WAIKATO ELECTORATE

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2989, 10 September 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO ELECTORATE

MEETING OF EI.ICCrOKS. 1 V MKEriw: of tin' electors of the Waikato Electorate whs held in DeUney's Hall, < Ohaupo, on Tuesday afternoon to select a candidate to represent tho constituency. There was a large and representative attendance, fully 120 electors being present from all parts of the electorate. On the motion of Mr John Fisher seconded by Mr Henry Buttle, Mr F. W. Lang, chairman •if Waipa County Council was appointed chairman. Mr Lang road the advertisement appearing? in the Waikato Times calling the meeting, and which had been signed by Mr John Fisher. He then asked Mr Fisher to address tho meeting. Mr Fisher said that perhaps there was s-iiiiti need of an apology from him for having taken upon himself to call tho meeting, but he thought the urgency of the case was a sufficient excuse. They were all aware of the resignation of Mr Bryce, member /or Waikato. The Government had passed a vote of censure oil Mr Bryce and in conseqimnco lie had resigned. The writ for a new election had been issued, and the electors would shortly he called upon to elect a representative to fill tho vacant soat. He thought Mr Bryce h id acted throughout in a straightforward and honest manner, and if he had acted otherwise he would not have been deserving of the name of Honest John Bryce. (Applause). It was a most unfortunate position. The Government had a majority,which they had used in a most arbitrary manner. Ha then referred to tho manner in which the vote of censure had been passed, and characterised the action of the Premier as utterly unbecoming to anyone, and especially a Minister of tho Crown. If the chance should come thoy should re-elect Mr Bryce—(applause)—but ho was afraid it would not come so long as the vote of cansnro remained. They should, however, take this opportunity of showing their contempt for the Government by returning a member of the Opposition. (Applause). It might be dangerous to go outside to get a representative. He did not think there was another man, except Mr Bryce, who would have boen returned twice unopposed —first for Waipa, and then, after the amalgamation of the electorates, for Waikato. There could be no doubt, he said, that the Government would endeavour to get a Government supporter elected, and tho olectors should be prepared to brmg forward a good man. Many names had been mentioned, and the best among these, he thought, was Mr Edward Like. (Applause). Mr Lako had represented Waipa oil two previous occasions, and had been compelled to retire from circumstances over which he had no control. These were augmented now; but if the electors could not get another good man Mr Lake would, at soma personal inconvenience to himself, consent to bo nominated. Thoy all knew Mr Lake, who was a good, honest man, and one who had no axe to grind. (Applause). He would, therefore, propose Mr Edward Lake as the candidate to represent the Waikato electorate, and that this meetiug pledge.'! itself to do the utmost to secure Ins return. (Loud applause). Mr T. Hunt seconded Mr Fisher's proposal. Mr Legertwood said he though that the electors should, if Mr Bryce would consent, return him again—(applause)—and so oppose tho vote of consure, which if allowed to remain on tho books of tho House of Representatives remained only against .John Ballance and his crew. The present Government had done nothing for the country. The only thing thoy had done was to legalise stealing by taking from the rich and giving to tho poor. He thought that the thanks of tho constituency were due to Mr Brvce for his action and he moved tlis following, which, however, must not be considered as an amondmeut -. "That this meeting approves of Mr Bryco's conduct throughout and thanks him for resigning, and so giving the electors an opportunity it expressing their opinions of tho actions of the Premier and his following which they have no hesitation in characterising as disgraceful and such as can only be looked on as bringing shame and undeserved suffering on all right minded colonists ; and in order to enable the electors to give forcible expression to this, their deliberate verdict, they ask Mr Bryce to allow them to nominate him as their choice for a seat in Parliament, as their representative." He Baid it might appear very strange for this to come from him as he had been an opponent of Mr Bryce, but since he had known him lie had changed his opinion and he now considered Mr Bryce one of the most honest and doserving members the district ever had. Mr John Mandeno seconded tho proposal. He thought that if it was only a compliment it was one that was due to Mr Bryce. He could refuse to stand, but they should pay him the honour of asking him, which under the circumstances ho thought was the right thing to do. If Mr Bryce refused, they could then select a candidate favourablo to the district and whomsoever the choice should fall on he hoped it would bo a unanimous one. Mr E. C. Shepherd said that without wishing to disparage the spirit in which Mr Logertwood's proposal had been put forward he thought it was a waste of time as until th* vote of censure had boen expunged Mr Bryce would not consent to go back to the House. If they wished to pay Mr Bryce a compliment they could not do batter than send so cordial a supporter of his as Mr Edward Lake. (Applause). He hoped the el otora would not be divided as to the representative, and that he would be one directly connected with the soil. (Applause). Mr R. N. Buttle ooncurred with Mr Shepherd and thought the electors should show the Government that they intend to fight the seat in opposition to them. If they put forward a good man the Govern went might not bring forward a candidate at all. Mr Legartwood thought the mooting should express not only its satisfaction but Also its thanks to Mr Brvca for what he had done, and if they should fail to induce him to stand thoy could then tako up Mr Lake. Mr George Edgecumbc felt sure that Mr Bryce would staud to his present position, and nothing that could be done until the vote of censure was expunged would alter his decision. They could express their appreciation of his action, but ha thought that to ask him to stand again would only causa him additional pain in refusing. Mr Kdward Lako said ha knew Mr Bryce iutimatoly anil during tho last woelc he had been almost constantly telegraphing to him tryiug to induce him to roconsidor his position and he was sure that tiothiug would niduco him to go into the House so long as tho vote of censuru remained. He hoped it would not bo long until the good sense of tho Mouea returned and the vote expunged, but he was afraid it would not be until after tho election. They could express their satisfaction and thanks to Mr Bryce and thou telegraph to him asking him to staud, but they should have some one else ready in case of Ins refusal. If there is to be a tight it will be a keen one but if the electors put their foot down at onco there might not bo a contest. Ho would be glad to servo the electorate if tho electors wished, but if nut, he would go on the committee of any good man and do his best for him. 110 hoped tho electors would all be united.

