THE GENERAL ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIII, Issue 275, 6 December 1899, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION

THE NELSON SEAT THE CRUSADE AGAINST SEDDONISM. MRHURSTHOUSEATTHE DRILLSHED. A MAGNIFICENT MEETING. UNBOUNDED ENTHUSIASM. 1 SPONTANEOUS AND UNANIMOUS APPLAUSE. NO READIED-UP THEATRICALS. EXPOSURE OF SHAM LIBERALISM. CUSTOMS DUTIES AND THE POOR MAN'S NECESSARIES. THE TYRANNY OF BOSS SEDDON. THE BITTER CRY~ OP POLITICAL SLAVERY. MR GRAHAM'S PLEDGE TO THE BOSS. Although a large crowd had been drawn to the Theatre Royal by the theatrical display promised there by the pledged nominee of Seddonism, there was a large and enthusiastic attendance at the Drill Shed last evening, when stirring addresses were delivered by Mr Hurathons£ Mr T. Field, Mr J. H. Cook, and Mrßishworth. The reception accorded to Mr Hursthouse and the other speakers was a magnificent one, and the various points made were received with loud and continued applause and cheering. Mr T. Field presided, and the other speakers named occupied seats on the platform. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that at tho present juncture every elector ought to have something to say. From the Bluff to the North Cape the people of New Zealand seemed to be rising en masse, and he hoped that Wednesday, the 6th December, 1899, would bo a historical day in the records of the colony. (Applause). New Zealand's Boss CroW v had had his day. (ApplauseV " Tammany " was upon them, and all around them, and New Zealand was groaning under it from one end of the colony to the other. (Applause) Was one man to be allowed to dominate 740,000 people. (Voices.- No! no!) No they were not going to stand it ; the/ should make such a fight for their liberties as the soldiers of Britain and the J» ew Zealand contingent were making for their fellow countrymen in South Africa. (Applause.) * • # Mr J. H. Cock, who was received with applause, said that from the time that Mr Hursthouse had entered the field the contest had been well fought. Mr Hursfchouse had conducted the campaign with dignity, discretion, and kindliness. He came into the contest only partly known to the people, but he had grown and grown and grown in their estimation, and he believed that they would see him at the top of thepolL (Cheers and applause). Mr Hurathouse had previously served ten years in Parliament, and had for a short time, been a Cabinet Minister. If he were returned to Parliament again, he would no doubt fill a Cabinet position tor a much longer time. (Applause). The Government had outlived its usefulness, and tho electors should enter a protest against the corruption that had been eatingrits way into the political life of the colony, and send to power a better and purer Administration. (Applause.) If he thought that Mr Hurathouse would as- - 8!8*,! B *, t° perpetuate the present evil state ot things he would drop the campaign that night, but he believed that they were fighting for a better cause. (Applause.) They could not expect perfection j m politics, but there was a broad distinction between right and wrong. (Hear I hear, and. applause). The present Government was both speculative and peculauive, and by their numerous acts of corruption and favouritism had shown that they were not entitled to the confidence of the people. (Applause). A certain section of the people said in effect, " We don't dke straight men who cannot do a job," bnt the Opposition were fightin" for a better state of things. It had been said that if tho present Government were removed, no one could be found to take their place, but this was now an exploded fallacy. He spoke in high terms of tho fitness tor office of Capt. Russell, Meßsrg JioHeston J. Allen. Buchanan, and of Mir Hursthouse (applause) j also of such representativo working men asMrEarnshaw and Mr John Hutcheson— (applause) — whom he had met, and of whoso purity and worth he had had proof. He spoke of the lack of freedom of action and speech amongst many of the electors of the present day, and concluded by again ftrging all who were working with him to do their best to place their man at the head of the poll. (Applause). The Chairman said, with reference to tho latter remarks of Mr Cock, that whilst those supporting the Government openly proclaimed themselves supporters of Mr Graham, many of the other side had been known to say, " I am going to vote for Hursthouse, but don't say anything about it." ' Such things ought not to exist in a British country. (Applause). Mrßishworth said that he had jusfc got his right by residence, and he was going to us« it. Mr Hursthouse was a man oi sterling worth, but he did not go round kissing the babies— (laughter)— nor did he go round to the corner wanting to shako hands with everybody. They knew that he was going about as he would <»o after he was elected. (Applause). He was proud to be there that night ,• the other thing that would have taken him to the meeting at the Theatre would have been to recite the little poem that he held in his hand. (Applause). He recited tho poem entitled " I took it," published in Monday's " Mail," and in concluding said the sentiments of tho poem had been the spirit of Seddonisin ever since it took office. The recitation was greeted with frequent applause. Referring to the misuse of the word " Liberal," he.said that '• lying " and " Liberalism" were becoming synoßoinous terms, and those who were the Liberals were going to adopt a bettor word, '• Progressives." He alluded to tho bids for votes, amongst which he classed the old ago pensions, and the advances to settlers. Although My Graham had denied that the Customs duties had increased, it was a fact, as the " Mail " had pointed out, that the duties had increased. It was not tvue that the work-ing-man had been relieved, as almost everything tliat he ate and more was subject to extra duty. Mr Graham had been weighed in the balance and found wanting, and he criticised his servility to' the Government as Chutnnan of the Banking Committee.