PROFINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1698, 13 January 1874, Page 2

PROFINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

MR, LAHMAN'S MEETING. There was a large audience at Gilraer's Hall, last evening, to hear Mr Lahmau's speech. Having occupied the position of County Chairman, and being also a member of the Upper House of Parliament, there was of necessity much more interest felt in this meeting than in any that had preceded it. Mr W. S. Smith, the| Mayor, occupied the chair. Mr Lahman commenced by pointing out the entirely new conditions under which the district, now called a "Province," was placed. After explaining the history of the new constitution, and who were connected with its formation, he proceeded to explain his opinions as to what the Council in its first session should do. He congratulated the meeting that they were now in a position to make their own laws. On the question of education, he was of opinion that it was the! duty of the State to provide a Bystera of education for all, at the same time it had been acknowledged that the State bad j no right to interfere with the religious education of the people. The question then arose, would the new Province be able; to carry out the system in all its parts. Were they able to carry out a thorough system of national education? He was not sanguine enough to think that they would be in a position to carry it out in its entirety. Even now in Victoria the national system was only on its trial, and in the last session of the New Zealand Parliament the Government introduced an Education Act, which was purely of a permissive character, but when it passed through committee iit came before the Council in such a mutilated form that it could not be passed as nothing was left in it that would be acceptable to any of the Provinces. When these powerful bodies could not agree as to an Education Act, what chance was there for Westland to introduce an Ordinance that wonld be acceptable to all. But because they could not get a pure national Ordinance, it did not follow that they could not get a very liberal one. He was of opinion that something like the Nelson Educational Ordinance was the most suitable to the requirements of this community. He would not support it in every particular, as he differed a3 to the collection of the education tax. He was entirely opposed to that ; but the system itself he was satisfied with as its results had been so satisfactory, and parents really had the management of the School Boards, and they could give free education to all children who could not be j paid for. With regard to raising the money for, carrying on this sj stem of education, in Nelson it was a household tax, and besides parents had to pay 5s for each of their children up to four. He objected to that ; he thought it should be a property tax, and if so he would support it, or the most liberal system of education on the same basis that could be introduced. As to the general question of ways and means, he would remark that ever since Westland was- separated from Canterbury, the finances of the County had been in an embarrassed condition. By separating from Canterbury Westland was the weaker .part, and had to submit to all the conditions imposed upon it. We

were, saddled with a large proportion of the Canterbury debt, because at the time our Customs revenue was larger than that of the Canterbury Province. The matter had been agitated in order to reduce this liability, and he would still go on agitating until it was considerably reduced. He then referred to the alterations which had been made by the General Government in the appropriation of the revenue, by .which the County, had been a loser to between LIB, OOO and L 19,000 a year, and stated that while he was Chairman of the County Council he had never received a ; single farthing from the Treasury at Wellington. Very Jittlecould be expected to be expended ; on public works out of the ordinary revenue of the Province! At the same time he gave great credit to the members of the. last County Council for the manner in which they reduced the departmen^l~expenses, and the Grey district had eveiry'reason to be satisfied with the share it had received of the revenue. With regard to the question of compensation to tramways, he regretted that the Council should ever have allowed it to pass out of their o.wn hands ; they ought to have determined themselves what the amount of compensation should be. On this question he had' heard it freely stated that the Province would not be able to meet its engagements, but he hoped that the amount of the verdict would be considerably reduced. At the same time they must consider that four other /tramways would claim compensation, and provision must be made to meet all their claims. That amount could not be paid out of the ordinary revenue of the province, but they were not so bare .of money as was supposed, as our share of the accumulated sinking funds of the Canterbury loans. was still in existence. When he was in office he mortgaged Westland's claim for L 7600 to the General Government, but he believed that if now realised the claim would amount to double that amount, and pay off all the compensation to tramways. With regard to an Executive, paid or unpaid, he thought it was never contemplated by the Government that there should be an Executive, as it was provided that the Superintendent should have a seat in the Council. Considering the financial position of the Council, he was of the same opinion as Mr Bonar, that an Executive was not necessary. Lately he had heard different opinions expressed on the question, but he believed it was not necessary. At the same time it would rest entirely with the . Provincial Council, as, after the Superintendent had nominated his Executive, they could either vote them supplies or . not as they thought proper. It had been suggested that something in the shape of the County Council's Tender Committee would do in place of an Executive,; but to this he entirely objected, as the? entire administration of the affairs of the Province would have to be done by, Hokitika men. It had been also' suggested that an Executive could be formed which would work for little or no pay, and if this could be effected he wonld support it. He \ would not take office in the Executive if his constituents objected to his doing so. He was in favor of promoting a new Police Ordinance, a new Fencing Ordinance, the purchase of the Aruold Bridge, spending all available money on roads, tracks and water-races, in order to assist the mining interest, and the borrowing of money for expenditure on reproductive works. As to the question of the unification of the whole of the West Coast under one form of Government, he did not think it was likely to crop up for some time to come. If it did come it would be from their neighbors on the other side of the river, but if it did come up he would support it by every meanß in his power. With regard to himself, he would i simply say that he came before them, not because he «ras so very anxious for the honor of representing them in the Council, but because he believed he could materially benefit the Grey district. Besides, he was anxious to regain the confidence of the electors which it was said he lost. No person would gainsay him that in Wellington he had not done his utmost to promote the. interests of Greymoujbh, and bring the wants of the district before the Government. If returned to the Provincial Council, it would strengthen his hands in Wellington, by showing that lie possessed the confidence of his fellowcitizens. He believed that Grey mouth would be the centre of commerce on the West Coast, and one of the most frequented ports by shipping in the Colony. There was a slight misunderstanding as to his running with Mr Fox. It was no such thing. He had simply told Mr Fox that he could have the room for his meeting after he was finished. Several questions were asked and answered, and Mr D. Girdwood moved a vote of confidence in Mr Lahman as a representative of Greymouth in the Provincial Council. Mr W. F. Stkikb seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr J. W. Parkinson. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr E. B. Fox, who was received with applause, said he would address them on the same terms as he did three years ago. He wonld endeavor to have the whole of the West Coast incorporated under one form of Government, and he believed the people on the Nelson side were as anxious for the change as we could be. He had always deprecated the formation of Westland into a Province, as he believed the County sytem had not had a fair trial. He thought an Executive would be necessary with say three officers at LSOO a year each. He believed the tramway judgment for LI 6,000 would be sustained, and there were other tramway companies which would also require compensation. He was opposed to the extension of the Provincial system, and preferred that existing in Victoria of Shires and Road Boards. He objected to these petty Governments ; they were quite useless, and he thought the Victorian system could easily be adopted. The sooner Provinces were abolished the better, but that was not a matter with which the Provincial Council would have anything to do. He was in favor of a purely national system of education, and at present the Nelson system; would meet all the requirements of the case. He would give hi 3 earnest attention to secure the construction of •roads, bridges, and water-races,, where most required, in order to open up the country for the mining population. He would also endeavor to introduce an Act similar to the Victorian one, to prevent speculation in land, so that no person would be allowed to take up more than 260 acres. ■ . : ' After some further explanations,

