THE ELECTIONS.

Northern Advocate, 25 November 1893, Page 7

THE ELECTIONS.

ME HAEEISON AT WHANGAKEI.

Mr J. Hamiison addressed the electors for the second time at Whangarei on Saturday last. The weather was very much against a good attendance, a heavy southerly gale with driving rain — one of the worst gales experienced for months — prevailing, j Mr Harrison, who had been to Whananaki and Otonga, arrived late, and meanwhile, Mr Maekesy, who had been selected as Chairman by the Committee, mounted theplatform and, unannounced, began addressing the audience. " Get 3'our hair cut, Chorley ! " was the first of the fusilade which greeted him, and persisting in his address and freely stating he was going to advocate Mr Harrison's candidature as against Mr Thompson, Mr Maekesy found he had made a mistake in thus handling his audience, as finally they would not hear him. Very opportunely Mr Harrison arrived, and order was immediately restored. By this time a large number of people had assembled, notwithstanding the stormy weather. Mr Harbison traversed his former address chiedy, and also referred to some statements made by Mr Thompson in regard to the liquor question. Mr Thompson, he said, had stated that the Alcoholic Control Act would prevent the granting of any new licenses, excepting where there was a sudden increase of population. That was not so, for the Colonial Secretary could at any time and anywhere issue club licenses on the petition of 50 people, even when a poll of the people declared there should be no licensed houses. That was the new Act that they \yere asked to believe was such a concession to the Temperance people. Again Mr Thompson had told them that after a third conviction against a house the license would be absolutely forfeited. That was not true either, for the Act it at the discretion of the Lice..;... - Committee to so determine or not. The Act, the speaker said, did make one distinct advance on the previous law in giving the liquor franchise to all voters instead as heretofore, to ratepayers only. But too much he thought had been made of this liquor question at the present election. Speaking of the Upper House, he said the Legislative Council should not be allowed to stand between the will of the people and the statute book. The National Association advocated the election of the Legislative Council by ratepayers, but that merely meant thiit property should elect the Council and control the will of the people. He would advocate that the Council be I elected by the people. He was also in

favour of an elective Governor. He did not believe in sending to the old country for a scion of aristocrac} r to imitate here the splendour, luxury and barbarism of the old world. They wanted plain usefulness. Party Government had seen its best days and was not now in touch with the people. He would advocate an elective Government — either to be elected for the session or the Parliament. He also thought the Swiss Initiative and Referendum system as advocated by Sir Robt. Spoilt Would be an improvement on Party Government. At present there was too long a distance between the wish of the people and the Statute $odk. But as long as Party Government obtained, he' would be a party man and support the present Government (applause) excepting on. the Alcoholic Control Act. In regard to roads, he said that during his tour he had ridden over some 300 miles, and though the writer j in the "Star " said in places only the ■ horn's of the hiittied. bullocks were to 1 be seen,- had probably overdrawn the ! picture, yet it was very hear the trrith. The roads were in a terrible state, and something would have to be done. They knew that in the South the country had been roaded oiit of the land revenue — a source of revenue that had been taken, from them when their land I was made Colonial property — they also knew that they had been defrauded of their fair share of borrowed, monev — of £750,000 — and they were paying j interest on money spent elsewhere on railways, and he should strongly ad vocate that the three Northern Electorates unite and petition the Hotise to give them the State Forests. (Applause.) That proposal was not " Utopian and childish," but within the range of possibility. (Applause). He had been accused of being a Single Tax advocate and a land Nationalist. He was neither. Mr Harrison referred at length to objections that had been urged against him as a candidate, and the political sins of which he was said to be guilty. He was charged with being a direclor of the Puhipuhi Coy., and of being responsible for its failure, to which he answered that he was ono of five directors, and was prepared to take his fifth share. He was charged as a member of the Whangarei Town Board with being responsible for the buying of q, useless fire-engine and erecting a fire-bell, &c., to which he replied that his colleagues were Messrs J. I. Wilson, Eobt. Thompson, Reyburn, &c, and again he was prepared to take a one-fifth share o£ any blame. And it was said he was a poor man, and that a member of Parliament should be rich, but it was his opinion a member of Parliament should be as nearly like the people he represents as possible. (Applause). In answer to questions, Mr Haerison, replying to Mr Broadbeni, said he was in favour of free compulsory and secular education. Mr Duxfield asked how under the Referendum free discussion could be obtained ? Mr Harrison answered, and a brief cross-examination followed, but neither I seemed to make themselves understood to the audience. Mr Harrison, replying to Mr Duxfield, said he was in favour of Stout's Licensing Act, but was not in favour of the present law, as it was essentially in favour of the liquor trade. I Mr Stead man : Are you not aware that the publicans themselves are not satisfied with the present Act ? Mr Harrison : No. Mr Steadman : Have you read the Act? Mr Harrison : Tes. Mr Steadman: Well, if you read clause o you will find that the Gover- ! nor can only issue additional licenses | on an increase of population when the I poll of electors is in favour of an increase. Mr Harrison : I spoke of club licenses. Mr Steadman: Well, are you not aware that club licenses are controlled in the same way. now as publicans' licenses? ' ■. Mr Harrison: No, I a".i not . Mr Steadman: Then I wuiila ct.ni mend you to read the Act. [Mr Jas. Harrison has sent the following note since the meeting: — " Kindly allow me to direct Mr Stead- \ man's attention to clause 27, subsection 3, which read as follows : — In any district, where as a result of the poll of electors, a determination is arrived at that no licenses shall be granted * * * * it shall be at the discretion of the Colonial Secretary whether or not ho shall grant any new charter for a Club in the said district."] In reply to Mr T. TothilJ, Mr Harrison said he was in favour of putting a duty on Newcastle coal. Mrs Pryor then proposed a hearty vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr Harrison. This was seconded by Mr McMillan. The Chairman was about to put the resolution to the meeting, when Mr J. D. McKenzie proposed a vote of no confidence. This was met with pro- 1 longed groans and hooting, and did not find a seconder. Mr Harrison, stepping forward, said he had invariably at all his meetings asked that no votes of confidence bft tendered, as he considered the polling booth was the proper place to register confidence in a candidate. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.