MR. PITT'S MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 25, 29 January 1879, Page 2

MR. PITT'S MEETING.

The Theatre Royal was crowded in every part last night with the largest audience tbnt ever assembled in Nelson at a political meeting, the gallery, which was reserved for ladies, being also well titled. Mr Pitt, on entering the Hull, was received with hearty cheers. On the motion of Mr Topliss, the chair was inker, by Mr A. J. Richmond, who expressed the pleasure he felt in presidiug on such an occasion. He congratulated the electors on the privilege they enjoyed in having two such (iesirable candidates as Mr Acton Adams and Mr Pitt from whom to make their selectioD. The railway question was one of the deepest importance to all, and there was much hard fighting in store before tbis object was achieved. The education question was auothc-r of paramount importance, and he fe!t sure that t c great bulk of those present would say that the present scheme was not what it professed to 'w, and he believed Mr Pitt would conviuce them that it required some modifications and amendments, so that it might be acceptab'e to all relk-ious denominations alike. He felt sure that they would give Mr Pitt a careful and attentive hearing. Mr Pitt, who stepped on to the platform amid loud cheers, said : Mr Chairman and gentlemen, 1 h.ivc asked you to meet me tonight in order that I may ixp'aiu to yi.u my views ou the politic.il subjects of tlic day. I have hid the opportunity of hearing Mr Adams, and I shall be able to point out to you ou what questions we do not agree, and what are the differences of opinion between us. The subject I shall first touch upon is TAXATIOX. There is no doubt shut the inhabitants of this colony are already heavily taxed, and I shall make it my duty not to increase the burdens if it cau possibly be avoided, and, if not, to see that a fair proportion falls on the shoulders of the large landed proprietors, because I think that at present they do not contribute in proportion to the advantages they derive from the public works policy I am opposed to an income tax, because I think it ia of ;an inquisitorial nature and difficult of collection. The tax gatherer has to rely solely upon the information he receives from the taxpayer as to the amouut to be collected, and the'uncouscientious and unscrupulous man will be sure to get off more easily than he who makes an honest declaration. I am in favor of a tax on Ihe revenue drawn from the couutry by absentees, and think there is some other way of reaching them than through an income tax. I regret that in the matter of Customs duties the Government did uot make larger reductions on the necessaries of life. It has been said that the reduction is so small as to be of no beuefh to the small consumer, but that I think is his fault, as he suouid insist upon receiving the advantage from it when making his purchases. I have heard it objected that the removal of the duty off grain has been to open the market to foreign producers. To this I say so much the better for the public at large. The farmers m»y suffer, but I believe the maxim of the greatest good to the greatest number applies here. If we are to protect the farmers why not extend the protection to the runholders and put a tax on imported live stock. The partial removal of the duty on sugar will benefit the colonial manufacturers who use that article, anil in their case I should like to see the Government reruit the duty altogether. It might be said that the revenue cannot afford to relinquish this item, but I believe the Treasurer could find other articles on which the duty might more fairly be placed. From what I have said you will not be surprised to hear that I am in favor of the Land Tax, which in Nelson will not bring iv much, but would produce a great deal more, which would be willingly paid, if we had the railway to add to the value of our property. Electoral Bill. lam in favor of manhood suffrage as I believe that every man has a right to a voice iv the government of the couutry. I am opposed to the dual Maori vote. The natives are already specially represented, and that I think is enough for them. EDUCATION. When I invite your attention to this I think you will say that I have some good grounds to complain, as my opinions have been much misrepresented in the town I thought it necessary to put a letter iv the paper denying those representations, and 1 think I shall