THAMES ELECTION.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2243, 6 January 1876, Page 3

THAMES ELECTION.

THE CANDIDATES BEFOEE THE

.„.-.'; CONSTITUENTS., . Me W. Howe addressed the electors at the TheatreEoyal last night. There was' a,.very : large attendance, and from the .audience a motion was proposed, seconded, and carried, 1 that Mr John Brown, take the chair. This was/agreed to. : After the opening address of the •Chairman;. '■'

Mr Bowe, <vho>as received with groat cheering,-said that ho did not come before,, them for the. purpose, of making a set .speech,. When, he commenced the election, he determined to carry it throjigh, and that no effort on his part should be spared to ensure success. He felt sorry that he had not been earlier in canvassing the district, as heintended at first. He attributed his delay to, the slowness of the other candidates incoming forward, and the uncertainty which provailed'as to who would be nomiu'aled and who would stand,,and he thought quo&tions might which, might create confusion, He did' not want, to be elected on false- pretences. '; He wanted to know the opinions of ithe electors, and unless they thouglit him qualified, and that his opinions wore in;accord with thoirs, he would hot ask the'm to elect'him. (Cheers.) During his visit to Cbromandel ho'had a very successful meeting—moro successful than ho anticipated, and he 'did not think it possible to prevent a strong support to their causo'in that district (Cheers.) One or two had asked him if he believed in immigration. To this his answer was that he did, if there was work for the people when they came (cheers), and ifthe immigrants wore of tiie. right class. There would be. no . use in a 'new colony, with vast resources, without ■ immigration, but under the present circumstances of Notf Zealand he thought it the duty of ; the Government to find work for those-who were' in it before introducing others. (Cheers.) Their position would be different if they got their sharo of the public money; if they were in the same circumstanced as the Southern provinces, and got their share of the land fund revenue. They would then bo in a different position, and could introduce Emigrants of a certain class* The immigrants who were introduced were generally

of the working classes. He did not cure how many capitalists were introduced ~ men with money—men who had means to take up and cultivate the waste lands, but it was wrong to introduce people into the province when there was not employment for those who were here. (Cheers.) He should come back to the first position he had started from. It was;their first duty to be united, and, in justice to the province- and the constituents, the members should be united on questions .pertaining to the 'interests of the province. The-members, if united and insist, although they_ may diverge on other, questions, will-ultimately be successful in obtaining what they sought— (cheers)—if not from the land fund, from some other sources. It was-a great shame that this part of the colony should languish while the South grew rich upon funds to which- they (the North) had as' good a title. ..(Cheers) He had already referred to the gold duly, to the advisability of the Government obtaining the freehold of this district, to the land fund, to the shortening of the term of Parliament to three. years, to the reform of the Upper House by making it elective instead of nominated, to the Abolition scheme, to the necessity for placing the power direct in the hands of the people to expend theirownroveaue, land he need not therefore refer to those matters again. There were some things to which there was not now time to refer, but surely they understood one another and understood their own interests enough to show that they could be united, and that no matter what came from the putside.thcdistrictwouldnotshowtoother constitupnces that they werenotfitloreturn one of themselves as their representative. (Cheers.) He did hope that those who entertained such an opinion would tomorrow be shown their mistake. He trusted that the same spirit which had hitherto obtained in this election would continue, that there would be nothing personal imported, and that at the end there'would bo nothing to regret—that all personal observations would be thrown aside, and the man who used them treated with, contempt. (Cheers.) He had no doubt some of those present would now like further explanations, and he would answer any question which might be 'asked. ' It having been ruled by the meeting that all questions wore to-be propounded through the Chairman, the candidate, in reply to questions, said he was opposed totoe present.form of education tax, but in favour of a national system of secular education, to be paid for out of the general revenue. He was in favour of the maintenance of the pre-emptive right of the Crown to purchase lands from the natives for (he benefit of. the people at large. He thought that three-fourths of the Native Office expenditure should be immediately cutoff, including the maintenance of the 'Luna.' In reply to a question as to whether he would support Sir George Grey in getting back the Piako Swamp ■and other lands illegally obtained,. Mr Bowe said that he believed several blocks werenow being surveyed to be given as, compensation. That he would never agree to, but when the Government obtained lands they should-be available for the people to settle upon. With regard to the Piato Swamp, the Government were wrong in dealing with them in a different way toother land, but the parties who had it were improving it, and had already, spent £10,000 on it, and were prepared to spend as much more in the same direction. He would be glad to see all the swamps in the country drained in the same way —(cheers) -although he was of the same opinion as Sir Cr. Grey, that all lands should be dealt with according to law.. The' candidate was questioned at considerable length regardmg his consistency as an Abolitionist,'a supporter of sepular education, &c, by Mr Campbell, and afforded satisfactory answers, and explanations. He also said he would support Sir G. Grey and-party in their efforts to repeal the Indemnity Act passed last.Bession.- He was in favour of fairly manning claims, and thoroughly approved of the Mining Districts Act of last session, most of the clauses of which were his own' suggestions. He would, sink his own , feelings, and go in with the other Auckland members in a block: vote so far as they were not opposed to his own convictions, but he would not consent to be a mere delegate, only a representative. He would exercise his own judgment. If asked whether he would act. with Sir G. ;Grey, except on the questions of Abolition and Separation, he would reply, in the affirmative. If returned, he would do. his best to push on the water supply to-.completion, and other publio works in this district. He was not in : favour of Crown lands boing put up to auction, but thought the Government should.set aside blocks suitable for settlement, to be given ito'the people on-a system, of deferred payments. He would pledge himself to support equal 'rights, equal justice and equal law for all. _ He was in favour of a change in. the incidence of taxation from the necessaries of life to a land and property tax, so as to make those who were most, benefited by the public works expenditure contribute to the: payment of them. He was in favour, of increased representation, and the division, of the. shames into electoral districts. He believed that the people should have a voice in any groat constitutional change in the form of government. He. had for years advocated tho construction of;the -Jhames Valley railway. He did not approve of special settlements like the Eatikati settlement, or of giving lands to people -.from abroad'when the people here could get hone; in fact, he did not believe in giving lands away at all,' but of selling it to the people here on a system of deferred payments. Mrlioivo replied to numerous other interrogations. Mr Kolan, in a clever.speech, proposed that, having heard Mr Howe/this meeting considers bim the most fitand proper person to represent tho district in Parliament, aud-bad overy confidence that he would ,do thorn full justice aud obtain for them, as far as possible, all they wantbd. (Loud cheers,}' Mr T.B.l'icks seconded the resolution, which was put to the meeling and carried with.oheers, only two hands being held up against it /■ Mr Rowo thanked, the meeting, and trusted their action would confirm what thoyhad done that night, and if elected he would place all his abilities at their disposal: He proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was unanimously accorded, '..: MR O'NEILL'S MEETING. . ;. ■ Mr 6, O'Ncilladdressed a meeting of electors at the Academy of Music last night. There was a moderate attendance to Btart withj but at tho close the .house was crowded. Mr. E. K. Tyler was called to the chair. -, . Mr O'Neill said that his object in calling them together was to givo them an account of the doings in Parliament, and as they were on the .eve of a general election, He excused his seemiag neglect

