The Coromadel Electorate.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4039, 8 December 1881, Page 2

The Coromadel Electorate.

Last evening Mr James Mackay addressed a meeting of the electors in the Coromandel district, at the St. George's Schoolroom, Bolleston street. There was an excellent attendance, and Mr H. T. Howe was voted to the chair.

The Chairman said that they'were met together to hear Mr Mackay. This was the second time be had addressed the constituents', and all he asked for was that the meeting would give the speaker a fair and impartial hearing. He called upon Mr Mackay to address the meeting. Mr Mackay, who on rising was loudly applauded, said:—Mr Chairman and genI tlemen, —I wish you to listen to me this evening attentively. In the first place, I would ask you what possible knowledge either Mr Cadman or Mr. Brodie has in this district ? They have certainly some, but what knowledge had they of politics P —none. Could they tell the electors when snob and such an act was passed P JNo! And were these people capable of rightly judging the wants and necessities of the district P Decidedly not. But he hoped this meeting would not be under the impression that he entertained any envious feelings towards either Messrs Cadman or Brodie, and if either were returned he would go to them and shake hands "with the.-victor. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the'present electoral basis he found that the representation was.based on the population in the several districts. Would the Government divide the public money according on the same standard as they based the representation P As regards the present.candidates for the Coromandel electorate he could claim to have a better knowledge of the requirements of the place than either of them. For instance, what did Mr Brodie know about the requirements of the Coromandel district, and what did Mr Cadman know about the exigencies of the Thames district ? Nothing, and he could say without being egotistical that he could point out every river, stream, mountain, valley, and plain between Cape Colville and the Waikato. He had had to purchase land from the natives and had bought 7£ millions of acres on the West Coast for £300. That was a small sum but the fact remained the same. How was it that Auckland was" going rapidly to the background, it was simply on account of her sending local men to the House of Representatives. It might be said the native differences stopped the main line from Waikato—nothing of the sort. It was petty jealousies of Taranaki and Napier. He would like to see local institutions on a proper footing., He would not like a return to Provincialism, as Auckland would be the centre, and all monies would be spent there., He would like to see the Counties retained, but their configuration should be formed according to the natural features of the County. After enumerating the many services he had rendered to the country, he went on to speak on the various local matters agitate ing the public mind at present. Mr Den by and other gentlemen asked Mr Mackay several questions, which were answered in a most straightforward manner.

Mr Mackay was listened to with great attention, and the following resolution, proposed by Mr McKenzie, and seconded by Mr D. Young, was carried without dissent:—" That this meeting, haring heard Mr Mackay's able address, has every confidence in him, and pledge themselves to do their utmost to secure his return to Parliament."