POLITICAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5500, 27 February 1896, Page 4

POLITICAL.

IE G. W. RUSSELL AT PAPANUI. There was a good attendance at the Town Hall, Papanui, last night, when Mr G. W. Russell, M.H.R. for Riccarton, addressed his constituents. Mr W. J. Cresswell presided. Mr Russell's speech, which was attentively listened to and frequently applauded, dealt principally with the questions which were the subjects of his address at Addington last night. On the question of the revision of the tariff, he said it had been perfectly clear to him that the Colonial Treasurer's proposals were meant to strengthen the revenue. He could congratjalate has constituents on the extra duty put on fruit, which- would keep : the' Tasmanian fruit out of the market. He had objected to. the. South Australian reciprocity treaty, because he did not think it a wise policy to make ' a treaty with a country, whose trade with -New Zealand only amounted to .£25,000 or j>3O,OQO a year, and thereby neglect New South Wales, which had just adopted freetrade and which was a large customer of this colony. He had opposed the Vancouver mail service on the ground of expense, and if the question were reintroduced he would require a much better scheme than the previous one. He thought that the lesson to be drawn from the recent by-election was that Conservatism and liquor were henceforth' to go together, and that it would • be arrant folly on the part of the two sections of Liberals to be tearing at each other's throats while a Conservative gained the seat. A reconciliation must be effected between the Liberal Party and the prohibitionists. The election also showed that the Government would have to bring its proposals into touch with what was called the advanced section of the Liberal Party. Several questions were . asked and answered, and at the conclusion of the address, on Mr P. Stewart's motion, seconded by Mr Longman, a vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr Russell was unanimously carried.