CANTERBURY ELECTORS' ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5993, 30 July 1887, Page 7

CANTERBURY ELECTORS' ASSOCIATION.

Meeting at Oust.

A meeting of ratepayers in the Oust district was held last night, in the Oddfellows' Hall, when a large number were present. The Rev P. R. Munro was called to the chair, and he, in a few remarks, introduced Mr W. H. Spackman to the meeting.

Mr Spackman gave - a resumd of the platform of the Association with which he was identified, and contended that their whole policy waß in accord with the views of the Government. He called the attention of those present to the difference of opinions held by many members of the Beform Association on various subjects, Sarticularly Education, the Land Laws and iie Tariff. He touched on Eetrenchment, Fair Taxation, Encouragement to Local Industries and a United Canterbury. The rest of his speech was much the same as that delivered at Rangiora. Considerable dissent was manifested with a number of his statements. When he sat down he was loudly applauded by everyone for the able manner in which he had placed his views before the meeting.

' Air Peter Duncan proposed and Mr John Ruddenklau seconded a motion limiting the speakers to ten minutes each. An amendment, increasing the limit to fifteen minutes, was carried on the motion of Mr E. L. Higgins, seconded by Mr Marshall.

The Chairman, after eulogising the able speech of Mr Spaceman, invited any gentlemen present who wished to discuss the matter, and expressed the hope that the meeting would give all sides a Mr and impartial hearing. Mr J. Buddenklau proposed — "That this meeting do not pledge itself to support either the Canterbury Electors' Association, or tho Political Reform Association, nntilallthocandidatesfor the seat have been heard." The time was come when the present position of the Colony should be considered. It waa necessary that the representatives should, be men of character, and not men who would promise one thing and do another. The past attempts at retrenchment had been a failure; what was reouired was that there should be a thorough retrenchment, beginning with the salary of the Governor and extending to that of the lowest paid official in the employ of the Government. The tendency of the present Government's retrenchment would be to fill the ranks of tho unemployed. Where there had been two men doing a certain work, the Government discharged one and paid a portion of salary to the other, thus making very little reduction and causing one man to be out of employment. His view was that the j Government should give employment to i more men at a reduced rate. In his opinion rabid Freetraders and Protectionists were the greatest curse to New Zealand. He believed in a moderate encouragement of local industries, and was in favour of reducing the number of standards of education to the fourth. In his opinion, if children were taught reading, writing,

arithmetic, and geography, that would be sufficient for the ordinary purposes of life. He expreEsed his confidence in Sir John Hall, who, in his opinion, had formerly come forward and rescued the Colony, and would now do the same, placing the finances of the country on a sound footing. Mr J. Miles "Verrail seconded the motion, and advised all present to refuse to have any connection with the Canterbury Electors' Association. The present Government had always avoided the question of the State Bank, and would not give it any consideration. Here the speaker wa3 stopped by the Chairman, who asked if the meeting would hear him. The meeting vociferously answered in the affirmative.

Mr Verrall continued, saying that the Oust people did not want Christchurch lawyers to come up and explain political matters to them. They had men amongst them quite as able to do bo as Mr Spackman was. Mr Peter Duncan, of the Ashley, referring to the previous spoaker, said that any cuts from the Olioka stockwhip would fall perfectly harmless on his Bkin. The Colony was living under a constitutional Government, and had two recognised parties, and in addition some men who called themselves independent, but had no standing, and were nob to be counted upon for support by any party. He was perfectly in accord with the presenb Government in their views on Protection. He had hopes in the present Government for the future success of the Colony. In reference to the principles of Freetrade advocated by the Political Reform. Association there was no hope of those principles being of any practical benefit to the Colony at large. The Opposition made a great deal of Sir Julius Vogel's statement that the Colony would advance by leaps and bounds, but the Public Works policy of that gentleman had in former years produced the greatest prosperity in New Zealand. (The speaker reviewed the history of the Public Works since 1869, and declared that the present Government was the best New Zealand could have, and the best that Canterbury ever had. He concluded by pointing out how Freetrade had had ruined the industries of Ireland.

