MR. HENRY COCK ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 278, 24 November 1896, Page 2

MR. HENRY COCK ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

A GOVERNMENT OUTLIVES ITS USEFULNESS. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN MR, PIPER, At the conclusion of the address at the Theatre Royal, last night by Mr Piper, the Opposition candidate, Mr Henry Cock, who was received with applause, said he was there to say something in favour of the candidature of Mr i iper, who had oome forward to represent the cause of purer administration. (Applause). He (Mr Cook) had known and learnt more of Mr Piper that cveniDg thau ever before, and all would be convinced by his epeeeh that ho bad thoroughly studied the theory of polities. (Applause). He (Mr Cock) had oome forward to take part in the present eleotion after due deliberation. Mr Graham had placed before the electors figures and facts regarding th>) practice of politics j Mr Piper had submitted to them the philosophy of potitics. It was for the people to deduce the sentiment from the two. Mr Piper had showed that he had made a great study of the theory of politics, and he (Mr Cook) felt sure that if elected, he would soon become conversant with the practice, brushing aside by use and familiarity with practice many of the crudities of the theorist. (Applause). The question was " Did the people believe in the Government or not? (Cries of yes and no, the noes predominating). The ballot-box would show. He (Mr Cook) did not believe iv the Government, (App'auso), and he would do what ho could to replace it with another. (Applause). At the last election, though the Ministry had largo majorities iv individual constituencies, the total majority was not so great but what it might bo reduced into a minority on the 4th of December. (Applause). However useful the Government had been in fulfilling certain functions, —and no Government was wholly bad at the start — that usefulness had now expired, and Ministers were now trying to hold oflice by oorrupt merns. (App.) Like a spout rocket the present Administration had performed its function, and now the stick should be laid aside. (App.) But the Government had been placing its sentinels all over tho colony, endeavouring to influence the present elections, und against this ho entered his protest, for it was tho desire of the ueople that this election should bo pure. (App.) It was absurd to talk of the cause of democracy being aided by the disturbing legislation of recent years. Democracy had suffored greatly thereby, for the harassment to which trade had been subjected had restricted the outlay of capital, and olosed the avenues of employment. The unseen effects of suoh legislation— of the outliving of usefulness by the Government — were apparent evory day, and they became more and more dangerous. Employers were becoming more and more cautious in regard to the engagement of labour, and men with capital to invest would not do so. Thcso unseen offeots were due to the continued harassment of the labour question, aad it was time we had legislative rest. (App) The seen effect <ff our political conditions were the stagnation of finance and the opinion of people in' England, which had nothing to do with bur political parties, that business would improve when the present Government went out of office. (App,) As to Mr Piper, he had a wide grasp of political questions, and when the crudities of the theorist wore out by the attrition of practice he should make a good and useful legislator. (App.) For himself ho (Mr Cook) had come out to take an active part in this election against his personal inclinations. He had come forward to do what he could to ejeot the

present Ministry from office— (applause)— for he was oonvinoed they had outlived their usefulness, and that they should not continue in power. (Applause). As to Mr Piper's chances of election, he felt very hopeful. A fortnight or so ago a supporter of the other side had predicted a majority for Mr Graham of 3000, but yesterday a man had estimated the majority would b". only about 300. (Laughter ana applause). In a little longer Mr Piper wonld be like the Pied Piper of Hammelin, with all the people following him. (Applauße and laughter). Mr Piper bad proved himself a man of ability and steadfastness of purpose and consistency in local affairs, ana he should have a useful career in Parlialiament. (Applause). He had much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Piper for his address, and a vote of confidence in him as a fit and proper person to represent Nelson in Parliament. (Continued applause and some dissent. 1 .

Mr Rankin, a working man, seconded the motion, but his remarks were drowned in a storm of interruption from the '" bar rackers."

On the motion being put, some in the Hall did not vote, but there was a 3 to 1 majority in favour of it, and it was declared carried amid cheerß and some uproar.

A vote of thanks was heartily accorded to the Chairman on the motion of Mr Piper, and there was a general expression of opinion that he had been both impartial and firm in conducting the meeting. The gathering broke up with groans and cbeerß and counter oheers.