CADMAN V- REES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 175, 26 July 1893, Page 2

CADMAN V- REES.

PROGRESS OP THE CAMPAIGN.

MR REES AT PONSONBY.

A DIVIDED MEETING,

The unusual interest which ia being manifested in the return of a member for the city electorate waa again en evidence last evening, when Mr W. L. R eQ3 delivered his second address in the Ponsonby Hall. Xl llaß *<> > content with standing room Although eminently satisfactory fis regards its dimensions, the audience waa not at all unanimous in its sentiments, and that all did nob agree in toto with the •utterances of the speaker was frequently demonstrated by deprecatory interjections and ones of dissent. On several occasions, the feeling in the body of tho hall ran bigh, small parties holding opposite views arguing the question and thrashing the subject threadbare to their own satisfaction^ while the candidate was patiently waiting on the platform for an opportunity to proceed.

Mr Joseph Scott was chosen chairman, and he was supported on the stage by a portion of Mr Reos' committee. In opening the meeting the chairman expressod the hope that the meeting would give Mr Rees a fair and impartial hearing. MR REES' SPEECH. Mr Rees, who was received with loud applause, waß proceeding- to say that it afforded him pleasure to meeb the electors in different parts of tho great constituency, when several persons at the back said they khew all about that, and by reiterating tho assurance somewhat upsot tho equanimity of the meeting. Mr Roe 3 said that the electors had come there to hear and not to disturb. There was a time for all things. He liked fun as well aa anybody, but the business bhatnightwasserious, Hosaid that all those who had not come to listen had better go outside. (Applause.) Mr Keea then said that he would apeak on the Eaßt Coasb land question on Friday nighb in St. James's Hall. He asked all those who had anything to say againsb ib to wait till thon, when he would give an explanation. HESITATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS. He would like first to adverb to Mr Cadman's speech ab bhe City Hall on the nighb previous. Mr Cadman had said that he (Mr Cadman) had done nothing to be ashamed of. (A voice: "No moro ho bas.") Nobody had stated why Mr Cadman resigned his position in tho Ministry and challenged him (Mr Roes) to come to Auckland. A person who had done nothing wrong waa not called upon to resign his position as a Minister. Who asked him to resign? (A voice: "Hia conscience.") There waa a force and power in tho human mind which could not be resisted. (Applause. ) Mr Bell here took exception to the way in which tho remarks wore being framed. He considered ib was an unfair way, and he remonstrated with the speaker at somo length, and with warmth. Mr Reo3 having said there was no other way, Btated that he had not asked Mr Cad man to come and contest the seat. (A voice: "Then why did you come?") Mr Cadman had aaid that he (Mr Rees) had unfairly commented about a certain deed in reference to the native lands in which Mr Cadman was interested. He (Mr Rees) assured his audience that in bis opening remarks to the jury ab Napior be gave the absolute facta of the deed exactly as Mr Cadman had stated them. Ib had also been atated by Mr Cadman thab there had been no secrecy in his (Mr Cadman's) 'or Mr Smith's dealing in the Umutaoroa block. They divulged everything in tho witneas box, bub nob before. (Applause.) Mr Cadman then admitted on oath thab he (Mr Cadman) was interested in the acquisition, of native lands. (A voice : " Give ua something new ; what did you do ?" and laughter,) The matter had been concealed. Tho Chief-Judge had remarked anont the singular arrangement, which, he aaid, was calculated to draw suspicion on the person who entered into it. Mr Rees aaid ho waa ABSOLUTELY SURI'RISED at Mr Cadman's statements in view of the knowledge of the facta which he (Mr Cadman) posaeased. Mr Roea repeated that there waa a restriction upon the alienation of the block, aud thab tho land could not be secured without tho consonb of tho Government. (A voice : " Tho Governmenb cay that is nob so.") Hia anawer to that statement) was thab the Governmenb said what was not truo. Mr Cadman had further eaid thab ho (Mr Cadman) had had nothing to do with the purchaae of native lands since ho had been a Minister, bub Mr Roos challenged this, and said he (Mr Cadman) had acquired several thousand acres in tho Umutaoroa block. __ , . At this juncture Mr Reea had again to satisfy the scruples of Mr J. Bell, who frequently urged that the speaker was distorting facta. The audience seemed to be divided on the subject, as several ot Mr Rees' supporters counselled the ejection of Mr Bell. MR BALMNCE'S ATTITUDE. On resuming, Mr Rees referred to Mr Cadman's statomenb in which the latter assorted that the late Mr Ballance had asked Mr W. C Smith to go to Napier and oppose Mr Rees' meeting there re native land reform. In refutation of thia statenien?,\Mr Reea read a letter he had received from Mr Ballance on the day of thab meeting, in which the late Premier oxpressed himaelf very largely in approval of Mr Rees' native land proposals, bub took exception to committees issuing titles. | lb had also been said thab he (Mr Rees) had baraased Mr Ballance, whereas the latter to a large extent agreed to his proposals. There waa the testimony (waving the letter); the dead man spoke. (A voice: •'Whab rubbish." Cries of " pass him oub, and laughter.) CAUGHT A TARTAR. Mr Reea then dwelt on the cauae of his retirement. He eaid a trap had been very cunningly laid, but perhaps thoae who had net ib might catch a Tartar. (Applauso and laughter.) He asked should a MinißJfcr of the Crown bo permitted to benefit himself and friends by using hia position to effect such an end, and neglect hia public duties. (A voice: "Wrong issue.") He v/ould ■jeopardise his position again to expose such practices. ; ... Tho speaker was again interrupted by an altercation ab the rear of tho building, where several persons, whose views evidently differed, were discussing the pros and cons of the subject, apparently quite oblivious of the presence of Mr Rees on the platform. Ono participant, who had apparently expended all hia argumentative stock, could only advise his immediate opponent, with somewhat unnecessary emphasis to " get your hair cut," although the more pronounced cry waa " Pass him out." The chairman intimated thab an opportunity would be given to those desirous of talking afber the speaker had finished, and the uproar eventually subsided into subdued murmurs. In reeuming, Mr Reoa said it was a bad precedenb to establish to allow a Native Minister to acquire native lands. (A voice : "You put ib wrong.") Where was the practice to stop? All the other Ministers mighb use their positions.

