THE TAIERI SEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 27

THE TAIERI SEAT.

MR T. MACKENZIE'S) CANDIDATURE. A meeting of those favourable to the return of Mr T. Mackenzie, M.P., to represent the Taieri electorate, was held in St. Mark's Hall, Green Island, on the 21st., when Mr A. Kan© iex-Mayor of Green Island) presided over a very fair meeting. Mr Mackenzie was received with apapplause and itt the course of his address referred to a number of topice of general interest, dealing at some length with the question of defence. They must admit that it was a ?ery poor country that could not defend its women and children. — (Applause..) And Australia and New Zealand could not do thai at present. Increased population did not mean reduced washes; and, further, he believed that t-axation should be so levied that it fell upon the- shoulders of those best fitted to bear it.— ("Hear, hear.") There be no tax levied upon the amount which was necessary to support a man and his' family in comfort. — (" Hear, hear.") He further believed in the sub-division of large estates, and thought that certain lands should, be set apart as endowments for certain purposes. He was much against the retention of large estates, for if they wanted to see great prosperity and industry they must go to where the land was in the hands of the people. The candidate concluded by saying that if there were any matters they would like to hear his views upon he would be pleased to give them, in order that thsy might determine whether they wanted him to stand for the seat or not. If they did he would stand— ("Hear, hear,") — but if a really good man of the district, with- whose qualifications he was satisfied, came along, he would be content to relinquish his candidature. As they knew, there was a movement afoot for him to stand for a seat in the North Island but he did not want to do so. He belonged to the South Island, and would take a seat in the South Island if he could get, it. — (Applause.) At the' conclusion of Mr Mackenzie's, address a number of questions were asked and answered satisfactorily, and on the motion of Mr E. Gough, seconded by Mr M. Bobbie, a vote of" confidence in the candidate as member for the district was accorded by acclamation, aid he was assured of the whole-hearted support of all present in the event of his deciding to congest the seat. Mr Mackenzie stated that for the prvesent he would finish his canvass of the district on the following, night, after which he would announce whether it was his intention to contest the seat or not. The meeting concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair.