MEETING OF THE ELECTORS OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 1038, 19 November 1870, Page 2 (Supplement)

MEETING OF THE ELECTORS OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

A public meeting was held in the Taranaki Institute on Saturday last, for the purpose of affording T. Kelly, Esq., Member for the Town of New Plymouth, an opportunity of giving information to the electors of his actions during tho last sessiou of the General Assembly. Mr. Cuomptox haviug been voted to the chair, called upon Mr. Kelly to address the electors. Mr. T. Kei.lv, M.H.R., then rose and said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I have called you together at as early a period as possible, to give you some account of what has been done during the past session of the General Assembly, and the part which T considered it my duty as your representative to take. As some 140 bills were passed, and received the sanction of the Governor, it is unnecessary for me to detain you with tilings that relate purely to other parts of the Colony, and in which you are not materially interested. I shall therefore only dwell on those Acts which have been passed which more directly affect this Province, leaving the larger questions that affected the welfare of the Colony generally, such as the Immigration and Public Works Act, until the last. When the session opened, the Executive announced in the Governor's speech an indication of their policy as regards native affairs, and that a large scheme for immigration and public works would bo submitted to their consideration, to stimulate the depressed condition under which the Colouy was now labouring in consequence of tho comparative suspension of colonisation daring the past few years. Tnere were also several Acts of an important character which the Government announced they intended to bring forward, such as the Readjustment of Representation, the Ballot Bill, and one to facilitate the transfer of land. I will first refer to the Ballot Act, which, as the elections are shortly to come off, will be most interesting to you. The mode of conducting the elections for the futnre has been materially altered. Open voting, and all its attendant evils, is done away with, and a system introduced which has worked well in Australia, and is daily gaining ground in England. Even in this small place the spirit of political coercion has shown itself during elections, but happily the new system prevents the exercise of such undue influence. The general system of vote by ballot throughout tho Colony met with littlo opposition in the House last session, but was so materially altered in the Upper House that it was rendered unworkable, and consequently was allowed to lapse. This year, however, it passed satisfactorily in both chambers, and is now the law by which the elections will be carried on. Tho object of the Bee ret system of voting is to prevent electors being unduly influenced by persons who could bring pressure to bear on them. The electors could now hear both sides of a question, and decide in their own minds which was the best candidate to support, according to their political tendencies, and vote accordingly, without any person knowing to which side they gave the benefit of their vote. The next Act which interested thi3 Province is the Militia Act, about some of the provisions of which there was a great deal of discussion. The material difference that existed between the present and former Acts consisted in the militia districts being now defined in the schedule to the Act, aud those persons liable to serve could under no circumstance be taken beyond the boundary of the district in which they lived without their own consent. As the Act was first brought down the militia could be taken from one part of the Colouy aud sent to another part to fight, and although it is not probable that this power will be acted on by the Government, it was considered better not to risk the libeity of the people in the hands of future governments, who might be inclined to act the part of tyrants, and take advantage of the Act. Now the general opinion both of the Assembly and the people was that it is not possible to fight and farm at tho same time, that it is impossible to act in both capacities with auy success in either. Some persons had previously imagined in this Province that such could be done, but experience had taught them the folly of it. It was obvious, therefore, as the General Assembly had come to the conclusion to keep up a permanent fighting force for at least five years, that it was not necessary for the Militia to be moved beyond the district they were settled in. The permanent foree — the coustabulary of the Colony — would be employed to do all the fighting, and the militia used merely to protect their homes in cases of great necessity. This was thought to be the best course to be adopted, as I am sure that if it was necessary for men to go beyond the limits of the militia districts to assist their fellow settlers in case of danger, time numbers would be fouud to volunteer for the purpose. There was another disenssion about the uniform of the militiaman. It was proposed in committee that euch militiaman should be supplied with an unifbrir, but to the resolution I moved as an amendment — "That each militiaman shall be paid for loss of time when called out for drill or inspection," but I failed to carry it. I thought it would be much better if the Government were to pay the men whom they thought necessary to drill for the defence of districts for the time they would lose, than to give them a uuiform which would probably consist of a blue serge, because the money wonld be their own to dispose of as they liked, whereas the uniform would be Government pro. perty, to be used on state occastous, at tho option of the commanding officer. It, was not necessary t'aat the militia should bo made to look like B jldiers ; they wero were merely wanted for tho defence of their owu district in case of pressing danger ; I therefore moved a resolution to that effect, when the report of the committee was submitted to the House, and divided it on the question, but I had a miserable few with me. If they had bean liable to serve in the militia the result might have been different. There was another bill passed by which common jurors were to be paid for the time they attended the court, at a rate of not exceeding Gs. per day. Hitherto it had been a great hardship and loss to country settlers, who had to come into town at their own expense while the Court sat. It has not been so severely felt in New Plymouth as in other places, where settlers had to come twenty or thirty miles to attend the Supremo Court. When the Act was first brought uudor their consideration, it enacted that the payment was not to exceed Ss.

