THE ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6212, 14 October 1881, Page 5

THE ELECTIONS.

Speaking at Wairoa,: East Coast district, Mr. A. McDonald complained bitterly of the inflnence of Mr. Ormond's mother-in-law being used against Tiim. The Thames Star, referring to the announcement of Mr. Sheehan's candidature for the Thames, says :—"This action of Mr. Sheehan's will appear strange to the Coromandel people, as at the time he addressed the electors he assured them he would stand for that district were it separated from the Thames." Mr. Buckland addressed the electors of the Hunua district on Wednesday evening, in the Hunua school-room. There were about twenty-five electors present. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Buckland answered a number of questions on local subjects. Mr. H. Wright moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Buckland ; Mr. Hirst moved a vote of thanks. On being put to the vote, 15 hands were held np for the vote of confidence, and none for the amendment for thanks merely. Captain Morris, in passing throngh Taupo with a mob of cattle, took time by the forelock, as becometh a good political economist, and addressed the free and independent electors ef that district. The meeting of Mr. Buckland with the electors of Papakura Valley takes place on Mouday, and his meeting at Wairoa on Tuesday. Major Harris addresses the electors of Franklin North at Otahuhu on Monday. "Blue Nose" writes from Te Awamutu that Mr. Whitaker received a vote of noconfidence at that place, and that our report stated that he received a vote of confidence. "Blue Nose" is wrong in both his assertions. Our report stated that Mr. Whitaker received a vote of thanks, which was the fact. Mr. E. Hamlin is again a candidate for Franklin South. He will address the electors soon. Mr. Frank Lawry has also announced himself as a candidate for Franklin South. He is going to take an early opportunity of placing his views on public matters before the electors. [MR. WAKEFIELD AT TEMUKA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Temuka, Thursday. Mr. Wakefield addressed a crowded meeting of Geraldine electors at Temuka to-night. He reviewed the work of last session. When Parliament opened last session, the Hall Ministry had a bare majority of 6 or 7. On the other side were two parties, one headed by Sir George Grey, and the other under Mr. Macaudrew- Although these two parties were disorganised, they still combined to harass the Government at times. Referring to local government, he said he always had and always would uphold it as he believed the people were able to administer it, and he had urged the Government to decentralise the administration. He owned to having tried to take the wind outof Sir George Grey's sails in the matter of local government. Sir George Grey's measure was not one which could be made workable in New Zealand, as he proposed to create a number of petty States, the whole scheme being impracticable. He spoke in favour of the Crown lands being rated. He said if Mr. Ormond's no-confidence motion had been carried the result would have been most serious, as the Representation and other Bills desired by the country would have had to be dropped. Mr. Ormond's object was to stop local government being extended. After all, the result of his motion was that the whole scheme of extended local government was delayed for a year. He held that local bodies should have the largest possible powers, and should he well supplied with funds. The property tax should be localised, aud spent by the local bodies, and not go into the general fund. He would always oppose the restoration of the provinces, though he acknowledged they had done good work in their day. The population was a proper basis for representation, and no one had yet been able to find a better basis. The representation in the past had been very unfair, and he specially alluded to Nelson being over-represented. The Government had gone straight to the root of the evil, and dealt fairly with all parts of the colony, yet Sir G. Grey opposed the Bill unless the Maoris were allowed representation over and above the present special representation. If Sir George Grey's wish had been acceded to pakehaMaoris would be returned. The whole colony was indebted to the Ministry for the firm stand they made against the stonewallers. Referring to the 10 per cent, reduction, he said it was done to prevent extra taxation, and the result has been highly satisfactory. The Government had the property tax amended so as to catch the absentees. He spoke against the recommendations of the Local Industries Committee, by which additional duties would be imposed on articles of home consumption. Aβ regards the native affairs, he said the sooner the Government applied strong measures the better. He spoke strongly in favour of the Railway Construction Bill, aud believed it would prove valuable, aud sat down amid applause. In answer to questions lie said he was not in favour of triennial Parliaments and lowering the railway rates. He believed in religious teaching in schools, if it did not interfere with the conscientious feeling of the minority. Ho was against the Licensing Bench heiug elective, and was against the Legislative Councillors being elected for life, but thought they should hold a loug tenure. A vote of thanks for the address was carried by acclamation. Thames, Thursday. Mr. Sheehan is announced as a candidate for the Thames Borough electoral district. Mr. Speight will oppose.