PUBLIC MEETING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 942, 5 December 1881, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

The To™ Hull was crowded on Saturday evening with electors of Kasterton, who hud boon called togolhev to give them an opportunity of asking the candidates to explain any subject which had not been sufficiently understood, find to ask any fresh questions tlicy might consider necossary at the present stage of the contest Mr 13isii (the Mayor elect of Mastertou) was voied to the chair, on the motion of Mrßoncll. _ The Chairman having read the advertisement convening the meeting, stated that in order to give .ill a fair chance of asking any question they might wish, he would suggest the custom of compelling the questioner to go upon the stage bn abandoned, as many who would perhaps ask a short though important question from where they stood, would not get uiior. the stage for (he purpose, (Applause ) He would now call upon Mr Kenall to address them. Mr Ren'au, who wns received with tremendous anplause (the gallery being evidently well filled with his supporters)" said m l!m old days at the Hint the electors used to ask the candidates to meet thorn on an occasion like the prosont, not wait till the candidates asked them. He thought it a great advantage for all the candidates to meet (he electors together, instead of sn L dy, so that the opinions of each could bo fairly weighed and com-pa-.i'd He described the duties.of (he -..■.• : w-ial Councils, and asserted that "•ii'i t !, r-ir destruction Ihe liberties and freedom of tin peop'e had been swept away, and the Government had since been gradually drawing all power from the people. _ He alluded to the system of vo'i'ig in fiircc at Comity elections. He believed in each man having ore vote. Each were living sentient beings, and t each had Ins dmy to perform, and nono

siioivu bo deprived ol their rights, The Government sot up propertied men who milo over the poorer classes, and he despised Mr Boetham's party for tlieir action in this matter. He believed lie polled mora men and less voles than nny other candidate in the Into election. (Mr fieetliam, No!) Ho believed lie did, though lie did not know how it could he proved. However, he was certain his views were 100 liberal and advanced to have Rained any of ihe 5 vote men, 8 of whom were equal to 40 single voters, and he believed his wern_ all single votes. Another thing struck him as very strange, many of his supporters found 'that though they had 'wo votes at previous Comity elections, they only had one nt the last. f inee he had met them there before, Mr. Hall, the Premier, had spoken at Leeston, and had admitted the Counties Act had betn

passed without mature consideration, and ho had also stated that he (the Premier) was willing now to give the Counties all the powers enjoyed by the Provincial Councils. Mi'Bef/wam: No I A Yoice : I saw it. Mr Renall: He certainly said so if the report is correct, and if it is not, what is one to go by ? _ Mr Bum-ham : Yon have misunderstood it (Cheers and kughter.) The Chairman restored order, and Mr Renall resumed-Mr Hall shies ho would »ive the Gniiiitirs most of ihe'powers! '' (Mr Beetham : All! that's more like it.") '> Mr Renall: Don't split hairs, Mr Beetham', ! it's the suae thin?. The Premier said he : would givo the Counties the powers and - privileges enjoyed by the Provincial ' Council. (Mr Beetham : " Mo.") (Loud 1 laughter.) Mr Renall: Well, I'll say "to ( a certain extent" (bmghter), Mid now Mr I Hall has snid he intended to vote for this of oniirse Mr Bnotbam will, hut if ho had ' said be would not, no more would Mr ' Beetham (Loud nnnlniise nnd lmwrliUA

Mrßeetham had before stilted the Counties were satisfactory (Mr Beolham L hear! hear!) I gay they are not (applause). A nroiit (leal has been said about the [ paltry amount the Government have placed at the Counties' disposal, They ' are jiving the money and then have some ; men sent up tn tell them how they shall spend it, A Government of this kind is moat insignificant and contemptible. I do 1 not believe in it. Let us send men tn the House who understand the wants of the 1 country, not drapers and lawyers who don't know a piece ef.wool from a cat's back! (Laughter,) When the Government was alloting the County votes they • did not give each vote, but to some of them they gavo one to the land, I "ne to the house, one to the pig, one to the man, and one to the old cow to make up five (loud laughter and applause). l(r llenall then spoke of the Legislative ftiunoil, alluding to Mr Hall's speech which had stated he believed in up Elective TJmise on the Hare svstem. Tr J&h he (Mr Renal!) was strongly opposed Wlion lie was in tho Hnusa liefe alway. V'ilfid a<_wnst'fhe payment of 'flmberro Council. Mrßeetham La jirit the pluck" to do ao I Mr IfeeUuyaijija also at first gone in forthpvapw'j,,

