THE ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1712, 15 August 1879, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

MEETING IN THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL, CHEISTCHUBCH. A very largely attended meeting was held last evening, in the Oddfellows' Hall. It was convened by placard and advertisements, requesting the supporters of Mossrs Stevens, Richardson, and Moorhouso to meet at the Oddfellows' Hall, but froin what Isubsequsntly transpired it appeared that others who certainly could not come under this designation, had put in an appearance, and were dotermined to make things livoly for any one who did not think with them. On the platform were Hon. E. Richardson, C.M.G., Messrs E. C. J. Stevens, W. S. Moorhouse, and other gentlemen. On the motion of Mr W. Pratt, Mr F. Hobbs took the chair. The chairman said that the meeting was convened of gentlomen who wero favorable to tho return of tho present three members of the General Assembly for the city of Christchurch. Ho trusted that all would recollect the importance of the occasion, and give each speaker a fair and impartial hearing. They know there was a strong organization to support Sir George Grey. ("Cheers and hisses.J They had, therefore, a perfect right to organise to return their old members who had served them faithMly in the past. [Cheers.] If there were any persons opposed to their view of the question, he hoped they would have tho goodness to allow them to carry out their organization without interference. Ho would now ask some gentleman to propose a resolution. Mr Robert Wilkiu said before this was dona ho desired to address a few wordsas to the general conduct of these meetings. As this was the first of many which would doubtless take place, he earnestly entreated all who took part in thesa mo-tings to allow all, whatever their opinions might bo, to have a fair hearing. [Cheers.] Ho hoped this would be done, and that the electors would consider their character as independent men, and listen impartially to all sides of the quo-.tion. [Cheers.] Ho trusted that every man, whether those present agreed with his political views or not, would receive a patient and impartial hearing at tho hands of the meeting. Mr W. S. Maorhouso, who was warmly cheered one omiuir forward, said that before proceeding to tho business of the meeting ho thought he should be doing right by making a personal explanation on his own behalf. When he left Wellington—although it was rumoured —he was not aware that ho was to have the honor of contesting the representation of Christchurch. with the illustrious gentleman who presided over the Government of the colony. He did not know what had since been stated as a faot, that he fibould have to contest tho seat with Bis

