ELECTION ADDRESSES.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2928, 2 September 1879, Page 2

ELECTION ADDRESSES.

THE CITY EAST CONTEST,

Mr Speight's Address,

The Mechanics' Institute was crowded to excess last night on the occasion of Mr W. J. Speight's first address to the electors of f3ity East, while the platform was occupied by gentlemen of standing in the community. The entrance of the candidate and his friends was marked by a burst of applause as hearty as it was emphatic. On the motion of Mr J. T. Boylan Mr J. M. Shera was voted to tho chair. The Chairman said they were met there that night iv accordance with the published advertisement inviting tliem to come and hear Mr Speight's address to the electors as a candidate for their suffrages. The gentleman alight not be so well acquainted with some of them as to call foi' no explanation, and lo that section of the audience he might say that Mr Speight was a gentleman of considerable ability and of high standing, greatly esteemed by his many friends ; and very many gentlemen were of opinion that he would be a valuable addition to the Grey party in Parliament. He hoped that the City East contest would be conducted iwith good temper; that both candidates and their partisans would manifest good feeling aud gentlemanly deportment throughout it; that no irritating extraneous matter would be introduced as iv a suburban constituency, where unfortunately a certain old gentleman had lost his temper. (Laughter and cheers.) After a few other remarks the Chairman introduced the speaker of the evening to his audience Mr Speight, on rising, was greeted with loud and prolonged cheering. He commenced his speech with a reference to the arrangements that had been made by his party in fixing of the date of his meeting so as not to coullict with Mr Clark's address, and thus to prevent any of the electors from heaving both candidates. In making this explanation ho took the opportunity to make an acknowledgment of his thanks to Miss Fidler for the very gracious manner in which she had waived her right to the hall for that evening. He then proceeded with his speech iv the following terms :— Before entering into an exposition of the views which I hold with regard to the public matters now agitating the public mind it is but right that, as a comparative stranger, I should state why I have come before you to contest the seat with so respected a citizenasMr J.McCosh Clark,who should have your genuine interests deeply at heart. I am aware that since the announcement of my candidature dropped like a bombshell into tho Clark camp the greatest consternation has prevailedamongst tho gentleman's supporters, and that the greatest possible hubbub has been raised by themaboutthematter.ln thobeginningl wish to state that every seat in the Colony is practically and essentially the gift of a constituency, and that no man has a prior claim to it, but that |the men who come forward to seek the electors' suflragcs must show ground other than a generally good character and the possession of their fellow-citizens' esteem—that there arc some matters impelling them to come forward and motives to recommend them in the eyes of the conntituency. Therefore, sir, on that ground alone I claim a perfect right as a freehold voter within tho bounds of this province to seek election at the hands of the electors of this district. But there is something behind all this. The friends of Mr J.M.Clark concluded that because there was a difficulty in obtaining a local man willing to pit himself against this gentleman that therofore no one would attempt to contest ihrs seat; but while they were laying this flattering unction to their souls I came to the foro, and they were grievously disappointed. Consequently I can well understand the feeling that prevails in the canin of the Clark party. Let no elector be leu astray by the cry of " stranger " raised by the supporters of this public citizen. Theso are perilous times, and much will depend upon the gentleman whom you select as your representative. If lie professos an adherence to liberal measures aud the liberal party, and yet is not prepared, as 1 am, to give a loyal, a hearty, and an effective support to their natural loader (Sir George Grey), then he is not the man to triumph here. (Cheers.) But, sir, there is something further. It is said that I am a Thames man, and that 1 should stop at the Thames. In the interests of the party it was found desirable to put iv Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan for tho Thames, and I am not such a traitor[|to '"V party as to do anything that would interfere with that desire. It was thought proper that that constituency should be represented by two gentlemen of known opinions aud iDtluence,and henco I came to Auckland. In obedience once more to my party I avoided a struggle for City West, and now that I am here I am not to be choked off from | standing by interested cries of tho unfairness of disputing the right to represent you of such a highly respected and esteemed citizen as Mr Jas. McCosh Clark. (Cheers.) 