THE CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5461, 13 January 1896, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION.

A -well-attended and enthusiastic meeting of Mr J. L. Scott's supporters was held in the Oddfellows' Chambers on Saturday evening. Mr J. P. Kissel was voted to the chair. Apologies were received from several prominent citizens who were absent on account of business engagements. Mr Scott briefly expressed his views upon the leading questions of the day, after which he satisfactorily answered several questions. On the subject \of education he said he would strenuously maintain the present free, secular and compulsory system, and would oppose any attempt to introduce any text-book that would have a tendency to revert to denominationalism. He believed in giving the present Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act a fair trial before attempting to alter it any way, and although a teetotaller himself, was opposed to prohibition in any shape until a decisive majority demanded it, and not even then unless provision were made to supply the reasonable wants of the minority. He upheld the Government in the recent banking legislation, and thought the outcome would ultimately be the estalishment of a State bank. He eulogised the land Laws, and dwelt upon tho success at Cheviot, which now supported hundreds of people, where only units subsisted formerly. He was , in favour of old age pensions, and thought the subject was not hedged about) with so many difficulties as had been made to appear, and that the wealthy should be made to provide a very substantial part of the necessary funds. He would urge the exclusion of Asiatics,' and would promote legislation in the direction of importing nothing that could be manufactured in the country. He objected strongly to relief works for the unemployed, and thought one of the first aims of Government should be to see the whole of the populace employed eight hours a day at full wages, and would even not object to further borrowing 1 , if necessary, to secure that end, provided permanent and reproductive works were undertaken. Mr R. Winter proposed the following resolution, which was carried unanimously: — "That this meeting considers Mr Scott a fit and proper person to represent this constituency in Parliament, and forms itself into a Central Committee pledged to do all in its power to secure his return." After deciding to meet in the committee-room on Monday evening next, a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close. The Bailance Liberal Association, Addington, will hold a meeting at eight o'clock to-morrow evening in the Oddfellows'. Hall, Lincoln Eoad, to form a committee to secure tho return of Mr J. L. Scott. Mr Scott will deliver an address.