George Grey. He, however, now understood that the friends of Sir George Grey, those fentlemen -who styled themselves par excel, enoe the Liberals of the colony, had determined to bring him forward to contest the seat if or Christchureh against all comers —[Cheers, and a voice " Quite right too"J. Well, if the •gentleman who had interjected the remark would "wait for a few moments, he would show him that he (Mr Moorhonse) held the opinion that every •man had a perfect right to do as he liked in 'politics. (Cheers.) In the early days of Canterbury he (Mr Moorhonse) was felt to have special claims on the goodwill and support of the Electors of Christchurch. [Cheers, and a voice "So you had."] Now, so rapid had beon the progress of the place that it was more than probable that there were a very largo number of persons who were unaware of the areasona why he had thoso special claims. Though in one way regretting this, still he rejoiced to see the great progress made, and thelarge suburbs which were springinguparound. This,' he might say, was a very strong reason •why he had felt tbat he ought to come forward to represent them, but when he saw that it was determined that tho Premier of the colony should come forward to contest this electorate, he felt that he (*tr Moorhouse) ought to give •way. He said this because he was of opinion that tho Premier of tho colony—no matter what hia political views were —had a right to come forward for any seat in the country, and therefore he waived his pretensions in favor of Sir George Grey. [Loud cheers.] It was only right that tho Pr<. mier should he allowed the opportunity of explaining his policy; besides •which Sir George Grey was the head of a party, though a small one, he was happy to say. He (Mr Moorhouse) had therefore made u:i his mind to retire from the contest and to seek election in another part of tho colony. He thought that with Sir George Grey and those who had them so well in the past, the electors would have every opportunity of being well represented in Parliament, and that, therefore, his retirement from the contest would in no way interfere with their interests. On tho contrary, he believed he was doing the best for a constituency of which he had always been.'proud, for which he had labored so earnestly in the past. [Cheers.] Iu taking this lino, he was not now going into a description of his political career. He was glad to say that from the credentials supplied by them and hiH conduct as a public man ho had had the honor of receiving numerous requests, with influeutially signed requisitions, asking him to come forward for various seats in Other parts of the colony. [Cheers.] He had now a perfect sheaf of telegrams of this character. He thonght_ in coming forward there that evening and giving them his reasons for retiring, that his sei vices would not be missed, as they would now be enabled to select tentlemen who would bring to boar the same eairo to serve them which had always animated him. He wished it, however, to be distinctly understood that though withdrawing, he did not believe in Sir George Grey's politics. [Cheers and interruption. J He said this most emphatically, but he thought that by retiring now that Sir George Grey was definitely before them as a •Oandidatefor Christchurch,he wouldbo smoothing the way for the elector* to make a further test of the value of Sir George Grey as a statesman. TCheera and uproar.] He believed that Sir Gearge Grey's view 3 as a statesman were entirely mistaken, indeed, so muoh so that at times he (Mr Moorhouse) 'was often led to question his sanity. [Cheers and hisses J As his excellent friend Dr. Turnbull •would describe such a disease as he (Mr Moorhouse) had in his mind, he should say that that illustrious gentleman, Sir George Grey, had a monomania. [Renewed cheers and hisses.] He said this, that ho predicted in a few years their ■verdict would be that Sir George Grey and his friends were promoting a great political disturbance without any corresponding advantage to the people. [Renewed uproar.] He protested that no public man in New Zealand—no public man in the House—had been more single minded in his efforts to enable all to enjoy to tha full the institutions with which the Crown had supplied them than he (Mr Moorhouse) had besn. [Cheers and uproar, j The Chairman said he desired to point out to those who were causing this disturbance and interrupting Mr Moorhouse, that the meeting had been distinctly called by placard and advertisement, for the supporters of their present members. [Cheers.] Tho doors had been thrown open, and no one had been refused admission, therefore he thought that those who did not Agree with them in their views should behave themselves and allow the business of the meeting to proceed without interruption. [Cheers.] Mr Moorhouse said he thought it was scarcely fair that such interruptions should be made when a man was endeavoring to mako an honest And straightforward statement of the reasons which had led him to decline to come forward for this city. [Cheers.] There were, he supposed, some in that hall who had watched his political career from the time when it began. [Oheora] His name had been placarded aa tho friend of the working-man, and he |himself had been a working-man, and had worked hard too. But he appealed confidently to any one of those who had watched his political •career whether he at any time had proposed any measure which was going to make legislative exception in favor of the working-man. He had Btood up before them as a man who had always taken his position since he came to manhood as a man amongst men. | Cheers.] But ho would scorn to talk bunkum sach as had been talked to tho working-man. [Cheers and interruption.] He had never flattered the working-men that he was going to pass a tax in their favor—tosivethem as it were eleemosynary legislation for the working-men. He took it that the working men were of this character, that they would scorn to have any exceptional legislation in their favour. They would say, " keep your patronage to yourself. Let us stand on the same level with the rest of the community, and Bee who will get the beat of it." [Cheers and hisses.] A great deal of clap-trap had been talked by Sir George Grey to tha working men of the colony. [Cheers and hisses.] They had been told that they were serfs, only a little removed from the serfs in England. He did not inow that there were any serfs in England, but he did say this, that they enjoyed far more freedom here than in England. fCheers.] He felt sure of this, that they would find their institutions here not such a bad thing after all. [Cheers ] They were asked to oxclaim against their own institutions, against their ■Colonial House of Lords. Let them analyze their House of Lords. "Who were the Peers of NewZealund? [A voice :" Robinson." Loud laughter.] He (Mr Moorhouse) did not desire to be offensive to any one, nor would he mention any names, but they might rely upon it that in their House of Peers all were working men in the truest sense of the word, let them be nominated by whoever they might. They were men •who, commencing with small means or by their labor only, had worked themselves up, and had succeeded in making money and position so that they were called to a seat in the House of Lords of the colony. [Cheers] In the abstract sense of the word there were not half a dozen gentlemen in their House of Lord 3. [Laughter.] What he meant was this, that there was not half a ■dozen there whom Sir George Grey would consider were educated up to his standard. [lnterruption.] Sir George Grey had professed himself as being very much exercised at those persons who he said wero occupying tho land of the people. [lnterruption,] Sir George Grey wns not citizen Gray. [Renewed uproar.] He advocated a kind of communism. [A Voice —" Don't Bay anything about Sir George Gray when he's jiot here."] [Loud cheers] Well, there was this about it, that Sir George Grey would hear through tho wire 3 that night every word he (Mr Moorhouse) was saying about him. Every word he was uttering wa3 being reported. [A Voice—- " What's the use of that?"] Well, there isight not be any use, but it was a fact. Besides he {Mr Moorhouse) would not bo here when Sir George Grey came. [A Voice—" No; you will take care to. keep away."] Ho should do nothing of the kind. [Uproar.] He said this, that if he were a Knight Commander of the Bath, and had condemned the very institutions through which he had obtained th».t knighthood, he ■would hack off his spurs, throw his star in tho gutter, and come out as citizen Smith, Brown, or Grey. [Loud cheers, hisses, and interruptions. A voice in tho hall here called out, "Three cheers for Sir George Grey," which were given, mingled with hisses.] Ho wished to tell them here publicly that Sir George Grey had been the means of preventing these very measures of reform upon which ho had plumed himself so greatly, and of which he had been so lavish of promises to the people, from being carried into effect. [Cheers and hisses.] The Opposition had endeavored by every means in their power as far a 3 possible to bring these very measures into force, but were prevented sololy and simply by the obstructiveness of Sir George Grey. [Loud cheers ] He (Mr Moorhonse) though ready to go as far as Sir George Grey in passing measures for the true int -rests of the people, would never, like him, attempt to ride into a transient popularity, and bring in his friends on the shoulders of the working classes, and then have to retire with the consciousness of having demoralised the public mind. [Cheers and 'hißsas.J "What he said was this—That they • should not have exceptional legislation. [Cheers.] Let them baware —[cheers and hisses] they wore being demoralised by professions of n desire to give them exceptional privileges by • means of legislation. [Cheers and hisses.] They were now exempting people from the land tax whose land was bolow tho valuo of JBSOO, .wore they not degrading as a class, those who had property below the valuo of .£SOO ? [Cheer \ and hisses.] He believed that every man of them desired to pay eqnally and ratoably towards the exigencie3 of the colony, and he said that any fiscal system which was not based on this was a mistake. [Cheers and interruption.] If this went on they would have Sir -George Groy.—[A Voice—" You let Sir George Gray alone."J —Thoy would have him, like the -ancient Romans, providing grand spectacles or subsidising theatres for tho demoralisation of the masses. [Cheers and hisses.] He warned -them that their manhood would be de-

