MR; WAKEFIELD BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2192, 12 January 1886, Page 2

MR; WAKEFIELD BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS.

..'[United Peess Association,] > ; oflKisioHoEOH,.January 11. - ',' Mr. Wakefield;'M.Eft; addressed his. constituents last nitfit,' He said he wss not likely to .'take office if buffered, especially under Major Atkinson,: He opposed borrowing and Protection. A. yite of no confidence was proposed,'.but was lost, and a vote of thanks carried! . Lbeston, January 11. Mr Wakefield's meeting List -night was the largest ever held in the district. The town halloas crowded, and many were unable to get a, seat. Mr, Wakefield was loudly cheered onentering the hall, There were some signs of unpopularity. The firsl part of hiß Bpeeoh was devoted entirely to the East and Weßt Coast railway question; concerning which he justified hisopposition to the Meiggs scheme, and claimed the support and confidence of the constituency for what he had done. He said, however, that he should have done exactly the same if meetings had been hold all over?. the district in support of the proposals. - It was the duty of a publio man on' such occasion.to face unpopularity boldly, and to risk his own, political existence, if need be, to save the country from a great danger. He severely blamed certain of his constituents for oonturing him' in his absence when he was doing his duty for them, and he challenged the meeting then and there to pass judgment upon him. He was listened to throughout with the utmost attention, and loudly applauded at intervals. He 1 then discussed the Ministerial policy df protection and large borrowing, which he condemned in' unqualified terms, ' He pointed out the evils of Protection, and the advantagesof Free Trade, declared himself a thoroughgoing freetrader, and called upon the constituency to fight against Protection with all. their might. This appeal aroused great enthusiasm in the meeting, wHioh seemed to be quite unanimous oh that question, Mr Wakefield dealt in a similar manner with the borrowing policy, and strongly urged his constituents to set their faces against a system- of recklras gambling which'could only end in disaster and disgrace, Ho made a special appeal to the working men not to be deluded by the promises of constant employment and high wages. Borrowing meant fluctuations and depression, and crushing taxation, and it was the working men who suffered most from these. He protested against a pulicy that could only benefit speculators and adventurers at the expense of bam fide settlers, After a number of questions had been asked and answered, Mr MoLaohlan, Mr Wakefield's former opponent, said he had watched hia actions narrowly, and he could not find »single pledge ho had not fulfilled. Hedeßerved the gratitude of the constituency, and of tho solouy, though ho blamed him himself in some minor points. Ho moved a cordial vote of thanks.

. At this stage it was evident that some organised opposition existed in the meeting, and presently Mr Overton moved, and Mr Lawrence seconded, an amendment affirmins that by hi 3 action in Parliament Mr Wakefield had forfeited the confidence'ot.his constituency. This motion was received with cheers, counter cheers, and hisses. On being put to the meeting, the vote of thanks was carried unanimously, and the vote of censure rajeoted by an overwhelming majority, amid tremendous cheering. Mr Wakefield suitably expressed his gratitude for such handsome treatment, and the meeting terminated with prolonged chceriug.