Mr. A. McDonald at Makaraka.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 879, 2 September 1879, Page 2

Mr. A. McDonald at Makaraka.

There was a large meeting of the electors at the Public Hall, Makaraka, last night, to hear Mr. Allan McDonald's address. On the motion of Captain W. H. Tucker Mr. W. R. Ball was voted to the chair. On Mr. McDonald ascending the platform he was greeted with a round of cheers, and throughout the meeting there was a great amount of enthusiasm manifested. Mr. McDonald gave an able, clear, and intelligent exposition of his views on political matters, and whenever any allusion was made m his speech of the certain return of the Ministeralists to office, and the defeat of the Opposition, those present invariably co-incided with that impression, and cheered most vigorously. As we have already published an exttmo report of Mr. McDonald's address delivered m the Masonic Hall, Gisborne, we will only furnish a few of the answers given to the principal questions put last night Mr. Waxsh asked if all those at the meeting who had come from town were his old servants whom he had said would vote for him to a man or were they paid supporters ? Mr. McDonald said that as all his servants had promished him their support, it showed that they appreciated him, and he was glad of this unlooked for expression of confidence, and as to those who had come from town, they were voters, and his supporters. In reply to an elector he said he would like to see the Native Office abolished, and the department managed by a responsible head accountable to the whole House, and not to any party m office, and as to the increased expenditure of £20,000— that was incurred owing to the state of Native affairs at Taranaki. He remembered when the department spent over £120,000 per annum., and when Sir Donald McLean could not account for expenditure of a large sum over that amount he got the House to pass an indemnity Act. To Mr. Weight :— He did not get the support of the Government for the purpose of being appointed Emigration Agent. That rumour was like many others circulated — untrue. He was m favor of a protective duty on timber and grain, m order that New Zealand, being a new country, might be the better able to compete with American producers,, who had nob the same difficulties as they had to contend with. He was m favor of immigration, if they could get such men as Stewart got out for Katikati, who were industrious men with small capitals. Replying to Captain Tucker, he said he was contesting the election for the good of the whole district. Thomson and Maoandrew hud requested him to come m the Grey interest, and if returned he would get their assistance. He would not blindly follow any party, but seek to advance the whole districts. He had a stake m the district, and he would have his home here. Replying to other questions, he said that Native Lands that have passed through the Court and Crown granted should be taxed. That Macandrew was instrumental m getting the rails for the County, and not Morris, who had taken the credit of it. He was m favour of the Native Law Suit Bill, and were it not for obstruction of Mr. Ormond, and the Opposition, it would have been carried, and a Court established here. He did not believe m the 1863 Act passed by Mr. McLean, making nearly all the land on the East Coast inalienable. Certain reserves only should be made to prevent the natives from being altogether disinherited and becoming paupers on the country, and the remainder to be disposed of by them .whenever and however he pleased. He would reduce the honorarium to £100, and it was quite enough for three months work. In answer to Mr. Ferris, he said the present action of the natives m entering upon lands to assert their title was not m any way connected with the present Government, and instanced cases precisely similar which occurred some four years ago,^ before they were m office. The question was not a party question, and should not be dealt with as such. In reply to Major Prrr, he said, if elected and his party was m the minority, he would resign. When the re-distribution of seats bill came up he would do his level best to obtain a member each for this district and the Bay of Plenty. He would try and get this district severed from Hawke's Bay m law and educational matters. There were many more questions, but of comparative unimportance. When the questioning ceased, Mr Parker moved that this meeting has confidence mMr McDonald, and consider him to be the best person to represent the East Coast District m Parliament. (Loud and continued cheering. ) The resolution was seconded by Mr Charles Young. Mr Ferris said he did not see why the electors should pass a vote of confidence mMr McDonald. (Hooting and interruption.) He was speaking to the resolution. What good had the Grey Ministry done to the place. Mr Harris objected to Mr Ferris proceeding to speak against the resolution m this manner. He was entirely out of order. Mr Ferris said he was going to put a vote of no-confidence. (Cries of " Sit down," &c.) He was not opposed to McDonald, but only to his principles. All the, native troubles m the district were owing to the Grey Ministry, and under those circumstances he would ask them not to be led away. It behoved them all to consider the question impartially, and he had much pleasure m proposing a vote of no-confidence. The motion was seconded by Mr Walsh. Mr. Webb and Captain Tucker spoke at great length to the resolution, defending the Grey Ministry and Mr. McDonald. Captain Tucker entered particularly into the question of disputed titles, stating that troubles had arisen before the advent of the Grey Government to power, and unless there was remediallegislation, they would continue to exist. Mr. Cuff asked that none of the electors who had come from town would take part m the voting at the meeting, lest they may be charged with having packed the meeting, which request was complied with. On the Chairman putting the amendment, but 3 hands were held vl\. for it. On the resolution of confidence m Mr. McDonald being submitted, there was a large show of hands for it, and when the Chairman declared the resolution carried, three hearty cheers were given for Mr. McDonald.

falls back upon first principles and simple grocosses. Distrusting the result of. a lovernor having a chance of effecting his fate, he invites the proletariat to govern the Governor. It ttill, of course, be easy for. a man so prominent to raise a multitude by stamping His foot upon the ground ; and it will be equally easy to induce the multitude ad raised to applaud anything he chooses to tell them about their right to over-rule their rulers. But such a resort will not bo an effort of stateniariship, but of desperation. A crowd is not a nation, and clamorous endorsement of one-sided resolutions has nothing m common with the deliberate conclusions of constituencies. Sir Hercules Robinson is not likely to ireat contemptuously any legitimate expression of public opinion ; but, at the same time, he is as little likely to be terrified by a mass meeting m Wellington as by a thunder-cloud on. the top of Mount Egmoht."