THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 37

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

An Auckland telegram states that Mr W. Morgan, an Independent Liberal candidate for Parnell, addressed the electors on the 26th. His t-peech was. a hosHe criticism of the Government. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

A Christchurch telegram states that Mr H. F. Toogooet, the New Liberal candidate for Ohristcliuroli East, addressed a largelyattended meeting of electors on the 26th. He said he would endeavour to do his best to secure clean legislation. He favoured the leasehold system, and objected to the conversion of leaseholds into freeholds. Taxation should not be levied on necessaries which could not be produced in the colony, but proper protection was necessary to promote the growth of home industries. He supported a Fair Rent Bill, preference to uhioni^s, reform of the Legislative Council, the adoption of an elective Executive, and the initiative and referendum. He was accorded a, vote of thanks. Our Wellington correspondent wires that Mr H. D. Bell has decided not to be a candidate for Parliament at the coming election, and therefore it is likely that Mr •John Buth'ie will contest the Wellington. North seat. A Waimate telegram states that there are now five candidates announced for the Waitaki seat— namely, Messrs G. Dash (Independent), A. Walker (Government supporter, who addressed, the electors there last evening, and obtained a vote of thanks and confidence), W. S. Maslin and J. B. Nichol (Oppositionists), and the sitting member, Sir William Steward. Mr G. W. Russell, a candidate for Riccarton, adlressed the electors on the 27th. He favours giving Crown tenants tho freehold on equitable terms, but not at the original valuation. He said the New Liberal party looked like an attempt on the part of the no-license people to capture New Zealand politics. Mr B. C, Robbins, a candidate for the Hawera seat, addressed a meetings at Hawera on Tuesday, 26th. He announced that he was standing in the Opposition interests. -

The Political Reform Association has selected Mr John Duthie and Mr J. G. W. Aitken as its candidates for Wellington North and Wellington East seats respectively. Both have agreed to be nominated. The association is approaching Dr A. K. Newman to stand for the Hutt, Mr A. R. Atkinson for Wellington Central, and the Hon. T. W. _Hislop for Newtown. Mr J. C. Cooper, independent Liberal, addressed a meeting at Masterton on the 27th.' He the freehold tenure with limitation of area, reform of the public > service, ' and ■ reform of the Legislative Council.

A New Plymouth telegram states that the Egmorit' electoral roll to date has over 2000' more names on it than the purged . roll of 1903. The number' will be materially increased before the roll clo-es. C. Leech, who is again opposing W. T. Jennings, is getting ready for the campaign. Mr H. C. Campbell, ' another candidate, has addressed electors; Mr F. Thomson, a commercial traveller, is the Prohibition nominee for the seat. The candidates' for Taranaki seat arc going strong in making addresses. Mr James Elwin, a probaole candidate, will address the electors on Thursday night. It is reckoned that the candidates who will go to the poll are : Messrs E. M. Smith, G. Tisch. C. E. Bellringer, C. T. Mills, and H. A. Key. Mr Thomas Mac Gibbon, a candidate for Mataura, opened the electoral campaign at Fortrose on Tuesday evening, 26th. He declare! himself in opposition to the Government as at present constituted, and thought it had been in office too long. He favoured paying the Leader of the Opposition a salary. He supported moderate "borrowing, but was opposed to Government extravagance. He thought Crown tenants should have the option of th« freehold, and that ' raw material should be admitted free to assist local manufacturers against outside trusts. A vote ot. thanks and confidence was carried without opposition.

Mr S. R. Webb has decided to conte^u the Lyttelton seat at the forthcoming general election. Owing to pressure of special business and the probability of his being away from the colony during the session of 1906, Mr G. J. Smith has decided not to contest the Christohurch East seat. '

A Blenheim telegram states that the main electoral roll for the district of W|airu is now eomplefS. It contains 5677 names, an advance of 698 on 1 the total of the roll used at the last election. Th© increase is attributed partly to more active canvassing and partly to the increase of population. Mr A. R. Barclay's main city committee will hold a meeting" 4n the committee rooms, Great King street, this evening. A Thames telegram states that Mr Hugh Poland.- (chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council), who is contesting the Ohinemuri seat against Mr Moss (the present member), has commenced his campaign by addressing meetings in the back districts. He mat with, a good reception, and was accorded votes of thanks and confidence. Mr Poland 1 , who is a strong supporter of the present Government, has been accepted as the Government candidate-. The candidature of Mr William Pryor for Chalmers is announced in the Daily Times. Mr Pryor, who is a member of the North-East Valley Borough Council, a member of the North-East Valley School Committee, and secretary of the School Association, has _ been approached by electors in all portions of the constituency, and the promises of support he has received haA^e been so encouraging as to cause him to enter upon the contest with considerable hope of success. A Hokitika telegram stales that the Westland branch of the New Zealand Alliance has resolved to adhere to its previous decision not to nominate a candidate against tho Premier for the Weslland seat.

