MR H. ROBERTS AT THE FORESTERS' HALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6033, 15 September 1887, Page 4

MR H. ROBERTS AT THE FORESTERS' HALL.

-> I Last evening at the Foresters' Hall, Oxford terrace, Mr H. Eoberts, hairdresser, addresi— d a large audience. A great amount of fun and rowdyism was expected, and those of the curious ones who attended to enjoy what was to be had were not disappointed. In fact, the whole thing j savoured very much of a big joke, but the I earnestness of the candidate and his Chair- j man could not be questioned. Mr J. Forbes I was voted to the chair with mock solemnity, ■ and discharged or over- discharged his duty by attempting a long speech on the glori- ■. ous rights of the working-man. He was i properly stopped by loud cries for Eoberts, ' who, on rising, was received with ironical cheering. He had come forward as a candidate at the instance of numerous gentlemen who had seen his business advertisement some time ago, when he only pretended to offer his services. He was not educated in politics. (Laughter.) He had been in business for 13 years, and had alway b paid 20s in the £. The reason that he came forward was to oppose the Tari _ proposals of the Government. ("Boo.") It affected his pocket. If they sent him to the House— (" To Lincoln Eoad ")— he would go tip there as an independent man. He did not believe in Atkinson, Hall, or anybody else/ but he would find a leader when he got there. As a Christian and temperance man he would protect all denominations. (Laughter and interruption.) In regard to the village settlement scheme he thought 50 acres, not sufficient for a man with a family. He would give not less than 100 and in some cases 150. Another great matter which attracted the attention of every father was the Education Act. He was in favour of the Bible being read in the schools. ("Let U3 pray" and interruption.) Every public school ou«ht to have the Biblei They had it in "the R.M. and the Supreme Courts, and why did they not allow in the schools ? (" Wire in Roberts. Never mmd about those ignorant people behind/) He would not compel schoolmasters who did not believe in the Bible to read it. When he went to school— (" When ?" and general laughter.) Another important question which should occupy ; p them was the railways. (Interruption. Mr . | Wansey waß recognised in the body of the ] hall and the speaking abruptly stopped for ' five minutes whilst Mr Wansey was mobbed.) They had horses to compete with in their railways. He supposed the construction of the West Coast Line ! (" Trim your whiskers." Interruption and ' egg-throwing in the body of the hall. The ' candidate's Committee, who occupied seats ] on the platform, made a precipitate retreat through the back door, but returned when i order was restored.) There was the item ] lof dogs. (Laughter.) He believed in a 1

universal dog-tax. ("?There is someone waiting for a shave.'*) Ha thought the Governor a very valuable man, but was in favour of reducing hia salary to £5000 per annum, (Here some of those present struck up a Salvation chorus "Will Yqir Go" which all joined in singing in a twinging hallelujah style.) The wages of the working men ought not to be reduced. Mr Roberts concluded his short and imperfect speech by thanking the audience for their kind attention although there were three distinct interruptions which lasted three or four minutes each, and throughout the' speaker was continually stopped by #ood--natured ohaff, laughter, and ironical cheers. A large, number of questions were handed in. .Amongst those put to the meeting were the. following :™" Was he in favour of the Wellington College Bill," "The Local Bodies Loaa Bill," "The North Island Native Reserves Bill," " The Electoral Bill" ? But the candidate confessed that j he knew nothing about anything that was ' asked him that evening. A large number , of questions, were left over, Mr Roberts complaining that the Chairman did not consider them proper ones. Mr H. Tnck moved a hearty votß of thanks to, and confidence in, Mr Roberts, for his very eloquent speech that evening. Mr T. M'Ginaty said that he had heard Gladstone, Bright, Sir George Grey, and other eloquent men, bnt he considered Mr Roberts, after hearing him that night, second to none. How fully Mr Roberts had gone into the subjects he touched upon that evening! (Laughter.) The universal dog-tax was evidently original. Mr Roberts, no doubt, would investigate the subject more fully, and give them in the future the benefit of any further researches he may make in the subject. (Loud cheers.) The motion was put to the meeting, and declared to be carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried, and brought the meeting to a Close.