THE DUTHIE FIASCO AT STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 39

THE DUTHIE FIASCO AT STRATFORD.

Mr Duthio delivered an address in the Town Hall last week, and though there was lovely weather, there was but a small attendance, tho hall not being nearly full. Mr Monkhouso, County Council chairman, presided. Mr Duthie’s speech was of tho usual typo, and he spoke at length regardingtho Bank of New Zealand and referring to the C list, broadly hinted that a prominent member of tho Government was implicated. He condemned Mr Seddon vigorously for his action regarding a foreign mining syndicate. Mr Duthio said tho Government punished the Stratford district for returning a member of the wrong colour, and would not givo tho post oflice and Courthouse, so long promised. Tho speech fell very flat, and its reception was very different from tho reception of Mr 'Ward’s speech. MrGurrio, local agent for the National Insurance Company, proposed a vote of thanks and no confidence in the Government. Mr Portor, a country settler, proposed an amendment for a vote of thanks and of confidence in tho Government. Tho amendment was carried by a majority, the meeting concluding with hearty cheers for Mr Seddon. There was frequent interruption of the speech, as tho majority of tho audience were not in sympathy with Mr Duthio. His statement regarding the Post Office and Courthouse caused derisive laughter, as both have been built and occupied for months past. Mr Walter Symes, of Toko, is announced as a Liberal candidate for tho general election, writes our Stratford correspondent. The Dunstan Times reports that Mr R. A. Pyke, of Milton, is a probable candidate for the Bruce seat at tho coming election. It is stated that Mr H. S. Fish, of Duned.n, leaves for the Home Country by tho Ruabine, but that he will be back in ample time to take part in the general election. Mr Duthio, M.H.R., addressed a large meeting at Hawera last week on political matters, and received a unanimous voto of thanks.

At a meeting of tho Rangitikei Political Association held last week, Mr R. _ C. Bruce was selected to contest the Rangitikei seat at tho next election. Tho Minister of Lands left by Tuesday morning’s train for New Plymouth en route _ to Auckland, whero he will deliver a political address this evening. Noticing Sir Robert Stout’s statement the absurdity of which the TiMeS has exposed—that none of tho district railways is so unprofitable as tho Hokitika-Groymoutii line, tho Inangahua Times pertinently remarks : —“lf this is a criterion of this gentleman’s knowledge of the country’s affairs it is little wonder his political following is so microscopical.” Mr W. B. Scandrott has announced his candidature for tho Invercargill seat ill opposition to Mr J. W. Kelly, tho sitting member. Mr E. Eugster, who contests tho Auckland city seat, comes out as an Independent candidate. He supports tho Referendum, elective Ministry, railway reform, Scripturo reading in schools, introduction of tho Gothenburg system for publichousos, State fire insurance, reduction of honorarium to =2150, retrenchment and cessation of borrowing. Mr E. Richardson, jnn., of Albury, is mentioned as a candidate for tho Pareora seat. Mr J. Joyce, M.11.R. for Lyttelton, has addressed meetings of his constituents in various parts of tho district during tho last few days, receiving votes of thanks and confidence. Air Hogg, M.H.R., addressed a large meeting at Ekotahuna last week, the chair being occupied by Mr Anderson, J.P. The speech was the same as that delivered at Masterton. A vote of tharks and confidence was accorded the member, but a vote of confidence in tho Government was declared to be rejected. MR HOGG’S MEETING. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Through an orror on ihe part of the mover of tho vote of thanks and confidence passed at Air Hogg’s meeting at Ekotalniua on Tuesday week, the Opposition papers in tho district and elsewhere may possibly stumble upon a mare’s nest. The mover, who intended to propose a vote of thanks and confidence, both in Mr Ilogg and the Government, moved a voto of thanks (only) to Mr Hogg and confidence in tho Government. Of course, the audience, which was enthusiastically in favour of their representative, was not satisfied with this, and wished to show also their confidence, but a prominent supportor of the National Ass. at oueo jumped into the broach, aild by a side wind tried to take advantage of tho slip and proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Air Hogg, but not the Government. The audience saw tho trap set for them, and voted both for tho amendment and tho proposition. Of course, tho amendment giving Air Ilogg their confidence was put first, and tho chairman said the show of haudsappeared so equal that ho put tho amendment tho second time, when he declared it carried, not admitting a second amendment to bo put which was moved by another elector, and which would have extricated the matter from tho unintentional _ muddle caused by tho mistake in the first instance At any rate, if any Tory journalist can construe this into a slight upon the Government, lot him invito ono of tho Ministers hero, and he will find that we will givo tho most emphatic voto of confidence in the Government over yet rendered.-—I am, Ac., Elector.