THE GENERAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8020, 6 August 1887, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. The local journals are unarimoue in praising Dr. Newman's speech of last night. The general opinion is that the late member for Thorndon has secured his re-election against all competition. I am informed that Sir G. Grey is to address tho people of Wellington, but it is not thought that ho will do so until hie return from the South. Sir K. Stout left Wellington thie evening by the Hawoa for Lyttelton on hie way to Dnnodin. Tho Hon. Mr. lUchardson returned to-day from Canterbury. A requisition ia being numerously signed to ask Mr. George Fisher, late M.11.K. for South Wellington, but now a candidate for tho new constituency (Wellington East), to address the people of this city. There ia little doubt that Mr. Fisher will comply, as he is one of the most strenuous of tho Opposition candidates.

The Hon. Mr. Ballance is not expected to return to Wellington before next week. The rumour which I forwarded you last night upon the authority of the Post, that some movement was afoot to exclude Sir J. Vogol from office in the event of the results of the electious being in favour of Ministers, does not obtain much credence here. With respect to a rumour which I forwarded you some days since, that the Comp-troller-Gouoral was " sounded" as to whether ho would be inclined to relinquish office and retire upon his pension, it lias been confirmed. The office of Comptroller-General is an offico croatod by Act of the General Assembly, so that the holder of it could not be removed except by Act. At all events, Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald is settled in his refusal to retire, and tho occasion for any speculation as to his successor no longer exists.

MR. MORRISON BEFORE THE ELECTORS OF CITY WEST.

