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THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

THE NOMINATIONS,

PAttNEIX.

Tin: nomination of candidates for the honour nf representing the electoral district of Parnoll in Parliament took place at noon today in the Parnell Hall. There weio between GO and 70 persons present.

MrW. F. Lodge (tho Returning Officer) opened the proceedings by stating briefly the object of the gathering", and by reading tho writ for tho election. *

Mr J). 11. McKknzik proposed M r Fioderick Joneph Mo«s as a candidate. Mr Mosh had been their member for tlio past six years, and lie considered that durinothai; time lie hud faithfully represented" them. [Voices: "Mono. "J He had nominated the gentleman on two previous occasion-:, mid ho had no hesitation in nominating him again, for he paw no change in him. (Dissent.) He had simply detached himself from his party when they entered upon a silly course of policy. (Dissent and applause) HUH that party lie himself supported yet and would like to see it in power again/but he felt that they had themselves "rendered that day far distant. Mr Moss would continue to support his own party (derisive remarks) when they did right. He regretted to pee in the tield two men of the same principles [Voices : "Three," and " Fitzgerald, "J and it was for them to say which of the two they would have. (A voice : A straight man or a rat.) Mr W. J. Suitkr seconded tho nomination. He asked the electors to look back to tho year 1878, and prior to that when very little money camo to the North, and when tho South dominated public affair*. They would rc,member that in 1ST!) tho electors united to return n compact purty of 17 members out of 1!) who, notwithstanding the desertion of four rats, wrested some measure of justice /or tho North. Ho was still a consistent supporter of that patty, and ho also was Mr Moss. [A Voice: Tell us how he was bought over.] Such an insinuation did not apply to Mr Moss, and it camo with very bad grace from a gentleman who was not an elector of the district. Personally, he had great regard for Mr George, but he should not have deserted his old electorate. Mr Moss had greater claims upon their confidence

Mr I'oluhu had genuine pleasure in nominating Mr Ssymour Thorne George (Applause and hissing). He was a firstclass gentleman, a maw of sterling principles, and one too who would never prove faithless to hia hustings pledges. Ho had been an ardent supporter of Mr Moss until he deserted his party. It was absurd for that gentleman to say that the party deserted him. Mr Moss's refusal to follow "a crowd" was a direct insult, not only to tho electors but also to Sir George Grey a id hia party, who were " the crowd " roicrred to. Jlo failed to discern any reasons for Mr Moss's change of party, and he begged to warn his fellow elector.-) against placing then confidence in socalled independent members. The term « us a misnomer—there was no such thing, l'arnoll had for years been faithful and consistent in its support to Sir George Grey, and ho felt suro that it was not going to prove recreant to him now. There was no mistaking the party by which Mr Mc-33 waa being .supported now. It was not the working classes, but their direct opponents. He hoped that the electors on tho polling day .would place Mr George in the same position towards Mr Moss as Mr Moss "limself at the previous general elections had ooiupie 1 through tlic agency of the peopUi towards Mr Monk. He belioved that on tho re - assembling of Parliament there would bo a coalition between Sir Georgo (!rey and Major Atkinson, and the man vho had proved his trustworthiness in tho pust was more entitled to thoir confidence linn the one who had doserted his party when ifc was endangered. (Applause and dissent.)

Mi\Xuus, FnnuvcK seconded the nomina lion.

Mr Gko, ■Washington VVahd proposed Mr Richard Fitzgerald as a candidate. Mr FRy.gorald had not yet. had the pleasure of iwl.lrossing a public meeting, but he would do so to-morrow evening, when ho hoped all tho oleetors would "roll up." (Loud laughter.)

Mr Kdwaud I'Vrhkk seconded tho norn? nation of " tho working man's candidate."