per day, but I considered that was too large a sum, as it was tho duty of every man to give a portion of his time to tho carrying out the law of his country, therefore he was not entitled to be fully paid ; "but the sum was carried in the lower House. In the Legislative Council, however, the sum was reduced to 65., at which it now stands. I will now mention the Electoral Districts Act. It has long been felt necessary that some of the old districts of the Colony should be divided up and new one 3 created. As an instauce of this I may mention the Thames goldfield, where within the space of a year the population has increased between ten and twelve thousand, who were practically unrepresented. Then again on the west coast of the southern island, with a popnlation of over fourteen thousand, they had only two members, whilst this Province, with littlo over four thousand, still had three. Strenuous efforts were made to reduce the number of our members, but as the Government was in favour of retaining the same number the attempt was defeated, the Government party always votiug in favour of three. It was thought, however, necessary to readjust the boundary of some of the districts, and amongst the alterations was that which joiued Patea to Omata, and which is now called the Egraout district. The Patea settlers petitioned the House that they should be declared a separate electoral district from Waingongoro to Waitotara, which would have taken iv part of the Wellington Province aud parb of this, but it was not entertained, as the Wellington members set their faces against the alteration. The affair was finally settled by making a district as I have mentioued, and giving them a voice in returning a member for the Egmont District. This has not given the people of Patea or Omata satisfaction, but considering that such arduous attempts were made to strike off a member from the Province, I think by accepting the modification they have come off very well in the transaction. There were some other matters of social intei-est introduced, each as an Act to make vaccination compulsory, but difficulties arose, first from the Maoris, and then from the Auckland people, who strongly objected to taking the vaccine matter from the arms of children, preferring that the matter should bo taken from calves which had been operated on. The Act was referred to a select committee, who reported unfavourably on the proposals, aud it was allowed to drop through. Regarding the Married Women's Property Act, which was introduced b} r the member for the Grey and Bell, it was at first favourably received, as it was thought only just that the condition of a married woman with regard to property should be placed on a better footing, aud that she should have a real control of the joint property of herself and husband ; but after some reflection it was the opinion of the House that tho matter was of too complicated a nature to rashly legislate upon, and that the consideration of it had better be deferred. An Act was afterwards passed, which gave a married woman the right, under certain circumstances, to her owu earnings, if she appealed to the Court to have it made over to her for her sole aud separate use. There was no doubt that next sessiou the Government would move iv the matter, and that the married woman's right to property would be thoroughly discussed, when the law would probably be altered j and it was just possible that she might be entitled to vote also. Another matter of considerable moment, the question of primary education, was introduced during the sessiou. It was found that in the Northern Island generally education was very much neglected ; and in Wellington, Auckland, and this Province nothing scarcely had been done iv the couutry districts. One reason was that they had no laud revenue, which the Southern Islaud had, aud the financial position of the Provinces in the North Island was such that perhaps it was not expedient for the Government to give moucy when it was so much wanted for opening up the couutry. Therefore they could do little ac present with regard to education. The question would be renewed next session in the House, wheu something was likolv to be done by making it a colonial matter. There vvas another bill, which was introduced by tho Native Miuister for the purpose of removing the present prohibition that exists on selling spirits to natives. Hitherto, according to law, no person could sell liquor to a native without subjecting himself to a heavy penalty ; still it was done daily, and the manner in which the law was openly violated has become a public scandal. A bill was introduced to remedy this state of things. With this in view, the Government brought down the present bill, which provided that the restriction of selling liquors to natives within the boundaries of towns should no longer exist, but no license should be granted in native districts without the concurrence of the native assessors, but I fear that as regards native transgressors the Act will remain a dead letter, for us provisions could not be stringently carried out. I may stale from my own knowledge that the natives along the coast are in the habit of selling drink, and although according to the Act they are liable to severe penalties, yet the authorities will scarcely consider it prudent to take such