bauched by exceptional legislation, and he asked them to insist, as independent men, on paying their quota. Once more he begged to state that he went out of the contest on public grounds only. [Oheors.]?Ho was not afraid of the result of the contest. [Cheers.] As Mr Weld had once said in the Town Hall, he was a fighting cock. [Cheers ] He had contested more seats he believed than any man in New Zealand, and he appealed to history whether he had not taken his lickings well. [Cheers.] In leaving that constituency—a constituency for which he had he believed done much —[Cheers. J—he felt he could with safety leave its interests in the hands of the electors themselves, and he trusted they would be able to eliminate out of tho mass good representatives. [Cheers.] He thought they would perhaps be able to get as good a man as himself, and that for the reasons he had stated it would be in the interests of the constituency that ho should retire. [Cheers.] He had come down prepared to fight tho battle, but after consultation with the fathers of the city, he had determined that the best course he could take in their interests would bo to retire. They could rely upon this, that a3_a public man he would always be found doing his best to further the true interests of the colony. [Cheers.] When he could not do that he shouli be very willing to take a back Beat. [Loud cheers.] Mr Moorhouse, on retiring, was greeted with loud and prolonged cheerinsr. In answer to a question from some one in the hall who desired to know if Mr Moorhonse could givo them any particulars regarding the valuation of Sir George Grey's property at Kawau, Mr Moorhouse said he was not in a position to speak with any definiteness on the subject of the question. He was not fully informed, and he felt that it would not be a right thing for a public man to make a statement on such a matter, unless he had such proof as would render what he said undeniable. [Cheers.] To do otherwise, would, he felt, be a mistake. [Cheers.] They had from the papers as much information on the subject as he (Mr Moorhouse) himself possessed. [Cheers.] Another questioner in tho middle of the hall desired Mr Moorhonse to state to the meeting what he had said at the Government Bnildings thirteen years ago, when he was Superintendent, to a number of working men who came to him asking for employment. Mr Moorhouse said he could not recollect. [A Voice : But I can tell you.] The advice he had given to working men had been sound and honest, though perhaps not palatable. [Cheers, hisses, and laughter.]

