MR. REES’ HARANGUE TO THE MULTITUDE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 153, 10 June 1884, Page 2

MR. REES’ HARANGUE TO THE MULTITUDE.

A large crowd assembled around the Courthouse door, to witness the nomination of the candidates for the East Coast Seat in Parliament. Mr. Rees, evidently seeing the field clear, as the other two candidates were absent, in reply to the Returning Officer’s question as to whether any of the candidates wished to say anything before he took the show of hands, said he wanted to say something. He thereupon mounted a chair, and commenced haranguing the assemblage, giving them advice as to how to vote, and for whom to vote. He reminded them that their votes were a trust reposed in the citizens to be used by them for the benefit of the whole community, and not to be thrown away on Tom, Dick, and Harry. In loud tones he denounced those who went away soliciting votes: he had not done so, and he would not do so. He challenged anyone present to say that he had raised any disputes with regard to land, as Mr. Locke stated he had done. He spoke of the Makauri Block, and stated that that block was all settled, but Mr. Locke wished to get possessio i of more than his share, and therefore kept raising up fresh disputes. He repeated that Mr. Gannon had been put up to split the votes. (Voice: He might get in). He might get in, and so might the speaker, though it was not very likely. He then “went” for the Press, saying that they only worked with those who paid them the best. He did not speak of the Telephone as a paper at all, because the only thing that the Telephone represented was a loss of some £2O. a week to the proprietors. The Press of the colony did not act on upright principles, but only for private ends. He did not care whether the papers were for or against him. The most trumprey things had been published to hurt him in this contest by both papers. And not only by the papers here but by the Wellington papers. They had designated him as being “ the greatest political nuisance and bore in the whole of the Grey Party.” He said he would be that to the present Government if returned. He then referred to the squatters and large land monopolists, who were destroying the district. The East Coast Land Co. had settled and opened up the Whataupoko and Pouawa, and would do immense good to the whole of the district in time. Mr. Locke was a very respectable old gentleman, but those who supported him, did not do so on account of political views. The present Government had used up public favor, and a storm had already, this week, began. He knew Mr. Gannon’s supporters had good voices enough for ten times the number. He thought if their brains were shared out they would be in an inferior ratio. Mr. Gannon had held about six meetings and out of the lot, one could not glean what his political principles were. He had none, and he proposed nothing for the good and general advancemrnt of the district (Voice : He leaves that for you.) He (Mr. Gannon) opposes every body, and on Saturday night at Tologa Bay he -declared himself absolutely independent. He voted against the Government on one point, the Preemptive Right. |

If a man like that was returned who j had no political principles or party, and if his boo-hooing crowd was able to bring a majority of votes to bear and, put him in, they would be simply throwing themselves away. He would go to Wellington with a placard about him, “ This vote for sale.” The distinguished orator then changed a little, and referred to Sir George Grey, whom he said was absolutely pledged to the welfare of this place. What other reason could he (Sir George) have for taking up the line he had, but for the advancement of the whole colony. He was dedicating the whole of his remaining years to the welfare of the colony. He was giving up ease and comfort for that purpose. He then explained how Sir George Grey had been kicked out of office, because he did not pander to the influence of other men, such as Mr. J. Sheehan. He brought the oration to a termination, by saying he wished to see their brains, and to judge whether HE was the man or not. If he was not the best man, then they should put in some one else. If they returned him, and he had reasonable grounds for believing he would be returned, he would do his best to carry out his promises.