j Parliaments but after b'ejno put throq[;li 1 a facing of a public meeting at Masterton, ! had gono in for three year Parliaments (applause), and-. he • had po doubt they could get Mr Beetham to go in for anything they ; wanted if they went the right way to ■ work, but he was a delicate subject to handle. (Laughter), ,He could not conceive how Legislative Councillors could soil their, hands by accepting puhlio money. With regard to Mr Boethain's excuse that the Council threw out the Pension Bill because of its retrospective clause, he thought the clause could with justice be made' to; reach further back than it did. Their refusal to pass it was a most disgraceful act, and their pretext for not doing bo utterly paltry. He would not see his old fellow settlors crippled by such acts as these without raising up his voice against them. (A voice: What about the Chinamen!) Well, he would not discuss his greens and potatoes just now. (Laughter),. He went on to quote Mr Edward's speech in Wellington as to the large blocks of land held by ono man in the South Island. He said this fact mitjht explain the Premier's action in going to a place where the large runholding class wore powerful, as he would not stand a chance in Christchurch, or any other large city. Mr Hall was opposed in his own district, and Lad heon forced to beg for a poll, the show of hands being against him, The Premier of the colony should command a seat in any city in it, A Voice : He can't do it, Mr Renall : If I were in power I could, A Yoke: You shall go in.—(Laughter). He (Mr Renall) would be able, if Premier of the colony, to command the respect and votes of the largest city in it, or he would bo ashamed of himself. Ho would not say much about the Rabbit Act, but he considered Mr Beetham had lost sight of what was due to his constituents (Mr Beeibam: No.) when he allowed such a measure to pass. (A Voice: Tell . U3 something new). He explained that the sheep inspectors wero practically policemen, and that therefore all landowners were now under police surveillance. This measure was a foul infringement of the rights and liberties of the people (applause), and had it been in forco for a year Mr Beetham would have Inst a great many mnro votes through it, (A Voice: No fear). Of late years nothing but fresh laws to oppress the people hud been passed, and taxes to grind thorn down. They could not walk up a road without falling over a toll bar. tin a young country like this they did not require 01 legislators in one place. 50 in another, and County Councillors, Local Board Commissioners, Borough Councillors, and Highway Wardens at every stop. Peoplo could not get fat on laws, (Cheers and laughter). When he was elected to go into the House and went to Auckland, he only received £1 a day. and managed to save a little out of that, He could not see why members could not do with that now, ond if returned he would do his best to make the M H.R. honorarium £IOO, and the Legislative Councillor's a little less than nothing, (Loud applause and lauahter). He quoted Mr Edward's speech with regard to the latter honorarium, and said that if he or Mr Beetham wore returned he hoped they would bo able to come before them utter the next sessioiv and say it was abolished. (Loud applause.) He quoted from Mr Edwards' speech to show that one man held 40,000 acres of rich land, and he aske.l how could people settle, in the country if all the- best part of R wero taken tip by a (ew?. (Applause- and interruption.) Notwithstanding the calumny heaped upon the Provincial Governments and Sir George Grey, the small farm settlements created by the latter called forth their gratitude, and if he stood alone he would raisp his voice in gratitude to Sir George Grey for the good he had done, Black had been shown Sir George Grey, and he (the speaker) had experienced sonic of the same in Mastorlon,,ami would have more shown yet. (Applause,] -He-would not put blocks of land tip to auction so that a man might rum- liimself-'by competition, but let those applying'for tho same section ballot for itj Settlers should have every facility for settling ou their land, He , lrd known what it was t.> do a hard day's work with his axo and live on potatoes and pork. If be told them what the wanes were in those days be would astonish'them. A Yoke : _" I grubbed stumps for you at three shillings a day." Mr Eenall : " That was my plan ! I always gave Od mora thai) my neighbors 1 they gave half-a-crown." (Storms of laughter and applause.)' He kept the character ho had. gained then ever since.. He had spent' ail he could get, and only wished he could do a little more for the benefit of his fellowmen, With regard to the Property Tax only falling oil (hose able to bear it, he declared this was a mistake, The tax drained from th'p comrmmity money that should be fcpent in improvements', and supporting the population, With regard to the Licensing Act iie saw he was announced as a candidate for the Licensing Bench, and he would only say that if elected he would act honestly and justly to all. (A voice: '' I'll vote for you." Laughtor.) Those who know him were

