Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1896. TEMPERANCE REFORM.

The reina: k made by Mr McLachlan m his address on Tuesday evening, that the liquor questi n had been a s'.umbline bJockforyears m thnwayof legislation, and had created ill feeling between political friends, suggests that there may be a more eatisfactoiy way of dealing with the evil of intemperance than that insisted upon by the Prohibition parfy. The soheme proposed by them seems to be working adversely for the cav e of temperance reform, since it is alienating those who ought to be combining to ameliorate the condition of the human rac. Theie can be no doubt that thete are quite as many earnest men and women prepared to work for the removal of the curse which the abuse of liquor has entailed upon the world, who are not inclined to go so far as to enforce self sacrifice, and a surrender of certain recognised principles upon the sober m a speculative attempt to reclaim the drunkard. We think the majority will never be led to agree that prohibition is either neoessaiy or wise. The contention of the prohibitionists is that every other means of temperance reform has boon tried without success. Having thus easily - disposed of the question, they have been striving ro force their views upon the rest of the community, and have loudly and bitterly complained that the moderates who stop at such an extreme step as prohibition are antagonistic to temper- , ance reform . When we add that the extremists a c making prohibition the ono plank m cheir platform at the coming eh c» ions, we think we have fairly if briifly stated the position. We believe that all other means to check drunkenness have not yet been exhausted. • On the contrary, the most obvious and logical means — namely, dealing with drunkard himself haa never teen firmly and systematically tried. We venture to say that if society had not been bo foo'ishly sentimental on the subject if the ** poor drunkard " ; if, . when education and civilisation had shown the far reaching evils of intcniperai.ee, our legislator had applied themselves to a logical settlement of this question, un trammelled by the traditions of a roister ing and licentious past, and the social weaknesses of men m high places — the liquor question wouldnob huve been the bone of contention it has now become, nor the stumbling block it has been m the way of many use'ul reforms It is the belief of a great many earnest thoughtful men and women that if m the past, society had not taken such an illogical atand on the subject of the drunk ard's responsibility, and if there had been no encouraging the soaker and the sot by mkplaced sympathy, many pernicious social customs— such as the ' nip ' and the friendly glass— would have disappeared more completely from countries under British rule than have prize fighting, cock fighting and duelling. The poo drunkard indeed j We can iimgfne him laughing m his sleeve when he sees hit pißtor or his empl. yer signing the pledge, as an example to him to do likewise, when the tears or his wife and the sufferings of his children, could not induce him to fore go his favorite vice. The man who could be hfluenoed by the fotrnor amsideraiiori when ill 1 * latter had been powerless* to step him, is hardly one for whom iht bulk of hla fellow men and women ehoulr be asked to m*ke sacrifice^ Aa jh prohibitionists have to confess thnt their ffforfcs m the dincbion of temperance re form huve so far not been a. pronounced success, we invie them ro formulate a ► cherne to amend the Police OftViCßh and the Liquor Sale Control Acts, so that tho real offender, the drunkard, may be dealt with m a firm, fair, and effective manner, and that he shall be the chief, and if possible, the only sufferer for "his wrong doing. A fchr-m* <»f graded pen«J jles f >r the drunkard lead ing up to his pontfnued. detention, m a self supporting institution; his next of kin, or the Stafcfl through the public trustee, administering his estate and keeping his family— if he has any — would at least possess the merit cf putting the saddle on the right horse, and of preventing che great, majority of the public from being eUled upon to have th<ir convenience interfered with, and their privilege infringed because of the folly anp jyeakness of a miserable few. If the ext oraists would me<£ the other sections of temperance reformers on some such grounds, we are persuaded that a coir-promise would be soon arrived at. None but fanatics could refuse to give a soheme so reasonable a trial seeing that the onty alternative ia prohibition, and nobody denies that this, if passtd, wou'd interfere -with the liberty of the minorify. The evils jf intemperance are indeed #rest, bub the evils of this ever lasting difputj^tjion and controversy on the liquor question are a'ls# 'gjjeat, and moreover no section pf the community caa escape the annoyance anfj. worry caused by the subject being continually forced to the front.

Local and General.

It is stated that the Armenians threaten to poison the Constantinople 'water supply.

A splendid rain has fallen throughout Queensland and the drought has broken up.

A letter from beyond the colony, addressed as under, awaits delivery at the Ashburton Office— James McColl.

A man named Robert Jenkins was brought m from Hinds yeaiei'day to the A'sbburton Hospital, suffering ' from ifga'mmation of thelungi 4

The adjourned meeting of burgesses to deal with the matter of Fire Brigade competi tion is to be held at the Brigade iooni to-morrow evening at 7.30.

The voting by the members of the 'local branch of the Prohibition League, bo select their -representative m the coming election, takes place to-morrow afternoon.

At the meeting of the Aehburton School. Committee last night, Mr Mac Lean Dunn was ejiejQted to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr Jsraddell.

There will be no sale afc the Ashburton yarda on Tuesday next (carniyal week). t he next sale will be at Tinwald on Tuesday, November 17.

Tbe result of the Melbourne Cup race was issued m the form of an " extra " from this office last night at 7.ls— the cable having been received a few minutes before.

We remind our readers that the Borough gohool concert takes place on Friday evening. There is a capital programme arranged, copies ,of which may be seen m the windows of various shops ih-fchfi town.

