ABOLITION MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4295, 19 August 1875, Page 3

ABOLITION MEETINGS.

NEWMARKET. A mketini; of ratepayers was held last evening, in the Newmarket Reading-room, for the purpose of considering the proposals of the General Government, as contained in the bills now before the General Assembly, and to confirm the resolutions passed at the late meeting of the electors of Eden, held on Tuesday, the 12th instant. „°» the motion of Mr. Kea>e, Mr. John .McNeill was called to the chair. -The Chat hmas" was glad that a second opportunity was given to the ratepayers to state their views. He hoped the meeting would give everyone a fair hearing. Mr. Tait said the meeting was called to confirm the resolutions previously passed in consequence of a telegram which appeared in the Wellington Evenimj Post and also in the Tribune, signed " George Jones, jun.'' He thought it desirable that some notice should be taken of the statement contained in that telegram, and to shew that the people of Newmarket had no occasion to go outside their own district for persons to set forth the news of the ratepayers. It was untrue that the meeting of the electors of Eden was packed by Provincial official?. Mr. Staines came forward unexpectedly and moved the amendment (whioh was subsequently carried) to the resolution in favour of the Government bills. He (Mr. Taite) had a resolution to propose at that meeting, if necessary, which would have been carried, it iu effect being the same as the amendment. It was the following:—"That this meeting, as representing the district of Newmarket, while acknowledging that constitutional reform is imperative, yet deprecatc the hasty legislation with which we are now threatened, and ask, as an act of courtesy to the people of the colony, that time may be given to consider what to them is a matter°of most vital importance." He now proposed the following resolution That this meeting express its entire approval of the resolutions passed at the late meeting of the electors of Eden, held on 12th instant." Mr. KKANE seconded the resolution. He thought it right that some notice should be taken of false representations sent down to AA ellington. As to the general question, so far from the Colonial Government desiring to take every farthing they could from the Province of Auckland, they should have placed to her credit a fair sum to enable her to make a start. But, on the contrary, they had shewn a disposition to do her all the injury they x:ould. It came to a question of the preservation of their rights and their own protection. He, for one, felt that there was a serious crisis impending. So far as he was concerned, he would defend his rights to the last shilling. Mr. McCaitl said it was at least satisfactory to be ablo to correct a false impression. He believed that there was a crisis coming which every man in the Province of Auckland would feel, and feel severely. They had all heard Mr. Vogel when he was last in Auckland. He was then everything, and everybody seemed to believe in him. But Mr. Vogel had turned out a " gay Lothario." He was a mere adventurer. He had gone, and, from all that had appeared, he was not likely to come back. It had been well shewn by Mr. Rees at the late great meeting in Auckland, that those now forming the Ministry were wholly incompetent to carry on the Government: they had lost their great hoad. He (Mr. McCaul) was always opposed to borrowing. One reason was that money borrowed was mis-spent and wasted. There was too much reason to fear that a great deal of the money had been extravagantly expended or wasted. Mr. Cari.yle said, with all the money borrowed, the people of the colony would be able to meet the public creditor, when they regarded the progressive future of a young and vigorous colony like New Zealand. The worst of Provincialists was that they were such "croakers." He remembered when Mr. Wcntworth, in Australia, 3aid they would not want railways for half a century. But within a very short space of time afterwards a sum of £14,000,000 was borrowed at one bound. No part of the world was now more prosperous than these great colonies. Nothing but a strong Central Government would so effectually develop the resources of the colony and carrr on the Government. He begged to move, as an amendment, ' • That this meeting is of opinion that for the future prosperity of New Zealand a central Government alone is necessary, with corresponding municipal institutions—like those of the mother country." Mr. Witueford thought the amendment proposed beside the object for which the meeting was called, namely, to confirm the resolution taken at the