EIiEGTORAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4773, 13 October 1893, Page 3

EIiEGTORAL.

[Pbb PBKBS ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, Oct. i 3. ,' The Trades and Labour Council has decided to support Mr Tndebope, representative of the Amalgamated Carpenters ' and Joiners, for the city seat. PAHIATUA, Oct. 13. The Knights of Labour have decided to ! support Mr Hogg's candidature for the ' Mnsterton seat. WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. A deputation waited on Mr Duthie, j asking him to contest the city. He promised to reply in a day or two. Mr A. W. Hislop is mentioned aj3 likely to contest Wellington, and a requisition to him is being signed. Despite the wretched weather, the Opera House was crowded to hear Mr Travers, one of the city candidates, express his views. He declared himself' opposed to the. Government, and criticised its financial policy adversely. He regretted the change in the incidence oC taxation, and thought that with the large surplus the Government should have reduced the duties on the necessaries of life to the lowest penny. He characterised the system of taking up waste lands as rotten, and said the department should adopt a much more simple form. He opposed lease in perpetuity, but favoured the deferred-payment* system as helping small capitalists. He would favour a grant to private schools where there was a sufficiency of teachers to impart to pupils Becular instruction equal to the State standard. Religious instruction should be allowed in schools, but the State should only be asked to defray the coat of secular education. He was quite in sympathy with the Temperance movement, and while not prepared to go the length of the direct veto, would insist on a better regulation of the trade. The meeting broke up without passing a vote, except one of thanks to the Chairman. The Hon B. J.Seddon has, after due consideration, decided to stand for his present constituency, Westland, at the general election. HOKITIKA, Oct. 12. In response to very largely-signed requisitions from all parts of the district, Mr Seddon has decided to again offer his services to this constituency. He will probably be returned unopposed. DUNEDIN, Oct. 12. j Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.8., was presented to-night with an address welcoming him j back from his arduous duties, thanking him for his zeal and assiduity, and] expressing the hope that he may long bo | spared to represent the people in Parliament. The address, which was presented by Mr A. Sligo, bore over a thousand signatures. The Mayor presided, and referred to the services rendered by Mr Fish to local bodies. DUNEDIN, Oct. 13. There are over 5000 names on the Port Chalmers roll. On dit that Mr James Gore, ex-member, and Mr Alexander Sligo will be nominated for the City. . GORE, Oct. 12. Mr Eobert M'Nab, one of the candidates for the Mataura electorate, addressed the electors at Gore this evening. About four hundred were present. Mr John M'Gibbon presided. The candidate went at length into the question of the franchise, and supported the recent admission of women. He believed in the Upper Houbb, and thought that in connection with county and municipal franehiee it should be limited to four and three votes respectively. In regard to the land lawa he favoured the occupation with right of purchase, >and the perpetual lease instead of the lease in perpetuity. The freehold tenure was getting out of touch with the times in various directions. He advocated the payment of death duties by land grant in the case of large estates, and would support the control of the iiquor traffic by a bare majority. He believed in the free, secular and compulsory system o£ ednoation, advooated making the secondary system free for a certain standard, and urged direct nomination by the Government on the University Senate. He would foster the Volunteer movement. He gave his support to the policy of the past three years. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed. [SPECIAL TO THE "STAE."] ' WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. Sir Robert Stout's prospects are improving here ; and his eupporters are confident that he will head the poll. Messrs Duthie and Bell are holding back for a sufficient requisition, which is being actively canvassed. Mr Eraser will, I believe, receive the nomination (with Sir Eobert Stout) of the Labour Convention. The third man is uncertain. The Premier's declaration for Westland will hasten local developments. The Premier has gone to Feilding to speak to-nicrhfc.

Mr K. M. Taylor announces that he ia a candidate for re-eleotion for Christclrarch. Mr B< M. Griffiths has been appointed Beturning Officer for the Lyttelton district. Dr Frankish announces that he will address the electors in the Taam street hall to-night. Matters political are being eagerly discussed in the Cast district, and there 1b every reason to believe that the poll of electors will be unusually large. A considerable amount of satisfaction has been expressed at the announcement that Mr Buddo will contest the seat. A number of the supporters of Mr J. M. Verrall expressed regret that he has not come forward, as his chances in the weßtern portion of the electorate are regarded as encouraging. Frequent enquiries are being made as to when the candidates will announce their meetings.

On Monday evening Mr Russell addressed the Riccarton electors at the Halswell schoolroom, Mr W. Beer in the chair. The building was crowded, and the candidate was accorded an attentive hearing. At the -close only two questions of an unimportant character were asked, ! and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to tha candidate and chairman.— On Wednesday evening Mr Russell met . the electors afc Yaldhurat schoolroom, Mr Alfred Wilson occupying the chair;. At the close of his address Mr Russell answered a number of questions. Ho declared him- '■ self in favour of maintaining the subsidies Ito local bodies. He would support the merging of the functions of the ! County Councils in the Eoad Boards, and j the payment to the latter bodies of the 1 license fees. He strongly advocated the i reform of charitable aid administration, ! the system he preferred being that of local relief. He alleged- that at present a class of professional pauperß was being created in the citieß at the expense of the rural districts. He announced that at none of his meetings were any expressions of confidence desired, and votes of thanks cloaed the proceedings. Mr D. Dick is likely to become a candidate for thft Ashley district. , „, . , The Registrar of Electors for the Christchurch district took during yesterday only about fifty claims from women, which is a very considerable falling off from the numbers taken previously. The Rev J. O'Bryen Hoare has announced himself as a candidate for the City of Christchurch, and sayß that if elected he will heartily support the preBent Ministry so long as, and bo far as, it adheres to those great democratic principles for the upholding of which it was placed in power by the people. A numeroualy-attended and very enthusiastic meeting of Mr Tanner's supporters was held afc the Linwood Social Hall on Wednesday evening. Representatives from Phillipstown, Woolston, North Linwood, New Brighton and Marshland^ were present, and resolved themselves into a Committee to secure Mr Tanner's reelection. Mr W. Ensom was elected Chairman, and Mr John Higgins Secretary of, the General Committee. It was decided to form a separate Women's Committee and looal Committees in the various centres,, and to ask Mr Tanner to Bpeak in Linwood at an early date. A meeting of friends and supporters of the Hon 77. P. Reeveß was held last night in the Assembly Rooms, Hobbs' Buildings. The room was crowded to excess, aod the candidate was heartily received. Mr Reeves spoke for nearly an hour on leading political topics, and was frequently applauded. At the close of the speech it was unanimously resolved— "That the candidate be thanked for his address, and that those present pledge themselves to do all in their power to secure the return of Mr Reeveß." A large number enrolled their names a3 members of the Central Committee. On Thursday evening Mr Wason addressed the electors at the Leeston Town Hall. There was a very good attendance, including a large number of ladies. Mr R. Lochhead, Chairman of the Ellesmere Eoad Board, presided. Mr Wason, who was well received, said he felt some difficulty in addressing the electors after they had been accustomed to be addressed by so able a representative as Sir John Hall, and whose retirement from political life he much regretted. He then spoke on the topics of general interest in the same strain. .as at Ashburton on Tuesday night. He criticised severely- the action of .the Government in the purchase of the Cheviot Estate, which, he felt sure,, would prove a heavy burden and loss to the country. He also adversely criticised the Rating Bill brought down by the Government. In reply to questions, he said he was not in favour of closing hotels or the compulsory half-holiday. He preferred selling Crown lands for cash to perpetual lease. Mr T. W. Frankißh proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Wason, which was seconded by Mr J. P. Henley, and carried. A similar vote to the Chairman closed the meeting.