THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5741, 23 August 1879, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

MR. LEVIN AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE. Last evening Mr. Levin addressed a crowded meeting of the Wellington electors at the Princess Theatre, Tory-street. On the motion of Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Leggett, Mr. Coffey was vot d to the chair, and that gentleman briefly opened the proceedings and introduced the candidate to the electors. Mr. Levin met with a most favorable reception. He said hefeltat the outset thatan apology was due by him for coming forward on that occasion, as he was not a public speaker of any experience. It might appear strange to some of them that he should come before them as a candidate for Parliament. He might say he had long wished to find himself in his present position. He had held back so far because he did not wish to enter into the arena of politics until he had time to place his services at their disposal, and until he was placed in such a position that he could enter into public life with perfect independence. (Applause.) It had been said that he was too young to enter into Parliament. (No, no.) He felt that if he was too young now ha should be so always. (Applause.) They all knew he had lived among them for the past fifteen years, and that he h d the interest of Wellington and the entire colony at heart. (Applause.) For some two or three years past the colony had been in a political ferment, and the time had now come when great public reforms must of necessity take place. (Cheers.) If returned by them he should do his utmost to obtain for them more privileges. (Cheers.) Mr. Levin then proceeded to speak of the various measures which it was most necessary to bring into operation, and referred to the questions of the franchise, triennial Parliaments, readjustment of representation, and other matters to which he had addressed himself at h's two former meetings. No doubt many of them had read Mr. Macandrew's address. There was no mistake about it ; it was nothing less than the manifesto of a Separationist. And other addresses in the North breathed the same spirit. They could not therefore be too careful how they readjusted the representation on the basis of population. They must not pass measures which would forge chains for this part of the colony. They must do their best to prevent the extreme North and the extreme South from obtaining a preponderance of power. If they did not do so, such preponderance would increase from day to day. The moment the places in the neighborhood of Wellington were swamped in this way they would cease to be of use to Wellington as allies. They must therefore do their utmost in this respect to look after this representation, and so prevent that insular separation which was evidently desired in the quarters he had indicated. Mr. Levin referred to a speech of Sir George Grey on the subject of separation, and read a few extracts on the subject taken from Hansard : — Thompson (Minister for Lands) said in support of the resolution that “poaple might as well be in a cage for six months in the year as at Wellington.” Stout was much more explicit. He said, “Do you think we will tamely submit? No. we come from a race of free men : we will not tamely submit to being ruled from Wellington. . I tell it to the Wellington members now. Do they th nk the Otago members will sit down quietly under this form of Government ; they may be compelled to submit for a time, but the pursuing Nemesis will take revenge.” Macandrow advocated the scheme in these words: having two Legislatures in the colony: it will give the colony a fresh start; it will impart new political life to both the North and the South ; it will transfuse fr- h vigor and fresh energy Into the whole body the resolution being pu‘,—“That that there should be two local Governments, one for each island." there voted ayes—De Lantor Hamlin. Hislop Hodgkinson, J yce, M-rray, O’K rice. Bees, Shriraski, Swanson, Tole, J. C Brown, Stout, Sir G., Grey, Fisher, Macandrew, and Sheehan. On the question ” That the seat of the Colonial Government remain as at present at Wellington,” there voted noes—Brown, De L&utour, Hamlin, Hislop, Joyce Murray, O’Borke, Bees, Shrimski, Tole. Swanson, Sir G. Grey, Sh eiran, Fisher, Macandrew, Thompson. Sir Julius Vogel then s,vd Sir George Grey must surely have voted by mistake in the noes, and offered him an opportunity of altering his vote. Sir George Grey said, “The Iron, gentleman is out of order; I shall make no reply.” . He would leave them to form their own conclusions from the extracts he had read. He would simply ask them did leopards change their spots. Hr. Levin then spoke very strongly in favor of the construction of reproductive public works, and said he would do his best to see that Wellington had its fair share, and that the West Coast Railway should be begun and carried to an early completion. The speaker then read the following extract from Hansard :

