The Coming Election.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7407, 6 November 1893, Page 3

The Coming Election.

MB OUIHBBBTSON AT GERALDINE, Mr Cuthbertson, the third candidate for the BaogiUta seat, addressed the electors in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, on Friday evening last. Thera was a large attendance, and many ladies were present. Mr A. White occupied the chair. ihe candidate commenced his address by referring to the franchise being conferred on women, fie was not in favour of the measure just passed by the Legislature. Many woman did not want it, and he considered ininfluence should bo exercised at home. As the Act was passtd he would loyally accept it. It had been rumoured that he came forward as the publicans’ candidate. He would take that opportunity of giving such ru nour an unqualified denial, as no party had induced him to come forward. He was in favour of a great many measures brought forward by the present Government, but would refuse to be tied to any patty. A great deal had been said about the unemployed. The village settlement scheme would undoubtedly materially assist to solve the difficulty, and the Government were doing their best to cope with it, especially through the Labour Bureau. The Conciliation Bill was the outcome of the labour party in the House, and he regretted it had not became law. The substitution of the Land and Income Tax for the Property Tax bad had a good effect. If it were necessary to increase taxation it should bo on the Income Tax. In regard to the Legislative Council, he was in favour of it being an elective body, but such election not to be on the same lines as that of the Lower House. The Councillors should hold their seats for seven years and if possible to be elected from the Lower House, Secondary education demanded alteration. His feeling was that the poor man’s children if possessed of brains should be educated es well as the children of the rich. The endowments should be for those who had passed a scholarship examination and all those who bad succeeded should be passed into the secondary schools. If the wealthy desired their children to be educated in secondary schools, let them pay for it. In regard to Bible-reading in schools, he would be in favour of the optional reading of it, but would leave it to the School Committees to say whether it should be read in their schools or not. There should ha no difficulty in getting a text-book- In regard to the liquor question, ha was not a Prohibitionist nor a believer in the direct vote. Ho was unable to agree with the Prohibitionists that prohibition should be carried by a bare majority of one. Prohibition would not do away with the diiuking evil, but would inoteaso it. The proper mode was by gradual legislation, not to stamp it out at once. The Licensing Act of 1881 had worked admirably well in regard to lbs sale of liquor, and the Government had given them a new Act, but the Prohibiiionists cried out worse than ever. Now Zealand was not a drunken country, and the drink traffic was getting less every day, and that was mainly due to the temperance party. Mr' Cuthbertson, at the conclusion of his address, was greeted with applause- He replied satisfactorily to several questions which were put to him, and he received a unanimous vote of thanks.

ME IVESS'a BRIBE. (By Teiegeaph.) MARION, November 6 The Hon. Mr iieddon addressed a large meeting at Ohingaiti on Saturday night- As co Mr Ivass’s candidature ho said tbat gentleman had placed himself in a falsa position, for when the Government accepted Mr Stevens as the candidate for Bangitikoi, Mr Ivoss was in New South Wales, and had he prospered there be would not now be causing anxiety to

the Libera's in New Zea. and- At the con elusion of Mr Seddon’a aodre's Mr Jices made an explanation to the effect that Mr Mackey, county engineer, had nim at Hunterville and speaking of tbs election said: “ I know somebody in Marton who would give you £250.” Upon his questioning this udr .'VXackay repeated it, emphatically. From a conversation he (Mr Iveee) had with Mr FJoyd nt Ohing till, ho coocludod that gentleman was willing to arrange terms with him to withdraw. Mr .ffloyd addressed the meeting, indignantly denying that he had offered any money. A motion of thanks Jo the Premier and of confidence in the Government was passed without dissent. Mr Iveus is persisting in his candidature for Baogitikei, having t j-day made arrangements for oonticuisg k h campaign. Mr Mackay has instructed tao solicitor to take proooed-.np against Mr Ivess for asserting that he attempted to bribe him. INVBEOAEGILL, November 6. The Colonial Treasurer opsabs at Winton to-morrow. Ho will reply to Mitoheiaon’e Davenport speech.