Mr Marmaduke Dixon disclaimed any connection with either Association. The people as a whole were in accord on the subject of education, and delighted in seeing the young people at school. The Electors' Association had been organised purely in the interest of the Stout- Vogel Administration. The people were in favour of rigid economy being practised, while the present Government were dreadfully extravagant. Sir Julius Yogel had found that the people at last were dreadfully in earnest. The Yogel Government had logs to roll. Sir Robert Stout promised the Dunedin people the completion of the Otago Central Railway, and the Auckland people the completion of railway north of Auckland. No good Government could go in for log-rolling. The West Coast Railway would be completed, no matter what Government was in office. New Zealand could have neither Freetrade nor Protection absolutely. The protectionist looked to the Government to put on such, a tax as would make his business successful. There was no necessity for further protection in a country, possessing such advantages of soil, climate, &c, as New Zealand. Both privately and publicly, • New Zealand had been living extravagantly, and had come to recognise this, and had made a determination to retrench accordingly. The land laws should be made so aa to encourage the acquisition of freeholds. He was in favour of scrutinising the characters of candidates, and sending the best man to represent the constituency. Mr H. J. Horrell agreed with the resolution. Sir Julius Yogel had promised to get the Colony out of her difficulties, but had entirely failed. He had imposed the highest property tax ever known in the Colony, and had laid the heaviest burden on the Road Boards on account cf charitable aid, besides largely increasing the Customs duties. The Government had spent more on Ministerial expenses than any previous Government ; had gone in for the purchase of district railways for the purpose of securing political support, and in his opinion had utterly failed to do any good at all for tho Colony, which should be ruled by men of principle, and not by carpet-baggers. Mr J. D. Dickenson, Chairman of the Road Board, heartily supported the motion. He thought that considerable reductions could be made in tho Education vote. On account of local jealousies there were too many small schools, and too many high schools. Children were sent to the latter who should be at the primary schools for they had not passed the fourth, or even, in some cases, the third or second standards. It was unfair to compare a small country like New Zealand, with half a million people, with an innnense country like America.

Mr G. Helmore denied that the present Government really wanted retrenchment. "When Mr Garrick and Mr Ormond had proposed substantial reductions the Government shelved the proposals. If the Colony was disposed to give bonuses to industries, why not give them to the farmers ? The graduated tax proposed by Government was unjust, an J would prevent capital from coming heie ; at the same time driving capital away. He would advocate the school age being limited to six years, and that the sixth standard should be cut off.

Mr R. L. Higgins had no desire to make a Bpeech, but thought it desirable to correct a few errors that had been made. He had read Sir Robert Stout's speech., in which the proposal to borrow two millions was stated to be for the completion of works already promised. He (Mr Higgins) was a Freetrader, but thought it quite compatible with his being so that he should support the present Government. The Opposition called for retrenchment, but would not allow the Government to have the honour of doing the work. The education system required careful examination, and, if found necessary, the pruning knife could be applied to its administration. The Opposition had refused to appoint a Committee to consider the tariff proposals. The Political Reform Association, representing the merchants of Christchurch, favoured the landholders. There was no surer test of the position of New Zealand than the way in which New Zealand loans were taken up in London. Mr Higgins concluded a vigourous Bpeech by announcing his intention to support the present Government.

Mr J. Horrell did not "believe a rap " in Sir Julius Yogel. As a small farmer he disapproved of the graduated tax. If a man in his pojition wanted to borrow JSIOOO he would have to pay to the extent of 5 per cent extra. If all the world adopted Protection there would be no market for our produce. The Chairman put the resolution which was carried, only a few dissenting. Mr H. J. Horrell proposed — "That this meeting has no confidence whatever in the present Government." He stigmatised the Stout-Vogel Government as a sham and unable to carry on matters to the satisfaction of the country.

Mr J. M. Verrall seconded the motion

Mr P. Duncan said such, motions -would stultify the resolution already passed. (He waa ruled out o£ order). The motion was put, when 20 voted for it, and 23 against ib. It was declared lost, amid great applause. There was some dispute as to the voting, but the Chairman insisted on tho meeting accepting his ruling. Mr Spaceman said all were actuated by one desire — to do the best for the good of the. Colony. He deprecated people calling one another fools and blockheads simply because they happened to differ on matters political. He thanked the meeting for the patient manner in which they had listened to him, and to all the speakers. The Rev E. H. Wyatt proposed, and Mr H. J. Horrell seconded— "A vote of thanks to Mr Spackman." This was carried, and closed a very enthusiastic meeting.

There is to be a Scotch Presbyterian church in Boston in which the services will be conducted in Gaelic.