THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 112, 1 September 1876, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

A public meeting- of the inhabitants of Dunedin, called by His Worship the Mayor, was held in the Drill Shed on Monday evening 1 . There was a very large attendance. His Worship the Mayor presided, and briefly explained the object of (he meeting, and the part bu bad taken in the matter.

Mr John SHoo having been called upon to move the first resolution, said : — I\li- Mayor and fellow-citizens, it is to me somewhat of a trying 1 ordeal to face so large an audience of fellowcitizens for the purpose of speaking on a political question, and that question so fraught, as it seems to me to be, with weal or woe to every citizen of Dunedin, and every inhabitant of Otago. I would gladly have escaped this ordeal. It has only been within the last hour or two that it has been determined that I should speak upon it, and therefore my remarks may be of a more desultory character than usual. But, gentlemen, I felt that the necessity that had arisen for some one taking- the position which I am now in, was so great, that I should stand self-covicted of moral cowardice, and should feel to some extent a traitor to the land of ray adoption, and to the country in which I hope to see my children grow and prosper, had I absolutely refused to take the part I now do. This I know, that no matter what position another may hold, or how much more eloquent he might be, he could not more earnestly believe than I do that, the present time is one when the inhabitants of Dunedin, and the people of Otag-o generally, should speak their ttiinds upon the momentous questions now agitating- New Zealand. Gentlemen, when last year a moribund parliament, elected without any idea that they WQuld be called upon to consider any .largely important subject, passed the Abolition Bill, they in my opinion put the earn before the horse with a vengeance. What does the Abolition Bill mean ? What does it amount to ? I think it may be fairly rendered somewhat in this fashion — that the outline oi' it may legitimately be said to be somewhat after this style : — " Be it enacted that the constitutional form of government now existing" in New Zealand shall cease, and that the people of New Zealand shall be without any con-

stitutional form of government until the Ministry has made up its mind what that form of government shall be, find feels itself in a position to iorce such form of government through Parliament." -— (Cheers.) Gentlemen, the last year were all-powerful to destroy, but they were utterly powerless to reconstruct. They submitted plans of which they themselves, after submitting 1 them, were more than half afraid — afraid that in these plans they conceded too much — afraid that the plans which they submitted to Parliament w.ould give more than they desired to give. They felt that if they carried these plans into effect — at least such is my opinion — they would keep the word of promise to the ear but break it to the hope. And they were afraid that they might try that once too often. During the present session of Parliament what has bean done in the work of reconstruction 1 Nothing, 1 . — (Interruption.) If Mr Lloyd has anything* to say I hope he will come on the platform. lam quite sure all present believe this an important occasion, and it is very important that these matters should be discussed fairly, and that each speaker should get a fair hearing". I say that absolutely nothing has been done in the work of reconstruction, and shall I tell you what I think had much to do with the "fact that nothing* has been done in the work of reconstruction — more to do with it than the Piako Swamp job — more than the Separation resolutions % It is this : that the members of Parliament on both sides of the House believed thnt they have resolved to pull down that which they have not the power to rebuild upon foundations so sure, or a structure so fair and welladapted to our wants as is that of Provincial Government. — (Loud cheering.) When Mr Pyke was defending himself for- breaking his election pledges, he said that when before his constituents he was a Separationist, because in 1875, when Major Atkinson was Premier, ho was not 'prepared to put anything in the place of tho Provinces. That being his reply, gentlemen, I maintain at the present moment Mr Pyke should he still a Separationist, and redeem his pledges, because that Sir Julius Yogel, the Premier, when asked what he intends to put in the place of the Provinces, his reply is in effect, nothing*. (A Voice : No.) Gentleman, if the' Counties Bill was? passed to-morrow, you must bear in mind that it is still only a permissive measure, and in a question of such immense importance as this, I say that a permissive measure is no measure at all. (Flear, hear.) I say that a measure which may become a dead letter upon the Statute-book — a measure which no section of community is bound to adopt — is not a measure fitted to the exigencies of the present moment. Gentlemen, until the Parliament of New Zealand can see its way clear to passing a measure which it can feel justified in compelling the whole country to adopt, it has no right to declare that our constitutional rights shall cease. The Counties Bill has just gone into Committee, and will any sane man believe that before the 30th September next it

