THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 13

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTION.

MR E. B. CARGILL'S MEETING.

Mr E. B. Cargill addressed a large meeting of the electors at the Masonic Hall on Tuesday. On the motion of Mr H. S. Fish, Jun., the Mayor •was called to the chair.

Mr Mercer said that he thought it hard that he was Dot allowed to coix c and hear the candidates address the meetings without being compelled to preside. He had taken the chair at meetings held by two of the candidates on the previous night, however, and he would do so now when those present were to bo addressed by a gentleman he had known for years. Mr Cargill's name was so much associated with the progress of Otago that no man of respectability would fail to do it honour. He had much pleasure in introducing Mr Cargill to the meeting, as a gentleman of ability, ready to serve them in any capacity he was asked to serve them in.Applause.)

Mr E. B. Cargill was received with applause, and commenced by saying that lie was there that night to be " put through his fauings," as it was called, in connection with -the coming election, and to give such information to the electors, and answer any enquiries that might be made, in order to allow them to determine whether he was a fit and proper person to represent them in the Provincial Council. He thought it necessary that he should make some explanation of his past conduct, because he heard that it had been said that iv the past he had made somewhat of a convenience of his seat in the Council, and did not act as he should have done towards his constituents. Nothing would givfi him greater regret than the existence of an impression of this kind, for there was no foundation for it whatever. The electors were good enough to elect him by placing him at the top of the poll when he last appeared before them as a candidate, and he had served in the following session of the Council. Upon the succeeding session, when the Council were on the point of meeting, he was called upon to go to Europe. He was only able to attend for a short time, and he then asked for, and obtained, leave of absence for the remainder of the session. The necessity for his going to Europe did not arise until the Council was on the point of meeting, and there was no time for him to resign and get some one elected in his place. He had to go home on that notice, and as he did not intend to stay long he did not resign. He returned to Dunedin at the beginning of last year, and acjain found that he had to make another journey to Europe, quite contrary to expectation. He then did what was right— resigned his seat in time to allow another representative to be elected jn his place. Ho hoped that this short explanation would be considered satisfactory, and would be an answer to anything that had Ijeon said on this subject. He did nob consider it necessary for him to go into any lengthy exposition of his views on public matters, as most of them, he believed, understood very well the part he had taken hitherto. He heard that it was objected to him by some persons that he was a squatter's man — an agent of the squatters. Of course, everything was fair in election time, and they had all heard so many cries of this kind that ho did not think they would be allowed to have much meaning. He was a squatter's agent and a squatter, if they liked. He was a merchant, and was interested in the great staple of this country — wool— and in the shipment of wheat and other articles of produce. Jt was quite true that wool, which was the great staple of this country, had a yery large share in his transactions ; hereby, in a place like this, when we considered the great wealth brought here year by year, there should not be a cry raised against the wool interest. Nothing had tendod, and would tend, more to the prosperity of Dunedin than the prosperity of this wool intorest, and it should be valued highly by all sensible men. Of course in speaking of their wool interest he knew that there had been a certain feeling in the matter that had given l'ise to serious contention in connection with our land laws and their administration. We had had land laws and land laws from time to time, and all sorts of changes had been tried. The real good of the land laws lay in theiv proper administration, and if the laws wo had, such as they were, were properly administered by those in power, then we could get on well enough. It was only when there were some allegations of unfairness that there was any difficulty in the matter. For his part, ho had always resisted any attempt to raise up class questions between people who should always be fast friends and supporters of one another. — (Hear, hear.) He had always maintained that the agricultural and squatting interests should not be enemies, but helpers and friends. Tho agriculturists and the farmers were beginning to meet ; agriculturists wore becoming sheep farmers on a small scale, and the two interests showed a mutual dependance more and more every year. He could only say that his views, so far as the land laws were concerned, had been guided by one great principle. He desired to sec land suitable for agricultural settlement open to people who followed these pursuits, and that every facility should be given to the settlement of those men on the land wherever they could find ground that it would pay them to cultivate. He also objected to such lands as these in the Province being absorbed by being bought up in large blocks. Purely pastoral land, audland suitable for agriculture, were so distinctly marked, that there was no necessity for much comparison in this respect, and a fair and careful administration of the law would secure that laud that was suitable for agriculture should be reserved for this purpose, while the pastoral occupation should be continued over the land that was not suitable for the former. Of course now there was not much left to be done in the Council in the way of legislation. The truth was that the duty of the Provincial Council would bo to watch closely and carefully tho administration of the laws, and to make recommendations from time to time for their attention. The extent of legislation by the Provincial Council was not great. At the piesont time wo had in full progress the policy for the internal development and settlement of the country, initiated a few years ago, and the Council had to carelully watch the works that were being carried on in this Province, and soe that wo had a fair share of the public expenditure, and see that all tho works undertaken were undertaken in a spirit of prudence and caution. He could not, tor his part, look 'for anything but tho boat results from the policy now in force, if this degree of caution and prud»uee were now carried out. It must bo plain

