HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1076, 26 April 1867, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ELECTrOW FOR THE CITY WE3T. Yesterday the election for the City West was held in the building formerly known as the old Supre.ne Court House, Queen-street (now Ridings' market auction mart). There was a fair attendance of electors but it was known that there would be 110 opposition to the caudidate who was iu the lield, 'Patrick "Dignan, Esq., and the proceedings were therefore very quiet, nothing occurring out of the ordinary Jorms of nomination and declaration that is worthy ol comment. The returning officer. Colonel Balneavis, having read the writ authorising the election and asked whether any elector had a candidate to propose, M v. Thomas Mac earl ank came forward and said, Mr. Ueturning Ollieerand fellow electors : I feel that iu appearing before you to propose a candidate for the vacant scat iu the House of Representatives that I have a very easy and very pleasant task to perform. I am not about to propose to you the name of a gentleman that is unknown to 3-011 or one that has 110 standing in the Colony, and therefore 110 interests to protect". The gentleman whom I have the honor to propose has been in the colony for 2G years, duriug the whole of that period living amongst you. I have myself been here only six years, and there may be gentlemen in the Colony who have resided longer, in it than the one I am about to propose for your adoption. You all therefore know that gentleman almost better than I know him myself, he is our friend Mr. PatriekDignan. Since I have known Mr. Dignan I have always looked upon him as one of our best friends. Ever since I have known him he has been before the public—iu the midst of every political fight that was taking place, for which the interest and honor of this were concerned. (Cheers.) He has borne the heat and the brunt of the day with a determination and perseverance tluifc is creditable to himself, and in consequence of which he occupies a position of independence to-day—a position which enables him to express his views upon public question, without fear, and without hope of favor. (Hear, hear.) If 110 is to go to Wellington, I believe that no influence will induce him to swerve from what is right. (Cheers.) He. at least 1 do believe, will not barter our rights for any consideration whatever. (Hear.) I have wrought with Mr. Dignan for two 3-ears in the Northern Association, and I have a thorough knowledge of his earnestness in the cause of separation. On that question he is thoroughly sound. He is in favour of retrenchment in all the branches of the state, and will lend his aid, and do everything in his power to reduce every unnecessary expenditure. (Hear.) He is not a good speaker any more than myself, but ho is a gentleman of great experience, and sound judgment, and I believe that the force of his quality, and his influence, will bo felt in the House of He will, I feel sure, bo a. useful addition to the number of our representatives. I will therefore say no more to you, hut shll conclude by nominating Patrick Dignan, Esq., as a tit and- propor person to represent the City of Auckland West in the House of .Representatives. (Hear, and cheers.) Mr. Hccit Coolaitan seconded the nomination. There were many reasons why he felt called upon to support- the nomination of Mr. Dignan, the first was that he had known Mr. Dignan for upwards of 25 years as an industrious and energetic citizen who had by those qualities risen to his present station in society. There was, however, a higher reason, namely because he believed Mr. Dignan to be an honest man. and one who would assist in managing carefully the public affairs of the Colony. Latterly the public had indulged in putting " high up " men into positions of public trust, and there was a good instance before them how such persons were disposed to discharge their trust. There was Colonel Haultain— A Voice : And Mason. Mr. G'oolahan: We did not return Mr. Mason upon tlie same terms or for the same purpose as Colonel Haultain. But there was Colone! Haultain, it was most discreditable that one holding the position which he had obtained should have abused his trust. I am an elector for Eaglan. A Voice : He wanted a thousand a year. Mr. Coolahan : Gentlemen I will not further detain you. I was only making a few remarks upon the fitness of 1113' honorable friend Mr. Dignan to represent the City of Auckland West in the House of Mr. DiCrNAN came forward and addressed the assembly as follows : Mr. Returning Officer and fellow electors of Auckland City West, — As my friend Mr. Macfarlane lias stated I am not a good speaker, and I quite agree with him in that respect, but I wish I could command language adequate to convey to you how I feel the honor have done me and the sense of gratitude I entertain for the token of confidence and trust which 3-011 have bestowed upon me to-day. (Hear.) 1 may say, gentlemen, that whatever topics may arise in the General Assembly; whatever the questions that may there be brought forward in which your interests may be at stake, 3113- attentions and my services will not be required in vain, for I shall always be ready to maintain jour rights. There is no one more sensible of the position we at present occupy than I am. No one can tell me of the difficulties we have had to enduroand those which now exist, and are likely to accrue, better than I know them. There is no one more anxious than I am if possible to relieve ourselves from those diflicultics_ which have come upon us, and to contend against those that are to follow; and finally, to compel those who have inflictcd wrongs upon us, to make reparation