INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6870, 7 March 1883, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

The adjourned general meeting of the Christohnroh Industrial Association was held in the Association's Booms last night. There was a large attendance. Mr A. G. Howland, President of the Association, occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by announcing the fact that the Governor had consented to be patron of the Association. (Tho letter from tho private Secretary was read.) The President said he had conveyed the thanks of the Association to Hi* Excellency. He then read the delegates' report to tho Association in regard to their action in connection with the Railway League, a* follows : ” Your delegates attended the Convention, convened by His Worship the Mayor of Ohristohurob, at the City Council Chambers, onOot. 26, 1882; present—about 60 delegates from Boroughs, Towns, Bead Boards, Counties, Chamber of Commerce, Working Men's Political Association, the Co-operative Society, Corn Exchange, and other bodies. You will see that thsre was'a thorough representative ooiavention from all parts of (he Canterbury [Province, and Westland was also represented. Your delegates, Messrs Howland and Pavitt, moved the first resolution, vis,:— ’ That this meeting form itself into a Bailway League, the Association to consist of a President, Chairman, and Secretary, and a Committee of tho gentlemen present, with power to addi to their number, and that His Worship tho Mayor bo President, W. Chrystall. Ohsirmiu, and T. B. Craig Secretary.’ (Carried unanimously.) Proposed by Mr Thomas Pavitt, and seconded by the Mayor—--1 That in the opinion of this League tho construction of the trunk line, viil the East Coast to Blenheim, would be a waste of tho public funds and detrimental to the interests of this Province and the Colony at large.’ Moved by Mr D. Hesse, seconded by Mr E. G. Wright—'That in view of the urge resources of the West Coast and the steady increasing population, this League is of opinion that the share to the loan allocated towards a trunk line northwards should be applied in the construction of a line from the Hurunui to the West Coast, and that the Government be requested to cause surveys to be made as early as possible, with a view to ascertain the best route in that direction,’ (Carried.) The above and other routine resolutions were adopted, 1 Your delegatee were appointed oa. the Executive Committee, which have held nine Committee meetings, several sub-Oom-tnfttee mootings, assisted in preparing statistics and information to band to the Boyal Commission, have been appointed on three deputations to the Boyal Commission, the Minister of Public Works, and to the Premier. They have attended every meeting, and have assisted in all the works to the best of their ability in refrying Onb the Intentions of the League. By toe persistent and determined works of theLregue, we feel that we have made some good headway—the Government, at the request of the League, have got survey parties at work at both the Knit and Wert Crest, from the Bed Poet sad from toe Beefton end,, eoaeto get surveys made and a report pnpemd before the sitting ot the

next Parliament If possible, They have proto appoint a Commission to report on the several line* to connect tho West Coast with Canterbury, and report to bo made public, if possible, before the meeting oMhe neat Parliament j so you muet agree that the League, or your delegatee, bare not been idle or neglectful. I may here »»y that your Association ia largely repreecated on the Kailway League Committee, and in meet inetancee hare been good workers. They number 16, consisting of your Preeident, two Vioe-Preeidente, four of your Committee, and nine members of the Association, and if the League succeeds in what they are working for, that ie, ia getting the railway to the West Coast, the Assooiation can congratulate themselves on the part they hare taken in the work. At the last Committee meeting it we# resolved—' That A League meeting be held at the City Council Chamber! on Wednesday, March 21, at 2 o'clock/ and 1 hope it will bo well attended, end there will be a great many names added to the number of the League, I think the larger the number the better, and 1 alio hope there will be some good strong resolutions carried, suoh as to ask the Qorernment to bring down a Bill to Parliament to grant a special loan of one and a half million pounds for Canterbury, so that she may We her just share, and so be able to construct the West Coast railway and other public works required. I feel that you should give the League credit for the manner in which they hare worked and are etill working. You will see by the newspaper reports they tried in every conceivable way with the Premier to get promises and get the Government bound in some way to support the making of the West Coast railway, and to abandon the idea of making the Bast Coast railway to Blenheim. You will see a copy of the letter in the Lyttelton Times, addressed to the Hon F. Whitaker by the Chairman of the Bailway League, with instructions from the League to the Commission that is to be appointed by Government to report on the best routes to the West Coast by request of the Premier, and the above letter is a fair comparison of what the League has been doing since its formation. “ Thomas Patitt, “ A. Q. Howr-AHD.” The Secretary read the letter from Mr Chrystall, as also the circular sent from the League to the local bodies in Canterbury and Westland re formation of branch leagues, Ac. The President expressed the opinion that though the League was a thoroughly representative body, it would have been more powerful had the names on the roll been more numerous, and had league meetings been held oftener. He was m hopes that these deficiencies would be supplied in future, and bad every confidence that the construction of the East Coast line was stopped. He felt sure that all would agree with him that the £IBO,OOO should be spent in a westerly direction from the Huruaui. There was a line te be made from Oreymonth to Beefton, and another from Greymouth to Hokitika, so that the complete connection between the two Coasts was quite within immediate probability. The League bad carefully avoided recommending any particular route. Mr Pavitt moved the adoption of the report. He did not agree with the statement that the League had not done all they could.

