ALLEGED COERCION.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 804, 19 May 1876, Page 6

ALLEGED COERCION.

At the close of the ordinary meeting, Mr Strode said — I would like to draw the attention of the Board to a paragraph pubi lished in tbe * Ofcago Daily Times ' of tlm ■ day, and contained in a letter from the Superintendent to th« Premier. It is in these words : — " I cannot but regard the attempt on fche parfc of the Colonial Government to coerce what is supposed to be a non-political body like the Waste Lands Board as uncalled for, if not illegal and reprehensible. It is the small cloud in the horizon which foretel's what Centralism really means." Now, I can only say that this strikes afc the very root of the independence of this Board. I can afford fco treat idle rumors with silence, but I cannot read such a statement as that, coming from a gentleman holding the office of Superintendent, without calling upon him to prove his words. I defy the Superintendent or any man to prove that I, as an individual member of this Board, received any communuution, directly or indirectly, from the Colonial Government on the subject of the proposed great sale of waste lands. I say that ifc is perfectly uncalled for, and any person who makes such a statement with regard to myself—and I am only speaking for myself as an individual member, not having spoken on tbe subject to any other member— is guilty of stating a deliberate untruth. I deny having spoken on the subject to anyone connected with tbe Colonial Government, or having received any communication, directly or indirectly, from an member ofthe Government. I think that such a statement coming from the Superintendent of the Province requires to be taken notice of I simply draw th» attention of the Board to the strong words used. The Superintendent does not say that there is a rumour ; but states ifc as a fact. It is for this Board to defend itself; and I merely draw attention to fche matter. I care as little for tbe Colonial Government as for the Provincial Government. One is just the same to me as the other. I sifc here as an independent member of the Board to do what I consider right witb regard to the administration of the lands, and I will do that in defiance of everybody, whether tbey are in tbe Colonial or the Provincial Government Mr Bastings— As one of those who voted against the sale of these large blocks of land, I can only reiterate what you have said. I never had any communication either from the Provincial Government or the General Government upon the matter. The only conversation I ever had was with the Provincial Secretary, Mr Donald Reid, in his own office. When he alluded to the matter, I said I could not support the sale of large blocks of land. Mr Strode — T think a statement like this — made for political reasons — is rather too strong. It insinuates that we are mere thin "3 of the Colonial Government, and I object to occupying that position. Mr Bastings — I think that as the Superintendent has made this statement the best course will be to ask him for an explanation, and I will therefore move a resolution to that effect. Mr Clark — Would it not bo sufficient to deny the statement? Messrs Butterworth and Strode thought that would not be sufficient. Mr Strode thought tbe Superintendent should ba called upon to prove tlie accusation or recall it in some public manner. Tbe Chief Commissioner (Mr J. T. . Thomson) — I must say a little upon this matter, as I am an officer of the General Government, and paid by it. I feel bound to state now that the General Government ( have in no way attempted to coerce m}*opinion in the slightest degree whatever, nor would Ibe coerced. I hold that I am here in a judicial position, and I -would upon no account stand coercion by any Government j whatever. I always do my duty independ- ( ently. Of course to the public those words of the Superintendent would apply to mc ( rather than to any other member of tbe ' Board. But I can honestly assure tbe B?ard < that tbe General Government in no way , whatever attempted to coerce me either on this or any other occasion. I believe the ' General Government were just as much ' against the sale of Clark's block as these f blocks, but iv that oase there was never the , slightest appearanoe of ooercion m their , parfc. Ofcou'se at that time the land was I sold simply because a majority of the Board j were for it. Ido not tUink the,t I ever voted •<*

, for the sale of a big block personally. But if it came to a tie and I bad to give my casting vote I would give reasons for my action. Mr Butterworth — I think it is a duty we owe to the General Government to bave this matter cleared up. Mr Strode — I think ifc is a duty we owe to ourselves. The following resolution was then agreed fco: — "That the board deny the allegation contained in the letter from Iho Superintendent to the Premier, and tbat the Chief Commissioner be asked to write to tbe Super- ' intendent asking what authority he has for ' making such a statement."