Mr. E. \V. Morrison addressed a meeting of the electors of City West at St. Jamee' Hall yesterday evening. Thero was a crowded audience, standing room only being available at the opening of tho meeting. Mr. T, H. White occupied the chair. Mr. Moßßisosr said that though he was well-known in the dintrict, he had not come forward without some forethought. For the past ten years the electors of City West had been misrepresented in the House, their members having hnd no stsko in tho dis trier. A memher should move about amongst the people. He had not intended to deliver a political address until after the nominations were received, but because of tuo other candidates having addressed them, ho thought it well that he should also do so. No monetary institution could buy him out —(cheers) —and the rumours which had been circulated that he did not intend yoing to the poll were incorrect. (Cheers.) Tho speaker went on, amidot somo laughter and a continual simmsr of conversation, to speak of a ship in a gale, and said that the gale of dobt, mismanagement, and extravagance had driven the good ship New Zealand hoforeit for some years. Ic sometimes happened that tho master of tho ship ran her so long—[Mr. Morrison did not seem to speak loudly enough to be heard by those at the end of of the hall, and considerable interruption here occurred. The Cnairman said Mr. Morrison had not been in tho habit of addressing political meetings.l The speaker, resuming, pointed out that his political opinions were such as wero held by advanced Liberals. Retrenchment must begin at the top of the tree. The Civil Service had been so built up that it had become a difficult matter to efL-ct any redue tiou in that directioa, and he thought this could only be dono by an amalgamation of offices. (Cheers.) The time hid arrived for determined ac f .icn in tho diroction of retrenchment. They could not afford so much money as they were now paying the Governor—(cheers)—and five Ministers could easily do the work that was now being done by seven. It was clear that there must be some reduction in the cost of Government. No man could fix a sum to which extent retrenchment could be effected. The property tax had been generally condemned as a tax upon industry ; it had stepped industry in every way, and had pressed more hardly upon the farming class than upon any other in the community. (Cheers.) | Farther interruption occurred at thia stags. Mr. Morrison had begun to read his address from manuscript, but ho frequantly stopped from some cause, in the middle of a senteuce, every stoppage being the signal for an outburst of laughter, culminating in uproar when W. Hodge entered the room.] It had been urged that an income, tax would be inquisitorial : a direct tax could hardly be so. Too much taxation would end in ruin. (Uproar.) It was self-apparent that no country could progress without; land settlement. Ho believed the Hon. J. Ballance had dono everything that was possible to put the people on the land ; and ( if the echeme was not perfect it was their duty to make it so. (Cheers.) Lie believed in the system of perpetual leasing, but he was opposed to the raising of the rent at the end of 21 yearg. There might be many difficulties in the settlement of the land, and the men that they sent to Wellington would settle it for them, in hie opinion the time had arrived when a man should have ouly one vote. (Cheers.) The adjustment of the Customs tarifF waa a serious question. (Cries of "Speak up," and laughter.) If they wished to protect their local industries, they must do bo through tho Customs, aud the Customs duties' were now as high, as they could bear. (Cheers.) The importers and tho middlemen were ruining local industry, and if they had instituted a protective policy ten years ago, they would not be suffering from the present depression— (chcere)—which had been caused through tho vast amount of borrowing and tho cessation of public works. There were now no public works in the colony of any magnitude. A great reduction could bo made in the defence works of the colony, in connestion with which a small standing army wae now employed as a result of the recent war scare. They had also a Major-Goneral, who co3t the Government gome money. He received £SOO a year and travelling expenses. In the volunteer force thero were a lot of Major-Generala, and Colonels, and lieutenants, who could be done without. Respecting the education vote, he could not help feeling sympathy with those people who thought it cost too inuoh ; he was one of those people himself. At the same time he did not see his way clear to interfere with the vote. A gentleman had eaid that the endowments for education should be consolidated. That would be a hard thing to do. Whilst disclaiming any intention of introducing religious questions, he had often thought that the churches should make an effort in the direction of reducing the education vote. If the Wesleyan, Anglican, and Presbyterian bodies were to follow the example of the Roman Catholic portion of the community in this respect, it would relieve the colony to a considerable extent of its expenditure in thia direction. The Roman Catholic body had spent £40,000 to £45,000 in education, without getting one penny from the Government — (cheers and hissee) —and if they threw tho cost of the education of their children upon the colony, it would be a serious burden indeed. But they had no idea of doing this. (Cheers.) They were the poorest people in the community, and yet they bore the cost of educating their children. (Cheers.) Hβ waa not an educated man. He had when young entered upon a seafaring life ; and ho had got what education he possessed in occasional halfhours in the captain's cabin. (Cheers.) He had boon a working man, and he came before them as a working man, (Load cheere.) He 1 was not an orator, or a fluent or racy j speaker, but he was a worker: be had managed his business, and had attained a position of independence, thank God. (Cheers.) He was not representing the Licensed Victuallers in the contest. He favoured the reduction of members. If the leaders of the House had been sincere they would bave coma forward before la3t session and said the 51 members would be auifident, and the measure would then have been carried. (Cheers.) But now they would have a difficulty in carrying the Bill: how would they decide who was going to retire ? Members would be chary of retiring; and he thought after fighting an election like this—(Laughter and cheers.) The question of local option was a leading one, and would claim considerable attention in the House. The present Licensing Act had not proved satisfactory either to tho Alliance or to the publioaus. It was an Act of 313 clauses ; he did not think an Act of the kind required so many olauses. (Laughter.) The speaker referred to the bottle license, which was carried on in the South in a very loose awnner, whisky being sold in

