ELECTION NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1037, 15 January 1892, Page 20

ELECTION NEWS.

A very successful meeting of Mr Bell's supporters was held last night week at the Alhambra Hall, Newtown, which was completely filled, Mr 8. Brown presiding. Mr H. D. Bel), who was warmly received, denied that, as stated, he or any of bis supporters had ever in any way defamed Mr McLean. Whence, progressing into personal matters, he said he owned no rnn, and had no interests of that kind, although his father leased four or five runs, the value of which was much decreased by the pest of rabbits. He attacked the land policy of the Government, more particularly in regard to their disposal of land to the Midland Railway, and then, when settlement bad begun, imposing such a tax upon it as would tend in the direction of restricting further settlement. Asa matter of fact, the land question ought not to be made a party issue, but should he one in which all could unite to do their best for the community at large. At the conclusion of his address a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr C. Lucas, and seconded by Mr J. Beck, was passed amidst loud and enthusiastic cheering. A meeting of the Karori electors was held in the Schoolroom last week, about 60 being present, Mr P. Monaghan presiding. Mr McLean addressed the meeting at considerable length, dealing with the land and fiscal policy of the Government, and! also explaining the working of the Labour Bureau. He strenuously denied that the* policy of the Government was having the effect of causing capital to flea from, the country, and gave reasons in support of his contention. The candidatohaving answered a number of questions put by the Mayor of Karori and several others, Mr Hutchison proposed and Mr Hayesseconded a resolution pledging the meeting to do its utmost to secure Mr McLean’s return and expressing full confidence in the Government. This was duly carried. The electors of Newtown were addressed onFriday night by Mr W. M cLean at the Newtown State School, Mr M. Green in the chair. The room was well filled, many persons being unable to find sitting room. Mr McLean spike at some length, dealing principally with the speech made by Mr Bell on Thursday evening. At the. conclusion of his speech he was enthusiastically cheered. Messrs Fraser, Dorney, Millar, and Mrs Jones also addressed the meeting. Mr Hatohard moved, That this meeting has. every confidence in Mr McLesn and in the present Government. Mr O’Dea seconded, the motion, which was carried by a shovy of hands. Votes of thanks to Mr McLean and. to the other speakers, concluded the meeting,, which broke up with cheers. Mr H. D. Bell addressed the Khandallah. and Crofton electors on Friday evening in the' Public Hall, Khandallah. The hall was crowded. Mr Wm. Littlejohn occupied tho chair, and at the close of Mr Bell’s addreo3' a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Bell, was proposed, Mr Bell suggested that thevote of confidence be omitted, as he had at all his previous meetings invited the electors < to express their confidence at the poll on the 15th January. The meeting, however, refused to allow the motion to be amended, and it was carried unanimously, the meeting closing with hearty cheers for Mr Bell. Mr H. D. Bell addressed a number of the Wadestown electors on Monday in the schoolroom, Wadestown. The room was crowded, and Mr E. W. Lowe occupied the chair. Mr Bell spoke for over an hour, and dealt exhaustively with a number of subjects, including the questions of taxation and the land policy of the Government. At the conclusion of his speech a number of questions were put and answered, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to Mr Bell for his address and to the Chairman for presiding. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Bootmakers Union was held on Monday in the Trades Hall, and was largely attended, Mr Miles, the president, being in the chair. After transacting routine business, tha Election Committee banded in 150 names of members pledged to support Mr McLean, and promising to use their utmost exertions on the day of election to secure his return. A meeting of Mr MoLean’s Central Committee was held on Monday, the room in Willis street being packed. Reports of an extremely encouraging nature were received, and two-thirds of those present handed in their names as workers for the day of election.

