THE ELECTIONS.

Kumara Times, Issue 541, 21 June 1878, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS.

MR. FITZGERALD'S MEETING.

The Theatre Royal was crowded last evening, to hear the views of Mr G. G. Fitz Gerald, one of the candidates for the seat'in the House of Representatives, vacated by Mr Button, foe the electoral district of Hokitika.

Mr Blake having been voted to the chair, briefly introduced the candidate in a few well-chosen"' remarks.

Mr Fitz Gerald (who was received with cheers) said: Mr Chairman and gentlemeu—-In soliciting the votes of electors of this district, I may say that I am a colonist of 28 years' standing, and am known as a political writer from' one end of the - Colony to the other.—(Cheers.) There is a certain section -of the Press wlio have made remarks about me that ought never to have been uttered, and I am here tonight to give denial, and the lie to such statements. A certain impression has gone about that if I go to Wellington, a great change will be made in;'the Education Act. Now, gentlemen, I am the nominee: of no creed, sect, or nationality; and I appeal to you that when recording your votes you will throw away that idea. We have heard a great deal about the Education Act, but the people of New Zealand have decided in support of secular education. I am a supporter of the Grey Ministry although the Premier's nephew is my opponent, for I have known Sir George Grey since his first government in New 7.' -aland, when I was a very young man. I say that the people of New Zealand have been most thoroughly abused by the-Atkinson Ministry. The cry comes, not only in the Colony, but

all through Europe, Give us the land ! I want to see the homesteads built ; I want to see the 50 and 100-acre blocks of land, but not the 10,000 acre block's. The land was made for the people, not the people for the laud. I come from a, part of tlie old country where I have seen the danger of theae large blocks. I am not prepared to say, take the Innd from those who have paid for it; but I > am prepared to say, take all the land " ; that has not been fairly acquired. Would not a man rather have onn acreou %ecure tenure, than a large block and trust to Providence for a title? I will support the present Ministry so far as the land is concerned. I wa» for ye'-ire Chief Commissioner of Crown I ands, and in that position I did my best to bring the land down to {he -cheapest" possible rate. An Act was passed, and at the last moment the homestead clause was introduced by which yon can put a ience round five acres of land «o long as it does not interfere with mining arrangements; and I assure you that, if returned, I will see this carried out.— (Cheers.) I may say that the electors who did me the honor to 88k me to stand never mentioned the Education question, as many say I am trying to secure the Catholic vote on' those, grounds. I have held some of the most importaut positions undehthe New Zealand Govemment,andputof SOjQOQjudgments delivered by me "as- -Resident Magistrate and Warden, only four or five have ever been reversed in the Supreme Court. (Cheers.) . Geutle.men—l wish you to take these things into consideration, and judge me as men. Should you return me, you will find that I shall do my duty by you as well and faithfully as any man in Westland—(Cheers.) in reply to questions, Mr Fitz Gerald said: I think a Land Board, for each of the Provincial districts onght to consist of nine persons ; three to.be nomi r nated .by the Ministry, and six by the people; I am in fayior of the most liberal land law, as I believe the man who tills the soil ought to get it for no-, . thiug. I will try and get an act passed* \ ; if returned, ,to get the Education Re-'.,-/•• i serve cancelled.

Mr M. Griffiths, i\ proposing Mr Fitz Gerald as a fit and proper person to represent this district in the House of ' | Representatives, said. that ths candij date was a gentleman well known "i&drespected, and the ejectors would, «* 'do well in -returning him. He (Mf - t Griffiths) then referred to the unfair re-' marks made hy a certain section of .thief/ "'■""■ Pre<s, on the candidate, and quoted -i a [ t paragraph from the Ohristchurch PteSß '*;' to show that the action of the "electors in Hokitika in bringing a candidate from Wellington was thoroughly cop-' ~• i dein'ned in other parts of the colony«,v- ---■ He then pointed but the advantages to the district in having such a man as-"••>.* Mr Fitz Gerald in the House, ta at present the only members who really understood mining were Messrs. Barff,7 Pyke, and De Latour; (Cheers) The resolution was seconded by Mr Stockman, and, on being put to the . I meeting by the Chairman, was carried ■ '■: j unanimously. ■';. '' ' "'' '"'

A vote of thanks to the Chairman, moved by Mr PifzGferald and seconded by Mr Hannan, terminated the proceedings.