Mr W. Pratt said that in order to bring some business before the meeting, he would move—- " That two subcommittees be appointed to assist in returning their present members, Messrs Stevens and Richardson." [Cheers and hisses.] This he took it was the main business of the meeting, The Chairman said that thongh this was not an ordinary political meeting, a fact which seemed to bo lost sight of by some of those present, it having been called by some of the citizens of Christchurch to secure the return of their present members, yet Messrs Stevens and Richardson, who were present, would be happy to address them if the meeting desired it. [Cheers.] Mr E. C. J. Stevens said that he had had the honor of representing the city of Christchurch in the Parliament of the colony for now some three years and a half, and perhaps should represent them again for many years to come, and though in many quarters public men like himself had to receive a great deal of abuse, he defied anyone in that meeting or out of it to show that he had served any one class as against another. [Cheers.] He said that during the thirteen years he had been in politics he had striven his very best to see that every one had a fair chance in this colony. [Cheers.J He did not intend !to make a long speech that evening, as he was very unwell, as they could hear by the difficulty he had in making himself heard in that room, but he desired to call attention to some of the many measures of a liberal character for which he had always voted, and for which he should continue. He had voted for the extension of the franchise, and had also voted for the sale of Grown lands upon deferred payments. He had done this latter in the interests of small capitalists, who might by being ablo to procure land on deferred payments make a start in this colony. It all came back to him like an old tale, a 3 he had advocated these points at the Selwyn election in 1871. Did they want to know who first stood up to propound these views to the electors? Why, ho did. [Cheers.] He said that in 1876 he first stood up and proposed Triennial Parliaments to the electors. [Cheers.] The present Premier of New Zealand wa3 in favor of it, and so was Mr Whitaker, but the latter be believed had since seen fit to alter hia opinion in thia reapect. He wished now to say a word on the subject of the Canterbury runs, and he wished more particularly to speak on this subject because it had been made so much of in the General Assembly and out of it. He wished to say that although the real state of the case had been frequently explained, still there now appeared to be a large amount of misapprehension regarding it. It was supposed that the squatters, through their friends, the members in Parliament, bad succeeded in placing the land in the hands of a comparatively few, to the detriment of the many. He would tell them the plain facts of the case, which could be proved, bo that if they did not believe him all they had got to do was to go and verify the statement for thtmsjlvep. Now, so far from their having given leases for ten years, as had been stated over and over again by different politicians, and in a number of newspapers, the position was simply this—that the lands had been simply granted by way of tenancy at will, to the present holders, until the ordinary purchaser chose to go in and pay the £2 per acre for it. If they did not believe him, and wanted proof, let any one in tho meeting go to the Land office to-morrow or on Monday, with .£4O, and he would get twenty acres of land for it.