„l aware he had always gono in for sobriety r j and keeping things comfortable. (A ,]] voice: " So yon have, old fellow; so you jl have," Laughter.) With regard to'the Hall Government, he believed they were thoroughly honest as far as they went, but they did not tako that liberal line jf which he would force them to do. He lt did not believe they were corrupt, and ho had not said an unkind word against ,q them. Many of them he knew personally. Ho alluded, at the request of his old • r friend Wobdroofe, to the question of the j tax on intontate' estates "of If) per cent., , 8 and hoped this' would' he modified. 'He I advised then? all to join in the scheme of l( a political association started by Mr „' Robert Stout "in fyinedin. (Appiause.) I He concluded by hoping' no 'ill-feeling ,] would remain on either side after, the -1 poll, and that' tho result of tlje : present „ election would be' satisfactory to all. r (Applause.) .'''•"'. , The Chairman said anyone would now ] bo in order in aakiiig questions from Mr t Renall. ' '■ ' , Mr Pjsrrv would like to ask Mr Renall j about acre 42. (Confusion, cheers, and a , voioo: "Don't drag in42"—laughter.)... The Chairman haviug restored order, , Mr Perry wished Mv Renall to exj plain what he meant by his allusion that , day to the effect that the Trustees wished i to steal acre 42 ? (Cheers) [ Mr Renall: I meant" He who takes , what isn't his'n, when he's eotohed he'll , go to pris'n." (Immense cheering and i laughter). Mr Perry could not understand a body of men being accused of thieving when they only desired to gain the town its rights. Mr Renall: I can inform Mr Perry that the Trustees are not entitled to the land. I have the acre, and I challenge Mr Porry or any one eke to take the matter into the Supreme Court, and have it tried by a jury (Loud applause). , An Elector: Would you vote lor the ■ Bible-reading in schools I j Several electors: Nol No I ..' ■■•-■•■ Mr Renall; I would not disturb the , harmony which at present oxists among ", all classes by making nny alteration of ihel | kind, (Aotilniisc).'. ~ , MrMcDuff: Are yon in favor of .pro- ': • teclionl..;', . ': ■'{ - : '^^;\!^'^- L :

every one about me daughter). I would tax everything we could produce ourselves, and take the dutibs off those articles which.we could not, Are you in favor of I a poll-tax on Chinese? ; Mr .Renall: A tax of has already been levied by law. I. love my country too well to see it overrun by a foreign race, but those Chinese 1 who are here must live, and they really set a noble example of industry; they are sober, law-abiding, and of simple habits. They had been hero a year or two before I let them my paddock. I had intended to close it for hay, but you must know I haveat homo an "imperio in imperium" or a power above mine, and that is how the long paddock came to be let (Laughter). " An elector: Are the Chinamen painters and glazier's also 1 (Laughter). An eleotor: Where were you going to send the working men at Opaki ? (Laughter). Mr Eenall: To catch the rabbits I (laughter). Well,.gentlemen, the fact was Mr Osborne had been bothering mo all the evening, and I stopped short, and the old saying probably passed through my mind of "Go to Bath and get your head shaved." The "Go to '' was addressed only to Mr Osborne, but my friend the Editor of the Daily elaborated it (Laughter), and those who heard it spoken did not recognize it in print, If ibo Editor of the Daily was elaborated half as much, his own mother would not know him (Loud laughter), As no more questions appeared to be forthcoming, the Chairman called upon Mr Beetham (Loud cheers, hisses, applause, and cries of" Order, order'.'). The Chairman having regained control of the meeting, Mr Beetham addressed them. He did not intend to mako a long speech, but, if he had omitted to say anything at his former meeting that they wished any information upon, he would be very happy to answer any of their questions. He noticed that Mr Renall agreed wilh him tn a great extent re the settling of land, and Hie mode of selection, Mr Renall had accused the Government party of " "fidironing '•' ari d ] am } monopoly in the South, and had praised Sir George Grey's land regulations, Ho (Mr Beetham) asserted that tho large blocks down

