SIR GEORGE GREY AND PARTY AT ST. JAMES'S HALL.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 59, 19 July 1884, Page 6

SIR GEORGE GREY AND PARTY AT ST. JAMES'S HALL.

(From the Auckland " Star," July 16.) A meeting under the auspices of the carpenters and joiners of Auckland was held in St. James's Hall last evening, for the purpose of considering tho present political situation. Long before the time announced for commencement of tho meeting tho hall was filled, and at eight o'clock it was crowded. In the front seat tho "two Georges " sat side by side in prominent positions, and before business opened there were repeated calls for " the people's champion " and for " Garrard " — or as one loudvoiced individual facetiously termed them, the " old George " and the " new George." But the "two Georges" only smiled, and decided to retain their seats. There were also loud cries for " Swanson," which met with speedy responses of "Oh, Swanson's here." The appearance of Sir George Grey and his supporters on the platform was the signal for groat cheering, the whole audience standing and waving their hats. Mr Stafford was elected chairman, and asked those present to hear all who might address them impartially. He referred to a sub-leader that appeared in the "Herald," accusing the carpenters and joiners of taking a one-sided view respecting the support of various candidates. It was, he said, considered some timo ago that the working classes should have some channol by which to make their iniluence felt in the coming elections. The matter was entrusted to the Trades and Labour Council, and they drew up questions which had beon put to tho various candidates and answored by all oxcept Mr Auckland. The gentlemen invited to tho present meeting were those who had given favourable answers to these questions, and their object was that working men should know who were their friends and who their enemies. An elector in the audience hero asked why those gentlemen on the "opposite" side had not been invited to the meeting, and the Chairman replied that he could give no further information than he had already supplied. Mr Parkes moved the first resolution, viz., " This meeting considers that 'the working classes of Auckland are justified in taking every legal means to secure the return of candidates to further their interests E3 working men." Ho advocated the imposition of a land tax, and objected to the progress of immigration. This he considered a fair platform for working men te go on. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Sm George Gkey next addressed the meeting. He was, on rising, greeted with cheers. He first referred to the meeting at Otahuhu held on Monday evening, and to a resolution theie proposed, which set out that it was unfair for him to interfere in the heat of an election between two gentlemen. Suppose he said that two dogs were fighting, we should stand by and see fair play, but when an old statesman like himself was asked to go out and address a political meeting, was he doing wrong in accepting the invitation "; What was fought for was the lives and prosperity of men, women, and children, all over the country— (applause)— and as long as he lived he would speak that which he believed. The meeting at Otahuhu was entirely with him. Privately, threats had been made that if he interfered in an unEnglish way with the contest that was tak7ng place he would suffer ; but they could do as they pleased. That, however, was the way with wealth. Those who held land believed they were the possessors ol power, and thought they were above then fellow-men. The people should not allow abuses of that kind to grow up. They should have a free and instructed people, and then all the newspapers of New Zealand (and they were very numerous) could not prevail against them when they went to the poll. (Applause.) Sir George next referred to the land tax, which he said was the very platform on which the future of this colony must be built up. It was upon the working people that the property tax ultimately fell, and what was the result ': He had lead in one of the last reviews published in England that the taxation imposed in France was 20s per head per year (laughter), and here in New Zealand it was more j it was £7 per head. (Disapprobation.) He thought it was clear that in this matter they were greatly wronged, and tho wrong would increase year by year, just as the power oi wealth increased. They should return men who would relieve them from great taxation, for the people were losing their voting power. A stand could be made now without hurting anybody, and the labouring elates could be relieved of a great part oi the taxation they now unjustly paid. (Cheers.) Sir George Grey next referred to " unjust dismissals from public offices," oi which he had recently heard, and he read a speech in which a member had asked the Government to introduce a bill disenfranchising the whole of the civil servants (laughter), and arguing that they were becoming c o numerous that they would Boon be more powerful than all the rest of the colony, and be able to return a majority of the members. (Laughter.) He remarked afc length upon the monstrosity of the proposal and the action of the Premier, who, in reply to a question, said that the Government had not yet considered the subject. What would they think of a Ministry which would say to every man who came to seek employment, "Well and good, come in, but in doing so you lose all power in the country." The nation would be emasculated and vitiated under any system of the kind. Consequently he saw the present awaking to life among the working classes with great pleasure, and he thanked Providence that he had lived to see the assembly present. (Great applause.) The people in the South were of the same mind as the people here, and the setting of North against South was wrong ; united they would stand and disunited they would fall (applause), and if united, they would obtain from their fellow countrymen any honours to which they might be justly entitled. Sir George Grey resumed his seat amid loud applause. Mr De Lautour, the next speaker, was received with prolonged cheering. He said he had been told since he had came into the building that he had been annihilated, but he did not experience that sort of feeling at all. His constituents in Newton were beginning to know him, and looking into each others faces they could trust one another. (Applause.) Well, they had settled the question. They had an organisation saying to New Zealand : " Every man has bis political right, and should exercise it according to his own conscience," and this he (the speaker) took to be the meaning of the present meeting. He recommended every one to use free judgment in the coming elections. He had always, when in the House of Representatives, fought side by side with the Auckland men, although he had represented a Southern constituency. Auckland members had the loyal support of the Otago members for years, and if they chose it was theirs still. There were those, however, in the city, who have been trying their utmest to put down the very men wno had been working shoulder to shoulder with Sir George Grey. With him they would fight a common cause, and win it, too, (Cheers.)