and other necessary measures to take the place of the Provincial Governments can be so thoroughly digested, so conscientiously matured, and so reasonably put into Bills and Acts, as to be fit to take the. place of the Provincial | Governments 1 (Loud and prolonged j cheeTs.) What I say is that it cannot j be done. Where then, if such be the case, where are the promises of local self-government ? where the promises | as to localisation of land fund ? where the promises as to localisation of railway revenue, etc., &c , &c , upon which the passing of tbe Abolition Bill wss obtained 1 And if these promises are not redeemed, will it not be our duty to request the Superintendent to come bom*} and summon the Provincial Council to determine what shall be done ? (Enthusiastic cheering.) To summon the Provincial Council to determine whether we shall surrender our civil and political rights ; whether we will be content to be governed. in an unlegalised way by the Ministry of the day and the civil servants of New Zealand. That, gentlemen, it appears to me, is very much the question — the pressing question — the question which must be immediately answered, and which we have now to consider. Gentlemen, wr have heard a great deal about " national sentiment," and about a " united New Zealand." A " united New Zealand" is a grand idea. t{ National sentiment" is a fine phrase — so is " universal philanthropy" and many other such phrases, — but fine words do not butter any parsnips, as the quaint old saying has it. The pursuit of grand ideas has often led men to lose sight of more practical questions, and the magnificent pursuit of crandeur has proved delusory. I believe the nation to be best built up, if I may sa} r it, in sections — sections not so large that the extremes may not understand each other's wants, and not so small but they will have the habit of looking around and ascertaining each other's wants, and not so small that their ideas will never rise above the ideas of a vestry meeting' or parish board ; not so small but that good men will have a pride and pleasure in taking part in the government. For such abstract reasons as these I am, I confess, more Provincial than I ever was in my life before, and also for this l'eason, that the most solemn obligations have been set at nought by the General Government so soon as the end has been obtained for which those promises were madeGentlemen, 1 have sometimes been able to form opinions as to the good or evil effect of some measure in the Provincial Council upon the mining interests of Lawrence, or upon the interests of settlers in the Taieri or the Mataura ; but if I wei'e asked to vote in respect to affairs concerning- Auckland or Taranaki, I must confess I should have to act or vote very much on spec. I believe, gentlemen, that honestly speaking, a great many of you would find yourselves in the position in which I say I should find myself if called upon to act or vote in respect to the affairs of the distant Provinces of New Zealand. lam afraid I have trespassed on the ground which should more properly belong to the speakers who have to succeed me. I have had to propose this resolution upon very short notice, but I think it requires little eloquence in order to persuade this meeting to carry the motion I have proposed with a hip, hip, hurrah ! if such was necessar}'. I propose— "That this meeting desires to award hearty thanks to the large majority of the Otago members of the House of Representatives who have endeavoured during the present session of Parliament to secure justice for the Province, and to conserve the political rights of the people, both of which we firmly believe to be endangered hj the proposals of the General Government. The meeting further pledges itself to give its best support to the Otago representatives in any combined action they may make for the interests of the Province." I think really, gentlemen, you will readily agree to thank the representatives oi' Otago who have stood shoulder to shoulder during the present session in defence of the rights of the Province and of Constitutional Government, which the majority — the representatives of a minority in numbers and in. wealth — are desirous of filching from us. I beg- to propose the resolution which I have the honour to submit to you. (Cheers.)

Mr Robert Wilsoa briefly seconded the resolution.

Mr H. S. Fish, jun., who was received with shouts of disapprobation, hisses, &c, moved the following amend ment : " That whilst thanking 1 our Representatives in the Assembly for their actipu in the interests of the Province, this meeting* deprecates any further attempts to resuscitate Provincialism £i.s in the past, or to obtain Separation, but earnestly requests them to unite in obtaining such a form of Government for Otag-o as will, under the present circumstances of the case, best conserve the interests of the Province, and tend to secure for the future as large a share of the land revenue as possible."

The amendment was received with hisses, groans, cries of " traitor," &c, and some applause. In the course of his oft*interrupted remarks, Mr Pish urged upon the meeting to seriously consider whether it was not wiser at the present juncture of affairs to take moderate measures in order to secure the greatest g-ood they could, rather than, by endeavouring to

pursue with stubborn obstinacy any extreme course, lose the good they might otherwise obtain.