• South had been acquired under Sir George ! Grey's own regulations, ho having reI d'uced Ihe price of laud to 10s per acre. | (Applause). That was how the lar«o I blocks were acquired. The Government i had afterwards increased the price of land • in Chiistchiirch and Otago to £l. Here they had lO.i laud for many years till I Ougo members took exception and the price being raised, rough land was not . purchased at all. He thought an excepi tion should have been made in the Wai- ' rarapa, as in Canterbury the ground being , Hat thoro was .no'difficulty .as regards 1 roads, while here tlioy were surrounded ; by difficulties, and had the Eimuiah and i Jlunijaroa ranges to cross before thoy i could net to or from the land. Ho had great respect for Mr Eobort Stoutj but . that centleinan (who had brought the Land Bill in) hew no more about land than a child. He (Mr Beotham) still held that ihe Legislative Council was a great . benefit to the country, and generally from the nature of their position looked at measures from a broader point than the House of Representatives. (No), Mr 1 Renall had got rather mixed in explaining the Pensions Bill, and their restrospective action. He still held the latter clause would have been most unjust, and had the Lower Houso cut it out the measure would have hrcume law. He would not speak at length on the Rahi.it Act, but he would yet have Mr Kenall thanking him for his work in ihe matter. One thine he could at any rate claim and that was he had brought the mattor clearly before the whole district and the whole of New Zealand, and that had done good, (Mr Renall: I'ligue wjih that).' Mr Eenall had never understood the Rabbit Act. Mr Renall |iad qmnplained of the penal clauses in it, Why, it was selfevident to any practioal man that an Act of this kind was worthless without them. Rut he did not call Mr Eonall a practical man. (Laughter). If a man could not see for himself that ho was losing 60 to 70 per cent, through the rabbits he ought to be brought to his senses by some means. He would again point out that in no case would the penal clauses be enforced uuleat damage was shown to be dono lo neighboring lands through not taking sufficient steps lo keep the rabbits in" check. The claiiso providing for the p.issi'blo assault of an Inspector had been inserted in case the Inspector entered upon the land of a man, who (like Mr Eenall) did not know tlm principle of the Rabbit Act, and tt)ight be kicked off, Hu was glad to hear Mr Ronall had stated he did not believe the Hall Government to be corrupt, and that he believed they were honest. But Mr Eenall should be more careful of the statements he circulated on his- printed circulars to his supporters. On one (from which he quoted), it stated that "Mr Beotham had supported the Hall Government in ifs iniquity'!. Mr Renill; I did not write that. I had nothing to do with it and knew nothing of it. Mr Deethatn : Well it came from the Star office. Mr Renal!: That's nothing to do \vith mo. (Loud laughter and applause,) Mr Beetham: This came to me from ono of Mr Eenall's emissaries, and if he allows lm name to be used to things of this kind, without his knowledge, he is more to blame than I thought he was. (Applause,) . Mr Ronall: I have no eraissarios, The difference between my candidature and Mr Beolham's is that he comes forward for his own ends, and I am brought forward by the people. I am not responsible for every political squib that may be flying about. Mr Beelham: I have heard Mr Renall's explanation, but must say if he allows his Committee to use'any such iheans'for his return without his knowledge or consent, he is not fit to be a candidate at all. (Loud auplauae.) ' '" •'' :