Mr Humphries moved, and Mr Murray seconded, a vote of confidence in Mr Fox, which was carried unanimously. Mr Cooper said he had been requested by the Committee who wished to secure Mr Masters' return, to state that it was* the desire of that gentleman to be present at that meeting but'hlf KfiT'lSeeri unavoidably detained in Charleston through business. He had received a telegram -from Mr Masters, which said that he must return by Westporfc,. in accordaace with previous arrangements, and he was sorry that he could not come sooner to meet the electors before the day of election. He (the Speaker) was satisfied that it was not only important business arrangements that kept Mr Masters away, but that he was so wellknown in the town and district that his presence was scarcely required. They could not elect a better man, or one that would do more honor to the district in the Council than Mr Masters from his undoubted.integrity and well-known ability. The usual vote -of- thank's to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. " Mr Barnett addressed one of the largest meetings . ever held . in Maori Creek on Thursday evening last; Mr Menhinnett presided; 1 'After- explaininghis "views at considerable length, the -'candidate was examiued on many subjects. There was considerable cheering during the meeting, and the close, ' ' ! Mr John Robertson proposed, and Mr James Hacketty seconded, the usual vote of confidence. The Chairman received the usual vote of thanks. : < . ,-., Mr James Campbell alto addressed the same meeting, and had a vote of confidence passed in his favor. On Friday evening there was ! a very large meeting at the Greenstone to hear Mr Barnett's views on Provincial Government. Mr Eeenan was elected chairman, and introduced the candidate, who went into all the details of of the policy he intended to advocate in the Provincial Council should be elected. He alsa pointed out the most important woiks^ that he should advocate to be undertaken immediately. At the close of the address he was questioned on various subjects, the answers to which gave' 'general satisfaction. ; The vote of confidence was moved by Mr W. Hanna, ,andc seconded by Mr Yortt, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. The largest meeting ever held at Marsden took place on Saturday eveeing, for the purpose of hearing three of the can--1 didates, Messrs Barnett, Campbell, and Guinness, express their views on subjects likely to be brought under the notice of the Provincial Council.' ; ; ;J ■■» Mr Purvis was elected Chairman, and introduced Mr Campbell, who went through most of the subjects likely to be interesting, and answered several questions satisfactorily. There was considerable applause during the speech, and a vote of confidence was passed in his favor. Mr A. R. Guinness then addressed the meeting at considerable length, pointing out the necessity of returning men of talent, and that a candidate had certain advantages from living in Greymouth. He was also favorable to Road Boards, as they were local and could attend to their wants. Mr Guinness was well received, and there was much cheering .during the delivery of his speech. A: vote of confidence was also passed in his favor. Mr Barnett was then introduced. He said that it was the proudest day of his life to be before them a3 a candidate for their suffrages; He then replied to Mr tGuinness's address, and pointed out what he considered inconsistent. He then entered fully into the views he held on various subjects, and was much cheered throughout, particularly when he touched on the necessity of settling the miners on the land. Mr Barnett then expressed himself decidedly opposed to Road Boards which, if continued, would necessitate taxing mining property. He was also questioned on various subjects, and ultimately a vote of confidence was passed in his favor by an overwhelming ma.ority. A vote of thanks to the Chairman ter- ' minated the proceedings.