that the change that had taken place now. to put foith the whole strength of the Colony in carrying out these works on the Colonial credit, and bringing people here to occupy our waste lands, was the best use we could make of our political power at the present time. One of the matters under the control of the Provincial Council was the Education question, and he did not see that much good would be done by interfering with it at the present time. He would be glad to see matters remain very much as they were, if there were a change, he hoped it would be in the direction of making the system more comprehensive, so as to bring it within the reach of the mass of the people, and of every child in the Province.— (Hear, hear.) The question had been made to bear somewhat of a religious shape, and. upon the one side we saw the denominational system, and upon the other sido the purely secular system of education. In looking at the matter in this light, he said at once that sooner than sco the introduction of the denominational system into this sparsely peopled country, by which what now existed would be broken down, he would sooner see the change come in the way that would sweep out anything that would interfere with the religious principles of any class of immigrants who might come here. In face, he would sooner see a system of purely secular education adopted. — (Hear, hear ) There was a matter that would come before the Council, and one which, he would use his endeavours to advocate and forward by every possible means, for it would greatly affect the city. He meant the improvement of the Upper Harbour at Dunedin. It must be quite clear that there was a very large work to be done here some day or other. It would be absolutely necessary at some time, and it would be a matter for regret if we neglected tho opportunity we now had to get a work of this kind pushed on. He did not mean to say that we should rush into any great scheme to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds, but it would be very desirable to see some scheme for the improvement of the Harbour initiated at the present time, and carried to such a length as were fairly within our means. It would be a great advantage to have a better approach for the great number of vessels, and particularly steamers ; and it would soon be necessary to cover with deep water those banks of mud which, in a few years, as the population increased, must prove injurious to the inhabitants of the city. He thought this would really be necessary from a sanitary point of view, and he hoped the Council would get some good scheme initiated. Some citizens had been engaged m getting valuable information on this point, and it would be laid before the Council. Any reasonable scheme would have his earnest support — (Hear, hear.) Another matter which he thought deserved to be carefully watched by the Provincial Council was the progress of immigration. It was of the greatest importance, now that we were bringing out so many people here, that those persons should be well and carefully selected. In his opinion, nothing would so well and so fully secure a suitable selection of immigrants, than the system of selection by those who were out here upon the spot. This appeared to him to be the most just and efficient mode of conducting the Immigration scheme. He even carried this to a length which went beyond what some people called right. He would not be inclined to place much restriction as to the age and character for mere work of the people who were brought out here under this system. Many of the people here, who were young, and who were engaged in the active business of life, should have an opportunity to bring out as many of their own families as possible. He would | like to see the people here bound together by ' family ties, and the interest which these created, and every encouiagement should be given to a system that would bring this about.— (Hear, hear.) Upon the other hand they must know, from past experience, the great danger that arose from bringing ovit here large numbers of people picked up indiscriminately from the large cities in the old country, for no other purpose than to make up and swell the number sent here. "We might get numbers of people by this means, but they would not be of the best class, and there was the danger. If we had a large number of people placed here for whom suitable employment might not be got at once, wo should have a large body of men clamouiing for work, and angry that thoy were brought here under false pretences. The result would be disturbances in the labour market, which would bring great discontentment upon the labouring classes. —(Hear, hear.) He looked with suspicion upon the system of sending here large numbers of people selected in this way from some of the larger towns in Great Britain. This was a matter that came more perhaps within the functions of the General Government, but it was one that interested the Provincial Government at the same time. More attention would be paid to the comfort of the immigrants in bringing them out. The arrangements are not what they should be, and it was too much the fashion of sailors to look upon passengers in the light of so much, livelumber and cargo, and forget their obligation to take care of their safety and make them comfortable and happy on the voyage. More stringent regulations should be issued for tho comfort of the passengers ; and a great deal might be done in this way which would render the voyage much less dangerous to life and health. — (Hear, hear.) These were somo of the matters which might engage tho attention of the Council, an t which it would be their duty to look after. He would give information upon any other point upon which tho electors might like to question him. He was asked to give his opinion upon two points. One was tho improvomeut of the Town Belt, and the other his opinion as to tho removal of tho tollbars. They were both questions which had boon the source of much urqumont, and iv which he had been much interested. Ho was jealous of an encroachment which would havo the effect of taking away these most valuable reserves from the permanent use of tho public. He hoped tho existing Statute would never be interfered with, which forbade for ever the alienation of these lands. As to the improvement of the Bolt, this was of course a most desirable thing for the city. They could not well ask for votes from tho Provincial Couucil for this matter. He was himself the means of getting a large number of votes for one particular part of this Bolt, and tho Council voted the money liberally. Tho money was not laid out as it might have been. Ho alluded to the South Recreation Ground. The country members were not likely ,to voto much more money for the improvement oi the Town Belt. As regarded the toll-bars, he held this to be a great grievance to '

