WAIPA NOMINATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1470, 3 December 1881, Page 2

WAIPA NOMINATIONS

took place at the Court-house, Hamilton, on Thursday at noon, in the presence of a number of electors, many of whom had come from a distance to take part in the proceedings. The returning officer (Mr f homas Kirk) having read and explained the writ, Captain Rutherford, Te Awamutu, uomiuated Major Jackson. He explained that he did so on behalf of another party, who was unavoidably absent ; and, in further explanation, added th.it he had known Major Jackson for a great many | years, and that, so far as he had had an opportunity for judging, he had always been honorable in his conduct and straightforward in his actions. Furthermore, he had already been a member of the House of Representatives on a previous occasion, and the electors would therefore have the advantage of being enabled to judge of him by his past actions. Mr John Slater, Hamilton, in seconding the nomination, alluded to Major Jackson as a "working man's friend," and also expressed a conviction on the hona fida of his candidature. Mr John Fisher, Pukerimu, nominated Mr P. A. Whitaker lor re-election. (Applause). Mr Whitaker had just served them in the Legislature for three sessions, and, judging by Ins actions as well as other evidence afforded, he (Mr Fisher) had no hesitation in saying that he still enjoyed the confidence of a large nicTJority of the electors. Indeed, his actions had along gone to show that he was the right man elected for the right place. (Hear, hear, and applause). He had rendered consistent support to a Government who was admitted to hare rendered good service to the colony, as evinced in the sound financial footing on which the affairs of New Zealand had now been placed. That had been achieved by a vigorous system of retrenchment coupled with a judicious system of taxation, the whole thing heaving been performed in a manner which reflected great credit on their administrative capacities. (Applause). Mr Whitaker had also rendered material aid in advancing the liberal measures which had distinguished the work of the last few sessions of Parliament, and in that way he had redeemed the pledge he gave them at his last election. He had been instrumental in extending the powers of the people and securing for them a fuller and freer exercise of the franchise, thereby affording conclusive evidence of the sincerity of the liberal profession made to them on the occasion of his previous election. (Applause). Again, Mr Whitaker as their member had secured for the district a share of the public expenditure, to which it had previously been an entire stranger, and in that way he had asserted the rights of the district in a way which appealed most forcibly to the personal interest of the electors themselves. (Hear, hear, and applause). Mr Henry JLladfield, Tuhikaramea, seconded the nomination. In doin# so he alluded to the difficulties by which the legislature of the last three sessions had been attended, aud argued that as the nominee had proved his fitness to take part in that legislative, he had thereby established claims upon thorn for their continued support. One who, like Mr Whitaker, was, as it were, fresh to the work was much better able to serve the district more effectively than a new man could possibly expect to be. (Applause.) Men new to political life were apt to overestimate their powers, and make all manner of promises whic, when they got into Parliament, they found it to be utterly impossible to fulfil, and in that way they were sure to excite feelings of disappointment and distrust, which operated against the interests of all concerned. With Mr Whitaker the thing was different. He knew the position of the district, and also the true state of feeling in Parliament, and by regulating the one in confirmity with the other he was the better able to seize their interests advantageously. In that way he had claims upon their continued confidence which no other man could possibly assert. (Applause.) He had already had a trial, and he had served them with advantage to the district and with credit to himself. He maintained that he had done nothing to forfeit their confidence. Throughout the whole of the candidature that has been going on not an insinuation has been made against him of neglect of duty. On the contrary, it has been shown that he took his full share of the work, and otherwise looked after their interests with the utmost attention. Under these circumstances he contended Mr Whitaker was entitled to claim their continued confidence. (Loud applause.) Mr F. C- Grermann, Pafceratngi, proposed Mr E. G-. McMinn. He reminded them that Mr McMinn had already served the district during one session of Assembly. On that occasion he had been faithful to the duties they had eatraefced him with. He appeared before them in. the capacity of an independent member, a character which he (Mr Gennann) admired, aa it afforded the member an opportunity for voting in every question on its own merits. Rumours had been put into circulation that Mr McMinn had been put forward for the purpose of serving the purpose of come of the other candi*

dates. He combat* ed the idea contending that he came forward solely on hit own merits. Mr Thos. Rothwell, Whatawhata, seconded the nomination, stating that he had known the candidate for 15 or 16 years, and during that period he had proved himself upright and honorable. Mr P. Corboy. Whatawhata, proposed Mr W. Johns, whose acquaintance he had enjoyed for a period of 18 or 20 years and in that acquaintance an opinion of his fitness to represent the district in Parliament. Mr John B. Teaadale, Te Awatnutu, seconded, adding a very few remarks about Mr Johns representing a middle party and having proved himself a friend to the working claa-.es. An opportunity having been given the candidates to address those present Major Jackson said it was not his intention to avail himself of the privilege at any great length. What he lacked in quantity he hoped to raske up in quality. If they returned him he hoped he would never give them occasion to regret their choice. (Applause.) Mr Whitaker, who was greeted with much applause, said ho would be similarly brief. It had been truly said that he had first served them during the last three sessions in Parliament. He would only repeat what he had alFeady said, viz : that in his present candidature he was quite willing to be judged by the past, and to leave the issue in their hands accordingly. (Ap- j plause). One more remark : During the w hole of the contest that had been going on not one single reason had yet been aduuced why he should be dismissed from the representation. He had not down to the present moment received his bill of indictment. That was a singular fact, am) o»& which ho aaked , them to bear in remembrance. (Applause). Mr McMiun commented adversely on the remarks made by the previous speaker. He contended they were not dismissing him. This was an entirely new election, and, moreover, at least two of the other candidates had already served them in Parliament. He then went on to say that his sole object in coining forward was to secure for their choice the candidature of a bona fide settler — one of themselves. Having secured that object he had now determined to retire from the contest, and in doing so he hoped they would be true to themselves and elect one of their own class. He argued that their representative ought to be a man who had graduated through the various local governing functions, and having proved himself faithful in that respect lie might then aspire to the highest representative honor they could confer. No man had any right to ask the highest honor until he had proved himself worthy of the smaller. Mr Johns professed himself as being a candidate for the x'epresentation of no | particular set or class. What he aimed at was to represent the interests of both the rich and the poor. The views he now advocated were those he had all along entertained during the last 20 years he had been a resident amongst them. He ' combatted arguments put forward in favor of the independent member theory, contending that if a representative was to be of any service to his country or those lie represented he must range himself on the side of either one party or another. He illustrated that argument by referring to the soldier who, to do any good m warfare was bound to rank under one banner or another. Whatever he had pledged himself to he would, if returned, most certainly perform, and those who knew him best would, be| the best able to attest to the honesty of his purposes. The returning officer ruled Mr McMinn's withdrawal informal, and his name along with that ot the other candidates was accordingly put to the show of hands, the result being as follows :—: — Whitaker 22 Johns.. „ .. .. 7 Jackson 6 McMinn 2