Mr H. Carrick replied to Mr Fish. In the course of his reply, he said : No one but will admit that Provincial institutions require modification. But is that a reason why they should be wiped away altogether and leave us in the. hands of a clique over whom we have no control ? Mr Fish has told us that oar members represent us. Well, a few do represent us, but they will be powerless to oppose the squatocracy of Canterbury and the bankruptcy of the North Island, whose members outnumber ours. Why sTiould we abolish when we can improve ? Who would think of abolishing 1 the City Council of Dunedin because it had committed errors, and what more flag-rant error could it commit than that most infamous scheme for the widening- of Princes-street? (Loud and continued applause.) No one would say that, therefore, they should abolish the City Council. On the contrary, they should improve it. Even our friend Mr Fish has considerable intelligence, if he wouldapplyit intelligently anfl honestly. (Applause.) Lately he proposed, rightly if it was his opinion, to take from the electors the right of electing the Mayor. We should seek to improve by modifying and not by sweeping away at one fell swoop that which might be made better. When the question of Abolition was first brought forward, was i* not in these words 1 — " Provincial institutions in the North Island have failed and become bankrupt and incapable of carrying on their functions, but you in the Middle Island have done well • you have progressed, you have been economical, you have conserved your land and done what is proper in your place. We will -not interfere with the Middle Island. 1 ' Was not that the position ? (Yes, yes.) Now, matters are changed, and we are blamed with having mismanaged everything; now, they come in and sweep away that which at first they had no right to meddle with, and which they admitted had done well. You will observe that when a man wishes to follow a straightforward course he acts openly and aboveboard. But they did not do this. They said — " You people have mismanag-ecl your affairs ; you have returned corrupt men." Did they say they would would punish us by taking away the franchise ?. No, but they proposed to give us more power. Squatocracy prevailed in Canterbury, and bankruptcy in the North Island, and what right have they to force upon us measures which are distasteful to us 1 I have always held that our Councillors should at the first onset have said, (t We deny your right to interfere with this question ; we will retire, and not submit to might !" Friends, if the Government is removed to Wellington, how will you be able to appeal when your employed are in distress. lam surprised that a man like Mr Fish, who was a member of our Provincial Council, and, I believe, for a short time Minister of Railways, should be in favour of the sweeping away oi our institutions. If the people of Wellington are determined to have our land revenue and •property, let them come down for it, and perhaps they will find that we belong to a race whose motto is, v Touch us not." He concluded by expressinga hope that the meeting would declare its intention of not being ruled from Wellington as the people there pleased, and that it would not submit to the power, wealth, and prosperity which they now enjoyed being taken away. The amendment did not find a se-

conder.

The motion was then put, and carried all but unanimously, only three hands being held up against it. Mr W. Lang-lands mtred the second resolution. In doing so he said : Mr Chairman and gentlemen, I have been requested, as an old colonist, to propose a second resolution. I confess I would rather have been amongst you as an auditor, and have given my vote quietly for what I thought was right. But, Sir, I think that it is not for anyone at the present juncture to remain in the background, or to refuse to take a part so far as he is able, under the present circumstances of the CoJoay. Sir, I propose to consider this question upon constitutional grounds and upon the ground of justice. It is said by some that the Abolition Bill has passed. I > say, gentlemen, if we take that stand as a Province which I think we ought to, that Abolition Bill will not be brought into operation — (hear, hear) — j and I hope so, and that a demonstra- j tion of the public feeling of Dunedin I will be given this night that will arrest j it. Another thing is, that there is being at the present moment, as I see, a reconstruction of" the Government, j and that in all probability will bring about some promise, or some arrangement at least, for delaying its being brought into operation. Sir, I was a settler in Dunedin in its early days — aye, before the Constitution Act was passed — and I well remember the struggle we had to obtain that Act, and the acclamations of joy with which it was received. Sir, I have seen the working of that Constitution Act, and its local government institutions working up this Colony and this Province in a remarkable manner j and I will require to hear some better arguments than have been adduced as yet by the Premier, and from him downward, before I consent as an individual that our

