DUNEDIN NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7544, 29 October 1902, Page 3

DUNEDIN NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, Oct. 29. Speaking on the Midland Railway Bill I last night the senior member for the City, •who supported the measure, said -.—Since Parliament rose Sir Joseph Ward had stated that the colony was absolutely independent of the London money market, and would not have to go there in future for money. If that was the case the House should not have been told when the Bill was under consideration that tho measure was absolutely necessary in the interests of the colony, and that the colony ought to get the assistance instead of the antagonism of .the debenture-holders of the company. It was said, too, that thes* debenture-holders had been the means of causing the colony to lose £400,000 on the last loan, and that their influence with the Stock Exchange was great, and this Bill, so he regarded it, Avas simply^ a bribe to them to withdraw their opposition. Therefore, if it waa the case when the Bill was passed that the colony was independent of the London money market the House was absolutely misled when it was a^ked to give that sum of £150,000. However, he did not think the colony was independent of the London money market, or that it would be independent of it for some years to come. [Per Press Association.] THAMES, Oct. 29. The Hon J. M'Gowan, in a speech to his supporters, stated plainly that, while willing and anxious in the future, as in tho past, to study and conserve the interests of the miners, he Would not entertain a policy of confiscation, of properties, merely because financial troubles arose. Considerable enthusiasm was shown at the preliminary meeting. WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. Contrary to expectation, Mr Barber has Ire-en selected by the Newtown Branch of the Liberal an-:l Labour Federation as its candidate for Newtown, subject to ratification by the Premier.

(NOTES. There are 203 candidates of all colours in the field at the present time, and the lists are not yet complete. Of these 116 are Liberals, 53 are Oppositionists, 23 are Independents and 11 call themselves Progressive or Independent Liberals. The wife of a candidate for Parliamentary honours in an electorate adjoining Alataura is, it is stated, lecturing in the north of the district on her husband's behalf. In a speech which, he delivered on Monday evening Mr Duthie said: "I am satis- * fled that the public of Wellington are a very discriminating body indeed. The public of Wellington like decent people to represent them, and if a decent man offers he "■ets the preference." It. will be interesting to read what Mr Duthie will say if he happens to be beaten at the polls. By an error it was announced in this morning's issue of the "Lyttelton Times" that Mr J. R. Brunt, a candidate for Avon, would deliver his opening address this evening. A meeting of his friends and supporters will be held in the Phillipstown school at 8 o'clock this evening. The dial of Big Ben, at Westminster, i& 71ft in ciroumfereace.