ELECTION NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8422, 25 November 1890, Page 5

ELECTION NEWS.

[i meeting of the Hon. E. Mitclielson's Mount Eden election committee was held last evening, in Waite's hall. There was a large attendance, and several new members presented themselves, who were added to tho committee. Mr. H. Shepherd occupied the chair. On completion of the business of the meeting, an adjournment was made until Thursday evening. The Hon. E. Mitchelson's Ivingsland's committer met last evening, in Mr. O. McGinn's store. About fifteen members attended, and the reports were of a satisfactory character. At a meeting of the Central Liberal Committee, held last evening, it was resolved to fill up the vacancy in the Liberal " ticket," caused by the retirement of Sir George Grey, by nominating Mr. J. M. Shera. A requisition, it was stated, is being signed requesting that gentleman to stand for the city in the Liberal interest. Mr. Shera has taken time to consider his decision, and will be guided by the nature and extent of tho support accorded to him, as disclosed by the requisition when presented.. Mr. Thos. Thompson will address tho City electors at St. .James's Hull, this evening, at eight o'clock-. Mr. William Kelly addressed a large meeting of electors at Opotiki on Saturday night. Ho was well received. A vote of confidence was passed. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONNT.] Thames, Monday. Mr. 13. H. Taylor was to-day nominated as a candidate for tho Thames electoral district. Ilis nominators were Messrs. Jas. Macandrew and A. R. Cornes, Mayor of Thames and President of Miners' Union respectively. MR. -R. MONK AT lIELENSVILLE. Mr. R. Monk met tho Waitemata electors at the Foresters' Hall, Helensville, on Saturday evening, Mr. Reynolds occupying the chair. There was a large attendance of electors. Tho candidate gave his views on the political situation of the country and a report of his share in its administration. His speech was attentively listened to throughout. He announced that he was in favour of no more borrowing for some time to come, and advocated waiting patiently and acting economically for some little time, when the colony would extricate herself by. her wonderful productiveness from the present difficulties that surround her. He was in favour of an income tax upon incomes . above £150, and a land tax upon the unimproved value of the land. Ho confirmed the Hon. Mr. Mitclielson's statement, lately made, that Sir George Grey had, during his Governorship, laid the foundation for acquiring large estates by selling for nominal sums immense valuable tracts of country, which were now ' loeked up against division amongst small holders, for the very reason that being lawfully acquired through the action of the Governor in 4 contra* vention of the Land Associations, the owners could not now be deprived of them without purchase. In reply to questions, he said ho would support a Truck Bill that would benefit tlia bushmen or other labouring men, but had opposed the Bill submitted that would have (lone them more harm than good, and have prevented them in some parts from getting supplies. Ho declared that there was " no ' bigger democrat' than Monk," and if returned he would act as hitherto, but would ask no man for his vote. He requested tho meeting not to accord him an) vote of confidence, as ho did not believe in it. The meeting was of a very orderly character throughout, and a vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. Isaac McLeod, was carried unanimously.

MR. JACKSON PALMER AT HE VON PORT.

Yesterday evening Mr. Jackson Palmer, one of the candidates for the Waitemata seat, addressed the electors of that constituency at the Devon port Hall. There was a crowded audience. Mr. Malcolm Niccol, Mayor of Devonport, presided. Mr. Palmii replied to some of the objections made against his candidature, and then went on to speak of the financial position of the colony, and contrasted New Zealand at the present time with England during the period from 1817 to 1820. In England at that time trade was at a standstill, and there was a general depression throughout the land. People were then crying out against tho property tax, and had to pay a carriage tax and even a window tax. He quoted figures to show that the liabilities of Now Zealand per head of tho population at the present day were nob so great as those of the people of Great Britain at the time of which he spoke, and pointed out that the exports of New Zealand were much greater in proportion than those of tho mother country during those years. 110 considered retrenchment necessary. and said the best way to effect it would bo to appoint a commission of, six of the best financial and business men in New Zealand, who would be absolutely independent of the Government, and who would have every facility to examine the departments of the Civil Service, and who would then report to the people as to what reductions could be effected. Ho advocated retrenchment in higher education and opposed party Government, supporting tho Swiss system, with the referendum. He advocated a land and income tax in the place of the property tax, and said that absentee landowners should pay double the amount of land tax paid by those in the colony as they.did not contribute to the taxation through the Customs. Ho would not care to do away with the Upper House just yet. Many of the points of Mr. Palmer's address were applauded but he was more than once interrupted,and tho chairman had to call Mr. Staines to order. ■ *"

Mr. Palmer' having answered several questions, a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Gascoion*k, seconded by Mr. Bond. Mr. O'Mkaoiikk proposed, as an amendment, a vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr. Palmer. Mr. G. IN. Bkassky seconded the motion, which was carried, only a small number voting against it ; but many in the room did not vote. A vote of thanks was given to the chairman. ' TE AROHA. [ P.Y TE LEG R A II. —0 WS' CO!'. RKSPO N OF. NTS.] Tauranoa , Monday. Mr. W. S. Allen's agents, Messrs. Bottle and Cox, held a meeting of electors of the To Aroha electorate at Grecrton on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, and the usual vote of confidence was passed. Electioneering matters are Hat and dead, and people seem com para lively indifferent as to who gets in or how things go. BAY OF ISLANDS. Our Aratapu correspondent writes: — Mr. Houston has addressed the electors in tho various centres this week. He seems a good, honest sorb of man, bub I do not think his political views are in accord with the majority in these parts. His scheme of retrenchment is a big one, rather too much so. He is the only candidate who is opposed to a land tax, and in these days, when Tom, Dick, and Harry are ail full of the tonus " land shark" and "monopoly," it will bo ft surprise if ho gets returned. Mr. Houston, however, having now made the tour of the district, expresses himself us confident of success. lie is indignant at the action of Mr. Dargaville, who, after having voluntarily offered him his support, and communicated with him repeatedly, suddenly throws him over, and comes out himself. Mr. Houston's meeting at Scotty Camp was a. very successful one. He was frequently applauded, and talking on the gumdiggcrs' question, vindicated himself. In answer to questions, the visit of Mr. Dargaville to Bluff Swamp was put in its true light. [BY TKLEfiRAPK. — OWN* CORRESPONDENTS.] Kawa ic awa , Monday. Mr. John Lundon addressed a crowded meeting here on Saturday night, and was heartily if not enthusiastically received. His arduous journey from Whangaroa than day had taken some of the pluck out of the old veteran, however, and the fatigue of such a ride in damp clothes caused him to appear not up to his usual happy form. Ho succeeded in obtaining a unanimous vote of thanks. Daucjaville, Mo no ay. Mr. Houston addressed the electors hero on Saturday evening, Dr. Norton in the*chair. About 100 were present. He was listened to attentively throughout his address, which was a repetition of his speeches at other parts of the electorate No questions were asked. Mr Harding proposed a vote of t hanks to the candidate, . which was passed unanimously.