MR HOLMES AND HIS SPEECH.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2364, 31 October 1881, Page 3

MR HOLMES AND HIS SPEECH.

To the Editor of the Q-ldbe. Sib, —Mr Holmes, at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday night last, used language, to say the least of it, which was vulgar, re thistles, &c. The harangue was baaed on the vulgar Yorkshire maxim—“ Give praise according to what you get.” He stated that it would be right and fair to enforce the cutting up of large freehold estates ; “ that the land was for the people, and the people for the land.” Mr H. is an Irishman, and no other than an Irishman could conceive anything so unjust as the taking away of any man’s property, by foul means or fair. This, sir, is a piece of the blarney by which he moans to catch the Irish vote, but it was not even good blarney. It had not the piquancy of the blarney from the historic stone. The whole was essentially vulgar. The Oirish were a foine race, de ye moind; they were a noble race; they were the best race of people under the sun, de ye moind that now ! He did not use these words, but in effect did he not say so ? He told us he would like to see all large blocks of land cut up and given to the people. He well knows it is only his own countrymen that prefers being landowners at the expense of the rightful owner of the soil, that has bought and paid for it legitimately from the Government of the country. Mr H. was, on that occasion, asked several questions ; some he answered, lawyer-like, very equivocally, others ho passed by because it did not suit him to show his hand. Is not this beautiful ? Here is penetration for you ! Here is lively faith that his countrymen will return him a member for Christchurch. And as Mr Holmes said of others, “ 1 do

not wish to deprecate,” nor will I, but I do say that every right thinking man in this city can draw their own conoluoionu as to whether they will vote for Mr Anderson or Mr Holmes at the forthcoming election. Mr Anderson has many good qualities to recommend him. He is an old settler. He has stood on the threshhold of Canterbury as it were, and from its earliest days he no doubt marked well all that came in and all that has gone out, both men and things. He came to this country an honest unassuming tradesman, and by energy and industry has made a homo for himself and many others, and even to this day he has not changed; he is still the working man and the working man’s friend, and without the slightest atom of pride or snobbery about him ; and if returned to Parliament will be one of the stars of that House! Not a blustering railer, but a gentleman that I am sure will attend to the duties of the House with firmness and honesty of purpose, and vote fairly at all times, whether it bo on the side of the Government, or otherwise, so long as his conscience leads him to the belief that he is voting for the good of the country. He is not going to Wellington seeking a portfolio, or yet is he going to amass money on committees, cheap popularity, or any of the hundred and one things that some have in view, it returned. sir, Mr H. is on the alert to catch any floating straw that will aid him in his election; he is not over scrupulous as to the means ho employe to accomplish his return; he button-holes electors on the street; ho may be seen frequently at the Umpire Hotel; he in his speeches runs his opponent down by side winds as it were, although he positively says he does not wish to deprecate, vide the coach and pair business, to catch the workingman ; but does ho not ape the coach and pair, because all he can afford is the rickety onehorse shay, but at the same time wishing his means would admit of a coach and four, like most Irishmen of his stamp, ambition will be his ruin sooner or later.

In conclusion, Mr H., on Friday night, was very funny as he danced about on the platform, he felt so happy within himself, he emiled because others laughed, he laughed as ho thought tho bait taken. He on his way home laughed that howling laugh, because ho thought that many in the hall believed him to be a landleaguor, and one with Sir G. Grey. As regards Mr Grey, the Good Templar, I will leave him to deal with Mr H., because his cause is just, and the more ablo he will be to fight his own battle, and run too. I fancy he can muster mpre Good Templars than the licensed victualers can publicans to vote. Yours, &0., A FREEHOLDER. P.B.—My freehold estate consists solely of 12 ft square in Lyttelton cometry. May I ask, Mr Editor, can I claim to register for the above ?