THE PORT CHALMERS ELECTORATE.

Evening Star, Issue 7156, 9 March 1887, Page 2

THE PORT CHALMERS ELECTORATE.

A meeting of the electors of Port Chaldriers was held yesterday evening the Foresters’ Hall, Pqrt Chalmers, at the inn- ; tatlon of the Vigilance Compiittee of the Borough, in order to take steps for the election of a successor to the fate Mr James Maoandrew. , Mr E. G. Allen, as president of the Vigilance Committee, occupied the chair. He said that the Vigilance Committee, after careful consideration, had come to the conclusion that Mr James Mills would be a very suitable person to represent the Port Chalmers constituency, Mr Mills - was a supporter of the Government and. a Freetrader—indeed, from his connection with A large shipping company he could not well be anything but a Freetrader. There probably were industries that would thrive under Protection, but as a shipping community they must, on broad grounds, he in favor of Freetrade, for Protection and the interests of shipping were opposed to each other. Mr Mills had expressed his willingness to become a candidate. Any elector present who desired to suggest the name of a candidate should do so, and the opinion of the meeting be taken on the proposals. Mr A. M'Kenzxe moved—* 1 That in the opinion of this meeting it is premature to suggest the name of any candidate for approval, and that the meeting desires time to ascertain the views of Mr James Mills or other candidates who may be desirous of contesting the seat.” He was desirous of knowing what replies Mr Mills had given to the deputation that waited on him, Mr J. A. D. Adams seconded. He had hoped that those who were supporting Mr Mills would give their reasons for so doing, and would have told the meeting plainly what Mr Mills thought about the dock and various other matters. The Chairman said the deputation that had waited upon Mr Mills had been thoroughly satisfied from the answers they received that Mr Mills would support the local requirements and conserve the interests of the Port Chalmers electoral district. Mr Mills was a thoroughly honorable man, and if he accepted a position would discharge its duties faithfully, and on that ground he (Mr Allen) would support him, Mr John Mill remarked that he had resided for twenty-five years at Port Chalmers, and had its interests at heart, and that be was perfectly satisfied the district would be efficiently represented by Mr Mills—in fact, in Mr Mills, if they were fortunate enough to get.him, they would have a second Mr Maoandrew, The interests of Port Chalmers were not identical with those of Ravensbourne. He was sure that Mr Mills would do credit to the Port, for a more straightforward and honester man he had never met.

Mr J, A. D, Adams said that no one entertained higher respect for Mr Mills as a man of honor than he aid, bnt he wanted to know what special reason there was for the Port putting Mr James Mills forward as its representative. He wished to point out a few things which, while they did not militate against the character of Mr Mills as a gentleman, did point to the fact that he was not the man to represent Port Chalmers. First of all, the ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ had published a sub-leader in favor of Mr Mills. What did that mean ? The ‘ Daily Times ’ was noted for having taken a side in the struggle which had been going on between Dunedin and Port Chalmers. It would be impossible for Mr Mills to dissociate himself from the pecuniary interests of the U.S.S. Company, no matter how he might try to do so. They all knew how the chairman of the Company had treated Port Chalmers. Was it likely that the managing director of the Company would pull in a different way from the chairman of directors? or was it not more likely that Mr Mills, in spite of the best intentions, would be led just a little to neglect the interests of Port Chalmers? He (Mr Adams) could wish that he had a worse man than Mr Mills to speak against; but because Mr Mills was a man of strict integrity, would it be right to put him in a position where his interests and his duties would conflict? It had been said that if Mr Mills were returned he would stop the Company’s ships at Port Chalmers.—(“ No,” and laughter.) That had been suggested ; but he was glad the good sense of the meeting required nothing to show its absurdity. Dr Drysdale had not been satisfied with the action taken by the Vigilance Committee ; and, though he had no personal objection to Mr Mills, felt that he would like to know whether the candidate’s views were in unison with those of the constituency. Accordingly he had an interview with Mr Mills and had put a number of questions to him. The first was with reference to the dock. Mr Mills said in reply: “If Mr Elder raises the money, of course you don't want me at all, and if he does not raise the money, I cannot nor can anyone else ; but I will do my best to get the endowments which have been taken from the dock restored, or an equivalent given for them, ” That was satisfactory. He then asked another question with reference to the dook. He told him he had been reported to have said to the chairman of the Harbor Board that if they started a big dook in Dunedin the Union Company would see them through the undertaking. In reply, Mr Mills denied point blank that he had said anything of the sort, and added: “ I have some doubt as to the time when the dock will be required, but I have never had the slightest doubt as to its locality, and that Port Chalmers is the place for it.” He (Dr Drysdale) then asked Mr Mills his opinion regarding the expenditure of money by the Harbor Board and the keeping of separate accounts for the Upper and Lower Harbors. Mr Mills did not seem to understand the question at first, but after explanations said that if tt was as stated he would do all he could to get the money which should have been expended on the Lower Harbor restored for that purpose and separate accounts kept in. future. In reply to another question Mr Mills expressed the hope that the interests of Port Chalmers and of Dunedin would not conflict, but if at any time they did conflict, then if he could not stand by his constituents he would resign.—(Applause.) From that interview he (Dr Drysdale) went away perfectly satisfied.

Mr R. Gunn suggested that Mr Fish should be nominated,

Mr A. Thomson moved as an amendment—“ That a requisition be at once presented to Mr James Mills to come forward as a candidate for the electoral district of Port Chalmers in the House of Representatives, and that the electors signing the same pledge themselves to support him and to use their influence in securing his return.” The electors would be very fortunate if they secured Mr Mills as their representative, He was not at one on all points with him, but he was satisfied that in him the constituency woqld have an honest and capable representative who, while attending to the interests of the Colony as a whole, would not neglect the interests of this district, He did not think Mr Mills was correctly described as a Freetrader, for he believed he would be prepared to submit to an intelligent revision of the tariff. The mind of the community was, he was glad to see, being exercised upon the important question of Protection v, Freetrade. He hoped the ‘ Daily Times ’ and Stab would continue to write on the subject, and would make their articles just as strong and as bitter as possible, for benad no doubt that the interests and instincts of the colonists would in the end prevail, and that a great number of industries which at present needed to be fostered would be developed by means of juflipipus legislation, Asa community they were under an obligation to the Government, and he was glad that Mr Mills had declared himself on the side of the Government. Mr A. CbAMOND proposed—“ That Mr J. Green be asked to represent the district.” Mr D. Miller said that Sir John Hall had consented to stand for the constituency, and asked if the Vigilance Committee had recpjyed any telegram from him. : The CgffBMAN said he had not received any telegram lr°fl? §ir John Hall, and had from him, t » i - The amendment was carried by 61 to 17 } I and the Mayor, Dr Drysdale, Messrs Murray, Reid, De Mans, and Young, with power to ftd4 to their number, were ap-' pointed a committee watch over the: election, with the view qI securing Mr Mills’s return.