MR CULLEN AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5737, 3 December 1896, Page 4

MR CULLEN AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

_i___ii_. Mr W. Cullen addressed a well-attended meeting at the Oddfellows'. Hall, Lichfield Street, last night. The audience was .attentive and the applause frequent. Mc B. Muffett occupied the «ham. Mr Cullen said that he -was strongly in favour of the old age pension scheme, and if the question of financial diffiosdties presented itself, would be prepared to accept the Bill with a- limitation. He would like to see set aside for revenue foo; the scheme- a portion of eaoh block of land purchased by the Government, the rental from which would be devoted to that purpose only- He was pleased tha-ihe matter .of defence was receiving more attention from the Government recently, and would like to see every boy thoroughly trained in military movements and the use of arms, as our insular position demanded attention to defence. He regarded the referendum, with the initiative in the hands of the people, as one of the most satisfactory means of ultimately settling many perplexed questions. With the members of the House of Representatives elected on a basis of majority representation, and a well-working referendum, he would be in favour of the abolition of the Upper House, but in the meantime would accept a measure of reform. He considered jurors should be paid any wages they might lose while attending to jury business; also, any legitimate travelling expenses they might have incurred. The subjects of land and income tax, advances toßettlers and banking were touched on, and the actions of the Government on these matters approved of. In the matter of education, he was in favour of the present system ; but would like to see it made more strictly compulsory, and the number of scholarships increased by reform of the high school system, so that it would be possible for the poorest boy, by virtue of his ability and industry, to receive the highest education procurable; also, that all schools might be inspected and kept up to the standard required by the State. The Betterment Bill and the Fair Rent Bill would receive his active support. He considered the present rates of haulage between Christchurch and Lyttelton detrimental to local industries and business people. He thought the Labour Party in the House should hold a caucus on all Labour Bills ; and having formed a policy on those Bills, should vote in block for what they deemed to the interest of the workers and industry. Mr Cullen strongly advocated the passing of a Master and Apprentice Bill, not only in justice to both parties, but on the ground that it was a matter of national importance that competent workmen and competent work should be the result of our industrial system, so that we might hope to compete with Germany and the older countries. He animadverted severely on the tactics being resorted to by the Conservatives in order to secure a return to power, and asserted that pressure was being brought to bear on the workers to get them to vote for specified candidates. He contrasted the state of the country and the conditions of the workers under the Conservatives with the CDnditions now prevailing, and urged labour not to lose the grip it had on the legislation of the country. The secrecy of the ballot was the surety of the •workers, and he impressed on the audience to he dictated to by no one. Mr Talbot moved and Mrs O'Neal seconded — "That this meeting desires to thank Mr Cullen for the clear and lucid declaration of his views on general policy, and especially the labour questions, and considers him a fit and proper person to represent Christchurch in the coming Parliament." The motion was unanimously carried amid great enthusiasm. MR BUDDO AT RANGIORA. At the Rangiora Institute Hall last night, Mr Buddo replied to Mr Moore's reply to the Premier. There was an attendance of about four hundred persons. Mr T. Keir, Mayor, presided. Mr Buddo said that the Opposition candidate had no ground for his complaint of want of fair play. The Liberals had given him every consideration in 1893, when they ran a stranger against him, and also they had treated him with the ntmost fairness. With regard to the visit of Ministers tothe district, they had come on public duty. The Premier's visit jias been in opposition to his (Mr Buddo's) wishes, but he had to give way to the desire of the electors to hear Mr Seddon speak. With regard to the wages on cooperative works, Mr Buddo admitted that there had been a case of ls 8d per day "being paid, and another of 2s 8d per day. There had also been one of 2s 2d in Otago, "but the men had worked on their sections, rtnd only a part of their time on the -Government works. The average wages lad been from 6s to 6s 6d per .<lay. With reference to the charge •as to the Railway Classification Bill having reduced the wages of the employes, a small reduction had, he admitted, been made in some cases, but, as a matter of fact; the increase all over had been ,£3OOO, ,*which would, in time, amount to .£BOOO ?|per year. He believed the railway servants were, as a whole, quite satisfied with "the Bill. In contrast to it, he reminded the audience of the 10 per, cent reduction of Sir John Hall's Government, and of the further intention in this direction stopped by the Ballance Ministry coming into power. In