tho grocers' shops. Hβ read clause 75 of the 1 Licensing Act, which he characterised as a Star Chamber clauuo. He would take it from a drunken point of view. (Laughter and cheers.) Say they had a drunken committee. (Great laughter.) This committee ! would have sole power under this clauso. No matter what men were returned to the House, the Act wanted amendment. If they wanted compensation, where were they to get it? There wae a good doal of inconsistency in connection with the question. [There was some interruption here, when Mr. Morrison said, "Gentlemen, I'll explain directly. This is my first appearance, but it's not my last." (Loud cheers.)]. The Licensing Aot was driving the best men out of the country — men who would conduct hotels properly. (Cheers.) This was a question of considerable importi ance ; ho was not speaking from a publican's point of view. ("Oh, oh.") Ue had bsen a publican for a short time only. When ho camo here and hunted for work, he found his capital dwindling, and he then took a hotel; but he was not fit to keep a hotel. (Laughter.) This business wanted a man who was trained. Bo had made hig money in land speculation ; and he woud rather be a donkey to a sweep than bo a hotclkeeper. (Laughter.) with reference to the question of compensation, the speaker quoted from the utterances of Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, and Bishop Moorhouse. He felt at a loss to see where compensation was to come from, but he favoured tho suggestion that the committees who closed tho houses should pay the compensation. The licensing laws should be uniform in the whole colony, and he thought there should be but one committee for the city. Mr. Morrison went on to speak, amidst some disorder, and remarked that he had an object in speaking on this business ; but ho would leave it if they were getting tired of it. They had now a poor rate—(p.proar)—or a Charitable Aid Board, by which the people were taxed for what they were giving in charity. The poor rate should be paid out of the consolidated revenue from tho licensing laws. (Cries of "Give us politics.") With reference to tho Upper House—(A voice "Billy Bwaneon.") Yea, ho would tell them about Billy. (Laughter). ' When he (tho speaker) wae in Wellington he met him, and ho said. '.' Well, Billy, how do you like being a lord ?" Billy looked round, and said " We'll, indeed, there is too little to do for the money." They should abolish the Upper House. (Cheers*. He would again address them in a very short time. This waa the first time ho had appeared as a speaker upon a public platform. Ho had had no training as a public speaker, but as a practical worker ho wanted " rubbing out." (Cheers). If there was an advantage in being a member at Wellington it was not in being a great talker or apolitical windbag. (Lauphter). Ho thanked them for the patient hearing they had given him. (" Oh, oh," and laughter.) He came before them aa a working man. Mr. Morrison resumed his soat amidst loud cheers, which developed into uproar as a stream ot questions poured in, tho chairman's table being in a short time almost covered with the papers. In reply to questions, Mr. Morrison said he was in favour of the Paciflo Mail Service.

Ho would advocate a tomiago tax upon foreign vessels. Seamen shnulu havo special representatives in the House. He would not be in favour of giving denominational schools I a share of publio money. Ho would do away with the tataliaator. Hβ would not support the present Government. Coloured labour should not bo employed where white labour was practicable. He would not bring iu a Bill stipulating that in the case of a man being found drunk in a public house, tho publican should bo fined. Some reduction should bo made in tho cost of secondary schools, bat ho would not reduce the cost so much as to impair tho effioieucy of the sy3tem. It would be a step in the right direction to prevont brewers holding vested interests in publichouaes. He would endeavour to get the plant for the northern railways manufactured In Aucklaud. The electoral roll should, in his opinion, be used for the licensing elections. He would not advocate the abolition of Bellamy's, though ha would favour the doing away of the selling of liquor there. The Governor should bo elected. A large number of other quostions were answered, many of them being of a " chaffing" character. Mr. Hastings m >ved a vote of thanks and coufidenco in Mr. Morriaon. The motion was seconded by Mr. Telford. Mr. U r . J. Courtney supported the motion, epenking amidst great disorder. Mr. Wai.kkh proposed an amendment, "That a vote of thanks bo given to Mr. Morrison, but that the meeting has no confidence in him." (Hooing, and great uproar.) Mr. Little seconded the amendment, amidst the utmost disorder, tho audience refusiug to allow him to speak. Mr. Hastings' motion was carried by a majority, amidst loud cheering. Tho proceedings terminated vjith a vote of thauks to the chairman.

MR. MONK AT DEVON PORT HALL. Last night Mr. R. Monk addressed the electors of Waitemata at the Davenport Hall. There was a very good attendance, and the Mayor of Ddvonpart (Mr. M. Niccol) was voted to the chair. Mr. Monk said he felt considerable diflidanca in. addressing them, especially as he had not anticipated that he would have to como before them so soon. The Government had gone to the country in order that their regime might continue four months longer. He had voted for the Kepresentatlon Bill, because he believed that in the change of electorates there would be an alteration in the pcreonnel of the House, and ho believed it would be to the interest of the country if thera wa3 a considerablo change in the political sentiments of the country. Coming to the Financial Sfcatoment, he said he had strongly objected to it, but he had received a large number of letters telling him to vote for the Statement, as it gave a large measuro of protection to local industries. Ho was somewhat of a protectionist, but ho could not vote fur a financial statement which proposed to increase the taxation of the colony when the people were utterly unable to boar such an increase. Any man who supported such a Statement muse be a red-hot protectionist. But It did not really give protection, but only the appearance of it, to enable the Government to impose further taxation. The gentleman who represented the present Government had told them that no further retrenchment could be carried out than had already beon done, but it was for the electors to decide whether further retrenchment was to take place. In his opinion the Government cither did not know the state of the country, or were wilfully ignorant of it, as there were none in a bettor position to know. Yet the Financial Statement said everything was going on satisfactorily. There was a decennial return showing the imports and exports of the colony, and he thought he would satisfy them from that that ten years ago they were in a better position than now. He did not want to frighten them, but he thought they were not suiiiciently aware of the necessity for political reform. Iα 1877 the imports wore £G. 973,415, and in ISS6 they were £6.759,013. In 1877 the exports were £6,327,472, and in ISB6 they wero £6,672,701. A man with a private business in such a state would consider him* self in a bad way. In 18/7 they had sold 64.481,3211bs of wool for £3,G53,935. In

