MR EDIE AT KAIWERA.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 211, 5 November 1896, Page 2

MR EDIE AT KAIWERA.

Mr Edie spoke at Kaiwera on Friday night last, Mr Wm. Eadie occupying the the chair. There was a good attendance, and the address was on the lines of that already reported. Mr D. Robertson asked for the candidates ' opinion on the old age pensions proposal ? — Mr Edie said the subject must be faced sooner or later, but the country was not in a position to meet the cost just now. — Mr Kobertson asked whether all should be en- - titled to pensions on reaching a certain age. — Mr Edie had not fully considered the matter. Mr J. Bennett asked if the candidate would favor reducing railway freights in the ' farmers' interests ? — Mr Edie said the present Admiuistration had given more concessions to farmers than any previous Ministry. In reply to the same questioner, Mr Edie promised, if returned, to send copies of ' Hansard ' to the Eoad Board and School Committee. Mr Bobertson asked whether Government were not encouraging the unemployed too much ? — Mr Edie didn't think so. Mr Jeffcote enquired if the candidate favored disposing of lands by auction or ballot ?— Mr Edie favored the ballot system. Mr Bawmar wished to know why there . were so many unemployed, and Mr Edie said the reason was because public work 3 had been stopped. — Mr Bowmar did not consider the answer a satisfactory one, but Mr Edie said it was the best he could give. Mr Bobertson enquired whether Mr Edie would favor the wages for unemployed being 23 or 3s per day ? — Mr Edie said if they reduced the wages to that degree possibly they, would only get Is worth of work done. He favored co-operation. A vote of thanks was accorded, on the motion of Messrs Eobertson and Crawford. — Own Correspondent.