On Monday next, the Prince of Wales Birthday, the local Poet and Telegraph Office will be closed, except from 9 till 10 a.m. and from 7 till 8 p.m. All mails will be made up at 6.30 a.m. The Telephone Exchange will .be open as usual. The late Mr T3egg, who died on Monday, had b.een sul^eririg .from" conßump tion, and had not been attended 'at his death] by a medical man. An inquest being neces sary it was held on Tuesday by Mr Alfred Harrison, J.P., and a jury of six, who found th.it death had arisen from natural causes. Deceased was buried to-day.

It will be seen by a new advertisement m another column that Messrs Craighead and Berryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited m Ashbur ton. This speaks well for their enterprise and local iodmlry,

The printers of the Christchurch electoral" roll expect fcto have the work done well within the contract time. The Ashburton roll, now m ihe hands of the Ashburtori Publishing Company for printing, 13 going through the press with great despatch^ and is up to the copy supplied by the Regis tiar, who is losing no time ia making the trans cription for the printers. The contract time expires next Tuesday, buc the roll will be finished earlier than the due date by ' perhaps two days.

Additional regulations were made by the Judges, during the late sitting of the Court} of Appeal, for the admission of barristers and solicitors within New Zealand, uuder the Law Practitioners Acb, 1882. . The new rules provide that every candidate for admission as a barrister or solicitor, who shall have been previously admitted elsewhere, shall give six months' notice of his applica tion for admission to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, at the place where he in tends to apply, and that a candidate for admission as a barrister or solicitor, who has not been previously admitted elsewhere, shall give two months' notice of his appli cation to the Registrar. The rules come into force on the Ist of January next.

The Lyltelton Times, referring to the Hon. Major Steward's candidature says he has been very ill since the close of the session, and this fact accounts for his delay m meet ing the electors ; but though his opponents have been busy m the Waitaki electorate, the Major is said to be certain of re-election. Major Steward on Monday, in ' the Odd fellows 9 Hall, addressed the largest audience that has ever assembled at any political meeting m Waimate. Mr James Sinclair was voted to the ohair. Major Steward spoke for two and a half" hours,' and throughout his whole address was listened to with deep attention. He touched upon all the political questions of the day[ and reviewed the work of the last session. On resuming his seat, Major Steward was loudly cheeted.

The pleasant recollections which the Ashburton public will retain of the visit of the great Oriental entertainer, the Rev < Haskett Smith, M. A., last year, will no doubt ensure crowded attendances to-night and on Thursday next, when the subjects ' will be " Constantinople " and " Damascus " respectively. To night Mr Haskett Smith Will clearly explain the great. Armenian question from his 'own personal knowledge and observation ; and the subject is one which at this particular time is full of the deepest interest. The keen powers of observation, the candid spiritof impartiality, and the shrewd capacity for judicious conolußions, which are manifest throughout all the famous Orientalist's lectures, are a sufficient guarantee that a valuable and interesting statement will be made on the deplorable condition of affairs m the Turkish Empire, whilst his views on Constantinople are, according to all accounts/ perfectly sublime m their beauty, many of them being I exquisitely colored by an eminent artist.

School Committee.

ASHBXJRTON.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ash burton School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Preßent — Messrs Mc- Pherson (cV airman), Keir, Meddins, H, M.' Jones, Craighead, and Phaup. FINANCE. The chairman stated that the credit balance at the bink was £12 10s 7d. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the secretary of the Board of Education stating that he had forwarded six copies of the Education Act. — It was decided to send for two more copies.

From Mesdames ■ Inglis and Hamilton stating that they could not undertake the examination of the sewing of the school owing to other engagements.' From Mrs Fooka and Mrs Kennedy stating that they would be glad to examine the sewing. Their report of the last examination is as follows : ■—The Chairman Borough School Committee Dear Sir, — We examined the sewing and found it very we 1 taught. We were .especially pleased with the work done by Standard VI, and we think the results on the whole are highly creditable to the school' and teacher (Mrs Willis).

(The priz > list will appear later.) ' A yote of thanks was paßsed to the ladies who had taken care of the last sewing examination.

master's report.

The ir aster's report waß received and showed that during the month ending August the number on the roll was 281 boys, 213 girls, total 494; average attendance, 258 boys, 191 girls, total 449 ; strict average attendance, 254 boys, 187 girls, total 441. He applied for two forms and some ink wetya.-Jt was decided to write to the Board for then}.* ■'•'•■*•■ CONCERN. The m&ster reported that the value of concert tickets already sold amounted to •£lO. VACANCY. Mr Mac Lean Dunn was elected to fill the Vacancy on the Committee. ■ REi'Aiits. The * visiting committee reported that Beveral repairs had been seen to. ' DRAINAGE. It was deoided 'after a, Jong discussion to alter the drainage arrangements of the school, and to place the matter m the handß of the chairman and secretary. VISITING COMMITTEE. Messrs Keir and Jones were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month.

ACCOUNTS.

Accounts amounting to £1 4s were passed for payment and the Committee adjourned.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

(jPER PftESS ABSOCf4TIOIjr— CQPYRIG, UT. )

Washington, November 3, The excitement over the election continues.