ISB6 they produced 95,500,7441b5, and sold it for £3,072,971, or a loss of nearly £600,000- They would naturally nxyeut that in a colony in euoli a state the Government expenditure would be arranged tr» suit the times, but they were told the Government had made all the retrenchment necessary. Tho most serious matter was the amount of gold they had to remit for money owing outside the colony. fcfi» estimated private ioana at £25,000,000, and interest on that at 5 per cent, was £1,250,000. The interest on the colonial debt - was £1,764,000, on loans to local bodies, eto. £300,000, making in all a total of £3,314,000. D«3duuting £1,314,000 as being balanced by pensions and incomes otherwise derived from people outside the colony, there remained a sum of £2.000,000, or over £13 per head in gojd for every bread-winner in the colony. Thue, in a small colony like this their banks had to pay every morning £9000 or £10,000 as interest. The present depression was something more than a commercial one; it was the result of the Government policy. The taxation for local bodies had been greatly increased, and then the Government told them they had not to pay so much for government as under former administrations. Mr. Monk then quoted returns showing comparative ooats of the different Governments. In 1877-8 the cost of Government waa £3,030,241, and at that time they had a quarter of a million of sinking fund to pay. Iα ISS6 the Government cost £4,012,098, not counting sinking fund, whioh would have increased it by a quarter of a million. The indebtedness of the country had increased

