AUCKLAND CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 280, 25 November 1893, Page 2

AUCKLAND CITY.

MB THOMPSON AT ST. DAVID'S.

Sr David's Schoolroom was packed yesterday evening to hear Mr T. IhompJon. the candidate for the City, lhe gathering waa in every respecb a most successful one. Mr Thompson was listened to with attention throughout, and %cry clearly had the sympathy of the meeting. Having dealt with several of the most important measures of the last Parliament, kr Thompson spoke of tha requirements which were necessary for a member of the Sousetopossess. He said that in h.s opinion the amounb of bhe honorarium was by no Leans too much, though for his part it, was immaterial to him whether he vvas H £100 £150, or £240. He briefly referred to the work he had done in previous sessions, and said that he left it with the electors to decide whether he was a fitting man to represent them. Several questions were asked by gentlemen in the audience and answered by Mr Thompson maway that gave universal satisfaction. At bhe close of the meeting the candidate was accorded three hearty cheers, and a unanimous vote ;'pf thanks and confidence. MR BUTTON AT THB CITY HALL. Mr C. E. Button again addressed the electors last night in the City Hall. A large number oi ladies occupied the seats in the dress circle, while other parts of the hall were moderately filled. The chair was taken by Mr Thomas Peacock. Mr Button spoke, to a great extent, upon the same questions he had previously dealt with in other speeches. Mr :,Button said he had no desire to interfere ■with legislation which had been approved fey the colony afber careful deliberation, ib might not be generally known thab when in the Parliament of 1876 he had strongly advocated a graduated tax on land. He said be Wished to refute a rumour that he believed in the single tax, because he did nob. He thought those who were able to pay should pay the mosb, bub all should be taxed in proportion to their ability to pay. .He had not raised the cry of a free breaklast table nor dinnor table, bub he did advocate the reduction of tbe Customs duties -as far as possible. Mr Button protested \againsb a certain number of persons assemb- ' ling together and appropriating to them- " selves the name of the Liberal Party. He held they were all Liberals in New Zealand, 'but they mighb differ in opinion as to %7hab was true Liberalism. Ho held that he was as true a Liberal a3 any man in .'New Zealand, although he chose to exercise his right of thinking for himself. Mr Button spoko strongly againsb further borrowing; also objected to the people's savings in the Governmenb bank being "carried into the vortex of public indebtedness." He was nob opposed bo the Saturday half-holiday. ".,He admitted frankly thab he was nob ab presenb disposed to support Mr Seddon. He favoured the abolition of tied hotels, and would not object to any school being inspected by the Governmenb inspectors. One question which caused considerable laughter was as to how Mr Button would •act in the event of any question being xaised in the House in which the interests of the Bank of New Zealand, or any of the other companies for which he was retained, clashed with those of the common weal. Mr Button said such an occasion was hardly likely to arise, but if it did he Would nob vote at all. This reply was received with a mixture of hooting and applause. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded Mr Button, on the motion of Mr R. Salmon, seconded by Mr E. McKinstry. Before the meeting separated Shree cheers were given for Mr Button, MR VAILE AT PONSONBY. ■, Mr S. Vaile addressed the City electors last nighb ab Ponsonby Hall. Mr T. T. Masefield presided. The candidate braversed the ground gone over on previous speeches. He was accorded a mosb attentive hearing, and ab the close was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. MR WITHY AT SYMONDS-STREET Mr E. Withy addressed the electors of Ciby in St. Sepulchre's school-room Symonds-sbreeb last evening. There was a fair attendance and a good number of ladies were present. Mr McMasters occupied the chair. Mr Withy initiated his address by referring to the labour question. He wanted to know if they were to legislate on the hours of labour why nob also on bhe wage Why should nob a Bill be broughb in to raise wages as well as shorten the hours of labour ? Mr Withy then dealt ab length with the single tax, and entered into a fall exposition of its principles. He was in favour of free, secular and compulsory education, and would oppose State aid to denominational schools. He believed in r thedirecb vebo as a truly democratic mea- '; sure. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried without dissent, although only half Of those present voted. MR NAPIER AT NEWTON. Last night Mr Napier addressed a 'Crowded meeting in Sb. George's Hall, Newborn Mr Thos. Cole occupied the chair. Mr Napier attacked the " Herald " for its attitude towards him, and misrepresenting his views in reference to an engagement giving grants to Roman Catholic Schools. He eaid that he hoped the Shop Hours Bill would soon be the law Of the country, and he claimed than the Factories Acb had done an immense amounb of good. He hoped the people would never surrender the glories and privileges of one-man-one vote. The candidate advocated the equalisation of teachers' salaries, and spoke in favour of the co-operative system of public works. He believed that the women would exercise their votes in favour of the Liberal candidates. Mr Napier was loudly applauded throughout his address, and sab down amidst great cheering. In answer to a question he repeated thab he would nob vote to give a grant to Catholic schools. On the motion of Mr H. Dixon, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate. THE EDEN ELECTORATE. Last evening the Hon. E. Mitchelson addressed a crowded meeting of the electors of Eden in the Newton Wesb schoolroom. A large number of ladies were present. Mr Sneddon was voted to the chair. Mr Mitchelson traversed chiefly the subject matter of other speeches, and was listened to with great attention. At its conclusion a number of questions were put to the candidate and satisfactorily answered, after Which a vote of thanks and confidence was E r°rt bJ Mr J- D- Gow and seconded fey Mr J_. Rowe. An amendment of thanks was moved bub was accorded very little supporb, and bhe mobion was carried by a sweeping majoriby. The proceedings terminated with three ringing cheers for Mr Mitchelson. Last evening Mr Malcolm Niccol addressed a large meeting in the Devonport Pub!|P Hall. Mr E. W. Alison (Mayor) presided. Mr Niccol devoted the greater portion of his address to personal matters, and hoped his friends would nob take any notice of untruths which had been industriously spread about against him. It had Seen said that he was merely in to split the Liberal vote m the interests of Mr MitchelBon. That was absolutely untrue, for he waa standing ,n no other candidate's interests. M? t£S t? the STA*'s statement thai »Sd tSfS_. VieWß Were new-fledged, and *E£_J _ } Wa3 nofc awaro fchafch° was a any S 1? Unu bil the STAR Baid B°. Ab with any r had never been connected Issure ? h _2 TT^° aßßo«ation. He JB th6E? l hatl he Bfcood there as a tn So ? nd. h? wißhßd them clearly to understand that he was absolutely to favour of tho Liberal vobe. He

said thab Mr Mitchelson had neglecbed Eden during tho nine years he had represented the district. The Star, he said, had supported Mr Mibchelson's candidature, bub they must be careful not to so strengthen the Opposition as to make ib a source of danger to the Government. Mr Dargaville had no status as a Liberal candidate especially in view of the facb bhat he waa exceedingly anxious to enter tho lasb Conservative Ministry. Ab the closing of his addre_ Mr Niccol was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Lasb evening Mr J. M. Dargaville addressed a largely attended meebing of Eden electors in the Foresters' Hall, Devonporb, Mr Lankham in the chair. Mr Dargaville was well received, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. In the course of his answers to questions the candidate referred in strong terms to the leader in that evening's Star, and accused the Star of a deliberate attempb to filch from him his good name. He criticised Mr Mitchelson at considerable length, and attacked the Star for advocating the candidature of Mr Mitchelson in preference to his, which was infinitely stronger inasmuch as he was a staunch Liberal. He made a 3trong appeal to tbe electors to return him to Parliamenb, and concluded his address amidst cheers.