Political News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 157, 14 June 1884, Page 2

Political News.

MR. GANNON AT ORMOND AND KARAKA. VOTES OF CONFIDENCE. The above gentleman addressed a meeting of the Ormond electors at Bruce’s Hall last night. There were over a hundred present. Mr. Kempthorne was voted to the chair. Mr. Gannon, after refering to Sir Julius Vogel’s candidature for this district, said there were three parties, and not only two as had been made out. There was the Government party, and two sections of the Opposition party, headed by Sir George Grey and Mr. Montgomery. He then explained the difference in their policies. He said that Mr. Rees had stated that he (Mr. Gannon) had no policy. He would show them that he had. He would deal with the most vital question of all to them—the question of Native lands. The Government wanted to lock these lands up again by the Pre-emptive Right, to which he was strongly opposed. He said Mr, Rees’ policy was to get the natives to hand over their lands to committees, and then the question arose, to whom did the committees hand these lands over ? Why, either to the Land Company, or to Mr. Thomas Russell. Mr. Rees’s staunchest opponents were the Bank of New Zealand and Mr. Russel, but now they were his staunchest friends. (Applause.) He (Mr. Gannon) supported Sir George Grey’s policy with regard to Native land. Mr. Locke’s policy would tie up Native lands between Gisborne and Wairoa, if carried out. With regard to Federation, he was opposed to that, and gave his reasons. Concerning immigration he thought that the Government should offer facilities to people in this country to bring there friends here. On the question of Crown Lands, the Government had kept them back, and stopped th fir settlement. The Property Tax was found to work very badly, and he thought they should again revert to the Land Tax. He said a district like this should have a great deal more out of the general revenue of the Colony. They required a Rivers Bill, and if they did not have one the whole township would be swallowed up. By his River’s Bill last year they would have been able to borrow about £lOO a year from the Government by paying only £9 a year, which would pay off the principle and interest. Mr. Rees said he was only put up to split the votes. (Voice : Did you split them last election.) He would split them this election, and in a way the other candidates would not like. (Laughter.) Mr. Rees was only coming in for the the chips. (Laughter and applause.) He now pointed out that at Mr. Rees’ town meeting he (Mr. Rees) made out that he had got for them the very things which Mr. A. McDonald said he had obtained. (Applause.) Mr. Boothdorea —Would you express an opinion on the Harbor Bill? Mr. Gannon —I am in favor of the Harbor Bill and will support it. Mr. Boothdorea —What flag do you sail under? Mr. Gannon —The Government ships are sotlioroughly dis mantled that they have lost their flags. (Applause and laughter.) In reply to Mr. Hindmarsh, he said he did not think much of Mr. Bryce’s proposed Native Land Bill. Bryce's policy was to have the Native lands handed over to Waste Lands Boards. Mr. Hindmarsh —How do you mean to keep the land from such men as Mr. Ormond and Rhodes. Mr. Gannon —By returning me to Parliament. (Applause.) Voice—Which is your party ? Mr. Gannon—My party is the Liberal party. Mr. Robinson —Do you recognise Sir George Grey as the leader of the Liberal party. Mr. Gannon—He is a leader of the Liberal party. Mr. Cross—Are you in favor of the eight hours’ movement? Mr. Gannon—l have not studied the question. He did not favor denominational education. In reply to a question put by Mr. Geo. Davies, Mr. Gannon explained why the Preemptive right, was the right of the country. A number of other questions were put an answered satisfactorily. Mr. Cross proposed a vote of confidence in Mr. Gannon, as he was the only fit and proper person to represent them in Parliament. Seconded by Mr. Gately. Mr. Boothdorea moved as an amendment, a vote of thanks only. Mr. Hindmarsh seconded. The Chairman then put the amendment, which was lost. The original proposition being carried by a majority of about four, as declared by the Chairman. J

Directly after his meeting at Ormond, Mr. Gannon proceeded on to Karaka to deliver an address there. There were about thirty present. Mr. W, B. Mill was in the chair. Mr. Gnnnon’s address was short and to the point. After which Mr. Brown moved a vote of confidence in Mr. Gannon, and was seconded by Mr. Burgess. There was no amendment, and the motion was carried, there being not one dissentient voice.

Mr. Gannon was carried shoulder high to Mr. Morse’s hotel, and was cheered the whole

MR. REES AT MAKARAKA. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. THE PRESS. Last night Mr. Rees spoke at Makaraka. There were about 40 present. Mr. Hurrey was voted to the chair. In his speech Mr. Rees claimed that he had done more for the district than any other man, and again stated it was through him all the titles to native land about (Gisborne were settled. Referring to the newspapers, he said there were two in the place, and that the Herald had in three different issues published an extract taken from a Wellington paper, which said he would be the biggest bore politically to jthe House. The papers published anything to damage him. The Telephone was a bastard of Facts. He could not understand how the. people could support it. He never had it himself. He challenged any man present to stand up and say anything against what he had stated he had done for the place. He spoke at further length on other important matters, after which one question was put to him, to the effect as to what reason he could give as to the probability of the Grey party getting into power. He replied they were the power, though not yet in office. A vote of confidence was then proposed by Mr. J. B. Dawson, and seconded by Mr. J. Walsh. There was no amendment, and the proposition was carried by a majority of six, some present not voting either way. 'Mr. Rees said that those people who held up their hands against the proposition were not acting like gentlemen. It was not common courtesy as there was no amendment proposed.

To-night Messrs. Gannon and Rees will address the electors of this town at McFarlane’s Hall, for the purpose of delivering their final addresses, previous to the day of polling. The event is looked forward to with great interest by the supporters of each of the candidates, and we trust that they will see fair play, and that each man gets a g r od hearing. Mr. Locke proceeded to Karaka to-day to deliver an address to the electors in that locality. He will also speak at Ormond tonight, and will, therefore, be unable to take any part in the proceedings to-night, as he was invited to by Mr. Gannon.

We are informed that at Mr. Rees’ Ormond meeting the other night a large number of gentlemen left the building during the address, on account of the insulting remarks made by the speaker regarding the other two candidates.