THE ELECTIONS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 87, 28 November 1890, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

Mr. Hursthouse at Deep Creek.

Mr Hursthouse addressed a meeting of the electors at Deep Creek on Monday. Mr Robert Henry being voted to the cbair, made a few remarks in reference to the candidate’s abilities as a speaker, and as his addresses were mingled with humour he had no doubt but a fair and impartial hearing would be accorded him. £ Mr Hursthouse then gave his views-, on the political questions of the day,, which were the same as those expressed at the other centres of population. and concluded by stating that it had been asserted that lie said in Parliament that the country would be more prosperous when the wages were down to four shillings a day. The speaker declared he never said anything of the sort. At Motueka a man said yon are in favour of four bob at day.

John Brean here stated that he heard Mr Hursthouse say so himself. A considerable discussion followed, Mr Brean still asserting that he heard him, and that it was of no interest to him to say so if it were not true. To which Mr Hursthouse said he must have been mistaken, but if he did say so it must have been in a jocular way, as I said, no Government would suit an Irishman.

Mr Brean: You said it in a slurring way.

Mr Hursthouse said it was hurtful for him to hear such things said to him, but he admitted advocating, the unemployed should be taken on a at lower rate of wages. All men should not receive the same rate, as some were a great deal better workmen than others. He had had twelve years experience as a politician, and thought that a sufficient guarantee to merit their confidence. Mr Johnson asked: Would he be in favour of the abolition of the gold duty, and taxing claims ? To which Mr Hursthouse replied: As the tax is on land so it should be recovered on the claims, he felt the duty on gold to be the fairest way of taxation, and on that ground would not vote for the abolition of the gold duty. Mr Johnson wished Mr Hursthouse’s opinion about absentee taxation, to which he replied he should not favour putting a tax on absentees, it would be trifling too much with the liberty of the subject. Mr Richard Mills asked : Would the candidate be in favour of an assay office ? Mr Hursthouse replied that he would. He was not in favour of establishing a mint, nor a State bank. He thought the competition between the existing banks was a sufficient guarantee that gold would receive its fair value. Mr R. Mills asked: Was he in favour of distilleries ? which received the ivply that he was not, unless the same duty was received as on the imported article. The same gentleman wished to know if the candidate would favour the Atkinson Government, receiving the reply that he would not be pledged, but preferred the Atkinson administration, as under {Sir Harry’s management the treasury increased immensely. Mr McGlashan proposed a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Hursthouse as a fit person to represent them in Parliament, which was seconded by someone in the room. An amendment was then put by Mr Johnson, and seconded by Mr Alexander, that a vote of thanks only be accorded the speaker. This was put to the meeting with a numerous show of hands, the proposiJ tion was then put, when three Imifff were held up in its favour, A vote of thanks brought the meeting to a close. About 50 persons were present, rind Mr Hursthouse had a patient and quiet hearing with occasional applause.