MR F. WIIITAKER AT THE WIIAU.
Mr Whitaker addressed a meeting of electors at the AVhiiu last evening, Mr Bollard in the chair.
Mr Whitaker, who was introduced by the Chairman, addressed the meeting at considerable length, principally ou the subject of Mr Tele's statements. Ho took these paragraph by paragraph, and said that so far as they referred to him, the matters that were alleged as facts were all stated under a. misapprehension, especially where Mr Tolo alleged that on two occasions lie (Mr Whitaker) went out of the House to avoidrecording his vote. One of these instances was when the Piako Swamp was xmder consideration. By the rules of the House he was precluded from voting ou that question, and even had he been permitted to vote he would not have done so, because being an interested party it would be a very improper thing to vote in support of his own interests. On the other occasion mentioned by Mr Tole lie (Mr Whitaker) was in Auckland, aud being 500 miles away from Wellington, it was impossible for him to have walked out of the House to avoid voting. The speaker next dealt with the question of education iv much the same terms as at the Newmarket meeting, contending that secular education was in danger. Passing ou to the land question, he asked the meaning of the word " ring." So far as he understood it, it meant a number of persons associated together for the purpose of purchasing land and making a prolit out of it. He knew there were these associations iv New Zealand, and could name members of the Government who had bceu connected with them, but he was not himself a member of any such company. Some years ago, in ISGS, when the Land Purchase sy4em was altered by the Government of Sir Gcogrc Grey by notice abolishing the Land Purchase Oilice, and throwing the system entirely open to private individuals, he (Mr Whitaker) became the purchaser of several pieces of land, but when the Government iv 1574 altered the system he gave up those pieces to them at the price he had paid, with 8 per cent added as interest. He was not at present a purchaser of native land, and held none except in connection which the purchases lie made in 1855, which was ;and held under Crown Grant, and iv order to settle that he had recently been dealing with natives. At the present moment he liclduo other land from the natives, nor was he in negotiation for any. The statement made by Mr Hill that he (Mr Whitaker) had purchased SO, 000 acres for 3s 6d was absolutely without foundation. Mr Whitaker next pointed out the unfairness with which Auckland had been treated in the matter of public works. The Auckland members would vote together onallquestionsaffccting Auckland's interests, but it would be impossible to select IS men who would hold precisely the same views on all questions. lie agreed with the policy of Sir George Grey as embodied in the speech, but disapproved of his administration. Mr Suitereproposed a vote of thanks, which was carried unanimously.
On the motion of Mr Whitaker a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman.
The meeting was well-attended by residents in the neighbourhood, and was very orderly throughout.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2923, 27 August 1879, Page 3
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554MR F. WIIITAKER AT THE WIIAU. Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2923, 27 August 1879, Page 3
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