Mr Moss said that lie had come forward lirst in order to say things which he hod been forced to say through Mr George's opposition, and in order that Mr George might have an opportunity of replying to them. He had through life been a Liberal and the etrong supporter of the Liberal Party, when immeasurably tho weaker side. It was he who.had first urged Sir George Grey to take up the questions of triennial parliaments and manhood suffrage, and he had both written and spoken in their support. Was he, then, after twenty-five years' faithful service as a Liberal, to havo hurled at him the opprobrious epithet of "rat"? He was no "rat," and he defied Mr George to affirm or show that he had deserted his party. The party that supported Mr O'Callaghan'a motion in the recent Parliament was, as he had said before, a lcaderlees crowd who wished to censure the very course on the part of the Government that Sir Geo. Grey himself followed in 1878. Mr George knew the utter falsity of the chargo of rat* ting brought against him, and he had consequently deprecated the unfair reception he had met with in the Theatre Royal. He boldly altirmed that lie had continued to advocate the interests of the working classes. [Mr Pollari) challenged the statement, amid loud cries of " You wore elected an Oppositionist, and you are now a supporter of the Continuous Ministry."] Mr Moss went on to point out that the Opposition in. the lato Parliament included such men as Messrs O'Callaghan, Levostam, and Wakefield, who had ever been bitter opponents of the Greyite party. He hoped that the contest would be carried out in good spirit, but if he was to be assailed with false rumours, and met by under' handed work, he felt sure that these things, would not meet with the approbation of Mr George, Mr George claimed their suftrages—firstly, on the ground that he was young and ambitions, but he should carry his youth and ambition to Rodney. Mr George also affirmed that while they were both Liberals, he had stuck to his party, while Mr Moss had desertod. The speaker again proceeded to disclaim this imputed desertion, to point out that the quondam Grcyitesof the South were now repudiating Sir George- Groy altogether, and to duclaro that some of that party had, under cover of Sir George Grey's name, introduced most illiberal measures into Parliament, Mr Moss went on to refer to liia connection with the East Coast Land Company, and to deny that ho had derived any pecuniary henefit except mere remuneration for his services. Ho then passed to show that that Company, having secured tho assistance of Mr Thoe. Russoll, got a. bill introduced into Parliament to acquire largo monopolies It was supported by such Greyites as Messrs McDonald and UeLautour. He begged Sir George Groy to oppose it, but that gentleman, being embarrassed by the aption of soino of his party, did nothing. fl e then entreated Mr Bryco to take action, and Mr Bryep did so at once. On that occasion he voted against tho passage of that illiberal measure. Ho now relied confidently upon the Liberal electors to reward his consistency' with o strong support at tho ppll. He was opposed to all cliques and rings, and he opposed tho idoa that only those were working men who >yrought with their hands. I-to was himself a workinjr man also, who worked with his brains, and as a working man ho claimed their support Mr beocgo said that it had not been his intention to refer on that occasion to Mr Moss in any way, but he had made statements which called for answer. Ho was not going to apply any names to him. When men changed their party one set ca lad them "rats," and the opposite set called them "patriots." Therefore, as Mr Moss had changed his party, if he was not a rat he was a "patript." (Derisive applause.) As to tho East Coast Land Company, lie fully saw the danger of granting a monopoly to any corporation, and for that reason ho rejoiced that such a monopoly had not been obtained by the company in question. Still it had presented a capital solution of the problem of native lands settlement, and that .solution would yet have to be applied. Mr Mosa had claimed credit at their hands for being the initiator of such reforms as triennial parliaments, and manhood suffrage, but he flatly and positively denounced the claim as spurious. Furthermore, lie affirmed that'Mr Moss had at a critical period deserted the party which had all along been lighting the battle of the people and supporting the measures in which they were nil so deeply interested. He withdrew from his party when they were on the eve of their re-entry into power.. It was painful for him to make these personal reflections, and to find bitterness of feeliug imparted -into the 'contest} but Mr Moss had deliberately struck out' ti,:,, r]m ....,] | iMrii——■

bound to Oppose the hoilowncss of his p!O-------fessions. (Applause.) Ho wished to fight bis opponent in a fair and straightforward manner. (Applaisc.) Like Mr Moss, he would poon lie a resident of tho Parnell district, and he not only solicited their suffrages on tho grcund tint, he would carefully conserve and advance iocal interests, but for the further reason that he had steadfastly and cnisistontly supported that Liberal party which had their confidence, and which mis sworn to effect Ilia popular reforms which they so much desired. Ho considered it a violation of the secre?y of the ballot that electors should bo called upon to declare their sympathies at the nomination, and he would endeavour to have that altered, as well ns to carry tho long-desired right ot manhood su flVago. (Loud applause.) Mr Fitzgerald was then requested to address tho audience, but refused to budge from his seat. Ho wore tho Salvation Army shield upon his breast, and was got up with care, but declined all inducements to mount the platform. A show of hands was then taken,with the following result. : — For Mr F. J. Moss 11 For Mr S. T. George 2S For Mr K. Fitzgerald II A number of those who voted for Mr Moss also voted for Mr Fitzgerald. Mr Mos.s demanded a poll, which Hie Returning Officer then announced would bo taken on the 2:2 nd inst. On the motion of MrGEOKCK, seconded by .Mr Moss, a vote of thanks was passed to the Returning Officer. Tho assemblage dispersed after giving three cheers for Mr Georgo.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18840715.2.16

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4421, 15 July 1884, Page 2

Word Count
1,822

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4421, 15 July 1884, Page 2

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4421, 15 July 1884, Page 2