MR. WELLS, M.H.R., AT WAKAPUAKA.

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 2

MR. WELLS, M.H.R., AT WAKAPUAKA.

Me. Wells, M.H.R., addressed bis constituents at the Black liorse Inn, Wakapuaka, on November 10. He s:iiil he had not apx>cared before them that evening to declaim either against Provincial Government a or against Central Governments ; but I have always protested, and I am here to protest against the system of Government which has prevailed in the Colony during the last sixteen years since the Constitution was granted. It is a system o? double Government by Provinces ami the General Assembly; a system which we all know to our co3t has been a most extraordinarily expensive system. In conclusion, he stated that when a dissolution occurred it was not his intention again to offer himself for a constituency. He had spent his time in the Assembly long enough, in fact, longer than his own private affairs warranted him in doing. He would always look back with ploasure on the kindness, courtesy, and consideration which ho hud invariably experienced at tho hands of his constituents. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. Wastney said he differed in toto from Mr. Wells respecting Provincial and General Government management. He admitted that Provincial Governments hud been very extravagant, but no check had hpi'n put on them by Government and Governor, as nliould have been done. They were rather encouraged to be extravagant, and had the bad example of the General Government before them. Mr. Wastney then moved, and Mr. Gilbekt seconded the following motion, which was carried: — That this meeting, having heard the explanation of Air. Wells with regiird to the proceedings of the General Assembly, still adheres to the resolutions passed at a previous meeting of the electors of the district, held in this room on Tuesday, the 15th of September. The resolutions referred to are as follows : — 1. That this meeting is of opinion that the proposals of the Ministry for regulating the financial arrangements between this colony and the provinces are unsound in principle, and if carried out into practice would be the means of inflicting gross injustice upon a large portion of the colony. 'i. That the proposition to inflict the annual charges for the provincial debts on all the provinces alike, is a most flagrant act of injustice to the Province of Nelson, inasmuch as in the management of its affairs the strictest economy has been studied, nnd being almost free from debt, it is therefore entitled to exemption from the great burdens which this scheme would place on its inhabitants. 3. That this moetirg ttrongly deprecates tho conduct of the present Ministry in attempting to effect great and important changes in the constitution of the country, without taking the legitimate course of appealing to tho constituency at large. After a vote of thanks to Mi\ Wells and the chairman (Mr. Mackay, of Drumduan) the meeting, which was only attended by 15 persons, broke up.