Ur Beese seconded the motion, and com* plimentod the delegates on the earneit and enthnaiastio manner in which they had done (heir work. Mr S. Izett had been anxious that the Association should consider the whole portion of the West Ooait railway. At the recent deputation to the Premier, Mr Whitaker had given the history of the line to be con* strnoted, as described by Ministers of Public Worn in their annual statements. Such statements could not bind the Parliament, and no resolution of the House had been passed binding it. His (Mr Izett’s) experience of the Colony dated back six and a-half years. The Hon Mr Bolleston, the last Superintendent, advocated in 1878 a West Coast line, and would not have done so had the country been pledged as alleged by the Premier. Since (hat time the West Coast line had been warmly taken np by the people of Canterbury, who, however, had failed to get anything out of the Government. They then took up the matter as a private enterprise, and at considerable ex* penae obtained (he passing of an Act. They again failed here, and now the Association and the Bailway League had taken the railway in hand, and were deserving of great credit for their action. Mr Holmes during lost session, had invited a meeting of Canter* bury representatives to consider what course should be pureued with reference to the railway policy of the Government. Only five members responded to the invitation. Government brought down their proposals to carry the main trunk line northwards, and the Canterbury members made no sign. The advocates of tie West Coast railway then took steps, the result of which was the formation of the League, with a view to carry out a large and extensive agitation. Hitherto, no such agitation had been organised, and it was full time that it should be. The League bad interviewed the Ministers and the Commission. From what had taken place he had no doubt that the Ministry were hostile to the West Coast line. It was, therefore, a loss of dignity to ask for another Commission, which would be ef no use. (The speaker quoted from the Premier’s statement made to the deputation from the League last week in support of his contention.) It was not the part of a Genet al Assembly to initiate measures, but the Government must bring forward their proposals. The Government had a majority, in which could be numbered fifteen Canterbury members at least, and were determined to carry out the Hurunui-Picton lino. If Canterbury got £IBO,OOO out of each million borrowed, it would take about 18 years to complete the lino. There was no doubt that the simultaneous carrying out of two main trunk lines in the Middle Island would be impossible, therefore the Wot Coast line would be put on the shelf for 18 years. Under these circumstances the question of what was to be done arose. The policy he would advocate would be to go back to the original course proposed when the League was formed. But, it was said, “ you must not attempt to coerce Parliament." Why, but for coercion none of the rights and liberties of the people of England would hare been won. In Victoria nothing had been done except by coercion, and* who were the people of the Assembly that they should not bo dictated to P He would say to them that, if they did nob veto for the West Coast railway, the people would turn them over to oblivion. Look at Wilson Gray and Charles Don in Victoria. They set the country on fire and appealed to the people, from whom all power came, fie would enrol the whole population in the League; instead of 1000, ho would have 60,000, who should be a genuine League, not to be trifled with. (Hear ) There was now a crisis, upon the result of which the welfare of the country depended. Were such a League as ho named formed, the Premier would not have dared to taunt them as he had done when ho asked if the League really represented Use people. It was not a question of routes. As to referrieg it to engineers, that was simply throwing dust in the people’s eyes and trifling with them. He would move—" That, in the opinion of this Association, the time has now arrived when it is desirable that active and earnest steps should be taken to initiate an agitation throughout the Province for the purpose of securing the construction of the West Coast railway.” , The report of the delegates was here adopted, and a hearty veto of thanks to them was unanimously carried.