1 do not think that such a cry as that will have much effect upon tho electors when the momentous issues of tho strugglo before us are considered. Notwithstanding this, many of you will be disposed to enquire why I am here, aud not another and better known selected to oppose Mr Clark. Well, a large section of the gentlemen whom I see present will bear me out in saying that I was to have been a candidate for City West, whero it was generally understood that I would havo been returned (cheers), and that I gave up my intentions with respect to that constituency in defcrenccjto the wishes of the committee which you appointed by public meeting to nominate suitable Greyito candidates, aud concurred in their desire that I should como here. You may ask me why was I certain that I should have won the City West election. In reply, I would say that it is because I know that a feeling has extended throughout this province that a decisive stamp of approval should bo givon tho declared policy of Sir George Grey—a stamp which will say that Sir George and none other shall be the leader of the Liberals, and that the party with which ho will return to Parliament shall be a clear majority. (Cheers). Under circumstances such as theso,'are men to keep back in a state of diffidence and decline to contest an election with such a respected citizen as Mr Clark, even though his opinions are known not to be in accord with those ot the great bulk of the electors whom he seeks Ho represent ? Aro you to refuse to obey the dictates of the party through your o»vii elected exponents of its views—the Central Committee—whoso wishes I am carrying out at tho oxpeuse of my own ? (Cheers). They have thought it desirable that I should take the course I have takon, and this is the reason, gentlemen, that I am beforo you to-night. Having once fallen into the agreement I will take my coat off and work vigorously towards the achievement of a successful result, trusting that you will give your cordial support to that caudidate who most clearly and satisfactorily enunciates your own opinions, irrespective of tho circumstance whether he is a stranger to you or a wellknown public than. (Cheers.) Therefore I approach you fearlessly and claim your suffrages and interests, feeling that iv such a cause as ours they will be accorded unhesitatingly. It seems to me that the present contest is not one between myself aud Mr J. M. Clark, but one of a different nature altogether—a contest which has much greater issues than the mero defeat of one candidate—a contest which will determine whether the vote aud iniluencc of City East will be represented on the side of Sir George (trey—(cheers)—or misrepresented by beir _ used agaiust him. That is exactly the qtt stion. This constituency has hitherto heeiiAjledged to Sir George Grey, and therefore, in this contest wo are not striving to capture an Opposition citadel, but they .are striving to gain possession of a citadel that belongs to us. I do not come to disturb a seat held by Mr Clark, but to prevent him disturbing a seat which has heretofore becu filled by staunch supporters of the Liberal party. (Cheers.) If it had not been for a fatal error which even lawyers commit at times—a fault of omission—my sincere and respected friend Mr Rees would have been the candidate to-night. (Cheers.) He is a man who has done a giant s share of the work iv the House-work which no other man would do. (A voice: Which they could not do.) Kxactly so,my friend. First, because they had not the ability, and next, because they had not the large-lieartedness to determine their actions by a consideration whether they would affect the country as a whole for weal or for woe. It was not iv them. But my friends think that, to some extent, 1 can supply the place of Mr Rees; and I can tell you this : that if honesty of purpose, a determination to stand by principles, and devotion to tho Liberal party will please you, then I have no fear for the result; while, if want of selfinterest is any proof of real use or service to the party, thon my uso and service will be tremendous indeed. (Cheers.) I apprehend that in this contest there is somethiug else to be looked to than the mere standing of the candidates iv the community. I believe it is not a question of men altogether, but a question of certain measures being carried out by the men who enunciate them. It is a question whether the principles beforo the country, aud so generally adopted, aro to be entrusted to the opposition gentlemen who are now prepared *° swallow them holus-bolus, but who afterwards Kill find it more convenient to s^g"?o theni,] or to the party whose leajder first

introduced tliem.to the,people; .iintt .fought for them unflinchingly, till they. became popular.' The one .was the party that had retarded the progress of the country, and bad endeavoured to rob.tji'e people of their birthright, while the other wqs, the party that had borne the odium cast upon tho champioßs of the poople, and who. had proved their fidelity to the cause. Was Sir George Grey to be cast aside now like a worn out glove when the measures for which he had so long and ardently contended were meeting with general acceptance, and was the duty of putting them into execution now to be given to tho men who have hi'.herto been so bitterly opposed to them— the men who havo governed the country to their own advantage? By no means. (Cheers.) I ask you to read up the history of New Zealand for the past