THE GENERAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8061, 23 September 1887, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

MB. OONNBLL AT WAlTe's HALL. Mb. J. AiTKßtf Co*nkll addressed the electors of Eden at Waite's Hall yesterday evening. A large attendance was present, Mr. Douglas presiding. In opening the proceedings, the Chairman stated that he thought that the Press of Auckland was taking an unfair advantage of Mr. Connell. (Hear, hear). The fact of that gentleman's having recently come from the South, was not, in his opinion, a consideration which ought to weigh with the electors In choosing a representative. Hβ thought that one great advantage whioh the Eden electors would have in Mr. Connell was that he was a new man, for if there was one thing more than another that they wanted in the House of Representatives, it was an assembly of new men. (Cheers), Mr. C'ONNKLL said that before entering upon the political subjects of his address that evening, he would like to clear up two points which were being worked considerably against him. One of them was the point referred to in the leading article in the Qsrald cf that morning. It was stated in that paper that a kind of conspiracy existed between him and the people in the South Island ; and it was further stated that these reports had been brought under the notice of his agents, and !iad not been denied by them. Now, he was a great deal better than any of the men—he did not know who they were—that had been referred to as his agents—he wai the leading spirit; »nd he had published a most emphatic and categorioal denial to these reports. There was not a living soul in the South who had any interest whatever In his candidature. He could not really understand what any person could mean by stating that ho had not denied these imputations with regard to the alleged connection between him and the people in the South. He again absolutely denied that there was a shadow of foundation for these report*. (Cheers.) It had also been stated that he had seriously affirmed that the unemployed should be*shot through the head. This oughtto teach onehow very careful he should be in expression* used during the election, beaauae if an adversary saw a chanoe to trip one up. he would very quiokly do so. On the occasion on whioh he had used the expression referred to, he was speaking of the magnificent resources of the colony, and had remarkel, "If, with all these advantages in our favour, we cannot make our living in this country, we oughtto be shot through the head, and the sooner we are shot as hopeless inoapables the better." (Cheers.) Mr. Connell weat on to speak of the piesent position of the colony, and the necessity for new men in the Legislature, land settlement, protection and freetrade, the fostering of local industries, especially gold mining and olive-growing, native matters, the management ol the railways, the borrowing policy of the colony, the education question, and local option, declaring himself in favour of the giving the publio the right to decide whether a hotelkeeper should be granted a license, and that in the event of re final compensation should not be granted. He would favour the conducting of the eleotion on the basin of the ratepayers' roll. Mr. Connell was frequently applauded during the couiso of his address.

A number of questions were auswered, and on the motion of Mr. J. E. Roberts, seconded by Mr. J. C. Smyth, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr. Connell. In

proposing the vote, Mr. Roberts referred to the qualifications whioh Mr. Connell held for the position of a representative, and said that the other candidate for Eden had been almost a nonentity in the House as far as talking was concerned. (Cheers and hisses.) Mr. Connell could talk, he oould think, and he was a man of honesty and integrity.

