THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1711, 14 August 1879, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

MR ALLWRIGHT AT LYTTELTON. Pursuant to announcement, a public meeting was held in the Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, Wednesday, when Mr H. Allwright addressed the electors. There was a large attendance, the Hall being crowded before eight o’clock. Mr H. Hawkins was elected to the chair, and on introducing the candidate claimed for him the usual consideration, more especially regarding that he was an untried man. Mr Allwright then came forward, and before proceeding to his speech stated that he had invited Mr Murray-Aynsley to be present, but that gentleman could not attend, owing to another engagement. Ho (Mr Allwright) had called the meeting together to express his mind to them, knowing the active part being taken by the opposition, and feeling that all ho had need to do was to lay his views before them and leave the result in their hands. He claimed to be one of the working class, and as such felt a proper contempt for the tactics adopted by the opposition in endeavoring to curry favor with the working man. He advised them to take all the hypocritical representations made by such members with a good grace, but when it come to the ballot box let them show their own discretion. What had their present member done for his constituency? Had he exerted his influence for their good, as he should have done f He said no. If the canvassers for the opposition member desired to spend their money to secure his return, let the electors accept all they could get, but in the end be true to their principles. Mr Murray-Aynsley’s political career had been a failure throughout. The only thing he could lay claim to having done being the obtaining of £SO for the Domain Board. [Cheers.] But he (Mr Allwright) could not find on making inquiry that he had even accomplished that much. [Hear, hear.] Now, speaking of the policy he should adopt as their representative it elected, he should support tho policy shadowed forth in the Governor’s speech. Ho would advocate shortening the duration of Parliament. Triennial Parliaments, being in his opinion quite long enough. He would also go in for liberal land laws to promote the bona fide settlement of small farmers, and ho would put his foot upon anything like land monopoly. Ho knew his opponent—the other candidate —would use every means in his power to bo returned, as it was to the interest of the squatter party that he should bo in tho House, and the large landed proprietors would exert all their influence on his behalf. It remained, then, for the electors to say whether Mr Aynsley should bo returned, to the uttor neglect of their interest and advancement. [Cheers.] Ho (tho speaker), would push on public works, in the interests of tho fast increasing population. He would not, however, go in for political railways, or “jobs,” as they were more properly called in their practical sense. With regard to the constitution of the Upper House, he would favor a change in that respect, being of opinion that the members thereof should not be nominated. With regard to the Maori question, ho thought the rebels should be put down with a strong hand, and he should support decisive action in that direction. He advocated tho removal of the scat of Government to Christchurch, considering that Wellington was not sufficiently central to be the capital city of the colony, and in this view of the case he was very sorry to see that tho Christchurch members had not supported tho motion to remove tho seat of Government. He would ask the meeting to excuse him from going into the different political questions at much greater length, as he could scarcely bo expected to be so well up in such matters as those who had a longer duration in political life. Ho had not consented to stand as a candidate until asked to do so by many of the electors of that constituency, and ho then suggested they should ondeayor to get a better man one more qualified to fill the important Eosition of their representative. He had, owevor, always been a consistent opponent of Mr Murray - Aynsley, and, if elected, ho should act up to his convictions. Ho would faithfully discharge his duty as a liberal member, and at_ the same time carefully look after tho local interests of tho constituency whoso suffrages he sought. He did not know that he need detain the meeting any longer, as he was not a practised speaker. In conclusion, he might state that he would bo happy to answer any questions that might bo put to him. (Ho thou resumed his sent amid applause.)

After an interval, Mr Allwright rose and said he had forgotten to mention that he would be prepared to vote for manhood suffrage and the redistribution of seats at tho earliest possible period. _ In answer to a question from a member of the meeting, The candidate said ho would not pledge himself to vote for Sir Goorgo Grey. He thought that Sir George Grey should retire, but he would support any Ministry who would carry out tho policy shadowed forth in the Governor’s Speech.