The New York Exchange is now more .confident of the victory of the ' sound money ? pplicy, and stppks have advanced a few points. Mr.BmaUey, the journalist, relates an interview with Major McKinley who, he acys, regards the real issue as one of destroying or preserving the Republic, and that he i§ keenly sensi Lie of the solemnity of the occasion ; further, that he remains a protection ist, but no longer considers the new tariff a yital necessity. Major McKin lfty, he adds, adheres to gold while gold remains the world's standard. The Western animosity to Great Britain, Major McKinley states, is much over rated, and the existence of good rela tions is of equal importance to both countries.

London, November 3.

The Times tttistirthat on Thursday it will annbuVjce'tbat tlfe Republic has escaped a greater peril faafi fo.rejgn\ war or domestic disloyalty.

THE GENERAL ELECTION

Mr Sawle at Tinwald.

There was not a large attendance at Mr Sawle's first public interview with- the electors m the campaign. The meeting waa held m the Tinwald .Templar Hall, and the disagreeable weather no doubt) kept many away. Both Mr Sawle and Mr Maslin were unfortunate m this respect; but making every, allowance for the weather, the Tin via Id people do not appear to have yet worked up very much election excitement, and neither meeting was very lively. Mr Sawle's meeting was made up of a consider able proportion of youths, many of whom could hardly yet be of voting age, a few adult men, a fair proportion of females, and one or two men who, earlier m the day, would doubtless have been less talkative, and who would have been far better m bed than at that meeting, and would have saved the Chairman the necessity of having several times to call for order.

Mr E. Gates, chairman of the Town Board,, was chairman of the meeting, and introduced the candidate.

Mr Sawle was well received on rising, and after the usual conventionalities, he went on to speak of ihe strength of parties iv the House, referring to the great majority that the Liberal party had m Parliament, and which he. accepted as an indication of what was the desire of the people of the colony m regard to trfei nature of the legislation that was wanted. He said that what was wanted was a state of things that would give to the worker m return for his work enough to live on aa a rational being, and not as a Berf j not laws that would tend to make the rich rioher and the poor poorer. ' THE UPPER HOUSE. There was one thing that would be helpful to the bringing about of reforms, and thai was a reform of the Upper House. But how was that to be done ? There was great difficulty m the way of any reform m that quarter., and it was far from being an easy matter. All measures desired to be passed had to go before the Upper House and were subject to their criticism and amendment, as well as their veto, if such were the will of that body ; so that do what the House of Representatives may, and pass m their House what measures they might, if those measures were not pleasing to the Upper House they met their death on the floor of that assembly of nominated legislators, and proceeded no further. There was only one way he could* think of to get reform m that chamber, and it was a long way off perhaps yet. When the people of Great Britain once again elected a Liberal Government it might be possible for our Colonial Government to get the Imperial consent-to the nomination of such a number of advanced men to the Upper House as would make it possible, by the increased number of Councillors m sympathy with liberal legislation, to get that legislation passed through the Legis lative Council. But while the majority of the Council-were put there as life members, and were out of sympathy with the great body of the people, it was useless to expect from that majority any strong desire for the well-being of the people, or that they would care much for any but their own interests. He would like to see something like what obtained m South Australia become the constitution of our Upper House. Iv that colony the upper chamber was elected by a modified form of the Hare system. When he was m that colony the qualification was a £10 one, though he understood it . had been altered since then. Under that system the members were elected by the whole body of the people — not sent to the second chamber by districts, but all the names of the candidates were before the whole people, and from that list the men were chosen by the votes of the people. He would like to see an elected Upper House, Because then, whoever w,as sent,' would be to a greater extent' m touch with .the people than were those who now formed the second chamber m this colony. During the last three years a great deal of legislation had been passed by the House of Repre sentatives that had been thrown out by the Legislative Council. The Lower House were not to blame, nor were Government te blame for these measures proving abortive. Ihe blame lay atithe door of the Upper Chamber which was out of touch with the people, and he did not know that he was altogether m favor of keeping up a chamber that was so little careful of the welfare of the olony.