couviuce you that they wire untrue. It has been reported that I have pledged myself to support Mr Curtis' Bill, in order to obtain the Catholic vote. I deny that I have ever pledged myself to it iv any way whatever I say further that I have never been a>ked to pledge myself in that direction, and I say further still that I re fuse now to pledge myself to support Mr Curtis' Bill. I think I shall satisfy yon that the viaws I take on this question are correct. I deny that I am in tavor of denominational education. My opinion on education is this, that it is the duty of the State to provide a course of secular educt- , tion for the children attending the schools, leaving to the clergy the imparting of religium education in the churches and Sun day schools, but not in the State schools. (Cheers). I think I shall show you that the object of the Act is to exteud the usefulness of the general scheme of education. The Roman Catholics have been made the object of many remarks in the matter, but Mr Curtis's Bill does not provide any special advantage for them, but merely for bribing them under the provisions of the Act of 1877. This Bill was published in last night's Mail, and probably you have all read it, but although many have expressed yourselves yery strougly on the measure I believe j it was done io ignorance of its provisions, i and I hope to satisfy you that too much has beeu made of it altogether. I Bay farther that the subject does not deserve the excitement which, has been created over it. If the question between Mr Adams and myself was that of secular against denominational education I could better understand the excitement, but I Bay that I have never declared

myself in favor of denominational, bat on the contrary, have declared that I am in favor of secular, educatiou. The matter at issue is with regard to the books to be used in the schools and nothing more. Mr Curtis himself, who is the father of this Bill, has expressly declared thnt he is no deuoimuatiouaUst. In iutroducing the Bill he sai.l : — " I do hope the House will recognise the fact that, when we, find one-seventh of the population, somewhere about 60,000 persons, standing out against the existing system of education , reasonably or unreasonably, it is highly desirable that something should be done to enable us to work harmoniously together, find that we should not suffer religious differences to prevent the benefits of education being extended to all classes of people throughout the colony. As to what are called " denominational " schools, where religions doctrine forms part of the ordiuary daily course of instruction, nobody ran be more distinctly opposed to these than I am myself— l have always opposed any subsidy to denominational schools; but iv this matter i see no difficulty whatever. It appears to me that we do not give way to sectarian principles to the slightest extent, we do not subsidize the teaching of any kind of religious doctrine, aud we secure all the safeguards which can bo provided to preserve the secular character of the existing system." There you will see that Mr Curtis is not in favor of denominational education You will remember that under the old Nelson system there was an education rate imposed which was paid by every householder. Now unrici the Act of 1863 (38th section) there was a provii-ion very similar to Mr Curtis's present Bill, the only difference being that under the Act of 5363 it was required that 50 instead of 25 householders should make the demand. The Central Board was to refund the rates they h«d paid, less the cost of collection, Ac, but no aid was to be given unless they provided secular education for children and to a certain standard Under that Act religious instruction might be given, but pa;ents would hhvo power to withdraw their children. i The difficulty was this, that the Catholics had objected to the books which were used in the other schools in the Provincial Council Mr Kingdon moved that the Superintendent be respectfully requested to place the sum of £300 on the estimates of the Catholic schoo's Mr Curtis opposed that on principle. In 1867 Mr Curtis was elected Superintendent of this Province, and he introduced the Nelson Act. wbich has given so much satisfaction, and which was very Bimilur to the one now known as Mr Curtis's Bill. The Act Has recognised as a happy compromise and passed without any amendment. When the Educn'ion Act 1877 was passed, as you