A Voice—Yes, shingle. Mr Stevens —Never mind the quality of it, the law did not make the quality of the land. Moreover, so far from the present pastoral tenants feeing possessed of their land for the period of ten years, the Government could in the year 1882 declare the whole of it to be pastoral land for sale on deferred payments, in blocks not exceeding 5000 acre 3, and anyone could go and buy it. [Hear, hear.] He had voted for that measure. [Applause] And would also support such a measure, for this reason, that the great object of the Canterbury land laws had _ been to keep the land open for sale to the public, and at the same time to get the best rental for it in the public interest in the meantime. He said to them, and he earnestly begged of them, not to be misled by anything interested persons might say on this question—that he could verify every siDgle thing he was stating. These wero simply facts that he had been telling them that could be ascertained, and he sincerely hoped, therefore, that they should have no more nonsense such as he had referred to about the disposal of these lands. With regard to the Liberal policy he had a word to say. He claimei for himself that from the earliest moment of his connection with politics—and that was a good many years ago—he believed no one had more sympathy with liberal measures than he had. He would go further and say, if anyone could show that during the whole of his political career, he had voted for any measure of an illiberal character, he should be most happy to make an ample apology, and he did not think in that case he should ever see their suffrages again. [Cheers.] One other matter of perhaps minor importance might be men. tioned while on this subject. When the Elec toral Bill was before the House last year, he urged that the hours of polling should be extended. [Applause.] Now he asked the meeting was that the act of a bitter Conservative? was that the line of action calculated to be adopted a man who desired to obtain a pocket borough ? Would any one, ho asked, do Buch a thing if he did not sympathise with the working classes of the community, whose time l was less their own than that of another class of society, and whose privileges at the ballot should be cared for. [Applause.] On that point, unfortunately, he was not able to get his own way altogether, but he was, with the assistance_ of others, successful in preventing the poll being closed at an earlier poriod, that is, he got it extended from four o'clock to six. If that was a small matter, it still, ho thought, would be taken as affording pretty gcod evidence of the sort of man ho was in dealing with public questions. [Applause] Now, ho was not going to take up any more of their time to-night further than this: He was, as they knew, again a candidate for the representation of this city. Ho was going to address them in different parts of the constituency, at the most convenient places and times the return of the writs will admit of. There was no single question ho would not be prepared to answer, and ho trusted fearlessly to their decision. Ho would merely warn the electors not to be led away by any wrong impression of the position, but to look to the results which would follow a continuance in office of the present Ministry with n view to see that in future there should be no moro unfair legislation, no partial action in the discharge of public duties, and above all things that they should have in this country a fair, honest, and straightforward administration of affairs. [Loud and prolonged applause.] The Hon. Mr Hichardson next came forward, and was received by applause, mingled with hisses and other marks of disapprobation. He commenced by saying ho had not expected to address a public meeting there to-night, being under the impression that he thonld simply have to attend a meeting of the supporters of Messrs Stevens and Moorhorisoand himself, with a view of organising a committee to work at the comiDg election. He thought perhaps he stood in a better position than either Mr Stevens or Mr Moorhouse, as he had published a rather lengthy address, Betting forth his views on the general questions of the day. He had taken that course because he thought it best to give the electors the earliest opportunity of becoming acquainted

