MR. J. A. TOLE AND THE ELECTORS OF EDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6253, 1 December 1881, Page 6

MR. J. A. TOLE AND THE ELECTORS OF EDEN.

Mr. Toi.e addressed the electors last night in the Congregational school, Edinburghstreet, Karangahapc-road, as a candidate for their suffrages at the forthcoming election. There was a large attendance. Mr, Joseph Warren was called to the chair. Mr. Tole, on presenting himself to the meeting, was received with cheers. He said he hud been told that he could have -mother seat unopposed, but he adhered to Eden, because it was the cradle of his political career. Eden, in the first instance, took him as an untried man. He nexc had the weightiest political metal in the colony put against him. He won that fight by assistance of the electors. He would light this battle as he had fought the previous Kittles, with the assistance, he hoped, of the majority of the electors. His former antagonists had civen him fair warning, but Mr. Wood appeared to have taken up with the burglarious element that was at present going the rounds. He (Mr. Tole) would at first refer to the question of education. This was n. question upon which he declared liimseL* before. He made the came declaration again that he would support the present educational system. There was a proposal last session to reduce the vote by £61,000. He voted against that because it would have the effect of weakening the system. He (Mr. Tole) voted against that. Mr. Wood did aot vote at all on that. He acted, no do;iW, upon a spirit of "absoluteindependence." (Laughter.) Mr,

Wood was not in his place. Mr. Pyko 1 brought in a Bill something like the ' Curtis Bill. Ho (Mr. Tole) voted against , that. A Bill was sent down from the Upper House by Mr. Menzies to allow Bible-read-ing in schools. Air. Wood voted for that; he (Mr. Tole) voted against it. A pledge once givea upon a great public question. should be kept, and he (Mr. Tole) had kept the pledge he had made. (Cheers.) As to tuo native question, he believed that forsonieti&ie the tendency of the natives was towards peace. He admired the firmness which characterised the Parihaka business; but something was also due to the peaceful attitude assumed by Te Whiti. As to the trunk line of railway, Taranaki had absorbed a good deal of public money in various ways. He would support any proposal to carry the line, towards Auckland. The paramount question was a reorganisation of the public institutions of the country. It was a fact, however, that the only institution which had stood the test was the Road Board system. There was a great cry about local government, by which was meant something between the Road Board system, which did its work so well, and the other institutions which required to be reformed. There was something said with apparent dramatic effect about no great question in the public mind, that there was no great party in existence ; but there was a great party in existence—a party that would have the laud held for the people—(cheers)—which would oppoee the addition of taxation for the people, and which would have equal rights for all—every man one vote. (Cheers.) Those who had been in Wellington would admit how fully it was admitted that Sir George Grey was an able statesman. As to Mr. Hall's policy, whatever was good in that belonged to "Sir George Grey. It was by the influence of Sir George Grey that the great reforms which had taken place in New Zealand were introduced and carried. Sir George Grey had declared to him (Mr. Tole) that he would be willing, if necessary, to sacrifice all his worldly possessions to finish and complete the work of reform whioh he had commenced. He (Mr. Tole) would be prepared to vote for the repeal of the property tax, and the substitution for them of a land tax *ud an income tax. The Government in the last session of Parliament gave power to persons who had little pieces of land hero and there to have votes. There were two principles in their Representation Bill— manhood suffrage and representation of property—but they had taken care that property should have the representation so far as they could give it. It came to the old position that men must be represented, people should be represented. The representation should be on the basis of population, that the natives should be counted, but the Government would not give that. He (Mr. Tole) believed that a practical measure of local government should have preceded the Representation Bill. The Southern members woull be sure to act upon the block vote system whenever they wanted to carry what they deemed an important measure. There would be a great deal of stonewalling iu the future. Auckland would have a great deal to do to get her rights. He had no hesitation in saying that the Representation Bill was passed by an "arbitrary suppression of debate" by an " unprecedented Parliamentary action." The clOturc was hinted at by the Premier. But what was a Parliamentary Assembly for but for debate. Majorities should have their proper weight, liut not when they made up their minds to trample a minority under an iron heel. It was nonsense to call local government an electioneering cry. Men of all shades of opinion proclaimed its necessity. For years they found the encroachment of the central government in every direction. Mr. Wood said, "Money was wanted." Well, the Government did give money with one hand, but they very soon took it away again, even before the time when it was to be given by statute. All parts of the country were going to Wellington for something to be done, but in vain, for the Government could not do anything. They said, "We have no money for you, "and the committees said, " We have no recommendation to make.' . But there was towards the closeof the session aSpecialPowers aud Contracts Bill. This was called by some persons "The Special Jobs and Swindles Bill." Some got what they wanted. There must be a local government having the lands within its district; it should have power to make its own works. There should be no perpetual bribes of money at the pleasure of a central Government, or a particular Minister. The Government knew themselves that local government was a burning question, and they would accept anything "to keep a certain old gentleman out of power." (The speaker explained from Hansard what took place iu respect to the County Councils Suspension Bill. Mr. Wood's name not appearing in the two divisions.) He believed the Licensing Bill a good measure, and should have a fair trial. He was in abjut 40 divisions ou that Bill; Mr. Wood's name appeared in about 4. He must answer the question put to him, " Whether he would refuse compensation to owners of licensed houses on the license being taken away," in the negative. Mr. Wood was taken up by the Good Templars— but they did not know him. (Laughter and cheers.) He (Mr. Tole) voted in the sense of !ocal government on tho Licensing Bill, but not against the third reading of the Bill. Hβ was opposed to the proposal of the Premier with respect to an elective Upper House. A second Chamber was not necessary ; and if there should be one, it should not represent property exclusively. Mr. Wood said he would be "independent;" he couldn't be, he must be with the Government or against them ; he could not be on both sides or between them. He (Mr. Tole) would be in opposition, and he would follow the man who was the natural leader of free opinion in the colony. (Loud cheers.) To say "T shall be absolutely independent" was a mere boaat. Mr. Wood said New Zealand Parliaments had degenerated. It could not be otherwise after conduct like hia. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Tole) would do his best for the new district if elected. There was "no compromise " with him ; he would fight to the bitter end. He would do all he could to help the member for Newton, whoever he might be, and would labour to obtain an endowment for the people of Karangahape, to which they wero fully entitled. His motto was written up in the room— ■ " Be faithful unto death." I

