MR. F.LAWRY AT NEWMARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10112, 22 April 1896, Page 5

MR. F.LAWRY AT NEWMARKET.

Mb. P. Lawby, M.H.R., for Parnell, &Adreskd a meeting of his constituents at the Newmarket Hall ias'b night. 1 There was a good attendance, and Mr. Laxon, Mayor of the borough, presided, ':

After some introductory i remarks, Mr. Lawby, referring to. the Hon. (Captain Russell's meeting at the City Hall, said he. was proud thab the leader of the Opposition had such a patient and enthusiastic hearing, but' he contended, that, neither Captain 'Russell' nor bis coadjutor, Sir Robert Stout, bad in their addresses disclosed any policy. They contained denunciation, and nothing but denunciation. Captain Russell had denounced the policy of the Government as bounce, blunder, bluster,and banquet, Well, banquets were not bad things, but none of the leaders of the Opposition had been asked to attend any of them. He would characterise the policy of the Opposition as the four D's— disparagement, ■ denouncement, disorder, and destruction. . Yet Certain Russell informed' them .that if his party were elected . they ' would , carry out the policy of . the . present'.. Government, but why then should there be- a change? Before changing they ought to hear the policy of the opposition, out Captain Russell at Cambridge said that the Opposition would disclose their policy ab the proper time. But they wanted to know it now, to compare it with the policy of the Government, under which the colony had progressed so rapidly since 1891. That Captain Russell was a gentleman he , would admit. It had been said of him (Mr. Lawry) that he was a first-class dairyman spoiled to make a second-class politician, but of Captain Russell lie would say that he was a first. class soldier spoiled to make a fifth -rate politician and a sixth • rate leader o' man. Mr. Lawry then proceeded to oriti- | ciso Captain Russell's speech ab the City Hall. He contended that although there were changes in the personnel of tine Ministry their principles were the same as those announced by the late Mr. Ballance, and most of them were now accomplished facte, and they immortalised themselves by abolishing the iniquitous property tax. Did, he asked, this do-nothing Government do nothing when they fought against having the railways of the colony managed by irresponsible commissioners? Was it nothing that by establishing co-operative works that they had given independence to labour, that they had given freedom to civil servants, and that they had granted the suffrage to women? (Laughter.) The Government had passed the most liberal Alcoholic; Liquors Bill ever introduced, and they had maintained the San Francisco mail service. (Laughter.) They had purchased more native land than any previous Government had ever done; they had killed land monopoly and provided for the representation of labour in Parliament, and this was the Government which Captain Hußsell paid did nothing. This, however, was the Government which had destroyed the mana of the land monopolists, which gave to one man one vote, and to women one woman one vote, and he could give other instances of what had been done by this do • nothing Government, He then proceeded to defend the Government from the charge of imposing fresh taxations and said that every farmer voting against the Government which had relieved them from the property tax would be guilty of the grossest ingratitude, and they would all acknowledge thab the railways were better managed by Mr. Cadman, who was accessible, than by irresponsible commissioners. He defended tho cheap money system of the Government, pointing out that of £750,000 borrowed, £500,000 was for the purpose of releasing old mortgages. He also defended the action of the Government in regard to co-operative works, and he denied thab civil servants were under survuillance, for when he inquired amongst them the reply he received was that they never received more consideration than they had from the present Government. In regard to the granting of the franchise to women Captain Russell represented that the Liberal party opposed the movemont Ho (Mr. Lawry) admitted that when Sir John Hall, as a private member, introduced the measure it was opposed by Messrs. Mcßenzie, Ward, Thompson, and others, and the Premier, he bojieveii, walked out oub of the House. But that was not a policy measure. When, however, it was brought up again the voice of the country had been heard, and ib was brought in as a policy Bill, and if ib had been opposed the Government would have made it a noconfidence motion. Mr. Lawry then referred to the introduction of the Irish Reader in the public schook He was opposed to ib or to any interference with tho presQiib system of National education. He said that Captain Russell had not told them that he was pledged to give Catholics a grant for their schools. He defended the action of the Government in regard to the sinking fund. He had so far defended the action of tho Government, bub. he expressed his strongest disgust with their action in regard to the old soldiers' claims. He urged on the electors to exercise their fullest privileges, and said he was certain he did nob please all, nor did he try, bub he tried to do his duty, and would not pandor to the electors. While grateful for the generous support conferred on him by the Parnell electors, who had conferred on him the greatest honour in their gift, he would tell them that if he went to perform his duty and attend to their wants, he conferred on them as many obligations as he received. (Cheers.) Questions were invited, bub none were asked, and on the motion of Mr. Bishop, seconded by Mr. Philpot, a vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr. Lawry. A vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated the proceedings.