previous meeting. Mr. Scotter seconded the amendment. Mr. Witiieford protested against the misrepresentation of public opinion by telegraph. If the telegraph were used for that purpose by any individual or set of individuals, it might be used for worse purposes by those who had power to control it. Mr. Hogc. thought there would not have been any necessity to hold a second meeting except for the correction of the false impression caused by one or more maligners. It might have been well to have taken no notice whatever of such persons. He thought there could be no doubt whatever that the people were nearly unanimous in expressing their opinion that the proposed measures should not be thrust down their throats without they having an opportunity of examining them. Mr. LvaK said that every week, every day that passed tended to confirm the propriety of the resolution comc to at the meeting previously held. He believed the Opposition to these measures would triumph, as they deserve to triumph. The right did sometimes prevail, and it would prevail in this instance. He had addressed several previous meetings upon these measures, so that it was scarcely necessary to occupy the time with a further statement of his views. At Otahuhu, the other night, country settlers declared that whatever good Provincialism had failed to do, this newlegi3lation would be sure to do them barm. The idea of the Government was to sweep away everything as it existed, and trust to the chapter of accidents for the future. Whatever might be said of Superintendents, at this moment the ofSce was a great safeguard of the liberties of the people. Sir George Grey had the great influence now exercised through being the choice of 00,000 or 70,000 people. Sir George Grey was doing good work for the people, manfully, bravely, energetically, and with surprising ability. Sir George Grey seemed to be a man callcd forth by the circumstances of the time. (Cheers.) He was worthy of the greatest measure of support and the highest honour the people could bestow upon lnm. He wa3 much amused at the statements made in the Cross about those meetings. Ross was said to have decided for the Government. Did the meeting know what Ross was 1 It was a deserted diggings. As if it were ti-ue that eleven places deciding for the Government, and eleven for the Opposition, afforded any indication of the popular feeling. There were more people at the Mechanics' Institute the other night than were at the Government meetings altogether. In the present case the people were against it, and they asked time to consider what was proposed before those proposals should be passed. The people wanted to be allowed to do what the good old English proverb recommended, " Look before you leap." Mr. Dargayille, in compliance with calls to address the meeting, said ho came there not as a ratepayer, but to listen and obtain information. As to Ross, it was a most thriving goldfield. There were three bauks, aud it was the residence of at least a dozen lawyers. He conceded this much, that public opinion in Auckland and suburbs was in effcct that these bills should not pas 3 for the present at all events. Mr. Lusk forgot to mention the large and influential meeting held at the Thames the other day. As to Central Government, every part of the colony except the place which was the seat of Government would be in precisely the same position aa Vuckland. Given that representatives were honest and not corrupt—(Aye, aye)—then they

(Hot continuation of netcs tee Svppkment.)

would be as well governed from Wellington as from Auckland, It was said they would be governed by a satrap? The person nominated would have to do only with departmental matters, the Bame as Major Green at present did for the General Government, and Mr. Vincent Rice for the Provincial Government at present. It was said the Provincial Districts were to remain, but if the Government swept these completely away, the greatest confusion would be created by the nullification of the laws passed by provi aces applicable to local circumstances. Tb 2y could not in this particular have done oth< rwise than they had done. They were told there was a deficiency of £300,000. Major Atkinson was one of the most honest politicians in New Zealand, and could have no object in making bogu3 estimates. Then a.