active measures as will lead to their suppression. It vvas one of those mistakes of legislation, — for though the object to be attained is a desirable one, ie is impossible to carry it out in tho present state of native feeling,— so the Act will remain a dead letter as far as the native dealers in liquor are concerned. It would effectually prevent Europeans from selling liquor iv native districts, aud so far the measure would be beneficial. There were several questions affecting the trade ofthe Colony fully discussed, — such as flax and other co.onial industries, which introduced the question of protection versus fre.e trade, as applied to the Colony. With regard to flux, £1,000 had boon put on the estimates to make further enquiries into its properties and manufacture, with the view of ascertaining whether the process oi" dressing could be improved aud cheapened, so as to make it a permanent article of export for tho home market, and be able to successfully compete with the Manilla fibre for rope making. If flax was produoed of a good quality, I have no doubt that the prices would gradually improve, and after a few years, when it has obtained a footing in the market, it will be one of our most important exports. Protection of native industries, by levying heavy duties ou imported manufactured goods, met with little or no support in the House, because it took the form of a protective policy. Three-fourths of the members were against the Government proposal to alter the tariff, in the direction of levyiuj* a duty on flour and grain, of ninepence to a shilling on a hundred pounds. The supporters of a protective policy made little effort to carry their measure, so the question was speedily disposed of. A committee was appointed to enquire into and report upon the best means of fostering native industries. The result was the production of a mass of evidence, and a suggestive report showing how this might be done. As a rule the system of granting bonuses for tho successful establishment of any new industry, was the mode recommended in preference to levying heavy duties on imported manufactures. It was also considered desirable to reduco the duty on the raw material used by manufacturers in the Colony, to enable them to compete with imported goodq. The result is that the Assembly has authorised the Government to deal liberally iv the matter of native industries; and to foster them by all legitimate means short of resorting to the pernicious policy of protection, the only result of which would be to create an artificial prosperity in certain trades, at tho cost of the Colouy generally. A great deal of discussion took place regarding the laws in force relative to the sale of land. When the immigration aud public works scheme was being discussed, it was urged that the great obstacle to the success of tho immigration Bohome was the state of the land laws, and tho difficulties that stood in the way of small proprietors ac-

quiring farms at a reasonable price. The land ' laws of the Colony required to be revised and assimilated, so as to work in unison with the immigration and public works scheme. It was impossible to have a general system of immigration while tho regulations for tho purchase of land in various parts of the Colony, remained as they were. People were often puzzled when coming to the Colony to understand the land regulations, and iv the south tho land was locked up in large runs, which required a golden key to open them. One of the greatest mistakes ever committed by the General Assembly, was that of handing over tho management of the waste lands of the Crown to the various Provinces. The result was that the land laws were as various as the local governments, and were constantly changing to suit the ascendant political opinions of the day. A general system of immigration was now rendered almost a matter of impossibility, but the financial changes introduced by the Government would teud to remedy this state of things, and something like a uniform system of land laws was not beyond the bounds of possibility. A proposal was made iv the House to give land to Major Turner, out of that which was confiscated. I have a high respect for that gentleman and the service which he rendered as a soldier to the Colony, but I could not agree with the proposition made, that he should have power to select fonr hundred acres of laud from this Province, because ho was not in any way entitled to it. If he was entitled to it for services rendered, so were the whole ofthe Imperial troopswhoservedinNew Zealand ; besides the Militiaand Volunteers, who had borue the bruut ofthe war had a first claim (hear, hear.) It was proposed originally that Major Turner should have power to select the land himself, but this was altered, and the Government have now reserved that power solely to itself. If this had not been provided for, Major Turner could have chosen his land in some place which might have iuvolved the Government in another war with the natives. I noticed in the House that when the question arose forgiving auyone laud iv Taranaki, it was gonerally approved of by the members, but if it was to be given out of aoy othor Province thoro was great opposition. A similar proposition to that of Major Turner's (to give laud out of the Wellington Province to an officer who had some