THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3539, 14 August 1879, Page 3

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

MR ALLWRIGHT AT LYTTELTON,

Mr Henry Allwright addressed -the electors at Lyttelton last night, at the Colonists' Hall. There was a very large attendance, the Hall being crowded in every part. Mr Hawkins occupied tho chair and introduced the candidate in a few remarks.

Mr H. Allwright, who was received with Cheers, said he had sent a note to Mr MurrayAynsley, the member for the district, asking him to be present at the meeting, but that gentleman had repliei that it was his intention himself to call the electors together, and that a previous engagement prevented his being present that evening. He (the speaker) apologised for calling them together at so early a period, but he had done so for several reasons, and the great reaso^ was that ho knew the C^urn^". fighting and w*»g pandering to them for their votes. He had therefore called them together that night to ask them not to pledge themselves to one side or the other. His nrinciple had ever | been not' bask the ri«oto» ** Tg3 He thrmghfc that they were qu«~ |*J» DW ? l judging as id who was the best man to be returned to Parliament, and therefore he left it in their hands, knowing that they would know what to do without being pandered to — without being stopped at overy coner of the street during election time, and caught by the hand and asked how their health was. (Laughter.) This kind of thing was only done during election times. Who could make a greater exhibition of himself than the gentleman did who stood at the corner of the railway gate every night, and shook kindly by the hand every person possessing a vote who came through, and asked how his wife and family was, and hoped he was well and was getting on in his affairs comfortably ? Well, he (the speaker) detested that sort of thing. It was an insult to the electors, and a disgrace to the man who sought to be placed in the position which Mr Aynsley did. He (the speaker) would not do it. He had a name they could play upon, and -when the electors wera stuck" up they could say, " Oh, it's all right." But when they came to the ballot, they should use their own judgment and vole for the man they thought would be the best man to represent thorn in the House of Assembly. He did not want the electors to pledge themselves to him more than to the othor side, but ho would ask them to come to the ballot fearlessly, and when they got the papers, to pause and think which name they would strike out. He would be perfectly satisfied with this. Of course they had been told that if Allwright went to the House, ho would have very little weight. Well, that might be correct, but he would ask them, with all the weight their E resent member was said to have, what had c done? Had he used that great weight for the benefit of their little town, or j for the benefit of New Zealand in general. He would say no. They bad been told that "Allwright is sure not to get in ; ho has not the money to spend upon it thn 4 ; our side has." He was sorry to say that v n ue, but he would be sorry to say that Lyti '->n was a pocket Borough. He knew money w«< 1 1 go a long way, but he had no objection to Ine other side spending a lot of money. It would do the Borough good, and he hoped money would bo spent in it. If money was spent he would advise them to take it, and then when they went to the ballot they should do as they liked. They should take all the money they could possibly got and circulate it and it would do their town good, and then when they went to the ballot they should strike out all the names that they thought inadvisable to have in. The^ were told Mr Aynsley bad done a lot in the Lobbies. Well, what had he done ? He said nothing. Since he had known Mr Aynsley, that gentleman's political career had been a failure. In the address that he delivered there, before the House met, he had | a >cry poor case, and certainly floundered about trying to find something he had done for them, and the only thing he could claim as having done for the town was, that he had gained £50 for the Domain Board. Well, he (the Bpeaker), finding the Board never received the money, had got the Town Clerk to make enquiries into the matter, and Mr Aynsley had replied that he had seen the Minister for Public Works, who promised to see Into it. He (Mr Aynsley) said he was sorry hd could nob give a more satisfactory answer. Now as to the policy he would adopt if elected. He would support the policy Bhadowed forth in the Governor's speech. Ho was a thorough Liberal to the backbone. He must say he was not a Btrong supporter of Sir George Grey, but he supported his polioy. He would support any Government that went in to i assist in carrying out that policy, which he bflioved was the best for New Zealand. (Applause.) Ho would go in for shortening the duration of Parliament, for the reason that he thought it advisable the representatives should come of tener before their constituents, and be turned out if they did not do their duty. He thought three years was long enough for a member to represent a constituency. He would go in for liberal land laws to promote the settlement of Bmall farmers on the ground, so that the working man cpuld take up a small piece of land and work it to advantage. Of course he would veto anything in the way of monopoly of land. His antagonist would use every means in ha power to be placed in the House noxt Parliament. They must remember that the squatters had to decide as to their runs during the next Parliament, and Mr Murray- Aynsley was so intimately connected with the squatting interest that he was bound to be returned if money would do it. This was a most important matter for them to take into consideration during the election. If Mr'Ayneloydicl not go in for Lyttelton he would try elsewhere. He (the speaker) did not know, after the experience of the electors for the last four years, whether Mr Aynsley had a chance in Lyttelton. It was for them to decide. The squatting interest must be done away with, bo that the requirements of the population as it increased — and it was increasing to an enormous extent — could be met. Large runs which were now employing half a dozen men must be made to employ hundreds, otherwise what was to be done with the increasing population ? Ho would vote for".' the Public ; Works , scheme,: , and t.o push it on B 3 fastas-ROBaiblei ' r 'The country