Provincial system should be swept away. — (Loud cheers.) We should simply hold a Board of Works from the Central Legislature, and I say that the power that granted that Board of Works might abolish it, or might starve it to death, and where then would be the land fund they promised ? Tonight, however, do not be carried away by any such delusion as the promises made. Let us stand to our firm constitutional ground granted to us under the Constitution Act. Sir, I have said that it is an unconstitutional act to endeavor to sweep away our Provinces in the way it has been attempted. Now, I would like just to glance at the present character of the House of Representatives. It has so happened that the distribution of these large loans has converted that House into somethinglike a great Board of Public Works. It has been working more as an administrative body than as a legislative body ; in fact it has become thoroughly demoralised. We have seen that there have been most improper measures taken to secure members' votes by bribing districts, by promising large votes of money. We have heard of the huge Timaru Harbor Works. That was a bribe. Then there is the Central Prison proposed to be built at New Plymouth, and the breakwater there, which it is said in the House of Representatives Taranaki must have. Then again it was attempted to buy the Grey Valley vote by roads, and by a railway from the Grey to Hokitikaj and ail these things were dangled out before the constituencies, and to induce their members to vote for the Central Government from these motives instead of from those great constitutional motives which ought to actuate the General Assembly. Another thing I would like this meeting" to pay particular attention to was. the peculiar manner in which that Abolition Act was assented to by her Majesty's Government. It was assented to not in the usual affirmative manner. It was thus : " Her Majesty's Government has not seen fit to disallow the Act." Sir, there was a quiet hint in that, I think, that the British Government did not wish to. interfere in our affairs, but they did not approve of our destroying the Constitution they had given us. Another thing was that when Earl Granville intimated to the New Zealand Government that the Imperial Government had not seen fit to disallow the Act, what did he say ? That " Her Majesty's Government hopes all the good that is expected from this Act will arise." There is another reproof. There was a doubt, and I think it is plain that the British Government, while they did not disallow the Act, did not approve of it. Well, I believe the British Government will sustain us in any resistance to it we may offer. Gentlemen, one word more. I would warn the Central Legislature and the Government of New Zealand to beware how they attempt to bring one representative body planted by the Constitution to destroy and abolish another, which is existing upon the same charter as themselves. It is a dangerous experiment, for both bodies have equal constitutional rights. As I contend, they have no right to abolish our Province without our full consent. I say they ought to beware : it is a dangerous thing to arouse the feelings of constitutional rights on the part of any people. History, British history, shows us how once the Sovereign of Great Britain attempted to override his Parliament by levying taxes and borrowing money without its consent. We know what was the result. It was for a time the destruction of the British Constitution, and the erection of the Commonwealth. It is right, then, at the present moment to warn the Colonial Government of the unconstitutional nature of their Acb, and of the probable results of what they are attempting. No, gentlemen, let us reject this Abolition Act; let us determinedly reject it as one man, and this I say, that it" it is to be forced upon us, let us send forth one voice that we will have Separation for Otago. — (Cheers.) Sir, f wil now read the resolution to be submitted ; it is : " That this meeting, while desirous of seeing the Provincial form of government simplified in many of its details, is yet strongly in the belief that it is the form of government best suited to Otago under existing circumstances ; and feels assured it is also the form of government best enabling the whole body of the people to closely watch and take an intelligent interest in the administration of their own affairs." There is a point in this resolution I have not yst touched. It is that of enabling the whole body of the people to take an intelligent interest in its affairs. These Provincial Councils are Provincial Schools for legislators. Do you believe if we had not had these we should ever have been able to send to the legislative body the representatives we haye — men who are an honor to us, and would be to any country 1 I say the boards of works and counties — perish them ! — would be the crippling of our intelligence, and do away with the opportunity of successfully aspiring to legislative honors. — (Applause.)

Mr Thomas Burt seconded the resolution, which,, was with great applause.

Mr G. Findlay proposed the next resolution, and in doing so referred to the failure of the attempt to establish the County system on the West Coast. The people soon became disgusted with it, and applied for being constituted iato a Province. He was prepared to

say that the Provincial business had been managed in a way that was an honor to all concerned ; that the Provincial Councils had transacted their public business in a way that would be a credit to the Assembly. (Cheers.) They had despatched business with commendable promptitude, and passed measures in a few days which would have occupied the Assembly for months. He moved his resolution as follows ':*— "That in the opinion of this meeting-, the county system proposals of the General Government areunsuitedto the requirements of the people of this portion of New Zealand ; that they would be expensive and cumbrous, if not unworkable, and the result would be a dwarfing' and deadening- of that political life which should animate a free people." He trusted, that the assertion made that they approved of County Councils would receive a flat and unequivocal denial. (Hear, hear.)

