Franklyn Election.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2922, 26 August 1879, Page 3

Franklyn Election.

MR HOBBS AT POKENO,

Me R. lIOISBS, late member for Franklyn, addressed a very large meeting of electors last night.

Mr Thomas Hicks was voted to the chair.

Mr Hobbs was well received on coining forward. He reminded them, in the first place, that before he went to the late sitsing of Parliament his desire had heen to full}' explain to them his political views and receive their vote of confidence or. expression of feeling, and, Avith Mr Hamlin, he had met the electors in various parts of the constituency ar.d expressed his sentiments. He would tell them that he appeared with wounded feelings. Be felt that he had been one of the most abused men in the country. His actions and motives had been entirely misrepresented. He did not complain of local skits, but of the inflammatory telegrams sentup here during the late [session, which were sent to excite public feeling against him, to irritate electors, to set the ball rolling, and to induce in the minds of his constituents an inflammatory feeling, that he had his mind set on self-aggrandisement. His hearers would admit that such was hardly a fair thing. He would next state his mind, and afterwards answer any questions. _ He had felt much dissatisfied'with many important matters. In the first place, he was not satisfied with the Electoral Bill, which took the House three months to wade through its clauses. It was thrown out because the Upper House would not agree to the dual vote. He (Mr Hobbs) told the Hon. Mr Sheehan that the Maoris never desired or dreamt of such a privilege, and declined to vote for it. Respecting the Triennial Parliaments Bill, he thought it would have become law bad the Government sincerely desired it and worked for it. The bill to reduce inMistcrial salaries could also have been earned if the Government had really intended and instructed their whip to rally their supporters. Only GG out of SS members were present when Government brought the bill before the House. In reference to the Native lands Bill he quoted from Mr Ballance, and alluded to the inconsistent conduct of the Government. He said that, in spite of their expressed principles, the public estate was not being utilised for the public good. Limited areas of land were not provided for the easy acquisition of small settlers. The latter had not been allowed the opportunity of acquiring these small areas of land and settling comfortably upon them, ((■beers.) The Bay of Islands roll was another objectionable piece of work. His own vote was the main thing. Ho bad telegraphed up that his vote was a protest against the Government, against their maladministration of Native matters. Ho attended the native nieetng at Kopua, but it was uot as a spy ; it was to see and hear things for himself, as there was such conflicting rumours. Reports bad been unreliable, so he went on his own horse, at hia own expense, and was not indebted to the Government for anything in connection with that visit. (Applause.) If be had to be hounded down for telling the truth, and if he had to leave the Franklyn seat because he told the truth, he could not help it. Bad motives were attributed to him. He was accused of having his eye on the office of Native Minister ; but when Mr Swanson showed him a telegram suggesting be (Mr Hobbs) should become Native Minister, he replied: "No, Mr Swanson, I am not such a mean hound as that. If I took that seat in the Ministry people would say I had acted a part simply that I might become Native Minister, which was not the case." (Applause.) However, it was made an election cry, and was kept up for his discredit, as it would bo to a working man's discredit) who tried to supplant his mate by unfair means. Mr nobbs read "Hansard" to show his remarks were not aimed at the Hon. Mr Sheehan while alluding to dishonoured cheques. The gentleman alluded to had his name mentioned in an eveningpnper published at Wellington on the same date in connection with a dishonoured cheque. " Hansard" clearly showed he had not done what he was accused of. (Cheers.) Mr Hamlin defended the principles upon which he had attacked the Hon. Mr Sheehan'3 character. The Native Minister should be a man whose moral, political and social character afforded a good example to the Maoris. He asked, would they not endorse his views that a Native Minister should uphold his office with dignity and self-respect. (Cheers.) The greatest calumny of all levelled against himself was that be was connected with tho land-sharks. He did not own a single acre except his little farm at Pokeno; nothing besides, but some allotments in townships, which he would sell at cost price to any of theni. (Cheers.) He