THE LAND QUESTION. Messrs Wason and Rolleaton had expressed themselves as desirous of not touching the existing land legislation, except to v give the freehold of their holdings to such as desired to purchase it. Six yeara ago when he had sought their suffrages and had addressed them at the various centres, be had said to them that if the land had never been alienated, but all had been held on a fair lease with reasonable provision for revaluation, and full value allowed for improvements, it would have been better for the people then, and he said now that it. would have been better for the people to-day. During the campaign he was at that time engaged m, a gentleman had argued with him for an hour, and at the end of the argument confessed that if he had been only a leaseholder for all the years he had been a freeholder, he would have been worth many more thousands than he then was. The paying of deposits and. instalments by men who went on land without enough to pay the purchase price and a margin to go oh with was a great hindrance ; and frequently bad seasons came, the instalments were not forth coming, and the man had to go off the land, leaving'the benefit of his labor that he had expended on it to the man who came after. He instanced a case m which a Company had t^iree times disposed of one piece of land m this way, had received deposits . and instalments from each intending freeholder, and m the end got back the land — the last man haypg. like his predecessors, failed to keep the terms through bad seasons. Government had done its very best to put the people on the land, and on oonditions that were fair and liberal. Mr Sawle then quoted the Victorian Land laws as being a good instance of liberal land legislation, and m marked contrast to the lottery character of our land ballot. Under the latter a man might go m for every section offered by Government and get none, while anothtr man might be successful m getting the only one he applied fpy. He instanced one case m which a man had tltiad at all the larger land selections that hid been of late years m the market but was not successful till Highbank was offered. He gtronglyobjeeted to men being allowed to enter for the properties offered by Government who already had sufficient land of their own, or at any rate getting a chance m a ballot before those who really wanted the land and had none had been 'supplied, ' ■ ' »pNE#AL?f, Mr Sawle spoke ~ab : sortie length on the mineral' resources of ttye colony; which he ■ said were the heritage of the people. He found f aujlt with our mineral wealth being handed over to foreign syndicates to monopolise, to. the 'exclusion ' of guy own people. Had G&verument worked our mineral claims there would have been no bogus ones, and the returns would have been suffioient to have paid off all our national debt. In Australia one mine alone had yielded £10,000,000, and it had all gone into the p'dokt.ts of foreigp sjyndioateai The alienation was % now go jjig on \n th» Nqrch Island. JJeha'd read "recently ' 0/ a Baron Somebody who had visited tb» auriferous country jm the North Island, ai« Wle well pleased wi£h the richness of it.nad expree^ed regrejb a.t tfre natur.e of tlje.Jauj tenure and the high PW? of labor. % b man would hayp liked an eternal lease o^Y g° od mine he oould get aa injerfiejb jn, ant W1 have preferred to have men working^ ]} Y>f poor wages. We had no right to l£ foreigners come m and reap the advp>tage of our mineral wealth. The.Rußsians°°K care that no foreigner worked their mit B > ai * d they were per feotly right ,m doing c ' TAlATtpif. • Six years ago he had F n accused of holding Utopian views or» good many thingsf but some of these t in ßJ !» ad become law-tfor instance the lac and IDcon \ e ta »- The latter was far fairer 9 an aproperty tax on improvements. We » d been told by many that the land and^« J« would ect injuriously upon th prosperity of the qolonv »Dd that m >nsequenc 9 of the Sviv tut flo&y B««^ mope y •fhfr

cheaper than it ever had been before. The colony was m> king fair progress, and il wheat kept up iv price, as he believed ii would, the colony woiftd enj jy greater prosperity than, it ever had dove bef >re.

ELECTIVE BXECDTIVK.-

He explained the nature of tyajor Steward's Elec ive Executive Bil', and poiutedout tht disadvantages that the colony was under Id having the Ministry subject to selection by thfl Premier, and he and his colleagues liable to be turned out of office by the success of a , no-confidence motion. If returned Mr Sawle would be an ardent worker to bring about the establishment of elective executives. OLD AGE PENSIONS. After a lengthy reference 10 the question of old age pensions, the principle vi which he heartily approved, m the course of which he said the/claims of the old piouecrs of the colony, who had come out with money and speut it m reclaiming the land from the wilderness, had always been recognised and their labors approved. But, he asked, what about the men who had worked for them — the men who actually did the toil i that brought about the reclamation ? The claims of those men were quite as great as those of the men who came to the colony with money, and the work they did of real value to the colony. He thought every man who had reached old age m the colony and had done his share of the work of it was entitled to enough to live out the remainder of his days on, beyond the reach of want and m reasonable comfort. He would treat Mr Seddon as sincere m his proposals regarding old age pensions, though some had doubted the Premier's sincerity. The Premier had suggested several sources from which funds could be drawn to provide those pensions, and Mr Sawle thought such bequests as the Moule^legaoy of £20,000 to the Old Men's Home, and. others of a like nature, might legitimately be used for v the purposes of provision for old age. He paid a tribute to Major Atkinson's insurance scheme, which crude m its details and unworkable, would, had it been elaborated, madetffective and put into force, have placed hundreds beyond the reach of want, who to-day who were brought face to face with the necessity for seeking and accepting charitable aid. After expressing his unwillingness to alter the present education system by the intro duction of text books or the Bible, without a direct vote by the people ; and his opinion that no child should be allowed to enter the secondary schools until it had passed a fixed standard, he went on to deal with THE LIQUOR QUESTION. His opinion was unchanged on this ques tion. It was one that should be Bettled by the people, and even by a bare majority of them at the ballot box. People seemed awfully frightened at this, and some said those who thought as he did wanted to rule the majority by the minority. Thia was far from their desire. Prohibition gained by a minority was nob worth having, and prohi bitionists would not accept it. He wanted the people to ay at the ballot box— yes or no ; and he did not want prohibition till the people had said they would have it. Some folks were awfully afraid of themselves m this matter. On all other things they were prepared to take their proper position ; but the licensing question they wanted to hand' the responsibility of to a committee. BANKING. After a defence of the Government's action m regard to guaranteeing the New Zealand Bank Mr Sawle expressed himself strongly m favour of a State Bank, which would be better for settlers at all times, but specially so m times of depression m which they would not be liable to have called m the money they had borrowed m better times from a bank that had been only too glad to lend. Mr Sawle spoke at con siderable length on this subject m explana tion of his views.

In answer to questions he said Canterbury had not been unfairly treated altogether m the matter of the proposed loan for publis works as it had had a good deal of expendi ture iv the past and would benefit , as all would benefit by the opening up of fresh country and by the royalties on the gold raised mi% A good deal of money had been spent m Canterbury m the purchase of land. If there were now no roya'tiea on gold on the West Coast there ought to be. He favored a Fair Rent Bill, and would prefer being a Government tenant to being tenant under a private individual.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Sawle for his address on the motion of Mr Case, seconded by Mr tJudsell, and this acknow ledged, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Mr McLachlan at the Odd fellows' Hall.

