 Neild devoted his first speech to criticism of the Protectionist Dibbs government, and became known for pursuing causes such as free trade, old-age pensions and law reform.He earned the nickname "Jawbone" on 23 June 1886, after speaking for nine hours against the Jennings government's introduction of "ad valorem" duties.He was narrowly passed over by Parkes for a ministry in January 1887, but was given charge of Sir Alfred Stephen's divorce extension bill, which passed in 1892.