PROHIBITIONISTS AND THE PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 971, 18 August 1903, Page 3

PROHIBITIONISTS AND THE PREMIER.

THE BRUCE ELECTION.

MR SEDDON SEVERELY CRITI-

CIBED.

Tho proceedings in the House of Representatives in connection with tho Bruco Licensing Poll Validation Bill have occasioned a good deal of talk, says the special correspondent of the Auckland Herald, and the division lists will no doubt be very closely scanned throughout tbe colony. It is recognised that the Premier, in making a no-confidence issue on Mr Duthie’s amendment on tho second reading of tho Bill, placed o number of his supporters in a very awkward position. Tho party as a whole was quite unprepared for tho surprise that was sprung upon it. The intention evidently was to kill the Bill by an adjournment of the debate, but Mr Duthio got in just in time with his amendment. Subsequently, when the Premier desired an adjournment, and tho vote was taken, bo found himself in a minority of four. When he declared that the amendment was to be treated as a no-

confidence one, there was quite a flutter in the Ministerial camp, and the Whips were very busy. Members who wore sleeping tho sleep of tho just and the unconcerned wore hunted out of their beds, and,

hastily dressing, they hurried back to Parliament. Mr Hall Jones appeared to have his boots unlaced, and the member for Hurunui, who was sleeping peacefully in his bed at the Empire Hotel, had evidently (judging from a hurriedly made toilet) responded promptly to the first urgent call of the party Whip. Other members were brought to 'light in various directions, gand when a satisfactory majority was assured, the voto was taken, and tho Government was saved, though more than ono member pulled rather a long face over the ordeal. Two incidents in connection with tho division are worth recording. One was tho complete political somorsault turned by Mr Barber, the member for Newtown, who after speaking in support of tho amendment, votod against it. As Mr Barber’s electorate is a prohibition one, and the poll there has been declared void, his action is likely to cost him a good many votes at the next election, distant though it may be. The other incident relates to an Auckland Go Vi

ernment supporter, who, though in the lobby at the time the division was taken, actually omitted to rocord his vote. Messrs T. E. Taylor and Eowlds, both strong temperance men, were unavoidably absent during the debate. Had they been present it is safe to say the disoussiou would havo been even more animated than it was. Amongst the few interested onlookers in Parliament during the dobate on Mr Allen’s Bill was the Kev P. M. Fraser. Knowing that Mr Fraser is at the head of the no-license movement in Bruce, and that he is at present the representative of the Bruce Licensing Committee in Wellington, I sought him out, with the view of an interview. Mr Fraser has during his brief sojourn in Wellington gained some insight into Parliamentary methods, and I found him quito willing to say what he thought in regard to the events of tho laßt week or two in regard to the validation of tho Bruce poll. “I intend when I go back,” said Mr Fraser, “ To givo a plain, unvarnished account of my seven Digbts' observation of the House, and especially of the debate. It is with exceeding regret that I havo now found that the Premier is hollow in regard to his political professions. I am not going to alter my own Liberal principles because the Premier, or any otherprofessed Liberal, tramples the essence of those principles under foot. He has always cried ‘ Trust the people,’ and declared that he would soe they got their rights, but in this he has now signally failed. As representing the party in Bruce, I havo abstained in every way from attacking the Government or the Premier, I have also abstained from adopting tho allegations of his opponents that he is totally insincere in regard to his profes sions concerning government by the people for the people, My observation of the Premier’s tactics in the House, of his statements, and his counter statements, has now convinced me that the govern-

monk of this colony, so far from being a government by democracy is nothing more nor less than an organised hypocrisy, and I intend deliberately, and in detail, as soon as I get the opportunity, to indicate to the electors of Bruce what the Premier has shown himself to he. From the beginning of the campaign I have looked to the Premier to stand by, the principles of democracy. Before the Premier had an opportunity of > showing exactly what would do in the House, t, as representing the great majority of the electors in Bruce, did everything I could to, conciliate him, and to prevent the possibility of an Act to give the people their rights being made a party Question so that his supposed opponents mijgfttl give him a slap in the face. We offered to accept any measure of justice, but he would give us nothing. The people of Bruce have therefore no reflections , o cast upon themselves, that had they taken any other course, they would have secured any other re- = suit. We believed it right that the poll which was the will of the people should be validated. The Premier, said Mr Allen, should bring in a Bill. Very well, we followed ■that course. At our deputation to him it would now appear that the Premier used words to conceal liis thoughts, because latterly, in the debate in Parliament, he professed that we had altered our position in regard to validating, and that ‘we had as an after thought demanded a new poll. As a matter of fact, our demand from the first was’for validation, but when wo found from the Premier’s tactios that wo could not get that in the Lower House, and certainly not in the Upper House, we were prepared to accept a fresh poll on condition that the clause requiring half of the electors to vote should remain inoperative on that occasion. In the debate last night, when the validation question was being diseased, the Premier said the proper course Jwas to have a fresh polk When we agreed to that ho declined it. I would also specially point out that certain members of his party who professed to have objections to validation, said that they would support a second poll. When, on the proposal of the amendment, the way was open for that, Mr McNab got np and appealed to the worst instincts of the House to reject tko proposition, on the ground that if carried it would gratify members of the Opposition and mean a slap in the face for the Government. Now, there were greater irregularities in connection with the Mataura licensing poll than thoro were in connection with the Bruce poll, yet wkon we come to - Parliament to seek justice, or as great a measure of justice as we can get, when the matter came to a vote Mr McNab was dead against us, and ready to sacnfice our interests at the shrine of Seddomsm. On the other hand, I cannot speak too highly of the manner in which several other ( members of the Liberal party stuck to tbo essential principles of democracy. I was also greatly delighted with the manner m which Mr James Allen conducted ho campaign on behalf of Bruce. At tnc beginning ho made a juafc proposal. This was scoutod. ~ , ~ Then ho was prepared to forego his lull claim when the Government professed their willingness to give us half. When it came to the pinch, however, this otter also was scouted, thus proving up to tbo hilt the charge made early in the debate by Mr Bedford, to the effect that the Premier was wholly insincere in his professions. As to the final result, so far as Bruce is concerned, I was nevermore confident of victory, because once you have turned a pretended friend outside in, you then know exactly what course you must pursue with him. When you find that the Premier is bound hand and foot to the liquor trade of this colony you know that his professions of sincerity in the governI ment of the people fay the people are as hollow as any that were ever uttered by a political demagogue.” “I may say,” continued Mr Fraser, •« that I addrossod the Petitions Committee of the House of Bepresentatives, and also the Petitions Committee of the Legislative Council in regard to the petitions sent up from Bruce. By the courtesy of the committee I was permitted to examine the

petition sent up by the other side. I have made a copy of the whole of the names on this petition, and when I go back I shall let tho people know how it is composed. The fact will be a revelation. It professes to be a potition from the electors of Bruce, yet it contains many names that were not on the electoral roll. In several instances names have been duplicated, and furthermore, the [petition is practically valueless, in that only tho first seven or eight names are attached to the actual petition in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament. The other names are all attached to loose sheets, so that for all the petitioners knew thoy might have been signing quite a different class of petition.” “In conclusion,” said Mr Fraser, “I would urge temperance people throughout the whole colony to organise meetings denouncing the attitude and action of the Premier, and to call for immediate redress, because it is evident to mo that the Premier felt the better judgment of the House was against him, and that he saved the situation only by means of a no confidence motion and the party Whip. If the extraordinary position that has now arisen is taken full advantage of, I fully believe that Mr Seddon may yet be compelled to briDg in licensing legislation this eession, despite bis evident reluctance and present determination not to do so.”