Mr McLean addressed a meeting of about 109 electors in the Kaiwarra Temperance Hall on Monday, and went fully into all the leading questions of' the day, besides answering a number of questions. The Minister of Education then addressed the meeting at considerable length in defence of the policy of the Government. A motion, expressing confidence in Mr McLean and the Government, was proposed and passed unanimously. A large number of the Committee promised active assistance on tho election day. Mr H. D. Bell addressed the electors of Kaiwarra on Wednesday at the Public Hall. The Mayor of the Borough, Mr Alexander Cameron, occupied the chair. There were between 50 and 60 electors present. Mr Bell commenced his speech by thanking the meeting for the large attendance present-. He next referred to Mr McLean’s speech at the Opera House the previous evening, in which Mr McLean, though him (Mr Bell) from any participation in the disturbance which was said to have taken place at Mr McLean’s meeting in that district, blamed his Executive Committee, and said they had sent out a resolution condemning Mr McLean and the Government. Mr Ball said he was prepared to give the statement an absolute denial. Every member of his Executive Committee had expressed the hope that Mr McLean would receive fair play, and had Impressed upon his supporters to do nothing in any way to cause any disturbance. If any such disturbance had been caused, it was done by the followers of Mr McLean, who had gone out from Wellington to attend the meeting. Mr Bell also denied that his Executive Committee had any knowledge that a vote of any kind was to be proposed. The candidate then dealt exhaustively with the land laws, and the processes or settle**

menfc, and also the question of Freetrade and Protection. He alluded m scathing terms to certain figures quoted by Mr McLean at his meeting at the Opera House the previous evening. This information, which was supposed to be sacred, could on y have been obtained from the Property T ax Department, the rulea of which department bound everyone to secrecy. Mr tfeu said he had made enquiries, and he exonerated the officers of the department from all share in this shameful disclosure. Who, then, had given the information? Mr Bell stated that such a disclosure of the private affairs of different people made by a candidate for Parliament would shako all confidence in the supposed secrecy of the Property Tax Department, and would bring disgrace upon those who resorted to such methods of gaining political capital. He asked what would have been thought if during the Atkinson Government suoh a- disclosure bad been made of affairs of Mr McLean. What then would Mr Ballance have had to say to such conduct Mr Bell dealt with several other matters, and having answered several questions, a vote o thanks was passed to him th ® m ® tlo “ P. 1 Mr John Holmeß, seconded by Mr Durrell, and a similar vote to the Chairman concluded the meeting. ~ ~T , Mr Bell then proceeded to the M esleyan schoolroom, Molesworth street, and addressed about 250 of the Thomdon electors, Mr Thos. Dixon being in the chair. Mr Bell dealt with a number of subjects and again referred to the figures quoted by Mr McLean at his meeting the previous evening, again denouncing such dishonourable praotices. He said he felt sure the people in all parts of the Colony would resent such disclosures in the strongest manner possible. Mr Bell referred to Ministers occupying so ranch of their time in furthering the interests of their candidate. Perhaps the salaries paid 10 them were nofclarge enough as Mimaters, but they were certainly far too large to bo paid to them ai electioneering agents. Mr Bell explained his views on a number of other question, including the question or prohibition and the question of taxation, and stated that Ministeis had taken the sum or £SO 000 off postages, which would relieve lawyers, merchants, and insurance offices, whilst they refused to take is off the shoulders of workingmen, in the shape _ot tea, sugar, and other necessaries of life. Several questions having been answered, a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Beauchamp, and seconded by Mr Stephen McCarthy An amendment of confidence also being made, Mr Bell asked that the amendment should nofc/be proceed with, as he preferred the electors to show their confidence in him on polling day. and the vote of thanks was carried unanimously. A similar vote to the chair concluded the meeting. Mr H. D. Bell’s third general meeting of all bis committees took place on Tuesday at the Skating Rink, Ingestre street. Above 300 members of the various committees were present including representatives from the different country districts. Mr Aitken occupied the chair, and made a statement of the number of promises of support made to Mr BelJ which were considered highly satisfactory. He also detailed the plan, of organisation on the polling day. Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, and expressed themselves as highly pleased with Mr Bell's prospects but at the same time urged the electors to do their ut most to secure the return of Mr Bell, lhe meeting was a very enthusiastic one and separated with three cheers for the candidate. The chairman apologised for the absence of Mr Bell, who was engaged addressing the Karori electors. MEETING IN THE OPERA HOUSE. A. public meeting of the electors in ffirtherance of Mr W. McLean’s candidature for the vacant seat took place on Tuesday in the Opera House. The large. building was crowded in every part —stage, dress circle, family circle, stalls and pit—and it was noticeable that the ladies had very freely responded to the general invitation extended to them to attend. On the motion of Mr F. C. Millar, the Rev Mr Crewes was called to the chair, Mr Mil ar explaining that he was a 24-carat Liberal. The Chairman spoke at some length in support of Mr McLean’s candidature, and concluded by reading the following telegram which, he said, Mr McLean had received:— ‘Dear sir,—On behalf of residents of Reefton and Inangahua districts, where you are well and favourably known, we beg to convey our earnest wish for your success in the forthcoming election. We can all bear testimony _ to your character's an upright and enterprising colonist, and one who has always held Liberal views, and one who, by your exertions and indefatigable pluck in the early days of this district helped to develope the resources of this important goldfield. We regret that the press of Wellington, not satisfied with legitimate comment, have circulated reports t? the effect Lhat vou have been connected with floating bogus companies in Reef tom To this we give a most emphatic denial, it being a gross fabrication. We sincerely hope, m the interest of the Colony at large, to see your name at the head of the poll.— Patrick. J.P. (County Chairman), George Wise, J.P., Paslev J P . w. G. Codings, James Quigley (members County Council), James Stevenson, James Thurburn, T, McLaughlin, James McGillicuddy, Daniel McGinley (members County Council), James Gallagher, J.P., J. O’Reean. editor Inangahua Times. As Mr McLean stepped forward Mr Millar, from the platform, called for three cheers for the candidate, which elicited a lusty response, Mr McLean said the questionable tactics of his opponent and his dear had compelled him (the speaker) for the third time in five weeks, at considerable expense and great physical exertion, to appear on the platform of the Opera House. He then proceeded to accuse the Evening Po3t of giving him un fair treatment in reporting his speeches as oom pared with the treatment meted . hl3 „”P' ponent, and to charge the editor of that P a Per with introducing the Irish question in to the contest for the purpose of injuring his (Mr McLean’s) chances, and with comparing him to a broomstick in order to heap ridicule upon him. He asked the electors were they, while he was down, going to see, him kicked by • these three wretched rags. (Laughter and cries of ‘No.') He would request them, on the election day, to raise their hand 3 against these papers, and to lift them peaceably, by striking out the first name on the voting papers. After denying the statement that his Karori meeting, had been packed, the went on contend all that representatives •weight and influence had done for Welling

ton in the past was simply nil. These men of • weight and influence ’ had permitted Auckland to get 708,000 acres of land for educational purposes, wlii'e Wellington had not onetenth of that quantity ; and they had permitted Canterbury, Otago, and other places to have University and other endowments, while Wellington had none. As his opponents had been asking and answering to their own satisfaction the question, Who, was 1 running ’ him (Mr McLean), he _ on his part wished to ask who was running Mr Bell? Was it net Mr Thos. (Gale? (Applause.) And who was running Mr Gale . Was it not Mr Beetham and people like that the Levins, the Johnstons, and Williamses. ( Applause.) The members of the Bell family owned about 400,000 acres, upon which under the property tax they paid LI6OO, while under the land assessment or graduated tax they would pay L 4500. The Johnstons owned 96.956 acres, on which they had been paying LlOOl. but r.ow they would have to pay L27|>J. The Beethams owned 67,000 acres, on which they had paid L 936, but now they would have to pay L 2576. Taking all these families together, and adding the Levins and some others, they would save L 7200 in taxation if the Government and their policy could be defeated. Hence the anxiety to return Mr Bell. On the day of election voters would be brought from Auckland, Napier, the Wairarapa, and other places to assist him. The Premier was next introduced, and was received with prolonged cheers. He said , it was a libel to assert that the _ Government wished any man returned to Parliament bound hand and toot to them. But party fealty was absolutely necessary unless they wished railsitters and hypocrites elected to larliament. He maintained that the Government had a perfect right to address the people, more especially when a powerful press was found to be arrayed against them. The readiness of the Government to come face to face with the people was the best guarantee of honesty of motive and integrity of action. A greater issue than that of the relative merits of Messrs McLean and Bell was involved in this election. The position of the Government and judgment upon its policy were involved. Mr Bell had told them he hoped to sound the death-knell of the Government. That death-knell speech had proclaimed liis true position in this contest, and had shown that his intention was, if possible, to overturn the Government coach. And he (the Premier) would not disguise from them the fact that the pronouncement which the capital city of the Colony made on the polling clay would considerably affect the position <d the Government. This being the case, he urged the electors to he guided in their choice entirely by considerations of piinciple. 