Mr John McLachlan, the member for Ashburton m the last Parliament, addressed a crowded meeting of electora, nuny of whom were ladies, m the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. His Worship the Mayor said before announcing the business of the evening, he would read an extra he just had placed m his hands printed by the Guardian, giving the result of the Melbourne Cup, and as there were no doubt a good number present interested/ he then read the result, which announcement was received with applause. They had been called together for the purpose of hearing from the member of their district, and who had represented them m Parliament for the lagt " three years. He had. come before them to give an account of his stewardship, and to give his views on the v political questions of the day, and to give according to his light, a forecast of what was likely to take place m the future- There were a good many m the hall perhaps who might not agree with all that might be said by-. Mr M<?Lachlan on this occasion, but he would ask them to extend a fair hearing and listen to what he had to say, and at the close of his address he would be quite pre"-~ pared to answer any questions they might put to him. He ijad much pleasure m introducing their member, Mr MoLaohlan. Mr MoLachlan, who Waa received with loud applause, said he was very pleased to see so many present, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. He would pro- ' ceed to address them as the Mayor had said, on the questions that had engaged the attention of the Parliament just past, and briefly to review the whole work of Parlia ment, and give an intimation of the MEASURES HE INTENDED To'sUPPORS I

§t the forthcoming Parliament, for he in tended io be there: (laughter and applause.) PERSONAL. Ib had been alleged that he had been wanting m not sooner declaring himself as a oandidate for Ashburton, but six weekß or two* -months ago when the districts were declared and the maps were hung up showing the new districts he was not them, he was down paying a visit to Canterbury, and Mr Maalio, *whq was a personal friend of his decided io' a* and for Ashburton,' and an nouncecl his" intention of doing so. When Mr Maslin made the announcement to him, he (l\|r McLaohlan) said he should not con sider-tha^ an obstacle to> his own candi dature. He (Mr McLachJinJ had been requested fbcoine 1 forward |br xhis'disir'icb, and he intended fa fight it to the bitter end. There was no fault to be found either with himself for not sooner announcing himself, or Mr Maslin fur announcing himself. There had been changes m the -districts, and Ashburton now took m right to the R*ngi iata, and tjjergfora tqqk m new ground. ! " JHB tAsi? "SKBSiqNt '•' The session just passed was remarkable for its length, it continued for four months, and was ren^ark^ble for \,he number of sitting houips, the number otfloeal bills, and far its select comm^fcees and, late houra, on§ committee siting nearly the whole session, occupying tljree" months, he referred to. th.c $ank}ng Jnqvnry $ill. flfe wquld not trouble them much ahout th&t,"nor refer to it to any great length. In a threat measure the session was as remarkable for the bills dropped as for the bills passed.

TWO MANY LAWS.

He thought it would be m the interests of the people of New Zealand if the statutes were diminished m quantity, because too many laws were passed., If they only passed good laws and wiped the, bad one 3 out, it would be better for the people^ One of the most important measures was 'the

' QUALIFICATION ( OK ELECTOBg' BIGHTS BILL. That Bill was equaHp the Magsa Char fca for the people. Hitherto they had from parliament to parliament been advancing and.- revising^ the, r e'e,ctoral>| lawa of New Zealai^. .'tlfc' practically, abolished the territorial qualification; that enabled people to regiaterlia different parts Of the <colony, 1 and to exercise a residential r or property I quaflißoation at any place other thanfesUj aeati^ Q$ tbg ooom^jj pf a ty^eJegtton, |

and no name appearing on a roll will remain here after the general election unless the person has exercised the right of voting, Me or she will cease to be on the roll and .hey must register again. What the Liberals have made is— one man one vote. One vote one qualification will become the law of. New Zealand. That is practically ihe change m the Electoral Act of last session. The deputy returning officer could qow vote, and the only, one who was now v disfranchised was the chief returning officer, which gives practically as near as we can get it, the one-man-one- vote and a .frea franchise. He would deal with a few Bills that would interest the masses of the people. There was the * FEMALE LAW PRACTITIONERS BILL. There could scarcely be a more just Act than that. He could conceive a number of cases where a woman required, to consult a solicitor on some matter, and by consulting a woman could do so without blushing. A woman might be legally qualified to practice the profession of the law, perhaps as a partner of a firm. He did not mean a sleeping partner (laughter), and when con* suited by a women m distress, could convey to her partner if necessaty the facts of the oaaes and act for the best. He thought it a most desirable Bill. There was the

ADVANCES TO SETTLEBS ACT, . although that was not appreciated to the fullest extent. When they looked back a few years and remembered when the rate of interest was from seven to twelve and fifteen per cent for loans on real estate, he thought the- Government was justified m doing what they had to reduce the rate of interest. It had not been altogether one of profit for the Government for various reasons, amongst them being the competition of individual firms and the pressure of money from the Australian colonies. The Govern ment had been unable to lend the money aa fast as they thought they would or desired. Yet it was through the Government that money was to be had as reasonable as it is now. The contention had been that the money would be squandered, but it had nob been borne out as the lending board was so careful. He explained the working of the Apt showing thai borrowers were enabled to repay the principal m multiples of five pounds, which was an advantage to both borrower and lender. Although the RAILWAY CLASSIFICATION BILL

did not please all the railway employees yet it was a step la the right direction, Be had been told he had spoken m strong terms againßt the railway employees, and he thought he had a right to vindicate his character m that matter. He read extracts from Hansard to show that he had done what he could to help the lower grade of railway employees, and when it was pro posed to reduce the lower grade of wbrkmen from 3s 6d to 2a 6d a day he castigated the Minister of Railways for stooping to take » shilling a day off them. He thought he had shown them he had never stood up for the higher grade, or that he had said anything against those who were receiving the lower - grade wagea. There was a Bill passed the House of consideiable importance to the colony, that Was the - HOEOWHENUA BLOCK BILL.