in not having met with them,before, as it was on; of his power to do so, but he had never neglected (heir interests in Parliament, but had always carefully watched over their interests. He referred to the fact that his election necessitated his giving up his appointment as Engineer-in-Chief in the service of the Provincial Government, and his profession as civil engineer subsequently called him away to othor places. He alluded to the large works which he had completed-tram-ways, roads, &c—for opening the goldfields, and the railway from .'fararu to Shortiand, which he had designed, and for which the sleepers were procured, but afterwards sold. He hoped the, time would come when this railway would not only be carried to Shorlland but to Ohineniuri and the Wailtalo, (' heers) Mr O'Neill then referred to his career in Parliament, to his exertions, to the gold duty, and the cost of miners' rights abolished. He alluded to the great benefit which ihe goldfields had been to the colony, and the amount paid by goldfields duty in proportion to the expenditure amongst them. He referred to his exertions to have a mint established, and pointed out the advantage which it would afford miners; to his connection with the Boiler Explosion Commission, and the legislation which followed; and to his exertions to procure for the Thames an adequate water supply, upon which an expenditure of £50,000 was authorised; Mr O'Neill next referred to his action- regarding the " Streets Bill," the " Public Healths Act," the " Beprosentation Bill," the Thames Municipality, his endeavours to have this country connected with .Australia by moans of a sub-marine cable, and the interest which ho had taken in the erection of lighthouses. He supported Mr Fox's Permissive 1 Bill; also, tho Ballot Bill in all. its stages. Ho carried a motion regarding patents, which had been very useful. In reference to education, a subject which is of snch high importance, he stated that he had always been a strong advocate for education, and would support any general measure of education-a measure suitable to the whole colony, and dealing justice and fairness to all parties and of tho community. He was alwaysa supporter of the public works policy, believing thai railways, by ease and speed of communication, would add materially to the value of the whole colony, w'hile advancing by, rapid strides the wealth and commerce of the country, They had already from 400 to 500 miles of railway completed, _ and when/the whole of the lines authorised were finished they would cover 1,000 miles; while about 1,800 milea of roads and tracks have been formed in the Forth Island, and-250 in the South. When they compared our length of line with that of other colonies, they would find that Victoria had about 330 miles; New' South Wales, 400 miles; Queensland, 200 miles; South Australia, 130 miles; in all about the same length as New Zealand had. With their railways and public works, their immigration system,.which already had placed about 40,000 immigrants on their shores, New Zealand should spring forth and flourish with great strides. They were frightened sometimes by being told that they were heavily in debt; and what, he asked, is thedebt? well, they could show something for this debt. They eould- show waste lands of the colony which at au ordinary valuation would amount to nearly the whole amount of the debt, and could also show as an asset their railways, and ovor 6,000 miles of telegraph wires, besides other public works. If England could claim her railways, about 18,000. miles, what an haul in the hands of private parties; the valuo of them, six hundred millions, would nearly . pay off the'national debt. Mr O'Neill answered several questions satisfactorily. '■•■ Mr Carnell moved a vote of confidence •in Mr , O'Neill, which Mr Graham seconded.