House as at present constituted. He did not think it should be a nominated body, but an elected body ; and the people of New Zealand should have the same privilege of putting men in the Upper House as in the Lower House. They could hardly expect him to speak upon these political subjects as well as their present member, because -he (Mr Murray- Aynsley) had so much experience in the House, and he (the speaker) would be at a great disadvantage in Bpeaking before him. The Maori question was a very serious question, but he thought the Natives should be put down with a strong hand. He could not conceive why the Maoris should commit offences with impunity more than white men. The Maori question was one which their representative should take up and put down with a strong hand. This pampering to the Maoria was a thing which never should be sanctioned by Englishmen. There woa another important question, which he would support — that was the removal of the present seat of Government from Wellington to dm9tchurcb, not from any mercenary motive, but for the simple reason that members could go to their homes South on a Friday, and return on Tuesday to their duties, and the same with the members North as the railway extended in that direction. A large majority of the members could go home after the rising of Parliament on Friday, and return in time for Tuesday's sitting. He thought there were members even in the North Island who would acknowledge that Wellington was not a proper place for the seat of Government. If the seat of Government was in Christchurch, they would, he thought, get better representatives than would be the case with the seat of Government in Wellington. He was sorry to Bay their present member did not support the proposition for the removal of the seat of Government from Wellington to Christchurch. He did not know whether it was necessary to detain them much longer. There were many questions he should perhaps be able to touch upon, but he was new to these matter*, and he must apologise to them if he wns not so open in his political views as he ought to be. He had been the consistent opponent of Mr Aynsley ever since he had been in Parliament. He had come out to oppose Mr Aynsley, but it any better man came forward he would give way at once to him. He was only pledged to oppose Mr Aynßley, and he was preparsd to do that through thick and thin, and, if he (the speaker) was defeated, he would take it as well a3 if he was the victor. It was, all things being equal, better that a local man should represent them, as he had an opportunity of knowing the wants of his constituents. If he was elected he would try to obtain redress for any grievances brought before him. (Applause.) He had taken an interest in the working men, and had tried to lessen the hours of work of the railway employees on Sundays, and if ho had been their member, he would, perhaps, have succeeded better than he did. He had done, however, something for them, atd if elected, he would continue to take the same interest in the worki™ men a? he had hitherto done. He had nothing to gain by going to Wellington ; the advantage was all on the other side ; but he was prepared to go thera for one session if it was their will. After reiterating his statement that he would support the present policy of the Government, the speaker said he would go in for manhood suffrage. He would go in for a re-distribution j* -<«iU. and would support this being done as early as possw ?* xl i?8 » ion ; , ?° was so liberal in his views, that he wouiu g!72 fvery man who had been in the place a very short time a vote.

The speaker then sat down amidst load applauso. A voice : Will you support the Grey Ministry ? Mr Allwright : I will support the policy of the Gray Ministry. A voice: Will you support the present Ministry in their policy ? Mr Allwright: I will support Sir George Grey's policy, but I think ho should' retire. I won't pledge myself to support Sir George Grey. I will support any Government which is prepared to support the policy shadowed forth by the Governor in his Address. I won't vote for the Ministry as at present constituted, but I will support the policy shadowed forth in the Governor's speech. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Mr Nias : Hovr can you vote for the measures of Sir George Grey ani not support Sir George Grey ? Mr Allwright : I say that it is time that Sir George Grey should recede from the Government, but I would support any Ministry that would carry out the policy of Sir George Grey. A voice : The measures, not the man ?

Mr Allwright : The measures, not the man. A voice: I should like this matter to be clearly understood. If you voted against Sir George Grey you would throw out his measures. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman : Are there any other electors who would like to ask any questions ? Mr Erickson: I should like to know whether, if you don't support Sir George Grey, you are going to support his policy ?

Mr Allwright : I have told you already that I will support any Government that supports Sir George Grey's policy. I tell you this — that if these measures cannot be carried out without Sir George Grey being at the head.of the Government, I shall support him.

MrErickson: How can jou give him an opportunity of carrying out these measures if you are prepared to vote against him ?

Mr Allwright : I don't want to prevaricate at all. I want to give a i^vightforward answer. I Bay this — that I think Sir George Grey should not be at the head of affairs, but I say that I think that if the policy cannot be carried ou*. wiw.uut Sir George Grey being at the head, I shall support him. A Voice : That is equivocating ; that is not a straight arswer. Mr Allwright : Well, I cannot give you ft straighter answer. Mr Early : What about the Leeal Option Bill?