Every person m that hall was versed m the history of that Bill. He defended the action of the Government m the matter, and said they were perfectly justified after the long enquiry by the commission appointed m bringing m a bill to determine once and for ali the tribal rights of the Maoris. THE SCAB ACT

was briefly referred to aa being a very necessary one and it was for the benefit of everyone tthat this Act should be" complied with. There w*s a Bill that the people of Ashburton as much as anyone were clamour ing for and that was the RATING ON UNIMPBOVED VALUE.

That Bill need nob be brought into opera tion m any district except by the majority of the ratepayers. It required a clear and distinct majority of the people, and once it was tried they could discontinue ifc if they wished. It gave the power to the people to rate themselves. It a}so caught the rates of those who tried t6 escape paying rates. Now it had been asserted .by those opposed to the Government- that they were not sincere m passing the " OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME, •■ but he did not believe that for one moment. Government were unable t6' give it the attention they would have liked, but they brought it down at; the end of the session. They proposed to raise a sum of about £300,000 to give ten shillings a week to every man and woman who was not m receipt of £50 a year. He considered that they should pay irrespective of what amount of money they were m receipt of and thus remove the stigma *bf receiving, charitable aid. But it was loaded with conditions, and it was painful to members who were desirous of putting it on the Statute Book to hear one after another move new classed, he. supposed though with the best possible intentions. He then explained * the pro* visions of the Bill and showed how the passing of it would relieve the charitable bodies. Although it was not passed he was sure it was coming, and;, he was further assured of it by the fact that the REGISTER OF PEOPLE'S CLAIMS BILL had passed last session. That was the first step towards the accomplishment of what the Premier at Petone had stated the Qo? vernment io tended doiag m regard to an Old Age Pension Bill The registration of people's claims made provision for every person who had been m New Zealand twenty-five years and were oyer<vßixty five. years of age registering - their claims; and if the Old Age Pension Bill became law. they would only have to go to the poßt office and get ten shillings a week, and so the thing was practically settled as far as the machinery is concerned. (Applause). ALCHOLIC LIQUOR SALE CONTROL BILL* This was a measure which interfered very closely with the legislation of the Qqlonv, It has been a stumbling block for years, the cause of a great dea} of ill feeling between, parties m the House, and has brought the Premier into contempt and contumely by those who have not been justified m their strictures. (Applause). The Premier had made honest attempts to put legislation upon the Statute Book for restraining and controlling, the sale of alcoholic liquor. When he said restrain he meant control of the liquor traffic, but the Premier never received any credit for what he had done, although the Bill now m the Statute Book was one of the most advanced ift^a'in > 'the southern hemispuere if not 'm any part ol the world. Last Bession the Premier framed a Bill (he did not know what demon possessed him)— (laughter)— of a most out rageous character, a Bill attempting to interfere with the individual liberties of the people, a thing under which no free people could exist. A Bill to deprive people, how ever sober or temperate, of getting any ttfverage. OoUld i^be be'lieyed t>hahi a free people and enlightened people, no matter now good, were to have said to them, ".you never shall get a glass o£ whisky or a glass of brandy unless it has been rendered unfit as a beverage V' (Applause). would aek the'peopie m ABhbqr6on if they vre're. pcopoßed to' support* that 2 He coqld say without egotism on his part that he was largely instrumental m preventing such an iniquitous Bill as that becoming law and he waa notij9k|raidLof .any of the consequence^ of his action. W%n he read that Bill and saw the pfovuioDs oqntained therein, he could not resist making one l great strenuous effort to conserve the interests, the liberties, and the rights o^ the people. (Itoirf applause.) £(c was neyer supjaortad by 's«. trade j the trade h^d no. influence vfith \ws ; hesim'ply djd'wfyathhe djd' for the' rights p| humanity. Whei^ he read to th§m twq short clauses qf the £jiauqr QonfFO.l B,m they would «cc h,e was quite justified ir^ th.c, action he took m preventing the. Bill past* ing. (Applause.) He read the clauses showing that no ohemist or druggist oould supply any spirituous liquor when pre. scribed by a dootor, except when rendered unfit as a beverage; and Custom-house >ffi?ers before giving liquor out were re qui. Ed to mix with the whisky, brandy, or whatever it might be, something to render it unpalatable. When he saw that, he determined aa far ©s he was. concerned to make every reasonable attempt to prevent it (eingdone. ,They knew that doctors some* times prescribed liquor as a stimulant to a, patient,' bub, by that Bill no suoh liquor could possibly be administered to any patienii m) New Zealand. Another clause that arrested his attention was that no person could make 1 ' any • fermented • liquor ether than imder section' seven, ' unless < by payment df atf annual fee of ten shil^ingß. The^ could not make any ginger beer' or 'hop beer or Vme. made wmea vnjew they flnt obl«}Qed ft

m% AS&BCBfcOfI fctJABDIAft : WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1896.