twenty years and find out for yourselves in \vbat those leading Oppositionists have been conspicuous; You -Mil find in their ranks a concentration of ail that is base and sordid in politicians—men who have put aside every consideration except that of self, and who caro nothing but the conservation of their own interests. Are these, then, the men to be entrusted with the Liberal measures which we wish to see carried ? No ; a thousand times no 1 (Cheers.) We will select and light for men who have voted for these principles in the past, and whom we rely upon to stand by them in any emergency that may occur in the future. (Cheers.) This, however, will not be done by sending men to Parliament who ha\e convenient consciences of their own, and whose desire is to be elected as independent men simply upon their merits. These aro splendid ideas for men to entertain, but there is a more splendid one still—one which says we have already trusted men who explained these opinions, and we have been sold most miserably ; we have sent to Wellington what we declared a united phalanx of representatives, and yet a dozen of them found it polite to walk into the lobby against the very Ministry which they had been returned to protect and defend. Was the question upon which their action was based one of policy ? No ; but one of maladministration, aud yet not a man of them could place their linger upon a single blot.l could myself enumerate many defects in their administration, but are things so slight as these to bo taken into consideration when it is a question of policy that has to be considered. I would like to know of any Ministry that has left no room for complaint, that has managed to pass the ordeal of criticism scatheless. No, the gentlemen who wish you to believe these tilings are those whose cherished desire it is to get into power, in order that their schemes of land-jobbing, for which they have been working for years, may be carried out to a successful issue. That is the reason of the cry raised against Sir Geo. Grey, That is why all his efforts in the direction of reform have been industriously hedged round with difficulties. Ho has now appealed to the mass of the people to help him to power in order to defeat a party whose object is to maintain the existing state of things, aud who have no 5 wish for reform. But if those men who were so loud at making charges against the Government can put their lingers on the things which they condemn as corrupting the administration, why did they not do so. I was in the House at the time the discussion on the want of confidence motion was taking place, and I heard charges of maladministration made against the Ministry,""but they all resolved themselves into this :— I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, Tho reason wliy I cauuot tell.

I can, however, quite understand their motives, and the cause of the cry which they so loudly raised. In times past Governments have gone in to effect great reforms, but being composed iv some part of comparatively poor men, I cau quite understand how they have been inlluonced from various sides until they could hardly call their souls their own, hut in the case of Sir George Grey it is entirely different. They could not buy him over, for whenever he put his foot down he was determined to keep it there. (Cheers,) And because they found that they could not get Sir George Grey to fall iv with their views aud to support their interests, because he has treated their opposition and their overtures with disdain and disgust, they have reason to hate him. I will not detain the meeting further upon this subject, and yet, before passing on further, I 'may say that I do not think I am called upon on this occasion to enter largely upon the subjects before the country. This is my first meeting, and as I have decided to address the electors on two or three occasions I will then have opportunities of going more deeply into such matters. I wish iv this contest to deprecate the introduction of personalities, to guard agaiust Hying to the extreme which has been reached in another electorate. I wish when the contest is over that I may bo able to say to Mr Clark, " I have faught this light as a gentleman, and you have been beaten, (cheers) but there is not a word that has passed my lip?, and not a word that has passed your lips derogatory to either of us as gentlemen. That is the object I have in view, and I hope when your feelings are excited you will bear in mind that this contest is not one between Mr Clark and Mr Speight, but between support, pure and undivided, of Sir George Grey, his party and policy, aud the support which will give another vote to the Opposition. Under these circumstances I claim that I have a right to be elected for this constituency to support the Government, The matter is one of public importance. I tlo not and I will not preteud that in every little iota of Sir George Grey's enunciations of opinious I entirely and fully agree with him. That i« impossible ; for there cau hardly be two men ia the world who upou all questions would think precisely alike, hut at future meetings,' however. I will not hesitate to tell you the points that I am not quite clear upon ; but this I can tell you,that if I enter the House it will be as