MR HOGG AT MAURICEVILLE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5498, 30 November 1896, Page 3

MR HOGG AT MAURICEVILLE.

(From Our Own Correspondent I. Mabriceville, Saturday. Mr Hogg tiddrossed a large and representativo audience (including many ladies) at Cottiss' Hall last Friday night. Mr Yonuesen occupied thecliair. As one who having heard Mr Hogg address the electors of this district previous to the last general election 1 expected him to show a better front than he did, even in adversity. In the first place we were given glowing accounts of meetings elsewhere; votes of thanks and confidence in all directions, excepting in Mmterton, where all had mt proved 80 satisfactory, This he accounted for as owing to the number of yaried and conflicting interests, which it was impossible to adequately represent, As far as he knew he had no enemy in Masterton at any rate lie hoped not. Mr Hogg then spoke at great length in defence of the land policy of the present Government, and the "Advances to Settlers Bill." So long did he dwell on these subjects that almost all present grew sick and tired, while many went to sleep. Things livened up when at length Mr Hogg after inviting all the musical boxes amongst the audience to come forward with their questions (by the way an ordeal which he would gladly have dispensed with), in answer to a question' said that he had purposely avoided reference to any of the surpluses shown by the Colonial Treasurer, as he (Mr Hogg) thought they were "mere fabrications." (Sensation). When farther questioned re misleading financial statements he advised us all not to bother ourselves about surpluses, but to note the general the Colony in judging any Government. (Laughter), Mr Hogg, had accused the local body of .reducing wages to 6s per day, in reply to which a member of the same explained that when about a year ago a permanent surface man was advertised for by the Road Board, no fewer than sixteen of the best workmen in the electorate had applied, and that, had the wages been 6d per day less, it would not have made much difference, proving clearly that wages had fallen and that the working man was in a worse position than when the Seddou Ministry came into power. (Prolonged applause and cries of "No.") Mr Hogg admitted that the " Co-operative System" had not been successful, but thought it was because unpractical men bad been put in charge of them. In answer to a question Mr Hogg said he was in favour of the " Old Age Pension Bill."' This Bill would certainly pass should the Liberal Government return to power. He had voted in favour of a clauHo under which £700,000 a year would have been required for the maintenance of the aged poor of New Zealand. He admitted not having looked into the matter as he might have done, or he would probably not have voted as he did. Mr Seddon only required £200,000 per annum, and at once killed the Bill

Mr Jorgensen proposed a vote of thanks and confidence to Mr Hogg, and confidence in the Government, The motion web seconded by Mr P. Larsen. Mr P. Neilson (Dreyer's Rock) moved as an amendment that a vote of thanks only be accorded Mr Hogg. Seconded by Mr C. Bannister, Alfirgenumberofhaudswent upon the Chairman putting the amendment. Those for the original motion were then asked for and seen to be in a decided minority (at least as two to three). The Chairman whose eyesight seemed not at its best, however, declared the motion carried admid cries of "No." Three cheers for Hogg were fairly smothered by counter cheering by the hearty Cameron men, Someone moved a vote of thanks to the chair which was carried by acclamation. Mr Hogg has evidently a very poor opinipn of the ayerage "bush" settler's intelligence,, His speech was, on all sides, considered the poorest he has aver delivered, and was largely composed of such twaddle as to render it unworthy of moro than passing notice. That the intelligent electors of Mauriceville cannot be thus slighted will be proved on election day.