Our Gore correspondent wires: — A conference was held in Gore on Saturday by delegates representing Messrs Murdoch and Gilfedcler, the two Liberal candidates' for Wakatipu, with the object of trying to arrange for the retirement of one or other to avoid splitting the Liberal vote. Mr A. M'Lauchlan (Omata) and Mr Wilson Hall (Riversdale) represented Mr Murdoch, and Mr J. Patterson (Riversdale) and Mr Edgar (Queenstown) Mr Gilfedder. A meeting of Riversdale Government supporters had gassed a resolution suggesting the conference, and in case of disagreement that tho matter be. referred lo the Premier as arbiter, Mr Murdoch to reconsider his position if Mr Giifedder was selected. Mr Murdoch's delegates objected to the resolu-

tion, as at tho time it was originally passed ono of Mr Gilfeddcr's delegates had tho Premier's approval in his pocket. Both candidates refused to budge, Mr Murdoch's proposal to ask any prominent Gore Liberal to act being objected to by Mr Gilfeddcr. The conference proved abortive, and both candidates intend going to the poll. Mr R. B. Williams, Mayor of Onslow' has been requested to become a. candidate at the forthcoming general election for the Hutt seat.

Writing to a resident of Ashburton, Mr J. M'Lachlan assures him that he has no intention of listening to any request for his retirement from the contest for the Ashburton seat. Ho will, ho says, fight to a finish, and to win. OHRISTCHUR.CH, September 28. Mr G. W. Russell, in his initial address last night, gave the following apt description of Mr Seddon: — "If I were permitted to give what I might call a pen picture of Mr Seddon, I must say: A master mind, shrewd, astute, capable; a good friend, a hard and unscrupulous foe ; possessed of enormous energy, great will power, and tremendous grasp of detail ; a perfect master of political strategy, and especially at playing his opponents off against each other ; built on strong lines and lacking in those finer qualities which are associated with a good old English word — gentleman ; but a born fighter, and one who knows especially how to beat a retreat when it suits him, and the best hand at counting noses there ever was in New Zealand." THE OPPOSITION" CAMPAIGN. (Fhom Otjr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 2. The Opposition has already candidates in the field for 66 out of the 76 European constituencies, and it is anticipated that the number Tvill be increased before the election campaign commences. Of the candidates so far announced in the Opposition interest no fewer than 30 are New -Zealanders by birth. It is stated that the Ministerial candidates for one of the southern seats addressed a meeting of workmen on. the North Island Main Trunk line yesterday (Sunday). MR J. A. MACPHERSON AT HYDE. (Br Oue Special Repoeteh.) HYDE, September 28. Mr J. A. Macpherson, a candidate for the Mount Ida seat at the forthcoming election, gave a political address at Hyde cais evening. Mr P- Kinney presided, and about 40 persons were present. The Chairman expressed disappointment that thei weather had rather interfered with tha meeting. They might take it as a compliment that Mr Macpherson had opened Ills campaign in Hyde. The previous evening a very strong committee had been formed to advance Mr Macpherson'G interests as a candidate. Mr Macpherson had no need to offer an apology for comingforward. "He >wa-s not the Government nominee, but had been ohosen as the result of a ballot of the electors. He was a man of independent means, and he felt sure they would agree that his choice as a candidate woa a. judicious one*. Mr Macpherson said that in his addressthat night he would endeavour to give his hearers as clear aaid concise an indication of his political' principles as the time' et his disposal would permit .... They had all heard and read almost to surfeit of the appalling corruption and extravagance of the. Seddon Government, but fortunately for the country there had been* no hard facts given or specific charges established, and they were still more fortunate in that only a small minority of a pessimistic turn of mind believed that such a stale of affairs existedHe would try to indicate briefly the present financial and prosperous condition of the ookrnv. The net debt of the colony on March 31 last was £57,405.632, and the cross debt £59,912,000. ' The amount bon-owod by the Seddon Government in 14 years was £21,081,650, an average of £1.-505,832 per year. Out of the sum borrowed there was for direct, interest-producing purposes £16,002,537, and for non-interest producing £4-,651,603. This made the yearly average spent for Interestvcroducing purposes £1,143,031. The speaker quoted tables showing the purposes for which the money was raised and spent, and weafc on to say that, as an indication of the colony's prosperity during- the past 10 years, he could tell them thai the land tinder cultivation had increased by 3,740,000 acres. Wool had increased in value 'by £524.000, the export of butter by £1,258,000, the export of cheese by £100,000, the export of preserved meals by £71,594, the export of frozen meat by £1,705,982, and the export of hemp by 328,9421b avoirdupois. .'Poatal money orders had increased by £700,000,'. railway receipts by £1,059,000, .mileage! oi' railways opened by 381 miles, ..shipping inwards and outwards by 1,30QJ300..t0ng, deposits in banks and savings banks by £9,900,000, and life insurances by £2,100,000. There was no indication of capital being driven out of the colony, and the imports of the last two years showed the ability of the people to go in for luxuries. To Mr T. A. Coglilan, Agent-general for New South Wales, they were indebted for fieures showing that the British capital invested on private account in New Zealand in 1891 was 20£ millions sterling, which investments had now fallen to 9£ millions, a reduction of 11 millions in 14 years. A further proof of the colony's prosperity lay in the fact that in 1891 the value of property was £150,000,000, tho valuation of property at the present time being £222,000,000, or an increase of 50 per cent. in 14 years. As to their position on the London money market, Now Zealand topped the list of colonial slocks, as was seen from a I able showing the quotations for New Zealand and other colonial stocks on July 15 last. The last quotation for the 4 per eeni. stock was over £110. Further evidence of tho Seddon Government's economic and progressive administration was found in reduced Customs taxation, remission on railway charges, decreased interest charges, provision for tho comfort of tho deserving aged, keeping expenditure within the limits of money at command, and the showing of a large credit balance on each year's work. The immense savina- fo tho people of the colony through a reduction in the rate of interest now being charged by banks and other lending institutions must not be overlooked, and this, through the foresight and courage of the Government, had been the means of putting into the pockets of those who had to borrow, instead of into the coffers of the wealthy. a sum of over eight million pounds. He thought he had sufficiently proved shortly the stability and prosperous

