MR A. AYERS AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6016, 26 August 1887, Page 4

MR A. AVERS AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

Vote of Thanks aud

Confidence.

Last night the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street, was crowded at the invitation of Mr A. Ayors, one o£ the candidates for Christchurch South. In the gallery were many ladies, and on the stage were a large number of the members of the candidate's Committee and others.

Mr John Holmes was voted to the chair, and, in introducing the candidate, spoke of the present crisis as " a tide in our affairs whioh if taken at the flood may lead to good fortune."

Mr Ayers, who on rising was received with cheers, said that h,e felt very considerable diffidence in appearing before them that night to address them on matters of such importance as those indicated by Mr Holmes in his opening remarks. He had a very strong feeling of regard for that gentleman, which he could prove independently of his appearance there that night. He would rather see Mr Holmes the candidate and himself in the chair. (Cheers.) He would go further, and say thateprobably he was one of the first to urge in his official capacity that it was in the interests of Canterbury that Mr ; Holmes bhould again be their reprrsenta- j tive. But notwithstanding all the urgent ; appeals that were made to Mr "Holmes, he . absolutely declined to be a candidate for their suffrages. Such being the case, he ' appeared before them that night. (Cheers.) He could give them nothing like a political . speech, as he was suffering irom a very j severe cold. He would Tae exceedingly brief. The whole of the political questions of importance had been so thoroughly dealt with by men of the highest ability in the political world that he would not occupy any considerable time. He would have to occupy a portion of their time in order to Bee whether their opinions were in accord with his. Before entering upon the important questions in politics, he felt bound just for a moment to say something PEBSONAL. Many of them were aware that the strongest and most unscrupulous attempts had been made against him in order to injure him in the esteem of his fellowcitizens. He challenged that audience, he challenged Canterbury, to point out one act of his which showed that he had injured his fellow men in any sense of the word. If such could be proved, he waa ready to pay any penalty that they wished to inflict upon him. (Cheers.) He alluded more particularly to such things as were stated in a paper which he held in his hand, and which had been libterally distributed at the door that night. That had two sides, and there are Home people who are never prepared to look at both Bides. Such people are blind in one eye, and they can see but little with the other. He was addressing an audience who believed in fair play. (Cheers.) If that thing-rho would not call him a man— who published that had put the other side too, he would have put a feather in his (Mr Ayers') cap rather than taking one out. (Cheers) He had the misfortune, he said it advisedly, to be an auctioneer. He would tell them why advisedly : Because he had lost within the last three years something like .£3OOO. The pamphlet that he held in his hand pretended to be an account sales given to Mr Charles Deal. He (Mr Ayers) had the literal details of that account sale from beginning to end, and he would allow any honest man to see it if he wished. It set out that some fowls consigned to him for public auction had been sold for £13, the whole oE whioh had been absorbed, except 18s 6d, in commission, &c. There was not a tittle of truth in it. There was consigned to that sale something between .£SO and JHOO worth of valuable poultry. These things were said against him to injure his chance with them. (Interruption.)

Mr Holmea asked them to allow Mr Ayera to make an explanation of so gross a challenge as thai; which had been thrown oat to Mr Ayors. (Cheers.)