for such in juries. (Hear, and cheers.) I am one of those who have felt the insult and injury that have been put upon us, and I will never forgot them until reparation is made. But there is one thing necessary before all other things in the present state of affairs, that is harmonious action. (Hear, hear.) There is no use for a mail to make promises to constituents, that he can or will do this or that ; it is out of the power of miy one member going to Wellington as an individual to do good unless all your members come to one agreement of harmonious action, so that with one voice they may state your opinions, and convey your views and wishes to the General Assembly. (Hear.) If there bo any division amongst them, it will destroy 3-our interests. I would therefore recommend that before going to the General Assembly—l beli6ve the same thing was once contemplated—that the constituencies should call their Representatives together, and ask them to agree upon all principal questions tliat may 'be brought forward affecting the interests of the people of the Province of Auckland. It would, of course, be wrong to ask them to agree on minor questions, but on all general questions connected with your interests they should be unanimous as one man ready to take one common line of action, and if this is done I have every reason to hope that we may yet be relieved from the evils which have been poured out on us, and of which we complain. I do not therefore despair. I do not fear that it will lake so long a time to restore us to what we were—to the position wo should occiqy as some people might suppose. It took the people iu the South nearly 20 years before they succeeded in their endeavours to move the seat of Government. They commenced the attempt in f S-.11. It may therefore be impossible for its to do the work and achieve success all at once, but wo should not on this account be disheartened nor frightened. It is only I>3" unanimous action that we' shall succeed. If we do not get all that we require at once, let us be content to get it by instalments. We have as it were an army at our baclc. A Ye arc not the only people I in this _ Province who have been, injured. There is the Native race who feel also

the wrongs which have been inflictcd upon them and which they are compelled to bear, and which they do bear as yet patiently. Ido not wish to advance tlie opinion that unless those wrongs are redressed, they will not be able to control them but I sa3 r that there is discontent growing up amongst these people in consequence ol the laws affecting thein which are being enacted at Wellington—laws acknowledging them at one time as British subjects, but afterwards destining the privileges which as such they should enjoy. That treatment is demoralizing the native race ; and the southern element lias not 011I3' done this but has destroyed the outselllers and ruined their prospects for tlie next quarter of a century. It is a proud boast for a, man to say that he is a free British subject, but I do not esteem it an 3' honor to bo subject to the Southern Government. It matters not what ministry is in power, whether it be a Stafford ministry that is iu office, or a Weld ministry out of office, so long as they inflicted injury on this province, they deserved to be exposed. We in this Northern part of the colour stand at this moment without any voice whatever in the Government. Col. Haultain is there, but he is not a representative, having been requested b3 r his constituents to resign his seat. It may take I time to remedy all this evil; we must have patience, but proceed with perseverance and united action. I therefore hope that those injuries will be removed in a short time, if not altogether, at least partially. To do this we must forget all paltry little differences, we must treat the natives as our fellow subjects, and as if there never had been war bctwen us, for they have been our earliest and are likely to be our best friends as compared with the Southern rulers. They are willing to co-operate with us in getting separation from the South. (Hear.) I was talking the other day to a chief and he said to me "ka kino riuntiti//i■ 2 > nrt JS'/rA:," " 110 good the Assembly at Port Nick." That man complained of injury. He attempted to sell his land but there was a charge upon it imposed b3 T rccent legislation, so that people would not purchase. Thus they led him to become alloyal3 y al and dutiful subject. They got him to take a crown grant, but in the last session they put restrictions upon it's sale which would prevent the European population from purchasing it. These are the things which the natives feci, and unless they arc altered we will have more difficulties than they are aware of—difficulties perhaps over which the Southern Government may not be able to exercise control. There is nothing which the Southern Government has attempted so far as the province is concerned in which they have not failed. I regret, gentlemen, that I should have to occupy your tune so long, but I regard the position in which yoil have placed me as a valuable token of your trust and confidence iu 111 c, and I therefore, in conclusion, take this opportunity of returning my heartfelt thanks to the electors of the City of Auckland West (cheers.) The Sheriff asked if aiy elector had another candidate to propose. There being no response, Patrick Dignan, Esq., was declared to be elected a member of the J louse of Represent atives in the General Assembly for the Oily of Auckland West. Mr. Dignan moved, and Mr. H. Coot.aiian seconded a vote of thanks to tho Returning Officer, which was carried, and the Ueturning Officer having thanked the assemblage, the proceedings terminated.