PUBLIC MEETING.

Marlborough Press, Volume XIII, Issue 819, 18 September 1872, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting of the electors was held on Monday evening, to take into consideration the action of their representative, Captain Kenny, in reference to his vote on Mr Stafford’s no-confidence resolutions. There was a goodly number of persons present. Mr Williams was elected to the chair, and after a few preliminary remarks, he called upon the promoters of the meeting to state their object. Mr Godfrey said the notice calling the meeting was signed by 17 persons, and their object was to consider Capt. Kenny’s action on Mr Stafford’s motion. It had been stated that it was foolish to call his conduct in question, as it would be kicking against the pricks; but if such a thing was to exist, it would matter but little how they were governed, for if they did not choose to express their opinions because they might miss some of the crumbs falling from the Ministerial table, it would be as well to sit down and take no notice of anything. Mr Freeland said he had known Capt. Kenny for years, and he believed him to be one of the best representatives Marlborough had ever had. Dr Tripe, as Captain Kenny’s most intimate friend, appeared on his behalf, and would mention that Captain Kenny had stated in that room that he would not go to the House of Representatives as a delegate ; he gave good reasons for this ; and if he had voted for Mr Stafford, he was quite justified, as he would have been if he had voted for Mr Fox. He believed Captain Kenny had acted conscientiously, and not for place or pay. Mr Godfrey said he could endorse what had been said by the Doctor respecting Captain Kenny, but that did not debar them from expressing an opinion upon the change of Government. The resolution he was about to propose would not reflect upon Captain Kenny, but would rather go into the change of Government as likely to affect the Colony. The change made would be the greatest mistake ever made in the Colony, for the late Government had the largest amount of ability, energy, and zeal to be obtained in New Zealand. Messrs Hall and M‘Lean were able men, and as politicians were not excelled in the Colony. Mr Conolly rose to a point of order, to enquire whether the .change of Government had any connection with the object for which the meeting was called 1 The Chairman ruled in favor of Mr Godfrey, who continued his speech by describing the qualifications of the members of the late Ministry, and contrasting the members personally with those of the present Government. A considerable time was taken up with this, but was enlivened from time to time by outside interruptions. The Public Works question was then mentioned, and the action of the House in relation to the Brogden contracts. The speaker contended that the late Government were forced to give the work to Brogden and Sons, and 14 of the gentlemen who last year forced these works on the Government had this year voted against them. Wellington and Marlborough had more to be thankful for than any other Provinces. Marlborough had been assisted by being granted relief with the Customs duties. Again, for the Picton and Blenheim Railway, thanks were due. The late Ministry also gave us peace, and by their action in commencing and carrying on public works had arrested the downward progress of the Colony- The Life Assurance and Life Annuities Act, the Ballot Act, and the Land Transfer Act, all good and useful measures, were introduced and carried by the late Ministry. There were many others, which people could discover for themselves—one the payment of petty jurors ; in fact, so many good things had been done that he could not recall half. As a town, district, and province, we have to thank the late Ministry for more than any other and very much more than is likely to be received from Mr Stafford’s Government. The resolution, as follows, was then proposed:—“That, in the opinion of this meeting, the recent change of Ministry will have a very injurious effect on the interests of the Colony.” After a considerable pause, Mr J. O. Western said that although he did not agree with the resolution, he would second it pro forma , to allow Mr Godfrey a chance of having it discussed. Mr Conolly said the resolution was foreign to the object of the meeting, and it would have been better had one of the 17 who had signed the requisition been prepared with something to call Capt. Kenny to occount. Probably no person present had taken the trouble to read the debate which led to the change of Ministers, and the meeting was scarcely competent to give an opinion upon the question. The ground of attack against Captain Kenny had been abandoned, and they were asked to judge whether he voted right or wrong in voting against the Fox Ministry. Had they a proper knowledge of what was going on in Wellington, as well as those who were watching events 1 Yet they were asked to say whether Captain Kenny’s vote was given to the right party. For his part, he thought the change of Government was likely to do good. Mr Conolly thSn over the ground taken up jby the(> former speaker, refuting the remarks about the ability of the last jtod the present Ministry. When Stafford left bffice, a number of persons jprere employed in hunting down some bloodthirsty natives who had committed some most atrocious murders; and he did not believe Mr M'Lean had acted right in treating the natives as he had. If Mr Stafford was prepared to take a different course, he would get some support as well as some blame, although the peace party

