SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 248, 19 October 1908, Page 5

SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES.

ASHBURTON, Oct. 17. Mr C. A. C. Hardy, M.P., the Opposition candidate for Selwyn, addressed a large meeting in the Rakaia Town Hall last evening. He expressed himself in general agreement with the present educational system, declared himself a freeholder, and generally ridiculed the Government's land legislation, at the same time deprecating the.land tax and declaring for a more 'complete income tax. '■ -He strongly! condemned the Government's borrow^ ing and building policy, and urged caution, though he thought that it would be wise policy on the part of the Government to lend more liberally to local bodies. He complained that settlers were recently unable to obtain even small loans from the Advances to Settlers Department.' He believed in a modified, form of protec-1 tion, which, he considered, ran wild an New Zealand. He advocated a more adequate defence policy ..and favoured increasing the life of Parliament to five years. He condemned the Second Ballot, and while not approving compulsory arbitration thought that the Bill which the Minister for Labour put through the House this year was a very useful and proper measure. ■ INVERCARGILL, Oct. 17. Mr D. MaoPherson, the Liberal candidate for Wallace, addressed the electors at Nightcaps last night. He announced that he would support the Government in its main policy measures. His reception was enthusiastic, and he was accorded a unanimous vote q'f thanks and confidence. ■: [■>