claim), was brought on aud met with great opposition, and the measure almost defeated. When the Act of Major Turner's was agreed to aud the Government aud the House practically assented to the giving of land for military services rendered, I put the following notice on the order paper : "That iv the opinion of this House it is desirable that any certificates of remission which may be issued by the Superintendent of the Proviuce of Tarauaki, iv the terms of the ' Volunteer Lands Act, 18U5,' may be exorcised in the purchase of auy waste lands of the Crown or Crown lauds within tho Proviuce." This was necessary, as the only available land iv tho Province was Crown laud to which the Act did uot apply without the conseut of the General Government. When the question came ou for cousideration, tho debate was adjourned at the request of the Government, and it found its way to the bottom of the order paper, but it again rose to the surface, and having a considerable support in the House I did not feel inclined to again adjourn the consideration of the matter ; but as the Superintendent ofthe Province as well as the Native Minister urged the secoud adjournmeut, I felt bouud to yield. On it coming up again before the House, the Government wished the matter to be with' drawn, and on the Native Minister undertaking to inquire into it at Taranaki, I conseuted to do so. The matter was in their own bauds — all they had to do when that gentleman arrived was for a deputation to wait upon him, and I have no doubt that he would afford them every information ou the subject. There was au Act passed that would be likely to have a beneficial effect on the easy transfer of laud by means of what was known as the Torreus Act, by which land when once a good title was reported, could be easily transferred for a few shillings. The transfer of a small section of fifty acres, which now cost tho purchaser some pounds, could by the new system (when the title was clear) be transferred for the same number of shillings. Several Acts of a very important character, affecting the finance of the Colony and Provinces, wero introduced by the Government. The Payment to Provinces Act was one which beneficially affected this Province. Hitherto half the cousolidated revenue raised in the Proviuce wont towards the cost of General Government administration aud interest on loan the balance remaining being handed over to the Provincial Treasurer. The effect was uot of a very satisfactory character to this Province, as most of its Customs revenue weut to swell the treasury of other ports of the Colony. The present Act provided that £'2 per head should be given to each Province, aud as 4,800 souls were tho number estimated in the schedule to the Act as our population, they were entitled to £9, G00 as provincial revenue, less the charges before mentioned. Besides this, which placed the provincial revenue iv a much sounder position than hitherto, there was some £50,000 voted for distribution amongst the road boards throughout the Colony — the only condition aotached beingthat the road boards ruled themselves, as no board would be entitled to assistance out of this vote until such had been done, and proper returns furnished to the Superintendent. It was therefore necessary that they should vote sufficient rates, foraccording to what amount they paid, so would they to a certain extent get an extra share of this sum. The special necessity of new districts would be taken iuto consideration more than old ones, but the principle of helping those wh/> helped themselves would in most cases be carried out. This Province would be entitled to about £900 of this sum voted, which I think will hare a beneficial effect, as it will increase the revenue ofthe several road districts, and stimulate the construction of the side roads. I now come to the Immigration and Public Works Bill. Though spoken of in the Governor's speech, few were prepared for what was enunciated by the Colonial Treasurer when he made his financial statement, for the magnitude of the scheme when propounded seemed to stun the House. They conld not at first comprehend its magnitude, or realise the vastness of the scheme. D<i}' after dny, as the House became more educated to the measure, many who wero at first adverse to it, came round aud agreed to its principles. My own couvictions were that it was too large, and beyond tho present ability of the Colony to carry through, and the object of ininy of the members was to reduce it to reasonable dimensions. Tho Government yielded to the wishes of their supporters to reduce tho borrowing pow9r one-third, but the amount to be guarauteed was not decreased. The amount to be borrowed was reduced from £0,000,000 to £1,000,000. The whole scheme met with the strenuous opposition of a small but determined party, but a great majority of the House saw the necessity of at once taking steps to devolop the vast resources ofthe Colony now lying idle, which required men aud money to render them available. The interest on the money used from this loan whun expended in any Province is to be charged against the revenue of that Province, so that although the measure is a Government measure, it is in this respect a provincial, aud uot colonial one. If tho money was made a colonial charge, the Government could then expend it in developing those portions of the Colony which would be most reproductive, but this was a matter of muoh difficulty under the existing state of things. It will eventually, I think, be made a colonial charge, and those Provinci'B who did not succeed in securing some of the expenditure would havo to pay more than their just share of the interest ou the loan. One part of the Act made provision for eomo £400,000 to be sot aside for road works in tho North Island, and the samu sum for railway purposes in the South Island — this would not be charged provinoially. As regards tho construction of public works iv this Province, tho main line of road

