Central Election Committee.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2920, 23 August 1879, Page 2

Central Election Committee.

MEETING .AT MECHANICS'

INSTITUTE,

The gentlemen who had forinecl ffc'CraselVes into a provisional committee to aid in the election of candidates pledged to support Sir George Grey and his policy convened a public meeting, which was held at the Mechanics' Institute last evening. The jppin was densely crowded, and many were unable to obtain admittance. Captain D. IC MhKeii?ie took the chair on the motion oi.MrT. B. Hill:

The chairman having read the ndvc'rWe'nient convening the meeting, culled ujion Mr Boyhm to move the iir.st resolution. Mr j. T. Boylan, who was received with loud cheers, said the meeting was called in order that certain preliminary steps might be taken to successfully carry out the elections, lie would not treat of those political questions which had been already no fully discussed by members who had returned from the House and by candidates. The actual situation was that the Eoxites were the same as ever, the same men who had been an obstruction when it was attempted to form a united Auckland party iv former years, as if for some reason they feared • Auckland's inHuOllCO. From being anli-Ureyites thoso men had now become Foxitcs, using, ho was almost saying abusing, their influence to injure Auckland. A great change had come over the Auckland people. When it was attempted to form an Auckland party thoy had men who said let us boo your programme and we will join you. All that could be answered was that the air was full of suspicion, that every morning they heard of some land swindle, and that the £700,000 which had been set aside to acijuire a landed estate for the North was being wasted. The only thing lie could tell these men was that Sir George Grey Wiis the man that could put his foot upon these .swindles, and that was the only progrannrio that could be laid before them. (Cheers.) Some accepted this and some refused, but these gentlemen were now coining over by hundreds, and professed to be in favour of manhood suffrage and Triennial Parliaments, (Laughter and cheers.) He saw that when the new rolls wore formed 40,000 electors would be added to tlioiii, mid as they had no faith in the policy before the country being carried out by Fox, thoy would join the popular party. They must hold out the hand of welcome to these men, lint they said that when this new roll was completed, when Triennial Parliaments were Becured,there would be certainly a dissolution. They would assist Sir George Grey to carry the Liberal measures, but after that they did not care who was in oflice ; they would assist to the utmost_ in establishing Sir George Grey in the position of leader. (Loud cheers). To talk of accopting the Liberal measures, and not Sir George Grey, was like taking the harness mid. leaving the horse. (Cheers). The sledge-hammer speech of Mr Kcader Wood showed that tho party had no faith in Fox, nor tho Foxitca in Auckland. (Cheers). Talking of Foxites reminded him of a fable in Sydney Smith's letters to Pennsylvania —the fox was caught by the leg in a trap in a farm-yard, amidst intense excitement amongst the poultry ; the geese hissed, the hens cackled, and the ducks quacked. The fox limped forward and said, " Whence this morbid hatred of the fox t" The goose ■Buid, " You old villain, you murdered my goslings;" the chicken, "You ran away last night with my mother in your mouth— you ought to be pecked into a thousand pieces." (Cheers and laughter.) The Fox of New Zealand had murdered their manhood suffrage—had run away with their Triennial Parliament". They might cut off his brush, perhaps, but would that bo any compensation for the injuries he had inflicted? Was it not incumbent upon the electors to tend men to Parliament who would support Sir George Grey V He would point out another class who had always caused the utmost possible embarrassment. These men said, "We will have neither Urey nor Fox, but, when one is right we will follow him, and when another U right we will support him." ("Itwon't do.") Thoso men always embarrassed tho Government thoy professed to support. Dr Wallis had aptly illustrated these men in the House when he said that a chicken was a good thing, and an egg was a good thing, but. to get a chicken in an egg was horrible. (Great laughter.) Ho would conclude by moving, "That tliis meeting do now support a General Central Election Committee, to aid in returning members to the new House of Representatives who will act in concert with Sir George Grey in carrying out the Liberal measures enunciated in tho speech with which His Excellency the Governor opened the last session of Parliament." (Loud cheers.) Mr T. B. Hill, in seconding the resolution, said he