Mr I. R. C.C. Graham at Ashburton.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4766, 5 October 1893, Page 3

Mr I. R. C.C. Graham at Ashburton.

Mr I. E. C. C. Graham, one of the candidates for the Ashburton seat, addressed a large meeting of the electors, including a fair number of ladies, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Ashburton, on Tuesday night. The Mayor^ presided, and briefly introduced the candidate. Mr Graham, who on rising was fairly well received, said he had called them together at this early stage because there were so many candidates in the field that it would take the electors some time to hear them all arid make a selection. He ' knew, too, that the country was overrun with canvassers for Conser/utivo candidates, and the sooner he expressed his views the better. Already they had two Conservative candidates, two Liberal or Kadical candidates and a prohibition candidate in the field. A Conservative candidate might be described as a man who conserved his own ideas and desired to maintain the laws of the land as he found them. A Liberal, or Eadical candidate, was one that went to the root of things, and the present Government wap a Liberal one, and devoted itself to the reform of the internal affairs of the country, with a view to social improvement. They all knew what a prohibition candidate was. To make the distinction between Liberal and Conservative better understood he -would refer to the land question. By the old Israelitish law all the land returned to its original owners every fifty years, which of course prevented large accumulations, ana was a wise provision. The more the land was subdivided the better. If they considered the land from a Biblical point of view they would find that it was intended to be treated quita differently from all other kinds of property. "The earth was the Lord's and the fulness thereof." This was not the case in New Zealand. He would ask them to go back to some twenty years ago in this province. At that time pre-emptive rights were granted to give ttie lessees protection to their fences, buildings, &c. This was right enough :in its way, but the holders soon '' began to abuse these rights. They bought up all the frontages and water rights. They also "gridironed" the land to such an extent that it was difficult for anyone else to buy near them. In this way large blocks were secured. They also, by means of their agents in the : towns, kept their names constantly on the : land books, so that at the next sitting of the Board they oould always step in i before another purchaser if they thought j hfl was going to buy some of their land. This ; was about the time of the land boom, > when the railways were being constructed, i and the land was . likely to increase in ! value. Sir Julius Yogel wanted to keep ' the land for the immigrants he was ' bringing out, but there was no chance of . doing so. The people had little power in the selection of candidates, and did not ; know how to use their power. Thingß went ; on in this way under the Atkinson Govern- ; ment, which was a purely Conservative : one. A day soon came when there was a I great social upheaval. The strikes came ! and showed the power of the people. He 1 did not want to see strikes, but they had ■ their advantages. They showed the people I who were their real friends, the Liberals :or the Conservatives. At the last election I this issue was before the people, and they | returned the present Government by a - large majority. This Government had j honestly tried to alter things for the ! better. It broaght in a progressive Land i taxi The Conservatives did not like that I tax at all, and were trying all they could |to get rid of it. He would refer them to !Mr Eolleston's speech. Mr Rolleston had quoted John Stuart Mill to show the j injustice of the tax, but he could ; tell them that Mill's remarks only ; applied to land in England. The ' large estates in this country had been ■ acquired, not perhaps by any breach of the I laws of the land, but by a breach of the I laws of God, namely, the tenth command- ' ment, in which we were commanded not to i covet. To hold euoh large estates was j greed and eovetousness, as no man could ; make proper use of them. He considered I the progressive Land tax a fair and reasonable one. It had been asked for by the old ; Chartists fifty years ago. The Minister j for Lands had' told them that he had tried I to get the Land for Settlements Bill passed, | and had succeeded in the Lower House. IHe thought such a measure was very necessary, so that poor men could obtain land at a fair price. At present, even when these large estates were cut up and offered for sale, it was only the well-to-do that could benefit themselves. He had an idea of his own for breaking tip the large estates. He would increase [ the succession duties, bo that the heirs to [ these large estates would have to pay a fair share to the State. He would remit j the duties if the heirs offered to sell to the , State at a fair price. The Upper House ! had again thrown out the Bill, but if the I Liberals were returned again to office it must pass. In referring to the education question, he was sorry that there were not ! more ladies present, as he was sure they I were the best judges on this question. There had already been a good deal of | agitation all over the country to again introduce the Bible into the schools. This was a good move, and it had his hearty I sympathy. He held that the Bible was the I best teacher of morals and political economy I that the people possessed. At present j the Catholics were not able to participate !in the educational system. They had I already spent large sums on education themselves, and were entitled to consideration. There were certain things in the ! present system of which they could not | approve, and he agreed with them. If the Catholics had their own schools it would relieve the Government schools with ad--1 vantage. If they could maintain their schools for £2 per head, it was cheaper | than the State could do it, and it was an 1 advantage to the State thai; children ; Bhould be brought up in the fear of ' God. The Church of England was also anxious for the change, and he was sure j that these denominational schools would ■ do good in picking up the waifs and strays, 1 and giving them a religious education. The Licensing Bill had now passed, and ! a majority of three-fifths of the ratepayers [ could close the publichouses. The prohibitioniets did not like this ; , they wanted ■ a majority of one to do the same thing. He was not in favour of prohibition, as he I was sure it was not practicable, and would | be a great cruelty to those who wanted stimulants and were ordered to take them Iby their doctors. He would like the prohibitionist candidate to state his views, and he would then answer him. He thought that the Government Licensing ; Bill was a fair and reasonable compromise. The railways were a large asset, their value being about £15,000,000. The Commissioners were appointed to manage the railways and to make them pay a profit. At present they paid 3 per cent, which he thought was quite : enough, and in the interests of the j Colony the charges should be reduced. | He thought that the Government should ' have a say in the management of the railways, and if elected he should certainly support the Government in this matter. j Ab the Houses were at present constituted, !he considered the suggestion for the j adoption of the Eeferendum an excellent one. If the Upper House were an elective body it would not be required. Unless > there was a very strong Government he I did not think the Upper House would be j altered. He should like to see the Eeferenj dum introduced to settle great questions. j A number of questions having been I answered, Mr Elston proposed, and Mr Page seconded, a vote oE thants to Mr j Graham for his address. The motion was ' earned, and a vote of thanks to the ; Chairman concluded the meeting.

I Theatre Eotai,.— The Theatre Eoyal was again crowded to excess last evening, when Mr Bland Holt's Dramatic Company repeated A Million of Money, and again did the beautiful scenic effectß and excellent acting win well'deoerved applause. The piece will bo repeated to-night, tomorrow night and Saturday night. On '■ Monday evening Alone in London, one 8£ G.B. Sims' most effective dramas, will be produced.