MR T.W. HISLOP AT OAMARU.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7930, 22 July 1887, Page 2

MR T.W. HISLOP AT OAMARU.

(Fhom Our Own Correspondent.;

Oamaku, July 21. Mr T. W. Hislop, the member for Oamaru in the lost Parliament and a candidate for re-elec-tiou, addressed a meeting of electors in the I'ublic Hall to-night. There were fully 1200 persons present, and though a few persons showed a disposition to indulge in frolicsomeness, Mr Hislop was accorded a very careful and patient hearing. His address was mainly devoted to a consideration of the finances of the colony and the necessity for prudence and economy. He referred to fair Julius Vogel's statements that the colony was now in a belter position than in 1809, and that the customs duties were not now so high as in that year. Ho argued that the growth of the colony had not been any greater in consequence of the public works policy than it would have been in the natural course of event.*, and showed that though no increase per head in the taxation through the customs had resulted from the borrowing policy, taxation had been increased through the property tax and the stamp and probate duties. Mr Hislop announced that he would address another meeting next week, when he would deal with the questions of Freetrade and Protection, the village settlements, and the Land Acquisition Bill. His speech to-night. was generally a condemnation of the present Ministry, who, he said, had not justified their existence by effecting that reform of the past finances which had called them into existence. At the close of the meeting a number of questions were asked, the Rev. Dr Macgregor raising once more the matter of the Waitaki High School, and getting little but laughter for his pains. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr Hislop, whose re-election is looked upon aB a certainty. There is some talk of Lord Reidhaveti again coming forward, but nothing definite is known in the matter. Mr Frith, who is announced, has not the ghost of a show, and his candidature is looked upon as a joke.