had only within the last few minutes been called upon to address the meeting in the absence of the gentleman who was to have seconded the resolution. They might congratulate themselves that Sir llerculcs Hobinson is Governor of the Colony instead of his predecessor (cheers) nr they would not in all probability have met tliis evening to discuss political atl'airs and to endeavour to alter the state of things that had so long existed in the Colony. It was many years since he had the privilege of addressing an Auckland assembliige, and when he had appeared on the platform on Tuesday night last he must have been looked upon as being in bad company (laughter), and even now some thought lie was not Bound as a supporter of Sir George Grey. If there was anyone in that room who was a convert to the Liberal policy he (Mr Hill) was one. (Hear, hear.) He did not see, when a man brought forward a policy, now they could support that policy and not uphold tho leader who enunciated it. (Cheers.) He was one of those who would never throw a friend owrbcard because of wbat others might say. If anyone was grateful to Sir George Grey ho was, becauso they had accomplished things that ho and others had vainly endeavoured to get other Governments to do for the last 14 years. Sir George Grey had promised him that ho would do that work, and when ho had accomplished it said, " You did not think I was going to do that." Ho (Mr Hill) replied, "I have beeu to your predecessors so often that I lost all faith in Governments." Sir George Grey and thoso who acted with him were tho right men in the right place. Mr Boylan had alluded to tho acts of the land-sharks or land-grabbers inmonopolisingthecountry, and thero was no doubt that this was fast going on. If Sir Georgo Grey dosctved tho gratitudo of tho country for nothing clso ho merited it for his action iv regard to tho laud question (cheers). The pcoplo were wide awake now,and it would bo their own fault if the same stato of things were perpetrated in this colony as exist in England. He was glad to see Mr Whitakcr present (Groans and hisses and " Put him out"). He (Mr Hill) liked everybody to have fair play, and therefore hoped that no remarks of a derogatory character to Mr Whitalcer would be made. The last thing lie (Mr Hill) had heard of was that Mi Whitakcr had just secured 80,000 acres of land at 3s Gd an acre which was worth £3 an acre. (Sensation.) He did not voach for tho truth of tho report, but gave it as ho had heard it. Ho had heard that Mr Whitaker had secured SO,OOO acres iv the best part of Waikato at 3s Gd an aero, but what would be its value when the borrrowed money was expended on it 1 Would the people get it for os 6d an acre ? No. It would be worth from £6 to £10. (Groans.) They had it in their power now to stop these things. (Cheers.) There vrew able heads devising means to stop it, and if anyone could succeed it was Sir Geo. Grey. (Cheers.) They had heard men say, "We cannot work with Grey ;" "We will carry out his policy, but you must got rid of him.'1 Let him tell the meeting that if these men could get rid of Sir George ,Grey they would very soon get rfd of his policy. (Cheers.) One charge that had been" made against Sir George Grey was iv connection with the Maori dual voto. He (Mr Hill) had taken a deal of trouble to put his Maori neighbours on the roll in order to give them the same privileges as he enjoyed himself. Ho told them, " I have como down here to make Maori pakehas of you, but I am not going to be a pakeha-Maori myself," because he believed that the pakeha-Maoris were about tho worst lot they could have in the country. They were the tools ot the land-rings and could not get a livelihood in any other way. During the last interview he had with the Premier he showed Sir George Grey a scheme by which they could equalise the population of the two Islands by withdrawing from the South some of the immigrants who had been imported into the country, but if they could not accomplish it in that way it could be done by the Maori dual vote. They could get the natives to work together. He would , abandon Maori representation and lot them elect Europeans. Then it could not be said that the dual vote was unfair. Pcoplo talked about Maoris paying no taxes. Look at tho way they used sugar and tea. They did not use them in spoonsful, but in bucketsfnl. They should. have tho Maori dual voto iv order to enable the North to hold its own. He had been told that the dual vote was given to the Maoris by the lato Sir Donald McLean and was now in existence, but not in the way he (Mr Hill) proposed. Mr Macfarlane (oh and groans) had stated in a letter to one of tho papers—and thero were a good many things in Mr Macfarlane's opinions with which ho coiucided—for instance, tho necessity of pro.,