by 8 millions. They could not go on long m this way. They would have to stop payment, and ia ten years they would have a hoyal Commission to administer their affairs. ("We'll pay 2s 6d in the £.") They were told they would be only a fifth or sixth rate colony if they reduced the pay of the Premier, but what rate colony would they bo if they only paid 2a 6d in the £ ? When ho spoke of retrenchment, he meant doing away not only with luxuries but euch ! necessities ae they could not afford to pay for, and the bringing of their expenditure reasonably within thoir income. (Applause.) They had not had an honest balance-sheet laid before them for years—that is to say, one such as a merchant would make out. They wore not told of the deficiency bills of nearly a million. They were told the Herald knew nothing about finance when it said our public debt had been increased by the deficiency bills; but a baby in finance and politics would not have made such an answer as that, because they had either to be taxed to meet the million of deficiency bills or the colonial debt had to be increased. Their debt had been greatly increased by deficiency bills ; and there seemed no way of stopping the increase unless the colony could bear extra taxation, and he did not think they could do 80. The Premier had told them that their taxation per head had decreased, but he had not told them that a large number of those heads were babies and children. (Hear, hear.) There had been a great incroase in babies and children, but not in adults. The imports of 18S2 had been quoted, but it wan unfair to do so, as merchants had imported largely in excess of requirements in that year, and subsequent importation wae smaller in consequence. Ho thought the honorariums should be reduced to from £50 to £100 a year. It was not the value of the honorariums, but the moral effect the reduction would have, as they could then recommend the reduction of the Governor's and Speaker's ealariee, otherwise they could not do so. Aβ for the cry about rich and poor men, the position of a mainber of the House was sinking to euch a state that he did not think rich men with consciences would care very much about going into the House, because if they intended to retrench there would be so much friction and ill-feeling that they would rather keep out of it. Poor mon had been accustomed to live on a very small income, and such members would find £100 a year an ample honorarium. Mr. Monk then touched on the power a member possessed of talking a Bill out or otherwise disposing of it if he objected to it. He thought the rulos of the House should be amended. Unfortunatoly they could not do so without the consent of two-thirds of the members, and there were plenty of people who took good caro that tho requisite number should not bo present to support nuch an amendment. In roply to the sigh of the people for retrenchment the Government had proposed a paltry 7i per cent, reduction on salaries. Sir R. Stout got £2000 in one year, in addition to his private practice, and then he said it did not pay him, but if It was a loss to him why did he not resign ? Ho thought the r Premier's salary should be reduced to £1000, and the other Ministers to £800 each. He also thought that two Ministers were ample to do all tho work required, ae it was really done by the hesdß of departments. The reduction made in the Public Works Department was nothing in proportion to the reducod amount of work to be done. He was in favour of high salaries, but not in timos when the colouy could not afford it. It behoved them at once to reduce the number and amount they had to pay until they were V7ithiu their income. He also thought that great retrenchment could be made in the defence force, and that the volunteers wouH work just; ae well without the capitation allowance. The whole service would be just as efficient as now with reduced expenditure, Mr. Monk then referred incidentally to Mr. Brycs, and said he soemed to have an idea of the retrenchment necessary. The Forest Department was tho greatest humbug ever put upon the people. They were being heavily taxed for planting gumtees instead of good native troes like ti-tree and kohi. The present system did not tend to forest conservation, and the method of giving bounties for every acre planted with useful treee was tha best. Not only had expenditure bien increased but the resources of tho colony had been stifled. Sir R. Stout had killed his Native Land Act, but it had stilled the deeiro to settlo the land, and they had to resort to bribery to induce, men to go on tho land. All they required in tho Native Land Act was to decide the amount of land a man could buy from native owners. They would then have had tho native lauds occupied by thousands of settlers of the right sort. The preseDt administration of the Act was a wretched excrescence of the Tammany ring typo, and was the acorn of the natives. There had been no retrenchment, and there had been at no time more nrongdoing in native lands than there was at the present day. He thought their education system should be one fitted to their reaources. They were a new country, and the best education was that which would make their children glow with national life and spirit. They wanted to teach their children the art of work and thrift, or, as Sir J. Vogel said, that economy was itself an income. Tho teaching of schools and colleges would notovercomu the moulding ioflueiicas around them. The curriculum of tho last seventeeu years had been extravagance and borrowing, and that was a lesson they had only learned too well. Mr. Monk described in eloquent terms the corruption of the times, in the midst of which their children were growing up. If there was anything ho would make sacrifices for it was education, but a few incidents like those he mentioned would do more to lower the moral standard than years of education. If education sharpened their children they would soo that in Parliament there was a perfeot disregard for honour, and such was the moral abasement of their members that they saw leas wrong in doing a wrong act than in being found out. Bad as those actions were immediately, the consequences were co-enduring with the history of New Zealand. Historians of tho future would see they could beguile forty millions of money out of tho English capitalists, and yet they had not honesty enough to spend half of it for what it was borrowed. In conclusion, he said he would do hie best for tho constituency and the colony, and perform all that he promised. He had no object in going Into the House, and valued his constituents' good opinion more than honours—in fact if he had his way he would not allow any titloe In a democratic colony. (Loud applause).

Questions were then invited. Mr. Harrow sent up a printed speech, whioh the Chairmau then read, after asking the permission of the audience to do bo. It was of a very personal nature, and created great laughter. Among other things it said Mr. Monk was not the man for them. He had been trying to live on sawdust and shavings, and he wanted to introduce these articles as general diet, because it would be good for the timber companies. (Laughter). Hβ was a good logroller, ae he was brought up to the bueiness—(laughter)— and that was probably the reason people wanted to send him to Parliament. A number of questions were then asked, and Mr. Monk said he would vote for local option. He was glad he bad voted for female suffrage, and hoped the measure would bo passed. Hβ never suggested that the gumfields should bo closed for £2000 ayoar. Hβ had wanted a measure introduced to prevent reckless firing of forests, and not to prevent gumdigging. Ho was against the Eight Hours Bill, as he did not see that any good would result from suoh a Bill. It would be more an inoonveuienoe than a benefit to workmen. He favoured the repeal of the present form of the property tax, but they would need a land and income tax, and a property tax, not on land, but on goods stored in warehouses. He would favour a readjustment of the valuations for the property tax. Hβ was in sympathy withßible reading in eohoole,but hedid not Bee how it could bo introduced. Hβ personnel of the present Government should be changed, as they were so accustomed to extravagance that they did not know how to retrench. Those who wanted higher education he would make pay for it. Hβ thought some change would hava to be made in the Education Boards, but he was against centralising them at Wellington. Mr. Bond then moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Monk. Mr. Hooker seconded it, and it was carried unanimously. A vote of ' thanks to the chairman terminated the

