THE ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9143, 14 November 1890, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

mr DtrraiE at alhambra hall. I Mr John Dutble addressed a crowded 1 meeting ;of the electors of Newtown in tho Alhambra Hall last night, the chair being taken by Mr Beck. Mr Duthie, who was received with applause, prefaced his remarks by saying that a abort time ago he at* tempted to address a Wellington audience, but received such a hearty reception that ho could not be beard, and ha had therefore published an address giving forth his views upon the principal political tootca of the day. Commencing with the question of land settlement Mr Duthlo blamed to some extent the present Government for the- manner in which they had governed the Crown lands of the Colony. He thought if a little more activity had been shown a number of those people who had left oar shores would have been induced to remain. He deprecated the idea of the Government seeking fancy prices for the land, bat thought they should dispose of them as reasonable as possible, say £1 per acre all round. (Cheers.) As to the Native lands, he referred to the difficulty that existed in getting the titles. Qe urged that it was time that a systematic survey of all lands should be made for which no title had been issued, and that all costs incurred in ascertaining tho title be a first charge on the lands. He thought the Natives would readily sell if placed In a position to do so. He believed iu village settlements, and would like to see the lands settled by New Zealanders instead of by persons from outside the Colony. Mr Dutbie then expressed bis views on taxation, which have already appeared in the New Zealand Times. He did not see how the property tax could be done away with. He knew it was an unpopular view to, hold, but slill ho maintained It was infinitely preferable to an income tax. (Oh ! Ob! aud choers.) la referring to a land tax ha lemicded them that laud contributed at preset fc, in addition to property tax, about £500,000 yearly in rates for construction and maintenance of roads and other public works. At the present time he did not think there was any necessity f-->r iho extension of railways, and strongly deprecated the Otago Central and the Kaibu Valley liaee. Mr Duthie next commented upon the deplorable waste of time which took place during the sitting of Parliament, rati thought the status of the HoU‘6 was cl 'generating. [A Voice: Ifc will be worse next session.] He thought the present ' bankruptcy law was in a very um.atu factory condition. He did not think bankruptcy was necessary at all, and the whole thing should be abolished. People, as the law now stood, were induced to get into debt too freely, and he siid the ruin of many people might be traced through the opportunity given them to gtt into debt. As to the formation of the Te Aro railway, he assured the meeting that the increase of the coal trade was bound to insure its progress, and maintained that its non-comple-tion was due to jeolousy. Iu conclusion Mr Dnthie said what he wished to advocate was an endeavour to restore the credit and repute of the Colony abroad, and to hasten the opening up and settlement of Crown and Native lands. He thought the colonial finances demanded the utmost economy in all departments, bat that with, proper ad* ministration there was no fear for alarm. Mr Dutbie resumed his seat amidst loud and prolonged cheering, Mr Duthie then answered the following questions:— _ __. _ Seeing that the Union Steam Ship pany have no further need for the seamen who went out on strike, would you induce the Government to afford facilities to those men to emigrate ?—Mr Duthie thought tbo-e was no necessity for alarm, astbemeawou.d got billets again. . Are you in favour of tho Legislative

Council being elected by the Home of Uopreseotfvtivee every seven years insWd of nominated 7—No. He - would not favour them being elected, and considered tint as *t present constituted tbe Council performed its dnty very satisfactorily. . . . la it true that on your storemen joining the Union you reduced their wages from £2 8s a week to the minimum required by the Union, namely £2 2a a week?-—No. Ho never reduced any of bis men s wages. (Loud applause.) , . Why did ytfu cut down the wages of tho Corporation and Harbour Board labourers while in office?—While he was Mayor no reduction was made in tho wages. When ho was elected Mayor tho wages were 7s, and When he retired the wages wore 7b per day. (Loud applause.) Are you that according to official statements there are records and other destructible property to the value of two millions in tbe Government Buildings uninsured ; and if elected would you endeavour to alter such a state of thiogs ? Ho certainly thought better security should be provided for the safety of so much valuable property, ank would endeavour to provide for it if elected*

In answering further questions Mr Dutbie said it was not true that Mr Bell and himself were running on a dual ticket. It was also not true that Mr Beil was a member o! tbe firm of Dutbie and Co. He was not in favour of an export duty on frozen meat. He did not persuade tho employers of labour to keep open their places of business on Demonstration Day. He did n< t see any reason why tho Union Steam Ship Company, and, in fact, all shipping companies, should not contribute to tho revenue by affixing stamps to their tickets. Ho did not care one way or the other whether Sir George Grey’s Law Practitioners Bill was passed or not. Ho would not approve of tho Justices of the Peace being elected. An elector present moved that a vole of thanks bo accorded to Mr Duthio for bis address. Mr J. Henderson mov« d as on amendment, and Mr Jones seconded, that a vote of thanks and confidence bo given Mr Dutbie* and toot this meeting does its best to insure his election. On the amendment being pub it was carried almost unanimously amidst loud frpplauac. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated tho meeting, which wAa a most enthusiastic one; Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald invites the electors to meet him this evening at tho Princess Theatre; Tory street, at 8 o’clock. Mr Macdonald’s Te Aro Committie meet this evening, at tho committee room, Immediately after the public meeting. Mr H, D. Bell will address the electors in tho schoolroom; Donald. MoXiean street, Newtown, this evening, at 8 o’clock. Dr Newman addresses the electors in tho schoolroom, Tawa Plat, this evening, at 8 o’clock. Mr Dutbie addresses tbe electors at tbe Temperance Hall, Kaiwhara, this evening at 8 o’clock* Mr London addresses the oleotors at tbe Oddfellows’ Hall, Upper Hutt, to morrow at 8 p.m., and at Mr Hoard’s Hal), Taits, on Monday at 8 p.m. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Invercargill, November 13. Mr C. W. Tanner, who contested Invercargill at the last election, and has since been practising as a lawyer in Welling too, announces hia candidature as a true Liberal, making the fourth candidate. Blenheim, November 13. Mr S. J. Maaalister was nominated for the Wairan seat to day. Dunedin, November 13. On dit that Mr J. A. Millar, Secretary of tbe Maritime Council, contests Port Chalmers. Hawera, November 13. Mr McGuire, one of the candidates for Egmont, addressed a large meeting of electors last night. He condemned tbe Government ou account of the Edwards appointment, the Ward-Hislop affair, the New Plymouth Harbour advance, the Hutchison charges, and land administration. He advocated a progressive land taxation, exemption of improvements from taxation, the Private Schools Bill, and further retrenchment. He declared himself opposed to a return to quinquennial Parliaments, and in respect of local matters urged that the Colony should take over tho New Ply. mouth harbour, or compensate tho district for the reserves given to Natives. A vote of thanks was accorded. Christchurch, November 13. Mr W. T. Popple, of Sheffield, is out as a candidate for Selwyn. He dso'ares against the present Government. Mr R. H. Rhodes has consented to stand for Heathoote.