MR. F. LAWRY AT HOWICK AND PAKURANGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 6

MR. F. LAWRY AT HOWICK AND PAKURANGA.

Mr.. F. Lav. ry addressed the electors in the new hall near Ho wick on Thursday evening. There was a good attendance, Howick, Paparoa, and Pakuranga being weiL represented. Mr. .7. Smith occupied the chair. Mr. i.iv. ry was well received, and obtained a patient hearing, and was frequently applauded. Speaking of education he said our system was an excellent one, and nothing must be done to impair the efficiency of primary education, but he was convinced that acon.-iderablc reduction could be made in vote without depriving the country of any of the advantages necessary for it- educational progress, He said tiiey were acting like a foolish person ■who paid "2-- for a sovereign, and lie was convinced that they could get this educational sovereign at a cost not beyond itsstanding value. This might entail some hardships, but it was a time for self-sacri-fice, and he believed that the country would sternly set its face against any increased rate even for primary education, whilst the cost of secondary education must be subject to a sweeping reduction which should take place before the reduction in the cost of the primary system. (Applause.) Mr. La wry spoke di the difficulty of effecting retrenchment, but emphatically declare'.! that the country would yet recognise that only the initial step had been taken, ami that no Administration would be secure that did not fearlessly grapple with the question, and the Ministry effecting necessary retrenchment would have the country at its back. (Applause.) Speaking of projected public works, lie said lie would oppose the expenditure of any large .-urn of money for even a necessary work, if it were required in his own district, because he was satisfied that it could not be obtained without forming an unholy alliance to help others in securing large expenditure tor works which might well be delayed for year.-,, and unless they remained (satisfied for a time with the completion of works for which sunn had been already voted, they would most assuredly, at no distant date, be face to face with the necessity of raising another large loan. (Applause.) Speaking of the electoral law, he said irreat reforms were still necessary. For instance, he strongly denounced the present system oi open nomination of candidates at the busting-*, pointing out that it involved a great useless expenditure on the part of thy Government, a needless waste of time to the electors, that generally all the bitterness of an electoral contest was engendered at these nomination-, that the candidates made speeches there that only dealt with personalities, or matter previously thrashed out ; but above ail, it was a direct violation of the spirit of the ballot for a body of electors to indicate by a. show of hands the man for whom they intended to record their vote, or they stultified themselves by holding up their hands for one man and then voting for another. The system under ■which the nominations for local elections were taken was vastly better. (Applause.) The speaker was especially strong in urging upon the meeting to resist any attempt that might be made to place any of the liabilities of certain local bodies on to the colony. Several other matters were dealt with. Mr. 1 .awry resumed his seat amidst loud applause. The Chairman briefly reviewed the salient points of the address, after which some questions were answered ; »«d, on the motion of Mr. James Lindsay, seconded by Mr. Macky, a vote of thanks for the address, and of confidence in their member, was passed unanimously. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman was carried by acclamation.— Correspondent.]