THE HON. J. CARROLL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 38

THE HON. J. CARROLL.

Though the weather was miserable, with much rain, Mr Carroll had a splendid meeting at Gisborno, and bis effective reply to Captain Kussell was received with much enthusiasm. lie made an able defence of tho Government policy, and dealing with Captain Knssell's reference to tho Uriwera trip, ho protested against this deliberate misrepresentation to injure him in tho minds of tho people. Instead of tho trip costing over =2(300, it did not cost ,£l5O, and as for tho travelling all dwancos of Ministei'B, they could not receive more than JJOs a day. He explained the various items, and there was a most enthusiastic response when reference was made to tho good work done in the Urewera country, where, in the dark days of tho Maori war, To Kooti and the rebels always found a resting place. He pointed out that great advantages must accrue from tho good work now done owing to the friendly relations between the Natives and the Government, the Natives having such confidence in the Government as enabled an amicable settlement most advantageous to both races. Mr Carroll said ho did not like raking up old matters, but so long as be did not hit below the belt he left justified in replying after the way Captain Kussell had attacked him. He then, amidst great laughter, told of Captain Knssell's Wanganui river trip, which was really an expensive picnic, and asiced them to contrast it with the work that was being done by him (Mr Carroll). (Cheers.) Capi tain Kussell had covertly insinuated that the party in power could not bo chosen as trustees, and he (Mr Carroll) proceeded to show how Captain Russell's party had shown their qualification for trusteeship. JP; hit out straight about the Kussell military grant, by which the Captain had on his father's casting vote obtained double the quantity of land ho had forfeited. Ho contrasted this special treatment with the ease of a private named Patrick Cotter, who joined the colonial forces, and left Hawko's Pay to defend tho settlers during the war in another part of the Colony, thus breaking his continuous residence, and when he applied for his 90 acres it was refused on tho ground of forfeiture for non-residence. Mr Carroll then referred to tho way in which Captain Knssell's friends had dealt with tho waste lands of Hawko's Pay, getting temporary pasture licenses and afterwards acquiring the freeholds, outsiders having no chance against thoiu. The Act provided that reserves should be made for education purposes, but this was ignored until tho last minute, when their consciences pricked them, and then they set apart 5000 acres on the Rnahino Ranges—(great laugh tor)—and 10,000 acres in the bush at Capo Turnagain. (Laughter.) Reserves made in such places as Waipawa would now be producing a largo revenue, but tho only valuable education reserve in tho province was that j at To Ante, set apart by the Natives themselves. That was how these men had acted as trustees for the rising generation —(laughter)—and yet they wanted to turn out the Government for no reason they could give and put these other men in power again. A motion of confidence in Mr Carroll and the Government was moved by Mrs Scott, and carried with great enthusiasm. Many . stayed behind and warmly congratulated Mr Carroll.

Referring to women's franchise, Mr (Jarroll said it was a waste of time to quarrel as to who conceded it. He had at first opposed it for what at the time he believed good reasons; but having granted it, they ought all to try to hoi}) the women to exercise it with judgment. Ho was sorry tho Conservative press had shown such a tendency to ridicule tho Women's Convention. If mistakes were made, they should bo pointed out with a spirit of fairness, with good argument. The Il<>ii J. Carroll's tour through his constituency has been characterised with much enthusiasm, lie spoke at Ormond on Wednesday. The hall was crowded, and the meeting gave marked evidence of Mr Carroll's popularity. He received a unanimous vote of confidence, also a vote of confidence) in the Government, and there was much cheering before the mooting broke up. His replies to Captain Pu.-.seli are considered very effective. lie concluded his district tour on Saturuight night, speaking at Terai. He had another enthusiastic meeting on Thursday night at Patutahi, with votes of confidence in himself and Government. At Ormond the band voluntarily turned out in honour of Mr Carroll. At Patutahi the chairman, a strong Conservative, expressed sympathy with .Mr Carroll in regard to tho unfairness of the attack regarding the [Jrcwera expedition.