THE RECENT BY-ELECTION. MEETING OF MR. DUTHIE'S WORKERS.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 64, 17 March 1898, Page 2

THE RECENT BY-ELECTION. MEETING OF MR. DUTHIE'S WORKERS.

Thomas's Hall was crowded last evening by thope electors who had supported Mr. Duthie, M.H.R., in the receut severely contested by-election. Mr. J. G. W. Aitkeu, Chairman of Committees, presided, and the gathering was of a most enthusiastic nature. .Dr. Newman, who was the first speaker of the evening, said the battle they had just fought was a most momentous one. The whole colony was ringing with it. Taking a little political arithmetic, they would see that nearly six years ago the Opposition was returned with 16 members. Three years later they had 32 members returned. Since then they had had two very satisfactory byeleotions, and it looked very well for them when the general elections came rouud. (Loud applause.) But because they had won a big election here they must not sit down and rest. The trouble ; Iways was when a Party had a majority tb.jy were inclined to be indolent. He hoped this would not be the case here, but that they "would keep together for the battle that was soon to come. They could not now rest on their oars. The next election was going to be fought with all minor issues laid on one side. It was going to be a battle between right-thinking people on one side aud the Government on the other. He hoped they would uuite and say the Government must go. (Loud applause.) Mr. A. B. Atkinson urged the meeting to follow Dr. Newman's advice. The Premier had only been stunned — politically of course — and it was their duty to politically kill him. Let them continue confident, but not slackeu iv their efforts in their interest of honest government. They had set an example to the colon}', and the colony was looking to them to maintain the position. He believed that in 12 months, if not six, a new Government would be in office. (Applause.) This new Government would have great difficulties to face. It would not follow iv the course of the present Administration, which ht.d existed on billets to its friends and catch-cries. Therefore it would meet with great difficulties in endeavouring to put things into order, and he urged the people to assist it by returning it to power with a substantial majority. They had heard a lot of Tammany and its evils. Tammany in the United States had been killed for a few years, but was again on top. It was for the electors of this colony to say whether, after overthrowing the Seddon Tammany, they would ever allow it to get on top again. (Cries of " No.") Carlyle had said a rotten thing would hold together a long time, provided it was not roughly shaken. The rottenness of the thing Seddouism was evident to the people of Wellington, if not yet to the whole colony. Let them, then, roughly handle Seddonisra. (Applause.) Mr. Duthie, who was received with great applause, expressed his gratitude and thanks to the people of the city. There was an impression abroad that his committee was strong, and that they had got a fortnight's start of their opponents. So far as he knew the whole of the committees working for him did not exceed 40 individuals. And that he had had the honour of receiving over 7000 votes and bad only been able to obtain 40 workers was a curious thing. At all previous elections be had strong committees. He was aware that there had been private support. Zealously as his committees had worked they bad not canvassed one-third of the city, 6o that the result was largely the spontaneous desire of the people of the city. (Applause.) It showed that there was a wide feeling of intimidation throughout the community. Only 40 persons dared to come forward and actively assist in his election, while over 7000, availing themselves of the secrecy of the ballot, voted for him. It showed that Seddonism was crushing the independence of the people, and that the people- had now risen of their own free will was very gratifying indeed. (Applause.) In view of the influence possessed by the Government over a large section of the" electors, and the manner in which that influence was used, it was perfectly marvellous that the election had been won by such a majority. In Wellington they were better acquainted than elsewhere with the system of corruption in existence, and their victory over this corruption would afford great encouragement to their friends elsewhere. Although stunned, Seddonism was not crushed. They would have to fight more before they could feel themselves free men in this colony. The Government, he thought, would run their full term. It would take a strong team of bullocks lo drag the Premier from his seat. He (Mr. Seddon) would not face the electors one day sooner than the law compelled him. The people during the recent election had shown that they were tired of the repetitions of the Premier. He never gave them anything new, and the people came to the meetings of the Opposition, where practical politics were put before them. (Applause.) Another thing that had told against the Premier was his personal behaviour, which had lowered him still more in the eyes of the people. It had been said by the other side that it would mean stagnation if the Opposition Party got into power. Surely' his (Mr. Duthie's) friends would not think tbat he would support any Government that would bring stagnation upon the country. (Applause.) He hoped they would not waste time upon fanciful legislation, and that really practical legislation would be passed. He hoped also there would be no stagnation so far as social questions were concerned. Labour questions were another matter legitimately deserving attention. "With the advance of civilisation and comfort the working classes should share more fully in these comforts, and all legislation iv thai, direction must receive sympathetic and active support. Already this colony was falling behind England, He was imbued with a desire to do all that was legitimate to raise people to a greater condition of comfort. (Applause.) An influence of the day was the demand for temperance. He believed that prohibition wanted to go further than was legitimate. Hut' the 1 demand for temperance was no light matter, and must bs recognised. In conclusion, Mr. Duthie urged that instead of being styled the Conservative Party the Opposition should be known as the Constitutional Party. (Loud cheers.) After an interval for refreshments, Mr. A. S. Menteath moved, "That we offer Mr. Duthie hearty congratulations upon his election to the House of Representatives, as we see in his return a gain to the New Zealand Parliament, to the cause of good government and true progress, to the Opposition Party and our City of Wellington, and the protest by a majority of the electors against the corruption and autocracy of Seddonism." La the course of his remarks, Mr; Menteath also urged the necessity for the existing organisation being continued and increased, and asked all who desired to assist in this to send in their names to the late Secretary, Mr. Kearney. Mr. (t. Hutchison seconded the motion, and urged future organisation. What they had won was one battle in a campaign. It had been found that many who would have supported Mr. Duthie had not got their n:unes on the roll. This should not be, and they .should organise and see to it. He did not agree with Mr. Duthie that the election would not immediately affect the Premier's position. The election was of national importance, and the Premier, being an astute politician, would see that nwvy month more and more alienated him from the people. He (Mr. Hutchison) believed that under these circumstances ■mere would be a general election very soon. riu'v should be armed for anything that miuht happen. The motion was put and carried unaniDoiHy. Mr. Duthie briefly thanked the meeting for its kind resolution.

The Hon. T. W. Ilislop moved a hearty vote of thanks <o the Chairman for his conduct during tlie election, aud also to Mr. Robertson for the manner in which he had assisted the Chairman. Speaking to the motiou,he urged the extremists ol' all sections to meet and sink their extreme views in a common platform. Mr. W. G. Tustin seconded the. motion. The Chairman, in putting the motion, included the names of Messrs. Wilson, Petherick, and Anderson, chairmen of committees. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Robertson, in replying, did not think it possible to organise any numerically strong League. Their side were like the Swiss Army. They only became visible when actually needed, and this in the present case was at the ballot-box. Mr. Petherick moved, "That it is desirable that an organisation should be formed for the purpose of continuing the good work of the recent election, • and that all those willing to work send in their names to the Secretary, Mr. Kearney." On the motion of Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Duthie, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Kearney, whose services received eulogistic mention. The proceedings then terminated. A number of tlio«e present remained to give in their names as workers on the lines laid down by the speeches during the evening.