Mr. W. L. Rees on the “Sacred Trust.”

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 180, 11 July 1884, Page 2

Mr. W. L. Rees on the “Sacred Trust.”

[from our own correspondent.] Wairoa, July 11. Mr. W. L. Rees arrived here last night, somewhat late for the meeting, and addressed the electors at Mayo’s Hall. There were about sixty persons present. As on the last occasion he detailed at great length how the “sacred trust” of avoteshouldbegiven.notfor friendship or anything else, but to the man who is likely to do the most good. He declared that the Liberals would go in with a large majority, and as the district was neglected before by Mr. McDonald being in Opposition, so it would be again if Mr. Locke were put in. [Mr Rees fancies that the election of Mr. Locke meant the return of a continuous Government to power.] He charged Mr Locke with being a Conservative, a squatter, and a landocrat, while he was the real Simon Pure. He repeated his previously expressed views on Taxation, Native Lands, borrowing, and Public Works. He fenced round the Education question, and said that the State should not teach religion, but at stated hours and places such aid as could be given to the different denominations might well be given. Mr. F. Taylor proposed, and Mr. F. Shaw seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Rees for his address. His speech was a very strong attempt to set class against class, and fell very flat on the meeting. Mr. Rees made an ad misericordiam appeal to the electors, if they desired to see him in, to form themselves into a committee and work up the district, as Wairoa was likely to turn the scale.