Mr Sandsteiu seconded Mr Trait'* motion. He quite concurred with that gentleman's remarks.

Mr Holmes had listened with pleasure and astonishment to the speech of Mr Izett t pleasure, because he had echoed hie own sentiments, and astonishment because he (Mr Holmes) did not think that gentleman possessed such eloquence. (Hear.) He (M s,w“ tux syss >. a, deputations would prove that they were trying to shuffle out of the promites they had made. Be would now state that he had

received a distinct and deliberate promise from the Hon Mr Johnston that before anything wae done with the £IBO,OOO, tho Government would have surveys made, and a Commission appointed, and that the report of the Commission would bo laid before the House. That jpromite had been made three distinct times in the course of about fifteen minutes to him (Mr Holmes) in presence of Messrs Henry Thomson and William Pearson, In making this statement, he broke no confidence, because he had told Mr Johnston at tho time that he would publish it should the necessity arise, and such necessity had cow arisen. He quite agreed with Mr Izstt that tho only way to succeed would be by setting the country on fire. There was no doubt that tho Canterbury members were, to say tho least, lukewarm. It would not do to threaten them, hut pressure might be brought to bear, and the enthoiiaem of the constituencies might bo communicated to their representatives. That enthusiasm might be aroused by gentlemen like Mr Thomas, Mr Izett, and others who felt etrongly on tho matter, visiting the various centre* of population, and addressing meetings. He had great pleasure in supporting the motion. Mr il. D. Thomas fully concurred in the views of Messrs Holmes and Izstt as to the desirability of stirring up the people. He could not agree with Mr Izett in saying that the League had been in any way lukewarm. Mr Thomas entered into details to show the work done by the members of tho League, at a cost of £lO or £l2 a mas for preliminary expenses. An appeal to the public bodies for funds had been made, but the subscriptions had amounted to nothing. Agitation involved a considerable expenditure of money. If the public came forward to assist, he would be only too glad to use what abilities he possessed In the way suggested by Mr Holmes. He hoped that the speeches made that evening would result in the public espousing the cause. Mr T. O. Kelsey fully supported all that bad been said by Mr Thomas. The League bad enlisted the sympathies of the populace, the merchants, and the representatives of Canterbury, or at least Christchurch. Ha could not agree with what bad been said ia favour of coercion, but believed in moral pressure only. Although in the eases cited* by Mr Izett a certain amount of coercion had been need, that bad not been exercised for a year or two, hut for periods extending oi er at least a decade. From the first he (Mr Kelsey) bad preferred moral pressure to coercion. The League was a thoroughly representative body, and he was sorry to hear anyone say that it had not done its beat. It had been indefatigable, though not revolutionary, in its action. If moral suasion would not succeed with the present members, he was in favour of waiting till the next election, when the question of the West Coast Bailway might be made a crucial test for candidates. He would remind the meeting that the League represented the whole of Canterbury, and in all prolability bad been chosen because they were the fittest men. Mr F. Guinness entirely agreed with Mr Izett. When the present representatives were elected, the question was not before the country. It had since arisen, and, therefore, it was quite proper for the constituencies to call upon their representatives to carry oat their wishes. As for the Ministry, they were not the Government, which consisted of the Governor, the Ministry, and the General Assembly. If the present Ministers would oot do what the people wished, it was desirable that they should be changed. (Hear.) Those present at tho meeting were in favour of coercion, bet what would they do when they left the meeting ? (Coerce.) Mr Wickes thought it was high time the people woke from their Bip Van Winkle sleep. For ten solid years they had been hoodwinked by their representatives and the Government. He fully agreed with Hie desirability of an agitation to bring to bear pressure on their representatives. The West Coast railway would make Christchurch the first city in Hew Zealand. (Applause.) Mr Beese thought the resolution was almost a vote of want of confidence in the League. What was recommended was exactly what had been done. The League had invited the various localities to establish branches. Bangiora and Lyttelton were the only places where the invitation had been accepted. The League had gathered every information obtainable, and had placed it before the members of Parliament, who could not at the present time be coerced, as had been well stated by Mr Holmes. The League expected to be able to show the Government that they would not have tho East Coast line, and would have the West Coast lice. It had been determined to hold another general meeting of the League on March 21, immediately after harvest, and after that a public meeting was to be called, to which every Canterbury member would be invited. Those who did cot respond would have to be coerced at some future time. The Canterbury members were a year behind the Otago members, who had got three con'racta lor the Otago Central line, though that had been reported against by a Gemmiwion, whereas tho £IBO,OOO allocated to Canterbury was not in any case to bo spent for at least another year. He must »ay that, in hie opinion, had Sir George Grey’s Government been in power, the West Coast railway would now be an accomplished fact. Mr Maoandrew had promised its construction in five years, and had reserved the whole of the unsold lands in the Waipara district, and a groat portion in the .Ashley district. Those landshnd been reserved, as he (Mr Beeee) firmly believed, for the purpose of recouping the expense of constructing the West Coast railway. Mr Macandrew had argued that, as Canterbury was a source of such large revenue, she was entitled to the expenditure. Ho might here mention that the whole of the bridging between here and Westland was but fifty-six chains. The Woka Pass had been the great difficulty to be surmounted, but that had now been overcome. He concluded by recommending that the League Simula be allowed to follow out the course it had laid down for itself, and suggested the insertion in the resolution of the words, 11 to assist the Bail way League.” Mr P. Jacobsen expressed his pleasure at the speeches of Messrs Izett and Holmes. He was in favour of coercion, synonymous with which was in his opinion moral suasion. A constituency had a right to say to its representative, •* If yon don’t support our views we won’t return you again,” and what wss that but coercion ?