Now what did the Government do ? They opposed it altogether. Otonel Whitmore said (December 7,1877)T0 construct this line to draw away the truffle from the present line [over Eimutuka], which would not for years pay interest on the cost of its construction, would be a short-sighted and suicidal policy. What was the traffic expected on this line, and what were the lands? . . . What would happen in a district like this with two railways to carry the traffic ? The district would be completely ruined. ... It would be intolerable to other districts. What they would do would be to shut up the railway, sell the railway, or, if any lunatic could bo found for the purpose, lease the ra Iway. He would »'Ot be a party to this proceeding at all.” Again— ** Besides the Legislature had already done enough lor the West Coast by giving them a’ harbor at Wanganui, another at Foxton, and a road through the Gorge into Masterton. . . . He set his face absolutely against any more speculations in railways in the North Island until the main lines were complete i and showed a prospect of paying. So long as the main scheme was incomplete the North Island should not burden itself with these branches. And then how did the Government vote ?:—* ■ Ayes for the second reading— Acland, Bell. Brett, Buck'ey. Hall, Hart, B. Johnson. John Johnston, Wigley (Grace afterwards strongly supported it). Noes—Chamberlin, Pharazyn. Boblnson, Busssll, Whitmore, Wilson (two Ministers). Then when it came to t e point at the l«st days of the session. Colonel Whitmore, speaking of the Buis, said with regard to the Strath-Taicri Kaliway BUI he was anxious to see it passed ; with regard to the Canterbury Bill, he would vote for it; but “ with regard to the West Coast Railway Bill,, he had opposed it, and should continue to oppose It.**, If they had a railway connecting Taranaki on the West Coast, and Napier on the East, they might depend upon it that the beneficial results to 'Wellington would be something at present beyond their wildest dreams. The candidate proceeded to refer to the action taken in Parliament, particularly in the Upper House, with regard to the West Coast railway. _ It was very improper that they should be misled about a certain class having desired that they should have this railway, when as a matter of fact that particular class did nothing of the sort. He next referred to the question of taxation, and said that he should he in favor of an income and property tax. With regard to the_ introduction of capital be had no hesitation in saying it was quite impossible for them to go on unless they were fed with capital from abroad. (Applause.) They must be careful not to frighten the money-lender abroad with such a statement as that their land was so fully taxed that there would he no safety for the interest of any such loans. They must all know perfectly well how the colony would suffer if capital was stopped from coming into it. There was no doubt they had magnificent resources, and with capital ,he believed they would by-and-bye be like America—thoroughly self-reliant. (Applause.) In regard to this very question, as an index of public opinion he would refer them to the jubilant toaes in which the papers had spoken of the successful negotiation of the £100,009 loan. (Applause.) And what were they now all so eagerly looking forward to —Why the five million loan. (Loud He was an ardent advocate for the people being placed on the land, as it must improve the condition of the country in every way. He should do his best to encourage such a settlement on land of a really good character that could be brought into communication with the centres of population, where men couid make happy homes, and leave happiness and comfort behind them. (Cheers.) Mr. Levin next spoke on the subject of reforms in the various public departments of the colony. There was an exam* pie of this only a day or two ago when they saw Mr. Sheehan taking the Hinemoa, and Sir G. Grey the Stella for electioneering purposes. (Loud applause.) The running of Government steamers in this way was a gross abuse of power. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Levin concluded his address by saying that if returned he should do as much to make them prosperous and happy as he should do for himself. (Loud cheering.) An Electob: What are your views on education—secular or denominational 1

Mr. Levin : I am in favor of the present system—free, secular, and compulsory —and that is the system I shall support. (Cheers.) An Elector : If returned, will yon support local industries ? . . Mr. Levin : If returned, I shall certainly do the best I can to encourage meal industries. In answer to another question, Mr. Levin said if returned to Parliament he should support the reinspo« tlon . o an duty on timber, as that was just one of the cases where an import duty wo P P T C °Captain Williams: « will you do your best to secure to Wellmgton additional members for the next Parliament ? _ "Mr Lotp? * Most undoubtedly I will, I would sooner see Wellington over represented than under represented. (Applause.) Mr. Evaks : I understand that you would

oppose Bible reading in schools, and the granting of any sum for any particular sect or denomination ?

Mr. Levin : I don’t want to have any misunderstanding. I agree with your views entirely, and shall support the present Act as it stands.

Mr. Evans : I ask the question because it is the only one in political matters that I take any interest in. Mr. Kobinson : I would like to know if Mr. Levin is in favor of a Harbor Board for Wellington to look after its interests ? Mr. Levin : I don’t like to make too many promises, they are very pie-crusty ; but if returned, I shall do my best for the establishment of a Harbor Board for this port. I have labored in this direction for years. (Applause.) Mr. White : Mr. Levin, do you consider that the salvation of New Zealand depends upon Sir George Grey remaining Premier! (Laughter.) Mr. Levin : Mr. White, no. (Loud laughter.; In answer to another question, the candidate said he would give his support to a Bill to prevent the importation of the Chinese to this colony. Mr. Evenden moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Levin, and said he did not think they had taken enough interest in the candidates before them. (Confusion and cries ef “ Sit down, you clown.”) He hoped they would return Mr. Levin, for he was sincere in what be said. (A voice ; That's more than you are.) (Loud laughter.) The Chairman asked the meeting to give Mr. Evenden fair play. Mr. Evenden then said a few more words and sat down.

The motion was seconded by Mr. .Vorth, who said be felt that some of those present had behaved disgracefully that evening, because they were at the meeting of an opposition candidate. He hoped that on any future occasion he would not see a repetition of the conduct of that evening. Mr. Worth spoke in favor of the candidate.

The motion was then put, and carried unani-mou-ly, amid loud cheers. Mr. Levin briefly thanked the electors for the compliment they had just paid him. The usual compliment having been paid to the chairman,

Mr. Maginnitt tried to address the meeting, but they refused to hear him. He said be had simply wanted to second the motion.

The proceedings then terminated.