tectiug native industries. Mr Macfarlane eaid : " I hold that the land still owned by natives might just as well not be there for all the poted it does. 1 hope you will take this very important' iftattfi? up and put it in its true light. to" the public." Well, bo would take the matter rip instead. Mr Whitafeer also said " any man who ge's land out o* tile fa'and-i or the native.!; and cultivates it is a public b'eneiactor." He would give them one illustration, to show that laud even in the bauds of natives might be more beneficial to the country than in the hands of monopolists. Suppose that room were n block of 100,000 acres of native laud, with si store at each end. The natives on the block would be all producers, ami wpuld be paying for what they purchased $*tK Miyir produce. The two stores would be buying1 tfia produce and payintr the Maoris for it, and weft thus making a very good living, to the advantage 6i both parties. But suppose the Maoris leased the laud and all cleared out. Then the new proprietor would open a store and the employe on the run would be generally in debt, and the goods that came to supply the run would be imported direct from London, while the wool produced would also be sent Home direct,withoutone penny being paid on the produce of the estate. He had heard storekeepers on such runs say that they did not care for European custom. W:is it not better to have the Maoris on the land than, only a few sheep and cattle ? The M noris would add more to the prosperity of the community. If they allowed these large blocks of laud to pass iuto the hands of speculators a great number of blocks would lie thus mouopolised. He had many letters in hia pocket from the country districts urging the Auckland people to elect men to assist Sir George Grey as the leader of the Liberal policy i He was sure, from the number of people he saw present, they would send to Wellington nc/t nine men on one side and nine on the other, but eighteen, and, including the two Maoris, twenty pledged to secure justice for Auckland. (Loud cheers.) It was for them to do their duty. Twenty Auckland representatives united would make their mark iv (he House. No1, ode of the electors should neglect to record his vote. He had great pleasure in secondiug the rCSolu'tloxJ. (Loud cheers.)

Mr Staines said he was pleased to see so largo an assemblage and that the committee was not being elected by a bole and corner meeting. They would now rally rpund the committee which they would elect. lie' Would support the resolution. (Cheers, and " Weil (lone; George !") Mr Ttowaites thought the resolution went too far. It should stop at the wofd ".Grey," and simply affirm the necessity of fornjing a committee to support the Premier. He had heard one of their members at a recent meeting give two different answers to the same question. Dr Wallia : Name the person to whom you refer. You. (Great laughter) Dr Wallis here advanced and took a seat seat upon the platform amidst cheers. Dr Wallis had aaid that he would rote for the Curtis Bill, but had now forgotten that and been converted. (" He is quite right.' 1) If a man could answer a question in two different ways he was not lit for a representative. (Cries of " You've said enough now (" "Sit down;" " We've had enough of that.") He would propose as an amendment that the rcsolntiou.stop at the word " Grey," and that there be no addition to it. (" Sit down.")

The amendment was not seconded,

Mr Naylon felt it incumbent upon him as a working man to express his views in the present crisis. The extension of the f run - chiee was in itself a guarantee that id ir George Grey and his party had the (,'ood of the working men at heart. (Cheers.) He did not care for the answers that had been given by I)r Wallis. The Chairman said the business of the meeting was not to discuss the speeches of candidates.

Mr N nylon hoped all classes would sink minor differences in the present momentous political crisis and unite in supporting Sir George Grey. (Cheers.) He was sorry to say that the political education of the masses had been sadly neglected in the past. Mr Manders, one of tliu members, had stated in tin; Hoiim: last .session that he would express hi.s opinions, and if they did not meet with the approval of his constituents and lie lost hia seat, he would he prepared to fall back upon his pick and shovel. Well, lie (Mr Naylon) would also say that if the expression of his political opinions were to deprive him of his pick and shovel lie woald not be ashamed to fall back upon politics. (Great laughter and cheers.)

The Chairman put the resolution, which was curried unanimously, amidst enthusiastic cheering.

