MR LUCAS AT PARAWAI.

Thames Star, Volume XXXX, Issue 10499, 21 November 1902, Page 2

MR LUCAS AT PARAWAI.

Mr W. H. Lucas, on© of the candidates for the Thames seat, addressed a,meeting of electors' at the Parawai Sohoolkouse last night. There' was a large attendance*, about 100 persons being present. Mr J. Read presided and briefly introduced thie candidate.

Mr Lucas, who spake for. nearly an hour and three quarters, delivered an address on similar lines to that already reported) in our columns. He went into details in connection) with the mining legislation) to which he took exception, and pointed out what he considered were serious flaws in the Act, also serious defects im its administration, that w.ere detrimental to: tihe industry and were, sufficient to retard the progress of the district. He held that an improper use was allowed to He made of the- labor of 1-ri-buters, who were employed, .so that many companies could evade, if not the letter, at least the spirit of the Act, and by the labor of the tribute-re (which cost the companies nothing) they were enabled "toi hold on to large areas of auriferous ground with the expenditure of a nominal sum. Mr Lucaisi also referred in detail to thie statements contained in. an. address to the electors of Thames issued by "Ejector." He said the writer (who should have signed his name to the publication) claimed that credit should be given to Mr McGowan for the passing of measures' with which he had no connection, but in the passing of which, the Hon. Mr Cadman was deserving of praise, if praise was to be awarded at all. The speaker dis/cfpjuirittfd Mill M'aQfojwarfs cjonjneejfian with, the initiation of the legislation and reveiwed the address in detail. He was frequently ..applauded and at tne conclusion! of hie address was questioned, his replies being apparently satisfactory. Questioned on licensing matters he answered in the affirmative the set of questions dlrawn up for candidates by the Temperance party withi the exception;' of that relating to the employment of barmaids. Regarding this question Mr Lucas said lie thought it would-foe unfair to the opposite sex to: prevent, them earning their living in the manner indicated. Mr Lucas also stated that he was opposed to the no-license question being decided" by a bare majority, ,as he thought that a question otf such importance should not be decided except by a substantial majority. Asked if he was in favor of the abolition: of steam packet licenses Mr Lucas' stated that he was not. At the conclusion of the address a hearty vote^ of thanks was passed; to the candidate a.nd a similar compliment to the chair concluded what was considered to be a successful meeting.