meeting.

MR. J. AITKEN CONNELL AT AVONDALE. At eight o'clock last evening the Public Hall, at Avondale, was crowded to excess to hear Mr. Counell's political address. Mr. John Bollard, chairman of the road board, was voted to the chair. Mr. Connell was received with applause. Re regretted extremely the position in which he was placed with Mr. Mitchelson, bub he (Mr. Conuell)

had been firefc in the field, had openly challenged 3 Mininter of the Grown whom he desired for his opponent, and that in the very district In which he (Mr. Connell) was a resident, and Mr. Mitchelson in coming in and complicating the matter must be held responsible for the unfortunate results. He had not done so without having used every effort to dissuade him from doing so. He (Mr. Connell) had sought alone to figl}t a member of the opposing party, but was now left by some strange mischance to fight a member of hie own party. Mr. Connell than made a vigorous attack npon the present Government, attributing a considerable amount of the depression which we are suffering to the rude manner in which the colony had been shaken, and particularly to the manner in which a sense of insecurity had arisen in the minds of many persona with regard to the safety and permanence of the tenures under which the lands of the colony were held. (Applauee.) He described their whole legislation as being of a visionary and unpractical kind calculated to bring about actual results the very reverse of the wishes of the shortsighted authors. Mr. Connell went at great length into the subject of land settlement policy, and denounced in sweeping terms the village settlement expenditure, which he characterised as perfectly ridiculous when viewed as any real contribution to the colonisation of New Zealand. He objected to his money or their money being taken for any such purpose. (Loud applause.) He went into the subject of protective duties, encouragement of real native industries, retrenchment, and education. He was determined to have the Bible back into the public schools—(loud applause)—and was convinced that the hearts of the people of Auckland were just as sound as those of Otago, South Canterbury, and Napier, where the parents have declared by the inimenße majority of 8 to 1 that they desire Scripture reading with time-table end conscience clause. (Applause). Ho finished his address by enunciating his views on the subject of retrenchment, whioh were received with frequent burnt* of applause. At the close of his address, which occupied over two hours in delivery, Mr. Connell resumed his seat amidst tumultuous applause. He then answered a number of questions, his answers being frequently received in a most enthusiastic manner. One excited individual at the back of the hall expressed his conviction at a point when his enthusiasm got the better of him that he (Mr. Connell) " might not be big, but there was no mistake about his being good." Mr. Kelly asked in an emphatic and pointed manner whether the rumour were true that Mr. Gonnell was merely making the running for the Eden seat for another man, or whether he (Mr. Connell) would pledge himself to go to the poll ? Mr. Connell stated most emphatically that any such rumour was abso» lutely false. He was fighting for himself and himself alone. He regretted having to fight with a friend, but he was determined to go to the poll. (Cheers.) After the questions were concluded a vote of thanks was proposed and seconded, but upon the amendment of Mr. I'orayth, seconded by Mr. Bentham, it wae changed to one of confidence in Mr. Connell as representative for Eden. An elector called for every hand to be held up, when a forest of hands was raised, and npon the contrary being put not a single elector voted against it. Cheers were called for Air. Connell and vigorously responded to, and the meeting, which waa the most successful yet held by Mr. Connell (Onehunga not excepted), then broke up after a vote of thanks to the chairman had boon carried on the motiou of Mr. Connell,

