Young Colonials' Democratic Association.

Now gentlemen, if I have spoken to you to-night with any effect I hope I have done this: I hope I have raised in the minds of the young New Zealander tins feeling, that, as I said before, he is an important man. And, gentlemen, mark this: You may have vast forces which are at present wasted. Why? Because they have not intelligence to direct them—because they have no power of organisation. You have no conception of what might be done by organisation. Now, I want the young New Zealander to wake up to a sense of the importance of public affairs, and to wake page 9 up to a perception of the fact that he is the substance of which a great nation is made. And I want the young colonial of New Zealand, not only in Auckland, but all over the colony, to organise as a Young New Zealand Democratic Association in order to take an active interest and part in political affair. If you had such an association as that, not committed to any special programme, but a kind of committee of public safety for the whole colony—an association which would guard the liberties, and the privileges, and the hopes of New Zealand, and composed, not, mark you, of every young man in the colony—because I believe it ought to be an association which it should be considered an honour to belong to; and my own impression therefore was that no one should be admitted to it unless he came within certain limits of age — say twenty to thirty that he was following some outdoor occupation or belonged to some athletic club. That is my idea, but I may say that there is a young man sitting in this room to whom I am indebted for bringing my views into practical effect. I know what was in my heart it was the desire to raise the public life of the colony. When I found the spirit of disorder manifesting itself on the occasion of my first appearance, I felt that what I needed was the sympathy of the young colonials, and I knew that I would get it. My first idea was only to ask the young colonials to see that I got fair play and to put down that kind of larrik nism that I saw at my first meetings and to show an interest in public affairs and a determination to uphold right doing But for the enlargement of that idea, for the bringing of that idea to the far more important form which it assnmes in my mind to-night, I am indebted to a young colonial who is present here to night. (Loud cries of "Name.") I do not know his name, but there he is, gentlemen. (Here MrConnell pointed to the young man whom he wished to take the chair at the opening of the proceedings. Cries of "Platform" and "Name.") You will get his name afterwards. (At this stage Mr Connell consulted the young man to whom he referred.) It is Mr Sexton, gentlemen. (Laughter and renewed cries of "Platform.") I am indebted to that gentleman for giving me a larger and better idea than I had myself conceived. And this idea was, that I should not merely seek the influence of the young colonials for my work, but that they should be encouraged to form themselves into an association to do their own work. If you think proper I shall be glad to have you throw me overboard, for I want only to be the means of assisting you in the way I have indicated. I am a politician, gentlemen—a practical politician — a commonsense politician—I even profess to be a little in the nature of a scientific politician. And I tell you, gentlemen, that I can see the enormous power you can exercise in politics. I tell you that there is no man in New Zealand who had a constituency to represent would dare to do wrong if there was a strong democratic association like this in existence, determined to see right done, and to support only men who were determined to do right. There would be an end to all the chicanery, log-rolling and corruption, which of late have been so disgraceful to the name of the colony. Now, gentlemen, that is about all that I have got to say to you to night. But, before I sit down, I want to move the following resolution:—"That this meeting cordially approves of the suggestion that a political association should be immediately formed, and be called the Young New Zealand Democratic Association, the members of which shall consist of persons between the ages of 20 and 30 years, and that a committee be selected from young colonials to convene a meeting of such persons as may be willing to join such association, for the purpose of enrolling names, settling the constitution of such association, and otherwise taking steps to give effect to this resolution." I beg therefore to move that resolution with the greatest pleasure. And I have not the slightest doubt that in Auckland, you who are young colonials will appreciate the honour of starting this association, and that you will have branches all over the colony. And before you know where you are you will have 20,000 young men, the back bone of the colony, influencing these elections for good, and thus saving New Zealand.

Mr Connell resumed his seat amid loud cheers.

At this stage a little fellow of about 15 years, who subsequently stated his name to be Frank Mason, mounted the platform in order to propose an amendment, and was received with loud cheers. He said: Mr Connell, I wish to recommend an alteration in the resolution you have just proposed. I suppose you can easily see by my appearance that I am not used to public speaking. (Loud laughter.) I hope, gentlemen, you will give me a fair show. (Cheers.) Mr Connell, I attended both of your other meetings, and I learnt there that you were an old colonial hand. (Shrieks of laughter.) you are also, I believe, a Scotchman. Well, I am a bit of a Scotchman myself. (A voice: 'A mighty small bit," and laughter.) My experience of old colonials is—(here the lad's voice was drowned in uproar).

