EAST COAST ELECTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 335, 22 December 1875, Page 2

EAST COAST ELECTION.

MEETING OF ELECTORS AT GISBORNE. On Saturday evening last, a public meeting of electors, convened, by W. W. Wilson, Esq - , the local candidate for the representation of the .East Coast electorate, to “ discuss matters connected with the forthcoming election,” was held in the Court House, Gisborne. There was a large attendance — the building being quite full. The proceedings were characterised by a degree of enthusiasm not manifested here at any previous election, for a member for the House of Representatives. Mr. Rogan was moved into the Chair. The Chairman having briefly explained the object of the meeting, Mr. Wilson rose to address the assemblage. Being, he said, the only local candidate, he deemed it necessary to call the present meeting, to discuss matters connected with the ensuing election, so that the electors might take proper steps to secure the return of a candidate at the Poverty Bay end of the electorate, which I it was most desirable they should do. There were now three candidates in the Bay of plenty, namely, Mr. Kelly, Capt. Morris, and Wi Maihi; and it was consequently necessary that efforts should be put forth at Poverty Bay to aid its local candidate in the contest. During the last Session of Parliament, the electors endeavored to obtain separate representation for this district; but that attempt having failed, they now, very properly, wished that the East Coast should be represented by a Poverty Bay man, who would not neglect their interest, as their last representative had done. A requisition had been presented to him (Mr. Wilson) by a considerable number of the electors, and having accepted it, he was now before the constituency in the capacity of a bond fide candidate. He might, however, state that if the electors agreed to prefer another man he (Mr. Wilson) would resign in his favor, and do all he could to support him. He would, unhesitatingly aid any candidate whom the electors would approve of. This was not a meeting called to hear an exposition of his_ (Mr. Wilson’s) political principles ; but simply a meeting at which expression of opinion should be given as to the course that ought to be pursued in reference to the election. He would call an early! meeting for the purpose of giving the! electors an opportunity of ascertainingj his views concerning political affairs.! He had already issued an address to the! electors, through the press, and from that] address they could form a tolerably! correct opinion of the principles he! intended to advocate were he returned as! their member. They would, therefore,! have to bear in mind that the ostensible! object of the present meeting, was to take] prompt action towards securing a local! man. • There were three rumors abroad! as to the election. One rumor] was, that he (Mr. Wilson) would] resign, in favor of Mr. Sheehan, who,l according to a telegram in the Netoi Zealand Herald, was requested by! some of the electors to come forward as a| can di date for the East Coast, which, rumor,! he (Mr. Wilson) however, believed was| utterly false. The first intimation oft

I Mr, Sheehan’s candidature he received, was the reading of a paragraph, extracted from the N. Z. Herald into .that day’s Standard ; and he confessed he was greatly surprised. The second rumor was that he (Mr. Wilson) was a nominee of Captain Read’s, which was also without any foundation. He was not the nominee of any one, and would never be. The third rumor was that he would resign in favor of Capt. Morris, which was likewise a fabrication. The Government had, as they were aware, abolished two of the polling places in the district, namely, Ormond and Tologa Bay, thereby ignoring Poverty Bay to a certain extent, with the view, no doubt, of aiding their candidate, Mr. Kelly. If the Government di.d not reestablish the two polling places sey had so unjustly abolished, and that there was a chance for Captain Morris winning, he (Mr. Wilson) would resign in favor of that gentleman rather than that Mr. Kelly should get in. It was necessary that the electors of Poverty Bay should act unitedly in furthering the return of the local candidate, in opposition to the large and well organised party at Tauranga, whose aim was to ignore the southern end of the electorate. If they were not thoroughly energetic they would fail to compass their object. Let them make up their minds not to fail, and they would succeed. If the Government persisted in attempting to prevent the return of a local man, the electors would have to look well to their own interests, and do what they possibly could to thwart the Government. In working against the Government, the electors would need to be harmonious and never exhibit any Idiscord or disunion —bearing in nfind that union is strength. “ United we stand, divided we fall.” The object of the meeting having now been fully explained he (Mr. Wilson) suggested that some elector should submit a resolution to the meeting. Mr. Dufaur next addressed the electors. He thought that all would agree that Mr. Wilson had acted fairly and squarely in refererfce to his candidature, and that he did not call the present meeting to lay before it his political views, but to obtain from it an expression of opinion as to future action in the matter. There were three candidates in the field at the north end of the electorate, while there was only one at the south, or Poverty Bay end. Mr. Wilson did dot ask the electors to support him, but to organise about a local candidate, and such organisation was absolutely needed, in the present emergency. He (Mr. Dufaur) thought that by splitting the votes at the other end, there would be a fair chance for Poverty Bay. If the Government persisted in doing all they could against the district, by thrustingin Mr. Kelly against their wishes, Poverty Bay ought, in the event of it turning out that there would be no fair prospect for Mr. Wilson, to endeavor to return Captain Morris. Mr. Kelly, having been always a supporter of the Government, could, of course, get anything he wanted for the Bay of Plenty; but he entirely overlooked the interests of the Poverty Bay portion of his constituency. They were called upon to do the best they could do to get a local Iman returned. If any more eligible candidates presented themselves it would be the duty of the electors to select the best man. He would now propose the following resolution: —“ That a Committee be formed for the purpose of canvassing the district in an organised manner, and generally to adopt the most effectual method of securing the return of a Poverty Bay member for the East Coast district." The following committee was then appointed : —Messrs. Crawford, Tutchen, 8. M. Wilson, Dufaur, M’Donald, R. Cooper, A, Buchanan, Webb, Berry, Caulton, Graham, R. Kelly, Hardy, and Trimmer, Mullooly, J. Buchanan, aud Piesse. Mr. Webb seconded the resolution. There could not be a second thought about the passing of such a resolution, with which, he believed, every elector would agree. The time had fully arrived for activity and energy in regard to the election of a local representative, and he hoped due efforts would be put forth in that direction. If the electors were to be so apathetic for the future, as they had been in the past, the day of nomination (29th instant) would arrive ere they would be able to accomplish anything. He had that day received a telegram from Captain Morris, who I seemed determined to prosecute his candidature to a successful issue, if possible. Had it not been for the action of the Government in abolishing two polling places in the district, they would be in a position to throw 'Captain Morris aside, feeling confident that they would be able to return a local man. It was his own (Mr. Webb’s) intention to support Mr. Wilson, and it would be the duty of the other electors of Poverty Bay, to throw aside all self interest and act similarly, by according to the local candidate their entire support. Captain Morris requested him (Mr. Webb) to foreshadow his political views, which seemed to be very liberal. He (Captain Morris) was no stranger in Poverty Bay; and if the electors failed in returning a local candidate, through the abolition of the polling places, they would have to fall back upon Captain Morris, in order to oust Mi'. Kelly. Captain Morris would, provided time permitted, address the electors in Gisborne. He (Captain Morris) was in favor of the abolition of the Provinces, and would advocate the measures which Mr. Wilson, iu his address, stated he would advocate. Captain Morris took up the respective heads into which Mr. Wilson had divided his address, and professed to approve of them. If elected he (Captain Morris) would pursue a different course towards Poverty Bay to what Mr. Kelly had. pursued, and do all he could to help Gisborne and the district. He (Mr. Webb) thought it was now too late [for any other local candidate to offer himself; and as Mr. Wilson was as eligible a man as could be found, he hoped they would unanimously support him. Mr. McDonald wished to ask Mr. [Wilson whether Tologa Bay and Ormond were to be re-established as polling places ? Mr. Wilson, in reply, said that as he did not happen to be a member of the [Cabinet, it was impossible for him to answer such a question. He might [state, however, that to prevent Mr. Kelly being returned, he would use all his [influence against the Government, who [were putting forth every effort in that [gentleman’s favor. [ Mr. McDonald : Is Captain Morris for