Mr Allwright : I have never read the Local Option Bill. I have heard a good deal said on the platform about it. But one thing has appeared to me vory strange. The opponents to the Bill have always wanted a compensation clause. I never could sco why the publican should have compensation any more than a man who builds a store and .does not succeed in his business should have compensation. It seems to me an absurd thing that any man should- expect compensation for a building which ho puts up entirely upon speculation if he docs not succeed in his business or conducts it badly. (Hear, hear.) A Voice : What d^es Mr Allwright think about the Education question? Would he go in for t uc Bible being read in schools or not?

Mr Allwright: Well, of COUrSd it Ja tolerably well known what my opinion 6/1 the Education question is ; but as to whether the Bible should be taught or not I have not thoroughly made up my mind. I would not support a measure by which the Bible would be taught compulaorily in schools. I don't think it would be fair to other denominations. A Yoke : With a conscience clause ? Mr Allwright : Well, I think the Bible is read to a certain extent in our schools.

A voice : Tt is against the law. Mr Allwright : Well, I have nothing to do with that. 1 have always gone in for secular education, and was one of those who took a very active part when the present system was brought into operation. I think it has been a step in the right direction. Many children are now taught who never would have been but for it.

Mr Cathro : Will you support Curtis' Bill ? Mr Allwright : I never read Curtis' Bill ; but I would never support denominationalism. If Mr Curtis' Bill means denominationaliam, I would oppose it.

Mr J. W. Smith : I think Mr Allwright is hardly clear. Any teacher under the present Bill could teach the Koran, bat not the Bible. I wish to know whether Mr Allwright would abolish the clause which prohibits the Bible being read in our schools.

AToice: What Bible? (Laughter.) Mr All-right : Thoro is no doubt that I shall hare the pleasure of meeting the electors again. I was not aware that this question would be asked, and I am not prepared to answer it to-night. I might be committing myself on a point, and might wish to alter my statemont afterwards. Whatever I commit my9elf to I shall abide by. But this I .can now say, I am thoroughly in favour of secular educa' ion. •:

cation. A Voice : Would you reduce immigration ? Mr Allwright : Did I not Bpeak of immigration? I have it noted down here. lam so nnacoustomed to appear before you. (Laughter.) Yes, I have evidently missed it. I was very glad to see a telegram stating that Government had seat instructions Homo to stop immigration. I mean for a time, because we must have immigration to a certain extent, but at the proper season, and not when men are walking about with nothing to do. A judicious system of immigration would no doubt be of advantage to the Colony, but discretion should be used. I was glad to see that the Government had taken the bull by the horns, and sent instructions to the Agent at Home to send out none but single girla. ' (Applause.)

Mr Samuel R. Webb : Will you try to get the Custom-house back to Lyttelton ?

Mr Allwright: That is an old question. I can only say that if Allwright could get Custom-house and everything else that ought to bo there back to Lyttelton, he would like to do 80. If I had influence enough, I would bring back the Custom-house to where it ought to be. (Apphuse.) I raised my voice against it being removed, and against the influence that was brought to bear by men whom you know, and who ought to have stopped it. You may rely upon it, that if it is possible for me to get it back, it will come back. I will try to get it back, if I haye — I was going to say, the misfortune — of going up to Wellington. Mr A. Taylor: Are you in favour of stopping Chinese Immigration P Mr Allwright : I think it is stopped already. There is, at all events, a Bill to put a Poll Tax of £10 upon every Chinaman coming to the Colony.

Mr Taylor : Would you be in favour of a Bill putting a tax of £20. Mr Allwright: Yes. If £10 would not atop them. Mr S. R.Webb: Would you be in favour of greater facilities being afforded for shipping goods from Lyttelton. Mr Allwright : That will be v*ry soon done. The Harbour Board has the intention of putting a wharf on the other side of Peacock's wharf, and giving access to it by Miles' store. But anything that I could do to facilitate the shipping of goods, which I know from experience has wanted looking »fter for a long time, I should do. I think these local questions may be all answered by me in one breath. I have been in Lyttelton some 30 years — perhaps it would have been better had I left it some years ago. I don't want to " blow " as to what I have done, because I have only done what any townsman should do — but anything that I can do for this little town, you may rely upon it that I will do. If Igo to Wellington, you will see that Lyttelton is mentioned in the House, which was not the case during the last four years, until a dissolution was about to take pla.C& So soon as there was a probability of a. dissolution, our honourable member askoA if the police were going to have better quarters in Lyttelton. That was a good political dodge. I think he was looking forward to this election, rather than thinking of our benofit. I shall do what I C»tl for our little town and for the whole of New Zealand, but I dan't say that my abilities will bring me as prominently before the country as Sir Julius Yogel Or Sir George Grey. I shall be quite prepare";} for defeat in this contest, and I hope I shall be ■„ ' - shake hands with all my opponents a^rhe^otuming .2- declared the result of the polling. (Applause.; 1W now ask Mr Andrews to idol? 88 J OUt * P" plause.) ,