are aware, this provision was omitted, and therefore the position in which the Roman Catholic* were, prior to tho passing of the Provincial Act of 1867 was revived, and they were compelled to contribute to the cost of the State schools without being able to send their children to them. The majority of .the scholars who attended St. Mary's schools were Protestant children, but the effect of the passing of the Act 1877 was this, that the services of Mr Richards who had been the schoolmaster for a number of years, and had proved very efficient master, . had to be dispensed with. I will read an extract from a' speech made by Sir George Grey on the education question : — " The honorable member for Totara, whose remarks were objected to, wisely stated that a very wrong thing had been done in depriving three provinces of the systems of education framed by their Legislatures, and to which they had become attached. I can tell the House that in all cases with which J am acquainted where Great Britain has conquered other provinces, and has entered them as a conqueror, she has granted those countries their laws, their institutions, and their educational systems. When the small pro vince of the Isle of France was conquered, its laws and its educational institutions were secured to it in the treaty by which they submitted to their conquerors ; and the same thing was done at the Cape of Good Hope, and in the West India Islands. So it was in Canada. To this day the educational system I of Canada is left as it was. In the case of Hawke's Bay, Nelson, and Westland, distinct legislation had established a system of edit- | cation which for a series of years had worked j well, and given perfect satisfaction to the inhabitants of those provinces. This House now steps in and, without consulting the people, sweeps away institutions which Great Britain— that great nation— would have secured to them had she been dealing with them. I look upon this as not only an unjust act, but one that lacks wisdom, as one which must necessarily create ill-feeling, and as o»e which must prevent the various parts of New Zealand amalgamating cheerfully as a whole and united colony. That is one great blot on the Bill as it stands at present." The Roman Catholics were unable to come under the Act then pnssed, so Mr Curtis introduced his Bill which is not by any means so favorable to the Catholics as the Nelson Act, because under it they cannot impart religious teaching. They must use books approved of by the District Board, and ore only to get as much as that body likes to award to them. Where is the State aid to religion in this? It is undoubted that the Catholics have a grievance with regard to the history books, and this Bill would do awny with that giievauce without injuring any other denomination or violating any principle. I will quote from Hun*a>d the remarks of two or three members on this subject. Mr Saunders said: — " We should all keep watch with the view of avoiding anything in the shape of the teaching of false history or false doctrines in our school books, I feel very strongly on this subject and I believe tbeCatholics have some reason to complain of the character of the books now used in some of our schools. We should exercise a more careful supervision over our school books." Mr Sh- chan snid, and this was not quoted to you the other night: - " It, is quite true that there have been objections fairly urged to the class of works used iv schools, and on that point Catholics have good cause for complaint. Children of certain ages ought to have a fair statement of facts put before them with no bias one way or another; and to that Extent I would go with the Chatholic body." Sir Robert Donglas made use of the following remarks : — " The Cat h .lies are taxed for the support of schools, and they say they cannot enjoy the right which, as British subjects, they are entitled to. We say -o them, "We give you nil the rights we possess ourselves ;" and they retort, " Our consciences prevent us sharincr iv those rights." This is an appeal against which there is no rejoinder. It is useless to argue with a mau who says, " My conscience will not let me." Under those circumstances it would be wise to consider whether we cannot concede to those who are weaker than ourselves that which they demand. lam not a demoninationalist — in fact. I c ire very little for religion one way or the other; but, as an Englishman, I would sooner be on the side of Che weak. These people are weak, they ask for consideration, and we are bound to give it. to them."

