MR BEETHAM AT THE THEATRE ROYAL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Issue 1742, 22 July 1884, Page 2

MR BEETHAM AT THE THEATRE ROYAL

The Mayor, Mr Lowes, occupied' tho chair at Mr Beetham's meeting last night, There were between four and fiye hundred persons present, notwithstanding the deluge of rain. During tho meeting some dozen of people planted in different parts of the audience took every opportunity, whether in season or out of season, to try and interrupt the various speakers, but never in one single case succeeded in carrying out their object, which evidently was to bring the meeting to an untimely end. They even went so far, when Mr Beetham having stated his reasons for objecting to a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE being proposed, as to try and prevent a motion by Mr Dagg, and ably seconded by Mr Hawkins, "That the meeting accord Mr Beetham a VOTE OF THANKS," being put. The love of fair play in the majority of those present would not, however, allow this, They had evidently been, taken by surprise at the first meeting of Mr Beetham held in that building, and were then ap: pareutly determined that such a disgrace to the whole district should not be again recorded against them. The vote of thanks was put and carried by a LARGE MAJORITY. The Education question also created some excitement, and during the discussion a disturbance arose near the door which was speedily quelled by the expulsion of the anti-peace party. The renowned " Captain" Jones also caused seme good-tempered interruption by his questions on the Licensing Act, which lie wanted amended to allow of the publican using his own discretion in refusing a man a glass of beer, or any other anti-perpendicular beverage. His remarks were very sensible from his own standpoint, but his questions were altogether too vague to permit of concise answers. Mr Beetham was well received when he arose to speak. He said he would nob weary them with a repitition of the subjects upon which ha had so fully dilated before, but would leave it to the electors to ask questions upon any subject on which they needed enlightenment. There were one or two subjects however he would briefly refer to, It had been stated he was going against the interests of the working man by I advocating a

REFORM IN THE EDUCATION ACT so as to exclude all standards above the fourth being taught at the expense of the State, Ho would ask them to calmly and carefully consider the matter. They would on enquiry find that very fow children of the working population were retained at school to take advantage of the fifth and sixth standards. Those children who did get this advanced standard of education were mostly those of persons well able to afford to pay for it. The fourth standard was quite sufficient for all practical purposes, but at the same time, in certain cases, he favored a system that would allow of the full benefit of free educatiou to its highest point, and further, the fourth standard should be added to so as to raise it to a higher degree without increasing the expense, (Cheers.)—lt had been asked what he would do to assist

DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION. He had never shirked this question, and had thought it hard that a number of people should suffer from conscientious scruples. He had spent anxious thought on the subject, and had voted in favor of the present' system. The multiplicity of Stateaided denominational schools would increase the taxes of the already overburdened country.—(Hear, hear.)'—lt was also a mistake to suppose the High schools were a charge on the Colomal revenue, they were self-supporting, They could with pride turn to the Masterton High School: the twenty-five people on the books more than paid the cost,—(Cheers,)—The question of postal service and subsidies would have to be dealt with, and he would favor some small subsidy being voted to the direct line. He waited upon tlio American Ministry when in Washington, and pointed out the necessity of that country lightening the burden of Hew Zealand in the subsidy of the San Francisco mail service, and they were aware that the Amorican Government had set as'de a considerable sum for this purpose and to foster Ihe trade in the south seas from which in the future lasting and beneficial results would accrue to this country. RAILWAY EXTENSION.

He was in favor of completing the connection of all main lines, because that would make them recuperative. He fought hard for the line through the Forty Mile Bush, and had to thank Mr Walter Johnston forhis able support in .getting the liue pushed. He did say at Tinui that Natives should be bade to contribute to the cost of the line going through lands. The European settlers should not be treated He would take this opportunity of telling them that he had already done that which Mr McOardle promised them to do in the future, viz., he had arranged that the price of waste lands put up for sale should be 30s front and 21s back sections. It was from this possibly that Mr McOardle got his notion, and tried to "jump his claim." He would say a few words on the personal aspect of the contest. He sincerely hoped that it might be conducted in a spirit of fair play. M: McOardle had tried to set class against class. He had said undue pressure had been put upon him because he was a poor man, He would be ashamed of a district that elected a man on his financial qualifications. (Cheers). It was a question of who was the best to further the views of the electors, and who had the greatest will and power to do so (hear! hear 1), not the paltry question of £ s d. (No.) He would state that he felt certain none of his supporters would refuse him a vote if they knew him to be poor. He had started as a working man, and had risen to his present position by Bheer hard work, pluck,and self denial. The

same means were open ami similar results obtainable by all. (Cheers). It was not his fault Mr McOardlewas poor, and the'absence of wealth was no' guarantee of the presence of brain. He would therefore advise them to set] that on one side in considering the qualification of their representative, As regards canvassing tor votes, he did not object to it, and if the babies were nice and clean would decidedly have much pleasure in kissing them. (Roars and cheers). During his term in the House he had done his duty consistently, and he came before them as one worthy of their confidence, whichhad never been misplaced. The laborer was worthy of his hire, and he wag prepared to say, and they would bear him out that he himself and all belonging to him had always paid full and fair wages for wotk done for them (loud cheers). He would conclude by congratulating the Masterton audience on having j.eturned to their old position of according fair play to public speakers. This of course did not include that small number who had unsuccessfully attempted to create a disturbance. They were not worthy of the franchise. He thanked them for their attention and trusted they would show their trust' in him at the ballotbox (cheers). In answer to written questions he said the Sutton enquiry would have to come before the Public Petitions Committee. That no one regretted more than himself the action of the Government in not paying the laborers employed in completing O'Malley and Pepperell's contract. He had promised to and would give the matter his best attention,— (Cheers.)

Mr Gaving, responding to the cries of "platform," &c,, came forward and said: Ladies and gentleman.—(Cheers and yells.)—lie would ask, Would Mr Beetham be in favor of granting to Catholics what Bishop Moran required 1 Mr Beeiham said no one regretted it' more than himself, but he did not think it would be prudent so to do. Mr A. E. Bunny asked, amidst great disturbance, Would Mr Beetham state his reasons why—(At this stage the whole audience were on their feet, and at the bitck a general scrimmage that took place was simply disgraceful. The police, with difficulty, succeeded in restoring order,) Mr Bunny continued by asking whether Mr Beetham was familiar with the education system as in vogue in Nelson under the Provincial Government.. If so, was .he not aware that the system was cheaper to the Government than under the present arrangement 1

Mr Beetham replied that if State aid was granted to one denomination all others would immediately come forward with the same claims, and che already too large education grant would have to be very largely increased to the injury of the general ratepayers,—(Cheers.) " Captain" Jones stepped on to the platform and in answer to his enquiries Mr Beetham thought publicans should have the power to< refuse drink to excess. :

Mr R. D. Dagg briefly proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Beethom for his address, and Mr Hawkins seconded the same and followed with an able speech on the Cathollo education claims, He was considerably interrupted, but he succeeded in clearly showing his reasons why he could consistently support Mr Beetbam's return, and advised them all to record their votes in his favor.

Mr Bunny rase again in explanation, and after going into a long list of figures, concluded by asking the meeting to vote for Mr McOardle. The Chairman put the motion and called for a show of hands, which he declared to be in favor of the motion by a large majority. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.