MR A. O'NEII. AND THE ELECTORS OF EDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4421, 15 July 1884, Page 4

MR A. O'NEII. AND THE ELECTORS OF EDEN.

Mr Allan O'Neill delivered a political address to the electors of Eden last evening in St. Sepulchre's School-room. The chair \v;is occupied by Mr Kelly, of Mount Eden, who said he had much pleasure in introducing Mr O'Neill, and aa ho was a young colonial, he hoped the meeting would give him a patient hearing, Mr O'Neill «aid he was happy to meet the electors once more, and he must consider himself as their guest, and hoped they would take care of him. Ho had not so largo an audience as ho could have wished, but under the circumstances, and in the face of numerous counter attractions, it was as largo as could bo expected. The speaker said they had three candidates in the field—even four, if Mr Mullally came forward. They were men of all sizes, from Mr Atkin down to himself. They also differed in their political views. Their late momber {Mr Tolo) was a Greylto. Mr Atkin followed no man ; consequently lie was an Independent. Ho (Mr O'Neill) was a Ministerialist; and the renowned Mullally, a capitalist. The speaker then gave a resumo of his political views to which ho had previously given expression, and recommended electors to consider well tho present political situation, before giving their vote. Those who voted with tho Opposition will have to justify that vote to their constituencies. The interests of tho North had been prejudiced by the recent vote of no confidence. If the Oppositionists had waited until the Minister for Public Works had brought down his statement, they would have beon in tho right, but by their action they transgressed the acknowledged boundary of Parliamentary tactics. Every true Auckland member should haveconsidored the fate of tho North Island trunk railway before voting on the motion of want of confidence. He considered it the duty of all tho electors of the North Island who hacl their own interests at heart to support the Atkinson Ministry, With respect to the Education Aot, which was a credit to tho colony, be would urge that ovory candidate should be pressed for his candid opinion thereon. The Licensing Act and local option should kave a fair trial —that was already in the hands of the people, If returned, ho would advocate retrenchment, and commence with himself : he would reduco the honorarium, to £100 por annum. There should bo some payment of members, otherwise the poor man would be excluded from, the House, (Cheers). Ho consiclored, however, that the Government should commence by reducing the big salaries, not the small ones. He did not favour tho idea of separation of the North and South Islands. If Major Atkinson and Sir Julius Vogel formed a coalition in the next Parliament, as was probable, no North Island member should support that coalition unless he had a guarantee that tho North Island trunk railway would bo proceeded with at oiioo. Ho was afraid a Ministry with Sir Julius Vogel at its head would go in for too much borrowing Touching free immigration, he would be in favour of stopping it for a time until there was a demand for it. He had friends at Home who wished to come out to this country if he would assist them, but ho preferred thoiv room to their company. He was favourable to free immigration on a limited scale. Only two questions were aoked at the close of the mooting. t One was, would Sir Julius Vogol construct a railway from Christohurch to Hokitika if in power. The reply was, he oould not tell. The other question by James Nehon was answered. There is no likelihood of a coalition between Sir George Greyand Major Atkinson(Laughter.) A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to Mr O'Neil for his address.