THE THAMES ELECTION.

Thames Star, Volume XIX, Issue 5815, 19 September 1887, Page 2

THE THAMES ELECTION.

Nomination of Candidates

The nomination of candidates for the honor of representing the Thames constituency in the House of Representatives took place outside the Court-house at noon to day, Mr Stratford, Returning Officer, presiding. Considerable interest was evinced in the proceedings, the approaches to the hustings being thronged with electors, about 500 of whom were present. The Eeturning Officer read the writs, and also the' clauses of the Act on 1 the subject, and explaiued the - object for which the electors were present. He then said he was prepared to receive nominations.

Mr James Renshaw said that at the last election he had silently recorded his vote in favor of Mr Fraser, but bad taken no aotual part in the contest. During the period he had represented the Thames, however, Mr Fraser had attended to the wants and requirements of the place, and had shown good judgment and businesslike qualities, and having done his duty so well in the past, he (the speaker) thought it but right that they should show their appreciation of their conduct by again putting him in the same position. Mr Fraser's interests were at the Thames, and he had expended his money in the district. He had therefore much pleasure in nominating him. (Applause).

Mr D. W. Pitketbley seconded the nomination, and in doing so said be considered that Mr Fraser had performed bis duties fairly and well, of which it behoved the electors to show their acknowledgment and appreciation upon the polling day (Hear, hear, and applause).

Mr John Nodder nominated Mr John Frater, who, he said, had not yet been in the House, but if he got there, he (the speaker) had no doubt he would acquit himself as well as he had done in our midst. He had resided at the Thames since its opening/and was well known as a gentleman of integrity and sobriety, and one whom the electors could respect. He had filled various positions of trust, although he had not graced the Council Chambers. (Laughter) Tuey doubtless all knew that he had been one of the Trustees of the Hospital, The duties-of which he had performed efficiently, and be hadassis'ted in the reforms connected with that institution (Hear, hear). He was a gentleman who had qualities above the human (Loud laughter), and the average kind: Mr Nodder then referred to the tact that candidates often did not fulfil their hustings pledges in the House, and said he trusted the Thames electors would return a representative who would do justice to the community, and be an honor to it. He intended to propose a gentleman who would efficiently perform his duties in the House if he got there. After speaking further upon the financial condition of the colony, and the need for the selection of good representatives, Mr Nodder concluded by nominating Mr Frater, whom he trusted they would place at the head of the poll. Mr James Brown seconded the nomination, and concurred with Mr NodderV remarks. Mr Frater was a good citizen, and a man of splendid ability, while he had he perseverancejto carry out everything be undertook, and would make a good representative.

Mr £. T. Douglas said he did not intend making a long speech, but he would throw out a question for the consideration of the electors—" How was it that the affairs of the colony had got into the present deplorable state ?" (Hear hear). He trusted they would inquire into it, and do their best to arrive at a solution ot the question. Personally he thought that it was because the class of men returned to Parliament as representatives, were not men of the right stamp. (Hear, hear.) There were great talkers in the Housemen of eloquence—others who were mere adventurers,—and also able and clever men, crammed with a knowledge of mathematics, the dead languages, and other subjects, but they might as well also themselves be as dead as tbe languages so far as their competency to menage the affairs of the colony were concerned. What was required were practical men who possessed a thorough knowledge of business, and in whom the electors could repose confidence to honestly carry out their promises. He would propose a gentleman who had been connected with our local bodies for many years past— who had given bis time for the benefit of the district, and who would be a really good representative in Parliament. Mr McG-owan had been most unremitting to his duties connected with tbe various public bodies, which was evidence that if elected he would also carefully attend to the wants and requirements of the district and do his best for the welfare of the colony generally. He had'great pleasure in nominating Mr James BdcGowan.

Mr fiichard Harris,' after referring to the remark of Mr Nodder tbat oue of the candidates was more than human, said he questioned whether Mr Fraser bad done as much for the district is his proposer and seconder had represented (Hear, hear.) They certainly required a new man, and a better one could not be found than Mr McGowan, who had always been the digger's friend and supporter. (Applause.) He bad, therefore, much pleasure in seconding Mr McGowan's nomination.