Mr Erickson said the matter should be better understood. He could not understand how he could support Sir George Grey’s measures if he would not support Sir George Grey. Mr Allwright said it was not necessary that Sir George should carry out the measures. Another Ministry might be found to do so, but if it were found to be impossible to carry out the policy referred to without Sir George Greyas leader, he would in that case support him Mr Early asked the candidate’s opinion as to the Local Option Bill. Mr Allwright said he could not agree with one clause he knew something of, namely, the compensation clause. He did not think that should apply to a public-house more than to any other store. Eurther than this he had not studied the measure closely. In answer to another question, Mr Allwright said his views on education were pretty well known. Ho was not a supporter of compulsory instruction in the Bible. He thoroughly believed in the secular system of education.

In answer to Mr Cathro, Mr Allwright said he could not support Mr Curtis’ Bill for denominational education. In answer to some further questions, Tho candidate said the compulsory clauses of tho Education Act were already enforced in places. He was thoroughly secular, in his principles. With reference to immigration, he thought assisted immigration should be stopped for a time in view of the present position of public works. Ho was very glad, therefore, to notice that the Government had determined to discontinue immigration for a time, except in reference to single girls. If the present means to cheek Chinese immigration were not found to be sufficient he would favor an additional tax.

■i In reply to Mr S. R. Webb, The Candidate said if he had sufficient influence he would certainly exert it to bring the Custom House back to Lyttelton, being of opinion that it never ought to have been removed. He thought greater facilities for shipping goods would in time be provided, and he should always do his best to promote any conveniences of the kind and for the advancement of the local interests of the place generally. If he was fortunate enough to be elected he could guarantee that Lyttelton would be heard of in the House, in which he would prese t a contrast to the present member, who had not brought the wonts of his constituency prominently before the Parliament of tho colony. Mr Andrews, being called upon, then came forward and addressed the meeting. He commenced by saying he had not expected to be called upon, as he had simply come to Lyttelton with other gentlemen to hear Mr Allwright. With regard to that gentleman, he stood at considerable disadvantage in coming forward, as he was an untried man. But they all knew he had a vast amount of energy and resource. They all know that no one attained political significance without a certain amount of education j and personally he might say he was surprised to see what a number of important matters Mr Allwright had touched upon in his list of subjects as written down for consideration. In fact he had actually outrun himself. He firmly believed all that Mr Allwright required was to consider the questions before him. Ho firmly believed that if elected he would carefully study and make himself acquainted with everything necessary for him to know in the interests of his constituents, who might rely upon his recording a straight and honorable vote upon all occasions, and he (Mr Andrews) did not think tho electors could do better than return a man who had always shown himself so honorable and reliable in all his past actions. [Loud applause.] Dr. Turnbull, as one who had come to see whether the candidate’s views were in accordance with the principles of the Canterbury Reform Association, was glad to find that Mr Allwright was in accord with the members of that association. Had he (Dr. Turnbull) not seen the vital necessity of immediate action in the present crisis, ho would not have ascended a political platform; but what in the present condition they had to do was to see that such men were returned as would introduce electoral reform, extended franchise, the redistribution of seats, and other measures of importance, included in the liberal policy sought to be carried. Such a man he took the present candidate to be, and he hoped to see him unanimously elected.

Mr Webb (in answer to an invitation from the meeting) also spoke briefly in support of the candidate.

Mr T. Merson next addressed the meeting. He was a thorough Greyite. The squatting interests he regarded as ruinous to the country generally, and it was highly desirable to check the influence of that party. Mr Izett also addressed the meeting, as one of a deputation from Christchurch to wait upon Mr Allwright in the Liberal interest. Tho question before them was one of principles, and he was quite sure that tho electors of Lyttelton would regard it as such, but even if it were a question of persons, as between Mr Murray-Aynsley on the one hand and Mr Allwright on the other, even if that were so, he believed the electors of Lyttelton would choose the candidate before them. It bad been said of their present member, Mr Aynsley, that he only knew one thing—that was how to calculate 5 per cant—on the other hand Mr Allwright was a man of ideas and principles. He was also a working man, had made himself what he was, and ho asked the electors net to be led away with the glittering dross and pomp that attached itself to wealth, which was the position occupied by the opposition candidate. As he understood Mr Allwright, that gentleman would support any Ministry that would support tho policy of the present Government, and he hoped to see him returned.

