak here too. Mr Fraser, a former member for Te Aro received a vote of thanks and confidence. He stated that he was favourable to the Government and to stringent economy; but he objected to interference with Education, which was all the people got from the Public Works policy. The electoral rolls for Wellington aro now complete. Thorndoa shows 1595 names against 1639; Te Aro, 1718 against 1623. Wellington South (now including part of the old Foxton electorate) 1460 against 1764 ; and Wellington East, which is carved principally out of the old Wellington South, 1482.. DUNEDIN, August 12. Mr H. S. Fish addressed the electors of Dunedin South this evening, and secured a vote of confidence. He announced himself a Government supporter and a Protectionist to the extent of prohibition. He positively declined to answer any questions bearing on the matter of his not prosecuting Mr H. J. Walter, who charged him with taking bribes.