Mr W. J. Speight, who was received with loud cheers, said :Mr Chairman and geutlemeu, 1 apprehend that our duty here to-night is more hi the shape of work thai) talk upon general topics, and I apprehend also that speakers who apply th emselves to thut work will best meet your approval. The resolution which has beeu placed iv my hands reads as follows:—"That, the following gentlemen, with power to add to their number, lie the Central Committee ;'' and as v practical proof of the wideness with which it is intended this committee shall be formed, I will read you the following list of 15S names. (Laughter). I may add that after the meeting is over, if inadvertently some gentlemen should have beeu omitted from this list, there will bo the greatest pleasure iv addiug them to it. [The list of names was then lead, and when tho name of Taylor was read a voice asked, " Which Taylor is it?" To which the reply was, " Joliu Taylor." At the name " Dorau," another person asked " What Doran?'1 to which Mr Speight replied, " I never knew auy other name than n Pat to that." Another voice : " Have you got Dargaville's name them?" Mr Speight: '" No, he is not hero."] Mr Speight resumed :In moving this resolution I will only just say one or two remarks to you. Ido uot think it is our duty now to discuss general politics ; I thiug we discussed them long since when Sir George Grey came to the front, and his friends still say they nro thorough Greyites. We have seen no reason as tho years have passed away to retrograde from the position which wo took up at tho first. (Cheers). On the contrary, every year, every month, every day, has proved more conclusively thau ever that if the hoped-for reforms are ever to be an accomplished fact it can be ouly through the instrumentality of Sir George Grey. (Cheers). [Mr Machattie came forward, and was about to address the meeting, when he was stopped by loud cries of "order," "sit down," and "chair.I'] To-day I returned from a trip to the South, aud I have been through some constituencies that are supposed to be inimical to Sir George Grey's policy, but I can tell you that it would have made your heart light by looking at tho feelings of tho Christchurch electors. There was ;v meeting of what is termed the Canterbury liberal Association, and at that meeting we were called together to consider what stops wo would take to carry the Liberal measures throughout the country, under the direction of men who believe in it, not men who would stalk in upon the cry. Whilst we were sitting n message was received from the Conservative Association stating that, as the Liberals were desirous to run Sir George Grey as a candidate for Christchurch city, the Conservatives were willing to accept him and drop Moorhouse, provided the Liberals would permit the Conservatives to nominate the other two members for Chris tchtirch and Lyttulton. What answer was given back 2 The answer 1 hope you will giro to .ill false Liberals. The answer was, " Wo hlivo chosen Sir George Grey to stand for Christchurch ; let him name two other men to run with him and we will carry the lot." (Enthusiastic and prolonged cheering.) That was tho answer that Liberals in the hot-bed of the squatters gave to those people, and that is the auswuv you must give to those who malign and traduce you, and say that tho Auckland party will go a. divided party this session. (Cheers and " No, no.") Give them the lie ; give them the lie in such a way that they cauuot get over it. (Cheers.) If ever there was a period when all manner of differences should be put aside now is that period ;if ever there was a period when differences should be straugled that period is the present ; aud if ever there was a period when we should unite to support the leader of the Liberal policy that period is now. (Cheers.) I saw Sir George Grey in the House standing up aud taxing these mou straight in tneir teeth, aud meeting with what? Argument? No, sir; contumely, scorn, insults. Arc these the arguments great men are to be fought with? Are these the arguments great men are to bo crushed under foot by ? (No, no.) I should think not. Let the manhood of this country speak out, and let the squatoeraey go. (Enthusiastic cheers.) Sir, in travelling through the South 1 found this feeling predominant, that whilst these men have taken tho public estate by unlawful—fa voice, " Robbed it ")— that is the E roper term to apply—and whilst they are olding it they feel that unless Sir George Grey came to tho foie there was no man or set of men strong enough to face them, and are they mad enough to suppose that in this hour of trial the working-men of New Zealand will forsake Sir George Grey? (Loud cries ot "No.") I say, teach them their nudne&s by your vote and by such a united voice as will for ever silence them. (Cheers). In attending the meetings in Wellington I was surprised to liml that every candidate who put up was a

