MR HAYHURST AT MILFORD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 606, 15 November 1881, Page 2

MR HAYHURST AT MILFORD.

On Friday night last, Mr Hay’.mrst addressed the electors of Geraldine, in the schoolroom, Milford, and despite the fact that the weather was very threatening there was a good attendance, upwards of sixty persons being present. Mr K. F. Gray was voted to the chair. Mr Hay hurst during his address spoke at some length on the principal politic d topics of the day, the gist of which, he had previously animadverted upon at demuka and Geraldine. He was frequently applau led during its deliverance.

At the conclusion of the address the Chairman intimated that Mr Hayhurst would be quite willing to answer any

questions c that might be put to him relative to any subject that he might have overlooked.

In regard to questions put, ua to whether, when the lease of runs expired, the land should, l}e sold iu 5000 acre blocks at the rate of £1 per acre, Mr Hayhurst said that the land should be put up to auction, in order to letch its market value but should not be put up in Write blocks. An elector asked as to what Mr Hayviews were in regard to immigration, Should it be stopped under the present system of Government? Mr Hayhurst could see no reason why immigratioi) should be,continued because the country had not got anything for immigrants to do The country was bankrupt, and there was no money to, be expended ..n Public Works. Trade was certainly improving and mechanics of all grades were being employed. When the supply of labor was not equal to the demand, then more immigrants might be introduced into the Colony. The Government bad done wrong in entirely stop® ping even nominated immigration. If good settlers witii capital had got friends at home who were desirous of joining em in the colony the Government -mild assist them in bringing them out.

pplause). In reply to a question from the Chairman Mr Hayhurst.said he was in favor of the Volunteer force in the Colony being maintained, and if elected he would use his utmost endeavors to get the capitation orant re-instated on the estimates, but our men should not play at soldiers. At certain seasons they should be taken out and perform a seri s of special duties, so that if they were at any time called out to ctive duty they would prove an efH ■eat body of men. He looked upon it as a part of the duty of the State to compel boys to become soldiers, so that they could be well trained. In Europe the people were crying out because they were over-soldiered. He hoped it would not be the case here, or carried on in an expensive manner. Ho had been told he was a republican, but he would like to fight our own battles and not those of cur neighbors. All we had got to do was to be peaceable amongst curse'ves. The present Government acted very wrongly in taking away the capitation grant. (Ap-

plause.) Mr Hayhurst was not in favor of lawyers practising iu the! Resident Magistrate s Court in small disputed debt cases. These should be left entirely to the judgment of Ml gist rates themselves. He believed the people had honest, men presiding oyer , the Courts of Justice who would give general satisfaction without being ruled by lawyers. On the motion of Mr La very, hv Mr Christmas a unanimous vote nil confidence in, and thanks to Mr Hayhurst was parsed.

The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated a very successful meeting',