Mr S. R. Webb addressed the meeting in support of the candidate. It was resolved not to take a vote of confidence that evening. Tho meeting then dispersed, after a vote of thanks to the chair.

POLITICAL MEETING AT ASHBURTON. Ashbueton, August 13, A political meeting was held last night to discuss who should be asked to represent Coleridge. There was a large attendance of ratepayers, some eighty being present. The Mayor, on taking the chair, said the residents in the electoral district of Coleridge must be of opinion that more interest should be taken than hitherto in tho election of a member. This district had not received nearly its share cf revenue, and no doubt there should be two members ; hut of course this could not be rectified till after next Parliament. No doubt Mr Hart had had little time to do them much good yet; but he should like to see a contested election, and a man belonging to tho district elected. Ho hoped all ratepayers would take an interest in the matter. Little or no money had been spent in the district, except for railways, during years past. The land revenue had been large, and had 25 per cent of it as in the old provincial days come to Ashburton, they would have had many important works completed. One man could do little, but they should be careful to select a man to join no clique, but act for the general good of New Zealand. The railways south were paying 3 per cent., but those in the north were unprofitable, and through this they were suffering. £121,000 had been received from land revenue in Coleridge. Last year they had held a public meeting asking fer a traffic bridge and other public works, which was a fair claim, but they had as yet received no favorable answer. He hoped any member elected would see that these necessary works were carried out. [Hear,] He was not aware there was any candidate in the field but their late member, Mr Hart. He called on any of those persons present to address the meeting. Mr Ivess said they were on the eve of a great struggle between Liberals and Conservatives. Tho Parliament to be elected would last five years unless the Triennial Bill were passed, or a dissolution occurred. So they would see the importance of returning a member devoted to their interests. Several candidates were mentioned, himself and Mr E. G. Wright amongst the number. Ho believed in an outspoken man, and did not think anyone should require a large requisition without having previously explained his views, as they could not know whether his views coincided with their own, unless he had expressed them. Mr Hart’s ideas were not, in his opinion, progressive, and he thought they should choose a more active man. Search " Hansard ” for the past four years and they would find few utterances from the members for Coleridge. A few days ago a question was asked by Mr Hart respecting a new Court-house, and tho Government had promised a paltry £SOO, which was, in his opinion, an insult to the

place. Where were their Ashburton public buildings ? Look at their railway station and post office, and say if they were not a disgrace. This was owing to the false modesty of their members in not asking enough. [Hear.] He was prepared to support any gentleman who was selected by the meeting, wholwouldyoto for manhood suffrage with the safety valve of a residential clause ; triennial Parliaments ; and a change in the incidence of taxation. He hoped they would be active, and return a member with liberal views, and who would work hard in Parliament for the benefit of this magnificent district. [Cheers.] Mr Ivess, in reply to a question from Mr H. Iriedlander, said the meeting was called with a view to ask some gentleman to represent them. Mr Eriedlander said no person was yet nominated for them to support, so he would name Mr G. Hart, who came forward when they had no one else to represent them, and who had not yet had time to show them what he could do. [Applause]. Mr G. M. Robinson seconded Mr Hart’s nomination.

Tho Mayor hoped there would bo some discussion before the resolution was put. Mr E. Saunders supported Mr Eriedlander’s resolution. Mr Hart had represented them well in Wellington. No doubt the reason Mr Hart had not spoken more was that the policy of the Opposition was not to delay matters at such an important time. Mr Hart was a well tried, honest, and respected man, and he hoped they would not rashly throw him oyer for some man not so well known, and of less influence. [Cheers]. Mr Hughes asked whether any of Mr Hart’s supporters knew whether he would stand for the election. Mr Priedlander said the resolution was merely to ask Mr Hart to come forward. That gentleman was no friend of Sir George Grey, more than he (the speaker) was, but yet he was a true Liberal. [Applause.] Mr Williamson said he was in a position to state that Mr Hart was coming forward, and would bo coming before them soon to address them. He would have been there that evening, but had only just returned to Christchurch, and had not had time to come up. [Cheers.] Mr Sando thought they should nominate at least three or four candidates, and have a choice. [Laughter.] He did not believe in selecting a man because he had money or acres. If there were nobody more influential to propose a candidate or two he would. Mr Garnett was in favor of some active member being elected who could devote himself to the interests of tho town.