condition of the colony and people. The land question, Mr Macpherson said, might be considered the most important of the day. It required far-reaching investigation and patient consideration, and it behoved the people of the colony to give it their careful attention in a broad and progressive spirit, looking to the future as well as to the present. There was no doubt in the minds of the people respecting the absolute necessity for a vigorous extension of Sir John M'Kenzie's land policy. No measure over produced in the history of their legislation had done so much for the progress, contentment, and satisfaction of the people of the colony as the land policy of the Liberal Government. The great question for the moment was leasehold versus freehold. He had not heard any sound arguments why Sir John M'Kenzie's policy shoiild be materially altered at the present time. The present positron reminded him of the individual who, being very well of?, developed a craving for a change, and generally found the change much worse than his former state. Why change the policy that had done so much for the universal prosperity of the colony? The Crown tenants were not asking for it. It was tho Opposition and .the Opposition press that - were clamouring to force the freehold _ upon the tenant. The Land Commission showed that 985 witnesses were examined, of ■whom 557 were Crown tenants, and or these lpi were well satisfied, and only 320 were in favour of another form of tenure. • - Out of 17 662 Cfcfwn" tenants, only 3£ per cent, came' forward to give evidence/ and- less than 2 per cent." of these were dissatisfied. The very silence of the remaining 9 S percent, signifies their satisfaction with existing conditions, and they were entitled to consideration. That "portion of the Land Commission best acquainted ™ h ™| Crown tenants and their the present" leasehold policy of land .settlement Surely the intention and spirit o£ were given, what chance he asked, would men and women have who. were endowed with all the- best qualification needed to make -ood settlers but did not possess much Spitafi Sir John M'Kenzie never intended that the freehold should be.given to tenants on land purchased by the Government under the Land for Settlements Act. To com ; pensate, for this K he gave the 999 yeais Fewe* a^d if he were here to-day very little would be heard of this w-.11-of-tWwisp a-itation. As far as the question of leasehold versus freehold was concerned, the Land Commission was a waste of money and lime. Every Britisher believed in the freehold if he had the money. The real question, however, was wliafc was best for the colony at the present time, the freehold or the leasehold? „ It was all yery well .for the present tenants/ They were not worrying over the question, for .they knew; they had a <*ood thing, and meant, to stick to it-. But what about the. present seekers of land who wanted to make homes for themselves? Were they not to get -an equal chance ot going on the land on the same terinj as the present Crown tenants? Why/, should the present and future generations be, penalised to suit the whim of "a few selfish ones? __ He for one would do his level best, whether out or in the House, to see that the people not an equal chance now to obtain land as they had in the past, and that such agree- , ments as might be entered into between the State and the tenant should be fully maintained. He was in favour oi. giving the right to the Crown tenants, to pay off the capital value to a nominal, sum, and ot the starting of a more vigorous policy of land settlement on second class and grazing lands. Some attention should now be given to Central Olago, and more land must be opened up at an early date. Would-be settlers should not be compelled to leave their own district or neighbourhood. The method of offering sections should be amended, and he was opposed to grouping sections. Applicants should have the right of choosing tho section that best suited their inclination, experience, and means. Local applicants should have the preference at the ballot, as they made the best settlers, being equipped with local experience, an important essential to the profitable working of " the laud; and it was their duty to return to Parliament those who would support the settling of the land of the colony on terms that would give all an opportunity of making homes for themselves, and they should return men who would support Liberal and ' progressive legislation. LV regard to educa- i tion, the speaker said he was opposed to ] centralisation in 'Wellington. He favoured i increasing teachers' salaries and giving j young men more encouragement to join the ■ service. Tho adoption of a teachers' superannuation scheme he considered very necessary. He credited the Government with sincerity in dealing with the education question, and considered^ihe accusation of illiberality in educational matters made against the Government was very unfair, as was evidenced in the increased votes. The Government had been making a genuine effort in this matter. Referring to the Defence Department, he said there was a necessity for a more generous eontribu- j tion by the colony to the Mother Country i for the naval defence of the colony and Empire. He was opposed to permanent garrisons at the four centres, and believed there would be an advantage in abolishing such and in devoting the- money so saved ( towards the encouragement of Volunteers, Cadet corps, and rifle clubs. It seemed a waste of money trying to defend the four centres while all the rest of tlie colony was left unprotected. — (Applause.) In regard to forestry, Mr Macpherson expressed higb approval of tho establishment of State nurseries. These, he said, had cost some £72.000, but were now a most valuable asset, competently estimated as now worth £100,000. It was highly desirable that tree - planting should be encouras-ed, and it was gratifying to see that the Minister of Lands had promised to supply trees free to settlers. The speaker paid a high compliment to the management of tho "Bwpburn Nursery, and its benefit to tho whole district Speaking of railways. Mr Maepherson empha?ised Ihe dosh ability that lines now under construction should bo completed, and that rolling =took should he built in_ th« colony. H© referred to thp Opposition's criticism of railway expenditure as unfair, and said bo would like 1o c cc a reduction of freight on wool, second cla=s timber, and fencing posts. Thousands and thousands of feet of timber wore going- to waste in Southland that they would bci only too glad to make use of in the Otago Central and other districts, hut the freight was prohibitive. Coming to the proposed Civil Service Board, he said he

