THE ELECTIONS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4445, 22 July 1887, Page 4

THE ELECTIONS.

(By Telegraph. ) MANAIA, July 21. Replying to a question last night at Otekeho, Major Atkinson said that in case of his return to office he should not be in favour of applying any percentage reduction to the salaries of Civil servants* but would consider each case on its merits and would endeavour to arrange the salaries so as to make them equivalent as to what would be earned for similar work outside of the Government service, WELLINGTON, July 21. Mr W. J. Hunt has declined to contest Wellington South and Suburbs. MASTERTON, July 21. Mr A. W. Hogg addressed a crowded meeting last night. He favoured Protection, special settlement, and Sir Julius Yogel’s financial policy, with retrenchment. A vote of thanks was passed. WESTPORT, July 21. 'Mr Reeves, the candidate for Inangahua, continues addressing electors in the lower portion of the electorate. He has been well received. He opposes State education as at present arranged. • Mr Monro, for Buller, spoke at Denniston last night, and received a vote of confidence as against one of thanks by. a ■ majority of over 210. OAMARU, July 21. Mr T. W. Hislop addressed the electors of Oamaru this evening. There was a large attendance. The candidates remarks were principolly directed against the Government. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence was carried. A public meeting was held on Wednesday night at Makikibi, in the State school, to consider the present political situation, and take the necessary steps to secure a local candidate as member for Waimate district. About 60 persons were present and Mr Hardie was voted to the chair. Mr Hardie said he would be glad to hear any gentleman ask any questions touching the policy and proceedings of the late House of Representatives, and called upon Mr Manchester. Mr Manchester stated that ho had con-

seated, to come forward as a candidate for the .Wajmate district, but at the request of a large number of friends. (He waft proceeding with his address when Mr iiovegrbve pointed out that the object of the meeting was to secure the return of a local man and not Mr Steward, and that perhaps Mr Manchester would address them later on.). Mr Manchester said that he' rose at the Chairman’s invitation, and did not intend to run after votes. ,He alluded to the present crisis, and pointed out the necessity q! first getting the. ship off the rocks befere-proceeding to navigate her; the absolute j naoei»ity of making our expenditure fit iffwith our income, and for reform in railway management* He charged the Government with incapacity and lavish expenditure. , However, as he came there that night to Sear their.views and not impress his upon them, he would not detain them longer at present. Mr McLaren said that the best guarantee of good faith was to get a represeuta-tive-who actually lived in the district. Mr Lovegrove requested the Chairman to read the programme of the Political Reform Association, stating that to be Mr Teschemaker’s platform. Mr Teschemaker said that he did not know previously that Mr Manchester was coming forward on the same platform as himself, or he would have consulted with him earlier. He suggested that a com* . mittee be formed of his own supporters, 'and a similar one of Mr Manchester’s, and the two committees should ascertain and discuss together the probable number of votes that each candidate would secure. Roth he and Mr Manchester had one common object in view, namely, to prevent Mr Steward’s return, and personally he wonld willingly withdraw from the candidature if his committee saw that his chance of return was inferior to Mr Manchester’s. In that case he would do all in his power to secure the latter gentleman’s return. He denied being a squatter, and gave a humourous description of his stony acres of leasehold, which he would . be most happy to sell to any one present.

The following gentlemen were then appointed as a Committee in favour of Mr Teschemaker :—Messrs McLaren, Boyle, W. Quinn, Lawrie, A, Martin, A. Carter, and.J. Childs. Mr Rogers objected to any one pledging themselves at present to any party. Mr Manchester declined to commit himself to any promise of withdrawal without consulting his friends. He pointed out that there were 900 voters between the Hook and Waiau, and 500 on the northern bank of the Hook. Messrs Lovegrove and McLaren pointed out that 21C votes had been taken from Gladstone and 54 new ones registered to Waimate. Mr Rogers had watched the growing prospects of the colony, and did not believe it was now “up a tree.” In ten years, with industry and economy, the greater part of private mortgages would be wiped off. Mr Armitage said that many electors about Otaio and Kingsdown did not know of the present meeting, but that they would support Mr Teschemaker, or, if he withdrew, Mr Manchester. Mr Goodeve asked how the retrenchment in education was to be carried out without impairing its efficiency. He instanced the withdrawal of Mr C. C. Bowen from the committee of the P.R.A., as a strong protest against the proposed educational retrenchment. He stated that the proposal to raise the school age from five to seven would practically close nearly every school in the Waimate County. He urged everyone present to get from each candidate a definite statement as to how this retrenchment would be carried out. Mr Walters said that the poor working man would suffer heavy taxation if the old plan of paying fees were resorted to, while the rich men would got off free. Messrs Teschemaker and Manchester replied that the reduction would chiefly apply to secondary education and hign salaries. The latter gentleman remarked that the Waimate High School had more to their credit than they knew how to spend. i Mr Wood alluded to cutting down members’ honorariums which Mr Teschemaker said he was entirely in favour of doing. A vote of thanks to the chairman ended the proceedings.