JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 39

JOTTINGS.

It is tho Waikouaiti scat which Mr J. J. llamsiiy intends to contest against allcomers, and not Waihemo. What Captain Russell did not tell tho Auckland meeting was that he dare not avow hostility to the Ministerial taxation system and labour legislation, because he knew that these things were popular throughout the Colony, and that a straightforward avowal of his intentions would render it utterly impossible for him to ever get into office. —Oamaru Mail. Mr Lawry, M.H.R., addressed bis constituents at Newmarket. His speech was mainly directed to tho defence of the Government, and a reply to Captain Russell's address at tho City Hall. lie was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. A telegram has been received by an Auckland member from the Hon Mr iScddon stating:— 11 The Hon Air McKenzie is going to Auckland shortly, and intends to speak there. 1 will be up before the session, and if it is the wish of our friends that 1 should deliver an address I shall have much pleasure in doing so.” The Hon J. Carroll returned to Wellington on Thursday night. Mr J. G. Wilson addressed a meeting of his constituents at Sandon on Wodnosday week, reports the Eangitikei Advocate. A vote of thanks was given him for the address and of confidence in him in tho future if ho consents to stand. Air T. O’Brien, member of the Duller County Council, informs the Westport Times that ho will he a candidate for Buller at tho general election. Mr John Duthic, M.11.R. (writes our Wanganui correspondent), paid us a flying visit last week. Report says tho object of it was to persuade Mr David Feat to stand for Wanganui in the Conservative interests at the approaching general election. How far Mr Duthic succeeded in his mission has not transpired, but it must have struck both parties as a strange outcome of tho “ whirligig of time ” to seo the erstwhilo Radical Duthie beseeching his old Tory adversary Peat to come forward and do battle for the

land monopolists and big capitalists. It is very unlikely, however, that Mr Peat will como forward even at Mr Duthie’s solicitation, as he has no liking for political turmoil, and a strong prelereneo for his own affairs, which absorb most of his attention. Then there is a still stronger objection Horn his standpoint, viz., that it is more than (3 to J he would bo defeated if ho did go to the poll.

The Hon W. llall-Jones addressed a meeting at the Oamaru Theatre Royal on labour and politics. The attendance was small. Tho speaker dealt with the labour legislation passed by the Government and also with what they intended to introduce, and thereafter dealt with general political questions. At the conclusion of the speech, votes of thanks to the speaker and confidence in the Government woro carried. Mr John Duthic is to address his constituents at the Opera House on Tuesday, sth May. An Opposition boom is on at Gisborne. Captain Russell addressed a crowded meeting on Friday, his speech being mainly a repetition of previous ones, but some disproved assertions made at Auckland and Napier were omitted. He said that capital had not been driven from the Colony, but was locked up from use. Tho Liberals refrained from questioning, and tho meeting fell flat, and is expected to do Mr Carroll more good than harm. Dr Newman did not speak.

It is believed that Air Alonteath will contest tho seat against Air Carroll. Tho Premier has received a requisition from the chief Tamahau ami other Wairarapa chiefs and Natives to meet them at the Puhanga pah and deliver an address on Native matters. The Premier consented to accede to Iho request, and was to address the Natives at the pah yesterday (Wednesday). Before returning from Alfredton the Alinister of Justice took advantage of the opportunity to pay a visit to the district, ami was pleased and surprised to seo the strides that settlement is making there. Ho returned to town by Saturday night’s train.

Tho Minister of Public Works returned from tho South by the Penguin on Sunday. The National Ass. does not seem to catch on in Wanganui, our correspondent writes. Tho people about this district do not want to he spoon-fed with Tory political pap, and are quite capable of forming their own opinions without the aid of this wet nurse, whose chief efforts are in tho direction of misrepresenting the Government and hurling false charges from behind a hedge against Ministers. Air Muslin, member for Rangitata, spoke at Geraldine last week. Ho defended tho policy of the Government, but bis speech was largely in criticism of the Premier’s manner of conducting the business of tho House, and lie demanded a large measure of Parliamentary reform in this respect. He complained that the Assets Realisation Board was not energetic, and said that the large estates in South Canterbury ought to havo been put in the market before now. But while criticising the Government as a candid friend, he declared it infinitely preferable to its opponents. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed. Mr George AloLeod, tho well-known farmer, and ex-chairman of the Southland Education Board, contests tho Wallace seat at the next election.