MR. McGUIRE AT NORMANBY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1700, 12 August 1887, Page 2

MR. McGUIRE AT NORMANBY.

On Wednesday evening Mr. McGuire addressed a meeting of tbe electors at Normanby. Tli« night was wetand stormy, and this no doubt affected the attendance. There were about 85 adults present. Mr. Joseph Wilson whs voted to the chair, and introduced Mr. McGnire in a few \vellcbo?en words, commending him to the electors as worthy of their conBJence. Mr. McGuire, who was well received, spoke dn various subjects touched upon in his previous speeches. He denied that there was any truth in the statement made by Major Atkinson, in his speech in Wellington, that Mr. Ballunce had come to this district to help him (Mr. McGuire) in his candidature. There iwas a disturbance at Parihaka, and the Minister no doubt vecy property hadcomewp heietoseeabont it. He was not being helped by Mr. Billauce or the Ministry. He was workiu» on his own bottom. Major Atkinson was judging the present MiLUtry by his own action when he helped Mr. Shaw to win the Innngahua election by putting into the Legislative Council Mr. Brandon, purmer of Mr. Sliaw, who helped Mr. SV>au- to uo nnd contest the seat. He repeated that he was not being helped by the Ministry ; and tha question for the electors was whether they would have to represent them a member who had interests in the district, instead of one who had represented Taranaki, and not Eyiuont. Speaking on native matters, be said it was altogether wrong that divisional fences between Europeans aod natives should be made and maintained on the cost of Europeans alone. He was suvpvieeil »haY a member represenb)D? a district )ike thia should n</fc bare advocated a change in tbo law in thia respect, but perhaps they could not expect that a great colonial politician should attend to such local matters. Still, it was a matter that should be attended to, and, if returned, be should see what could be done. (Applause.) Speaking on the harbor question, be referred to many expressions of opinion in favor of the harbor being taken over, and said that this bad been one result of tbe action ho had taken in the matter. Reviewing Major Atkinson's tc-rio <>i sorvice, be said (bat when Major Atkinson was in Opposition the district was virtually disfranchised, and he was no good when be was on the Treasury Benches, for he had lost tbe railway. TLe address was well received, and frequently applauded. The Chairman congratulated Mr. McGuire on tbe excelleut speech be bad made, especially considering the short time which he had given to politics. If they returned him to the House, and he went on increasing in efficiency at the present rate, he would in a abort time decomc a pt-ifect lion. (Applause). Mr. McGuire would now an-wi-r any questions. Mr. McCntchan asked — If returned will you at once move to have an ample sum voted for the disposal of tbe Agent General in London, who shall be instructed, to negociate with tbe proprietors of the London Daily Telegraph. with a view to having a delegate of recognised ability sent to inn colony lo inquire tlun'oujjlily into its prospects, sources of wealth, and advantages as v field for caoital and immigration, on the understanding that tbe results of such inquiries, are to be wurlted into a series say fifty exhaustive weekly or bi-weekly articles, in that journal, so thaterrtineniis impressions may bo removed, and a reliable fund of information put before the British public, in the most effective f«,rin. Mr. McGwire P&id thia was one oi those matters which entirely met with hia approval. It would be a goid tiling to carry out the idea, and no agent we could send home -'mild do so much good as a representative of tbe Press coming out and describing tbe real position of tlio colony. Mr. McC'utolian deserved credit for bringing tbe matter bofure the meeting. Mr. Heslop asked what Government was in power when tbe Mai'ton route was adopted ? Mr. McGuire said the present Government, but the Atkinson Government was in power when all the work was done. He referred 'o an article in the STAR in 1882. which complained that Major Atkinsuu was uenlectiusj his duty. Everything was fixed up for the Central line before Major Atkinson went out. of power, and there was nothing to do then '•ut refer it to a committee. Mr. Mitchelson long before the Atkinson Government was