There was no amendment! to the vote of thanks and confidence, which wiia declared carried amid loud and prolonged cheering. A vote of thanks was passed to tbe chairman, and three cheers for Mr. Connell terminated the proceeding*. MR. FARNALL AT ST. J.VMK3* HALL. Mr. H. W. Farnall addressed a meeting at St. James , Hall last night, convened under the auspices of the Trades and Labour Council. Tho meeting was oonvenod for half-past seven o'clock, but it was not until eight o'clock tbat a moderate audience attended, and the candidate ascended the stage. Mr. J. M. Shera, one of the candidate! for City West, also occupied a seat on the stage. Mr. Tudehofk, President of the Trades and Labour Council, opened the meeting, and read apologies from the lion. Mr. Tole, Mr. C. J. Wright, and Mr. P. Lawry, who were unable, owing to previous engagements, to be present. He then called on Mr. Farnail to addres* the meeting. Mr. Farnall, after a few introductory remarks, explained how this meeting was called. The Trades and Labour Council is composed of delegates of all the trade societies, and the/ determined to select a number of candidates for their support, amongst others himself. He had been secretary of that Council for four years, and they had confidence in him, but his candidature gave offence to the class that assumed to itself the right of legislation. They knew his principles, as shown in the Watchman, and from his public utterances ; bat the organ of the governing classes—the Herald —came to the rescue, and when he had » large meeting and addressed them, no notice was taken of his meeting, and in the cartoon of qandiH«jM»»w«i • luourmequenoe this the trades and Labour Couaoil considered it proper that, they should show him that they supported hi.« candidature. Now one word as to how he conducted this campaign. His ambition was to be in Parliament, but only if his views were those of the electors. He had not canvassed for rotes, and if elected it would be all the greater blow for those who tried to keep him out of the House. Mr. Farnall then reviewed the disastrous state of the colony, and disputed the utility of Mr. Vaile's railway reform scheme as a means of alleviating the present position. He contrasted tho land tenures of France and its pea«aufc proprietary, with that of England, where he alleged the land monopoly was the sole cause of the depression, and the same applied to New Zealand. Again, referring to Mr. Vaile's scheme of oheap railway transit, he pointed out that in England when land wai offered for lease, terms were made with the railway companies, and cheap or free paiaee were given to holders, but the public did not benefit. Those who benefited were the landowners. For instance, if free passes were given to Patetere, the State would not benefit, only the owners of the estate. To his mind, the two great reforms necessary were land reform and reform in the system of taxation. He denounced the Customs duties as unfair, and only adopted because it ruled in the old country, and traced the origin of the introduction of these duties to the time of Charles I. to relieve the landowners. That law was reversed by Cromwell, but re-introduced under Charles If., and since then they had existed and passed on the taxation from landowners to others. He contended that in this country landowners did not pay their proper proportion of taxation, and maintained that a land aud income tax should be substituted for the property tax. He quoted statistics as to the amount of land held by individuals to show how large property-holders eeoaped taxation. He quoted Jurther statistics showing the indebtedness of the colony and the immense interest which had to be paid, and the aeri* ouß question where it was to come from. Ha doubted whether retrenchment would meet the deficiency, and further taxation must be raised not from the Customs but from landowners. Mr. Karnall read the replies he had sent to the questions sent by the Financial and Political Reform Association, but his name was not included amongst th« list of members they supported. Sir Julius Vogel, Sir Robert Stout, and Mr. lkllance had more thai, once expressed themselves in favour of a laud tax, but they had never introduced it, knowing that it could not be carried ; but if a liberal majority was sent to the House this election it would be introduced. Mr. Farnall dealt at some length with this subject. Hβ said that although the -ountry at large waa Buffering from depression the monetary institutions continued to pay the same dividends, and Sir Charles Clifford, in his speech in declaring a. dividend of 18 per cent, said in reference to the depression that when people were willing to work for less wages and for longer hours the depression would cease. Should he (Mr. Farnall) be returned for City North, he would try And see that all parti were treated alike. Mr. Farnall then alluded to bis past career, and his continued advocacy of and sympathy with the governed ! clauses, and quoted from his speeches in the ! House to show that these were the views he j had always advocated and his antagonism : to the introduction of an aristocracy in i New Zealand. * i

Id reply to Mr. EoYOßorr, who expressed surprise that Mr. Faroall had not referred to the question of protection, knowing hi* strong sympathies in that direction. Mr. Faun all Raid hie views on that subjeot were thoae which he had stated at the nominations, that the abstract question of protection could not be argued bat New Zealand was peculiarly circumstanced and if they wanted to keep up wngee and short hours of labour they must pat on a protective duty. He looked on it as entirely a question of wages and the solution of the whole question lay in oooperation. What he hoped to see was freetrade within the four oorners of the British Empire, and prohibitive protection outside. Messrs. Hughes and Qouoh spoke at some length on various subjects, and in support of Mr. Far nail.