slionkl be first made, and the future railway to Wangauui might be run on one side of it, leaving the hnavy cutting until the railway was required. The line of railway between Wangunui und this place, I am informed, will be surveyed this summer. Before a railway was commenced, it was necessary that the land alongside could be acquired for settlers. The desire of the Government was to got tho land and make arrangements with the natives as speedily as possible, as a railway would be of little use without there was land vacant on which to place settlers. It would be a premature expenditure of money. The news of the European, war rendered io necessary for the Government to considerably modify their action as regards borrowing, and ifc was found necessary to pass an Act authorising the Government to issue short dated debentures at higher rates of interest, in order (o initiate public works in various parts of the Colony, as it was not considered advisable to delay the work of stimulating the commercial and industrial pursuits which were now in a somewhat languishing condition, simply because of a temporary riseiu the English money market. I have only now to refer to the system of local Government, which in former sessions attracted a great deal of attention. A growing feeling is spreading that a change in our local system of government is desirable. It did not find much expression in the House last session, but the question is not settled, it is only in brief abeyance. Several Provinces are unable to perform the important functions which their position demands. The cost in the Province of Marlborough of mere administration is something enormous, in fact it swallows all the revenue, leaving nothing for those oolonising duties which are supposed to be the special functions of Provincial Governments. The Council under the New Provinces Act elect their Superintendent ; in one instance they had a deadlock, on another occasion they had two Superintendents ia their Council. The general impression now in that that mode is a mistake, and they desired to elect their Superintendent through the people. The Canterbury Council have resolved that the Superintendent should be elected by the Council. They would therefore see that two Provinces— one the old and the other the new system — prayed to be relieved ; each wished for a change in the mode of electing their chief officer. There was no doubt that some cheaper form of government was necessary, especially for smaller Provinces, which were very diffcrout from the larger ones, which had larger functions to perform and could perform them. The different systems of local government required to be well thought over, with tho view of remedying the present defective system. Ido not see why in our own Province, the Government should not be adapted to the requirements and revenue of the district. The absurdity to fasten on a small place like this all the paraphernalia connected with the offices of Superintendent, Executive, and Council, with its Speaker and Sergeant-at-arms, was preposterous, when a simple chairman of a Council or board with two clerks would do all the administration of the Province. There was no doubt that the attention of Parliament would be called to it next session, with a view to provide a remedy for this anomalous state of things. I have had no time to prepare a speech, and have spoken from memory of what took place in the Assembly, but if (.here is any question of interest to you, to which I have not referred, or any coarse which I have taken which requires explanation, I shall be glad to answer any question or make any explanation to the best of my ability. Mr. I. Bayly said he was perhaps not speaking to the subject, but he wished to ask Mr. Kelly if the timber cut for the Waitura Bridge was cut to any plan. Mr. Kelly replied that no working plan had been made, but the whole design of the bridge hail been considered, and the timber was cub to a schedule ; from this a plan might be drawn in a few days, on the same principle as the other bridges. Mr. .T. Elliot said it had been stated that the timber had been cut recklessly and at random. Mr. Kelly replied that such statements were untrue. The timbers wore cut according to a sketch plan, and a schedule of the timber and the parts of the bridge for which they had been cut I would be found in the Provincial Secretary's office, and on the present Superintendent taking office ho had so informed him, and offered any assistance in carrying 1 out the plan. Mr. H. 11. lltoilMOND said the timber had been cut so that the proposed spans could be considerably altered if necessary. Mr. Kelly said the timber for the abutments and girder were cut