broken up let the cat out of the bag by telegraphing to " Willie Watt," his friend, that the Central line was the line. That should be enough. (Applause.) Mr. Heslop complained tliat Sir. McGuire had not met the point raised. He had admitted that tbe present Government was in power before the route was definitely settled, and that being s-> they should have bad all facts verified before they referred the matter to a committee. Mr. McGuire said that, and bad not answered his question satisfactoiily. Mr. McGuiro retorted that it would bo a difficult thing for him to satisfy Mr. Heslop. Mr. Fantluim, referring to Mr. Me Guile's st.i'ei/jfut that wool had steadily gone down in value during tbe past ten years, said that last year bis Lincoln wool realised lOd per Ib, and that was as much as it had realised at any time during tbe past ten years. He asked if Mr. McGuire bad been correctly reported to say that if three million pounds worth of goods were manufactured in tbe colony it would give employment to 60,000 men? Mr. McGuire said that from inquiries he bad made he found that was so. Mr. F.mt ha in asked in that case bow much tbe men would earn per week ? Mr. McGuire said he bad not gone into that. Mr. Fanthnin s>id he took it that the raw material would cost half the amount leili'-ed by the manufactured article. If that weie so, the balance left would amount to about 9s a week for each worhiunn. Could we expect people to coiup out here to work (or nine shillings a week ? Mr. McGuiro Paid ho might have been misinformed. It might not require bo uinny hands. In some things there would, not he bo ranch material required as Mr. Fanthaii. mentioned. For instance, if the Taranaki ironsand were worked it would cost very little. It was lying about the shore. He thought, at any rate, that it would be a great advantage if these people could be introduced to use up the raw material. Probably Mr. Fanthani could see no good in his argument, but, if he had the good of the country at heart, he would see it. Me. Fantham tvaxt refevred to a statement made by Mr. McGuire that cattle were sent down from Wajkato to Auckland to interfere with the market for cattle sent from this coast, and asked what authority Mr. McGuire had for that statement ? Mr. McGuire said that Mr. Fantham himself was one of his authorities. He bad told him what a horrible place Auckland was for rings. Mr. Fantham denied that he had ever made such a statement as that made by Mr. McGuire. Was there a farmer in that room who would npnd, a bollock 100 miles to a sale and then take it back simply to spite other farmers ? It would never pay for one thing. The auctioneers of

Auckland — Mr. Bnckland and Mr. Nolan (Mr. Robert Nolan's father) — were a credit to any community, and it was a disgrace to speak so disparagingly of them as Mr. McGuire hail done. The reason that gr; ziers realised bad prices in the Auckland market was that they shipped without care, and glutted it. He did not believe that there was any truth in the statement made by Mr. McGuire on this point, and he bad no right to make it. Mr. McGuire said that in future be "bonld not taVe information from Mi*. Fantham. But he had said nothing about, ihe auctioneers, and had evory respect for Mr. Nolan. He had spoken generally, and on tbe authority of Mr. Fantham himself, but in future be should be a little more careful, and take his statements with a considerable grain of salt. Mr. O'Snllivan pointed out tbat it was not tbe sellers who did these things, but the buyers, and therefore tbere could not hare been any reference to the auctioneers. In answer to Mr. Inkster, Mr. McGuire said he should be in favor <>f terminating tbe 'Frisco mail service as soon as possible. He did not favor tbe establishment of a bank of issue, but should be in favor of any scheme which would enable the fat*, tner, especially the small farmer, to borrow, say, at five per cent., where the security was undoubted. He would be willing to interview the Prussian Consul in Wellington, to learn something about the People's Bank* in Germany. He would be in favor of securing railway reform so as to get cheaper freights ; and he would be in favor of wood being used for fuel in the engines. Mr. McCutchm asked if Mr. McGuire wns in favor of Mr. Balance's first move to cat che nacac?r wtcft che oW country as indicated by his proposal to have an elective