Invercargill Election.

Southland Times, Issue 12767, 28 November 1893, Page 2

Invercargill Election.

MR HATCH IN ZEALANDIA HALL. Mr Hatch addressed a monster meeting in the Zealandia Hall yesterday evening, probably over 1200 ladies and gentlemen being present. The audience was nob so large up till shortly before ten o’clock, when a considerable number of those who had previously been at Mr Kelly’s meeting put in au appearance. Up to that time the proceedings were orderly and Mr Hatch’s exposition of his political faith was listened to with attentive interest, but afterwards there were a number of interruptions, and things became a trifle lively. ’ The main portion of the address Mr Hatch devoted to explaining at greater length than before his views on the temperance, education, and other questions, dealing also with the extension of the post and telegraph system under the Hon. Mr Ward's energetic administration ; justice, co-operation, the railways, roads and bridges, shipping, strikes, lighthouses, harbours, cousolidation of local loans, alleged errors in t'le newspapsrs, the Legislative Council, the town clock and the part he took in procuring it, canvassing tor votes, the tariff, and what he claimed was an attempt by South Invercargill to dictate to the whole of the electorate at the present election—a contest he likened to a cricket match in which he claimed to be able to knock the “ Ball ” with his bat the whole length of the building. He refused to be dictated to by Mr Ball, and he characterised that gentleman’s threat to break up his (Mr Hatch’s) meeting as audacious and impudent. When he stated that he had spent no money on “ shouting ” for the purpose of purchasing votes and that he knew for a fact that his opponent had been doing so there were loud cries of “No,” whereupon Mr Hatch slid it was apparent that Mr Kelly's meeting had broken up and that his supporters had come there to kick up a.row. He was glad, however, that they had not got into the front seats as at his meeting in the Theatre, and he could assure them that the ladies and gentlemen who had come to hear him would not be insulted by their unseemly conduct. Immediately. afterwards Mr Hatch was speaking of the duty on kerosene, when a voice from the back of the hall asked what kerosene had to do with politics. The questioner was soundly rated for his ignorance in not being aware that the tariff was a very important political question, Mr Hatch saying that the gentleman had apparently no “ light” on the subject and did not desire any. He claimed that he had no axe to grind, and was greeted with cries of “Oh!” They might “ oh ” and hiss—which came from the goose —as long as they liked,' but he defied apy man to prove the contrary. A few other interruptions, but not of a serious nature, also took place, and Mr Hatch resumed his seat amid, loud applause after having spoken for over two hours and a quarter. Only two or three questions were aske-d, among them being a query as to whether the candidate would be in favour of applying the closure. Mr Hatch replied that be would mo-t certainly be iu favour of applying it to the garrulous questioner. H: repeated that he would prefer Stout or Ward t) Seddon as Premier, and I’l pc itcil t’l-it he would only agtee to an alici at ou in the present Education Act if three-fifths of the people desired it. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr 11. McLean and seconded by Mr It. W. Had. On being put the “ ayes” seemed to have it so far us the number of voices was concerned, but the volume of sound was in favourof the “ no?s.” The nveting broke up immediately afterwards. MR KELLY IN THE THEATRE. Mr J. W. Kelly addressed a crowded meeting iu the Theatre, a feature of the audience being the large proportion of ladies. Mr J. Kingsland was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced the speaker

who was greeted with applause and a volley of bouquets. In reply to criticisims of certain of his actions in the House made by Mr Hatch, he explained that in the case of Reid v. Nightcaps Coal Company, he had at the request of a constiluent simply.interviewed the Railway Commissioners with the view of providing Mr Reid with facilities for carrying on his business pending the trial of his case in the Supreme Court. In regard to the case of Jansberg v. Cross he had received a petition to have the alleged actions of the R.M. in connection with the case investigated, and he considered it his duty in the interest of all to lay the matter before the House. He ■ had not as alleged brought up the matter of the fining of certain individuals at Otautau, and denied a rumour that he was paying a man to shout at hotels to try and obtain votes. Mr Kelly then spoke of some of the legislation of the late Government and other subjects, referring to railway management, federation, which he opposed, the Criminal Code, Workmen’s. Wages, Shops and Shop Assistants Conspiracy Act amendment and Land for Settlement Bills, the Cheviot Estate purchase, co-operative works system, education question, land laws, mining measures, wages protection bill, adjustment of taxation and the agricultural department established by the Government. In reply to questions, he read a telegram from headquarters which contradicted a statement appearing in the Southland News of September 7tb s stating that teetotalers insured under the temperance section of the Life Insurance Department had received no bonus during the last ten years. As a matter of fact it was known that the temperance surplus for the present term would again be large. He was in favour of compulsory insurance for working men, but did not think the time was ripe for introducing it. The objection which Friendly Societies had raised would first have to be overcome. He was opposed to a paid defence force, and was in favour of women receiving the same wages as men for equal work performed. Asked whether, if Sir Robert Stout became leader of a party, he would support him, he said he would support the last Government, but if a new leader arose in the House he would claim a free hand to act as he thought fit. Mr Pearson asked if he was in favour of the time for conducting auction sales being extended to after sunset ? He stated that he would do so if the present law were found to ba hard on auctioneers. Mr George Couling proposed, and Mr James Smith seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Kelly for his address and of confidence in him as their representative. The motion was carried practically unanimously.