1 A voice: What's your Committee dninir? '" :i Mr Boetham: Acting honestly and straightforwardly. If thoy wore not they would be very far excoedins their duties. If I cannot net in by fair means I do not wish to get in at all. (Loud applause.) Mr Renall: Mr Beetham's Committee are all good men, (Applause,) Mr Beetham: If your verdict is not in my favor, I can retire into private life and enjoy myself much- bettor than as a repre«entfttive, for I have not spared myself in your service while I have been your member, hut I must confess I have found a great deal of pleasure in workinz for v»u, and if your verdict be for me—l can't Bay I'll work harder for you than I have done, because I could not—but I will do all in my power for your interests. If I still have your confidence show it at the ballot box on the day of the poll. (Loud applause,) An Elector: Are you in favor of altering the Bankruptcy laws ? Mr Boetham : I have not looked into that matter very much, but I will endeavor should the measure come up to have justice done to. both creditor and debtor. (Applause.)'. Mr Renall: I would like to bow whether if Mr Beeiham were returned would he vote for the abolition of the honorarium of the Upper House, and the , reduction of that of the Lower House to"" 2100?;; :: ; " I ■'■: ..',,;■.. .■■. "£. Mr'lJeet.ham; i think I have exbiain ed , that; it-would by to^ab'olisli.t^e

fpt altogether, though If I' were'a Hegia.' lfttive Councillor Iwould not..aboept it. I have voted on two dooasions for, a reduoi tion of the honorarium of the fiduse of Representatives, hut was always in the minority, I noticed on those ooctoions a good many members remained in their seats till they observed a majority go into the lobby to vote for the £2OO honorarium, and then to gain oheap popularity went to the other side and voted agatoslj, it. . I would not do this, or appear to w'' following their example, but would be carried I have recently^Wd. for it. I have, however, made it amg pay only my personal expenses ontffSJ honorarium, and the balance—l have not spent on myself. (Hear, hear, and loud applause.); ■ To-MrDalryrople; Was in favor of putting volunteers on a better footing, hut whatever aid was given them should be in a sensible and useful form. He did not believe in giving volunteers scrip without 6ome provision that the volunteers should retain the land.- Of the scrip issued formerly not 2 per cent, would be found in the hands of the original receivers at the present time. With regard to making the'whole force of the Colony one corps, and each district to be a company of it, he was not a good enough military authority to give opinion, though he held the honorable position of ensign in the militia.—Laughter.—An inquiry was to be held shortly into the whole matter, which would probably result in placing the force on a better basis than it had yet been.—Applauee. Mr Renall said he believ«d in granting the volunteors scrip, asiutbe earlierdays, 1 and asked why should it not be done ?' (,Mr Beetham: With certain conditions.) It would be absurd to make residence compulsory on a 60-aore lot. Mr Greaves, to Mr Beetham: Have yon placed yourself in the hands of your com mittee ?-A Toice, Go it, Putty P'-Laugh-ter. Mrße6tham: Yes; but.they would issue no oircular without consulting me. ; Mr Greaves: I nwst say that I and' others are responsible for that oiroular you' quoted from, and not Mr Renall. [Mr : Greaves was proceeding with a speeoh, when the Chairman called him to order, as he was not asking any question.] . Mr Renall.said ho thought the lees in the R.M. Court were too high, and hoped whether he or Mr Beetham were returned an effort would be made to reduce them. He thought Arbitration Courts should be established in each centre, consisting of three commissioners, who should be guided by justice and equity, and give their decisions unwarped by the technicalK ties of law. A step in this direotion had been tried lastse3sion, but the Legislative Counoil threw it out. Mr Beetham: Mr Renall appears to bo a second Solon; lie has improved plans for all laws and systems, and yet he seems ignorant of what is passing around him. I have already brought the matter of the cost of justioe before the Government, and a commission is now sitting to bring about a reform. I have always hold that our Courts should not be a ; source of revenue but simply self supporting, because as a rule those who use them are not men of means, and the cost of a simple action m often a Berious • matter to them. (Applause.) Mr Greaves: Would you, if returned, abolish the Property Tax, and substitute a progressive acreage rate? (Cries of No! No!)