Mr Connell: I think, gentlemen, you really ought to give the lad fair play.

The appeal was effectual, and the youngster resumed:—My experience of page 10 old colonial hands has always been that they give the young colonial hands a fair show. I have attended all the political meetings I could during the last three years. (Loud laughter.) And I take a very great interest in politics. I attended both your other meetings and I may say, conducted my self in a very orderly manner (renewed laughter), considering the way that other people conducted themselves. (A voice: "Oh, put him out," and laughter.) I saw your advertisement in the paper, and I have had for some years a great desire to belong to such an association as you published your intention to form. I came here, and on coming to the door I was told that I was not a young colonial hand—in fact, that I was only a boy. (Laughter.) And the gentleman said that as Mr Connell was down in Otago I could not see him, and that I knew nothing about politics. (A voice, "Let us see if you are stuffed ") Well, I have managed to see you at last, and I have no hesitation in saying that if the gentleman at the door only knew one-half as much of politics as I do it would be well for him. I do not see why I should not be admitted to the meeting I was told no one would be admitted except he were over the age of 21 years. I consider that when one has reached the age of 21 he is not a young colonial. (Laughter and uproar.) I knew, Mr Connell, that this could not be your purpose, because you said your were a tactician (laughter), and tacticians should know that in order to produce any effect, the child should be trained up in the way he is desired to go. (Laughter.) I see from the resolution you have read that no one is to be allowed to join this association unless he is between the ages of 20 and 30 years. Well, gentlemen, I beg to move as an amendment that the limit of age for members of the association be altered from 15 to 30 years.

Mr Connell: Speaking to that amendment, gentlemen, I should say that if all our young fellows had the intelligence of our young friend here, it would be highly advisable to make the alteration he suggests. (Cheers.) But, unfortunately, we now but too well that our young lads have not the necessary self-control and confidence, and many would probably prove a source of hindrance and confusion to the association. I think they may very well study politics, as this young fellow has been doing very effectively for some time. (Interruption.) I think, however, we might, perhaps, carry the limit of age down to 18 years. But I do not think it would be wise to make it any lower. (A voice: "Did you give him half-a crown?" and laughter.) If you will allow me, therefore, I shall alter the ages proposed in my resolution to 18 to 30. With regard to keeping boys out of the hall we thought it wise to so in order to ensure order. But when I saw the anxiety of our young friend and his mates to get in, I said, "You can come in, but you must behave yourselves." I now move this resolution again, 20 years being alter, d to 18 years.

Mr Sexton: I beg to second the proposition.

A gentleman at this stage rose up in the body of the hall and began to address the chairman, but a noisy uproar prevented him from being heard. He several times attempted to speak, but his voice was lost amid cries of "Platform."

The Chairman requested a fair hearing for him, but without avail.

Mr Connell: Gentlemen, this is a most unfair proceeding. The gentleman desires to say something which I would like to hear as it may throw light on the subject we are considering. (Disorder.) Why do you bellow at him as if he were a bull? (Loud laughter.) Mr Connell (to the subject of the uproar): You had better come up on the platform.

The gentleman in question: No fear.

The Chairman was about to put the resolution, the amendment not having been seconded, when Master Mason came forward and appealed to the audience for a seconder.

Mr Mills: I will second it.

The amendment and resolution were then put to the meeting, and upon a show of hands being taken the Chairman declared the resolution carried.

The Chairmam asked if there were any questions, and one written upon a slip of paper was handed up.

Mr Connell however, declined to answer questions, explaining that he only did so at meetings of his intended constituents.

The assemblage at the back of the hall then gave three cheers for Sir George Grey, and three groans for Mr Connell.

Mr Connell proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and this brought the proceedings to a conclusion.

The admission to reserved seats was by ticket (free) only. About six hundred orderly citizens, some accompanied by ladies, availed themselves of these tickets. Admission to the back part of the hall was thrown entirely open. Any interruption or noise was confined throughout the evening to the back part of the hall.