Mr T. Thompson, who was the next speaker, was received with prolonged applause. He said that he hardly know what to call himself. The " Herald," however, had issued a caution to electors "not to vote for Thompson," because he was a supporter of that party which was so very bad. It had also been said that an arrangement existed more between himself and His Worship the Mayor, by which the latter was to resign in his favour, but that was nothing of tho sort. For years he had been a pronounced Liberal, and it was not his intention to depart from Liberalism now. (Cheers and cries of "Go it, Thompson.") There were people who believed Sir George Grey to be the true leader of tho Liberal Party in New Zealand, but whether or not, if he (Mr Thompson) were sent to the House, Sir George would always receive his support in the Liberal interest. He would support him or anyone else in those measures. Beyond that, however, ho would not pledge himself to anything in view of the new combination which might be formed. (Applause.) Mr Dargaville, who was next called upon, was also greeted with cheers. He bid all presont welcome to his constituency (laughter), to Sir George Grey, to Mr De Lautour and to Mr Thompson. (Crios of "Billy's here.") He took the present opportunity of referring to a few impox'tant matters whieli deserved attention, flewas glad to find that the trades and labour was as a whole represented at the meeting. It was a grand step towards tho government of the people by tho people. If they tolerated corruption by a Government for any length of timo, tho blamo rested on their own shoulders, and it was vyell that they had tound they could use their strength for their benefits and for the protection of their interests. He next referred to the trades unions, which he said were becoming a great power in the Old Country. Thank Heaven, they were progressing. (Applause.) Even large employers in England were glad to recognise these unions, and they had in the event of any dispute an intelligent body to deal with. Then Sir George Grey was ahead of the Old Country in this matter, and he had given tho cue as to what should be done. (Applause.) The object of unions was to resist^the tyranny of the capitalist and the employer, and they were recognised as a great power in England. [A good deal of uproar here ensued, when Mr Dargaville went on to say that a gentleman connected with the "New Zealand Herald" in front was interrupting him, and he asked tho individual to desist. This created further disturbance, accompanied by yells of "Put him out."] Respecting manhood suffrage and triennial parliaments, tiie people, in his opinion, were rulers of the colony, and no persons should impo&e unjust laws on them. (Applause.) The one thing which would force itself upon them in the future was land tax versus property tax. The latter fell upon the industrious section of the community, and the former on the drones— on those who were fattened and prospered at tho expense of the rest of the hive. If the press of New Zealand had been pure and true— not venal and under the influence of great men — the eyes of the people would have been opened to the injustice of the property tax six months after it was made. Mr Dargaville next referred to the question which alienated him from Sir George Grey, and the reason why he afterwards found himself back again " in quarters he ought never to have left." In conclusion, he said that no Government would have his sympathy which did not make the first article of its creed land tax versus property tax. (Applause.) The Chairman here invited questions, and several slips were handed in. The first inquired as to what would be the result of the land tax being put on in lieu of the property tax. Sir George Grey explained that the property tax was a tax on improvements. The small farmer, for instance, improved his land, and the more he improved it the more he had to pay. The land tax would relieve him of that. (Applause.) In answer to another question, Sir George Gkey said it was unnecessary to introduce a measure to extend the franchise to Government servants, policemen included. These matters depended on the people, and any Government who threatened to disfranchise them should be crowned with in famy. MrDELAUTomtand Mr Dargaville spoke in similar terms, and expressed their willingness to givo every man in the country a vote. Sir George Grey also answered other questions as follows :— (1) He was in favour of encouraging every local industry, and Customs duties, he pointed out, established a light protectoral duty. (2) Ho was informed that there was no law