Mr Beetham; I think the Property Tax fairest for all, and one which absentee landowners, a,s well, (Applause.) V Mr Greaves; Do you think the large *V blocks of land down South were acquired by fait means ? • Mr Beetham: No; I think Sir George Grey gave most unfair advantages in that matter. (Laughter.) 4 'Voice; "Try- it again, old man.'' (Cheers, hisses, and cries of" sit flown,. 7 ') The Chairman 'restored qrder, and Mr Greaves f! tried again." Mr Greaves: Yfoqld you support a measure for !'• bursting up" these large landowners. (Laughter and cheers) Mr Beetham: If I could tax Sir George Grey for the blunder he made I would, but the land does not now, in many oases, belong to those who originally acquired it, and you oannot get at them in any way oxcept through the present Property Tax, Mr E. Jones here walked out from amongst the audience in a very determined and business like manner, and ascended the platform anu'd cheers anfl groans, Mr Jones; I'll stop hero all night bqt I'H bo heard. (Renewed ch,eei's and groans). I want to' ask a question The Chairman; Mr Jones is in perfegp ordor. ' " Mr Jones: Mr Renall, are you in favor. . of the Hall Government or (in a loud voice) tho CHINEE GOVERNMENT? (Immense laughter, cheers, and groans)? Mr Renall: You had better go to China and thon you'll grow a pigtail, and if you don't buhayo yourself you'll be swung round by it two or three times a (jay.— Laughter. Mr Jones j would not cjo aij you liked in a little town there, a; you, do in. this,—Laughter. A Voice; L,eave yoqr griovancos out, Mr Jones: That's nothing to do with you. What about acre 42? (Loud laughter). I'll tell you about 421 I'll show you what Renall's dono I Mr Jones then gave a very eloquent address, judging from his expressive pantomime. His stampings, stoppings, struttings, and chest thumpings would put to shame any Maori war dtueor, but not a word could be heard for the shouting, hooting, whistling, "booing," cheers, groaning, and laughter of the audience, the Chairman, candidates, and all laughing . till tearß ran down their cheeks: Cries of" turn him out" now began to be uttered, and the Chairman and Messrs Beetham and Renall endeavored to induce Mr Jones to |eave tho stage and he was courloously led off. ' Order being restored,' Mr Renall explained tjiat Sir George Grey had handed over the working of the land/regulations to fhe Provincial Councils, arid they were (l >jf. responsible for tlj'e mis-managemenfof 4j; ) " them. • • . .0j- •'. fc M.

Mr worm : ut wos Mr £}tZ2erald who v raised the price of land to £2 when hj was Superintendent. Mr Eenall: I think yog are lisrht. Mr Worth, An Elector: Can we get land near Masterton at the same price you paid for it I MrßenilliNo. Elector: Why should not we have the' the same chance) ( Mr Renall: That's what I am advocating. MrMcDuff(to Mr Beetham): Deyou believe in protection as carried out in ' ■ Victoria. Mr Beetham: No; I have recently been over Viotoria and New South Wales, The latter has free-trade, and will prosper more in four years than the x former with its protection in all its axis-' tence. I believe in the bonus systom to foster local industries,. If you once establish proteotion, vested interests grow up which would be very diffioult to tear down wheq. the time came for abolishing the system, but, if bonuses were given, the industry which could' olaim.them. < would be able to exist on its own foundation with theassistance-thus given, •'' Mr McDuffßaid his'experienceJofVio* tdria was that, under a free trade ipolioy, and others had no worti while, i ' ''' under protect ion/there was ;. p work' forail; it ■ andihundrede fron^ucoessfui.; ■ ;:: " :> -

llatman of the ago- Bismarck—was now advtting protection for tho Gormnn I . Erne. (Applause,) I IHenall agreed with MrMcDnff, and 1 Bpojif the help to the proposed woollen.. ■ protective duty would He. He ffi . aUu to the. protection the Itimulaka H Hijed to be to farmers and others. BL Tlpnov was kept in the place then, H. buV the railway tnnk it nil for onfside HB phairrnnn, after a pause, ,< a' jested, Hft-r. late and no moiu inforKAwWuMonrod to be wanted, some one a , vo '° °' thnuks In the cantheir presence Hffi McGregor had much pleasure in Hflhg so, and it was carried by acclamaRenall then thanked the nudienco Hwheir attendance, and moved a vote of to the chair, which wns seconded Beetham, and carried with apmeeting then dispersed.