Liberal. (A voice; "Why, Fox is a Liberal,") Fox is the most liltra-Liberal of tiie lot, (Laughter.) Shall I tell f&& why ? Because none but Liberal measures will go down just now. (Cheers.) It is because Sir George Grey and those who have stood in the breach with him have forced a Liberal policy to the front, and Liberal measures to the front, and show a determination to carry those Liberal measures at all hazards, that these men—like the mean, skunking scoundrels who iiimpcrtliei' people's claims on « goldtield— now imtfp his claim, (Enthusiastic cheers.) Now, wtiat I should like to impress upon you is, that at this time you should'watch the politics of these people. Find tlie true Liberal from the false.- Watch their addresses when they talk to you on the platform. Find what their past history has been, and be aare that whatever the past history of the man n>ay be he will Cover pi'ovfi recreant to it in trie future. It they arc wen who have been engaged m robbing the tfeoyle of their birthright, if they are men who Unto held power for years and have usftd it to enrich their families and fneiids;iftlieypufcf,hesemcnfomafda«fnemlH of Liberalism,uway with them. [hovaatttm.-y But if you find a man who has fought tor ideas when they were not popular—a man who stood in the breach when it was dangerous to stand there—a man who faced bank influences and powers of that J urt-" (cheers)— if you lind Hitch a man, then 1 say, iv the name of all that h just, in the name of all that is grateful-stand up tor him to the last. He had read a document from a EenUemaii whom ho had the pleasure of listening to ill the House, if there was any pleasure in listening to insults from an incompetent man to a great Statesman. Mr Wakefield was addressing the electors, and what does he say? "He would ask them to return him upon tho distinct understanding of turning Sir George ferrey out of office and keeping him out. lie hoped they would retire altogether if tlie verdict of the country was against him. They Could hope for 110 security nor peace vrlrile Grey was in power," Amon, say 1; no sedurity nor peace for these men who robbed the country. (Cheers.) Perfectly correct, by all mgdfis, Mr Wakelield. (Cheers.) .Never niiud this oiI. that measure, but insist upon this vital point. This many Wakelield, with a power of oratory which he could turn to advantage on either side, as he did wltlifn the last two years, and the men who were mtt him, speak in holy horror of Sir George Grey. Long may they continue to have that holy liorrcV.- If you had sat in the House of Representtfiwes and watched the Southern members, whtf kiieW that their political enemy was determined to wf'ost from them at all hazards the iH-gdtten gtthln iJhhw ms;i have taken from the Working close's of the Colony, you would not wonder tliat they hate him, and wish him out of their way. If you can -appreciate1 dtfch eeH-sacnUclng work iv a statesmen as Sir George Grey has shewn, then return men who will vote for him. There is danger, great danger. Scrae candidates are ready to cry they are Liberals, but I think the resolutionput to you to-night hits the nail on the head. If they are Liberals', they are to carry out the poluy under tho lead of Sir Geo Grey. I think there is nothing more disgusting aud more degrading in humau nature thau a man who bus been sent down to support a leader deserting him in the hour of trial. These men should be cast aside as soiled glores that you have worn aud are no longer of use to you. If Sir George Grey is not competent to lead a party, who amongst the ruck down there is competent ? (Ciieers.) It appears tome tliat if a man eonics forth from his retirement, aud sacrilices ease, comfort, and peace, and exerts himself for the good of the people, that he must inevitably bring down upon himself the enmity and opposition of thote who do not desire the good of the people. The speaker, after again urging the necessity of united action, concluded by warning tho electors against allowing a red herring to be drawn across the scent, aminst enthusiastic cheers.

Mr Fleming, in seconding the motion, said he would like every elector in the City of Auckland to be on the committee. Be had exercised the franchise wheu eighteen years oi age, aud supported Sir George Grey then. (Cheers.) Mr Stsrk supported the motion. The policy had been approved by the country, jlle had seen the beneficial results in France under the system of mauhood sull'rage after the I'ranco-l'russiau war.

Mr McLeod (Opotiki), in supporting the resolution, said a few daya ago he had been invited by a friend to a meeting of land-s-harks, aud found that their whole study was how to secure the land without its passing under the surveillance of the Government. He had seen the advantages of dividing the land into small farms for lona fide settlement at Maugare. Let the electors not be diverted from their allegiance to Sir George Grey by statements that he had not kept his promises. It was like a man promising to go to Ouehunga and being pounced upon by powerful men and stopped in the way. He approved of the couise adopted for the appointment of this committee (cheers).

Mr Garrett, who now rose with cheers, objected to the chairman of the Foresters being put ou the committee, as it waa against the rules of the Order to interfere iv politics as an Order. A man who, like Sir George Grey, could beard the lious in their den at Christchurch must be convinced of the justice of his cause and of his power to conquer. If Grey was returned by a Christchurch constituency would Auckland send men pledged to Fox or Whitnker. (Loud cries of "No, no.") He hoped in the contest of Waitemata and Onehuuga that the men who professed sympathy with Sir George Grey would not risk the unity of the Auckland party. There was a candidate wanted for City West and City East. Mr Hunter objected to his name as " head of the Foresters " being on the list;

Dr Wallis explained that it was put on at the suggestiou of one of the gentlemen at the preliminary meeting with the heads of other societies.