1 he Premier proceeded to quote from the Post, with the object of showing that it approved of the Government financial policy when it was submitted to Parliament, and. that it had characterised the argument that its effect would be to drive capital out of the Colony as a bogey too familiar to any longer fright, lhe Government’s financial policy had not changed since then, but the Post's attitude had changed because it was now outrageously partisan. It had been said that he had admitted that capital was leaving the Colony. He had admitted nothing more than the normal ebb and flow of capital. The truth was that this cry of frightening away capital, was . raised simply for the purpose of intimidating the people. If they were to be coerced in this manner they would become the bond-slaves of the English moneylenders. At the recent meeting in London of the Australian Land Company, which owned about a million acres in this Colony, the Chairman, while commenting upon the fact that they had earned a 10 per cent dividend besides L 15,000 to carry to reserve fund, said that the Government’s taxation proposals would oblige them to pay L6OOO more than formerly. Yet despite this fact, while mentioning *;he reserve fund amounted to L.j5,000, the Chairman expressed the hope that that reserve fund would he doubled before, long. This showed what the profits of these capitalists were. Seeing that the people at'large paid LI 600,000 through the Customs, was a contribution of L 75,000 or LIOO.OOO exacted from the large landowners by means of the graduated tax an excessive proportion to ask from them ? (Cries of • No ’ and applause.) He maintained that there was no indication of capital leaving the Colony. After stating that Mr Rolleston was now leader of the Tory party, and could not move hand or foot without their consent, and asserting that Mr Bell would be bound to that party in a similar way if he were returned to Parliament, the Premier maintained that his Government had earned the gratitude of the farming class by carrying the/L3OOO exemption, and that they had also promoted the interests of the people at large by impos* ing the absentee tax, although the credit for proposing this latter tax was due to a Conservative (Dr Newman), but proposed, he believed, with the view of killing the Pill. The Government were determined not to allow capital to come in to monopolise the lands of the Colony. Their purpose was to facilitate boriS, fide settlement by-all legitimate means. And they were achieving their object, too. During last year they had settled, under special settlement conditions, 900 people upon the land in 22 associations, the total area settled being 250,000 acres. The Premier went on to reply to certain charges of alleged maladministration preferred by Mr Bell against the Government, to speak in favour of Home Rule, and to charge the. Conservative party with a conspiracy to give an extra vote. to property, than which, he added, no more diabolical proposal had ever been made in the Colony. After denying the taunt of his opponents that the Government, by failing to reduce the duties on the necessaries of life, had not at heart the welfare of the working classes, the Premier said that if it were found necessary to find employment for the people, he would fling Freetrade theories to the winds and put on Protective duties for the purpose. With the object of assisting the people, the Government had established a labour bureau that had already found employment for 1444 men, and they had inaugurated the system of co-operative contracts. The policy of next session would be as interesting, as and as fruitful of good for the people as that of last session, lb would be. proclaimed from the housetops before Parliament, met, and the policy Bills would alsb be circulated beforehand. It was untrue that the Government had an enormous majority. If the rats, and those now engaged in the process of ratting, were deducted their majority would be largely reduced. After saying that the Govarnment. were resolved not to permit a nominee chamber to override the will of the people the Premier called upon the electors to be faithful to their interests on Friday next, and he then resumed his seat amid loud cheers. J The Minister of Education received a like ovation. He claimed for Ministers that the liberty of free speech was as precious as a free press, and that since the press of this city was animated by hostility towards them, Ministers had to act by the motto, *’ every man his own 2a isi a ,here ws "

