POLITICAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4441, 12 June 1893, Page 3

POLITICAL.

MrA.W.Hoqg, M.R„at ■ ,Maurieeuille. Own Correspondent,) Mr A. W. Hogg addressed the electors at Maurtceville East, or Saturday ovening last. Tho incotiiif took place in one of the large room? of the Temperance Hotel, which the proprietor (Mr Cottiss) kindly placed at'his disposal for the occassion, The attendance unfoiuiniiMy m not large, owingto the very inclemonl slate of tho weather, few people coring to face the blinding snow storm whioh prevailed most of the evening. About twenty persons in all assembled, most of 1 whom reside in the immediate vicinity. Mr G. Gundereen was voted to the ohair, and after expressing regret at the unfavourable condition of the : weather, briefly introduced Mr Hogg tu the meeting. • Mr Hogg pnfaced his remarks by FnljAipKyjitlio people of MauriceP >n y<|Ws"r Clffipparent neglect in the ,ialt. One of the many reasons, hn explained, 'was that tho people of Mauriceville had from timoto lime given substantial proofs of their tendency towards Liberalism, and consequently, did not require as much looking after as other parts of his constituency. Mr Hogg then proceeded in an elaborate and carefully considered speech to review the whole of the principal events whioh transpired within the walls of the House of Eepresentalives from the full cf the AtkiDßOn Ministry to the end of last session. He explained the provisions of the Land Bill at considerable length, the various conditions under which land could be inquired were laid bare, down to tho minutest detail, He claimed for himself in oonjunotion wilh Mr Smith (member for Waipawa) the credit of being the . authors of the system of tlioleaso in perpetuity. Tho memorable struggle between the popular chamber and the Upper' House was recapitulated in glowing language, the ultimate ' triumph of the Government, and his (Mr Hogg's) strong belief that the Honse of "Lords" should bo abolished,- followed in due couvbo. The other subjects dealt with were princi- ■ pally the Charitable Aid Bill, of which . Mr Hogg had much to say of the part he personally took in the passing - much to promise as to future gpiatiou on \\fa q U6B . tion, ffibMlectoral Bill camo next under the hammer, the power to vote on the residential clause alone being strongly insisted on by tho speaker. But it was in dealing with tho ques-

tion of Women's Suffrage that Mr Hogg showed himself a politician of no ordinary calibre and he professed himself openly in favour of "lovely woman" receiving the franchise, He bad long considered and had advocated that they (the ladies) should be admitted to the franchise, hut though he.admitted their qualification he would not like to see thorn invested just at once, as they had waited so long he thought tbat they might wait a little longer, particularly if, their immediate admission to tho privilege should be likely to endanger the position of the Liberal party at the coming elections. .Mr Hogg, in the course of his remarks, paid high tribute to the late ■ chief of the Liberal party. He described Mr Seddon (the present Premier) 'as a worthy successor to the late Mr Ballance, Mr Seddon's exterior was rough and stern, but his interior was humane, gentle and sympathy • Durit/vjkwhole of his remarks, winch occj|iJk)?or two hours, Mr Hogg was listened to with calm attention, the cosy room and the blazing log fire provided by our excellent host (who never does things by halves) and the howling storm without may have had something to do with the attention which our member received, it no doubt contribated in no small degree to the success of the meeting. The applause was frequent but of tho very mildest obaractor, except when Mr Hogg inveighed against the paid Prohibition agitator, which caused a thrill of something like real animation to run through his audience, as they felt extremely dry. - • 1 After Mr Hogg resumed his seat. the Chairman invited questions in the usual manner, but there was no response beyond one olector who asked Mr Hogg to explain bh> ambiguity on the Female Suffrage question. Mr Hogg explained in almost the Bafftt language whioh he had previbis objection to tho fair ones immediate franchise In conclusion, a vote of thanks and confidence iro Mr Hogg was carried without dissent. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings,' Mr Hogg, who stayed in Maurice* yille over Bunday, mnt many of the residents privately, who had been unable to attend-bis meeting, and has expressed himself well pleased with bis reception in Mauriceville. 1 ' rs .