Mr. Shkka, who was received with cheers, thanked the Trades and Labour Council in naming him as their candidate. In regard to the support of the hardy-handed sons of toil for Auokiand West, he looked on it as a great compliment to receive it, and he was sure, with their aid, that their candidates would be placed at the bead of the poll. If eleoted, he would endeavour to carry out the broad and liberal views of the platform of their organisation, his motto being, " Equal rights to all, and fair play to every man." (Cheers.) Mr. F. J. Moss, who entered the meeting just before the conclusion of the last speech, was reoeived with cheers, and spoke at considerable length on the politioal questions of the day. On the motion of Mr. Otto, seconded by Mr. RoYOROrr, a vote of confidence in the candidates supported by the Trades and Labour Counoil was carried. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. Silt MAURIOK O'IiOKKE AT EPSOM. Sir G. M. O'Rorke addressed the eleotor/B of Manukau at the Epsom Hall yesterday evening, when sixty persons were present. Mr. Hail presided. The candidate's speech was a resume of hie previous addresses ; and, at its close, a vote of thanks and confidence in Sir G. M. O'Rorke was moved by Mr. Hull and seconded by Mr. Molndoe. An amendment, " Tuat a vote of thanks be accorded to Sir G. M. O'Rorke," was moved hy Mr. Buchanan and seconded by air. French ; and, on being put to the meeting, the amendment was carried by a majority of two. HK. OSBOKNE AT KLLSRSLIE. At Thorpe's Hall, Ellerslie, yesterday evening, Mr. S. S. Osborne addressed the electors of Manukau, Mr. Charles Bill in the chair. About fifty electors were present. Mr. Oeborne's speech was similar to those previously delivered, and whioh have been lully reported by us. In reply to a question, he said he was opposed to gambling, but it would exist, and he would rather it was conducted through the medium of the totalisator than secretly,, as he liked everything to be conducted openly and above board. At the close of his address, a vote of thanks and confidence, proposed by Mr. J. Foster, and seconded by Mr. Rent, was adopted unanimously. The meeting terminated with three oheers for Mr. Osborne. WA'PA. Tβ awahqid, Thursday. Information has been received here that Major Jaokson's meetings at Te Kuiti and Porotorau tunnel, this week, were a success, and that he is safe to poll 55 to 60 votes out of a possible 175, It the places are well looked after. The line was thought to have been a block vote for Mr, Maxwell, but to prevent this, the Major will, I am informed by one of his committee, return with Mr. T. G. Snides to To Kuiti and the tunnel on Monday. 0 iKOMANDEL, Mr. A. J, Cad man addressed a large meeting of electors in the Jubilee Hall, on Wednesday night. His speech was mostly taken op in answering various charges brought against him. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was carried/ almost unanimously. ' Mr. James Mackay addressed a meeting of electors in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. The night was very boisterous, bat a fair number were present. He dealt with most of the questions of the day, and at the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded htm. Mr. James Mackay has evidently the confidence of the whole of the Ohinemuri electors, and will, in all probability, receive almost a block vote at Paeroa. At Whaugan mata and other places on the East Coast, he will receive a large majority of the votes. There is no personal feeling about the matter, both men beiug considered good, but the miners and those connected with the goldtields industry, believing that Mr. Mackay, knowing as he does the history of gold mining on this peninsula, is the better man, have given him their support almost to a man.—| Paeroa Correspondent.] RODNKY. Mr. Hudson, Jan., in the unavoidable absence of his fatoer, addressed the Omaha village settlers on Monday, the 19th instant. Mr. Livot was called to the chair. There was a good attendance, and the speaker was listened to with marked attention. At the end of his address several questions were asked and auswered satisfactorily. The chairman then called on Mr. N. Wilson to speak, which he did, the subject being, the issues before the electors in the present contest. At the conclusion of Mr, Wilson's speeoh, Mr. R. Miller proposed, and the ®tr. : isnAn,sepon.ded, •• A vote of confidence in. meeting it was carried unanimTJflfny -, . ,, * 1 JiP tjl? of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.—[A. Correspondent.] TAUKANOA. Captain Kerr met the electors in the Public Hall at Tβ Aroha on Wednesday night. His address was patiently listened to, although it did not seem to be very satisfactory, either to friends or opponents of the Government. About 150 persons were present, but before the close of the meeting a large number had left. A vote of thanks was passed. It cannot be ttaid that Captain Kerr's appearauoe here has improved his ohance of success.

New Plymouth, Thursday. A proposal having been mads by the supporters of Messrs. Dockrill and hmith that one should resign, the matter was left in the Mayor's hands. He this morning announoed that he declined to give his opinion, as he found that votes were clairaod b; both parties, and he had no time to go over the electorate to test the feelings of the electors.

There was a oapital muster of Mr. Withy'e supporters at their respective committee rooms, St. George's Hall, Kingsland, and Kden Terrace last night, and a large a.nount of business was got through. Numerous offers of conveyances were received for use on the eventful 26th. The general committee will meet for final arrangements this (Friday; evening, when a particularly good attendance is expected at the central committee room, St. George's Hall. Mr. Withy will finally address the electors ou Saturday evening at St. George's Hall. This evening, at the City Hall, Mr. Samuel Vaile will deliver his last political address prior to the elections. Ou this occasion Mr. Vaile will deal with " Our Educational System, and its Halation to Religious and Private Tuition." This is treading on somewhat dangerous ground, but the question will have to be faced, and Mr. Vaile deserves credit for his courage in taking it in hand. Mr. Vaile ia also to speak on our local industries, land settlement, native reserves, and other subjects. His favourite topic, railway reform, it appears, is to be left out on this occasion. It evidently will be no fault of Mr. Vaile's if the electors of Auckland do not pet a clear idea of his politics. Mr. Moss will address the eleotors at the Parnell Hall this evening at half-past seven. A meeting of the combined committees working to promote the return of Sir Maurice O'Rorke was held yesterday evening, when most encouraging reports were reoeired. Mr. Morrison addresses the electors of City West in St. James , Hall this evening. At a meeting of hie committee yesterday arrangements were mane for the polling on Mondav nexfe, and other business transacted.