THE ELECTIONS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 31

THE ELECTIONS

MR I. CARTER AT THE LYCEUM. Mr T. Carter, a candidate for the Wellington East seat, addressed a meeting at the Lyceum on Monday night. There was a large .attendance, and Mr F. Coffey occupied the chair. . All* Carter, who was well received, said he had a few words to say before he embarked on his address about the Wellington papers. He proceeded to refer to them at some length. They ignored him, ho said, because he was a working-man —(laughter and applause)— but when they got well-known characters down in the Fijis they gave them a stab in the dark, and had to pay £l5O for it. Mr Carter -then proceeded to develop his platform, the planks of which were : —Effective and satisfactory settlement of the land, permanent -retrenchment in public ■ expenditure, opposition to all and every tax which pressed heavily on the working classes, a land and income tax, abolition of the property-tax, encouragement of local industries by admitting raw material duty free, the maintenance of the education .system up to the sixth standard and the abolition of the higher education, leasing the railways to syndicates, promotion and development of the mining industry, borrowing for necessary railways and for judicious settlement of the land, local option, and a reduction of the honorarium to £1 per sitting day. Having quoted from Henry George on the land question, Air Carter went on to dilate upon " the manipulation of the land ” by the Legislature. Yon 'could not, he said, pick out six men in the House who were not shackled and tied to the bank. The sheep and crops and everything were mortgaged. Some of the candidates in this city were supported by a certain class, so it was said ; and wore they free men who were backed by other people’s money ? In other parts candidates were tied to the banks, and could not vote independently. He would be in favor of a moderate tax on land up to 640 acres, and a heavy prohibitive tax over there would be nffiaSKtv for the rottenest Bill ever introduced bywhe mind of man—the Land Acquisition Bill. At the same time he gave Air Ballance every credit for having the interest of the country at heart, but he was surrounded by bad colleagues. Referring to village settlements, Mr Carter disapproved unemployed being put upon the land by that system, but said it could be well applied to working men with a little capital. Touching retrenchment, he took, first, defence. Sir George Whitmore was getting £7OO a year and £1 ISs 6d a day for travelling, which was a nice tidy little sum for a man of his stamina. (Laughter.) Referring to other officers in the defence force, he said one did not knowjthe butt end of a gun from the other. (Laughter.) Yes, he only knew where the hole in the gun was. That was what our saving Government did ; and they were in treaty with Colonel Hewitt, of Canada, as good a man aB ever turned out, and was willing to come for £7OO a year and £IOO for house expenses. With reference to the batteries at Point Halswell, he said everything there had been done four times over foundations and everything else. He ridiculed the defence of the port, and said a cruiser could lie at the back of Somes Island for weeks and fire into the town, and it would be 10 to 1 the guns at the batteries would never hit her in a month. (Laughter.) Then there was an electric machine over there with which they “couldn’t pick out Somes Island ” until they got a wrinkle from the electrician of H.M.S. Nelson. They tried the Whitehead torpedo once, and shot it off to strike a bit of shingle on the beach. It went off at an angle of 45 degrees, and they had only tried it on once since. On the second occasion there was a Minister on board the Ellen Ballance, who wished he wasn't there, for the torpedo went right in the direction of the steamer. The men who came here for gun practice and stayed for some months, went out once and fired 84 shots, out of which they hit Ward Island three times. (Laughter.) The force should be reduced to ten men and a sergeant at each of the four centres, and the Volunteers in seaport towns should be better encouraged. (A Voice: “We want some politics now, Tom.”) Mr Carter : I’ll give them to you hot now presently. (Laughter.) He disapproved the Miniature Rifle Club for broken down swells, and the school of instruction. He referred to other sinecures, sueh as the Claydens, Lundons, &c. All this ought to be stopped ; and if the electors put him in—(applause) - they would alienate every constituency in New Zealand, for none of them bad the courage to put in a workingman. If he were elected he would give those members an Irish midwife’H jannt—pay their

