THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 158, 7 July 1896, Page 2

THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN.

REQUISITION TO MR G. FOWLDS.

Tiieke woe a good attendance in Sb. James's Hall laib evening of ladies and gentleman who had attended for tho purpose of supporting a' requisition presented to Mr Georgo Fowlds asking that gentleman to become a candidate to represent bho City of Auckland in the nexb .Parliament. Mr K. Tadehope was voted to the chair, and opened bhe proceedings by calling upon Mr C. B. Thome, who read fche following requisition : — " We, the undersigned electors of Auckland City believing that Mr George Fowlds, merchant, in a fib and proper person to represent us in Parliament, hereby cordially invite him to conbeab the Baid constituency in our interests at the forthcoming general election, and we request him to take an early opportunity of expressing his views or the political questiong of the day." Mr Thorne, in handing the requisition to Mr Fowlde, said that the number of eignataree appended to is showed how great was the esteem in which bhab gentleman was held. (Applause.) Mr G. Fowlds was received wibh applause. He said he would be something less than human were ho nob pleased ab this testimonial of appreciation from his fellow • citizens. The facb thab there were 640 signatures to i'j showed th« opinion the people of Auckiund had aboub him. Ho might aay that the receipt of this requisition bad caused him serious consideration. He recognised thab while the position was one of honour, still it was also one of sacrifice. (Applause.) If ib was merely a question of honour be would nob think of leaving his family and his business for three or four months each year. But if it was thought that by going he could do something in the direction »f guiding the affairs of the country towards the uplifting of humanity, he would willingly give his time and whab ability he mighb possess. (Applause.? If going to Wellington meanb to acb as some had done in the pasb, he mighb cay he would just as Boon think of going bo Mount Eden. (Laughter.) After serious consideration, he had decided to allow himself to bo nominated as a candidate for Parliamentary honours. (Applause.) With regard to his political opinions, Mr Fowlds Bftid he thought they were pretty well known already. In any case he had nob come there thab night to weary them with a political speech. He would take an early opportunity of expressing his opinion fully and freely upon the political questions of the day. If the people decided to elecb him he wbuld muke the sacrifice, and fight the fighb that lay before him. Although he did nob intend to make apolitical speech still he would make a few guiding remarks. First of all his views- on political matters would not be changed to suit the wishes of his cnnstituentß. .(Applause.) The policy he would endeavour to follow would be thab of the golden rule, " Dp unto others as you would they should do unto you." (Applause.) His motto would be, " justice to all with privilege for none." The tonch stone of every measure should be that the divine right to liberty belonged an much to the meanest as to the highest in the land. (Applause.) He Came oub in tho position of a reformer, bub not on one point only. Reforms should all be pushed along together. If they a»keei what party he belonged ta he would reply the party of the people. The effete names of Liberal and Conservative belonged to things that were past and gone. Both parties now had something of the liberalism of 30 years ago. Lord Rosebory, when aekod what liberalism waa, replied " The ideal of a growing people." For himself he meant bo lay down his principles clearly, and also to stick to them (applause), parky or no party. In England a parby w«s now growing called " leocratic," in contradistinction tomristocrataud democrat, both of which represented clais interests. He claimed to be an Isocratw What they should aim ab was the greatest good of all. or equality of opportunity. They should give the same rights and opportunities to others as they claimed for themselves. The driving of men into a lobby by the Government whip to vote fer party measures was nob liberalism. Ib was the one man Government. (Applause.) He believed the time was aboub ripe when they should have something in tho shape of an elective Executive. Ho thought the referendum would do away with the Upper House. (Applause.) At present, a few individuals—selected often for anything bub their fitness for tho position— vetoed measures passed by the elected representatives of the people. (Applause.) The first thing was to geb the Government machinery perfect), for withoub thab no gaod work could be done. Of course, the success or failure of his candidature depends bo a great extent upon those who had asked him to represenb them. In overy community there was a largo proportion of indili'erenb people who would nob oven come to hear an address. He looked to those who asked him te stand to fall into line and look after such people, for he would not have paid canvassers. (Applause.) Thab system was rotten to the core. (Applause*) It gave the greateeb power to tho longest purse. (Applause.) He did nob intend to trim.and catch votes, and he did nob wanb people with axes te grind to come and help him. (Applause.) No oho who wanted a job done need look towards him for nssisfcanco. He thought ib juab an well to make these points clear at first. He had absolutely nothing to gain from bia candidature. Ho had no axe bo grind. He simply desired to benefit the community. (Applause.)

Mr Volley Spragg said a good deal of honest work would be required if Mr Fowlds were to be returned. He therefore moved, " Thab this meeting pledges itself bo aupporb Mr George Fowlds' candidature, txmd thab thoso present willing to work for fchafe gentlemen's return, give in their names to form parb of hi* Committee.':

This waa seconded by Mr G. Higgins sad agreed to.

Mr Hamilton asked, "Are yon a supporter of the present Liberal Government." Mr Fowlds replied, " They have done a greab many good things, and perhaps this Government is the best; we have yet had, speaking; generally, and therefore I should support the presenb administration as far as its measures coincided with my principle, bub I should nob liko to be tied down to vote for everything ihafc any Government brings forward." (Applauso.)—la answer to a question as to whether he was in iaveur of old age pensions, Mr Fowlds said he had a scheme which he would bring forward later on which be thought would meet that point. He was thoroughly in favour of aome such measure.

A vote of thanks was then accorded the Chairman. About 30 of those preeenb gave in their names as willing to form part of Mr Fowlds' Election Committee.