MATAURA ELECTION.

Southland Times, Issue 3291, 7 January 1879, Page 2

MATAURA ELECTION.

-0. THE NOMINATION. The nomination of candidates for the vacancy to the representation of Mataura took place yesterday at Gladstone. A small platform was erected, for the occasion, in front of the old post office store, but the proceedings were, to a great extent, of a formal nature, and only about one dozen persons Avere present. Mr Henderson, the returning officer, having read the writ, intimated that he was prepared to receive nominations. Mr H. Jaggers then stepped forward and proposed Mr Shanks, adding that he had known him for a long time, and he .thought he would look after the true interests of the district. Mr Hugh Carswell seconded the nomination, a.nd said he had known Mr Shanks for a great many years, and during that time he had fulfilled many important public positions with credit and ability. He. was a gentleman who had never held extreriae views, and he, thoughtwould do justice to all their interests. These qualities, combined with knowledge of the district generally, and its requirements, entitled him" to their enthusiastic support. Mr S. H. Mbrton then nominated Mr A. Kinross, and said he would leave that gentleman to express his views himself. Mi- T. Richards seconded the nomination, and added that he thought Mr Kinross, as an old identity of Tthe country, would do his-' duty to them all. ,; : .. No other candidate having been proposed, , after a considerable delay, the returning officer called on the candidates to speak. - Mr Shanks said, to the first place, he must ' thank those who; had been kind enough to ; nominate him that day." As he proposed to .meet the electors at all the various places during the week, it "was not necessary for Mm to explain Ms views at length. '; He had always been a. great believer to thinking matters.out, , and expressing his ideas in as few words as. possible. He hoped to meet those present on | some day during the week. Mr Kinross said he considered the election- 1 of a representative was a most important matter, and he was sorry there was not more interest taken in that election than was indicated, by the attendance that day. Most elections turned on some one great leading questiori, : and the one main-matter underlying that contest was the land question. One party Avas endeavoring to monopoUse the. larid,' and the other- to open it up for settle--1 ment. The laud moriopolists Avould have brought forward a candidate of their own if I they had not thought there was one • in the ! field already who met their views. He had j always done what he could to prevent land ! monopoly. They had to decide Avhether they would elect a candidate who wished to see every man get a home of Ms own and equal laws for everybody, or one who Avould support a 'policy calculated to promote the creation of an aristocracy like that of England in the colony. The increase of- InvercargiU was due to the settlement of the country, and had the land around it continued to be' runs it would only now have been a miserable vUlage, and Avorking men Avould have been walking about begging a day's Avork from the runholders. He denied tn'at Sir George Grey created class legislation. He contended that every election day should be declared a public holiday, so as to afford all classes equal faciUties for voting. He Avould support the extension of the franchise' to females, as by that means a double vote would practically "be conferred on those who supported a wife and famUy. He alhided to his opponent as the Conservative candidate, and concluded by again thanking them. In reply to questions, Mr Kinross said he was to favor" of deciding deferred payment applications by ballot. He thought it was a, very bad .plan to screw the last farthing out- of settlers. So far as be was concerned he would not object to scripture reading to schools, but he was afraid it would cause discord, and would not therefore be an advisable amendment. He positively pledged himself to oppose denominational education as be understood that term. A .formal- show.- -of hands was then taken Avhen s'Avere held up for Mr Kinross, and 4 for Mr Shanks, amidst some laughter. A poU was demanded on behalf of the latter, and the Returning Officer intimated that it would, take place 00, the day already adver-

tised. A vote of thanks to that official concluded the proceedings. „ ' - :-v - 7