Sir George Gicy's supporter in the leading measures before the country. I cannot be expected to have made up my mind upon every political question. My political career is just commencing, and I think it wise before laying the foundation from which hereafter I will not move, to be certain that the opinions I espouse are entitled to support. But where the interests of the united Grey party are concerned, where they may be hazarded or imperilled, then I would sink my owii private opinions and give my vote in tho way that 1 think my constituents desire mc to do. I will not, you may bo sure, be like some men that talk and talk, and yet say nothing. (Laughter). Gentlemen, you may laugh, but this feat is accomplished every day of talking round and saying nothing about the question. It will be my endeavour to sit at the feet of the leaders of the party, to learn from them my knowledge of statesmanship, and to give them an effective support upon leading questions. These questions arc embodied, I believe, iv the|Govornor's speech, mid, that speech also gives a fair resume of the propostils of the Ministry with regard to the future. Mr Speight then went on to say that one, and perhaps the most important of these proposals was the mode of dealing with tho lands of tho colony. Some people appeared to think that the land question was not so important as other persons would make it out to be, but bo took it. to be one of the most vital questions upon which public attention could be centred. Ho could only say that if a man did not look upon the la itd question as highly important in the settlement of tho colony he was utterly incapable of knowing what was important and desirable in a new country. His ideas with regard to land were simple. He thought it ought to be made as far as possible to yield a revenue to tho country, and yet when he said so hedid not mean a direct 'revenue. The revenue to which he alluded was that which would accrue from the proper disposal and settlement of the land. These things being negotiated, others would be of but little use". He did not think with those who held that the Government should surrender into the hands of auyoue its right to buy direct front the native owners. He thought that the province of the Government was to step in between seller and purchaser, and to act in a fatherly manner towards both by setting a fair bargain for tho native seller where he Avas really the owner, and by securing for the people land on advantageous terms. A great many of tho transactions that had taken place in the past were creditable neither to the persons who negotiated them nor to the Government which permitted such negotiations to bo carried out. A great proportion of them were of a fishy character—very fishy. (Laughter). Some of the land had been' positively refused to people who were willing and anxious to settle upon it, and given instead to men whom it was known would hold it until they could sell at a largo prolit. A state of affairs like' this called for decisive and immediate attention, for any Government in power which permitted theso things could not be said to be doing its duty. The interests of citizens were bound up with the interests of the country, aud whatever injuriously affected the one affected the other also. If the progress of the country were kept back by obstacles being placed in the way of settlement^ then they might rest assured that the towns would speedily become centres of pauperism. (Cheers). He would tell why abuses of this kind he had referred to had been permitted in the past. It was for the same reasons that certain railways had been made in

various p'orti'ohs ofthe colony, viz., what tlmW wf.o- were fahok d'lredt'o'sav in the House, 6f AsseirJMy— ttn^M.noneyl.rfto'^sgm bribing tile provinces. That statement showed the iftter depth' of, which the country had sink. M™* » this way that they had m«d to cxi so long; Cli'eers) If any of the young men who wore present would but look oVev the blue books a th'e'colony for some yam £* theyfindwouldnio'rd'uterestmgreadingthan was to be found in tho * T' b,S volumes so much in favour-fitter which would stir the blood in their veins .more effectually than all the ngh-falutn of Yankee authors-records which would be potent in bringing to their cheeks the blush ofshameandwouldnervctheirarmsandrouse their spirits to brook such things no longer. (Cheork) After warning bis hearers once more' to b'eAfaid of gentlemen who asserted a right to certain t.tHS, and who would gi'vc Ptlie jfco'plc tio pledge to support tho Gfcy party, the speaker went on to refer to what he tented " the nerve" of a matt from whose years they might have expected something better. It was a pica tv/orma pauperis to put him iv, though an Oppositionist, as theelectionsweregoingn'ganwt the Grey party, and that some one _ s.irttlci be on the other side to look after the interests of Auckland. It was.i splendid argumentyes, for fools. (Laughter and cheers.) ir thoy continued firm aart inflexible in their resolve to retain a compact, phalanx, who would demand and obtain justice lor Auckland while loyally supportin? Mr fceo. Grey, arguments of the kind he had cite?, would require but little notice at their hands. But if :they were to be made the cat's-paw of those interested politiciansmen who were linked together by tradition, then they might cry for help from the Opposition canip ill vain. (Cheers), Reverting to the land question, ho said that on the acquisition of blocks they should bo cut tip and offered for sale in such a way as to facilitate the progress of settlement. 