Mr Arras : Speaking about that sale, there was a valuable lot of poultry sold besides Mr Deal's. The eale was a lamentable failure. He (Mr Ayers) had contributed 25s of the expenses, and every shilling was given to Mr Deal. Jf those charges which had been made against him. could be proved, he was prepared to retire from the candidature and cease to ask for a vote, and decline to go to the poll. (Cheers.) Another matter which he wished to refer to was his connection with the Electors' Association, He had not the remotest idea of being a candidate for South Christchurch when he joined it. He had not come forward at that time because he feared that if he had someone, possibly opposed to his and their interests! would have gone in between the other candidate and himself. One seat would thus have been lost to the Government. He was urged very strongly by the electors of South Christchurch. For days he declined absolutely. He urged Mr Perceval to come forward, and would have given him a most loyal support. It was after Mr Perceval had refused to come forward that he (Mr Ayers) consented to be a candidate, He had nothing to say against Mr Perceval. They had worked together in railway matters, and no man worked harder than Mr Perceval for the East and West Coast Railway. One morning Mr Perceval came into the Municipal Chambers, and, addressing him, said, " Mr Maypr, I have to congratulate you/ He said " What for ?" Mr Perceval replied that he had heard that morning thab he (Mr Ayera) had declared himself a candidate. Mr Perceval said "We have got the right man in the field, and a man who could win." He (Mr Ayers) said to him, " I have declared myaelt<u candidate, but if you will come forward, and advertise it in to-night's paper, I will retire." He would have given him a most loyal support, but Mr Perceval refused to come forward. After he had declared himself the Electors' Association came to him with a document for him to Bign to see whether he was prepared to endorse their platform and support the present Government. He instantly signed it, and they had the record to-day. He was astonished afterwards at the Association acting aB th.ey had done. He had spoken bo far of personal matters ; he would next deal briefly with matters of the greatest importance to the community and to the whole of New Zealand. Some people said that he was ambitious. Well, he would not give much for a man that was not. It was not, however, to gratify himself. He loved New Zealand, and wanted to make it his home; and one could not but be struck with the vast progress Canterbury and the whole of New Zealand had made. In spite of that progress they were passing through very considerable depression, such depression as probably they had never seen the like before. The cause rested very much with themselves. Many stalwart, willing men could not get work, and. they lived on charity. The fact was they had got money too easily. It had not been earned by themselves, and hence it had never been valued at its true value. Vast sums had gone out of the country for imported articles. Those articles must bo produced in our midst. (Cheera.) It stood to reason that a country which had imports as large as they had and manufactories so small must grow poorer and poorer instead of richer and richer. A country is prosperous ,when each man has a full day'g work every day of his life. (Cheers.) It was not for the want of money that they were poor. Only yesterday a gentleman had come tq him and said that he bad .£SOOO for investment and nowhere to invest it. How was that state of things to be changed ? A very great deal of it w»*s through them having ! no confidence in themselves. (Hear, hear.) He was ashamed of the very outrageous charges that had been made by the Oppo--1 sition against the Government who were on 1 the Benches. The Opposition denounced ; the country. They said the whole Colony 1 was going to the bad, and in a state of bankruptcy. Was it for the good of the country? Was it to help them out of their depression ? He said not. But it was in order to get on the Government Benches themselves, and no more. (Cheers.) He supposed there was no country under the sun thab had such vast natural resources as New Zealand. No country had I a better climate or a more industrious, in«

telligent community. (Cheers.) "With all those indications of wealth in their midst, was it right that they should be in th 9 position that they were in at present ? He did not pretend to say that they would get out of it in a year, or altogether in two years, but they would get out of ib if they put their shoulders to the wheel and had confidence in themselves. (Cheers.)

PROTECTION V. FKEETRADE.

One question which waß being considered all over the Colony at present was that of Protection and Freetrade. They were reminded of the Old Country as having Freetrade. If they went back to English history they would find that England was the most protected country under the sun, and until there was no question as to her supremacy in the commercial world England was protected as high as any country ; but when there was no question as to her commercial supremacy, only then did she throw open her ports to the rest of the world. New Zealand was analagous to England when she was protected at that time. ("No, no.") New Zealand had not the population, but Bhe had the raw material, and was far removed from the markets. They should have Protection. They would not be prosperous so long as they admitted inferior goods into their markets. Goods that could be made here ought to be protected. They could produce woollens cheaper hero than they could import them, and the same could be said of boots. (Cheers.) It was true that there was a duty on boots, but that duty was very unequally imposed. The poor man had to pay exactly the same amount on a pair of boots that cost $3 as on a pair of boots that cost 255. He said it wijg unfair. (Cheers.) Mr Ayers went on to say, with regard to borrowing 1 , that unfinished works should be brought to a paying condition. Support must be given by the electors for securing the completion of the Midland Raiway, to the present Government. The Education system must be main, tamed, and he favoured making higher education free also. He upheld the Village Settlement echeme. In the matter of Retrenchment, he believed in beginning at the top, instead of at the bottom where men could least afford it. He thought direct taxation most desirable. With regard to the Volunteers, any country worth keeping was worth defending.

THE lEASIN)

OF THS BUNS,

There was another matter which would, he believed, have to be dealt with by the coming Parliament^-the leasing of the runs. That was an important matter, and he was not surprised at the Opposition making the strongest possible efforts to get into power, because in their ranks were to be found men interested in getting the runs, not only in Canterbury, but also in the whole of New Zealand. He said, therefore, the people should send up to Wellington men who would look after the interests of the public, and those men were the supporters of the present Government, who would deal equitably with the runa for the benefit of the whole population, and not for the benefit of the few. (Applause.)

CONCLUSION.

He did not know that he had anything more of particular importance to speak of, but he could speak at greater length on the subjects he had already mentioned. He hoped he would be excused for doing bo, as he was Buffering from a very bad cold. If, however, he should find that he had omitted any important subject, he possibly might seek another opportunity of appearing before the electors. If they thought that he had an intelligent idea of what were the requirements of the important and influential electorate of South Christchurch, he would be very pleased if they wonld elect him as their representative. He had lived amongst them for seven and twenty years, and had taken his little part in public life. If they now called upon him to go into a higher arena, they might be sure that he would do his duty to the utmost of his ability. (Applause.) He could not eit down without thanking them for the most orderly hearing which he had received. He could not desire a better or more intelligent attention than he had received from them, and he thanked them mo3t sincerely for it. (Long-continued applause.)

QUESTIONS.