anonymous newspaper attacks ; on the other side fair, free and public speech. In England, the working classes were out of touch with the great capitalist newspapers of the middle classes, and they, therefore, preferred to hear their public men face to face. The working classes here, surrounded as they were by circles of Tory newspapers, should insist upon the same privilege. The Liberal Party, had now a fighting Ministry, and that Ministry would continue to fight to the end. Mr Reeves passed on to deal with the personal aspect of the present election contest. Mr McLean was an honest and good man, an intelligent and reading gentleman, and on© who studied public questions for himself. That being so, the Laberal Party preferred their own honest and respectable man to the honest and respectable man who was proffered them by the other side. If Mr Bell were chosen because of his many estimable qualities he would no more represent the people in Parliament than did the Hon. Robt. Pharazyn at present. Mr Bell was first brought out by the Conservatives because he would help to destroy the Government, and now the people were asked to believe that he would not injure the Government. Like the caged lion in a circus show—he was warranted not to bit. The Conservative candidate was endowed by his supporters with such a complication of extraordinary qualities that he could only be compared to those patent medicines which will cure the most diverse and opposite diseases —influenza and sea sickness, chicken-pox and cholera morbus. /(Loud laughter). After quoting from the Christchurch Press to show the admittedly depressed condition of theColonyj ust after the last general election,Mr Reeves quoted from the Wellington press to show that after 12 months of the Ballance Government, New Zealand was more prosperous than any other country in the world, fouch were the verdicts of their bitterest opponents. The speaker then proceeded to reply to attacks which he said were made upon the Government and the Liberal Party, and to defend their measures, which had been denounced as Socialistic. In a fervid peroration, he exhorted the electors, in casting their votes, not to be swayed by narrow and local feelings, but to be determined in their choice by broad and national considerations, reminding them that the eyes of the Liberals throughout the Colony were upon them. (Loud and prolonged cheers). On toe motion of Mr W. P. McGirr, seconded by Mr W. McDonald, the following resolution was passed unanimously : —That this meeting thanks Mr McLean, the Hon J. Ballance and the Hon W. P. Reeves for their clear and explicit addresses, and whilst pledging, itself to support Mr McLean, also expresses its entire confidence in the policy and administration of the present Government. Mr McLean and the Hon Mr Reeves returned chanks, the former saying he was in favour of giving a half-holiday to the shop assistants. The meeting broke up at 10.35 p.m. with cheers for the Government and Mr McLean, WHAT THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SAYS. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) Dunedin, January 13. The Otago Daily Times, in a leading artiale on the Wellington election, this morning, says : —lt must be admitted by every person net a blind and unthinking partisan that those other reasons to which we have alluded for desiring the return of Mr Bell are more than usually strong. That gentleman is a particularly eligible parliamentary candidate ; he is a New Zealander, and the sou of one of the most blameless as well as faithful public servants New Zealand has ever had. \et to his own ability and industry and high character Mr Bell owes the very satisfactory private position in which, while still quite a young man, he now stands. Throughout his candidature he has been studiously moderate and inoffensive. Clear and independent in his opinion, aDd. ju ’ging by his statement of them, a 3 free from narrow class prejudices as could well be—on the other band with every desire in the world to be fair. It is impossible to say much for Mr McLean. 3 After summarising the contradictory opinions given utterance to by Mr McLean, the article continues “It may justly be said that these are Bmall matters, and that it is of little consequence what Mr McLean’s opinions may be. That, however, is the whole question. The opinions of the representatives of the City of Wellington should be of consequence. The present is au important time in the history of New Zealand. The good sense of the Colony, its repute before the world for the wise and prudent management of its own affairs, are now in a sense at stake. It is scarcely pleasant to think that at such a time the capital of the Colony should return to Parliament a mere empty voting machine, whose opinions are dictated to him, whether by the exigencies of the moment or the Government of the day —rather than a man of sense and information, whose influence would be for the general good. The chief cities of the Colony have not for some years past been generally distinguished by a wise discrimination in the choice of their representatives. Let us hope that Wellington on Friday next will show an example worthy of being followed.”