I agree with Sir Rohert D^usla". It is tho pricci< le of all Enirlishmon to heh» the week, and I believe that tlutnsj'Jiity of tho peopl.) of this plac*. mimed nftor T?og!*n 'a greßlt^t h«=- r o, will re f rain from n fliciug tin i' joaiice on a botfy weaker than thetme'vep, Tb^ee views w«Me shared in by mm from nil pnrls of tbe colony, as wns shown by tbe division nn Mr C.jrtis 1 Bill when bn w:is only defeated by six vnics in a full housn. All Jha N'.-lsor m-robers tvero in favor of it. M Hiinior Brown and tho BisKop of N ison have fipr-kcn in favor of it, an.; their p. usance i*p t 1 .u«i-d thorn. ?( upo:) this qupeiion puhlio opinion ia to nuderoo so sudden k chsc-ie what is ;o be the posiiion of {he Ndsno member p when ihey return to W«?Hing ! ov. ? WJijit no argument it would provi'p against our railwr.y. (Lnuihter). I-.V fiil very rcoil to Inugh, bus let U3 see D tut we complain that we ere taxed for public woiks els°wf>crft from whii-b we derive no nenefi- ? Will not ihe zanaargument apply to taxing Use Catholic? for a system rf oi'ljrv.tion of which the* cnanotßvail themselves ? (Lou !th ere) Won'; tho Government eigne ts?;»' popular opinion ia Nelson is jusi as likeiy to be unnertain on the rni!wny a-* on the etiuca'i >n queßiinn. I repea! that lam cot piedj:* l^ to nn y measure, but I say thi.t the Cnhoiica have a grievance wi.ich ought to be remn fieri. If any better measure than Mr Curtis' can he found I will willingly yon* tor it. There ia another plan wbi.-h mi^hs afford a wny out of the dilfi-ulty, namely, removing the bis ory books to which th« Ca hoiii'.s o> jo t. But tlfy ere not the only ones who raise oiijpctiotiß to the secular eyslera. Tht« General hynod of the Church of Eog)aud petitioned the Assembly to afford facilities (or tnioißtera to impart religous instruction during school boors. ThfPreab'yteriaos in Dunedia too want to uixko it a test point at the elections, ho why not th« Catholics ? The English BUli- p of WelliogtoD also referred wild EHtietdctioa to the division en Mr Can is' Bill. It is urgei againat the Biil thai it would increase the cosj so the Cutony of education, but I don't believe it because, if it is adopted by other pereuas oaa as well, the Mate will be relitTtidol tnecostof eiectiuu theirsehooie and paying their teachers. (No, no.) That no, uo, just conviocee oaa thsi people ei«her have uot reaJ this Bill or do not understand if. Didn't Mr Shephard say at the distribution of prizes a; St. Mary'a schools thst that establiahmeiit bad saved the Province thousands ot pounds? Haven't we he±rd that at Welliagtoo adtiitiounl eccoraoioJ^tiori is now required for 700 children, aod did not our own Loc;tl Committea i&at ni»bt complain of the over crowded stave of ibe buitdinge? This would by largely rtm-died it Mr Curtih' Bill wag passeil. \ Mr Acton Adams tol J us the olber Bs»bi that he wanted to ate religion separated lrom btute educaliop,aad jtt : ie 1873 be proposed a clauea iv the Provincial Act providing for r li;;ious ineuuclion in the sci.oo c. I consider the Education Act by far lha rnoet. , iffi|iortuut on our htaluts Book. None can compare with it ; we may pass others for improving the motali'y of the people, but unless this ia dove by educanou we shall never succeed, aud il I au> elected I shall endeavor to mak^ it ti>e Act comprehensive a3 poaßibic, to remove difficulties from the way of any sect coming under it, and to do jubiscs to all, but tavor to none. (Loud cheers. ) I cannot see what there id in Mr Curtis' Bill to creute such hostility. It suys you must provide your own buildings and pay your own tefichere, usa such books as a Protestant Board approves of, and open your schools to all child rec without payment of a fee, and no'.hiug oure. I don't attach much importance to the objection that a Dumber ot little schools will grow up, as the Board can use its difcreiiou with regard to miking the grauts. There are other matters connected with the Education Act of moie s-.rioua importance. I r*?fer to the position in w»jich the Committeee are placed, that ot dummies or Bome;hinsJ; ajiproacbiog to ii, thiougb only tj?io{/al owt-ii torecni-m-ii d, aud not .0 uppoint, their '.eacheiH. Tbe ptissnt tiysttjui of voting, too, requTcS aaifccdiug, and to (h^-Sj poiota 1 abail give uiy attention if elected. (Cbeore.) CHINESE