) expenses here and let themfindtheir way back. He said he would be in favor of leasing the railways, and referred to the Government Buildings as certainly the biggest wooden building in the world for barefaced robbery. If you opened all the doors in it at 10 in the morning there would not bo a room in which three clerk 3 were not paring their nails. The buildings were filled with nominees of the Upper House —for no member of the Lower House, unless he was a red-hot supporter of the Government, could get a cat into them. It was time the Upper House was abolished a lot of old pre-Adamite fossils. (Laugh. ter.) Aud now he would give them a little touch about his opponent Mr Fisher. Referring to that gentleman’s action on the Eight Hours Bill, Mr Carter said it would have been better for him if he had explained his action—“ then he wouldn’t have got me at him.” (Laughter.) Mr Carter produced the division list on the second reading in ISS6, and pointed out that Mr Fisher’s name was not in it. Had Mr Fisher been there the Bill would have been law‘now ; and he was in a position to say that there was not an available messenger in the House that night but was out searching foi him. He accused Air Fisher of wriggling out of things, and said he would wriggle out of a mousetrap if you put him in. Touching passingly on the depressed state of the country, Air Carter said if he did not get into the House this time he would have to go to New South Wales for a billet. (Laughter.) If Air Fisher would only go straight and could suppress the ambition that stuck out in every hair of his moustache and head, ho could aspire to any position in the State ; but he was as full of wrinkles as he could be. After criticising Mr Fisher’s conduct in the House at some length, Air Carter concluded by asking his hearers to weigh well what he had said; and if they did not believe in his views, then they should not vote for him. (Applause.) In answer to questions, Mr Carter said he was against the importation of Chinamen. If elected, he would be in favor of an inquiry into prison labor bemg given to private persons. Mr J. S. Harris asked whether the candidate would be in favor of a strict investigation into what came of the fines inflicted for breaches of by-laws. Air Carter said he would be happy to assist in it, but he would also make the Alayor earn his money by sitting in the Court once a week to hear those cases. In answer to further questions, Mr Carter said he would be in favor of Sir George Grey’s Law Practitioner’s Bill, and of a codification of the law. He was opposed to any kind of immigration. On the motion of Air Kelly, seconded by Air H. Smith, a vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was unanimously carried, and the meeting terminated with the usual vote to the chair.

Air W. McLean addressed a meeting of the Thorndon electors at the Primitive Alethodist schoolroom, Sydney-streot, last week. There was a good attendance, and Mr Kilminster occupied the chair. The candidate spoke for over two hours, during which he explained his views on the finances of the country, taxation, land nationalisation, Freetrade and Protection, education, and he strongly advocates retrenchment. He went into party questions, and adversely criticised the administration of the ‘Atkinson Government. The candidate was well received, and at the conclusion answered a number of questions. On the motion of Mr Noon, seconded by Mr Pointer, a vote of confidence was awarded the candidate. Mr AV. McLean addressed a meeting of Thorndon electors at Cloke’s room, Cotter-ville-terrace, last Friday. There were about 60 persons present, and Mr Noon presided. Air McLean spoke for about an hour and a half, touching upon all the principal subjects of interest at the present time, and devoting especial attention to the question of a Thorndon recreation ground. In this connection Mr McLean dwelt upon the laxity of the sitting member, who, he said, had only recently evinoed an interest in the matter; If interest had been taken it would hare been known that there were two and a half acres on the Thorndon reclamation which were available for this purpose, and could, no doubt, have been obtained. A number of questions were answered, and. on the motion of MrE. Jones, seconded by Mr Simpson, a vote of confidence was awarded the candidate with two dissentients. Air Henry S. Fitzherbert held a meeting of Maori electors on Saturday afternoon at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lower Hutt._ The principal subject of discussion was in re ference to Native lands. Numerous questions were asked of the candidate and answered to the satisfaction of the audience. Mr Fitzherbert stated that his interests in the land question, were identical with theirs. The Maoris (expressed satisfaction with the views of the candidate.

