Mr Reese's Candidature.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 5

Mr Reese's Candidature.

The following letter, which appeared recently in the Lyttelton Times, is published in our columns at Mr Reese's special re-

quest : —

Sib,— l see by the leading article of your paper to-day that you have thought fit to make a little capital out of the vote that I gave against the Tariff proposals of the Government last session. Now, Sir, that vote was given, not with the intention, as you try to make it appear, of putting Major Atkinson into power, but with the whole and sole object of keeping the obnoxious Tariff proposals of the Government out, and, if necessary, to put a set of men on the Woolsack that would govern this country without increasing the burdens of a struggling young country like this. If you recollect, I voted against the Tariff proposals of the Government in 1885 for the same reason ; and I hold still that to increase our taxes is a suicidal policy, and if ever this country intends to progress after the manner of the Mother Country, we should try and get back to those principles that have caused her to leap and bound in the fore-front of all nations, viz., Freetrade.

Now, with regard to the straight-out question from Mr Holmes : I beg to state that youra is not the correct answer. My answer was: "Yes, if Major Atkinson was prepared to govern without the Protection Tariff proposals." "What?" asked Mr Holmes, and I repeated my answer as given above j and if you will only look' to the context of Mr Holmes' question you will see Mr Holmes 6aid, " I am glad to hear it ; I understood that the honourable member's great objection to tho present Ministry was that they were Protectionists," &c. Now, Sir, if you accept my answer as just given, you must see that it was not a question of Major Atkinson with me, but certain political principles that, I believe, must sooner or later be adopted by this country. And, Sir, lam yery glad i to see that such a policy is beginning to re- j dawn on the mind of Sir Eobert Stout ; and ,I-,belieTe^'Wiien fc J?arliawieal) weets, if Sir

Robert is in his place, he will be heard Baying to the House, "We have managed things so much better eince the prorogation of last Parliament, and seeing that the voice of the country desires it, we aro prepared to withdraw our Tariff propoEals on the understanding that you will assist us to pass a measure to give effect to the retrenching proposals I will bring down in the course of a few days." This course, I believe, will have to be adopted by whoever may have the honour to meet the next Parliament. — I am, &c.

DANIEL REESE. Christchurch, July 16.