Mr Andrew?, who wa9 received with louu oheew, said that ho had by no means exsettcd to be called upon to address the meeting. Some of them might ask what had made him come to Lyttelton that evening. He had come for the sole purpose of hearing Mr Allwrighfr, of seeing him, and of trying as far as he could to become acquainted with that gentleman's views. He had not come alone, but with Dr Turnbull and Mr Izett, members of the Liberal Association. He could quite sympathise with Mr Allwright, who had to speak on subjpets with which he was but little acquainted, but those present who knew Mr Allwright well, would, he was sure, be prepared to say that they could scarcely speak to that gentleman upon anyßubject upon which he -would not be prepared to give them a full and satisfactory answer. He (Mr Andrews) had seen Mr Allwright's notes, and could assure the meeting that he had overrun himself, and that the subjects ho had alluded to in his speech where not a quarter of what he would tell them on future occasions. He (Mr Andrews) had declared himself to be a Liberal. (Applause.) Ho knew something of politics, and was credited with knowing perhaps more than ho did know. He would liko to say this — no person yet, who had grown to political eminence had done so without having a fair trial. Mr Allwright was asking for a fair trial, and would, he (Mr Andrews) believed come well out from the trial. His reason Lr saying so was that Mr Allwright had grown favourable in the opinion of the people of Lyttelton and of ChrisLchurch, and had shown himself to be a man of indomitable energy. His very enemies had been compelled to admit that he was a man who could be thoroughly depended upon. One person had said the other day that there were 10 Premiers in the late House of Representatives— lo who thoughtthomselves fit to be Premiers. He (Mr Andrews) had said, "What becomes of the rest of the membora?" and he had been answered, "Oh they are all Cabinet Ministers." (Laughter.) It might make them laugh, but if they looked at the ma', ter seriously they would find that all the squabbles had arisen from the jealousies caused from this. If that constituency returned Mr Allwright they would havo a man who would make himself thoroughly acquainted with every subject, and above all ono who would give a straightforward and honourable vote. Ho (Mr Andrews) could tell them many things in which he and Mr Allwright could agree, and which the latter had omitted to mention. It might bo said that he (Mr Andrews) had prompted Mr Allwright, but that gentleman required no prompting. Mr Allwright was a local man — an approachable man, and whatever that Borough required from him he would carry out in a fair and honourable manner. He (Mr Andrews) thought the electors of that Borough could not do better than plaoe their confidence in a man 80 well known and respected for bis past transactions. (Applause).

Mr Allwright said there was a word he would like to add, and that was that the remarks he had made that night were his own. He worked at a disadvantage, as he was the first to fire a shot in this battle. He had had no opportunity of seeing what others said, and therefore hoped that they would make allowance for any omissions ho had made. He iiau not done as some membors did.— waited, till all the ctlior candidates had spoken and then picked a little from one and a little from another. (Applause).

In answer to loud cries, fir" Turnbull then addressed the meeting. He had not anticipated having to speak there that night. He had come to Lyttelton as president of what was called the Liberal Bcform Association of Canterbury, and to have a conversation with Mr Allwright as to the likelihood of his supporting Liberal principles Bhould he be returned. He was happy to find that the views of the Association met with entire acceptance from Mr Allwright. He might, for his own part, aay that he would not have appeared on the political platform had he not felt that this wag the most decided crisis that had occurrod daring the last twentythree years for the working people, and the Liberal interest of New Zealand. It was now a question whether the multitude was to govern the Colony, or the Colony to be governed by a few. The great test to put to candidates was to ask them " When you advocate Manhood suffrage, tiiennial Parliaments, representation in proportion to the population, and the rest, is it your determination to use your utmost endeavours to bring these things into force during the next session? There was not the slightest doubt that all the candidates would adopt what might be called the Liberal platform ; they would come forward with promises and an amount of tergiversation, but when ParFament met all these questions would be again put off. They snould be told, "Dissolve again in - May and come to your constituents." They .had to thank Mr Allwright for coming manfully forward in the interests of JLiberaljsm. The

he could to get others to follow his example. (Loud applause.) Mr T. Merson in a few remarks spoke in favour of the candidate.

Mr Izett followed at some length, and pointed out the desirability of electing a gentleman pledged tb;support a liberal policy as was Mr Allwright. ~

Mr Allwright proposed a rote of thanks to the Chairman.

Mr S. R. Webb seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation, and briefly acknowledged by the Chairman. The meeting then closed.