would give £100 to any charity if they could prove be was connected with any land-rings or anything of tho kind. (Applause.) It was said his brother-in-law, *>r Wateihouso, was identified with land-rings. Such was unt.ite. After explaining matters, and the object of Mr Waterhouse's visit to Auckland, Mr Hobbs deprecated the publication of a ietter reflecting on that gentleman's late visit. An important subject he wished to speak of was the position he took with regard to the Opposition while the vote on the jio-cou-lidence motion was pending. He distinctly stated while at Wellington that he should not vote for the former Government, though he opposed the present. Mr Bryce, of Wanganui, and himself let the Opposition distinctly know that they were not going to give themselves body aud soul to tho Opposition. He (Mr Hobbs) thought it a foolish thin" to say that there were only two parties, or two men out of eighty-eight, who could lead and manage the aflairs of the Colony. Jf such were the case it was a sorry thing for .11. If he were to be a M fnister he would not like to be Native Minister. He would sooner be the Minister for Public Works. Then he should not forgot Franklyn. (Loud cheers.) He wanted the people to comprehend fairly tho unsatisfactory character of the native expenditure. •i here was no system of controlling or checkin" this expenditure. There was no auditing of the accounts. No one would admit but that the present state of things was a burning shame, and the sooner it was iiboUshed the better. Members on all sides cf the House admitted it to be an evil, yet he was blamed for voting against it. Visitors to Kopua admitted \t was truth be uttered. Men admitted on eye. y hand, and why was he blamed for voting as |i*J J)3d done? One person told hjm lit took him (Mr Hobbs) to be a wiser man. He bad acted unwisely from a political point of view in telling the truth. Be (Mr Hobbs) had not attacked the policy of the Government but their mal-administration. He approved of%dependence of action. Why should a man haw another s foot upon his neck He would b. willing to unite and work with any Auckland party who would meet and work together. (Cheers.) On selling lands on deferred payments he, thought old settlers should be offered equal1 privileges with the new comers. (AppUnse.) After giving his views on this topic, Mr Hobbs deprecated the cry raised of the poor man being persecuted and the attempt to setclassngainst class. Hepo.nted out the unequal expenditure oil public works an- the unfair distrbutton, of emigrants, with tf» attendant dnfai on public funds, U> employ 11 "imported emigrants on SoiltJi.ro-W»*ks. He shoVedbow under the heading of -spec.* "lidii to counties Southern bridges.and roads were supplied with money demed to this province. He approved of a limit to tadilig in native lands, G.o.enimeiit not being "the sole purchaser. fto ,fflP ted Mr Sheehan- speech of two ye.us S2O iv support of the battel tneoiy ami the ill-effect on the native mind of GoveitVntlandbuying, TbeLandCou^ had become a huge machine for the flow n meat obtaining lands. The Government by land-buying, could not 6™ W. Jg advice/He approved of V_ m£S&£t jobbing before the titles had been proved m Conrt,° and would make such a,» demeanour. Government land P™ses were.not a success, .and cbig with many malpractices He' ..ad 11cWen over 20 mile, of land at the Buy £w} from which the gum bad had been extracted, and which was covered with stunted form Mr Hobbs asked why such barren waste was purchased. He was told it was good to buy it, if only to extinguish the native title. The fact of the land purchaser receiving 4cl per acre for land purchased, was some explanation for such land being purchased. There was land-sharking connected With the present Ministry as well as past Goy.erjxmente. He did not allude either to ~i George Grey or Mr Shceban. He asked what had he been guilty of that his enemies were so triumphant and even Ins hest friends were doubtful. He asked did they not think he was the proper person to represent them, or would they put a new nun in his place ? If they did, they WW W ultimately come to him and say ' xou RW right, Mr Hobbs." He would not show the white feather, and hoped to go m at tne bead of the poll. He invited questions. Mr Hobbs then replied to a variety or questions. He stated he would loyally support Sir George Grey as leader, 11 » majority of Auckland members decided, to elect him as such. , Mr WHsod proposed ft vote of confidence and Mr Bernard seconded the same, which was carried against a vote of no con fidencc. Twenty-six voted for the confidence motion and twelve against it, and amid uproarious cheering the vote of confidence WAS declared earned. The aeeting then separated.