REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1776, 29 October 1879, Page 3

REFORM ASSOCIATION.

A meeting in connection with the Christchuroh Reform Association was held at the old Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street. Dr. Turnbull occupied the chair. The chairman called upon the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting of the association.

The minntes having accordingly been read and confirmed, The Chairman stated for the benefit of those who were net already members of the association that they would have an opportunity of signing membership at the _ clobo of the public meeting, paying subscriptions, &c This being all the routine business of the association he should now vacate the chair. On the motion of Dr. Turnbull Mr Clephane was elected to the chair. Dr. Turnbull moved the first resolution as follows :—" That the betrayal of their principles and party by Messrs Reader Wood, Oolbeck, Swanson, and Hurst—members for Auokland constituencies—is not to be regarded so much as a disaster to the Liberal cause, as deplored as an event certain to bring the professions of public men into general distrust and constitutional Government in New Zealand into public contempt." He thought the resolution expressed not only the feeling of that meeting and the party it represented, but also threefourths of the party opposed to them. It might at first seem a thing to be deplored that Sir G. Grey was unseated, especially in view of the principle laid down by him that the Premier should be brought into personal contact with the people in every part of the country. But Sir George Grey would always have the interests of the city at heart, and was not likely to forget Christchurch because he no longer represented it. A great principle had been gained by affirming in the election of Sir George, the fact that the people of Christchurch held liberal views. He felt confident that should another contest of the kind take place, Sir George would be again elected. [Applause.] He then referred to the cause of Sir George Grey being unseated, saying that no blame could be attaohed to Sir George, as he had acted on the strength of a precedent when he was elected for two constituencies within a short time in Auckland. There was however no reason to despond about this matter, as it would result in an amendment of the law by which disputes of the kind would not be decided by select committees of Parliament, who might be actuated by party motives, but by the courts of law. He then referred to the desertion of certain members from the Grey party, saying ; they had been actuated by sordid motives. But because of asimpledefeat they were not going to succumb, but proceed with conscious power and strength, and when opportunity arrived strike hard, and then let the best men win. If their principles were carried out in that spirit they would carry with them a spirit of rectitude such as was the more calculated to make them succeed. The question embodied in the resolution he was speaking to was one of great moment, and they were here to express their honest condemnation of the action of certain representatives in Parliament. They had it on the authority of Reader Wood that certain members had actually bargained with the Premier to give him their support for certain material gain to Auckland. [Cries of "Shame."] He (Dr. Turnbull) then went on to describe the positions of the various large towns with the view of showing that groundless claims had been trumped up for Auckland, with the view of gaining the support of members representing that provincial district. Whilst the present Canterbury members represented them, this district would never receive its due, and party strife and dissensions among the people—even to the separation of the two islands—was calculated to result from their continuance in power. He concluded by moving the resolution. Seconded by Mr Johnson. The resolution was then put to the meeting. There was only one dissentient, who was immediately hooted and hissed. Mr Andrew moved the next resolution as follows :—" That the Hall Government, in seeking to maintain themselves in office by the seduction of their opponents —by the medium of traitors from the Liberal ranks—have shown themselves unworthy of the support of all honorably minded men, and that no effort should now be spared to secure their immediate extrusion from power." He characterised.the late career of the Hon. John Hall as a series of surprises which were no better than so many mean, paltry tricks. Those men who were loudest in the abolition of provincial institutions were actually now working to recreate them. Mr Piper seconded the motion, and during his remarks thereon expressed the opinion that the Liberal party only required to act with patience, and combine together! to erect a tower of strength which must result in the downfall of the present party in power, whose position was built up on corrupt practices. Mr Tread well (whose remarks elicited a great deal of noiee), next addressed the meet, ing. He referred to the election of Mr Richardson, saying that he (Treadwell) had as the representative of 540 residents as much right to he in power as one who had bought himself into Parliament. He suggested this addition to the resolution—" That the meeting pledges itself to assist any measures that may be taken against Messrs Stevens and Richardson, in order to secure Mr Treadwell his just seat in Parliament." [Laughter, cheers, and cries of " Good on you, old man."J It was resolved that the amendment should be made a special resolution. At this stage an excited gentleman addressed the meeting, expressing the conviction that Sir George Grey was in the hatds of Providence, and had a long lease of life. The resolution of Mr Andrew was then put and carried, there being as before one dissentient.

Mr Olephane moved—" That this meeting protests against the seating of Mr Edward Richardson as member for the constituency of Ohristchurch as unwarranted by precedent or authority, and utterly repudiate him as the re?resentative of this electorate in Parliament." n speaking to the motion, he contended that Sir George Grey was improperly ousted from his position, and it waß abominable to the feelings of the people that they should have a representative thrust upon them. " Snobocracy " and " bankocraoy " had too much to do in the matter. The only gentlemen in the place were those who voted for the election of Sir G-. Grey. He hoped the Liberal party would use every means to prevent Mr Richardson holding a seat in the House as representing Ohristchurch. Mr J. George spoke to the resolution at some length. With regard to the unseating of the late Premier, he said that an insignificant little legislator (Mr Allwright), for whom 179 persons voted in Lyttelton, should not have had the power to oust a man like Sir George Grey, and disfranchise 3000 people. The speaker made some lengthy remarks, whioh elicited a good deal of applause and some laughter. Mr J. P. Olliver said they had yet a serious duty to perform—to petition against the sitting of Mr Richardson. Mr Berks expressed the opinion that Mr Treadwell should now be representing Ohristchurch in the House, and that he was " man enough " for any half-a-dozen of the present members of Parliament. He moved an amendment: —" That this meeting emphatically protests against Mr Richardson sitting for Ohristchurch, he having forfeited all claims to his seat by the most flagrant violation of the law, and that as the seat really belongs to Mr Treadwell, the association should take steps to place him in this position as by right, especially as it would be equal to two votes added to the party." Mr Treadwell suggested that the amendment was premature. Mr Berks withdrew his amendment. The original resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. At this stage Dr. Turnbull stated that the remaining resolution in the published programme would not be dealt with at the present meeting according to arrangement, but a meeting would be called in a hall more spacious at a future date. Mr Treadwell, who stated he had collected evidence of corrupt practices in connection with Mr Richardson's election, moved—- " That this meeting pledges itself to assist any legal effort that may be made to exclude Messrs Richardson and Stevens from their seats in Parliament." The motion was seconded by Mr Carter. It being pointed out that Mr Treadwell was not a member of the association, Mr Kent moved the resolution standing in Mr Tread well's name.

The motion was then pnt and carried unanimously. Resolved—" That copies of the above resolutions be forwarded to the General Assembly." Mr J. J. Parker moved—" That this meeting pass a resolution expressing the deepest

sympathy with Sir George Grey in the Eosition he had been placed in, and trusting e would continue to use his beat •ndeavons to further the liberal cause."

The motion was seconded by Mr Staples, and carried.

The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.