as speedily as possible with his views on those matters. He should also take an early opportunity of addressing the electors personally in that hall, and in various parts of the district. [Cheers and groans.] it would bo seen from the .programme he had published that his views were about as liberal 03 anyone could be asked to support at the present time. [Confusion.] He should not havo made these few remarks, but that the matter had been brought prominently forward that evening, and several gentlemen who wished to support him had asked him whether he was in earnest in the views ho had put forth. Well, he could simply refer back to his past career, and he was perfectly certain that those who made a fair allowance for the position he had beon placed in, in common with other members of the House, would admit that be had taken ever/ opportunity to push_ those views forward and support their being brought into law. Of course they would all understand that in carrying out any law—let it ba ever so liberal or otherwise, as the case might be, it was utterly impossible for anyone to carry all his wishes, and get them embodied in a particular measure. It was, in fact, a series of compromises thoy had to make, and every member bad to get the nearest possible approach to what ho actually desired. That had always been his object, and would be again, If elected, that is, ho should support any measures that had for their tendency the carrying out of the views he had aet forth. Of course he reserved to himself the right to find fault with the administration of any of the laws of the country, and, as would have been seen, he certainly had found considerable fanlt with the administration of some of tho laws. He should continue to do so, in fact, no matter who was in power, and he might here express the opinion that the present Government required an enormous amount of watching. [Cheers and hisses.] And he should reserve his right to find fault with them as he thought fit. He should only ask them if they were really in earnest, to come to the point, and elect a strong committee to assist in the return of himself and Mr Stevens. (Mr Richardson then resumed his seat amidst a great uproar of cheers and groans.) At this stage there were loud calls for Mr C. C. Bowen, who at once came forward. Tho Hon. C. C. Bowen said ho was not, as the meeting knew, a candidate for the representation of this city, although ho admitted he should be proud to be so ; but he had a constituency who had been good enough to return him before, and he hoped they would again. [Hear, hoar.] He felt this, however, that while he was representing one constituency of this provincial district he was representing the people of Canterbury to a great extent, and ho felt a great satisfaction in that. Now, he wished to say one word io the meeting, and he could say what he wanted more freely than the gentlemen who had just spoken, because he was not a candidate for their suffrages. He wished to put before them the necessity of keeping clearly before their minds the question of the day. [Cheers.] He asked them not to be deluded by any gammon, ornicknames, or political claptrap. [Cheers and laughter.] Not to believe that every man who called himself a Liberal was a Liberal. Let them look at the careers of the men of whom they had to form an opinion ; look nt what they had carried out, what policy they had advocated, and then determine for themselves whether the men were liberal or not in their views. There was jast one other question he wished to allude to—[Here an interruption occurred, and the speaker could not bo heard for several seconds owing to the noise.] Mr Bowen after a pause, continued by saying that he felt confident of obtaining a hearing from a Christchurch meeting. [Hear, and cheers.] If they did wish to have strangers among them, they ought at any rate to listen to old settlers. A voice—There is no stranger here. Mr Bowen —Oh, but there will be shortly. He would now proceed to the question he had expressed a wish to touch upon. There had been a great deal of talk about the working man, and he wished to know what it all meant. He claimed to havo more close friends among the working men than among others, and that did not mean that he dared attempt to patronise them, but men who had come to him for years past and discussed with him their private affairs. [Loud applause.] And on the strength of his knowledge of that class, he would say thi3 : that the working man was not one to be patronised, but one who desired to get a fair start in life, and obtain the same for his children. [Hear, hear.] It had positively made him sick when he had heard men in tho Assembly and out of it talk abont the working man as if he was a man to be patronised* [Cheers.] Theremight be some loaf ers who liked to be patronised, but not so the honest working man. Those were liberals who had done most for the working men in giving them education for their children, and a fair start in life—[Hear, hear] —and not those who were constantly talking about the poor man, who must bo taken care of, and who wanted a saviour of society to take care of him. France, they knew, had a saviour of society, who quickly got rid of their parliamentary institutions, and effectually settled society. That is precisely what they had too much of in New Zealand. A complete setting aside of the actions of Parliament, and that is why the representatives of the people had turned the Government out of their Beats. The question then was: were the people satisfied that their representatives were right in upsetting the Government? Were they right in resenting the action of _ the Government in spending a quarter of a million of public money without consulting the representatives of the people who would have to find the money. Why such an act alone in England would have beon sufficient to unseat any Government at once. Again, were their representatives right in resenting the action of the Government in sending .£2OOO of the ratepayers' money to send home a gentleman who wished to dispose of his property and took advantage of the opportunity. [Loud cries of '* name."]