IMMIGRATION. I am in f*vor of restricting this by ail constitutional means. It must bo remembered, however, that England entered into a treaty with China, giving the Chinese free access to all Her M&jettty's •iomioioap. A poll tax wub levied ia Victoria, but it has to be refunded. Petitions are being uigned dow in various parts of the colony for the imposition of n poll tax here, and I shall Bupport it if it can be constitutionally carried out. The Chinese are tbe means of introducing all sorts of loathsome diseases, and I consider that prevention ia better than cure. THE BAIL WAY. In thie matter I bavo taken ao importunt parr, as a member both of the inland Communication Committee and of deputations to Wellington and Cbristcbarcb, and I consider that it was largely owing to tho action of that Committee and of those deputations, backed by the Assembly and the Provincial Council, that Nelson's claims were recognised and placed in tbe Act of 1873, aod what was done in 1873 Strengthened our representatives' bands in 1878 in making a staud against the iojusiice prppesed to be inflicted upon us by Mr MttcaodrdW. Not until bst lewioo bad our claims ever beeo fully

ailropftloil in tho House, «inu I hope Mint in fu'Ura our members will continue to be united. I trust lint when f h^ railway is extended the projer rmvn v.jll he adopts. A crest mis tako wig m^is in i'\p route of our pre'■pnt railway. (A Voi ■*« : Poliiicr.'.) Whatever the r!>us->, don't \?t oa mnkc r«roiher snch Mun;'e r . The route shou'd H^ from the Boiler Vai'ey through :lu HopH to Nelson, on 1 ' tsihio9 by thn B«i Villey to Pic oh and Blenheim. I ihe line were can is! \<y th« Top House •h«-ri? wcu •) he c <l«-5£ r of ita fmve! T-mins; to Nrlaou at nil. Tiie itetn or. tho schedule is " AmberL-y io Cook* traits, '' aid if it was to by the Top Hfsiiso an i dowu the Waiiflu Vr.lley to Blenheim, tnk d the probability is it. never bo through ths Rai Valloy fo Nelson «jo 1 I bfili^vp it woul'l he to the interest of Marlhorough to work with us in thi3 direction. It h«s bseo urg-d ag'ii&nt mo that my intrmst in t' r -c railway has cooed eiuoe 1873, but (his is not l!ie case. I w»e in the Exoeu'ive Govf-rntr:e»t til! 1876, an 1 noce cno Q'cnsj tri9 of lock of iotfiresi ihun Tiue, I wrs not at V.<q p -j b > i sj tr.ee! in? l>st October, hufthi> reason was thru I ws alien uf. id Wellington advocating N-!eon's interest »s -j dtt'ouat* at t c msating of the Rifiy A&aociniioo, when I was instrumental iv got ting N Isnn selected as the fiiinn p!ac-e, which, bir for my presence would, I tif-lieve, havi' hern fixed in Marlborough. Bat is is aopfifliioaa to say nuy more oa thi-t rp.il way question ; qui'e unmceesary to >alk to a N-l-ou audienc-* oa «he su'> jpct. They do uol want to h>.ve ita aiivantages or the nt-ceas-ity for ii fhowu to theca. What they waul is to Bee it do«e. Tbe question h»s to b<loaght out, and I don'c thiiik I c»e< assuio that I will do my beat for you (cheere). LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I ehoul.j like to see the members of tho Cousjci! elected by the people, hut with a higher frauobisa than that for the H<;UBe, a3 they are iv tnoit, if not all of the other colonies. I should also like to s^e ita oumbers limited. I quite admit thnt tut; Council h.ia more than ouce, exercised a vtry wholesome check on the actioD of the L iwer House. Occasionally e- citing q'jeeriooe erise, ani tb«r<fore I (ioa't tasnk lit nL the two Hou3 s should bo dissolve] tOKes'ier, tsut [U-.< a certain utimher of tho Council 6houlJ retire tit Blaitd periods. LOCAL OPTION BILL. I am quite in tuvor ot the adult population voting in tho districts to bideclareJ, Had dtcitiin^ ns to the t;rautir.j? of licensee, co loug :is txi3iini« licenses are net interfiled with, as in that csse cocipeusation would have to bs allowori, aud therefore I would n't ioturltrrwith them, unlt'B3 there bud been a laryn decr^asa of popuMiou ia she ditt'ici (cheers). LICENSING LAWS. Tbess rtq'iira very considerable amend iDtot, aud I shoutl be in f-vor ol an Bf-p^dl Irom tbe Liceasin^ Bench, which vow exrrcises too arbitrary a power alsogetbu*. There shoul.i he »n nppeal, not, only for publicans, hut or tlioee who are protesting agfciiist » lictLse. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. There is one imporiaiu queafion in connection with these thst I ehould like to see seftleiJ. The present Act provides thai a Society can-iot be registered except thero ttre attachnd to tho rules statistics showing t!?ct tho existing scile of feea in sufficient, the coas--queoce being that very few are registered, owing to the difference of opinion hetwe.'n thsir accouhlants ant the actuary on this point. Where such large interests ere eoncerueJ some action 6hould be tiiker, and i thiuk a Select .Committee should he appoints to thke tbe evidence of delegates fiona the various Societies, and of outside account nts, their expenses to be paid by the Government. NELSON HABBOR BTLL This I fonsids-r all gather iusun*i ient f r 'h:> purjifiaps it is H'<ppoß»*d vo s-rve. Whpn I w»a iv 'he Provi>-ci*l Council I inToihji.-e5 « B; 1, inn I f iuni th>re w s a .jfjonty ai-a-naf it, and i. Wl3 withdrawn. I then v?t-m in . for a loan for" the wharf, and I thick I may say it wus owing to my exertions that the money wi:'n which the present one wes erected was obtained. PERSONAL. It has been o» j--cted to my eamlirfa*uro thut my opponent h«s n larger stake in the district lh»n myself I have been cmonjst you fourteen yeir^; ray iDtereßt are identical with youre, aad I have yel to learn that it is » neoessary qiialification for c zealous and independent candidate tbot ho has a great stake iv the place. What hnd Sir Julius Yogel, and yet who bos done mere for Nsw Zealand thon be ? I hops it wiil never be argued thai the poßS» >sion of money is neceseaty \o eeoure a ge=it in the Housti (heai, hnar). I cay that brains, energy, hon- Bty, nod integrity cf purpose fare far higher go ilifi^ationu thuu mer;wealth (louJ cheers). Another argument is that I am ancut to leave Nolaon. I wish publicly to contra-Wet this, and to give my word of honor tbet I have no such intention. It is well known that I have entered into b business partnership in Wellington, end that will necessitate occasional visits Io that town, bat I still have my business and my home here, and I have bo intention whatever of giving them up. I think that my having occasionally io visit Wellington may have a beteficial effect with regard to the railway. At,

the close of the session, the Government are very ??aJ tn set rid of tbe members. They know that they may be exposed to occasional deputations, but they can generally dispose of them, but it is a different thing when they know there is a member ou the spot who, when he nsks a question will expect to have an answer given him. And I would here quote fin authority on this subject to whom you will be disposed to listen. At a meeting held here ■ in 1872, Mr Acton \danjs, who had just returned from Mavlborough. spoke in glowing terms of the progress that was being made with the railway there which he attributed to a great extent to the frequent visits made by the Superintendent, Mr Seymour, to Wellington (Cheers and laughter.) I surely can't adduce better evidence in my favor than 'hat. I believe lamto bo a:- ked if I am prepared to devote my whole time to my duties as a representative. I may as well anticipate the questioner and reply that I shall devote to them all the necessary time, and that I pro-mi-e that my private business shall never interfere with my public duties. I wss a member of the Provincial .Executive here for two years and had to take a very active part in the Government business, and I am sure that none c n say that mv public duties were ever neglected. If you elect me I shall do my y ry bebt io serve you I tell you ihut I have no intention whatever of leaving Nelson, and I feel sure that you will do me the justice to believe that I would not be guilty of such a breach of honor as to stand up here and make such an ass. rtion if I did not mean it I shall take every opportunity of consulting my constituents on public affairs, and if ever I find that on an important matter the majority differs from me I shall bow to their authority or place my resignation in your hands You may rely upon my best enieavors to promote your interests which are identical with my own.' if Nelson progresses I progress with it. lam willing to place at your disposal what abilities I may possess, and my best services. After speaking for an hour and 20 minutes Mr Pitt stated that he was willing to answer any questions, and sat down amid loud ana enthusiastic applause. Mr Sunley: "What benefi's are to accrue to Friendly Societies from regis tration? Mr Pitt: Among others this, that if they wanted now to sue, every individual member would have