(united press association.) Greymouth, September 1. The nomination for the Greymouth election is fixed for the 19th September. Haweka, September 1. The Egmonfc nomination is fixed for the 19th. Invercargill, September 1. Mr J. W. Bain, formerly member for Invercargill, addressed the Awarua electors to-night at North Invercargill, and received a vote of confidence by a small majority. He declared himself opposed to the present Government. Christchurch, September 1. The Canterbury nominations have been fixed as .follows :—l6th September, Avon, Christchurch North, 'and Cheviot ; 19th, Lincoln, Linwood, Sydenham, St Albans, Lyttelton and Ashley. Mr J. H. Hopkins, a storekeeper at Woolafcon, announces himself a candidate for Heathcote in the Opposition interest. Nelson, September 1. Mr W. B. Gibbs having, in response to a requisition, decided to contest the city seat instead of Motueka, addressed a large meeting in Nelson to-night. He supports the Government, and received a good hearing and vote of thanks. Auckland, September 1. Mr A. J. Cadman addressed the electors of Coromandel last night and received a vote of thanks. Feilding, September 1. Mr Bruce, a candidate for Rangitikei, had

a large meeting at Makino last night. He met with an enthusiastic reception, and was awarded a unanimous vote of confidence. Bulls, September 1. Air J. Stevens addressed a crowded meeting of electors at Bulls last evening. He declared himself opposed to the present Government. He received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Christchurch, September 3. Mr Borehand has withdrawn from the Cheviot candidature. MrE. Read, of Little River, has issued his address as a candidate for Akaroa, making seven out for this electorate. Mr John Crewes announces himself as a candidate for Sydenham on the Opposition ticket. ■ Marton, September 3. Mr Stevens addressed the electors here last night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. Palmerston North, September 3. Mr Wilson addressed the electors at Longburn last night, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Napier, September 5. Captaiu Russell commenced his electoral campaign at Hastings with a speech strongly condemnatory of the Government. Among other things he said ho had reason to believe that part of the secret service vote of the Native Department was spent in influencing elections. He devoted a great part of his address to the laud settlement, denouncing village settlements, but advocating the deferred - payment settlement. He alleged that the Land Acquisition Bill was responsible for some pf the depression among land-holders, and said a case had come under his oersonal notice where a loan of £IO,OOO at per cent had been refused, on the express ground, as stated by the lenders in London, that they were afraid of threatened land legislation. He was attentively listened to and frequently applauded, and at the close received a vote of thanks and confidence. Greymouth, September 5. Air Guinness addressed the electors ,of Barrytown on Saturday evening, when a vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. He addresses the Cobdenifces this evening. The Grey roll this year will be amongst the largest in the Colony, containing as it does nearly 3000 names. Tauranga, September 5. Air William Kelly addressed the electors here on Saturday. He was well received, and an almost unanimous vote of confidence was passed. He stated that he was a supporter of the Government, favored the protection of local industries, village settlements, and cessation of borrowing. Air Gill, the other candidate, has gone to Taupo and Rotorua to address the electors.

(from our own correspondents.) Greymouth, September 2. Air Petrie spoke last night at Wallsend to a large meeting of electors. A unanimous vote of confidence was awarded him, and at the conclusion of the meeting three hearty cheers were given him. Palmerston North, September 2. Mr Henry Sanson contradicts a report that he intends retiring from the contest for the Foxton seat. Palmerston North, September 3. Mr Wilson’s address at Longburn last night was very well received. His suggestion to entrust the control of the public works expenditure to non-political boards, as well as the management of railways, was generally approved. ROUGH TREATMENT OF A CANDIDATE, (united press association.) Ashburton, September 2. Mr Palmer, a candidate for Rangitata, was half killed by roughs at the Hinds last night. He had arranged to address a meeting there, but his letter applying for the use of the schoolroom miscarried. As he could not get the use of the schoolroom, he stated from a doorstep that the meeting would be postponed. Thereupon a number of men pelted him with eggs, mud, and tussocks dipped in water, and chased him along the road, keeping up a continuous fasila.de of missiles till Mr Palmer got so utterly exhausted that he was compelled to sit down and beseech the crowd “if they wanted to kill him to do so outright.” Among the crowd were about a dozen horsemen, who pelted Palmer so unmercifully that he was compelled to use stones in self-defence. A correspondent of the Mail says that the ringleaders are known, and will possibly hear more about the matter.