governor. Mr. McGuire said he did not think that Mr. Ballarjce had any desire to cut the painter. As to an elective governor, that did not imply that. Mr. McCutchan said the proposal would do a good deal of harm if news of it got into the London papers. Mr. McCutchan said Mr. McGuire bad told the meeting the thought 105 guineas sufficient pay for members for the 1 session If he were returned, and the 1 House retarned the honorarium at its 1 present amount, would he contribute half what hi- received in charity ? Mr. McGuire repeated his opinion i tbat the honorarium might be reduced by one-half, but if tbe full amount were retaiued he shuuld do what he chose with it. It would be his, aud he would not take it under any p lodge as to what he would do witb it. He spoke strongly of mean attempts to get subscriptions from him while this contest was pending, and said he should give nothing just now He had alwiiys been liberal in helping anyone who was in distress or who bad a good cause to forward. an>l when be could not do enough himself lie had assisted by caovasstug for subscriptions. Mr. McCutchan asked whether most of tbe Government steamer work was not emergency work, and whether in that case it would be easy to get a company to contract, as bad been suggested by Mr. McGuire _P Mr. McGuire said tbat when these emergencies arose, it was companies' steamers tbat had to do the work Tbe Government steamers were generally on tbe slip, or were being employed by pli-asutv parties. He saw no difficulty in contracting for such work. Mr. McCutchan — Do you not think Mr. Bal lance's one-policemnn policy has been a success in the past? Mr. McGuire — Yes. Mr. McCutchan — That that policy has heea auHjcieab to cjaelJ aay ctis arbaace tbat bas arisen ? Mr. McGuire— With thft aid of the people, of course. There is only one constable in this room. II the people all turned on him they could beat him ; but we know that every ni;ht-thinking mau would assist him. In the same way the people would assist the con* stabulary. If -we are to have an armed constabulary, with handcuffs and chains, to keep the Maoris down, the cost will k 11 the taxpayers. Mr. McCutchan — How can you reconcile the success of tbe one-policeman policy with tbe addition just now being made to tbe strength of tbe force at Opunake ? Ml". MeGuire — An emergency has aovr arisen. Mr. McCutchau— But the emergency is over. Are you not aware that most of tbe electors at Opunake are opposed to tbe Stout- Bal lance Government on account of tbe one-policeman policy, and that this increase to the force is being made just now because it may have a political effect ? Mr. McGuire — No. You are speaking now as fllajor Atkinson Bpnke at Wellington. He says that Mr. Ballance came up here for the purpose of assisting me. It is not true. Mr. Ballance, I take it, thought it was his duty as Defence Minister to come up here, owing to the trouble with the natives. We know he bas been up to Parihaka. and it is necessary that the force should be ready for any emergency. Of course Mr. Ballance has his own parties to advise him with reference to these matters. I am not the keeper of bis conscience, and know nothing as to why the force has been increased, except that I take it it is necessary for the preservation of lairand order. After some further questions, Mr. McCutchaa moved a vote of thanks to Mr. McGuire for his able address, coru- | plimenting him on his speech, and hoping that, though he should not be able to vote f<*r him, they would be friends after tbe election. Mr. Gane seconded the motion. Mr. Inkster moved, as an amendment, a vote of coufideuce, aud spoke highly of Mr. McGuire's services in various public capacities, and as a private individual ; and in further remarks condemned Major Atkinson and his policy as a local representative. Mr. O'Sullivan secsnded. The Chairman invited those in favor of tlio uiiitndnieut to hold up their ba»<l, and about 30 responded. He then called for " those in favor ot a vote of thanks only." Some objection was taken to the word "only " beiny put, ns Mr. MoCntchan hail not ii-od it. On this there whs some discussion between the Chairiu»nand Mr. Heslop, and then the point was raised as to whether those against the amendment shodid not have been oalled for. While these matters were being discussed, the meeting broke up with cheers for Mr. McGuire.