or aginst the Government ? Mr. Wilson : Captain Morris is against the Government, and is also a strong supporter of Sir George Grey’s policy. If the Government should persist in illusing Gisborne, by uot spending the £4ou() voted towards its improvement, in erecting public buildings, &e., it would be a great injustice to the place, and he would consider it his duty to do all he could to obtain redress. He might again state that he was in favor of abolition ; but beyond that he was not a supporter of the Government. He might also observe that he would not pledge himself to any particular policy, but exercise his own judgment in every measure. Mr. McDonald suggested that the committee appointed to aid the return of Mr. Wilson, should, in the event of their discovering their inability to do so, be empowered to support Captain Morns. Mr. Wilson observed that if they got the two additional pulling places, they would be able to return the local candidate. The resolution was then put by the Chairman, and carried unanimously. Mr. Wilsonreiterated that in compliance, with a requisition from a considerable number of the electors, he consented to become a candidate. The electors ought, however, to remember that the expenseincurred in contesting the election, would be tooheavyfor onemantobear; andhehoped, therefore, that this matterwould be taken into consideration by them. If elected, his absence from his business would involve a loss of £5OO a year ; and in consequence it was only proper that the electors should render pecuniary assistance in securing the services of a man who had to fight against the Government in seeking to become their member. He, moreover, would have to take a partner to look after his business, in his absence, and this would also involve loss. In these circumstances he hoped the electors would put their hands in their pocket, and bear a portion of the expense. Mr. Webb endorsed the views of the candidate in reference to expense. As they were fighting against the Government he thought no elector would object to bearing some of the expense. By incurring a little expense, they would be able to work more effectually than otherwise ; but it was only in absolute cases of necessity they should lay out any money. Electors residing in the outskirts of the district ought to be assisted pecuniarily, in order to enable them to come to the poll to record their votes. They could not be accused of bribery or corruption through giving such assistance. Mi. Crawford remarked that if the electors consented to bear a portion of the expense, it was only fair that they should exact a promise from Mr. Wilson, that he would not accept a Government appointment. Mr. Wilson would not promise he would not take office under the Government, if asked to do so. By holding a portfolio in the Cabinet he would be in a better position to do good to the district, than if he were simply an ordinary member of the House of Assembly. Mr. Webb observed that as Mr. Wilson would explain his views more fully at another meeting, it was not proper to question him about such matters on the present occasion. Mr. Blair was disinclined to support any candidate who was not a supporter of the present Government, who had done more for Poverty Bay than the Provincial Government had ever done. Mr. Smith was glad to see so much political enthusiasm amongst the electors. It was something new in Gisborne, where everybody was to much wedded to pounds shillings and pence, that they did not think of anything else. The electors ought to unite as one man for the purpose of securing the return of the local candidate, who was going in against the Government. It was also proper that they should bear a portion of the expense attending the election. He then proposed the following resolution :—“ That as the East Coast district is a very extensive one, and as the expenses attendant on a proper canvass would be of an exceptional nature, this meeting is of opinion that the electors should subscribe towards the cost that will be incurred, and that subscription lists should be placed in the hands of the Committee, in order to raise money for that purpose.” The resolution wascarried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Wilson, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman. The meeting then terminated-.