MANUKAU. A meeting of persona favourable to the candidature of Mr. Osborne to represent the district of Manukau was held iu the public hall, Onehunga, last night. There were about 100 persons present. Mr. J. M. Barr was voted to the chair, and in introducing Mr. Osborne, eaid that that gentleman was present merely to answer any questions which might bo put to him, in order to satisfy themselves as to whether ho was, in their opinion, suitable to represent the distriot of Manukau in Parliament. M r Oaborne prefaced hia remarks by stating that it was with very deep regret he had been persuaded to come forward as a candidate for the representation of their district, for he esteemed Sir Maurice O'Rorke very much, considering him to be a kiudly-hearted gentleman, and worthy of the position he occupied in the House as Speaker ; but he thought in the presont crisis of so young a country it was the duty of the electara to return to Parliament new meD, that a radical reform might bo worked. Sir Maurice belonged to the old 3chool, and for that reason only he came forward. He then proceeded to expresa his opi- ' nion on the position of the country, quoting statistics in support of his opinions, If ter which several questions were asked, and answered to the satisfaction of his supporters. In response to the chairman's appeal for a motion, Mr. Jeffs moved, "That Mr. Oabcrne be requested to contest the Manukau seat against Sir Maurice O'Rorke." Mr. Livingstone seconded the motion. An amendment was movo4. by Mr. Watts, seconded by Mr. Jones, " That a requisition be forwarded to Mr. J. A. Connell asking him to contest the seat; and, in the event of a refusal, the meeting pledges itself to support Mr. Osborno." Before the amendment wae pat, a gentleman present from Newmarket stated that Mr. Connell, when addressing a meeting, emphatically denied any intention of opposing Sir Manrice O'Korke. The amendment was put to the meeting, but was negatived in favour of the motion. Mr. Oaborne returned thanks for the good feeling shown, and moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which terminated the proceedings.

FRANKLIN SOUTH. Major Harris addressed the electors at Awhitu on Tuesday evening, being by far the largest political meeting ever held in the district. He complimented the people on the interest shown by their presence, many having to travel long distances, and over very bad roads at this time of the year, which showed the interest they now take in political matters, which they should have studied long ago. Hβ explained his views carefully and plainly, and was listened to with great attention, on several occasions being applauded. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him, and a vote of thanks also to the chairman, Mr. Palmer, concluded a very successful meeting.

FRANKLIN NORTH. Mr. W. F. Buckland addressed the electors of Franklin North at Turanga Creek, on Monday, tbe Ist of August,—Mr. A. Trust in the chair. There was a large attendance of electors. Mr. Buckland addressed the 'noetint; at length, and received a cordial vote of thanks and confidence. On Tuesday night, the 2nd of Augaet, Mr. Buckland addressed the electors at Maraetai, —Mr. Duder in the chair. There was a large attendance. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr. Backland. Mr. F. Lawry addreised the electors of Franklin North in the Flat Bush Schoolroom on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance. Mr. Alfred Harris, J.P., was voted to the chair. Tho meeting was characterised by the moat perfect order, and the candidate was listenod to with rapt attention and frequently applauded. At the close a number of questions were asked, principally by Mr. Woodward, and the answers >jivoa v/ere well received and were satisfactory. A vote of thanks to Mr. Lawry for his address, and confidence in him, was passed unanimously.

A feeling is gainiuij strength (writes our Te Aroha correspondent) that it would be advieabie to bring forward a candidate from among the residents in that locality. Our Rotorua correspondent writes: Mr. Gill is the only candidate who has actually entered on his electioneering campaign throughout the Tauranga electorate, and he is making a very favourable impression In many qaarters. Mr. Grace has had a meeting at Taupo, and is expected here soon on his tour amongst hie late constituents. The Hon. Mr. Tola will address the Newton electors in St. George's Hall on Monday ovening, at eight o'clock. Mr. Moss will address tho Faruell electors at the Parnell Hall on Tuesday evening at eight o'clock. Mr. Arthur Ormaby, of Waikato, Is at present away on a visit to Mokau to induoe Wahanui to contest the Western Maori electoral district. If Wahanui declines to stand, Ormsby, who is a halfcaste, intends contesting the scat himeelf. It will be Been from our advertising columns that Mr. E, Cooper, solicitor, announces himself as h candidate for Ponsonby. Mr. H. T. Garratt will address the electors in the Eden Hall on Wedaeaday evening.