1 hen there jwould arise a revenue from d contented, because a prosperous, people who would pay without murmuring the taxes put upon them, sn long as they were faithfully collected and wisely expended again —such a revenue as would relieve the doubts of our Colonial Treasurer. Mr Speight urged the protection of the bona fide settler from the capitalist, who wished merely to speculate, andin this connection he ridiculed the term capitalist by pointing out th ti. the majo'ityof e>s s itwa-< bestowed upon men who had derived their wealth from fortunate speculations in land which had been improved by the construction ot public works. Those were the men who scouted tho very name "working classes^ and who combined to take from them their represents ion. But whether they believed in the working classes or not they were not going to dam up the ocean of popular opinion, lor any attempt in that direction might fittingly be compared to an effort to stop the mighty dash of the ocean with a threepronged pitchfork. The land should be disposed of on the deferred payment, so that the little capital which tde settler brought with him might be at once expended upon the improvement of his property and the raising of reproductive crops, instead of going direct to the Government coffers, and leaving him unable to prosecute his efforts so successfully. Men like these, with a stout and stalwart family of sons, though not much ready money, were the bone and sinew of a young country, and, if given fair facilities for settlement, it was men like these who would raise New Zealand to the position for which she was destined—the premier colony of the Australasian group. (Cheers.) He firmly believed also that the Native mind would never be relieved from its chronic discontent until they received for their lauds the highest price that could honestly and consistently be given. If we had been honest in our dealings with them from tho beginning we might now have them open and straightforward, but we had pursued a different course, and like begets like. He held that it was the duty of the Government to lay down lines of roads through every district, and where necessary to provide for an efficient drainage system ; and if it was found desirable to reserve the land people might be permitted to occtipv it for a time on a residential qualification. All these things had been lucidly explained by Mr Sheehan, aud he understood that the bill which that gentleman proposed to introduce embraced them all. The gentleman then went on to deal with the question of manhood suffrage, and in doing so laid down the principle that every taxpayer was entitled to representation in the government of the country. He also avowed his sympathy with the proposal to fix the representation upon the basis of population, for he accepted the one measure as the necessary sequence to the other. If manhood suffrage were granted, then representation upon the basis of population could not be denied. Then with regard to the Triennial Parliaments Bill, he could not imagine how any opposition to it could be justified, seeing that it placed the Government of the country more immediately in the hands of the people, and allowed them the opportunity of haviug their opinions stated with no uncertain souud. It would be a good guarantee against treachery on the part of the representatives, and would stimulate a healthy public feeling. After referring to the shameless query of a gentleman who asked him if he would be open to a bribe when he got down to Wellington, and denouncing the contemptible sprit which dictated it, the speaker proceeded to state his devotion to the present system of secular education. He had heard a man say that day that education lay at tho root of the prosperity of the country, and he had heard the subject expatiated upon by another man who claimed a right to speak upon it because, he had been reading up extensively in political economy, aud had studied many writers—amongst others Mr Darwin. But in his opinion no man was better qualified to perceive the immense benefit* accruing from a national system of education than the man who had had to strucgle through life without its assistance. (Clieers.) They needed not learned men to descant upon the subject or to write erudite theses upon it, for its value and importance were plainly apparent. There was no fear of it being lost to them, and those who told them so were but draggiug a red herring across the sccut for their own interested purposes. He would say that it would he a woeful day for the country which should see the inauguration of anything tending to prevent the continuance of a system secular in its teaching, compulsory in its operation, and free iv its character, as the existing one was. (Cheers.) But he knew that it was not endangered, aud that the people would not tolerate any violence being offered it, and the gentlemen who raised the cry knew so too. It was a question upon which the Grey party were