Have yon tried Kozib Tea 1 If not do so ab onoe : it is deliciouß Drink only Kozib Teja ; it is absolutey pnn, H. Zanbbr Sole Agent)



Synopsis of New Advertisements. Probasco and Finlay's circus — Friday, November 6. Rev Haskett Smith — Lectures. Election notices — Mr McLaohlan addresses to electors. | Ashbuctqn Saleyarda Company, Limited- Notice re- sales at Ashburton aud Tinwald yards. „ ; D. Thomas — Horse, Arcade, Saturday, November 7. R. Curtis— Wanted to purchase land. Wanted to sell racing bicycle. Education Board North Canterbury- Tenders for erection of Side School, Hinds. Aehburton Fire Brigade — Adjourned meeting of burgesses. Borough school concert — Friday, Novem- ber 6. Tinwald — Sale of work, Heury Bates— Transfer of license.



Wanted. ' j CAL'FORNIAN Apples, magnificent i Fruit ; lovely Mildura Oranges ; Ripe Tomatoea.— Adams. 11 29 TTUNWALD Wesleyan Sale of Work JL To mobrow Afternoon. Tea Meet- ing at 530 p.m., Is ; Concert at 8 p.m., 6d. children half-price. 11 27 [ "DOLL UP to the Borough School i _L\ Concert, m aid of the pme fund. Comic and Sentimental Songs, High -class Music, Orchestral Baud, and Action. Songs fby the children.— Friday Night, Novem- ber 6. . 1119 WAN lED to purchase, within 1^ mile of the post office, about 2 to 4 acres of land, Send full particulars. Address « Land," Mail office. 11 23 WANTED to sell, second-hand Raleigh racing Bicycle. Apply R. Curtis. 11 24 SWEETHEART Travellers, Crockett Flotsame, Sons of Fire, Sorrows of Satan, Od Maids Club. The Craftsman, Autobigraphy of a i ruth, Kinsfolk, Windsor Magazine, 189? parts, 6d each ; Navy and Army, Dickens' Worka, New Editions. — H. M. Jones. STUDY Economy and patronise Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale. BARGAINS m Earthenware this month at Carson and Co.'b. First-class goods. TTILETCHER'S Extract of Herbs, 7d per SJ bottle makes 8 gallons- of splendid botanic beer. Fletcher Bros, Sole Agents, Ashburton and Chriatchurch. T" ETTS' Diaries. Letts' Diaries for 1897. JLJ Colonial Editions for Office and private use now to hand. Large assortment of Mercantile Stationery. Nevf lob of Foreign Stamps. Inspection invited. Andrewes. Anderson, and Co. . ANTED Known— The Economic" Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9dper pair, is the Glove for every day wear. — VV. H. Collier. WAN1 EV Known — Maddbn'B Refresh- ment Roomß are the rooms Par Excellence. When m town do nob fail to give them a look up. Do you like a Loaf that haß a sweet nutty flavor, of good pile and bloom, m addition to its full weight which a surprise visit from the Inspector the other day proved ? You do ? Well go to Maddens ! If you are getting up a Spread m a private or general way, and woulcf^like your Pastry, Cakes, .Jellies, Creams, etc./ to be a success, why, come along to Maddens m East Street, and you won't be disappointed. Bride, Christening and Birthday Cakes a specialty. NEW Mangel, Carrot, and Turnip Seeds. The favorite sorts at low prices. — Carson and Co. 10 WANTED Known— Dress Length of Stylish Tweed with lining included for 6s lid. A bewi dering assortment of Prints, Cambrics, and Blouse Materials. — MITCHKLL AWB TpBNJBB. RIDE the Best.— Kent'a Championship Bicycles are the best . Built to your own. measure. Tyres and accessories of all sorts— Cabson and Co., Agents 10 86 DID you ever hear the like ? Men s best Canvas Shoes 6s r)d, at Mellor's, , Tancred street; TTT"ANTEEuKnown— Go to the Cornkr IT for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery— W. H. Collier. TTT'HERE, Oh where, is that Cheap ! W Boob Shop ? Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. WANTED Known— Spectacles, Ey Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and Everything m the optical l ; ne at S. Salek's, Optician, TTT ANTED Known— Where the crowd is yy going? To see Mitchell and Turner's Millinery to be sure. If you have not been, go at once ; it is worth seeing. l\/rOTHEBS and fathers who have to jjfX. ytffoyide Boots and Shoes, sfroujd oall at Meuor'a Zeajandia Boot Store, WE lead, follow who may. Children'^ Slippers Is. Mellor's Tancred street. fTIHERE is no doubt, no possible doubt, 1 that you get Good value for your money at Mellor's. WANTED j£NOWN-SpriDg Blossom Tea ia really delicious. Packed m £lb, lib, 51b, and V H> tips, %s §d and 2s per ib, Fletcher Bros,, Agents/ TTTANTED Known— Oilclotha, Lino- yy leumß, Carpets, Squares, Rugs and Curtains. Special Display m Special Room. A Case of plain color Liberty Muslins just to hand. — Mitchell and Turner. ANTED Known— looo pairs of Boots to bft jspld m twenty-one days at Mellor's. WANTED Known— Large djejiysry pf the " Economic " Kid Gloves, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth iruch more. — W. H. Collier. Public notices. LADIES! T\O NOT FAIL TO SEE THE FAMOUS •VICTORY "I SEWING MACHINES. PHE CHEAPEST AND BEST MACHINE IN THE WORLD. HALLENSTEIN BROS., SOLE AGENTS. Church Services. T, S;TBP HEN'S CHURCH, A # shburton. MEETINGS. Wednesday — Confirmation eiass 730 pm Thursday — Confirmation class (women) 7.3o'pm; G.F.S. 7 pm Friday— Short ser/ice 7.30 pm; choir practice Bpm Saturday — Diocesan scholars' Examina- tion ; Confirmation Class (mixed) at 2 pm SUNDAY SERVICES. 830 — Holy communion 11.0— Morning prayer 2 30 — Children's service 3.30 — Holy baptism 6.30 p.m. — Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. &Q-PRQMOBB-MB W, Boman-Fojj