xe«ard to the Education Act, Mr Buddo safd that Mr C. C. Bowen's Act had been simply a consolidation of provincial ordinance's. The three principal features of the system were free, secular and compulsory education, and the first two had been added by the Liberals. The Conservatives had subsequently attempted to raise the school age, reduce the capitation grant, substitute the strict for the working average and abolish normal schools, but the Liberals had defeated the proposals. With regard to female franchise, in Sir John Hall's Bill of 1879 the word "person" did not include "woman," but Sir John had afterwards changed his views. Mr Buddo considered that the Government had done wisely in submitting Labour Bills to such organisations as the Maritime Council for their opinion. He defended the Factory Act, the Eight Hours Bill, and the Master and Apprentice Bill. The Shipping and Seamen> Act did •not prevent boys from taking to the sea ; but : it did prevent boys being employed to do men's duties, this being a safeguard against loss of life and property. He considered the loan allocations were fair. The grant to goldflelds was not unreasonable from a farmer's point of view, considering the amount of produce consumed : by the miners. With regard to the statement that the East and West Coast Bailway had been made with the proceeds of the sale of Canterbury lands, he pointed cut that Nelson had contributed 44,000 acres and Canterbury 174,789, andthat • a large proportion of the money 'had come from debentures issued by tke Midland Railway Company. It -must be remembered, he said, that Mr Seddon had been complimented for having saved the colony from a large loss ia connection with the line. Mr Buddo proved, from the Civil list account for 1894-5, that the charge against the Premier of having spent money set aside for old and indigent Natives on his trip through the King 'Country was absolutely baseless. He also pointed out that Mr Moore's return, from -which the latter had quoted to show a loss of ovor -the advances to settlers, was nine months old, and that the figures of the p-reaent <fcime showed a profit. The Hon W- Eolleston had, he said, been lauded to the sides over his land settlement scheme, -and the Liberals had been taxed with having stolen it, but they certainly had no desire to steal his View B_.ll settlement, or tbe one at the Gorge bridge, there being only one man remaining at the latter settlement. With reference tc rent being charged to settlers six months in advance, this was perfectly fair, when they were placed an land purchased with borrowed money. The small settlers on Government lands were not so charged. In fact thej received every assistance, including work on the roads. Hi 3 figures with regard to the progress of land settlement, adversely criticised by Mr Moore, were, he claimed, correct, he having given the average for five years, and not the figures for one year only. He thought Mr Moore should have been the last to refer to an addition of 2£ per cent duty on boots and shoes, seeing that he must recognise the necessity of protecting Che Kaiapoi Factory products, and why not other industries ? He concluded by referring at considerable length to the commendable legislation of the present administration. Applause was frequent throughout the speech. After a few questions hadbeen answered, a vote of thanks to Mr Buddo, and of confidence in the present Government, was carried unanimously with hearty applause. The following election addresses will be given this evening : — At 8 o'clock — Mr W. W. Collins, at the Opera House; M,r G. Swarm, at Belfast Town Hall ; Mr C. Burgess, at Ferry Road Social Hall; Mr G. M'lntyre, at Papanui Town Hall; Mr J. Joyce, at Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall; Mr D. Buddo, at Salvation Army Barracks, Rangiora; Mr R. Meredith, at East Oxford Town Hall; Mr A. Saunders, at Brookside School; Mr F. A. Anson, at Killinchy School ; Mr H. F. Recce, at Amberley Town Hall ; Mr J. C. Wason. at South Malvern School. Mr J. A. H. Marciel addressed a wellattended meeting of the electors of Christchurch at the Temple last evening, Mr Joyce occupied the choir. He reviewed all the measures before the- people at the present time and gave his views, based on a long experience among the Chinese, as to the policy of their exclusion from New Zealand being in the best interests of the colony. The tariff should be framed so as to encourage as much as possible colonial industries. He was in favour of the payment of jurors, and considered that grand juries should be abolished. The Fire Brigades throughout New Zealand should receive the greatest encouragement from the Government. The Railway Classification Act was an excellent measure, but required amending in the direction of giving the greatest facilities on the basis of equal opportunities for all. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. Mr W. W. Collins's central and suburban committees met in Hobbs's Buildings last night. Mr R. Winter was in the chair, and there was a crowded attendance. All arrangements were made for Mr Collins's final meeting in the Opera House on Thursday night, and details for the polling day were fixed. Mr Collins asked them to discredit all rumours, and on Friday to give an effective answer to the dirty and unscrupulous attacks of the Conservative and prohibition opponents. The meeting closed with cheers for the candidate, the Government and the Liberal Party. Messrs Lewis, Beswick and Donnelly gave their final addresses last evening, at the Foresters' Hall. Mr R. C. Bishop, presided. On the motion of Mr A. H. Blake, seconded by Mr C. Tomson, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the candidates, for whom three cheers were given. Mr M'lntyre addressed a meeting of three hundred electors at the Belfast Town Hall last night, Mr Longman in the chair. A vote of thanks was carried on the motion of Mr Henry Smith, seconded by Mr A. Hopkins. Mr T. E. Taylor addressed a crowded meeting at M'lTadden's Koad last night. After Mr Taylor had spoken, a unanimous vote of thanks to him for his speech, and confidence in Messrs Taylor, Smith and Ell, was passed by the meeting. Messrs G. J. Smith and T. E. Taylor addressed a meeting of electors in the East Christchurch schoolroom last night. Mr Sandstein occupied the chair, and aftor the candidates had spoken, and answered a number of questions, a vote of thanks and confidence was passed. Yesterday afternoon Messrs G. J. Smith and T. E. Taylor addressed a meeting of the women electors in the Mission Hall, Sydenham. Both candidates were frequently applauded during the delivery of their speeches, and after the meeting a number of the ladies undertook to work in their interest. Mr H. G. Ell addressed a. meeting of electors at the Methodist Schoolroom, Selwyn Street, Addington, last evening. The Mayor of Sydenham, Mr J. Brown, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. After his address Mr Ell received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence on the motion of Mr Hammett, seconded by Mr Thompson. Mr Joyce addressed a largely attended meeting of electors last evening in the Addington schoolroom. Mr J. T. Brown occupied the chair. Mr Joyce spoke on the Liberal legislation of the past three years, and explained the many Acts that had been passed by the people's Government for the benefit of the masses. A deputation from the Lyttelton Liberal Assoc iation also addressed the meeting, urging the consolidation of the Liberal vote on ' Mr Joyce, who alone had the chance of representing tho Liberal interests of the Lyttelton constituency, and consequently ■ of keeping the Conservative nominee from ■ misrepresenting the Liberals of the elecp torate in the new Parliament. Amotion * of thanks for the address and expressing * confidence in the candidate and the Gov- " eminent, and also thanks to the deputa--1 tion, was earned unanimously and enthu--1 siastically. Mr Laurenson replied on • behalf of the deputation. Mr C. Burgess addressed a moderately attended meeting at the Papanui Town

Hall last night. Mr Laing occupied the chair. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Burgess for his address. Deputations from the Lyttelton Liberal Association will address public meetings in the Oddfellows' Hall, Woolston, at halfpast seven this evening, and at the Heathcote schoolroom at 8.45 p.m. , Mr W. W. Tanner delivered his last J address of this campaign last evening in the Phillipstown schoolroom to a crowded audience. Mr H. Pearce occupied the chair. Mr Tanner's address was chiefly a caustic criticism of the last Conservative Ministry and their administration, and was frequently applauded. At its close a few -, questions were asked and answered. Mr } Ensom moved and Miss Aldridge seconded a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Tanner for , his address, continued confidence in hirr x as a fit and proper person to represent t 1 m Avon electorate and confidence in *' $ le present Government. An amendmer &,$> thanks only did not meet with a seer jn fiL Br .p The motion on being put to the v m #fasg\ was carried amid loud and cr tinned 1 applause without a single di* Several ladies presented Mr Tp Aino! . bouquets. The meeting term 1 ißffl£ t e d w fth loud and prolonged cheering f /c; Mr Tanner andthe Government. Mr Cullen addressed r* meeting of electors at the Oddfellows' ]H:all, Montreal Street north, on Tuese- Ay night. The chair was occupied by 1 M ©apes, who, in introducing the candidf &&, spoke- of him as representing, in the tamest sense of the word, the industrial dassos. Mr Cullen dealt with most of t Ji© jsrominent political topics of the day, aod answered several questions. On tlv_ motion- of Mr Eoberts, seconded by Mr W/oodham, junr., a vote of confidence was unanimously carried. Mr Cullen's Central and Suburban Committees met iv the 'committee rooms on Tuesday night, and Mr B. Muffett was voted to the chair. Reports from suburban committees were handed in, and were of a very satisfactory nature. After completing arrangements for polling day, the meeting adjourned until Thursday. Arrangements.have been made with the police at Lyttelton by which some of the objectionable practices common to election daywill be put down. With a view of keeping the residents posted in the results of the polling at other electorates throughout the colony, Messrs Taylor and Kay have arranged to show the figures by limelight.