thoroughly souud, and one in regard to which the desires of the people would be kept prominently iv view. He strongly deprecated tho introduction of personalities aud sectariau differences into these election contests; for, iv politics as in everything else, he thought the adage applicable, "a gentleman first, and everything else afterwards." The caudidate who acted in violation of these principles should bo sent to the right-about as speedily as the ballot boxes would permit. (Cheers.) The subject was being made a "stalking horse" ot iv a neighbouring constituency, despite the unconditional pledge of one of the candidates to do nothing to oppose tho unmistakable wishes of the; electors. As one who had worked hard in support of the present education when it was neither fashionable nor popular to do so, he bade them beware of the purpose which underlaid this extreme fear for the safety of secular education. The plan was au interested one—the cry arranged beforehand. (Cheers.) He was told that all tho Grey Government required were a number of tools. Well, what was so necessary for the work in hand ? If they watned to carve anything they would seek to employ a skilful tool, and his only regret was that the tool at the disposal of the party that had nominated him was such a rough one. (Cheers.) But whether rough or fine it might perform the work demanded of it. When this contest was over and he was returned as member for City East (laughter and cheers) he would be prepared to tell the very respectable aud esteemed citizen whom he had defeated that he was a beateu man because he relied too much upon his right to the seat aud paid too little heed to the opinions aud wishes of the people. (Cheers.) The speaker then went on to argue the question of free trade versus protection, setting forth as he did so the wisdom of protecting struggling local industries until they were strong and vigorous enough to compete with the foreign manufactures. The gentleman discussed the questions with much ability, and then, passing thence, he made allusion to the unjust proportion of the public expenditure obtained by the North in the past. He would advocate strongly the giving of three millions out of the expected five millions to the North as a compensation for past injustice, aud if justice were not accorded them iv some way then he could see.no other course open to them but Separation." (Cheers.) In conclusion, Mr Speight pointed to his support of Sir George Grey through bitter opposition in the past as a guarantee for his fidelity iv the future. He urged the electors to stand fast together, to recollect the vastness of the interests at stake, and if they trusted him he would not deceive them,

The gentleman resumed Ms seat amidst loud aud enthusiastic cheers.

The Chairman then read a telecram from Sir George Grey requesting that the people of Auckland might be informed that he j would arrive in Onehunga from the South lat or before ten o'clock on Wednesday 'morning. (Loud cheers.) The Chairman further announced that arrangements had ; been made for Sir George Grey to addressjthe people of Auckland on Wednesday ' eyening in the Theatre Royal. The dresscircle V^ould be reserved for the accommodation of Jadies aud ladies with gentlemen attendants. 2f o1 ticket would be issued to any person. | It was then annoilnefed that the candidate would be glad to answer any questions that might be put to him. The first question was, "Whether or not the candidato vFould agree to the acquisition of lands by men for speculative purposes 1" Mr Speight thoughthe had forestalled the question in his address. He would, however say that he would ratfow see the lands lying in the hands of the Government than that they should become the froperty of lof large holders. ! Question No. 2. "Are you in favour of I having the Hot Lake District medea j public reserve f ' Mr Speight said there was more sense iff I the question than some appeared to imagine. He' btelieved there was au attempt being made to acquire the Lakes as a private speculation, find turn it into a money, makin" concern. The property should be secured by the Government as part of the National estate, and they should offer every ' inducement to bring people to the district to try She cmative properties of the water. He would sndeavour, by every means that lay within fete power, to prevent the acquisition of the Lake District by private speculators. . Question No. 3. "Are yon in favour oJE vigorous measures againot turbulent naMr Speight considered that our condnct towards tlfo Maori should be the same as i that in reference to the white man. If they I broke the tuffs of the country, they should be made to suffer for their conduct. Every means' should be' taken to arrest those who broke the law. He was glad to see the action which »ad been taken by the Thames people and the Native Minister at the present Native crisis on the Thames. (Cheers.)' Question No. 4. "Are you in favour of: the" Government banking account beingopen to contract by the various- monetary institutions 1" . Mr Speight was in favour of the course adopted several years ago, and would sup. port full putilfcity in the matter, and eveiy opportunity being given to the banks to tender for the account. The next question, which was not submitted in writing, but was asked from the back of the hall, was understood to be;. " Are you in favour of making the land tha, common inheritance of the people 2" , ' Mr Speight: Most decidedly. .AM I have said to-night tends in that direction. Some misunderstanding appeared to exist in reference to the question, .the enquirer not being able to make himself clearly Mr G.Staines attempted to explain, but' he was hissed off the platform. j Mr Speight enquired if the gentleman meant the Egyptian system, under which the whole of the land: was held by: the State 1 i