The President spoke in favour of coercion being used to make the representative* do what the constituencies wanted. Mr l«tt altered hi* resolution to the following “That the Association request the Committee of the Bailway League to take immediate steps to appoint delegates to address the people in the various local centre* in Canterbury, to request them to join the League, and to urge their members to press upon Government the necessity of at once commencing the construction of the lino to connect Canterbury with the West Coast.” Mr Favitt, before the resolution was put, would like to explain that the League had done all they, a* business men, thought prac* tioable. Great credit was due to Mr Chrystall, the President, for the untiring exertions ha had used, and to the other members of the League, who, bad done their best, and he deprecated anything like a censure upon the League. Mr Holmes argued that the resolution wae no reflection upon the league, but was intended to strengthen the League in the steps it had already determined to taka. Mr J. B. Sheath could not support the motion, which ho considered more or loea a vote of censure on the League. . Mr Eeose considered the resolution a direct vote of want of confidence. Mr Isett, in replying, expressed _ emprise at the captious spirit in which his motion had been received. Certainly, his speech might have been considered to reflect upon the League, but the resolution did not. He was happy to learn from Mr Beese that the League had not been so lukewarm aa he supposed. (Hear.) Mr Favitt thought the delegates could so* oept the motion. The resolution was then put and earned by 16 to 2. A vote of thanka to the Chairman ooaeluded the basinets.