THE BRUCE ELECTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 27, Issue 950, 27 June 1883, Page 3

THE BRUCE ELECTION.

Mi^GiuiM at Manuka. Cbhk.

Our correspondent writes : —Mr Robert Gillies, a for the representation of Bruce in 'Parliament, addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting of electors in the schoolhouse, Manuka Creek, on Saturday, 23rd inst. Mr Robert Craig was voted to the chair, and introduced Mr Gillies to the meeting in a few well chosen remarks. Mr Gillies, on coming forward, was heartily received, and listened to throughout-his admirable address with more than ordinary interest. He referred to the principal questions engrossing the public mind at the present time, more especially taxation and the land question. With regard to the former, he stated that he would support a land and income-tax in preference to a property-tax, which was unfair in a great many instances in its operation, and tended in a great measure to cripple instead of to foster industries of all kinds. In speaking on the land question, he was in favor of supporting every measure which would hav6 for its object the placing of people upon the land. He deprecated in forcible terms the fact of large blocks of land falling into the hands of a few persons merely for speculative purposes. He was. of opinion that a tax on land would be a check in this direction. At this stage of his address, Mr Gillies stated that all the misery and want to be met with on the European continent were due, to a great extent, to bad land laws, and be was of opinion that the time was gradually hastening on when land Wquld be .differently dealt .with, and no one would have more -of God's earth than another,. After touching upon several other matters of interest, Mr Gillies brought his address to> close; having girjen one of the most straightforward' and honest addresses ever delivered here. The frequent plaudits he received during its delivery testified that the meeting thoroughly endorsed his views. A" number of questions were submitted to hinvand answered most satisfactorily. Mr W, Simpson proposed, and Mr W. H. Miller seconded: "That this meeting thank Mr Gillies for his -able address, and that he is the most fit and proper person to represent them in Parliament." The motion was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Gillies to Mr Craig as chairman.— A committee to work on behalf of Mr Gillies's interests so as to secure his return by > all. possible means was appointed;, and to judge from those who have undertaken to work on his behalf, it is almost a foregone conclu«ion-*b»t-Mr-Gillies-will be-chosen-by-this constituency almost to a man. Thf "Daily Times," in a leading article in yesterday's issue, supports Mr Gillies's candidature. It says:— Mr Gillies has for many yeartibeen before the public in various capacities, and though not exactly a> popular man, because he has not chosen to court popularity, he is Intimately acquainted I with the wants and requirements of the settlers; and with the political history of the Colony. His views ate moderate, and were stated in a straight-forward way. J He by no means approves of everything the government have done,*; (but would not displace! them until he could see his way to replace them* by a better Administration.