Mr Bowen—Mr Larnach is hi 3 name if you want it. There were plenty of reasons for what had been done when it came to the point. The question was, whether the late Government by their administrative acts had forfeited the confidence of the people. He would point out that there could be no such thing as Conservatives in a new country where there was nothing to conserve. It was an invention of tho enemy. [Loud applause and laughter,] In o inclusion, he earnestly requested them to look at the questions they would be called upon to consider in a proper spirit, and not to listen to any political claptrap. The Hon. John Hall was then loudly called upon, and on coming forward, said ho had not intended to speak, but being asked by the meeting, could not do less than accede to their request. It appeared to him that the position was simple enough, as stated by a previous speaker. Was it a question of policy or the past administration of the Government ? There appeared to be but one policy between two sides. It was very possible that one side might have borrowed from the other side, but it was equally true that tho other side borrowed from the first. Both, for instance, agreed upon the extension of the franchise, and about this question ho might say there had been an attempt to mislead. The Government proposed an extension so that "seventy thousand serfs" would be enfranchised, but he believed the extension proposed would not put on the roll a much larger number than could enjoy tho privileges now if thoy liked to take the trouble, and it was the business of tho Government to afford additional facilities to the electors in thia respect. In this connection ho thought the measure of last session was desirable because it s : mplifiec! the process. He then referred to the clause giving extended power to Maori voters. [A Voice—Why not.] Mr Hall—Why should a Maori have two votes when a white man only has one ? [Loud cheers.] The Legislative Council took a fair view of the matter, and the measure was sent back to the Lower House, in tho shape the Government introduced it. Conferences were held between members of the two Houses, but the Council stood firm in asserting the rights of the European colonists. And what was the result ? Why, the Government, rather than accept that measure they had described as so valuable—rather than givo up tho additional Maori franchise—threw thia great Magna Charta into the waste paper basket. [Cheers.] With regard to the of policy as affecting the candidates for election, he could only Bay that if any one asked him at the election whether he was a Liberal or not he should not answer the question, because the word had been so abused that it really had no meaning whatever. He would tell them what measures he held in favor, and they could then judge for themselves. [Applau=o.] With reference to-this so-called Liberal Reform Association, who wantol to cram candidates down tho throats of the people, that was not tho proper way to go to work for the purpose of getting the beat candidates for the city. The question waa not what a set of gentlemen in their extremity would promise them, but what in the exercise of their power they had dono while in office. Had the present Government carried out their promises of economy in administration ? They were going to reduce tho cost of the Civil Service by .£IO,OOO. Had they as a fact reduced it by a penny ? On the contrary the expenditure was absolutely larger than when they came into office. What, too, was the condition of Native affairs now compared with what it was when tho present Government came into office ? Under the wise and prudent administration of tholate Sir Donald McLean the Natives were quietly pettling. They were gradually getting tired of their isolation £and being shut out from the advantages of civilisation, and would soon have come in amongst the Europeans of their own accord. But the present Government were possessed of a restless anxiety to prove that the members of the present Government were exceptionally powerful with the Natives, and the result|of their action, and repeated prayers to the Nativeatobe friends, wa3 that tho Native people, (who were naturally prone to be suspicious) became alarmed, and eventually said to the Government—" We will have none of you,"

[Applause, j He next referred to the West Coast district especially, and Bhowed that hero again the Government had interfered with deplorable results. Sir Donald M'Lean was as anxious that the conntry should be settled as any other man ; but he knew better than to run the risk of going hot headed or inconsiderately into taking occupation of the land —he was biding his time. But the present Qavernment saw fit to establish a great reputation. So they did not take the trouble in the first instance to feel their way and ascertain if the Maoris would allow the survey to proceed, and then allowed their surveyors to be turned off the land, which placed the Government io a very humiliating position, and he then referred to the Waimato Plains difficulty, and pointed ont that tho Government had not behaved with the dignity befitting their position. They had in fact followed the example of the people, whom they should have been leading, in that they did not send any troops to the assistance of the settlers until the settlers had nearly taken the matter into their own hands. Tn conclusion, he said it appeared to him that the question for the electors to consider in the forthcoming elections was not one of policy. He could really discover very little difference in that respect It was really whether the verdict of the representatives of the people—that the Government had maladministered the affairs of the colony—was carried, or whether it was not. [Cheers.] The Hon. Colonel Brett, in answer to an invitation from the meeting, came forward and expressed his intention to say a few words only, in which he wonld act the part of their adviser. The constituency of Christchurch had to represent them last session two of the ablest members of Parliament, and he hoped the people would show their good sense by re-electing them. Mr L. E. Nathan seconded Mr Pratt's resolution for appointment of committees to secure the return of Meßsrs Stevens and Hichardson.

The motion was put to tho meeting and carried.

A vote of thankß was then passed to the chairman, and the public meeting terminated. Subsequently a number of gentlono en met in the back room for the purpose of forming an electioneering committee in support of Messrs Stevens andßichardson.