In answer to questions, Mr Aters said lie had done his best to avoid coming forward, and did not now feel disposed to be dictated to by the Electors' Association or anybody else. (Applause.) He would not seek to legalise any gambling, but saw no difference between sweeps or consultations and the totalisator. He generally wore Colonial tweeds, and had them on then. (Applause.) He would like to see an elected Domain Board. If he thought an auctioneer was endeavouring to make an audience drunk, he would prohibit the giving of wine at auctions, but not otherwise. He would like to see the Bible read in schools, but not to see this made compulsory. (Hear.) He had always said that he was an unswerving supporter of the present Government, so long as they stuck to their present policy. (Applause.) He thought it would be dishonest to take the Native reserves at Grey mouth from the Maoris and giving them to the white men. The present Government had done more for the Midland Eailway than anyone else. It was true that he had declined to submit to arbitration his candidature as against Mr HulbeA's. He would not favour a grant for denominational education. (Applause.) He did not understand a State Bank sufficiently, but would be in favour of one if convinced it would benefit New .Zealand. High wages he considered a good sign. He was in favour of local option and compensation, aa it was unjust to turn a man out of his bouse without anything. He was in f avour of the women's franchise He thought he was not in favour of distilleries with a duty similar to the beer duty, but this wa3 a large question, requiring consideration. He had said that some thought six hours labour per day was sufficient, and since then a scientist had said that, if all were occupied, four hours a day would bo sufficient for a prosperous community. He thought it would be deplorable if any constituency in Canterbury returned an Opposition candidate. (Applause.) He never said he would prefer Heathcote interests to those of the city, because he thought their interests were identical, but he had said if they should be antagonistic he would prefer Heathcote and retire from his position as Mayor. He thought the Colony would be better off if the wool grown here were worked up in the Colony, and the surplus only sent to England. It was not his fault that there were three South Christchurch candidates on the same side. There were three, but he was the first in the field. He did not understand the Crown and Native Land Bating Act sufficiently to give an opinion on it, but &3 far as he was able to judge it should be repealed. If the Colony would not suffer, he thought the 'Frisco mail subsidy might be withdrawn, though it would be a pity/ to sever the connection with America no\y existing. He was not aware that any candidates were breaking the CorrupL Practices Act ; his canvassers were volunteers, and he had a great many of them. He thought 7s a day a fair wage for a labourer. He thought the totalisator might very fairly contribute towards the cost of Government. He did not think that Sir George Grey had proved the feasibility of retrenchment in the education vote. He supposed the prjvisious of the Corrupt Practices Act were in sorce. He did not think a candidate should spend anything, and was prepared to say that if the other candidates would dp the same he would liberate every elector from all pledges, and let him go to the poll without the slightest influence. There had been no fund raised for the sufferers in the North-East Ward, but the accounts of the relief fund for the whole district could be inspected at the Municipal Offices. He waß bound to fight with the same weapons as his opponents did. (Applause.) He thought the Contagious Diseases Act should be enforced. He was not aware that the Government proposed to tax necessaries of life, except for revenue purposes ; but he was in favour of 8 11 necessaries of life being absolutely free from duty. He would like to see men paid for all work done after eight hours a day. He thought we had good magistrates, and not men top sickly to have patience to hear cases. If the Colony could afford it he would give a contribution to the Imperial Institute. He had never said he

had made JS2OO a day. ,( HißSee -) C Her6 , a man brought a copy of a newspaper to the candidate.] If he had said bo, he did not mean to say that any day's work gave him £200. Mr Holmes : I am a very bad hand at finding a needle in a bundle of straw. I would ask my friend to read it. Yes, here it is. [The report alluded to was to the effect that Mr Ayers sometimes made more in an hour than the remuneration of a representative amounted to.] 1 Mr Atjebs had meant to prove that for an hour he had received as much as he would get for an hour as a representative. (Derisive cheers.) Mr Hawley moved — "That, having heard the political viewß of Mr Ayers, this meeting accords him a hearty vote ot thanks, and expresses its confidence in Mm as a fit and proper person to represent the electors of Christohurch South in Parliament." (Applause.) Mr Rogers seconded the motion, which was received with loud cheers and cries of "No."

The Chairman asked if there was any amendment to the motionMr J. L. Scott (who was received with applause and boohoos) moved— "That all the words after the wcwsd 'thanks" be struck out." Mr Topham, in the body of the hall, seconded the amendment. As Mr Topham's name was not on the electoral roll, Mr Waller seconded the amendment, Mr Topham protesting that his name was on the supplementary roll. The Chairman put the amendment to a show of hands, and it was lost by a large majority, amid loud cheering. The resolution was then pat. The Chairman declared it carried by a considerable majority, and the announcement waa received with renewed cheers. Mr Ayers thanked the meeting, and proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman. This was carried in the mosfc enthusiastic manner, and closed the meeting.