against the " truck " system in New Zealand, and he would endeavour to have a law framed which would put a stop to it. (3) He considered it unnecessary to have law? enacted in this colony for the prevention of blasphemy. He contended that not even an oath should be made in New Zealand, but that atlirmation should be taken instead (•A) llespecting a question as to what he would do i» the event of three parties being equally represented in the next Parliament, and if he would be willing to form a party in conjunction with Major Atkinson, he (Sir George) said that perhaps there was some interested party present who was authorised to state that Major Atkinson would form a Government with him and on what terms. (Laughter). (5) For thirteen years the Provincial Councils went on perfectly well in New Zealand without an Upper House, but he did not conceive it would be wise to do away with the Upper House without some consideration. He propooed that when the ene House did not agree to a measure passed by the other House either once or twice, the question should be made a plebescite upon which the whole people of New Zealand should be called to vote. It was not just or right that a hereditary body should have the power of sitting for life, and that members should be paid a salary for discharging a duty often obnoxious to the very people who should have the right of deciding whether they would or would not be ruled by a body of that kind. (6) He was in favour of extending manhood suffrage to municipal bodies, land boards, harbour boards, and such like, elected on some system of self-government by manhood suffrage, but he suggested that one large body should be appointed for the whole, and that sub-committees therefrom should be elected to deal with the different departmehts. (7) He thought the members of the House of Representatives were too numerous, because of the difficulty experienced in finding a eufficent number of eligible men. Mr De Ladtour, in reply to questions, said that if possible he would do away with the residential qualification altogether, and then they would have manhood suffrage without its impediments. Mr Dargaville, in answer to questions, said he would not be in favour of repealing the duty on imported timber, but objected to any export duty on baulk timber sent out of the colony. Mr De Lautour aaid that if the people took his advice they would not press for a bill to compel the early dosing of shops at 6p<m<

Mr Dargavillk referred to efforts that ho had made "before in which it was proposed to give a corporation power to make bylaws closing places oi business at a certain hour, The bill was never brought into the House ; it was debated in caucus. Difficulties presented themselves, but he thought they would be overcome. He was assisted in this matter by the late member for Newton (Mr Swanson), and they had worked together in the matter. Mr Thompson thought the people should themselves settle the question. Mr Tudkhope moved, and Mr Church 'seconded, "That this meeting has heard the views of tho candidates present, and pledges itself to use all legitimate means to secure their return to the next Parliament." — Carried. Mr Jenkins moved, " That this meeting, having taken into consideration the past career of Sir George Grey, X.C.8., as leader of the Liberal party, has every confidence in him for the future, and we pledge ourselves to return such members to the Parliament as will support him in carrying out tho Liberal programme." The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Sir Georue Grey, in returning thanks, said ho could only say this, that ho would do his utmost to serve the poople for the future to the best of his ability, and he thanked those present for the generous support they had so long given him. Ho would try to prove himself worthy of it. Tho Chairman' then said ho had had a list handed to him of the names of those candidates who had given favourable answors to tho quostions proposed by tho Trades and Labour Council, viz. :— Sir George Groy (City East), Mr J. M. Dargaville (City West), Mr Thompson (City North), Mr J. A. Tole (Eden), Mr Seymour George (Parnell), Mr De Lautour (Newton), Major Harris (Franklin North), Mr Speight (Thames), and Mr Farnall (Waitemata). Mr Farnall next spoke briefly, after which the following motion was proposed and agreed to, "That we urge our employers to grunt us a half holiday on the day of the general election." This concluded the business, and Sir Georgk Grey moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried. The audience dispersed after giving three cheers for Sir George Grey.