THE DUNEDIN ELECTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 387, 12 July 1879, Page 20

THE DUNEDIN ELECTION.

(rER PRESS AGENCY.) Dunedin, Wednesday. Mr. Downie Stewart, who is a candidate for the vacant seat in the House of Representatives, addressed the electors this evening iu the Temperance Hall. There were about 160 persons present. Air. Keith Ramsay occupied the chair. Mr. Stewart spoke in detail of the land laws, which he said should be liberal, so as to secure settlement and revenue. The deferred payment system was bungled in detail, so that settlement had been stayed. The land tax had not been a success, but a failure. The tax was also inequitable, expensive in working, and irregular in its valuation. He was in favor of taxing all properties, and not only those exceeding £SOO. He then showed how the present depression had been brought about by deficiency in the estimated land revenue. The free breakfast table he condemned as being a measure which benefited solely merchants and retail dealers. In education he was opposed to denominatioualism. He was in favor of a national system, but Bible reading should be allowed either before or after ordinary school work, with conscience clauses. He would oppose political railways. The Government should refuse to construct any lines which would not be productive either immediately or prospectively. Railway work should be specially pushed ahead when other work was scarce. Efe would be in favor of Government borrowing£s,ooo,ooo, but its expenditureshould extendover a term of years. Work should as far as possible be executed in the colony and not sent home. He was opposed to introducing any more free immigrants at present. The native question was given undue prominence to by pakehas from sinister motives. The Native Office should be abolished. The present native difficulty was a school boys quarrel. The present franchise was a wide' one ; he would be content to let it alone. People entitled to vote should be more careful to exercise their right. Harbor Boards should receive the support of the Government, and indeed be placed above their control. He would be satisfied if a good channel were made up to Port Chalmers. He spoke at length of legal reform ; an elective Governor (to which he was opposed) ; the Permissive Bill ; and advocated economy in administration. At the close of the address several questions wei'e asked and answered, and a vote of confidence in the candidate passed.