The Mayor believed in a member working for his own district, in which duty he thought their late member might have been more assiduous.

A man in the crowd believed the Mayor would stand a good chance if he ran for the seat, as he would have much more sympathy with the poor than a holder of thousands of acres. [Laughter.] Mr O. W. Purnell moved as an amendment “That in the opinion of the meeting the member for Coleridge should be a resident.” [Applause.] He believed in members who fought tooth and nail for their own district. He agreed with the chairman, that they might bo much better represented—a man not a resident could not fully know their requirements. Besides, if their member lived elsewhere, his interests and those of the district he represented might not be identical. In the event of a separation, he thought Ashburton, from its central position, stood a good chance of being the capital of the Middle Island. By voting for the Opposition Mr Hart had left them with only one member for the next five years, as had the Redistribution of Seats Bill passed, their district would have had two members, instead of one, after this session. By this one act only, Mr Hart had forfeited all right to ;their suffrage. Mr Hart had never made any figure in politics, and it was an insult to a district like this not to have a local representative. Mr Hughes seconded the amendment. He did ;not believe in the meeting pledging itself to anyone, and he preferred a local man. Let them look through the town, and they could easily see by the footpaths where a councillor lived. [Laughter.] Did not that show what local interest did. [Applauao.]_ Mr Friedlander said that as to the Redistribution of Seats Bill, that was of course put off with other measures till Parliament had re-assembled. [Applause.] The Chairman hoped the election would be a contested one. He thought a meeting should be held in every corner of the district, so that their views should be known to their members.

Mr Dixon contended that the amendment was out of order without a resident were named.

Mr Elston proposed that Mr E. G. Wright should be asked to stand for the district. [Cheers.] Mr Sando thought it very ungallant to attack their member in his The meeting was simply to nominate candidates. He seconded Mr E. G. Wright’s nomination. Mr Purnell refused to withdraw his amendment when asked.

Mr Friedlander said they had better elect an able outsider than a resident duffer. [Laughter.] Mr E. Saunders said Mr Purnell was in error regarding their member being returned for fire years. No doubt the Opposition would, if they got into power, pass the Redistribution of Seats Bill, and then there would be immediately another election. As to a local member, why look at Akaroa and Timaru, the members for which had been non-resident, and yet it was notorious that more money had been spent in Timaru, in proportion, than in moat other districts. [Applause.] Mr James Campbell then spoke in favor of Mr Hart, after which the Mayor put the amendment, which was lost. The resolution—“ That Mr Hart be asked to stand ” —was carried by a large majority. Mr St. Hill then proposed that Mr Joseph Ivess be asked to represent them, stating that often against his own interest that gentleman had shown much zeal in public matters, and ho believed would bo an active member. [Applause and noes.] Mr Martin seconded the resolution. On being put it was lost, only three voting for and five against it. The resolution—“ That Mr E. Q-. Wright be asked to represent them,” was put and carried, with cheers. The meeting, after a vote of thanks to the chair separated.

MISCELLANEOUS ELECTION ITEMS. [By Telegraph.] AUCKLAND, August 13. Mr Goldie refuses to come forward again for City West. Messrs W. Buchanan, Robert Graham, and Dr. Wallis are already announced. NAPIER, August 13. Mr Sutton’s is the only address issued for Napier as yet. Mr Buchanan is hampered somewhat with a declaration he made when he contested tho seat with Mr Sutton, that, if not returned, he would not offer himself for election again. He would, therefore, have to be presssed with a numerously signed requisition to induce him to depart from this determination. It is very likely that such a requisition will be presented to him, but whether it will have the intended effect is uncertain.