The same elector then enquired, "Whether, if elected, Mr Speight wouk'l accept ollico ?'' The candidate replied that he would not do so. , - ; The next questionTwas : "Are you in favour of the imposition of a duty on timber while large companies, such as Guthrie and Larnach's, the Auckland Timber Company, and others are paying heavy dividends yearly V Mr Speight said it must be understood that the Guthrie and Larnach Company were more than timber merchants. They were large employers of skilled labour. He •considered that at the present state of trade a small duty on timber would be beneficial. The next question was : Are you in favour to grants of land being given by the Government to the sons of old colonists! The candidate said he would support grants o£ laud beincf issued to sous of colonists who would settle on it and cultivate it, and also grants to daughters of old colonists who would marry tho sons and assist in the cultivation, (Laughter and applause.) Question : Would you endeavour f get a clause inserted in all public contn>c's compelling contractors to pay their won.<« men fortnightly, or rendering themselves liable to fine ? Mr Speight said it was a downright shame that many contractors pocketed the money paid them by the Government for' the carrying out ot works, and the workniea had to go without their hard-earned wages. The Government should make it their, business, even at the risk of an action beiug brought against them by the contractors, to see that the workmen were paid in all cases. He cordially approved of the idea embodied in the question. _ Mr T. E. Hill then came forward amidst loud applause. He felt almost reluctant to move a vote of confidence in Mr Speight against such an old colonist as Mr J. McCosh Clark ; but he had enlisted himself under the banner of Sir George Grey, and he felt therefore that it was their duty to assist him in carrying his great measures into effect. Mr Speight was the right man iv the riwhtplace.it he'would only carry out his views as he had expressed them. He concluded by moving a vote of confidence in Mr Speight as a fit and proper person to represent the electorate of City East in the House of Representatives. (Deafening applause.) Mr D. H. McKcnzie rose to second the vote of confidence. It was urged that the Central Committee hadacteduuwisely innot selecting a local man to oppose Mr Clark.but as they had not been able to secure a local man it could hardly be said that they had done badly in bringing forward Mr Speight. He called upon the electors to sink all minor differences and private friendships in the endeavour to assist Sir George Grey. He had much pleasure in seconding the vote of confidence. Mr J. T. Boylan then addressed tho meeting. He said it was understood several nights ago that they should sink alt friendships aud differences of feeling and return only representatives who would support Sir George Grey. The measures to be brought forward would, if passed, have the effect of placing 40,000 new electors oa the roll, and it was ouly reasonable to expect that, after the reforms had passed the House, a dissolution would be granted. This was more especially the case as there was now a Constitutional Governor over the Colony, aud not one like the last. (Laughter and applause.) It was his opinion that all subsequent legislation would be based upon the result of the present elections. He referred to the fast that the arguments against Mr Speight were that be had no estate in the district. The objections against Mr Rees were of a similar nature, but that gentleman proved to be au excellent representative. The speaker then referred to the probable result if they returned a candidate opposed to feir George Grey. They would carry coufusiou into the ranks of the Government party, and would virtually disfranchise Newton, which had that day returned a Government candidate. (Cheers.) He would ask them what had Newton done that it should be disfranchised by City East? (Laughter) Anyone taking a reasonable view of the matter would see how utterly wrong it was to suppose that an opponent to Sir George Grey could .get in for City East. He mentioned as a reason why they should be loyal to Sir George Grey the treatment he bad received at Chnstchurch, where he had despised the disorderly mob. (Cheers.) i There was no amendment, and the motion was therefore put to the meeting. A perfect forest of hands was held up in its favour and not one against it. It was therefore declared carried, amid deafening cliccrSt A vote of thanks to tho chairman, on the motion of Mr Speight, was carried with acclamation, j . . The meeting terminated with enthusiastic and rinaing cheers for Sir George Grey and Mr Speight.