- to the delay. The cry of "corruption" w is always raised in times of excitement. Nothing was gained by postponement. Mr. Lusk was an Abolitionist. Mr. Rees wrote a pamphlet on that side. The question was, not how Provincia'ism was weakened. The fact was undeniable. The great mass i f the people were Abolitionists. The noisy people were Provincialists. The electioneer! lg tacticians were Provincialists. Sir Ge rge Grey was a Provincialist. He wrote a pamphlet in England in faveur of Homo \ul« in Ireland. He was in communication ii'itli the Home Rulers here. While he was in Kawau he was in communication with th ".t party at home. Messrs. Rolleston and M icandrew were the greatest enemies of AucMand, and these gentlemen were the allies >f Sir George Grey in the Assembly. Th; abolition of Provincialism endangered theii land fund, and hcnce they opposed these Pleasures. So thought Mr. Reader Wood. He had heard, on the best authority, that Isir George Grey's idea was, " Auckland for the Aucklanders," —Auckland to be a separate colony, with a resident Lieutenant-Governor. Talking with Sir George Grey on tho question of separating the two Inlands, Sir George Grey shewed how Wellington and other provinces in the North Is'and would send petitions home in opposition. Wellington was to bo a separate colon]'. Sir George Grey's reasoning on that difficulty was sound. But Sir George Grey did not meet the difficulty as to how conflicting pjlicys upon .Native matters were to be met. On the question of the control of the policit (whether they Bhould be under the Generil or under the Provincial Government), Si~ George Grey intimated that the time mi;;ht come when the General Government mig<: t coerce the people of tJlis province into compliance with their measures, and in su:h circumstances the police should be in the s i rvioe of the province. He (Mr. Dargaville) 1 iought if the details of the proposed Local Government Bill were objectionable, they could be settled in due time. (Oh, oh.) The resolution confirming the decision of the former meelng was carried, only one ratepayer voting for Mr. Carlylc's amendment. Three cheers •si-ere given for Sir George Grey, and the m< sting separated.

irEWTON. A meeting of the ratepayers of the Karangahape and Archill districts, convened by advertisement, took place last evening, in the K&rangahap* school-room, to consider the Abolition of Provinces Bill. Mr. T. Barnes took the < hair. There was a fair attendance on the <«xasion. The Chairman having read the advertisement calling the meeting, invited any elector present to come forward and expres* his views on the qr.estion which had brought them together that evening. Mr. Dcke mouuted the platform, and said language could not be used sufficiently strong to express their indignation in respect to the action of the Government. He saw from the papers that intimidation was to be u Red, and an armed vessel sent to threaten Auckland. (Laughter.) Sir George Grey bad dared to pnt his finger on the Waikato land job—land which belonged to them and to their children, —and what had the Government done? Appointed a committee to investigate it, six of whose members were Government men, and only two from the Opposition—Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrew. That was a specimen of fair play. He begged to move the following resolution: —"That this meeting views with alarm the r.aseemly haste with which the Ministry is endeavouring to pass the Abolition Bill a", the close of an expiring Parliament, am! emphatically protests against the bill till the voice of the people has been heard at the next general election ; and request our member to support, by every legal and . onstitutional means, the efforts of Sir Go rge Grey to combat the Ministry." (Cheers.) Mr. Kip.by rose to second the resolution. There were a lot of billet-seekers in the Assembly, at Wel'ington, to whom he would not trust a load of :oals. (Laughter.) Were they alaTes ? or M ere they Englishmen ? — leastways he wan an Irishman. (Loud laughter.) This ] rovince was the home of his children, anil his home, though his money had gone here. Two years ago he was agent for the Whan brickmakers, and the Hon. Daniel Pollen went inside his (Mr. Kirby's) contract, :tnd took the job from the poor brickmakers. Was that tho man to be at the head tif the Government? He said, "No!" and h«<l great pleasure in seconding the motion befcre the meeting. (Cheers.) Loud calls were '.lien made for Goldie, but that gentleman dc :lined to speak, as he had come there simply » listen. Mr. Meiklejoh > exhorted the electors to hold on to Provincialism until they could get something better. Mr. Staines, ir response to a call, addressed the meetii.j. He said a great contest was coming off, and Sir George Grey would have a hundred thousand at his back. The Government talked of sending a man-o'-war. WeL'. let them. The town was dull, and the blue-jackets would be welcome. He never had a gun in his hand nnt.il he came here, when the Government