The matter was rectified by substituting Mr Hunter's name.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Thompson moved, "That a meeting of the Central Committee be held immediately after this meeting for the transaction of business.

Mr Hamilton seconded the resolution, urging the electors to bo united in the contest, They had offered to them wealth, iufluence, and men who were adepts in strategy — (aud ''' roguery." Laughter.) They should therefore appoint men who were experienced in electioneering tactics. Tho fiirht should be stern, sharp, short, and decisive. (Cheers.) They should return men pledged to support their leader, so that Auckland might resume her influence in the Councils of the Colony. (Cheers and loud cries of " Moss.")

Mr Moss, who was received with rounds of cheering, after congratulating the meeting ou its orderly behaviour, said his heart was warmed by what he had seen that night. The battle in which they were engaged was one which involved their future welfare. He had the privilege of knowing Sir George Grey when ho was in retirement, and no man had ever had the welfare of the Colony so much at heart, (Cheers.) lie desired not to set class against class, but to henelit all. A few years ago there was a class in the country which controlled all the power, acquired large tracts of laud, and were determined to crush every man who dared to oppose them, and uo man was suflicieutly strong uutil Sir George Grey came forward to face them. Wos there a second mail from the North Cape to the Lluft"who could have won the sympathy and support of the people as Sir George Grey had done. (Cheers). Ho was seeking to prevent the perpetuation of the evils which had existed in tho old country, where the poor wore always becoming poorer and the rich richer. He had been -called a blind follower of Sir George Grey, but he was not blind. He supported Sir George Grey because he sympathised with iiis policy and his aims. He had never feared that when an appeal was made to the people Sir George Grey would iiiid that their confidence and sympathy were uudiminished. He f^lt sure they would support all who would fight their battles and would secure lasting beuofits for tho whole community. (Cheers.) Dr. Wallis, who was loudly cheered, said the inconsistency with which ho had been charged was no inconsistency, and therefore he could treat it with a kind of Christian contempt. The speaker entered into a humorous description of the three parties in the country, the Tories, who wont backwards, tho party iv this colony who called themselves the Constitutionalists, and stood still, and the great democratic Liberal party, whose cause was ever upward and onward. (Cheers.) The motto of Liberalism -was "Excelsior!" Sir George Grey and Mr Moss were the men who bore the banner with that device. But tho Liberals •wore apt to be separated and disjointed, and needed an eminent leader like Sir George Grey. He urged the meeting to return a united Aueklaud party, and said he would conclude by giving them a song. (Laughter.) It was from Mr Mackay's " Three Preachers." The lirst verse would describe the Tories :—

There arc threes preachers evor preaching, Kuch with cloquonco and power; Ono is old and la.uk and whito, Skinny as an anchorite. And he preaches evory hour With a shrill, fanatia voice, Aod a bigot's ilory scorn: " Backwards, yo presumptuous nations 1