There being no other nominations, the Returning Officer called upon the candidates to address those present if they desired to do so.

Mr Fraser, who spoke very briefly, aaid be appeared before them to solicit a renewal of that confidence they had re* posed in him in the past. He bad already addressed them upon three occasions, and they were therefore doubtless well acquainted with his views on the various subjects. He hoped that on tbe polling day the electors would record their rotes for the candidate they considered the best. He had in the past done his utmost for the district, which was the best earnest that if elected he would do to in the future.

Mr JJYater, in the coarse of a lengthy speech, traversed somewhat similar grounds as io his previous addresses. He expressed himself strongly against the extravagance of the present fioTeromeat,

and ihp urgent n»<A of retrenchment.,! which should be eff ctd to th* ext* nt of £500000, and the expenditure brought within the revenue. He had oom« out in opposition to the present Government, and thought that the sooner the members of it retired into private life the better would it be for the country. There could be no'doubt that the present Government were (greatly the cause of the* depression. Reference was r ext made to the defeat of the GoTernment, the graatiog of the dissolution, and the present appeal to the country. The chief issue now before the electors was: " Shall we submit to increased taxation on an over - burdened people, or bring our expenditure within I our iDO ma ?" He contended that the latter should be done He felt pertain that the days of the Stout-Vogel Government were numbered, and that the colony would put in men pledged to retrenchment. He favored a Land and Income Tax, assistance to mining. Protection, and amalgama ■/ tion of Local Bodies. If elected, he would do his best to bring about a better state of Government, and further the interests of the Thames district in particular.

Mr Jag. McGowao said he did not deem it necessary to make a long speech. an he bad had excellent public meetings, which had been well attended, so that the electors were doubtless acquainted with his views on the various political questions. They ■ had before them a Ministurialist supporter, and an Oppositionist. He considered that the present Ministry had done fairly well for the country (applause), except that they had not, done as much for the mining industry as its importance demanded. Regarding the Oppositionist, the electors would require to look at the men by whom he would be surrounded.- Major Atkinson must be looked upon as the leader, of the Opposition, but he contended that were Major Atkir.im's party in power, it would be one of the worst things that ever happened to the country. (Hear, hear.) The large runs and leases would be up in 1888, and it would be necessary for the electors to closely watch the actions of the representatives.returned to Parliament. To a great extent the weal or woe of New Zealand depended upon the result of the present elections, as parties were in a very unsettled state. The Stout - Vogel Government were apparently compelled to buy support to keep them in office, and hence the necessity of sending good representatives to Parliament. His own opinion was that they would have a new Government, neither a Stout-Vogel nor an Atkinson one, but if he had to decide which of the two he would support, he would decidedly say the Stout-Vogel. He thought, however, that a new Liberal party would be formed, consisting of such men as Sir G. Grey, Sir R. Stout, and Mr Ormond, and he would like to be one to accord them his support and depended upon the elector* of the Thames to send him to Parliament. (Applause). A great deal had been said that he would not go to the poll, and that he retired at the last election, but he would tell them that he did so because he saw he bad no chance of being elected. He bad only exercised his judgment, and believed it would perhaps be better if some would show a similar judgment, and retire even now. (Loud laughter) The couutry was now in such a state that it behoved every man to stand up for his principles (Hear, heart. It had been said that it took a representative some time to learn to know the r >pcs; but when they knew them they seemed to pull them in their 9own direction. (Applause.) The Thames had not been well attended to in the past, and 'there were now £11,000 for the Thames-Te Aroba railway from the last vote which was still unexpended, although it had been authorised by the House. He had no fear of the result of the contest, and confidently left the matter in the hands of the electors. • Tie Returning Officer then called for a show of hands, which resulted as follows:— Mr W. Fraser 151. Mr J. McGowan ... .... -119. MrJ. Fratejr ... ... 58. A poll was demanded by the nominators of Mr Frater. On the motion of Mr Fraser, seconded by Mr McGowan, a vote of thanks was accorded the Returning Officer, and the assemblage dispersed.