to suit any span not exceeding seventy feet. The supports had not been finally decided on, except that the bridge should be one of four spans. It had been contemplated (o nse three rows of piles as tho centre piers of the bridge. Mr. Bishop asked if anything had been done relative to the rating of Maori reserves ? and said the natives could not get the Crown grant to their land. Mr. Kelly said that as far as the issuiug of grants was concerned, it was simply a matter of executive administration, and could be done any time. A good deal had been said in Committee in the House relative to the rating of native reserves, but nothing defiuite was done in the matter. With regard to the Crown giants, if Mr. Bishop had mentioned it before ho went down to Wellington, he would have made it his business to have brought tho matter before the Government. Mr. T. Bayly asked if the road between Wanganui and New Plymouth was to be metalled ; and would they continue the road to the White Cliffs ? Mr. Kelly replied that he had brought the whole state of the road (south) uuder the notice of the Government in a momoraudum, aud the Native Minister stated in his place in the House that it was the intention of the Government to make the now temporary road a permanent one, on which the coach could run during the winter. The road to the White Cliffs being part of the main line, was subjected to the same conditions. Mr. 11. R. Richmond asked whether a part of the money voted for roads in the Northern Island could bo borrowed for metalling the main road through this settlement, arid if he had ascertained from the Government whether it would agree to it. Mr. Kelly said that he had no doubt that if the Province undertook to pay the interest on the money that the Government would deal liberally so long as it was applied to opening up the main line of road ; but with regard to urging the matter on the Government, it was not part of his duty to do so : that would have been usurping the functions of tho Superintendent and Provincial Council, more especially as the Superintendent was a member of the House. ! Mr. n. R. Richmond : You havo told us here that yon considered the Government scheme too largo ? Did you stand up manfoily in your plaeo and oppose what I must call the criminal conduct of the Government and tho House in attempting to plunge tho Colony into such an extravagant scheme of public works without those proper legislative checks which were so necessary ? Mr. Kelly said that he spoke in the House the same as he did here, but did not act as Mr. J. C. Richmond had done because he cordially concurred iv the Government scheme as modified, and the supporters of the Government h i id obtained a modification, which, if not all they wished, wa's more than they hoped for, considering the sLrong majority in favour of the original scheme. As to tho alleged criminal^', ho must again differ fiorti Mr. Richmond, but there was a speedy remedy if tho majority had transgressed ; the elections would soon take place, and if they were not rejected, he supposed that the country, generally, would be participators. As to want of checks, if he would mention what particular part of the Act was deficient in that respect he would be able to reply. The Act contained one hundred

and four clause 1 ?, some of which were sufficient checks, bnt it was a folly to suppose that any amount of legislative checks would restrain a corrupt Government or a demoralised legislature. In any great scheme of public works, its success depended more on the sinoere iutentions of the Executive of the day and tho patriotism of the Parliament than all the the paper safeguards that ingenuity could interpose. Mr. Upjohn : Do you recollect Mr. Stafford, stating last session, his intention of proposing a large measure for public works ? Mr. Kelly : The subject was talked about by him during the latter part of the session in a rather vague indefinite way, and more definitely when he addressed his constituents at Timaru before the commencement of the last session, when he stated that he was prepared to make a main line of road throughout both Islands. He was prepared to borrow to the extent of two millions for tie purpose; and the action which he took in the House when a more extensive scheme was proposed by his political opponents, was such as to add to his reputation as one of our leading statesmen. Mr. Hulke asked how many members the House contained ? Mr. Kelly : Seven ty-six. Mr. Hulke : How many formed the Opposition ? Mr. Kelly : Seven to eight. A very small minority on divisions who were absolutely powerless to modify the Government scheme if the supporters of the measure had not wished the Government to make some alterations. Mr. Hulke proposed " That the electors ofthe Town of New Plymouth having heard Mr. Kelly's statement of his action in the House of Representatives, desire to express their satisfaction of his conduct, and the wish that he should represent them in the ensuing Parliameufc." Mr. Gledhill seconded the resolution, which, on being put, was carried uuanimously. Mr. Kelly replied : Gentlemen, — I most cordially thank you for the vote of confidence which yon have just passed, and if my private engagements do not prevent it, and the electors generally wish me again to come forward, I shall be most happy to do so.