Business Notices. w FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS. mHERK ARE TWELVE STUBBORN FAOTS THAT CANNOT BE DENIED. Ut-TbatG. J. NEILL is selling good | 6th-That G. J. NEILL ia selling Men's •trony White Muslin at 3s lid doz. Tweed Trousers at 5s lid. 2od-That G. J. NEILL is Belling good 7th-That G. J. NEILL is Belling Boys Washing Printa at aid a yard. Sailor Suits m. navy blue or fawn 3rd— That G. J. NEILL has pretty serge, at 4s lid the smb. Summer Dress Tweeds at 9s 6d a Bth-lhat G. J. N KILL .i^ aelling dreas, that can't be beat. / Women's Shoea at 4s lid. 4th-That G. J. NEILL is aellin^Ladiea' 9th-l hat G. J. NEILL is * selling Men's and Children's Summer Hata of nailed Shooters at 7a lid. every deaoription, the very latest lOth-That G. J. NEILL is selling Men's atvle, oheaper thau anyone m Ash- light Balmorals at 8s lid. burton. ;■:: Uth— That G.J. NEILL is. aelling Ladies' 6th— That O. J. NEILL it selling Men's and Childrena' Tan Boots and Shoes Heavy .Tweed (colonial) Suits at 24s of every description at very low 6j j, prices' .. 12th— THAT : , .  „,. l&fi NEILL'S SHOP- . Well— He sells Millinery, General Drapery, Clothing and Boots, of every Description — IS AT FBIEDLANDER'SS COKNEK, * East Street, Ashburton. IMPORTANT TO MEN _:o;— WE WOULD DRAW SPECIAL [ATTENTION to severalilines recently opened m Our AND CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, also to the fact that We at c' sparing neither Trouble or Expense to put this part of our business thoroughly m touch with the Public, Up-to-date, and above aII— RIGHT IN PRICE EVERYTHING NECESSARY ■ • ■ ■ ' -TO ■ *' . ■ | CLOTHE "A MAN, 1 FOR WORK OR PLAY, AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S. PRELIMINARY NOTICE.; "'MS W. sTMi??!!!* LATE WITH MITCHELL & TURNER, AND . M* TT'TT "DRODRIBB X Hi. -tl. X> ROD .B IKB, HAVE ARRANGED A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BUSINESS, LATELY KNOWN AS "THE BLUE HOUSE '> DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT. The Business m future will be carried on under the name and style of MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, JV.ILLINERS, etc. WE would like to draw the attention of the Public generally, that Mr Mitchell being well known and intimately acquainted with most of the inhabitants of Ashburton and district,^ and through having business con- nectiona directly with them, is m a position to say that he thoroughly under- stands tbeir requirements, and can guarantee to all his friends the BEST, VALUE IN THE TRADE FOR HIGH CLASS GOODS. WITH THIS ASSURANCE THE CLOTHING & MEBCEBY DEPARTMENT Will be under his personal supervision, and by strict attention to Business and carefully Btudying the requirements of all his- friends and the public generally, Mr Mitchell respectfully solicitß a fair share of their patronage. TAILORING Under the Chart-Order System a Specialty. ___— — \ ■ * THE MANCHESTER & DBEBS DEPARTMENTS Are now being Stocked with all the requirements necessary for carrying on a LaTge Cash Trade, and by giving only Good Honest Values, combined with the desire to work and build up a substantial business, MITCHELL & BRODRIBB Have tio hesitation m challenging the trade by giving the best value m Ashburton, THE MILLINERY & UNDERCLOTHING DEPARTMENT Will receive the most careful attention, and by always being to the front for Style, Variety, and a desire to please we can with confi- dence assure the Ladies of Ashburton and district that their orders will receive the best attention. A NEW BOOT DEPARIMENT is now Tbeing Fitted a«4 Stocked with all tLo best makes, and m this Branch of our Business we intend to toe ever foremost. LOOK OUT FOR SPECIAL QUOTATIONS IN FUTURE ISSUES. OPENING DAY— SATUBDAy, the 17th. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB; THE CEFIKAL CASH DBAPEBS, Befcweea J. Ore & Cd and the Clothing Fuotory, Ashburton.