MISCELLANEOUS ELECTION ITEMS. AUCKLAND, August 14. Election affairs aro still in an unsettled state. No definite tickets on either side are yet announced. NAPIER, August 14. At a meeting of Captain Russell's and Mr Sutton's friends last night, it was determined that both should run together, and the electors be solicited not to split their votes. Mr Buchanan has consented to stand in the " Liberal " interest, but his address is not out yet. Mr Maney has not yet declared bia candidature, though he will doubtless come forward. • WANGANUI, August 14. Electioneering is proceeding steadily. Mr Ballance's friends are working hard. Sir W. Fox's supporters are enthusiastic, and they aro confident of his return. A good many express fears that Mr Bryce will be left out in the cold, as they fear that his friends have placed him at a disadvantage in coupling him with Mr Ballance. Mr Bryce has made no publio announcement yet, but has privately stated that he will not come out as a Liberal, nor occupy the same platform as Mr Ballance. PALMERSTON NORTH, August 14. A large meeting was held last night, and by arrangement Mr Halcombe addressed the meeting first, but occupied them two hours. There was no satisfactory rasultp, Mr Snelson not having addressed it, but he lot electors know that if they were desirous he should retire in favor of Mr Halcombe he would do so. Mr Snelson cares little who is returned,

so long as he is a man who will promote the interests of the district in Parliament. Mr Johnston was in the township at the time, but did not appear at the meeting. ROSS, August 14. The following is the result of a large public meeting held at Ross last evening : " That this meeting has full confidence in the Hon. Mr Gisborne as the representative for Totara distriot, and pledges itself to support him at the forthcoming election." This was unanimously carried, and a committee of thirty - six influential electors appointed to carry out the object of the resolution. WELLINGTON, August 14.

Moat extraordinary confusion of parties and candidates prevails. The Liberal Association have nominated Messrs Hutchison and Fisher as their candidates, but personally these two are like oil and water. They have nothing in common. Mr Hutchison has ability and tact, and Mr Fisher has neither good taste nor nous, and Mr Hutchison does not want to be coupled with him if he can avoid it; but he cannot, and has to subside. Mr Fisher has managed to tickle the ears of the groundlings, and hopes that will do everything, but it will not. Mr Levin is pretty certain to go in, and his committee and Mr Greenfield's are almost identical, although each is supposed to run on his own bottom; but to all intents and purposes the two will run together. The awkward thing is that Mr Hunter is likely to bo loft out in the cold. Although personally not popular, nothing of a political nature is urged against him, and having been a very old resident, he is, as a matter of course, thoroughly antiGrey. There is an evident desire here to evade the test question, " Will the candidate support Sir George Grey through thick and thin?" If he does the Wellington electors will not support him. Sir George Grey stinks in our nostrils, and Mr Sbeehan amolla of the Maoris. They will, however, try it on by means of the Reform Association, which by a clever mancouvro has managed to identify two candidates—Mr Hutchison and Mr Fisher—with the Association, although neither of them care three straws so long as he gets in. On the whole, the ohances are that the Wellington candidates will be antiGrey, and if not so in their professions, they will be so when it comes to the pinch.

It ought to be known that when Mr Sherwood, from Hawera, was down here, he contrived to negotiate a loan for £15,000 with the Government, but with whom tho matter was arranged was not generally known. He is now a Grey candidate against Major Atkinson, and it is not difficult to account for tho circumstances.

By right Mr Fisher should not he able to stand. He is an officer of tho House L But he goes in blind for Sir G. Grey and Sir W. Fitzherbert, who has supreme control in Mr O'Borke's absence. The only thing Mr Fisher is bound by is this —if elected he is to resign his "Hansard " appointment. It is reported that Dr. Buller is disqualified from standing, in consequence of having entered into a contract with tho Government for the Supreme Court. TIMARTJ, Augußt 14. Mr Wakefield addresses the Temuka electors to-morrow night. No other candidate is announced so far for Geraldino. Mr Turnbull meets the Timaru electors on Monday. Mr Woolcombe, late R.M., is announced as a candidate in the constitutional interests to oppose him. DUNEDIN, August 14.

The names of Messrs Davie, late Provincial Treasurer, and G. Turnbull, late Deputy Superintendent, are mentioned, as likely to come forward in the Grey interest, but it is very improbablo that they will contest the city. Mr Downie Stowart has decided to contest Dunedin again. Mr Stout delivers his lecture on politics tomorrow evening at the Garrison Hall. INVERCARGILL, August 14. Mr Shanks, M.H.R. for Mataura, addressed the electors to-night at Appleby. He announced his intention, if again elected, of according a hearty support to any Ministrj under Sir G. Grey. On the motion of Mr Schneider, he received a vote of confidence.