Mr Robin, in seconding the resolution, asked permission to occupy a fewminutes in reviewing' the conduct of the General Government towards this portion of New Zealand. They had hitherto treated us with supreme contempt, but they thought, because no decided action had been taken to defend our rights against systematic political aggression, they could go oh doing as they pleased. (Hear, hear.) No matter how mischievous their policy, whatever this precious Government had done was always pretended to be for the good of the Provinces affected. Was it for our benefit that a common purse should be established in New Zealand 1 (Cries of "No ! no !") Was it not rather to enable certain Provinces to withdraw a revenue which other Provinces contributed 1 And wbat were they asked to accept instead of the Provincial system ? The attempt to obtain a separate government for each island was resisted because it would not suit the sinister intentions of the Wellington Administration. They desired to simplify matters, and they proposed to do so by abolishing the cumbrous nine Provinces, and establishing 39 counties in their stead. This was surely simplifying with a vengeance. (Laughter and cheers.) Then they proposed, as a sort of bait, that -they should endow each county. But that was simply taking money out ot our pockets, sweating it well, and then returning it in a diminished shape. (Plear, hear ! cheers, and laughter.) Ie simply, meant the establishing of a " sweating" manufactory at Wellington, through which the local revenues of the Colony would have to pass. The counties system, he maintained, would be far too expensive and cumbersome. Their representatives had fonght stedfastly against the Government proposals, but the Government was determined to press them against the combined wishes of representatives and people. The Government seemed to think because they had done as they liked in the past, they could continue to defy the popular will. (Hear, hear.) But the tone of public opinion proclaimed in the public journals was never so decided as now. (Cheers.) There was not a stir among the dry bones they had cast aside in action. (Renewed applause.) They were there to-night, and would they arise, would they awake and stand shoulder to shoulder an exceedinggreat army ? (Loud cheers.) In times o;one past they had battled for their rights, when the Government tried to seize the revenue of their gold-fields, and sent those commissioners back again to their employers. They would •if necessary show Sir Julius "Yogel that they were still prepared to act when occasion demanded. They would tell the Ministry that they did not want the counties, but a form of government in which they should have the control of their own revenue. He (the speaker) had lost all faith in Government promises and pretensions. Only a session ago it was proposed to abolish the Northern Provinces, and leave the Southern alone, and now they saw the result. (Hear, hear*) A measure for railway construction was introduced, and passed on the distinct understanding that the railway -lines were to be made a charge on the Provinces in which they were constructed. But no sooner was a commencement made than they were coolly told that their construction must be a charge on the Colonial revenue. The Hon. Mr Reynolds had ventured to explain that these railways had to be provided for in this way, because it was impossible to keep separate accounts ; but the true reason was that the Wellington deficit was to be made up from Otago profits. (Cheers*) He thought that after such instances as that it was high time Otago looked after its interests, and paddled its own canoe. (Renewed applause and laughter.) Tf they could not secure justice to the Province, they might ask its representatives to return home. (Cheers.) He had never voted for their Superintendent, Mr Macandrew ; but in the present conflict he was prepared to say, let him return with Mr Stout, and whither they led we. will follow, and even if they should send the Government servants back to Wellington, there they should go, "unwept, unhonoured, and unsung." (Applause and laughter.) This was not the time for idle declamation. (Hear, hear.) They were a law-loving, law- j abiding people, but they were not going submissively to be saddled with an unpopular form of government. (Cheers/) A certain point reached, and endurance

must give way to action. They would let the Government know that they were a law-abiding people, but they knew when the preservation of their rights demanded that tame submission must give way to resistance. Many of those assembled had been born in a country where their forefathers had fought valiantly against heavy odds for the liberty they bequeathed. (Cbeersi.) He trusted in the cause for which they were contending they would endear themselves to their successors by preserving- their dear-bought privileges with the noble determination and unflinching courage of their ancestors. (Loud applause.)

The resolution, was put, and carried amidst enthusiastic cheers.

Mr Bolt proposed a further resolution — " That in the opinion of this meeting, should the' representatives of Otago fail in securing for the Provinces the administration ol its own land revenues, and a satisfactory measure of local self-g-overnment, it will become their duty to leave the Asssembly en masse, in order that the political situation may be considered by the Provincial Council."

Mr Barrowman seconded the resolution, which was carried amidst loud cheers.

Mr R. K. Murray moved that a copy of the resolutions be forwarded to the Speaker, of the House of Representatives.

Seconded ' by Mr Lang-lands, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings, which were very orderly and enthusiastic throughout.