Mr. Tole, in reply to questions, said : 1. He voted for Mr. Curtis' Bill, but he had made a pledge to the electors, and that pledge he had fulfilled. 2. He pledged himself to keep the Education Act intact during the ensuing Parliament. 3. He would give the question of reducing school holidays his best consideration. 4. He would support any motion for a committee to inquire into sending unseaworthy ships to sea. Mr. Seabrooke undeavoured to speak amidst loud cries of "Question ! Question !" Major Burns twice ascended the platform, but he was hooted down. Mr. Cherry : Is it true you attended a Land League meeting in Wellington ? Mr. Tole : That is true. Mr. Cherry : Do you sympathise with the aims and objects of those who promoted it ? (This led to a great confusion which lasted for some minutes.) Mr. Hunter: He does sympathise with the aims, not with theacts. Mr. Tole : That gives pretty fairly my answer.

Mr. Cherry : One of the aims was the I disintegration of the British Empire. (Loud ' cries and uproar.) Mr. Tole : That is Mr. Cherry's opinion. t. , e ,. °" gUt tbe speeches with me, of which Mi-. Cherry may have the benefit. I can say that Sir Ge-rge Grey was not present during the observa-ions made by Mr. Lundon. lama" land leaguer" in the same way as many people of New Zealand are land leaguers. lam opposed to land monopoly. (Cheers.) [Mr. Tole read his speech at the meeting at Wellington, which was greeted with cheers.] Mr. Hunter moved. "A hearty vote of thanks and confidence in Mr. Tole ; and further, that the meeting pledge itself to use every effort to secure his return " (Cheers.) Mr. Jeune, in seconding the motion, said that the electors would cever admit the leavings of Waitemata and Paraoll into the Garden of Eden. (Cheers and Laughter.) Mr. Seabrooke moved an amendment —"That the meeting thanks Mr. Tole." Hβ said Mr. Wood never alluded to Mr. Tole in his speech. Mr. Tole had not shown the same gentlemanly feeling. (Uproar and confusion.) Mr. J. Mullally ascended the platform amidst indescribable noise, several persons endeavouring to address the meeting at the same time Mr. Seabrooke : 1 will not be put down by any man.

The Chairman bespoke for Mr. Seabrooke a hearing. Mr. Skabrooke proceeded to criticise the parliamentary career of Sir George Grey. (Renewed uproar.) The Chairman* : I ahall take the voice of the meeting whether Mr. Seabrooke be heard. (Cries of " Put him down.") Mr. Skabrooke : I protest against such arbitrary conduct. The Chairman : I think he should be allowed five minutes. I have asked Mr. Seabrooke to retire, but he says he will not be put down by me or the rabble. (Great uproar.) lam in your hands. Mr. Seabrooke : I did not say the rabble. The Chairman : Is there a seconder of the motion ? Mr. SeabrooKe : When I have finished the seconder will be ready. The Chairman : I shall ask that the seconder shall come forward, and that Mr. Seabrooke take his seat. Mr. Seabrooke : I again protest against such arbitrary conduct. The Chairman announced that the amendment was seconded. (Cheers and uproar.) At this stage of the proceedings the firebell rang, and there was a stampede from the room, amidst cries of "Resolution!" "Resolution!" "Fire!" "False alarm!" But the room was soon filled again. The amendment being put, the meeting mounted forms en masse. Mr. Cherry : I love New Zealand, and object to what takes place in other countries being brought in here for the sake of disturbance. The amendment was declared lost, only a few hands being held up in favour of it. The motion was then put, and declared to be carried by acclamation; and amidst cheers for Parnell, Sir George Grey, and Mr. Tole, the meeting separated.