Mr Kowley moved, as- an amendment, a vote of thanks to Mr O'Neill, which was carried.

Mr O'Neill thanked the meeting, and moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was accorded,

MR MITCHELL'S MEETING.

Immediately on the conclusion of Mr O'Neill's meeting, Mr Mitchell asked Mr Tyler to retain the chair. Mr Tyler consented. Mr Mitchell said he had been 13 hours in the saddle bbming from Coromandel, and bad little knowledge of what had •transpired here during his absence. Had it not been for the burst of bad weather which had broken on them he would hare been here before. Ho thanked .Mr O'Neill for ; his courtesy in allowing him the use of the hall, ashe hadiodo in everything connected with the Thames. Mr Mitchell then alluded to Mr O'Neill's services on behalf of the Thame's, and his courtesy when he (Mr Mitchell) was a delegate to Wellington, and for the attention whioh he had paid to every matter interesting to the Thames! He might have said more in his own favour than he had, It was not his fault, but the fault of ciroumstauces thafctuere was not now a railway to the Waikato, and he (Mr Mitchell), after his jouruey, wished that there was a railway to Coromandel also. (Cheers.). He had heard it alleged that he had ceased to be Goldfields Secretary on account of his bad temper, but he could assure thorn that it was not caused by any display ot temper. Mr Nolan was present in Mr O'Neill's. room when Mr Gillies denied that ever any. thing had arisen between them, and it was owing to a political, combination, which ihero was then no need to refer to, that he had resigned the Provincial Secretaryship. The reason why ho was not at tho meeting at the Theatre Eoyal to justify himself on that occasion- was that ho had previously addressed a meeting, At that time ho was largely interested in Tararu, and for these interests he was called upon to attend Mr Beckbarn's Court, for ! the claims were, in liquidation/and hewas obliged todisposeof a lai'ge amount of properly in Shortlaud to pay theso cluiuis, and prevent himself from being a bankrupt (cheers), a position in which aome wished to place him. Mr Mitchell then referred to his connection with goldfields and mining boards for the last 22 years. He did not know whether the patience of the meeting' on the night before the battle would extend to his going into any lengthened disquisition on matters which were now at issue._ Ho came before them as an Abolitionist (cheers); also as one of .themselves, with neither tiile nor status, although one of the candidates, who was now placed high over them, and the man who wasinost spoken of, had been in his (Mr Mitchell's) employ 20 years ago. That war Sir Julius Vogel, (Oheers;) It may be said that they— common men-were not fit toropreseut them, but he had met many of themselves who were conversant, with the mining laws of all the goldfields.. He contended that the Miuing Board laws were hotter than' the laws which had been made, and

that the Act of 1866, if brought into force, with all its concomitant laws, was much superior to the. Mining Distriots Act, which was a hodge-podge of Acts and regulations, for alluvial and quartz goldfields. 'He then put it to the meeting, from the fact of their having to import tinned meats and foreign produce, whether : some portion of the great loan ought not to be expended here, and whether they should bo content with the small sum expended on the-water race. (Cheers.) He,would not go .in altogether for the Big Pump, but thought some, of the money should he expended in the development of the goldfield and its extension. He referred to the divided Government under which we have existed, and the manner in which goldfie-lds interests were sacrificed between the Provincial and General Governments. -.'Rducation and Abolition he considered the two great questions-of the day. He was opposed to the present education tax, although ho had taken part in the imposition of the poll tax. It was unjust, but without it they would have had no education, and rather than have no education he would have a poll tax, but rather than a poll tax he would Abolition. He referred to another evil of dual Governments in the waste lands. These were purchased by the General Government aud handed 'to the Provincial Government for administration; but the latter had no funds for dividing and subdividing them, so that a person could go to the land office aud select lands suitable for them, although they had the American land system to go by. Ho thought the present system ought to be done away with; also the Native Department, that great incubus, involving a largo expenditure ; and, if elected, it would be his special mission to see that a great deal of the expenditure of the Native Department was dispensed with. (Cheers.) In reply to questions, Mr Mitchell said he was in favour of payment of members, as giving people the power to select their own representatives, lie was in favour of a moderation of the gold duty, but not of doing away with it altogether. He did not think a duty on wool could bo urged with any more reason than one on gold. He was, and had been for many years, in favour of an income and property tax. He was not in favour of the Abolition Bill being again relegated to ( the constituents, and cautioned the electo expect it. Mr Eowley proposed a vote of confidence ia Mr Mitchell. This was seoonded by Mr John Graham, but was subsequently withdrawn in favour of a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr Eenshaw, and seconded by Mr McDonnell. The latter was carried unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. ■'" ". .. : ■ ■ ''