the city. This was done under the influence of a particular Ministry here who were strong in the Tokomairiro interest. The members can tell, and Dunedin was very poorly represented in the matter. Mr John L. Gillies, he thought, had a good deal to do in putting these tolls there. There was no doubt, looking at the large taxation we had to pay, the tollbars should not have been placed in their present position, but should be removed to a distance of at least two miles from the town. — (Hear, hear.) There should be no toll bar upon the South Road nearer to Dunedin than Look-out Point, and people belonging to the town should be able to drive out abaut the outskirts of the city without having to pay toll. He would advocate any proposal for the moving of these toll bars, which were a great eye-sore to him. Dr Slesingkr : Are you in favour of the Hospital being locked) against the medical men of Dunedin ? And are you in favour of Dr Hulme having the whole and sole control of the Hospital, so that no other man can visit the Institution to see any operation performed, or to see any of the in-patients ? Mr Cargill : I do not think this is the case, and I think that any medical men may see the operation, that is, any medical men duly qualified. It seems to me that the Hospital is such a model institution and so well administered, that 1 am averse to seeing rough hands laid upon it. Ido not think it would be for the benefit of the patients if they were interfered with. — (Hear, hear.) Dr Slesinger was understood to ask if Mr Cargill thought it right that a man's leg should be allowed to tumble off in the Hospital.

Mr Caugill : 1 do not believe this. ' An Elector here called out, and asked Mr Cargill if he was in favour of herses and scabby sheep being admitted tj the Hospital. Dr Slesingek : Do you think it would be well conducted if what I say is the case ? Mr Cargjll : No. Mr H. S. Fish, Jun : If a movement is made to open the Hospital to other medical men be- | sides the medical officer, would you oppose it ? Mr Cargill: I should receive the proposal with a good deal of hesitation. At present the Hospital is under the care of a paid medical officer. If you abolish this system, and if you introduce the system in force elsewhere, you throw yourselves upon the services of men who may not do tho work as well. We now have two paid medical officers in whom I havo every confidence. C believe Dr Hulme to be a valuable pitblic servant, and am sure that anyone in the Hospital will bear testimony to this. 1 should be sony to see any interference. Dr Slessinger : Do you think that from 130 to 150 invalids in this Hospital would not require more than two hours every day to be visited by Dr Hulme I— (Hear, hear.) Mr Cargill : This is a matter of detail which I cannot deal with. There is a resident medical officer, Dr Yates, and I only judge by results. I beiieve the treatment of accidents and diseases in this Institution has been most successful, and will compare favourably with any Hospital iv the world.