The mystery about Mr Rees not being on the roll, notwithstanding that he sent in a claim to be registered, has a very simple solution. He omitted to sign the claim. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 13. OcJ. Trumble is a candidate for the Grey and Bell District. Mr Kelly addresses the electors of New Plymouth on Wednesday. WELLINGTON, August 13. A requisition is being got up, asking Mr Walter Johnson, the present member for Manawatu, to stand for Wellington. The requisition is being rapidly signed. It is uncertiin whether Mr Johnson will stand for the city, as a large number of people in the Manawatu district are anxious that ho should stand against the local candidates, Messrs Halcombe and Snelson. Mr A. do B. Brandon announced his intention of seeking re-election for Wellington country district. Mr C. Baird is also in the field, and it is rumoured that a requisition to Mr B. T. Gillon to stand in the Liberal interest is in course of circulation, Mr Gillon contested this seat on a former occasion. People here are beginning to ask why the dissolution does not take place. Private advices from Wanganui speak hopefully of Sir W. Pox’s chance of re-election as against Mr Ballance. A friend of Sir W. Pox’s said to-day that when the constitutional party requested that he should assume the leadership of the party, Sir William let it be distinctly understood that if a change of Govern • ment took place he would leave the cares of office for younger men. Owing to a local difference in the Manawatu district, the men who worked hardest against

Walter Johnson are now straining every nerve in his interest, and are so confident as to offer two to one on the result. The other two candidates are also Anti Grey, o» in fact the district is to a men.

Mr Johnston went up So Manawatu to-day for the first time since he was elected.

A noticeable feature in the addresses of the Wellington city candidates is that, though ail profess the utmost Liberalism, not one ventures to announce that he will follow tho leadership of Sir G. Grey. Dr. Newman addressed a large meeting of electors to-night, and was very well received. He did not address them as a candidate in tho present election, but more with a view to receiving their suffrages at some future time. A good deal of interest was taken in his address. The speech lasted over an hour, and was in the main a carefully prepared impeachment of tho present Government in their administrative acts and their want of forethought. While endorsing all that is being said in favor of the extension of tho franchise and education, with triennial Parliaments, he said it was of far more importance at tho present period of depression, that the industries of the colony should be stimulated, and so provide occupation for the unemployed thousands. He expressed regret that wo had not Sir J. Vogel back amongst us, with his busy scheming train. Just now he thought a goldfield in our midst would be a greater blessing than manhood suffrage, and however desirable it was that property and capital should be taxed, it was highly injurious to so legislate in a time of commercial depression as to have the effect of driving capital away. He advocated the distribution of the banking account amongst all the Banks of the colony, and the establishment of a Bank, with the countenance of Government to specially meet tho needs of small traders and agriculturists whose banking requirements must not go beyond a certain limit. He deprecated depending solely upon the London market for raising loans, and we ought to make ourselves known in Paris and New York, now rapidly treading upon tho heels of London as great monetary centres. He touched on a good many other points usual in political meetings. MrMaginnity proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Newman, and also attacked certain acts in the administration of the Government.

The vote of thanks was given in the most hearty and unanimous manner. WESTPORT, August 13. There are a number of aspirants for the seat for the Buller, the names of the following being mentioned : —Dr. Henry, Messrs Fisher, Munro, and O’Conor. A meeting is to be held to-night.

[FBO3I OUB COEBBSPONDBNT.j DUNEDIN August 13.”” It is rumored here that Messrs Davie (late Provincial Treasurer) and Turnbull (late Deputy Superintendent) will come forward forward for Dunedin at the ensuing election. They would represent |the interests of “ the Ring.” Mr Thomas Dick will probably get many votes that were last election given to Mr Downie Stewart. Ho is sounder than Mr Stewart on the Bible in schools question, and is besides an ex-Superintendent of Otago. Election proceedings hang fire here for the present. A public meeting at Caversham last night pledged itself to Mr W. Barron, a secularist and supporter of Sir G. Grey. It is possible that Mr N, Y. Wales will come forward for the Taieri.

Mr H. O. Clayton has announced his intention of contesting the Tuapeka district against Mr J. O. Brown. Mr Green announces himself for Port Chalmers.