MR J. W. THOMSON AT WAREPA.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 211, 5 November 1896, Page 2

MR J. W. THOMSON AT WAREPA.

Mr J. W. Thomson addressed one ef the j largest political meetjinga.ever held at Warepa, j in the Hall there otfc'Monday evening. The : night was bitterly but |

between 110 and 120 persons (including 23 ladies) were present. The chair was occupied by Mr Peter Ayson, jun., and Mr Thomson on rißing was accorded a very flattering reception. His addresß wa3 much ' on the same lines as the one already published, which he prefaced however by referring to the very candid manner in which he had been received in the southern portion of the electorate, to which he was in a manner, personally at least, a stranger. Notwithstanding that the weather had been mast unpleasant the people — the womon as well as the men — had invariably assembled in large numbers to hear what he had to say. Mr Thomson's remarks abeut party Government were particularly well received. No ' trammels, he said, should be put in the way of a member voting in Parliament in accord- " ance with the speeches he had delivered to his constituents or in accordance with what he honestly and conscientiously believed to be right and in the best interests of the country. No party and. no Government had a right to come between a member and his : constituents. Mr Thomson concluded his address amid loud and prolonged applause, and after submitting to half an hour's questioning, Mr. John Wright moved, and Mr William Munroe seconded, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. Mr James Christie moved an amendment and vote of thanks only, explaining that he was not dbing so in a hostile spirit, but simply becatise^ihe ballot box was the place to show their confidence. Mr John Wilson seconded this. Mr Thomson said he agreed with the amendment. Mr Wright' said he would withdraw his motion in favor of the amendment if the meeting wished it, which after the expres- . sion of opinion seemed to go quite as far as the motion. The meeting, however, insisted on a vote being taken, which resulted in favor of the motion, and a vote of thanks to the chair closed on one of the" largest and most enthusiastic political meetings ever held at Warepa.— Own Correspondent.