After some further questioning on this point, to which Mr Cargill returned the same answer, an elector in the body of the meeting asked if Mr CUraill was in favour of the sale of land upon the defericd payment system. Mr Cargill said he thought this was a system which had considerable merits ; it was under trial now, and if it worked well he would certainly support it. A person named Hordy, in the body of the hall, then commenced to make a speech, and a little disorder ensued. Amongst other things, Mr Houdy wished to know the Candidate's opinion as to what were "the besb political principles by winch a nation could become independent?" Mr Cargill thought this was a question rather wide in its range. Mr Hokdy then addressed the meeting on the subjects of the "French devolution, Political Economy as applied to nations generally, and as to how many branches of industry were necessary to be established betore a country could nourish. Hrf was called to order by the Chairman several tinre«, and at last subsided. Mr Shekavin, juu., proposed that Mr Hordy should bo appointed to the post of Professor of Political Economy to the University. Mr Sheuwin. jun. : "Will you make all immigration upon the nomination system '! Mr CakcuTjL said he would not go in for this, an it would upset all the existing arrangements. He liked tho nomination system, as it was adopting the same course which' had attracted crowds of people to America from the old country. Mr bHERWIN wished to know whether in the eveut of athenreums being endowed with grants of laud Mr Cargill would be in favour of these places being kept open for a few days in the week. Mr Cargill said : Certainly. All institutions supported by public funds should be open to the public. Mr Sherwin said this was not done at present. Mr (Jakgiljlj said ho know it was uot ; but the principle was a right one. Mr H. J. Walter : If a motion is brought forward to ask for £2000 towards tho improvement of tho Town Belt will j'ou support it? 1 Mr Cargill : I should require to consider this question in all its bearings. Ido not like going into the Council to ask for large grants of a specific character which the Council might not be inclined to give. Mr Walter said he presumed Mr Cargill was | not aware of what had taken place at the hist j session of the Council ? ! Mr Cakgill said lie was not aware. Mr Fish wished to know if Mr Cargill was in favour of somo endowment to improve tho Town Belt. He thought the improvements suggested deserved the support of the people of the ProI vince.

Mr Cakgill said the Town Bolt belonged to the town and suburbs, and not to the Province at large. He would not go in for a large expenditure of public money upon the Town Bolt, but he would be open to discuss the matter. Mr Walter wished to know whether Mr Cargill would support tho voto if ho knew that 25 roads wont to the Town Belt.

Mr Caugill said that ho had no doubt there was a number of roads, but ho did not see how it affected the question. Mr Walter said there was a proposal to make a road four miles long round the Town Bolt. Such a road would bo for the good of the Province, and would Mr Cargill support it ? Mr Caugill thought this would bo a valuable road, but he did not at the presont moment see how thoy could ask the Province to give a large vote for the improvement of tha Town Belt. He would like to further consider the matter.

Dr Slebinger : Do you think it proper for those medical men in the Hospital to perform post mortem, examinationa,[and be Court, Judges, and Jury in cases of death in which they have treaced the patients themselves ? He thought other medical men should be called in.

Mr Cargill said he was asked to reply to a statement which might not be correct. He never heard it said that there had been any improper post mortem, examinations. Different charges had been brought forward, but nothing had come of them, If any definite charge was made, when he was in the Council, he would be happy to move for a committee to investigate it. In answer to another question from Dr Slesinger, Mr Cahgill said that he thought chemists should be compelled to have certificates of competency. In fact,' it was rather more important in the case of ohemists than of medical men. After several unimportant questions had been put, Mr Cargill was asked if he was in favour of Sunday traffic on the railways. Mr Cargill said he was opposed to Sunday traffic of all kinds, and would use all reasonable endeavours to prevent it. Mr J. Neil proposed Mr Cargill as a fit and proper person to represent the constituency in the Provincial Council. Mr G. Baker seconded the motion, which was carried with only one dissentient.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.