MR. F. LAWRY AT EDEN TERRACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 145, 21 June 1899, Page 2

MR. F. LAWRY AT EDEN TERRACE.

,'At the Eden Terrace Public Hall Jast evening Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R. for 3Parnell, delivered an address to his constituents. Mr Hough presided, and the hall was well filled. The speaker referred to the large number of political speeches made in Auckland recently, and stated that all the ■utterances of the Opposition members 3iad been an echo of Captain Russell s speech. ll e (the speaker) had been twitted with being- a subservient follower of the Government, but this was not true, as during his whole political life he had never known a Premier more thoughtful for and conciliatory ■to his followers than the Hon. R.J. Seddon. He had notified that he would reply to Mr Hutchison, but he considered that this was hardly necessary, as the speech was the greatest political frost known in Auckland for pome time. Mr Lawry said that ihe could not suppore the construction of the Central line of [Railway to Wellington, as for miles this would go through a desert. Much of the country opened up would be of a very poor character; and he would not give ninepence an acre for it. On the Stratford line there was settlement on both sides, and the land was excellent, while there were no engineering difficulties to overcome. A year ago he was present at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, where the Government had been denounced as a borrowing Government. The other day the same Chamber declared that the Government must, borrow to complete the Auckland-Wellington line, and also the Otago-Central. Mr Hutchison had made a most unmanly re Terence to Mr Heed. Marine Superintendent at this port. He sympathised with Captain Tilly, and Sloped that the Government would recognise his services. He believed in advancing the interests of young- New Zealanders, and Mr Heed had the highest qualifications for the position he had obtained. At the conclusion of (his speech Mr Lawry was loudly applauded, and on the motion of Mr Hose, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded Mr Lawry. A vote of thanks to the Chair concluded the meeting.