KAIAPOI ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10219, 13 December 1893, Page 2

KAIAPOI ELECTION.

CONGRATULATORY MEETING. A meeting of Mr D. Euddo’s Election Committee and supporters was held at Rangiora on Monday night to give an opportunity for publicly congratulating the member lor the district on his success in the election. The ante-room of the Institute Hall, where the meeting was held, was crowded to excess. Mr Hugh Boyd, who was voted to the chair, said it was the wish to make the proceedings of a free and easy character, everyone being at liberty to speak. A large number of the electors present made congratulatory speeches. The Rev Father O'Connor said, on behalf of the Or.thoiic body, he wished to offer hearty congratulations to Mr Buddo. During the election contest a good many reports had been put in circulation with reference to Mr Buddo and the Catholics, and he now took the opportunity to say that the reports were utterly untrue. (Applause.) The Catholics had given the candidate practically a block vote, for the reason that he was a Liberal. At the same time he (Father O’Connor) must say that the Catholic claims for their schools, being only just and fair, should bo considered. Apart from religious instruction, they want through the came amount of work in their schools as in the Stats schools, consequently, it was a great injustice to refuse them State assistance. If the power lay in his hands he would quickly nettle the question by closing all the Catholic schools which would result in the State schools being so overcrowded that the Government would be compelled to recognise their claims. Mr A. Shaakland referred to the fair way in which the election had been fought out. Mr M. Brown expressed congratulations on behalf of the member's Woodend supporters. Mr E. B. Good, in offering his congratulations, said that he heard Mr Buddo deliver hia first political address at Feruside, and he was very favourably impressed with it; and the batter acquainted he became with the gentleman and his views, the more ho was convinced that the electors had done well in their choice. Mr C. I. Jennings remarked that great credit was due to the lady members of Mr Buddo’e Committee for the zealous way in which they worked. Anything they were asked to undertake they entered upon willingly and did thoroughly well. He attributed not a little of the candidate’s success to the excellent organisation of the Committees throughout the district. Messrs D. Graham, T, Heir, T. White, C. Allington, and others also spoke. The Rev P. R. Monro regretted that greater publicity had not been given to the fact of the meeting being open to all Mr Buddo’s friends. If it had bean known, ho was quite sure the large ball would have been full. He believed that Mr Buddo would do good work for the country, and would make his presence felt in the House, having sufficient independence of spirit to lead him to vote as his conscience dictated. Referring to the need for a slimmer session, Mr Monro Slid that it was the intention to agitate strongly for the holding of the session. Mr Buddo, who on rising was loudly applauded, acknowledged at considerable length his indebtedness to the electors for the honourable position they had placed him in. He returned his hearty thanks, not only to those present, but to the whole of the electors who had supported him throughout the district. His Committees had done very little talk but plenty of work, and a great deal of selfsacrifice bad been shown, particularly on the part of the ladies. They had proved a power in the electorate in furthering the cause of Liberalism. (Applause.) After giving a definition of Liberalism as he understood it to be, Mr Buddo ox pm s 3(1 his views on a number of matters brought under his notice by various speakers during the evening. He favoured a summer sfsnon, being anxious for the repeal of two obnoxious clauses in the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act before tho Mar eh licensing polls prevented such bein g done for three years. There was also the matter of the Railway Commissioners’ re-appointment to receive attention. He was glad to notice that his suggestion to have two Commissioners, with a Minister to act with them in all important business matters, but allowed one vote only, was approved of by several organisations, particularly amongst the farmers. Touching on land settlement, he advised the young men to endeavour to save a little money before taking up the Government land, so that they would be in a position to profit themselves and benefit the country with successful settlement. In conclusion, he said that throughout the election contest it was clearly manifested to him that the Liberals of the electorate were in sober earnest in their determination to support tho present Government. (Applause.) They were fighting for a principle not for the candidate, and they east their votes for their own well-being. He again most heartily thanked the electors for their support of the Liberal cause, apd for the honour they had done him. (Applause.) After Mr Buddo had replied to several questions, :he moved a most hearty vote c£ thanks to the Committees which had worked m his interest so energetically and successfully. He said that he must specially acknowledge the help rendered him by Mr Hugh Boyd. (Applause.) The motion was seconded by Mr J. B, Parker, and was carried with applause. Mr Boyd acknowledged the vote of thanks. The proceedings, which lasted until eleven o’clock, were then brought to a close.