POST – SESSIONAL SPEECHES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4229, 9 October 1874, Page 2

POST - SESSIONAL SPEECHES.

MAJOR JACKSON AT WAIKATO. Major Jacksonmet the electors of Waikato at the Ohaupo Hotel on Thursday of last week, and received a cordial welcome. He addressed the electors as follows ■ — He had now been in Parliament for three sessions. Last session a constitutional change had been mooted by the abolishment of the Provinces in the North Island. He had met them there to get an opinion as to whether they were satisfied with his Vote on these resolutions. Although he had Vbted for’the'tesd-, lutions he had not bound himself to support any Act that might be brought in based upon them. But he might say .that he would not change his opinion to meet those of his constituents. If he had not properly 'represented them he was quite ready to, give way for another, but he certainly would’ not go down to Wellington as a delegate. It was quite evident that the Provinces' of the North Island could not get on but for the assistance given by the General Government. Mr. Macaudrew had found that the North Island could not get on without the monetary assistance from the General l Government, and those in the South were anxious that they should not be under the same obligation, as they saw what must inevitably follow. He was of opinion that if the General Government found the money for the Pibyidce' they should also spend it. ■ The question of " the abolition of the Provinces was first mooted outside, and one evening about forty of the members waited upon Mr. Vogel, promising him their support for the abolition of the Provinces in the North Island. The resolutions were not Mr. Vogel’s own ; they were brought on by him consequent on the support promised by the forty members, which was known to be a large 'majority. The General Government had managed the immigration, waste lauds, postal, and police departments to, the satisfaction of ’ nearly every one,’ and but for the General Government, the Waikato district would have fared poorly. The Provincial Government had really nothing to do with .them beyond, giving a little assistance occasionally to agricultural societies. The Provincial Govern-* meut was too far away fropa them. Only a few weeks since an advertisement appeared in the local, paper calling for tenders for erecting immigrants’ cottages. ’ No plans or: specifications, were sent to , the Waikato, and consequently no one could tender, unless he went to town to see them.- He telegraphed to Mr. Sheehan, asking that they might be forwarded to the Waikato, and the reply ho received was to the effect that the post!

masters in the districts would not be able to explain them. It looked very much like as if the Provincial Government wished to put it into their own hands. (Hear hear, from Mr. Holloway.) Major Jackson went on to state that he was elected without opposition, and it was understood that he would support the Pox Government. When they were oustedhe did his beat to assist them in again. He said the settlers in the Waikato had no cause to complain. They had received every attention from the hands of the General Government. The new bridge had arrived for the Waikato River, and in a few days the contractor would commence operations. The railway was being pushed on vigorously. The route that the main line of railway should follow had been settled on its merits. No person could accuse him of having asked the Government to take it any particular route. Mr. Richardson had decided some months ago that the line should be placed upon , its merits, no matter whose house it passed by. He had decided, more than twelve months ago, that the line should run round by Ohaupo to Alexandra. In fact, it was decided at the same time as the Government agreed to put the bridge across at Ngaruawahia. Prom what he could learn, if no engineering difficulties were in the way, the main line would come that way. (Cheers.) The Government employed the very best engineering talent procurable, and the engineer’s report would decide the route. It was, however, no use making the railway through until the land has been purchased. He did not think the Natives would stop its progress beyond Alexandra ; but if they did so, the Government would not go against the wishes of the Natives. He believed the Natives would appreciate the advantages of the railway as much as ourselves. They could no more afford to be left without railways than New Zealand and Australia could without telegraphic communication with Europe. If a person was driving quietly through a flock of sheep they would open out so as to allow him to pass. It would be the same with the Natives. The Native Office had had a good innings, and if it was not capable of doing what was wanted, those in office had better retire and others take their place, (Hear, hear.) The railway to the West Coast would be nearly 100 miles shorter than that proposed through Taupo. So long as the Government employed competent engineers he would assist them, and the public must abide the result. When he first arrived in the Colony he was astonished to find so many governments, and he was surprised they had Worked so long,' They reminded him of a gigantic cake-mill which produced just sufficient oil to keep them going. It had always been his endeavour while in Parliament to 3o his best for the district and the Colony. If he could vote for anything, favourable to the district he would do so, but he would not sacrifice the Colony for its sake.. He certainly would not take the opinion of his constituents on any subject to be brought before the House ; but if a decent majority said he had done" wrong, the;-- he would resign. He had never wasted the 'utilie of the House by speaking at any length. If a man voted straight, it did not matter how he spoke. If they knew as well as he what half the 'speeches were delivered for, tbcv .would not think much of the fact of hira\o ,-often speaking. He had voted for the abolition resolutions, because he thought they were a step in the right direction. If brought forward, he would vote for the abolition of the Southern Provinces to-morrow. The resolutions approving of Major Jackson’ a action in Parliament were unanimously adopted, and in the evening he was entertained at a public dinner.