MR BARTON’S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1251, 22 March 1878, Page 2

MR BARTON’S ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, March 21. Mr Geo. Elliott Barton addressed the electors at (he Theatre Royal to-night at great length. It is estimated that about seven hundred were present. Mr Barton thanked the electors of Wellington for the great victory they achieved—a victory which had released him from a persecution such as no man had ever suffered in New Zealand. He then proceeded to discuss the question of the franchise, the true basis on which an Upper House should be constituted, so ns to form a check upon the hasty legislation of the Lower House, the necessity of a land tax, and the administration of justice—a subject which as yet no one had touched with his little finger. He denounced the present system of the ballot, as not being secret. It was framed so in order to intimidate. It should bo made perfectly secret. Generally he announced himself a humble follower of Sir George Grey, though scarcely going so far as him in regard to manhood suffrage. On education, he said it was a remarkable fact ho had been voted for by Catholics and Orangemen alike. Well, he was the son of an Orangeman, the cousin of a Dean, and the brother of an Archdeacon. He was told that Catholics would be satisfied if he would fulfil his pledges regarding education. On that point he would say he made no pledges whatever as to any claims Catholics might bring forward for special consideration. Regarding education, he might say he had a s'rung opinion that secular education, pure and duple, -was the best, and he quoted from ths -peech of Mr Sheehan to show that even a Catholic statesman might hold this opinion- Ife was also voted for by Rechabitcs and publicans, and he felt bound to say that he admired the disinterestedness of those enthusiastic persons who, like Mr Fox, endeavored to reform the drinking habits of the people. He thanked the Judges for imprisoning him, and enforcing temperance upon him. Having had to try it, he found the good effects of it, and had not drunk anything intoxicating since. Hit real reason for supporting Local Option was because it would take the power to graq out of tbebande of tho^oiiw

place it in the hands of the people. Ha then attacked the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, commenting very strongly on the conduct ot police and civil officers of Court, as experienced by his firm. He also strongly attacked the administration of justice m tne Supreme Court. . . „ At ten o’clock there was no indication or his speech coming to a conclusion. Mr Barton was frequently and loudly applauded during the evening. MarA 22 . Mr Barton’s meeting terminated at a late hour last night with a vote of thanks to the chairman. A very large portion of the speech was devoted to the administration of justice in the Supreme Court and the B. M. Court.