Sve hi™ one, and sent him to play at onnt Eden tar,;et. (Laughter.) They were loyal subject 8, and loved their Queen. (Cheers.) He like.' to see fresh blood at their meetings, and not always to look to him. it looked better. Every man, however, did not enjoy the people's confidence. He would always do his best for the Province of Auckland. (Cheers.) A Gentleman ''whose name we could not ascertain) at this stage rose and stated that Mr. Johnkm, M.l\ C. for the district, desired him to state that' e would have been at the meeting, but had lieen obliged through business engagements to leave for Gisbome. Mr. Whioiit thought there should be a change in the speakers, and not. the same at all the meetings. As a new man, he had a word or two to say. He objected to the resolutions of other meetings being passed there, and would proffer a resolution of his own, namely, " I hat this meeting declares solemnly that it w ill reserve its right to vote prior to altering the Constitution." Mr. Kirby objected to the word "solemnly." They were not clergymen. " Decidedly" was '.he word. (Laughter.) Mr. Wright wis willing to accept the suggestion. Mr. Garrett said the subject was now well ventilated, and little more could be said on it. He hoped the people would not surrender the suV-.itance for the shadow. (Cheers.) Mr. Cherry thought that "the previous speakers were talking beside the question. The real question h ul not been examined by any of them. He remembered when three of the four papers hounded any man who did not swear by Mr. VogeL Sir George Grey was now the i !ol of the hour. Twenty years ago a public meeting in Auckland had passed a vote of cei Jiure on him, and he had seen the day when more than a vote of censure would have been passed upon him. (Criesof "Yes" anl "No.") The-speaker then referred to ti« state of the Provincial finances and the "compact of .1856," Sir' George Grey was a- rievter man, but they had

i had cause to differ from him in the past, and might have similar cause in the future. It was but natural, as the father of the' Constitution, that Sir George Grey Bhould be loth to part from his child. ■ - -- -. Mr. David Russell asked whether Mr. Cherry had road the two bills referring to abolition and local self-government. The Government could not pay the money promised. He did not believe in being tied to Wellington, or the South. Mr. Cabman had not intended' to take part in the proceedings, but to listen. Mr. Cherry had twitted others about knowing nothing about the bills, but he had contributed very little information himself. Had Mr. Cherry road the bills ! if not, he (Mr. Cadman) . had. Ho would--.not go j through the 300 clauses and schedules of ; the Local Govermnent Bill on that occasion. (Laughter.) Were they to be bribed by an offer of £2 for every £1 raised—money, too, which they would never get ? The speaker referred at some length to tho provisions of i the bill, and shewed that though its rating clauses empowered tho Boards to rate up to 5s in the £, the Government would only pay the moiety where the rate did not exceed Is j in the £. Mr. Wrigley had said, at Parnell, that at least one good feature was the abolition of proxy voting. Ho (Mr. Cad- I mau) found, on examining the bill, that tho | principle was extended in a more hateful form. A man must have property to the amount of £50, or bo rated to that amount, before he could vote. The popular idea was that Government would give £2 for every £1 collected. Did tho bill say so ? (Cries of " No, no.") Had faith been kept in the past with tho provinces ? First, they have tive-eightlia of Customs, then threeeighths, afterwards £2 capitation, dwindling down to 15s ; and even that miserable pittance could not be got till Sir George Grey threatened an action in. tho Supremo Court. (Cheers.) Tho Abolition of Provinces Bill abolished nothing but their political libsrties and perpetuated Provincialism in its most hateful and disgusting form. The Thames goldfields had snapped at.the .offered bait, and were caught at once. They thought they would get their goldfields revenue to spend, bnt they would yet find out their mistake. They money went first into tho colonial exchequer, and if the exigencies of the colony required it, the lot would be takeu. Such a scheme was arrant rascality, though he would not use such words. (Laughter.) The Government proposals were a snare and a delusion. (Cheers.) The Chairman put the motion of Mr. Duke, recorded above, which was carried, with but one dissentient. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, vfliich was carried by acclamation. The proceedings throughout were of a most orderly character.