MrLegertwood said they should make some decisive stand. Mr Bryce 'a constituents were a higher court than the House of Representatives, and if they aro willing to return him again, that would take away the stigma attaching to the vote of ceni'ure. Mr John Fisher said lie quite agreed with the sentiments that had beeu expressed by the various speakers with regard to Mr Bryce. His first idea was to wire asking Mr Bryce to stand again, but knowing the man, he recognised that it would be useless. With tho consent of his seconder, he would withdraw his motion for tho present. Mr H. Buttle thought they should express their opinion in connection with Mr Bryce's action, and that they could not do this better than by expressing their confidence in him, and asking him to allow himself to be re-nominated. Mr Fisher's motion having been withdrawn, Mr Logertwood remodelled his motion to the following, to be telegraphed to air Bryce : " Tha L , this meeting of the electors of the Waikato Eleetorate district, approves entirely of Mr Bryce's action in the position he has taken up; that they still have confidence in him, and that they request that he will allow himself to be renominated as the representative of the Waikato Electorate in the House ot Representatives." Seconded by Mr E. C. Shephord. On being put to the meeting tho proposal was carried, thero being only one dissentient voico. Mr John Fisher then movod that in tho event of Mr Bryce declining to allow himself to be nominated, this meeting pledges itsolf to Blippnrt Mr Lake's candidature, and to do the utmost to secure his return. This was seconded by Mr Johns, ami on being put to the meeting was carried tfunnimoualy. Mr Lake thanked the electors for their confidence in him, and Baid if elected he would always do his best for them. He hoped that thoy would give him a requisition showing plainly what they wishod.

The tullowuig gentlemen were then elected a central committee to further Mr Lake's candidature in the event of Mr ISrycc refusing to be nominated, Messrs -T. FisWer, K. Reynolds, C. .1. Storey, T. Hunt, J. Walton, W. Taylor. l'\ C. Gerinann, Legertwood, H. Hadtield, K.W.Lanc, E. C. Shopherd, George Kdgeeiunbe, R VV. Dyer, A. Primrose, I. Coates, Ij. O'Neill, J. McNicol, W. Hunter, S. Steele, J. T. pjdwards, E. Fitznatrick, G. F. Dickeson. H. P. Bayly, G. E. Clarke, J. Taylor, M. H. fickering, E. B. Co*. .T. W. Ellis, •!. Wills, W. S. Rutherford, J. Brooks, I) McKinnon, C. Bell, T. Mitchell, C. Sutton, R. C. Mathias, W. Tattley, R. R'dph, J. Hutchinson, A. Kay, I. Hodgson, .fames Rnncim-.n, L.uelnv, S. and .T. Wilson, W. A. Murray, Whiteside, E. B. Walker, and D. Fuilayson, A vote of thanks to Mr Jno. Fisher for having called the meeting, and one to tho chairman closed the meeting. Immediately after the meeting the following telegram was forwarded to Mr Bryce: "At a meeting of tho electors called to select a candidate at Oliaupo this day the following resolution was rropnsed by Mr Legertwood, seconded by Mr E. C. Shepherd, and carried unanimously: 'That this meeting of the electors of the Waikato Electoral District approves entirely of Mr Bryco's action in the position he has taken up, that they still have contideuce in bun, and that they request that he will allow himself to be re-nominated as the reprisen'ltive of the Waikato Electorate in the ■ouse of Representatives.'" At a meeting of those members of the general committee who were in Ohaupo, Mr George Edgecumhe was elected chairman, and it was decided to hold the meotings in Hamilton. The first meeting, of which due notice will be givon, will be held as soon as convenient after receiving Mr Bryce's reply.