were predominant; but peace could be bought too dear, if it was purchased at the price of the honor of the Colony. Mr Vogel’s schemes of public works were seized upon with avidity, and Mr Brogden was looked upon as coming from another sphere to work wonders for all New Zealand ; the House did agree to give him £1,000,000, but they expected to get the value of the work for it. The Ministry were not to be complimented for commencing the railway here, but credit was due to Captain Kenny and to others, who put pressure on the Government and induced them to get the railway started. And what was the railway now they had got it 1 Fit for nothing but a one-horse tramway. If this was the best thing they could get for the money, they had been sadly misinformed, as they had been led to expect a good substantial line right into Blenheim for less money than was to be paid for the apology now making. If an enquiry were instituted, it would be found that there had been gross jobbery and mismanagement somewhere. The Land Transfer Act had done the country harm, as the salaries paid exceeded those paid under the old system by £IO,OOO a year ; and it appeared as if some disclosures would be made about this, for it looked very suspicious when they found Mr Moorhouse giving up his office and rushing into the field of politics as soon as a new Ministry got into power. The rise in the price of wool was the cause of the present prosperity of the Colony, and Mr Yogel could scarcely be credited with that. With his limited view of the matter, he (Mr C.) would have voted as Captain Kenny did, especially as he was undei no pledge and violated no promise. A meeting was held in November last to thank the Superintendent for his efforts in promoting the railway; at which Captain Kenny stated that he could not take so much credit to himself, as he had not the ear of the Ministry, being looked upon ns an Opposition member, but that Mr Eyes and himself worked together most amicably, and upon provincial matters were as one, although upon general politics they were in opposition. (The speaker was loudly applauded when he resumed his seat.)

Mr Philpotts said for his part, when he signed the requisition he had - no intention of taking part in the discussion, but there appeared to be, at the time the requisition was signed, some disappointment that Captain Kenny had not voted for the late Ministry. It was right for constituencies to discuss the action of members, whether right or wrong. Mr Eyes had stated on Saturday that Captain Kenny, had done quite right. Whether Mr Eyes was correct or not, Capt. Kenny probably thought his party was strongest, and whatever he had done, lie believed he had done conscientiously, and to tbe best of his opinion for the benefit of his constituents.

Mr Ward said that he a}(proved of the resolution, and he found, to his astonishment, that he agreed with Mr Godfrey. He must be excused from making an elaborate speech, as he had not come prepared, and had no notes to speak from. Captain Kenny had been known to him for many years, and a more scrupulous and honorable gentleman it would be impossible to find. But they had to decide whether the action done was likely to be detrimental to the interests of the place. If they had not the right sort of men, tliey could not have good measures, and what had Mr Stafford done before 1 About the Maoris, Mr Stafford said they were exhausted; yet, in two montlis, every public-house was ransacked to get men to enable the colonists to hold their own. It was seen that the Colony was being ruined by an expenditure of some £400,000 a year; and all this because Mr Stafford had no foresight and was taken unawares by the Natives. The Native question had been the great bane of New Zealand for years and years. But Mr M'Lean had secured peace, and this had enabled the Government to initiate public works, which had brought people from England. It was a most unfortunate affair that there should be a change in the Ministry, so far as Native matters were concerned, and this would be found out in a few months. Mr Watson was astonished that such a resolution was before the meeting. He was of opinion that the resolution was only put forward to stave off another resolution that was intended to have been brought forward, complaining about Captain Kenny ; but the promoters discovered that the feeling was against them, and brought forward a resolution that the meeting had no business to discuss. Mr Godfrey having replied, the resolution was put, when only two voted for it, Mr Godfrey and Mr Ward. Mr Western said he had a resolution to propose, but he would not occupy the time of the meeting by making a long speech ; he would therefore simply move—“ That, in the opinion of this meeting, the conduct of Captain Kenny as member of the House of Representatives for the Electoral District of Picton, has been such as to entitle him to the continued confidence of the electors.” Seconded by Capt, Corbett, and carried unanimonsly. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

It is worthy the consideration of miners whether they might not procure the assistance of the spirit world in prospecting for gold. The spirits appear to be some authority on the subject, for in a recent speech on the gold duty, Mr Macandrew, M.H.R., said He quite concurred with what had fallen from the Premier as to the amount of gold in the country. He believed they were merely scratching it; lie had the authority of a gentleman who had had communication with the spiritual world. Hon. members might laugh, but he was told very seriously that that gentleman had been informed by the spirits that there was more gold in New Zealand than iron.”