[& voice : *' xou aia tho samo. ) In reply to thab interpolation, Mr Rees said that a good Saxon word of four lettern could be applied to .he person from whom the statement emanated. (Loud applause.) In reference to the natter of » Parliamentary

inquiry, Mr Rees said he had desißted from pursuing such a courae becauae ib mighb have appeared vindicitive on hia parb_ (A voice: " A poor anawer.") ANOTHER ADJOURNMENT. Theatanding ordera were again suspended for a libble while. Mr Bell, who had been taking a kindly interest in the speech, got sotnpwhab angered ab the attentions paid tohim by his seat mates, who disagreeing with the attitude ho was assuming, attempted to edge him on to the floor. Mr Bell wanted bo know what the others meant by such conduct, and he offered to throw one of them out—the one, of course, who had not been the cause of the trouble. Aa an amicable settlement appeared unlikely in thia quarter, Mr Bell was accommodated with another seat immediately in front of the platform. This excitement had hardly quietened down when the disputes of the combatants in the rear again attracted attontion. Cries of " Put him out" failed to eject the intruder, when unsupported by something more potential, and although the chairman again assured the audience, that an opportunity would be given for the expression of opinions, Mr Rees had to wait till an adjournment of the disorderly debate eventuated. Mr Rees then REPEATED HIS ASSERTIONS that Mr Cadman had been mixed up in native land transactions. When he "(the speaker) had become aware of this he considered ib ivas his duty to bring the lighb of publicity to bear upon the facts, and to have them examined. (A voice : " The fox and and the grapes "). He then explained the reasons which had Jed to the libel case, and aaid that the attempt Of Mr Cadman to explain the matter away would be futile. Tho Chief Judge had told the jury " thab Mr Cadman waa interested in evory ahare of bhe land purchased by Mr Smith." Mr Cadman had mado statements in tho City Hall which were absolutely contrary to those sworn in bhe witness box. Would thoy take hia (Mr Cadman's) word ? (Platform cries of "No.") What had Mr Cadman done for Auckland ? (A voice: " Moro than you.") Whab claim had he ? (None.) Whab had he done for New Zealand ? He would tell them. One of the Acts which Mr Cadman had drafted gave a Judge of the Native Courb almosb absolute power over the. native witnesses and others, and that was the legislation he (Mr Rees) was accused of opposing. If he had not dono so he would be ashamed to look any man in the face. Another Acb, bad been reported by Judge Barton to be unworkable. The Governmenb was not to blame—it was the Native Minister, Mr Rees said that every effort waa being put forth to OUST HIM FROM THE HOUSE. . All specie of slander waa being broughb againsb him and all specie of praise in favour of Mr Cadman. He asked the elec-. tors to remember thab the franchise was a sacred trust. He had never asked any man for a vote and never would. (Applause.) Hesaidtheelection was beingclosely watched all over the colony and in Australia, and he urged the olectors to be jealous of thoir fair reputation. (Appiauae.) He left the question to the electors with all confidenco, and he would never believe thab they could drag themselves through the dirb until convinced on polling day to the contrary. (Loud applauso.) QUE3TIONS. In reply to a question, Mr Rees admitted that Mr Cadman had passed some 14 Bills re native affairs. They were, however, only trumpery, two penny half penny measurea, which had occupied the timo of the House which mighb have boen given to a good Bill. Aaked if Mr Cadman would retire in tbe intereat of tho colony, would he do the aame, as the people of Auckland had no confidence- ,in eibher of them, Mr Reea said lr'he■•_- would do nothing of the kind, aa he believed he had the confidence of the people. (Applauso and ironical cheers.) Mr Rees eaid Mr Cadman had signed chequea for the Tamaki Company, Mr Smith signed choques on behalf of Messrs Cadman and Smith. Mr Cadmau wa3 the responsible person, however. Mr Cadman eaid that if Mr Smith died tomorrow ho (Mr Cadman) would have no claims on tho land. Mr Rees said this was absolutely withoub foundation. Ho was aware bhat Mr Cadman was an owner in the Umutaoroa block before ho became Native Minister. Mr Stitchbury aaked some questions relative to militia land granbß. ' Mr Connop then came forward and moved a voto of thanks to Mr Roes for his speech, which ho at once put to tbe meebing and carried, a very large number of those present not voting. Cheers for Mr Cadman and counter cheers for Mr Rees were lustily given, and it was evident thab both parties wore pretty evenly divided. Mr Norden came forward but waa ab firsb refused a hearing. He said he wished bo second tho mobion pro forma, a statement which waa received with much disfavour by thoae on the platform. Mr Norden aakedMr Rees to moot Mr Cadman in public debate* Tho chairman then put the mobion to the meeting, and again half the hands were hold up. Before those againsb were asked their opinions an appeal for three cheers for Mr Reea was atarted on the platform, and responded to in the body. Ib waa immediately followed by cheers for Mr Cadman, given with equal enthuaiasm. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.