to appear in Court as a plaintiff. Mr Graham, who was received with cheers and h'sses, said that before asking any questions he should like to give the definition of a hisser, after which perhaps no respectable man in the meeting would repeat the offence. It was " A tuau who was too void of common sense to reason logically." (Cheers and laughter.) The Education question had now come prominently forward, and ho would like io ask Mr Pitt if he would object to Mr Curtis' Bill if the Board had to pay the salaries of the masters in those schools established under it? Mr Pitt: There seems to be no doubt as to the provisions of the Act. The Committees have to pay these out of their own pockets, but if this should be a misprint or a mistake I would not take advantage of it. Mr Graham: Suppose this Bill became law and other denominations adopted it, aad, while we had a group of schools and staff of teachers sufficient to supply all our wants, they started a number of different establishments, would it not increase the cost of education to the col ny? Mr Pitt: Of course it would if we had to pay all these and keep up the others too, but the Bil places the sole control with the Board who need not give a penny unless they think fib Mr Graham: If they are to find their own buildings and teachers, why should they trouble the Legislature a all? Private schuols are sturted where religiou is taught and they don't ask for an \ thing. Mr Pitt: Can you tell me of any private school that is called upon to contribute to tbe State? Mr Graham: Would it not be better to abandon history aud let that be taught outs de aa well as religion. Mr Pitt: I should nofc have the slightest objection. That would, do away with tbe ne essity for tbe Bili. Mr Graham: You have relerred to your dutiea iv. Wellington. It is quite possible tint when important public business was calling you to the H .use, private business might demand your attendance at your office. Which would you neglect? Mr Pitt: My private busiuess. Mr Graham: That's satisfactory. Mr Pitt: Then I claim your vote, a3 you said at Mr Adams' meeting that if a candidate answered that satisfactorily you would give him your support. I thought at the time you were getting yourself iuto a difficulty. (Cheers aud laughter.) A Voice: The lawyei's too much for you Graham. You'd btfcter come down now. Me Haddow : Did you not tell me when I met you once in the street that you were going to support Mr Curtis' Bill? Mr Pitt : You asked me if I was in favor of it aud I said yes, but that was not pledging myself. I always believed the Nelson people were in favor ©f it tnd that I ought to support it. Mr Hatjdow : In the event of some history book being found to suit all parties, will you still aupport Mr Curtis' Bill?

Mr Pitt : No, for there would be no necessity for ifc, but that book has j yefc to be found. Mr Haddow then referred to a letter signed " Truth '* which had appeared in the Mail, and asked if that had beeu authorised by Mr Pitt's Committee, to which that gentleman replied in the negative. Mr Haddowthen repudiated the accusations made in it against Mr Adams' t otnmittee. and expressed his retrrefc that the religious element had been introduced into the contest. Mr Pitt : I quite agree with you but it. did uot come from our side. I hope this rel'gious feeling will die out, and I reprat that I consider that too much importance altogether has been attached to this question. Mr Stkyfksox : A good number of electors, I • elieve, regret having pledged | their votes, and would be pleased to he i relieved of their promises. If Mr Adams released those who promised him would you do likewise ? Mr Pitt : Certainly. I should be very sorry indeed to hold anyoue to his pledge i» he did not think that I was the better man Mr T. Harlet was sure that all who had heard Mr I itt must have been delighted with his address. He was, and though he had been wavering before between the two, he had now quite made up his raiud. "With regard to the education question, he wa,s quite sure that Mr Pitt tfas right' and Mn Adams wrong. He would move a vote of thanks to Mr Pitt for his address. Mr Cookskt seconded the motion. He hoped all present would go home and thick calmly and deliberately over what they had heard that night. The resolution was put and carried by acclamation; also a vote of thanks to the Chairman, for whom and Mr Pitt hearty cheers were given, and the meeting dispersed.