Man to misery is bornBorn to drudge, to sweat, to suffer, Born to labour and to pray. Backward, ye jM-eSumptuous nations! Hack ! be humble/and, obey." The next verse Would describe M:r Whitaisr and all that ci.*es :— The secofid'ia a milder pi'Otoher,. Hofthe take? h'Jil'b? sung; Sleek and sloth?-?! is liis iook,. And his words as f > o'm a book linuo nlib>y from his t'otigue, With an air of self-contens Huh he lifts Ms snow-white1 hands,— " Stand ye still, ye restless nations; And bs happy all je lands; - Karth was m*de by God our lathe*,. And to meddle ia to mar; Change ia rash, and ever was so, We are happy as wo are." There was just one other preacher which represented tlie party of progress :— Mightier i&tlio younger preacher, Genius flashes from his eyes, And the crow's who hear his voice G>ve him, while their souls rejoice, Throbbing busoma for replies. Awed they listen, yet elated While his stirring accents fall: "Forward, ye deluded nations! Progress is the rule of all. Man was made for he althful effort, Tyranny has crushed him long : Me should march from good to better And do battle with the wrong." Dr Wallis resumed his seat amidst tumnlt'jous cheers. Mr Swaason said he was pleased to hear this enthusiasm,' and as a practical man ho could not conceive, if any good was to. be accomplished, tfetrt they could nave any oilier leader thau Sir George . Grey. (Cheers.) It was stated las* session in the place where he resided that Sir GeorgeGrey was so completely played out tliat h& would not be able to secure a seat in Auckland. (Laughter.) He (Mr Swangon),. however, told them he was perfectly convinced that there was not a constituency from one end o£ the province to the other that would not support Sir George Grey at once. (Cheers.) That being so, he could not conceive of any man that could secure What the Auckland, members were aiming at but Sir George Grey. (Cheers.) Whether he had selected the best way of going about these things was another matter, but all his aspirations and policy had been iv the direction of benefiting the people. He (Mr Swauson) was not one of the men who would tell the electors that he would vote with Sir George Grey upon everything because he had voted arainsi Sir George Grey on some things. M Moss met him oue evening in tlie loLby and told him that Sir George Grey wished to see him. He Went to the Premier s room, and the clerksput their pens behind their ears and hastened into the next room. Sir George said he had been asked bj some of nis party to tesfsrr, He (Mr S wansoa) said, " I hai c not heard a word about it, and 1 certainly thou-ht I belonged to the pany. fair George GreyVked his advise, and he .said, "I will trive you my advice, take a iook at the Mlows that asked you ; (cheers, try if you can take their measure ; see what i.oeir motives are, whether they are doubtful u'lends or positive enemies—(A voice : " Hobbs J— and having turned that over in your mind,- ---' fast eousider what their advice is worth, and having made up your mind, if youresigD I will defend you, and if you decide to remaiu in office I will stick toyou to the last" (loud cheers). But with all this he would not give a blind support to Sir George Grey. He would not vote lor a threc-halfpeuuy Beer Bill, the abolition oi timber duties, or for such injustices as the Meurant case, which he had succeeded ia uettlii)" after it had been a scaudal torroany years ° If there was auy measures whieto. would beneiit the social condition of the unople, or increase the efficiency of Friendly and Building Societies he would support it, a ,j matter by whom it was opposed. He knew that the aspirations of Sir G:orge Grey bad found a place in the hearts of the people, aud therefore would support his policy. He might »a>' it; was at i" s SUB--gestion that Sir George Grey was induced to come out of his retirement. A few gentlemen were iv a room at the Star Hotel, wheu Mr O'Korke was suggested as Superintendent of Auckland. He (Mr Swanson) said they would require the best man in the Colony. The meeting rose up to leave ; he promised to support I the man of their choice, but advised theas first to ask [jir George Grey to come out, and if he declined they would have to fall back on the next best available. He was one of those appointed to go down to the Kawau, but did not like hanging about great people and therefore remained ia town. (Cheers.) The deputation went down, Sir George Grey consented, aud from that day to this the: voice of Auckland had been heard. He (Mr Swanson) was so anxious to see unity amongst the Auckland members that he would rather see them all in the wrong thaa half on one side and half on the other. They might in that case be hated or feared, but they would, at all events,.be respected. The representation was now in the proportion of 50 to 34 against the North without counting Maoris, but if the Auckland party were united it would be influential. He would rather see an equal number oi members for each Island than a redistribution of seats on the basis of population, because in population the representation would give a large preponderence of votes to tlie South, if the electors approved of his views his services were at their disposal, and if not the sooner they selected someone else the better. (Loud cheers). Mr Hurst, who was called upon by the meeting, delivered an excellent speech, in which he expressed strong approval of tho action of Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan at the Te Kopua meeting. MrHurst also showed how, iv connection with Mr Swanson, he had been the means of rescinding the vote snatched by Mr. Bagnall in the Provincial Council in favor of abohtiou. This was accomplished in order to strengthen Sir George Grey's hands in Wellington He was now prepared to give a hearty support to the present Government— (cheers), —aud in all probability influences would be brought to bear in order to iuduce him or auother candidate for Waitemata to stand for another seat. (A voice : " Come to City West," and another, " Try City East.") Mr Shera thought sixteen to eighteen members would be returned from Auckland pledged to support Sir George Grey. He hoped when the uumbers were up, Eden, City West, and City East would return supporters of the Government. Mr Doonin also spoke in favour of a united Auckland party. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr McLeod moved, and Mr Diguan seconded, " That this meeting has the fullest confidence iv Sir George Grey," which was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr Jenkins a vote of thanks was passed to the chair, and tho meeting dispersed. The Central Committee afterwards met, and elected an influential Executive Committee of fifteen. _.