thought the adoption of the scheme would bo one of the biggest mistakes the colony ever made. Its adoption would be detrimental to the colony, and to the civil ser« vants. The responsibility for appointm&nts should rest with the Minister concerned. A Civil Service Board, instead of preventing corruption, would b& the very thing that would lead to corruption. Responsibility would rest with the commissioners appointed, who would be, however, to an extent under the power of tlie Ministry owing to tho nature of their appointments, and hence ■would be disposed to take the direction ot th© Ministry. The speaker Quoted from Australia's experience in these matters to justify his contentions, and said that while there was nothing to be said in favour of a Civil Service Board, there was everything- to be said against it.— (Applause.)— Speaking of mining in the colony, Ms Macpherson said that New Zealand, compared with some of the Australian colonies, had no± done its duty by the mining industry, which was th© second most im^ portant industry in the colony. He waa surprised that the Premier, an experienced! miner, had not given the industry more; encouragement. The conservation o*f miners' rights and privileges was most important, as was also the proper conservation o£ water for mining purposes. Finally, as to liis claims to support as the representative of the Mount Ida, electors, tlie speaker said he thought the electors would agrea that they should if possible be represented by a resident of the electorate and one who had a. stake in the district, and had a practical knowledge of the needs and re- 1 quireiments of the electors. — (Applause )) — • He claimed to possess such practical knowledge, having had a thorough practical experience in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, a good commercial and engineering training at Home and in the colony, and had a practical knowledge of railway, post, and tel-egrapV" work. He had taken a k«ettf irterest in all matters in which he coul'l piomote the advancement of the district and its peopb, and his private and public character was sufficiently well known io bear the closest inspection. - On principle he had avoided personalities, - and he trusted Mr Herdman act up to his publio statements at, Naseby and Duntroon, though he unfortunately- did not , do so m his Christchurch speech., He had to' thank them for their attentive hearing, and cou:d . assure them it was hjs sincere • desire io promote the solid, lasting; and pi-oares*--* advancement of the oolony and its vr(Applause.) . , ■ Mr Macpherson was accorded an excellent hearing, his remarks on. the. land question being received with applause. He replied to a number of questions, and at the oloeo . of his address was,, on the motion of Mr A. C. Gray, seconded by Mr Dowhng, accorded a hearty vote of thanks anci confidence. ,